50646309 english grammar tenses

8/7/2019 50646309 English Grammar Tenses

1/31

SIMPLE TENSES

The Simple Present Tense :

It is usually used to describe repeated, habitual or characteristic actions. The adverbs offrequency will help by signaling the need for the simple present, but sometimes those adverbs

are not present, even though their meaning is there.

Examples:

A band usually marches by playing a popular tune.

Each night, the lonely old lady feeds the ducks.

Each night he practices in front of the television.

Cigarette smoke has an offensive odor.

Some verbs, sometimes called stative verbs, are almost always used in the simple present

form when they are not describing the past. These verbs describe states of being, not actions.

These verbs relate sensory perceptions, conditions, judgments, conclusions, emotional states,

or states of being.

Examples:

David wants to be a sports announcer.

There appears to be a good deal of excitement here.

The crowd loves its team. His proposal sounds intriguing.

I see the roses in the garden.

You seem to be upset.

I think that we ought to consider changing our position.

This exercise is really easy.

A few verbs are used in the simple present tense though they describe future actions.

Fortunately not many verbs are in this group. These verbs generally describe acts of arriving

and departing, and beginning and ending.

Examples:

The game begins in ten minutes.

The plane leaves for Bermuda in the morning.

The ship departs for Manila in two hours.

The train arrives tomorrow morning.

Note: These types of verbs can also be used in the present progressive to convey future actions.

1


2/31

The preceding three uses are the most common however, there are some less common uses of

the simple present to be aware of.

a- The simple present can be used to describe the steps in demonstrations, such as a

scientific experiment.

Example: We first put the solution in the flask, and then we place the flask in anarea where it will get lots of light. When the solution is settled, we add two more

ounces of soda.

b- The simple present is often used in commentaries on radio and television to describe

what is taking place. In this case, the simple present often conveys a rapid sequence

of events and provides a sense of drama/

Example: The referee tosses up the ball. Jones tips it to his teammate, who races

down the court.

c- The simple present is often used in announcements and in newspaper headlines.

Example: Flood destroys ten homes in the canyon.

The simple past tense:

The simple past tense in regular verbs is formed by adding ed to the infinitive.

Example: to work workedVerbs ending in e add d only.Example: to love lovedThere are no inflections. The same form is used for al persons.

Example: I worked you worked he worked.The negative of regular and irregular verbs is formed with did not and the infinitive without

to.

Example: I did not work you did not workThe interrogative of regular and irregular verbs is formed with did + subject + infinitive

Example:Did you work?

Contractions:

Did not is normally contracted in the negative and negative interrogativeExample: I didnt work Didnt you work?

Irregular verbs:

These vary considerably in their simple past form:

Examples:

To speak spoke

2


3/31


4/31

Example:If I drop this glass it will break

Verbs of the senses, of emotion, thinking, possessingnormally express the future by the

future tense

Example:Hell be here at six.The future tense is used chiefly in newspapers and news broadcasts, for formal

announcements of future plans:

Example: The president will open the new heliport tomorrow.

COMPLEX TENSES

The present progressive tense: The present progressive is used to describe a single action

that is in progress at a specific moment, usually the moment of speaking or writing.

Examples: Samson is studying the lesson right now.

The people are cheering wildly.

The present progressive may also be used to describe an action in progress over a long period

of time, even though the action may not be taking place at the moment of speaking or writing.

This action, however, is perceived as temporary.

Examples:

David is attending the University of California. (he may be on vacation at themoment of speaking but he is still a registered student there).

He is taking his first course in broadcasting this semester. (again he may not bein class right now, but he is enrolled in it).

She is writing her first novel . (the pen may not be in her hand at this precisemoment, but the activity is going on during the present time span and will end at

some time in the future).The present progressive can be used to express a future action, especially when that action is

in the near future. Usually you need adverbials of time to clarify that the present progressive

is indicating future time.

Examples:

Next week he is giving his first demonstration.

Miss La Belle is appearing at the Orange Grove Theater tomorrow night.

The ship is arriving this afternoon at three oclock.

We are taking the exam later this afternoon/The present progressive can also express the beginning, progression, or end of an action in

the present time.

Examples:

4


5/31

It is beginning to get hot.

It is starting to rain again.

My writing is getting worse.

I am becoming a little irritated with you.

The movie is just beginning.Note: The verb be is used in the progressive since it describes a general state of being. There are

instances , however when you do use the verb be in the progressive.

Example:

My child is being obnoxious right now. Please excuse him;In this instance, the progressive is used because the meaning is my child is acting

obnoxiously right now. The child is not generally obnoxious.

2- The present perfect:

Form: Subject + have, has + past participle.

Uses:

-We use the present perfect simple when an action in the past has a result now.Example: Tom is looking for his key. He cant find it.

He has lost his key. (He lost it and still hasnt got it).- We often use the present perfect simple to give new information or to announce a recent

happening.

Example: The road is closed. There has been an accident.- We can use the present perfect simple with just, already, yet, recently, so far, since

- We use the present perfect simple when we mention that it is the the first time something

has happened

Examples: Bob is having a driving lesson. He is very nervous and unsure, because it is hisfirst lesson.

- Its the first time he has driven a car.- He has never driven a car before.

3- The Present perfect continuous:

Form: Subject+ have, has + been + stem + ing

Example:It has been raining.

Uses:- We use the present perfect continuous for an activity that has recently stopped or just

stopped. There is a connection with now.

Example: You are out of breath. Have you been running?

Paul is very tired. He has been working very hard.

