Coursebook - Verb Tenses

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2012

COURSEBOOK VERB TENSES

Ho Thi Thuy Phuong

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Tense Affirmative/Negative/

Question Use Signal Words

Simple

Present

A: He speaks.

N: He does not speak.

Q: Does he speak?

action in the present taking place once,

never or several times

facts

actions taking place one after another

action set by a timetable or schedule

always, every , never,

normally, often,

seldom, sometimes,

usually

if sentences type I (If

I talk, )

Present

Progressive

A: He is speaking.

N: He is not speaking.

Q: Is he speaking?

action taking place in the moment of

speaking

action taking place only for a limited

period of time

action arranged for the future

at the moment, just,

just now, Listen!,

Look!, now, right now

Simple Past A: He spoke.

N: He did not speak.

Q: Did he speak?

action in the past taking place once,

never or several times

actions taking place one after another

action taking place in the middle of

another action

yesterday, 2 minutes

ago, in 1990, the other

day, last Friday

if sentence type II (If

I talked, )

Past

Progressive

A: He was speaking.

N: He was not

speaking.

Q: Was he speaking?

action going on at a certain time in the

past

actions taking place at the same time

action in the past that is interrupted by

another action

when, while, as long as

Present

Perfect

Simple

A: He has spoken.

N: He has not spoken.

Q: Has he spoken?

putting emphasis on the result

action that is still going on

action that stopped recently

finished action that has an influence on

the present

action that has taken place once, never

or several times before the moment of

speaking

already, ever, just,

never, not yet, so far,

till now, up to now

Present

Perfect

Progressive

A: He has been

speaking.

N: He has not been

speaking.

Q: Has he been

speaking?

putting emphasis on the course or

duration (not the result)

action that recently stopped or is still

going on

finished action that influenced the

present

all day, for 4 years,

since 1993, how long?,

the whole week

Past Perfect A: He had spoken. action taking place before a certain time already, just, never, not

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Simple N: He had not spoken.

Q: Had he spoken?

in the past

sometimes interchangeable with past

perfect progressive

putting emphasis only on the fact (not

the duration)

yet, once, until that day

if sentence type III (If

I had talked, )

Past Perfect

Progressive

A: He had been

speaking.

N: He had not been

speaking.

Q: Had he been

speaking?

action taking place before a certain time

in the past

sometimes interchangeable with past

perfect simple

putting emphasis on the duration or

course of an action

for, since, the whole

day, all day

Future

Simple

(will)

A: He will speak.

N: He will not speak.

Q: Will he speak?

action in the future that cannot be

influenced

spontaneous decision

assumption with regard to the future

in a year, next ,

tomorrow

If-Satz Typ I (If you ask

her, shewill help you.)

assumption: I think,

probably, perhaps

Future

Simple

(going to)

A: He is going to speak.

N: He is not going to

speak.

Q: Is he going to

speak?

decision made for the future

conclusion with regard to the future

in one year, next week,

tomorrow

Future

Progressive

A: He will be speaking.

N: He will not be

speaking.

Q: Will he be speaking?

action that is going on at a certain time

in the future

action that is sure to happen in the near

future

in one year, next week,

tomorrow

Future

Perfect

A: He will have spoken.

N: He will not have

spoken.

Q: Will he have

spoken?

action that will be finished at a certain

time in the future

by Monday, in a week

Future

Perfect

Progressive

A: He will have been

speaking.

N: He will not have

been speaking.

Q: Will he have been

speaking?

action taking place before a certain time

in the future

putting emphasis on the course of an

action

for , the last couple of

hours, all day long

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Simple Present

1. Introduction:

Simple present is also called present simple.

The simple present expresses an action in the present taking place once, never or several times. It is

also used for actions that take place one after another and for actions that are set by a timetable or

schedule. The simple present also expresses facts in the present.

2. Forms of verbs:

BE

Use:

Am with the personal pronoun II

Is with the personal pronouns he, she or it (or with the singular form of nouns)

Are with the personal pronouns we, you or they (or with the plural form of nouns)

Example: I am hungry.

Affirmative Negative Question

I I am. I am not. Am I?

he/she/it He is. He is not. Is he?

you/we/they You are. You are not. Are you?

HAVE

Use:

Have with the personal pronouns I, you, we und they (or with the plural form of nouns)

Has with the personal pronouns he, she, it (or with the singular form of nouns)

Example: I have a dog. / I have got a dog.

'Have got' is mainly used in British English. You can also use 'have' on its own (especially in American

English). In this case, however, you must form negative sentences and questions with the auxiliary

verb 'do' (see 'All other verbs').

Positive Negative Question

I/you/we/they I have got. / I have. I have not got. / I do not have. Have I got? / Do I have?

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he/she/it He has got. / He has. He has not got. / He does not

have.

Has he got? / Does he

have?

ALL OTHER VERBS:

Use:

The infinite verb (play) with the personal pronouns I, you, we and they (or with the plural form of

nouns)

The verb + s (plays) with the personal pronouns he, she, it (or with the singular form of nouns)


I/you/we/they I play. I do not play. Do I play?

he/she/it He plays. He does not play. Does he play?

Tips on how to form negative sentences and questions

Negative sentences and questions are formed with the auxiliary verb 'do'.

The 3rd person singular of 'do' is 'does'. This means that in negative sentences and questions the 's' of

the main verb is placed behind 'do'.

EXCEPTIONS:

The verbs can, may, might, must remain the same in all forms. So don't add s.

Example: he can, she may, it must

Verbs ending in o or a sibilant (ch, sh, s, x) add es instead of s.

Example: do - he does, wash - she washes

A final y after a consonant becomes ie before s.

Example: worry - he worries

But: A final y after a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) is not modified.

Example: play - he plays

3. Short forms:

Affirmative Negative

I am English. = I'm English. I am not English. = I'm not English.

We are English.= We're English. We are not English. = We're not / We aren't English.

He is English. = He's English. He is not English. = He's not / He isn't English.

I have got a dog. = I've got a dog. I have not got a dog. = I've not got a dog. / I haven't got a dog.

He has got a dog. = He's got a dog. He has not got a dog. = He's not got a dog. / He hasn't got a dog.

I do not play tennis. = I don't play tennis

He does not play tennis = He doesn't play tennis.

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4. Uses:

4.1 Facts (something is generally known to be true)

The sun sets in the west.

The sun never sets in the east or south or north, but always in

the west.

4.2 Action in the present taking place once, never or several times

Colin always plays soccer on

Tuesdays.

Colin plays football regularly - every Tuesday.

In English, signal words are often used,

e.g.: always, never, seldom, often, regularly, every Monday.

4.3 Actions in the present taking place one after another

She takes her bag and leaves.

First one action takes place and then the other.

4.4 Actions set by a timetable or schedule

The train leaves at 9 pm.

Although the action takes place in the future, it takes place

regularly and is set by a timetable.

4.5 Verbs expressing states, possession, senses, emotions and mental activity

When you love someone, that's a state, a fact or emotion, but

not an action (like running for example). Whenever you want

to express a state, possession, sense or emotions, use the

simple form (not the progressive). The following words all

belong to this group:

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I love her. Items Verbs

States Be, Remain

Possession Belong

Senses Hear, See, Smell

Emotions Hate, Like, Love, Seem, Want, Wish

Mental

Activities

Believe, Mean, Prefer, Realize, Think,

Understand

Signal words:

always

every ...

often

normally

usually

sometimes

seldom

never

5. Exercises:

Exercise 1: Put the verbs into the correct form.

1. Here we (go) GO .

2. Well, now I (see) ___________________________ what you (mean) _________________________.

3. I (love) _________________________ you more than words can say.

4. He (look) _____________________________- gorgeous.

5. That just (not / make) _____________________________ sense.

6. I (not / understand) _______________________________.

7. I (not / care) ___________________________-.

8. Who (you / think) ___________________________ you are?

9. (you / speak) ________________________ English?

10. (you / believe) __________________________ in love at first sight?

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Present Progressive/Continuous

1. Introduction:

The present progressive puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action.

The present progressive is used for actions going on in the moment of speaking and for actions taking

place only for a short period of time. It is also used to express development and actions that are

arranged for the near future.

Present progressive is also known as present continuous.

2. Form:

Use a form of to be and the infinite verb plus -ing.

Use:

Am with the personal pronoun I

Is with the personal pronouns he, she or it (or the singular form of nouns)

Are with the personal pronouns you, we, they (or the plural form of nouns)


I I am playing. I am not playing. Am I playing?

he, she, it He is playing. He is not playing. Is he playing?

you, we,

they

You are playing. You are not

playing.

Are you

playing?

Tips on how to form negative sentences and questions

In negative sentences, we put not between the form of be and the verb.

In questions, we simply swop the places of subject and the form of be.

Exception in spelling:

A single, silent e at the end of the word is dropped before ing.

Example: come - coming

I am coming home. You are coming home. He is coming home.

But: ee at the end of the word is not changed

Example: agree - agreeing

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The final consonant after a short, stressed vowel is doubled before ing.

Example: sit - sitting

I am sitting on the sofa. You are sitting on the sofa. He is sitting on the sofa.

The letter l as final consonant after a vowel is always doubled before ing.

Example: travel - travelling

I am travelling around. You are travelling around. He is travelling around.

Mind: This applies only for British English; in American English there is usually only one l.

An ie at the end of a word becomes y before ing.

Example: lie - lying

I am lying in bed. You are lying in bed. He is lying in bed.

3. Short forms:

Affirmative Negative

I am playing. - I'm playing. I am not playing. - I'm not playing.

He is playing. - He's playing. He is not playing. - He's not playing. / He isn't playing.

We are playing. -

We'replaying.

We are not playing. - We're not playing. /We aren't playing.

4. Uses:

4.1 Actions taking place at the moment of speaking (now)

He is playing football.

The action is going on now.

Signal words like now, at the moment are often used to

emphasise that the action is taking place at the moment of

speaking. Signal words are not really necessary, however, as

this is already expressed by the tense itself.

4.2 Arrangements for the near future

I'm going to the theatre tonight.

In the example you can see that the tickets are already bought.

So we are talking about an arrangement for the near future.

To make clear that the action is not going on now, we usually

use signal words like tonight, tomorrow, next Friday, at noon.

4.3 Actions taking place only for a limited period of time

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Jim is helping in his brother's

firm this week.

Here we are talking about a time limit. Jim does not usually

work in the firm, he is still at school and wants to earn some

extra money during his holidays.

To make clear that there is a time limit, we usually use signal

words, e.g. this week/month/year.

4.4 Actions taking place around now (but not at the moment of speaking)

I'm studying for my exams.

This action takes place around now and only for a limited

period of time, but not at the moment of speaking.

We don't have to use signal words here, but we often find signal

words in such sentences, e.g. now, at the moment.

4.5 Development, changing situations

The

Population of China is rising

very fast.

The sentence describes a development from one situation to

another.

Signal words are not that common here, only sometimes the

change of situation is emphasised by using for example more

and more.

Signal Words:

Actions taking place at the moment of speaking (now)

at the moment

now / just now / right now

Listen!

Look!

Arrangements for the near future

in the morning / in the afternoon / in the evening

at noon / tonight

tomorrow

next ...

Actions taking place only for a limited period of time

this week / this month / this year

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Actions taking place around now (but not at the moment of speaking)

at the moment

now / just now / right now

Development, changing situations

more and more

5. Exercises:

Exercise 1: Choose the correct signal word

1. I am talking on the phone NOW/OFTEN/YESTERDAY.

2. What are you doing IN 10 YEARS/LAST NIGHT/RIGHT NOW?

3. I'm not doing anything JUST NOW/2 DAYS AGO/YESTERDAY.

4. LOOK!/LISTEN!/YESTERDAY The sun is rising.

5. We're having a party LAST NIGHT/ON MONDAY/MAYBE.

Exercise 2: Complete the table with correct forms


I I am working

You You are jumping

He He is not dreaming

She Is she sleeping?

It Is it singing?

We We are travelling

They They are not fighting

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Present Perfect

1. Introduction:

The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an

influence on the present. It puts emphasis on the result.