- We use the present perfect continuous with how long, for and since when the action is

still happening or has just stopped.

Example: It is raining now. It began raining two hours ago and is still raining. How long

has it been raining? It has been raining for 2 hours.

5


6/31

- We can use the present perfect continuous for an action repeated over a period of time.

Example:John is a very good tennis player. He has been playing since he was eight.

4- Past continuous:

Form: Subject + was, were + stem + ing.

Example:This time last year, I was living in Brazil.Uses:

- We use the past continuous to say that somebody was in the middle of doing something at a

certain time. The action or situation had already started before this time but had not finished.

Example: Yesterday Karen and Jim played tennis, they began at 10 oclock and finished at11.30. So at 10.30, they were playing tennis.- We often use the past simple and the past continuous together to say that something

happened in the middle of something else.

Example:o Tom burnt his hand when he was cooking the dinner.

o While I was working in the garden, I hurt my finger.

5- The past perfect:

Form: Subject+ had+ past participle.Example: John had gone to London.Use:

We use the past perfect if we want to talk about things that happened before the starting pointof the story.Example: Sarah went to a party last week. Paul went to the party too but they didnt seeeach other. Paul went home at 10.30 and Sarah arrived at 11 oclock.When Sarah arrived at the party, Paul wasnt there. He had gone home.

6- Past perfect continuous:

Form: Subject+ had + been+ stem + ing.

Example: Yesterday morning I got up and looked out of the window. The sun was shining butthe ground was very wet. It had been raining.Use: You can say that something had been happening for a period of time before something

else happened.

Example:Ken gave up smoking two years ago.He had been smoking for 30 years.

7- The future perfect:

Form: Subject+ will+ have+ past participle.

Example:Tomorrow at 09.30, the match will have finished.

6


7/31

Use: We use the future perfect to say that something will already be complete.

Example: Sally always leaves for work at 08.30 in the morning. So, she wont be at home at09 oclock. Shell have gone to work.

8- The future continuous:

Form: Subject+ will+ be + stem+ ing.

Example:After 3 years, I will be teaching English.Uses:

- We use the future continuous when we will be in the middle of doing something.

Example: The football match begins at 07.30 and ends at 09.15. So during this time for

example at 08.30, Kevin will be watching the match.

- We also use the future continuous to talk about complete actions in the future

Example:If you see Sally, can you ask her to phone me?- Sure, Ill be seeing her this evening. So, Ill tell her then.- We can use the future continuous to ask about somebodys plans, especially if we want him

to do something.

Example:Will you be passing the post office when you are out?

Exercise 01: Complete the sentences with one of the following verbs in the correct form:

Look, make, have, work, learn, try, see.

1-You hard today? Yes? I have a lot to do.

2-Would you like something to eat? No thanks, I ..justlunch.

3- Maria English for two years.

4- You . A lot of noise. Could you be quieter? I .to concentrate.

5- Is Ann coming to the cinema with us? No, she alreadythe film.

6- Hello Tom, I for you all morning. Where have you been?

Exercise 02: Read the situation and write sentences from the words:

1- I invited Rachel to the party, but she couldnt come. (she arrange to do something else)

2- You went to the cinema last night. You arrived at the cinema late. (the film already begin)

3- I was very tires when I arrived at home. (I work hard all day).

4- I havent seen Alan for ages when (I last see him) (he try to find a job).

5- There was nobody in the room, but there was a small cigarette. (somebody smoke in the

room).6- We were in a very difficult position (we not know what to do).

Exercise 03:Put the verbs into the correct form: will be doing or will have done.

1- Dont phone me between 7 and 8 we (have) dinner then.

2- Phone me after 8 oclock (we finish) by then.

3- Tomorrow afternoon we are going to play tennis from 3 oclock until 4.30, so at 4 oclock

(we play) tennis.

4- Do you think (you still do) the same job in ten years time?

56 If you need to contact me (I stay) at the Hilton hotel until Friday.

7


8/31

Modal auxiliaries

General characteristics of modal auxiliaries

Verbs like can and may are called modal auxiliaries, though we often refer to them simply

as modals. We frequently use modals when we are concerned with our relationship with

someone else. We may, for example, ask for permission to do something; grant permission to

someone; give or receive advice; make or respond to requests and offers, etc. We can express

different levels of politeness by the forms we choose and the way we say things.

Modals sharing the same grammatical characteristics are:

Can - could

May - mightWill - would

Shall - should

Must -

Ought to -

Verbs which share some of the grammatical characteristics of modals are: need, dare, used

to.

By comparison, need to and dare to are full verbs.

Modals have two major functions which can be defined as primary and secondary.

Primary function of modal auxiliaries:

In their primary function modal verbs closely reflect the meaning given first in most

dictionaries, so that:

Can / could relate mainly to ability: I can lift 25 kg / I can type.

May / might relate mainly to permission: you may leave early.

Will / would relate mainly to prediction: It will rain soon.

Shall afterI / we relates mainly to prediction: Can we find our way home? - I am sure we

shall.

Should / ought to relate mainly to escapable obligation orduty: You should do (orought

to do) as you are told.

Must relates mainly to inescapable obligation: You must be quiet.

Neednt relates to absence of obligation: You neednt wait.

Secondary function of modal auxiliaries:

In their secondary function, nine of the modal auxiliaries (not shall) can be used to express

the degree ofcertainty/uncertainty a speaker feels about a possibility. They can be arranged

on a scale from the greatest uncertainty (might) to the greatest certainty (must). The order

between might and must is not fixed absolutely. It varies according to situation. For example

one arrangement might be:

8


9/31

you

might

may

could

can

should

ought to

would

will

must

be right

have been

right

very

uncertain

almost

certain

you are right certain

1. Use of can, could and (be) able to to express ability

We use can to say that something is possible or that somebody has the ability to do

something. We use can + infinitive (can do / can see etc).:

We can see the lake from our bed window.