2. Form of Present Perfect:


I / you / we / they I have spoken. I have not spoken. Have I spoken?

he / she / it He has spoken. He has not spoken. Has he spoken?

For irregular verbs, use the participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs,

just add ed.

Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed

Exceptions in spelling when adding ed Example

after a final e only add d love loved

final consonant after a short, stressed vowel

or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled

admit admitted

travel travelled

final y after a consonant becomes i hurry hurried

3. Uses:

3.1 Puts emphasis on the result

Example: She has written five letters.

3.2 Action that is still going on

Example: School has not started yet.

3.3 Action that stopped recently

Example: She has cooked dinner.

3.4 Finished action that has an influence on the present

Example: I have lost my key.

3.5 Action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking

Example: I have never been to Australia.

Signal Words of Present Perfect

already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now

since, for

4. Exercises:

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Exercise 1: Put the verbs into the correct form (present perfect simple).

1. I (not / work) ____________________today.

2. We (buy) ___________________________a new lamp.

3. We (not / plan) _______________________________our holiday yet.

4. Where (be / you)___________________________?

5. He (write) ___________________________five letters.

6. She (not / see) _____________________________him for a long time.

7. (be / you) ____________________________at school?

8. School (not / start) _________________________yet.

9. (speak / he) ______________________to his boss?

10. No, he (have / not) ________________________the time yet.

Exercise 2: Write questions in present perfect simple.

1. you / correct / my mistakes - __________________________________________________________________________

2. you / practise / your English - _________________________________________________________________________

3. she / tidy up / her room - ______________________________________________________________________________

4. the boss / sign / the letter - _____________________________________________________________________________

5. Mary / shut / the door - _______________________________________________________________________________

Exercise 3: Ask for the information in the bold part of the sentence.

1. Tony has built a house. - _________________________________________________________________________________

2. Avril has crossed the street at the traffic lights. - ______________________________________________________

3. They have never been to Australia. - ___________________________________________________________________

4. Rupert has dialled the number. - ______________________________________________________________________

5. Betty has spent 200 euros at the shopping mall. - _____________________________________________________

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5. List of Irregular Verbs:

Infinitive Simple Past Past Participle Infinitive Simple Past Past Participle

alight alighted, alit alighted, alit buy bought bought

arise arose arisen can could (kein Participle)

awake awoke, awaked awoken, awaked cast cast cast

be was, were been catch caught caught

bear bore borne, born choose chose chosen

beat beat beaten, beat cleave cleft, cleaved, clove cleft, cleaved,

cloven

become became become cling clung clung

beget begot begotten clothe clothed, clad clothed, clad

begin began begun come came come

bend bent bent cost cost cost

bereave bereaved, bereft bereaved, bereft creep crept crept

beseech besought,

beseeched

besought, beseeched crow crowed crew, crowed

bet bet, betted bet, betted cut cut cut

bid bade, bid bidden, bid, bade deal dealt dealt

bide bade, bided bided dig dug dug

bind bound bound do did done

bite bit bitten draw drew drawn

bleed bled bled dream dreamt, dreamed dreamt, dreamed

bless blessed, blest blessed, blest drink drank drunk

blow blew blown drive drove driven

break broke broken dwell dwelt, dwelled dwelt, dwelled

breed bred bred eat ate eaten

bring brought brought fall fell fallen

broadcast broadcast,

broadcasted

broadcast,

broadcasted

feed fed fed

build built built feel felt felt

burn burnt, burned burnt, burned fight fought fought

burst burst burst find found found

bust bust, busted bust, busted flee fled fled

fling flung flung leap leapt, leaped leapt, leaped

fly flew flown learn learnt, learned learnt, learned

forbid forbad, forbade forbid, forbidden leave left left

forecast forecast,

forecasted

forecast, forecasted lend lent lent

forget forgot forgotten let let let

forsake forsook forsaken lie lay lain

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freeze froze frozen light lit, lighted lit, lighted

geld gelded, gelt gelded, gelt lose lost lost

get got got, gotten make made made

gild gilded, gilt gilded, gilt may might (kein Participle)

give gave given mean meant meant

gnaw gnawed gnawed, gnawn meet met met

go went gone melt melted molten, melted

grind ground ground mow mowed mown, mowed

grip gripped, gript gripped, gript pay paid paid

grow grew grown pen pent, penned pent, penned

hang hung hung plead pled, pleaded pled, pleaded

have had had prove proved proven, proved

hear heard heard put put put

heave heaved, hove heaved, hove quit quit, quitted quit, quitted

hew hewed hewed, hewn read read read

hide hid hidden, hid rid rid, ridded rid, ridded

hit hit hit ride rode ridden

hold held held ring rang rung

hurt hurt hurt rise rose risen

keep kept kept run ran run

kneel knelt, kneeled knelt, kneeled saw sawed sawn, sawed

knit knitted, knit knitted, knit say said said

know knew known see saw seen

lay laid laid seek sought sought

lead led led sell sold sold

lean leant, leaned leant, leaned send sent sent

set set set split split split

sew sewed sewn, sewed spoil spoilt, spoiled spoilt, spoiled

shake shook shaken spread spread spread

shall should (kein Participle) spring sprang, sprung sprung

shear sheared shorn, sheared stand stood stood

shed shed shed steal stole stolen

shine shone shone stick stuck stuck

shit shit, shitted, shat shit, shitted, shat sting stung stung

shoe shod, shoed shod, shoed stink stank, stunk stunk

shoot shot shot stride strode stridden

show showed shown, showed strike struck struck

shred shred, shredded shred, shredded string strung strung

shrink shrank, shrunk shrunk strive strove striven

shut shut shut swear swore sworn

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sing sang sung sweat sweat, sweated sweat, sweated

sink sank sunk sweep swept swept

sit sat sat swell swelled swollen, swelled

slay slew slain swim swam swum

sleep slept slept swing swung swung

slide slid slid take took taken

sling slung slung teach taught taught

slink slunk slunk tear tore torn

slit slit slit telecast telecast, telecasted telecast, telecasted

smell smelt, smelled smelt, smelled tell told told

smite smote smitten think thought thought

sow sowed sown, sowed throw threw thrown

speak spoke spoken thrust thrust thrust

speed sped, speeded sped, speeded tread trod trodden

spell spelt, spelled spelt, spelled understand understood understood

spend spent spent wake woke, waked woken, waked

spill spilt, spilled spilt, spilled wear wore worn

spin spun spun weave wove woven

spit spat spat wed wed, wedded wed, wedded

weep wept wept wind wound wound

wet wet, wetted wet, wetted wring wrung wrung

win won won write wrote written

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Present Perfect Progressive

The present perfect progressive expresses an action that recently stopped or is still going on. It puts

emphasis on the duration or course of the action.

Form of Present Perfect Progressive


I / you / we / they I have been speaking. I have not been speaking. Have I been speaking?

he / she / it He has been speaking. He has not been speaking. Has he been speaking?

Exceptions in Spelling

Exceptions in spelling when adding ing Example

final e is dropped

(but: ee is not changed)

come coming

(but: agree agreeing)

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled sit sitting

l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled (in British English) travel travelling

final ie becomes y lie lying

Use of Present Perfect Progressive

puts emphasis on the duration or course of an action (not the result)

Example: She has been writing for two hours.

action that recently stopped or is still going on

Example: I have been living here since 2001.

finished action that influenced the present

Example: I have been working all afternoon.

Signal Words of Present Perfect Progressive

all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week

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Simple Past (Past Simple)

1. Introduction:

The simple past expresses an action in the past taking place once, never, several times. It can also be

used for actions taking place one after another or in the middle of another action.

2. Form of Simple Past:


no differences I spoke. I did not speak. Did I speak?

For irregular verbs, use the past form (see list of irregular verbs, 2nd column). For regular verbs, just

add ed.


Exceptions in spelling when adding ed Example

after a final e only add d love loved



admit admitted

travel travelled


3. Use of Simple Past:

3.1 Action in the past taking place once, never or several times

Example: He visited his parents every weekend.

3.2 Actions in the past taking place one after the other

Example: He came in, took off his coat and sat down.

3.3 Action in the past taking place in the middle of another action

Example: When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.

3.4 If sentences type II (If I talked, )

Example: If I had a lot of money, I would share it with you.

Signal Words of Simple Past

yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday

If-Satz Typ II (If I talked, )

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4. Exercises:

Exercise 1: Write the verbs in simple past.

1. The first settlers (be) _____________________the Potawatomi.

2. They (call) _________________this place Checagou (wild onion) because it (smell)

___________________like onions.

3. Constructions on the Sears Tower (begin) _____________________in 1970.

4. Until 1997, the Sears Tower (be) ___________________the highest building in the world.

English pool of exercise

Exercise 2: Put the verbs into the correct form (simple past).

1. Last year I (spend) __________________ my holiday in Ireland.

2. It (be) __________________ great.

3. I (travel) _________________ around by car with two friends and we (visit) _____________________ lots of

interesting places.

4. In the evenings we usually (go) ____________________ to a pub.

5. One night we even (learn) ______________________ some Irish dances.

6. We (be) _____________________ very lucky with the weather.

7. It (not / rain) ___________________ a lot.

8. But we (see) ___________________ some beautiful rainbows.

9. Where (spend / you) _____________________ your last holiday?

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Past Progressive

1. Introduction:

The past progressive puts emphasis on the course of an action in the past.

2. Form:


I / he / she / it I was speaking. I was not speaking. Was I speaking?

you / we / they You were speaking. You were not speaking. Were you speaking?

Exceptions in Spelling

Exceptions in spelling when adding ing Example

final e is dropped (but: ee is not changed) come coming

(but: agree agreeing)

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled sit sitting

l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled (in British English) travel travelling

final ie becomes y lie lying

3. Use of Past Progressive:

3.1 Puts emphasis on the course of an action in the past

Example: He was playing football.

3.2 Two actions happening at the same time (in the past)

Example: While she was preparing dinner, he was washing the dishes.

3.3 Action going on at a certain time in the past

Example: When I was having breakfast, the phone suddenly rang.

Signal Words of Past Progressive

when, while, as long as

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4. Exercises:

Exercise 1: Put the verbs into the correct form (past progressive).

1. When I phoned my friends, they (play) _______________________________ monopoly.

2. Yesterday at six I (prepare) _________________________ dinner.

3. The kids (play) ______________________ in the garden when it suddenly began to rain.

4. I (practise) ___________________ the guitar when he came home.

5. We (not / cycle) _____________________ all day.

6. While Aaron (work) _______________________ in his room, his friends (swim) _____________________________ in

the pool.

7. I tried to tell them the truth but they (listen / not) _____________________________.

8. What (you / do) ____________________________ yesterday?

9. Most of the time we (sit) ________________________________ in the park.

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Past Perfect Simple

1. Introduction:

The past perfect simple expresses an action taking place before a certain time in the past.

2. Form of Past Perfect Simple:


no differences I had spoken. I had not spoken. Had I spoken?

For irregular verbs, use the past participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular

verbs, just add ed.


Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed Example

after final e, only add d love loved



admit admitted

travel travelled


3. Use of Past Perfect:

3.1 Action taking place before a certain time in the past

(putting emphasis only on the fact, not the duration)

Example: Before I came here, I had spoken to Jack.

3.2 Conditional Sentences Type III (condition that was not given in the past)

Example: If I had seen him, I would have talked to him.

Signal Words

already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day (with reference to the past, not the present)

If-Satz Typ III (If I had talked, )

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4. Exercises:

Exercise 1: Put the verbs into the correct form (past perfect simple).

1. The storm destroyed the sandcastle that we (build) ____________________________________.

2. He (not / be) _________________________ to Cape Town before 1997.

3. When she went out to play, she (do / already) __________________________ her homework.

4. My brother ate all of the cake that our mum (make) __________________________.

5. The doctor took off the plaster that he (put on) _____________________ six weeks before.

6. The waiter brought a drink that I (not / order) ____________________________.

7. I could not remember the poem we (learn) _____________________________ the week before.

8. The children collected the chestnuts that (fall) _____________________________ from the tree.

9. (he / phone) _____________________________ Angie before he went to see her in London?