Can you speak any foreign languages?

Ican come and see you tomorrow if you like.The negative is cant (= cannot):

Im afraid Icantcome to the party on Friday.(Be) able to is possible instead ofcan, but can is more usual.

Are you able to speak any foreign languages?But can has only two forms, can (present) and could (past). So sometimes it is necessary to

use (be) able to. Compare:

Icantsleep. but Ihavent been able to sleep recently. (can has no present perfect)

Tom can come tomorrow. but Tommight be able to come tomorrow. (can has no infinitive)

Could and was able toSometimes could is the past of can. We use could especially with: see, hear, taste, feel,

remember, understand.

When we went into the house, we could smellburning.

She spoke in a very low voice, but Icould understandwhat she said.We also use could to say that somebody had the general ability or permission to do

something:

My grandfathercould speakfive languages.

We were completely free. We could do what we wanted. (= we were allowed to do)We use could forgeneral ability. But if we are talking about what happened in a particular

situation, we use was/were able to or managed to (notcould):9


10/31

The fire spread through he fire quickly but everybodywas able to escape.or. Everybody managed to escape. (but notcould escape)

They didnt want to come with us at first but we managed to persuade them.or we were able to persuade them. (but notcould persuade)

Compare:

Jack was an excellent player. He could beatanybody. ( = he had the general ability tobeat anybody)

but

Jack and Alf had a game of tennis yesterday. Alf played very well but in the end Jackmanaged to beat him. or was able to beat him. ( = he managed to beat him in this

particular game.

The negative couldnt (could not) is possible in all situations:

My grandfathercouldntswim.

We tired hard but we couldntpersuade them to come with us.

Alf played well but he couldntbeat Jack.

2. Use of Can/could to express capability/possibility:

Can + be + adjective or noun has the effect of is sometimes or is often and refers to

capability orpossibility. It can be replaced by be capable of + -ing, but not by am/is/are

able to:

It can be quite cold in Cairo in January. (= It is sometimes - or often quite cold)

He can be very naughty. (or a very naughty boy)

Could has the same effect in the past:

It could be quite cold in Cairo in January when I lived there. ( = it was sometimes or often quite cold)

He could be very naughty when he was a little boy.

Could can also have a future reference in this kind of context.

It could be quite cold when you get to Cairo.

3. Uses of modals to express permission and prohibition

Asking for permission /responding: can/could/may/might

Requests for permission can be graded from a blunt request to an extremely hesitant one.

Requests for permission can refer to the present or the future. The basic forms are:

Can

Could

May

Might

I borrow your umbrella,(please)?

10


11/31

Can is the commonest and most informal

Can I borrowyour umbrella, (please)?Could is more hesitant and polite than can. We often use it when we are not sure

permission will be granted:

Could I borrowyour umbrella, (please)?May is more formal, polite and respectful than can and could.:

MayI borrowyour umbrella, (please)?Might is the most hesitant, polite and respectful and is rather less common than the other

three:

Might I borrowyour umbrella, (please)?Permission to ask an indiscrete question may be requested with the formulas if I may ask

and (more polite) if I might ask.

How much did you pay for this house if I may/might ask?

Asking for permission with cant and couldnt

Cant and couldnt are often used in place ofcan and could when we are pressing for an

affirmative answer:

Cant / couldnt I stay out till midnight (please)?

Granting and refusing permission

Permission can be granted or refused as follows:

You Can (not) (notcould)May (not) (notmight)

Watch TV as

long as you

like

You may/may not carry the authority of the speaker and is the equivalent of I (personally)

give you permission. You can/cannot is more general and does not necessarily imply

personal permission.

Granting /refusing permission is not confined to first and second persons:

Johnny/Frankie Can/cant

May/may not/mustnt

Stay up late

This can be extended to:- rule making e.g. for games: Each playermay choose five cards.- other contexts: Candidates may not attempt more than three questions.

Permission may also be denied with shant (in British English only)

If you dont behave yourself,you shantgo out/be allowed out.

If he doesnt behave himself, he shantgo out/be allowed out.

11


12/31

4. Uses of modals to express certainty and possibility

If we are certain of our facts, we can make statements with be or any full verb:

Jane is (orworks) at home. (a certain fact)If we are referring to possibility, we can use combinations of may, might or could + verb:

Jane may/ might/ could be (orwork) at home. (a possibility)We use may or might to say that something is a possibility. Usually you can use may or

might, so you can say:

Itmay be true. or It might be true. ( = perhaps it is true)

She mightknow. or She may know.

The negative forms are may not and might not (ormightnt):

Itmight notbe true. (perhaps it is not true)

Im not sure whether I can lend you any money. Imay nothave enough. (= perhaps Idont have enough)

For the past we use may have (done) ormight have (done): A: I wonder why Kay didnt answer the phone.

B: She may have been asleep. ( = perhaps she was asleep)

A: I cant find my bag anywhere.

B: You might have left it in the shop. ( perhaps you left it in the shop)

A: I was surprised that Sarah wasnt at the meeting.

B: She might not have known about it. ( = perhaps she didnt know)

A: I wonder why Colin was in such a bad mod yesterday.

B: He may not have been feeling well. ( = perhaps ha wasnt feeling well).