10. She (not / ride) ____________________________- a horse before that day.

Exercise 2: Put the verbs into the correct form (past perfect simple).

Complete the sentences in Past Perfect Simple (positive).

1. She told me that she (see) _____________________________ a ghost.

2. When they came home, Sue (cook) ___________________________ dinner already.

3. We could not send you a postcard because we (forget) ________________________ our address book.

4. He went to Alaska where he (not / be) ___________________________ before.

5. She put on the red dress, which she (not / wear) __________________________ for ages.

6. His mother was angry because he (not / help) ___________________________ her with the shopping.

7. (you / finish) ______________________________ your homework before you went to the cinema?

8. (why / you / clean) ______________________________ the bathroom before you bathed the dog?

9. (she / find) ______________________________ a place to stay when she went to Boston?

10. (where / she / live) _______________________________ before she moved to Chicago?

Page | 24

Past Perfect Progressive

1. Introduction:

The past perfect progressive puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action taking place before a

certain time in the past.

2. Form:

A: He had been talking.

N: He had not been talking.

Q: Had he been talking?

3. Use:

3.1 Action taking place before a certain time in the past

3.2 Sometimes interchangeable with past perfect simple

3.3 Puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action

Signal words

for, since, the whole day, all day

4. Exercises:

Exercise 1: Put the verbs into the correct form (past perfect progressive).

1. We (sleep) ______________________ for 12 hours when he woke us up.

2. They (wait) ___________________ at the station for 90 minutes when the train finally arrived.

3. We (look for) _____________________ her ring for two hours and then we found it in the bathroom.

4. I (not / walk) __________________________ for a long time, when it suddenly began to rain.

5. How long (learn / she) _________________________ English before she went to London?

6. Frank Sinatra caught the flu because he (sing) ______________________________ in the rain too long.

7. He (drive) ____________________________- less than an hour when he ran out of petrol.

8. They were very tired in the evening because they (help) _____________________________ on the farm all

day.

9. I (not / work) ______________________________ all day; so I wasn't tired and went to the disco at night.

10. They (cycle) ________________________________ all day so their legs were sore in the evening.

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Simple Past Past Perfect Simple

Form


2nd column of irregular verbs

Example: I spoke

had + 3rd column of irregular verbs

Example: I had spoken

regular verbs: infinitive + ed

Example: I worked

regular verbs: form of have + infinitive + ed

Example: I had worked

Exceptions

Exceptions when adding ed:

when the final letter is e, only add d

Example: love - loved

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

Example: admit - admitted

final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)

Example: travel - travelled

after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel)

Example: worry worried but: play - played

Use

We use Simple Past if we give past events in the order in which they occurred. However, when we look

back from a certain time in the past to tell what had happened before, we use Past Perfect.

Normal order in the past or looking back to an event before a certain time in the past?

Do you just want to tell what happened some time in the past or do you want to tell what had happened

before/up to a certain time in the past?


some time in the past

Example:

Jane got up at seven. She opened her birthday presents

and then the whole family went to the zoo.

before/up to a certain time in the past

Example:

Before her sixth birthday, Jane had never been

to the zoo.

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Signal Words


first

then

already

up to then

before that day

after*

Note: "After" is only used as a signal word for Past Perfect if it is followed by a subject + verb, meaning

that one action had been completed before another action began (the new action is in Simple Past).

Example:

After the family had had breakfast, they went to the zoo.

However, if "after" is followed by object + subject + verb, the verb belongs to the new action and is

therefore in Simple Past.

Example:

After her visit to the zoo, Jane was exhausted.

More exceptions with signal words

When

Depending on the situation, "when" can be used with Simple Past or Past Perfect. Compare the following

examples:

Example:

When Jane saw the elephants, she was amazed. (at the same time)

When Jane had seen the elephants, she wanted to see the giraffes. (second action happened after

the first action had been completed)

When Jane went to see the elephants, she had already seen the lions. (second action had been

completed when the first action took place)

Before

"Before" as well can either be used with Simple Past or Past Perfect. If the action after "before" is a new

action, use Simple Past. If the action after "before" started (and was not completed) before a certain

time in the past, use Past Perfect. Compare the following examples:

Example:

Jane had read a lot about elephants before she went to the zoo.

Jane went to the zoo before she had finished reading her new book about elephants.

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Exercises:

Exercise 1: Choose the correct tense (Simple Past or Past Perfect).

1. The wind ____________________ away the leaves that we _____________________________.

2. She ______________________ away the letter that she _______________________________.

3. They __________________________ me the pictures, they ____________________________ during their holidays.

4. In the evening, the children _____________________ their daddy what they ___________________ at the zoo.

5. The boy ___________________________- very sorry for what he ______________________________.

Exercise 2: Put the verbs into the correct tense (Simple Past or Past Perfect).

1. My friend (eat) __________________________- up all the biscuit we (bake) _________________________-.

2. The teacher (correct) __________________________ the tests we (write) _____________________________.

3. I (give) __________________________ them some of the candies I (buy) ______________________________.

4. My sister (see / not) ______________________ the note that I (lay) __________________________ on the

kitchen table for her.

5. We (want) ___________________________ to watch a film that we (see /

not) _____________________________ before.

Exercise 3: Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or past perfect simple).

1. When he (wake up) ______________________, his mother (already / prepare) _________________________-

breakfast.

2. We (go) ________________________ to London because the Queen (invite) _________________________ us for

tea.

3. He (hear) ________________________ the news, (go) _____________________ to the telephone

and (call) _________________________ a friend.

4. When she (start) _______________________to learn English, she (already /

learn) ___________________________ French.

5. Jane (already / type) __________________________ ten pages when her

computer (crash) _________________________.

6. By the time he (arrive) ______________________ at the pub, they (run) _______________________ out of beer.

7. Before that day we (never / think) __________________________- of going to Japan.

8. I (know) ________________________- him for a long time before I (meet) __________________________ his

family.

9. They (not / know) _________________________ where to meet because

nobody (tell) ___________________________- them.

10. It (be) _________________________- cloudy for days before it finally (begin) _______________________ to rain.

Page | 28

Simple Past Past Progressive

Form


irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular verbs

I spoke

regular verbs: verb + ed

I worked

past form of 'be' + ing form of verb

I was speaking

you were speaking

he / she / it was speaking

we were speaking

they were speaking

Exceptions

Exceptions when adding 'ed' :

when the final letter is e, only add d.


after a short, stressed vowel, the final

consonant is doubled


final l is always doubled in British English

(not in American English)


after a consonant, final y becomes i. (but:

not after a vowel)

Example: worry - he worried

but: play - he played

Exceptions when adding 'ing' :

silent e is dropped (but: does not

apply for -ee)

Example: come - coming

but: agree - agreeing

after a short, stressed vowel, the final

consonant is doubled

Example: sit - sitting

final l is always doubled in British

English (not in American English)

Example: travel - travelling

final ie becomes y.

Example: lie - lying

Use

After another or at the same time?

Do you want to express that the actions in the past happened one after another or at the same time?


after another

She came home, switched on the computer

and checked her e-mails.

at the same time

Simon was playing on the computer while his

brother was watching TV.

New action or already in progress?

If you want to express that a new action happened in the middle of another action, you need both

tenses: Simple Past the new action and Past Progressive for the action already in progress.

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new action

My mobile rang (when I was sitting in a

meeting.)

action already in progress

While I was sitting in a meeting, (my mobile suddenly

rang.)

Only mentioning or emphasising progress?

Do you just want to mention that an action took place in the past (also used for short actions)? Or do

you want to put emphasis on the progress, e.g. that an action was taking place at a certain time?


just mentioning

Colin played football yesterday.

emphasising progress

Yesterday at six o'clock, Colin was playing football.

Certain Verbs

The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Past (not in the progressive form).

state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit

Example: We were on holiday.

possession: belong, have

Example: Sam had a cat.

senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch

Example: He felt the cold.

feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish

Example: Jane loved pizza.

brain work: believe, know, think, understand

Example: I did not understand him.

introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say

Example: I am watching TV, he said.

Signal words


first

then

If-Satz Typ II (If I talked, )

when

while

as long as

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Exercises:

Exercise 1: Put the verbs into the correct tense (Simple Past or Past Progressive).

1. While Tom (read) _____________________, Amely (watch) __________________ a documentary on TV.

2. Marvin (come) ___________________ home, (switch) _________________ on the computer

and (check) ______________________ his emails.

3. The thief (sneak) ____________________- into the house, (steal) ___________________ the jewels

and (leave) _______________________ without a trace.

4. Nobody (listen) _______________________ while the teacher (explain) ___________________ the tenses.

5. While we (do) _________________________- a sight-seeing tour, our

friends (lie) ___________________________ on the beach.

6. He (wake) __________________ up and (look) ____________________________ at his watch.

Exercise 3: Put the verbs into the correct tense (Simple Past or Past Progressive).

1. Two days ago, a murder (happen) ___________________________ in Market Street at about seven pm.

2. Yesterday, Sherlock Holmes (arrive) ______________________ at the crime scene to investigate.

3. He (ask) ________________________ one of the tenants in the house.

4. What (do / you) ____________________________ yesterday at seven?

5. I (watch) ________________________ a football match on TV.

6. (be) _______________________ you alone?

7. Yes, I (be) __________________________.

8. (hear / you) ________________________ anything suspicious?

9. Yes, about seven o'clock, two people (argue) _________________________ in the hallway. But the football

match (be) ____________________ so interesting. So I just (turn) _____________________ up the telly and

then (hear / not) _______________________ anything anymore.

Exercise 4: Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or past progressive).

1. When I (do) ___________________ the washing-up, I (break) ________________________ a plate.

2. While Tom (play) ______________________ the piano, his mother (do) ___________________ the washing-up.

3. He (drink) ________________ some juice and then he (eat) ________________________- a few chips.

4. I (have) _________________ dinner when I suddenly (hear) ___________________________ a loud bang.

5. When my father (work) __________________________ in the garden, an old

friend (pass)________________________ by to see him.

6. She (go) ____________________- to school, (take) ________________________ out her textbook

and (begin) __________________________- to learn.

7. When it (start) __________________________ to rain, our dog (want) _____________________ to come inside.

8. When Jane (do) ___________________ a language course in Ireland,

she (visit) _______________________ Blarney Castle.

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Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

Form


irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular

verbs

Example:

I spoke

irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd column of

irregular verbs

Example:

I / you / we / they have spoken

he / she / it has spoken

regular verbs: infinitive + ed

Example:

I worked

regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed

Example:

I / you / we / they have worked

he / she / it has worked

Exceptions

Exceptions when adding 'ed':

when the final letter is e, only add d


after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled


final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)


after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel)

Example: worry worried but: play - played

Use

In British English, the use of Simple Past and Present Perfect is quite strict. As soon as a time expression

in the past is given, you have to use Simple Past. If there are no signal words, you must decide if we just

talk about an action in the past or if its consequence in the present is important.

Note that the following explanations and exercises refer to British English only. In American English,

you can normally use Simple Past instead of Present Perfect. We cannot accept this in our exercises,

however, as this would lead to confusions amongst those who have to learn the differences.

Certain time in the past or just / already / yet?

Do you want to express that an action happened at a certain time in the past (even if it was just a few

seconds ago) or that an action has just/ already / not yet happened?


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certain time in the past

Example: I phoned Mary 2 minutes ago.

just / already / not yet

Example: I have just phoned Mary.

Certain event in the past or how often so far?

Do you want to express when a certain action took place or whether / how often an action has

happened till now?


certain event in the past

Example: He went to Canada last summer.

whether / how often till now

Example: Have you ever been to Canada? / I have been to

Canada twice.

Emphasis on action or result?

Do you just want to express what happened in the past? Or do you want to emphasise the result (a past

action's consequence in the present)?


Emphasis on action

Example: I bought a new bike. (just

telling what I did in the past.)

Emphasis on result

Example: I have bought a new bike. (With this sentence I

actually want to express that I have a new bike now.)