Sometimes could has a similar meaning to may and might:

The phone is ringing. Itcould be Tim. ( = it may / might be Tim)

You could have leftyour bag in the shop. ( = you may / might have left it)Butcouldnt(negative) is different from may notandmight not. Compare:

She was too far away, she couldnt have seen you. (= it is not possible that she sawyou)

A: I wonder why she didnt say hello.

B: She might not have seen you. (perhaps she didnt see you; perhaps she did)

We also use may and might to talk about possible actions or happenings in the future:

I havent decided yet where to spend my holidays. I may go to Ireland. (= I will go to

Ireland)

Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It might rain later. ( = perhaps it will

rain)

The bus doesnt always come on time. We might have to wait a few minutes. (=

perhaps we will have to wait)

12


13/31

We may draw a distinction between the expression ofpossibility in this way (which allows

for speculation and guessing) and deduction based on evidence. Deduction, often expressed

with must be and cant be, suggests near-certainty:

Janes light is on. She must be at home. She cant be out.

For the past we use must have (done) and cant have (done). Study this example:

George is outside his friends house. He has rung the door bell three times but nobody has

answered. They must have gone out. (otherwise they would have answered).

The phone rang but I didnt hear it. I must have been asleep.

Ive lost one of my gloves. I must have dropped it somewhere.

Jane walked past me without speaking. She cant have seen me.

Tom walked straight into a wall. Ha cant have been looking where he was walking

Study the structure:

I/you/he

(etc.)

must

cant have

been (asleep / at work etc.)

been doing / working etc.)

done / gone / known / had

etc.

5. The use of modals to express advisability, duty/obligation and necessity

Study these examples:

Present advisability

I should stop smoking

I ought to stop smokingI wouldbetter stop smoking

(I still smoke)

Present inescapable obligation

I must stop smoking

(I am obliged to stop smoking and I shall: it

is my duty)

Past advisability not acted upon

I should have stopped smoking

I ought to have stopped smoking(I was advised to stop but I ignored the

advice)

Past inescapable obligation

I had to stop smoking

(I was obliged to stop smoking and I did: it

was my duty)

Advisability necessity: a scale of choice:

We can use modals and other verbs to express advisability on a scale which reflects a degree

of choice. This scale may vary according to the subjective point of view of the speaker.

Advisability should: Generally means in my opinion, it is advisable to or it is

(your)

duty.

ought to: can be slightly stronger than should in that it is sometimes used

to refer to regulations or duties imposed from the outside: You

ought to vote (= it is your public duty). Should is more likely in

questions and negatives.

13


14/31

had better: is stronger than should and ought to. It is used to recommend

future action on a particular occasion, not in general. It carries a

hint of threat, warning or urgency.

am/is/are to: can be used for instructions: You are to report for duty at 7.

need (to): ( = it is necessary)

have to: is an alternative to must.

have got to: like have to , but more informal.

necessity must: like have to and have got to, suggests inescapable

obligation. In the speakers opinion there is no choice at all.

The use of must , have to and have got to

We use must and have to to say that it is necessary to do something. Sometimes it doesnt

matter which you use because as far as meaning is concerned these three forms are

interchangeable:

Oh, its later than I thought. I must go. or I have to go. or Ive got to go.

But there is a difference between must and have to /have got to and sometimes this is

important:

Must is personal. We use must when we

give our personal feelings.

You must do something = I (the speaker)

say it is necessary: Shes a really nice person. You must

meet her. (= I say this is necessary)

I havent phoned Ann for ages. I must

phone her tonight.

Compare:

I must get up early tomorrow. There

are a lot of things I want to do.

Have to/have got to is impersonal. We usehave to/have got to for facts, not for our

personal feelings.

You have to/Ive got to do somethingbecause of a rule or the situation:

You cant turn right here. You have

to/have got to turn left. (because of the

traffic system)

My eyesight isnt very good. I have to

wear/have got to glasses for reading.

George cant come with us this evening.

He has to/has got to work.

I have to get/Ive got to up early tomorrow.

I going away and my train leaves at 7.30.

Need as a modal:

Need has only some of the characteristics of modal verbs in that it occurs in:

Questions: Need you go? Need you leave so soon? (= surely not/ I hope not)

Negatives: You neednt go.

14


15/31

In Yes/No question a negative answer is expected. Yes/No question with need? Can be

answered with must orneednt:

Need I type this letter again? Yes, you must. /No, you neednt.

Need + have + past participle behaves in the same way:

Need you have told him about my plans?

You neednt have told him about my plans.

Yes/No question with Need have ? can be answered: Yes, I had to. (no choice) No, I

neednt have. (I had a choice)

6. The use of modals to express lack of necessity, inadvisability, prohibition

Examples of modal forms to express lack of necessity, inadvisability and prohibition:

Present lack of necessity

You neednt go there

Or: You dont need togo there.

You dont have togo there.You havent got to go there.

Present inadvisability

You shouldnt start smoking.

You ought not to start smoking

Present prohibition

You cant parkhere.

You mustnt parkhere.

Past lack of necessity

You neednt have gone there

(= you went there unnecessarily.

You didnt have togo there.Or: You didnt need to go there.

(= There was no necessity to go there,

whether you did go or not.)

Past inadvisability, not acted upon

You shouldnt havestarted smoking.

You oughtnt havestarted smoking. (

but you ignored this advice)

Failure to observe a prohibition

You shouldnt haveparked here.

You ought not to have parked here.

Lack of necessity can be expressed by neednt, dont have to and the more informal havent

got to (where got is often stressed)

You neednt do something = it is not necessary that you do it, you dont need to do it:

You can come with me if you like but you neednt come if you dont want to. ( =it isnot necessary for you to come)

Weve got plenty of time. We neednt hurry.

Neednt and dont need to are similar to dont have to.

Weve got plenty of time. We dont have to hurry.

Neednt have done: Georgehad to go out. He thought it was going to rain so he took the

umbrella. But it didnt rain, so the umbrella was not necessary. So:

He neednt have taken the umbrella.

Compare neednt (do) and neednt have (done):

15


16/31

That shirt isnt dirty. You neednt wash it. (present lack of necessity)

Why did you wash that shirt? It wasnt dirty. You neednt have washed it. (you

washed it unnecessarily)

inadvisability prohibition: a scale of choice:

We can use modals and other verbs to express inadvisability and prohibition on a scale

which reflects a degree of choice. This scale may vary according to the subjective point of

view of the speaker.

Inadvisability shouldnt: Generally means in my opinion, it is inadvisable to or it

is

your duty not to.

oughtnt to: can be slightly stronger than shouldnt. It is sometimes used

to refer to regulations and duties imposed from the outside: Yououghtnt to parkso near the crossing. (= it is your public duty

not to do this).

had better not: is stronger than shouldnt and oughtnt to. It is used torecommend future action on a particular occasion, not in

general. It carries a hint of threat, warning or urgency. Youd

better not overtake here.

am/is/are not to: can be used for instructions: You are not to park here.

cant is nearly as strong as mustnt to suggest something is

prohibited. Youcant park here.

mustnt: conveys absolute prohibition. In the opinion of the speaker,

there is no choice at all. This opinion may be subjective or may

be supported by some outside authority as in You must turn left.(e.g. there is a road sign forbidding it) is an alternative to must.

prohibition

Dont have to and havent got to can never replace mustnt to convey prohibition . Like

neednt, they convey lack of necessity.

Mustnt conveys the strongest possible opinion of the speaker;

You really mustnt say things like that in front of your mother. Julian mustnt hitchhike to Turkey on his own.

Prohibition reflecting external authority (in e.g. public notices , documents) is often

expressed as must not (in full):

Life belts must notbe removed.

Candidates must not attempt more than four questions.Inadvisability/prohibition can be expressed by: shouldnt/oughtnt to/ mustnt, etc

You shouldnt / oughtnt to / mustnt / cant be late for meetings (present)

16


17/31

You shouldnt / oughtnt to / mustnt / cant be / had better not be late tomorrow.

(future)

Shouldnt , oughtnt to , mustnt , cant be , had better not are used to refer to the future

although they do not have future forms.

Shouldnt have and oughtnt to have: Both these forms suggest a criticism of an action:

You shouldnt have / oughtnt to have paid the plumber in advance.

or failure to observe a prohibition

You shouldnt have / oughtnt to have stopped on the motorway.

Exercise 1: Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to. Use can if possible; otherwise

use (be) able to.

1. George has traveled a lot. He ..speak four languages.

2. I havent .sleep very well recently.17


18/31

3. Sandra drive but she hasnt got a car.

4. I cant understand Martin. Ive never..understand him.

5. I used to stand on my head but I cant do it now.

6. I cant see you on Friday but I meet you on Saturday morning.

7. Ask Catherine about your problem. She might ..help you.

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences with can / cant / could / couldnt + one of these verbs:

Come eat hear run sleep wait

1. Im afraid I .to your party next week.

2. When Tim was 16, he was a first runner.. He 100 metres in 11 seconds.

3. Are you in a hurry? No, Ive got plenty of time. I ..

4. I was feeling sick yesterday. I anything.

5. Can you speak up a bit? I .you very well.

6. You look tired. Yes, I ..last night

Exercise 3: Complete the sentences using could, couldnt orwas / were able to .

1. My grandfather was a very clever man. He .speak five languages.

2. I looked everywhere for the book but I .find it.

3. They didnt want to come with us at first but we to persuade them.

4. Laura had hurt her leg and .walk very well.

5. Sue wasnt at home when I phoned but I .contact her at office.

6. I looked very carefully and I .see a figure in the distance.

7. I wanted to bye some tomatoes. The first shop I went to didnt have any but I

.get some in the next shop.8. My grandmother loved music. She the piano very well.

9. A girl fell into the river but fortunately we.rescue her.

10. I had forgotten to bring my camera so I .take any photographs.

Exercise 4: Put in must orcant

1. Youve been traveling all day. You ..be very tired.

2. That restaurant ..be very good. Its always empty.

3. That restaurant ..be very good. Its always full of people.4. Youre going o holiday next week. You ..be looking forward to it.

5. It rained everyday during their holiday, so they .have had a very good time.

6. Congratulations on passing your exam. You.be very happy.

7. You got here very quickly. You.have walked very fast.

8. Bill and Sue go away on holiday very often, so they .be short of money.

Exercise 5: Read the situations and use the words in brackets to write sentences with musthave and cant have:

18


19/31

1. The phone rang but I didnt hear it. (I / asleep)

2. The jacket you bought is very good quality. (it / very expensive)

3. I havent seen the people next door for ages. (they / go away)

4. I cant find my umbrella. ( I / leave / it in the restaurant last night)

5. Don passed the exam without studying for it. (the exam / very difficult)

6. She knew everything about our plans. (she listen / to our conversation)

7. Fiona did the opposite of I asked her to do. (she / understand / what I said)

8. When I woke up this morning, the light was on. (I forgot / to turn it off)

9. The lights were red but the car didnt stop. (the driver / see / the red light)

10. I was woken up in the middle of the night by the noise next door. (the neighbours / have /

a party)

Exercise 6:Complete the sentences with a verb in the correct form:

1. Where is Bob? Im not sure. He might.lunch.

2. Who is that man with Ann? Im not sure . It might ..her brother.

3. Who was the man we saw with Ann yesterday? Im not sure. It might ..herbrother.

4. Why are those people waiting in the street? I dont know. They might for a

bus.