Signal Words


yesterday

... ago

in 1990

the other day

last ...

just

already

up to now

until now / till now

ever

(not) yet

so far

lately / recently

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Exercises:

Exercise 1: Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

1. Mother: I want to prepare dinner. (you / wash) ______________________ the dishes yet?

2. Daughter: I (wash) ________________________ the dishes yesterday, but I (have /

not) ___________________- the time yet to do it today.

3. Mother: (you / do / already) ______________________- your homework?

4. Daughter: No, I (come / just) _________________________ home from school.

5. Mother: You (come) _______________________- home from school two hours ago!

6. Daughter: Well, but my friend Lucy (call) _____________________ when

I (arrive) _____________________ and I (finish / just) _____________________ the phone call.

7. Mother: (you / see / not) ______________________ Lucy at school in the morning?

8. Daughter: Yes, but we (have / not) _________________________ time to talk then.


1. A: (you / be / ever) ______________________________ to London?

2. B: Yes, I (be) ________________________ there three times.

3. A: When (be) ______________________ the last time you (be) ____________________ there?

4. B: Last summer. I (spend) ____________________ two weeks in Brighton with my parents and

we (go) __________________________ to London one weekend.

5. (you / like) __________________________- it?

6. Oh yes. We really (have) ____________________________ a great time in London.

7. Lucky you! I (be / never) _________________________- to London.


1. A: (you / play / already) _________________________ the new computer game?

2. B: No, not yet. I only (buy) ___________________________ it yesterday and I (have /

not) ___________________________ the time yet.

3. A: (you / go) __________________________________ to the cinema last night?

4. B: Yes. I (be) ____________________________ there with Sue and Louis. (you /

be) _____________________________ to the cinema recently?

5. A: I last (go) ____________________________ to the cinema two weeks ago.

6. B: So you (see / not) ___________________________ the new action film yet.

7. A: No, unfortunately not. (you / enjoy) _______________________________ it?

8. B: Oh, I really (love) __________________________ it. But Sue (like / not) _________________________ it - too

much action!

9. A: But why (you / take) _____________________ her with you? She (tell) ________________________ me last

week that she (hate) _________________________ action films.

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10. B: I think she has an eye on Louis. She (try) _________________________ to flirt with him all the time. So

he (can / concentrate / not) _________________________ on the film.

Future simple WILL

Use of will Future

a spontaneous decision

Example: Wait, I will help you.

an opinion, hope, uncertainty or assumption regarding the future

Example: He will probably come back tomorrow.

a promise

Example: I will not watch TV tonight.

an action in the future that cannot be influenced

Example: It will rain tomorrow.

conditional clauses type I

Example: If I arrive late, I will call you.

Signal Words

in a year, next , tomorrow

Vermutung: I think, probably, perhaps

Future simple GOING TO

Use of going to Future

an action in the near future that has already been planned or prepared

Example: I am going to study harder next year.

a conclusion regarding the immediate future

Example: The sky is absolutely dark. It is going to rain.

Signal Words

in one year, next week, tomorrow

Future Progressive

Use of future progressive/continuous

action that is going on at a certain time in the future

action that is sure to happen in the near future

Signal Words

in one year, next week, tomorrow

Future Perfect

Form of future perfect

A: He will have talked.

Page | 35

N: He will not have talked.

Q: Will he have talked?

Use

action that will be finished at a certain time in the future

Signal Words

by Monday, in a week

Future Perfect Progressive

Future II progressive puts emphasis on the course / duration of an action taking place before a certain

time in the future. It can also be used to express an assumption regarding a future action.

Future II progressive is not used very often as it can usually be replaced by future II simple.

Form

A: He will have been talking.

N: He will not have been talking.

Q: Will he have been talking?

Use

action taking place before a certain time in the future

puts emphasis on the course of an action

Signal Words

for ..., the last couple of hours, all day long

Exercises: Put the verbs into the correct form (will, going to, simple present or present

progressive).

1. I love London. I (probably / go) _________ there next year.

2. Our train (leave) ___________ at 4:47.

3. What (wear / you) ___________ at the party tonight?

4. I haven't made up my mind yet. But I think I (find) _____________ something nice in my

mum's wardrobe.

5. This is my last day here. I (go) ________________ back to England tomorrow.

6. Hurry up! The conference (begin) ___________ in 20 minutes.

7. My horoscope says that I (meet) ____________ an old friend this week.

8. Look at these big black clouds! It (rain) ______________ .

9. Here is the weather forecast. Tomorrow (be) ______________ dry and sunny.

10. What does a blonde say when she sees a banana skin lying just a few metres in front of her? - Oh

dear! I (slip) ______ !

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Test 3

(For all English tenses)

PART 1: Choose ONE phrase for each of the following sentences by circling A, B, C, or D