5. Shall I buy this book for Tim? Youd better not. He might already ..it.

Exercise 7: Complete the sentences using might not orcouldnt. Example:

1. A: Do you think she saw you?

B: No, she was too far away. She2. A: I wonder why she didnt say hello. Perhaps she didnt see me.

B: Thats possible.

...

3. A: I wonder why Ann didnt come to the party. Perhaps she wasnt invited.

B: Yes, its possible. She.

4. A: Tom loves parties. Im sure hed have come to the party if hed been invited.

B: I agree. He...

5. A: I wonder how the fire started. Do you think it was an accident?

B: No, the police say it6. A: How did the fire start? I suppose it was an accident.

B: Well, the police arent sure. They say it .

Exercise 8: Write sentences with may ormight.

1. Where are you going for your holidays? (to Ireland ???)

I havent decided yet. I

....

2. What sort of car are you going to buy? (a Mercedes ???)19


20/31

Im not sure yet. I

3. What are you doing this weekend, (go to London ???)

I havent decided yet.

..

4. Where are you going to hang that picture? (in the dining room ???)

I havent made up my mind yet. .

5. When is Tom coming to see us? (on Saturday ???)

I dont know yet.

.

6. What is Julia going to do when she leaves school. (go to university ???)

She hasnt decided yet.

Exercise 9:Complete these sentences with must or have to (in the correct form).

Sometimes it is possible to use either; sometimes only have to is possible:

1. Its later than I thought. I ..go now.

2. Jack left before the end of the meting. He ..go home early.

3. In Britain many children wear uniform when they go to school.

4. When you came to London again, you .come and see me.

5. Last night Don became ill suddenly. We call a doctor.

6. You really..work harder if you want to pass the examination.

7. Im afraid I cant come tomorrow. I ..work late.

8. Im sorry I couldnt come yesterday. I work late.

9. Paul doesnt like his new job. Sometimes, he to work atweekends.

10. Caroline may ..go away next week.

11. We couldnt repair the car ourselves. We..take it to a garage.

12. Julia wears glasses. Shewear glasses since she was very

young.

Exercise 10 : Read the situations and write sentences with should/shouldnt . Some of

these situations are past and some are present: (for example)

1. Im feeling sick. I ate too much.I shouldnt have eaten so much.2. That man on the motorbike isnt wearing a helmet.

3. When we got to the restaurant, there were no free tables. We hadnt reserved one.

We

4. the notice says the shop is open everyday from 8.30. It is 9 oclock but the shop isnt yet

open.

5. The speed limit is 30 miles an hour, but Catherine is doing 50.

She..

6. I went to Paris. A friend of mine lives in Paris but I didnt go to see him wile I was there.

When I saw him later he said: You 20


21/31

7. I was driving behind another car. Suddenly the driver behind stopped without warning and

I drove into the back of his car. It wasnt my fault. ..

8. I walked into a wall. I wasnt looking were I was going.

Exercise11: Complete the sentences with must, mustnt or neednt .

1. We havent got much time. We ..hurry.

2. Weve got plenty of time. We hurry.

3. We have enough food at home so we ..go shopping today.

4. Jim gave a letter to post. I remember to post it.

5. Jim gave me a letter to post. I forget to post it.

6. There is plenty of time for you to make up your mind. You ..decide

now.

7. You .wash those tomatoes. They have already been washed.

8. This is a valuable book. You.look after it carefully and you

..lose it.9. What sort of house do you want to buy? Something big? Well, it .be

big- thats not important. But it ..have a nice garden thats

essential.

Exercise 12:Read the sentences and make sentences with neednt have.

1. George went out. He took an umbrella because he thought it was going to rain. But it

didnt rain. He

..2. Ann bought some eggs when she went shopping. When she got home, she found that she

already had plenty of eggs. She..

3. A friend got angry at you and shouted at you. You think this was unnecessary. Later you

say to him/her: You

4. Brian had no money, so he sold his car. A few days alter he won some money in a lottery.

He

5. When we went on holiday, we took the camera with us but we didnt use it in the end

We..

6. I thought I was going to miss my train so I rushed to the station. But the train was late andin the end I had to wait 20 minutes. I .

Exercise 13: Complete the sentences using can, be able to, cant, could,

couldnt.

1- George traveled a lot. He ..speak four languages.

2- I cant understand Martin. Ive never ..understand him.

3- I used to .stand on my head but I cant do it now.

4- You look tired. Yes, I .sleep last night.

5- I was feeling sick yesterday. I .eat anything.21


22/31

6- Im afraid I come to your party next week.

Exercise 14: Read the situations and use the words in brackets to write sentences with

must have and cant have.

1- The phone rang but I didnt hear it. (I /asleep).

2- Jane walked past me without speaking (she / see/ me).

3- The jacket you bought is very good quality (it / very / expensive).

4- I cant find my umbrella. (I / leave/ it in my office/ yesterday).

5- Fionna did the opposite of what I asked her to do. (she/ understand/ what I said).

Exercise 15: Write these sentences in a different way using may or might.

1- Perhaps Margaret is in her office.

2- Perhaps she is busy.

3- Perhaps she is working.

4- Perhaps she wants to be alone.5- Perhaps she was ill yesterday.

6- Perhaps she went home early.

7- Perhaps she was working yesterday.

Indirect SpeechIndirect speech (sometimes called reported speech) doesnt use quotation marks to

enclose what the person said and it doesnt have to be word for word.

When reporting speech, the tense usually changes. This is because when we use reported

speech, we are usually talking about a time in the past (because obviously the person who

spoke originally spoke in the past). The verbs usually have to be in the past too.

Example: Direct: I am going to the cinema, he said.

Indirect: He said that he was going to the cinema.

Tense change: As a rule, when you report something someone has said you go back a tense.

Direct Indirect

22


23/31

Present simple

Present continuous

Present perfect simple

Present perfect continuous

Past simple

Past perfect

Past perfect continuous

Will

Can

Must

Shall

May

Past simple

Past continuous

Past perfect simple

Past perfect continuous

Past perfect

Past perfect (no change)

Past perfect continuous (no change)

Would

Could

Had to

Should

Might

Note: There is no change to : could, would, should, might, and ought to.

You can use the present tense in reported speech if you want to say that something is still

true.

Example: My name has always been and will always be Lynne so:Direct: My name is Lynne, she said.

Indirect: She said that her name was Lynne. Or: She said her name is Lynne.

- You can also use the present tense if you are talking about a future event.

Direct: Next weeks lesson is on reported speech, she said.

Indirect: She said next weeks lesson is on reported speech.

Time change:

If the reported sentence contains an expression of time, you must change it to fit in with the

time of reporting. We need to change words like here, yesterday if they have differentmeanings at the time and place of reporting.

Example: Direct: Todays lesson is on presentations.(+24 hours) Indirect: She said yesterdays lesson was on presentations.

Expressions of time if reported on a different day:

Direct IndirectThis

Today

These

Now A week ago

Last week end

Here

Next week

Tomorrow

That

yesterday

Those

Then

A week before

The week end

before

There

The following

23


24/31

week

The next day

In addition, if you report something said in a different place where you heard it, you must

change the place (here) to the place (there).

- Pronoun change:

In reported speech, the pronoun often changes.

Example: I teach English.

She said that she teaches English.

- Reporting verbs:

Said, told, and asked are the most common verbs used in indirect speech.

We use asked to report questions.We use told with an object.

We usually use said without an object.

- Use of that in reported speech:

In reported speech, the word that is often used, However, that is optional.

In questions that is not used. We often use

Exercise: Write the following sentences in the reported speech.

1-He complained: The neighbours are noisy.2- She thought: I bought some biscuits yesterday, but I cant find them in the cupboard.3- The teacher explained: The exam will be different this year.4- The shop keeper assured me: The freezer will be delivered tomorrow.5- The authorities warned us: The building is unsafe.

Conditionals

Conditional sentences have two parts: the ifclause and the main clause.

Example:If it rains, I shall stay at home.If it rains is the if clause, and I shall stay at home is the main clause.

There are three kinds of conditional sentences. Each kind contains a different pair of tenses.

With each type certain variations are possible.

Conditional sentences type 1:probable24


25/31

The verb in the if clause is in the present; the verb in the main clause is in the future tense. It

does not matter which comes first.

Example: If he runs hell get there in time.

The cat will scratch you if you pull her tail.

This type of sentence implies that the action in the if clause is quite probable.

Note that the meaning here is present or future, but the verb in the if clause is in the present,

not a future tense.

Possible variations of the basic form:

1-Variations of the main clause:

Instead of if +present + future, we may have:

-If +present +may/ might (possibility)

Example:If the fog gets thicker, the plane may/ might be diverted(perhaps the plane will bediverted).

-If + present + may (permission) or can (permission or ability)Examples: If your documents are in order you may /can leave at once (permission)

If it stops snowing we can go out (permission or ability)

-If + present + must, should or any expression of command, request or advice.

Examples: If you want to lose weight, you must / should eat less bread.

If you want to lose weight you had better eat less bread

If you want to lose weight, eat less bread.

If you see Tom tomorrow, could you ask him to ring me?

-If + present + another present tense/

If + two present tenses is used to express automatic or habitual results.Examples: If you heat ice it turns to water (will turn is also possible)

If there is a shortage of any product, prices of that product go up.

-When if is used to mean as/ since , a variety of tenses can be used in the main clause

Example: Bill: Ann hates London.

Tom : If she hates it why does she live there? She ought to move out/ why has she

just bought a flat there?

This is not, of course, a true conditional clause.

Variations of the if clause

Instead of if + present tense, we can have:

-If + present continuous, to indicate a present action or a future arrangement.

Examples: If you are waiting for a bus, youd better join the queue (present action)

If you are looking for Peter, youll find him upstairs (present action)

If you are staying for another night, Ill ask the manager to give you a better room

(future arrangement).

-If + present perfect:

Examples: If you have finished dinner, Ill ask the waiter for the bill.

If he has written the letter, Ill post it.25


26/31

If they havent seen the museum, wed better go there today.

Conditional sentences type2:

The verb in the if clause is in the past tense; the verb in the main clause is in the conditional

tense.

Examples: If I had a map, I would lend it to you. (But I havent a map. The leaning here is

present).

If someone tried to blackmail me, I would tell the police The meaning here is future.

There is no difference in time between the first and second types of conditional sentences.