1. They .. in that factory for three years - from 1995 to 1998.

A. are working B. have been working C. worked D. have worked

2. We the television when the lights out.

A. were watching / were going B. were watching / went

C. watched / went D. watched / were going

3. When I In Ho Chi Minh city for ten years, I a book.

A. have been / write B. have been / shall write

C. am / write D. shall be / shall write

4. I ten records from Tom this month.

A. have borrowed B. borrow C. am borrowing D. have been borrowing

5. He . A book while she the flowers.

A. was reading / watered B. was reading / was watering

C. is reading / watered D. reads / was watering

6. By the end of this year, my father for 40 years.

A. will have been teaching B. will be teaching

C. will teach D. has been teaching

7. He .. in space for 10 days by tomorrow.

A. will travel B. will be travelling

C. will have been travelling D. has travelled

8. He said he would visit me but he . me yet

A. has not visited B. had not visited C. is not visiting D. does not visit

9. The weather . fine so far this week.

A. is B. has been C. was D. had been

10. We had just got out of the car when it to set fire.

A. has begun B. had begun C. was beginning D. began

11. As soon as he .. a certificate in English, he will apply for a job.

A. would get B. got C. gets D. will get

12. She has been studying engineering . .

A. since 8 years B. for 8 years C. 8 years before D. during 8 years

13. We .. waiting for her for half an hour before she came.

A. have been B. will be C. will have been D. had been

14. I .. it is a stupid idea. He should stay where he is.

A. think B. am going to think

C. am thinking D. have been thinking

15. Since my accident, I . with my left hand.

A. wrote B. am writing C. have written D. was writing

16. This is the worst book I .

A. read B. am reading C. have ever read D. had read

17. The population of the world .. very fast.

A. rises B. doesnt rise C. is rising D. A & B are correct

Page | 37

18. When she came back, everything

A. has changed B. had changed C. have changed D. were changing

19. They .. this course by next June.

A. have finished B. will finish C. are going to finish D. will have finished

20. She will go abroad as soon as she this English course.

A. has completed B. will complete C. will have completed D. completed

21. She is tired now. She . for a long time.

A. has been learning B. has learned C. learns D. learned

22. Hurry up or the train . before you can catch it.

A. will leave B. leaves C. will have left D. has left

23. I . that novel at least twice.

A. have read B. read C. reads D. have been reading

24. You cant see Tom now: He .. a bath.

A. have B. has C. had D. is having

25. I wont go out now as it . and I . an umbrella

A. is raining / havent got B. rained / hasnt

C. rains / havent had D. rains / havent

26. Can I borrow your pen or you it at the moment.

A. do / use B. have / used C. are /using D. did / use

27. He never to what you say. He . about something else.

A. listens / is always thinking B. listens / always thinks

C. listen / is always thinking D. listens / always think

28. The children were frightened because it dark.

A. was getting B. is getting C. got D. gets

29. It . heavily when he up.

A. snowed / wakes B. was snowing / woke

C. has snowed / woke D. was snowing / has woken

30. She was too far away, so she . you.

A. mustnt see B. hasnt seen C. couldnt have seen D. hadnt seen

31. Ive lost my gloves. I it somewhere.

A. must drop B. must have dropped

C. must be dropping D. must have been dropping

32. I a new house last year, but I .. my old house yet, so at the moment I have

two houses.

A. buy / didnt sell B. bought / didnt sell

C. bought / havent sold D. have bought / havent sold

33. I hope they . this road by the time we come back next summer.

A. will have repaired B. have repaired C. repair D. repaired

34. He .. us up when he arrives in England.

A. ring B. rings C. will ring D. rung

35. I . here till he comes back.

A. wait B. waited C. have waited D. will wait

36. His eyes hurt because he . for 8 hours.

A. has been reading B. have been reading

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C. had been reading D. was reading

37. After I . Lunch, I looked for my bag.

A. had B. had had C. have had D. has had

38. By the end of next year, George . English for 2 years.

A. will have learned B. will learn C. has learned D. would learn

39. Henry .. into the restaurant when the writer was having dinner.

A. was going B. went C. has gone D. did go

40. He will take the dogs out for a walk as soon as he dinner.

A. finsh B. finishes C. will finish D. shall have finished

41. Ask her to come and see me when she her work.

A. finish B. has finished C. finished D. finishing

42. Oil . if you pour it into water.

A. floated B. floats C. will be floated D. float

43. When he returned home, he found the door .

A. unlocking B. unlocked C. to be unlocked D. have unlocked

44. Almost everyone .. for home by the time we arrived.

A. has left B. left C. leaves D. had left.

45. By the age of 25, he two famous novels.

A. wrote B. writes C. has written D. had written

46. When he all his newspapers, he will go home.

A. has sold B. sold C. sell D. sells

47. When I arrived at the party, Martha . home already.

A. went B. has gone C. had gone D. would go

48. How long .. you to travel to school every day?

A. does it take B. has it taken C. it takes D. is it taking

49. She . music all day. Now she feels tired.

A. has been playing B. is playing C. played D. plays

50. At first she .. out with him because she thought he was weird, but then she changed her

mind.

A. didnt wanted to B. wanted not to C. wasnt wanting to D. didnt want to

Part II: Choose the underlined word or phrase in each sentence that needs correcting and CORRECT

it

1. Jim isnt wanting an ice cream. He doesnt like it.

A B C D

2. She is listening to a French song but she doesnt understand what it is meaning.

A B C D

3. Im thinking you are very polite.

A B C D

4. I took a photograph of him while he ate an ice cream.

A B C D

5. Oh dear, Im late for work. Dont worry. Im going to give you a lift.

A B C D

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6. I will get in touch as soon as I will get back.

A B C D

7. I wont speak to her until she will say sorry.

A B C D

8. He has been reading fifty novels this year but he hasnt got enough experience to start his writing

A B C D

career.

9. Im exhausted! I have worked all day and I havent finished my report yet.

A B C D

10. I have been losing ten pounds so far but I am still fat.

A B C D

11. Up to now, there had been no woman being chosen for the US president.

A B C D

12. People had struggled against weeds since the beginning of agriculture.

A B C D

13. Ethics are the studies of moral duties, principals and values.

A B C D

14. Fifteen hundred dollars a year were the per capital income in the United States in 1950.

A B C D

15. A number of tourists comes to Vietnam every year.

A B C D

16. The number of students in my class have increased by 10 so far.

A B C D

17. Medical student must to study both the theory and practice of medicine.

A B C D

18. Each of the four types of human tooth are suited for a specific purpose.

A B C D

19. Together with his friends, Mark have won two gold medals.

A B C D

20. The mayor, along with the city council, are visiting the poor in this area.

A B C D

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ANSWER KEY

PART I:

1 C 11 C 21 A 31 B 41 B

2 B 12 B 22 C 32 C 42 B

3 B 13 D 23 A 33 A 43 B

4 A 14 A 24 D 34 C 44 D

5 B 15 C 25 A 35 D 45 D

6 A 16 C 26 C 36 A 46 A

7 C 17 C 27 A 37 B 47 C

8 A 18 B 28 A 38 A 48 A

9 B 19 D 29 B 39 B 49 A

10 D 20 A 30 C 40 B 50 D

PART II:

1 A doesnt want 11 B has been

2 D means 12 A has struggled

3 A I think 13 B is

4 C was eating 14 B was

5 C I will 15 B come

6 C (deleted) 16 C has increased

7 C says 17 B must study

8 A has read 18 B human teeth

9 B have been working 19 C has won

10 A have loosen 20 C is visiting

Documents

Coursebook - Verb Tenses