Type 2, like type1, refers to the present or future, and the past tense in the if clause is not a

true past but a subjunctive, which indicates unreality (as in the first example above) or

improbability (as in the second example above)

Type2 is used :

-When the supposition is contrary to known facts:

Examples: If I lived near my office Id be in time for work (but I dont live near my office)If I were you Id plant some trees round the house (but I am not you)

-When we dont expect the action in the if clause to take place.

Examples: If a burglar came into my room at night, Id throw something at him.(but I dont

expect a burglar to come in)

If I dyed my hair blue, everyone would laugh at me (but I dont intend to dye it).

Some if clauses can have either of the above meanings:

Examples: If he left his bicycle outside, someone would steal it.

If he left the bicycle could imply but he doesnt (present meaning) or but he doesnt

intend to (future meaning). But the correct meaning is usually clear from the text.At one time ambiguity of this kind was avoided by using were + infinitive instead of the past

tense in type2

Examples:If a burglar were to come........If I were to dye my hair...........If he were to leave.....................

Sometimes rather confusingly, type2can be used as an alternative to type1for perfectly

possible plans and suggestions:

Examples:Will Mary be in time if she gets the ten oclock bus?No, but shed be in time if she got the nine-thirty bus.No, but shell be in time if she gets the nine-thirty bus.

Ann: Well never save that sum of money!!!!Tom:If we saved 50p a week wed do it in ten months;

If we save 50p a week, well do it in ten months.A suggestion in type2 is a little more polite than a suggestion in type 1. Just as would you is

a more polite request form than will you.

Possible variations of the basic form:26


27/31

-Variations of the main clause:

-Might orcould may be used instead ofwould

Examples:If you tried again you would succeed(certain result)

If you tried again you might succeed(possible result)

If I knew her number I could ring her up (ability)

If he had a permit he could get a job (ability or permission).-The continuous conditional form may be used instead of the simple conditional form:

Example: Tom:Peter is on holiday, he is touring Italy.Ann:If I were on holiday, I would/ might be touring Italy too.

-If + past tense can be followed by another past tense when we compare if + two present

tenses. Note that the past tenses here have a past meaning.

Examples:If anyone interrupted him, he got angry (whenever anyone interrupted him) If there was a scarcity of anything, prices of that thing went up.

-When if is used to mean as or since, a variety of tenses is possible in the main clause. If

+ past tense here has a past meaning. The sentence is not a true conditional.Example: Ann: The pills made him dizzy. All the same he bought some more/has bought

some more/ is buying some more...

Tom: If they made him dizzy, why did he buy/ has he bought/ is he buying more?

-Variations of the if clause:

Instead of if + simple past we can have:

-If + past continuous.

Example: Were going by air and I hate flying. If we were going by boat, Id feel muchhappier.

-If + past perfect.Example:If je had taken my advice, he would be a rich man now (this is a mixture of type2and type3

Conditional sentences type 3:

The verb in the if clause is in the past perfect tens; the verb in the main clause is in the perfect

conditional. The time is past and the condition cannot be fulfilled because the action in the if

clause didnt happen.Examples: If I had known that you were coming I would have met you at the airport (but I

didnt know, so I didnt come).

If he had tried to leave the country he would have been stopped at the frontier. (but

he didnt try).

Possible variations of the basic form:

-Could ormight may be used instead ofwould

Examples:If we had found him earlier we could have saved his life (ability)If we had found him earlier we might have saved his life (possibility)

27


28/31

If our documents had been in order we could have left at once (ability orpermission)-The continuous form of the perfect conditional may be used:

Example:At the time of the accident I was sitting in the back of the car, because Toms littleboy was sitting beside him in front. If Toms boy had not been there I would have been sittingin front.-We can use the past perfect continuous in the if clause:

Example:Luckily I was wearing a seat belt. If I hadnt been wearing one I would have beenseriously injured.-A combination of types2 and 3 is possible:

Examples: The plane I intended to catch crashed and everyone was killed. If I had caught that

plane I would be dead now or I would have been killed (type 3).

If I had worked harder at school I would be sitting in a comfortable office now; I

wouldnt be sweeping the streets. (but I didnt work hard at school and now I am sweeping

the streets).

-Had can be placed first and the ifomitted

Example: If you had obeyed orders this disaster would not have happened.Had you obeyed orders this disaster would not have happened.

Special uses ofwill/ would and should in if clauses

Normally these auxiliaries are not used after if in conditional sentences. These are, however,

certain exceptions.

If you will/ would is often used in polite requests, would is the more polite form.

Examples: If you will/would wait a moment Ill see if Mr Jones is free (please wait)

I would be very grateful if you would make the arrangements for me.

If you will/ would + infinitive is often used alone when the request is one which would

normally be made in the circumstances. The speaker assumes that the other person willcomply as a matter of course.

Examples: If youd fill up this form.

(in a hotel) If youd just sign the register6

(in a shop) If youd put your address on the back of the cheque.

(in a classroom) If youd open your books.

If + will/ would can be used with all persons to indicate willingness:

Examples: If hell listen to me Ill be able to help him (If he is willing to listen)

If Tom would tell me what he wants for his dinner, Id cook it for him (the speaker

implies that he Tom is unwilling to tell her)Wont used in this way can mean refuse:

Example: If he wont listen to me I cant help him (if he is unwilling to listen/ if he refuses to

listen)

Will can be used to express obstinate insistence

Example: if you will play the drums all night no wonder the neighbours complain (if you

insist on playing).If you would like /care can be used instead ofif + want/ wish and is more polite:

Example: If you would like to come Ill get a ticket for you.

If youd care to see the photographs Ill bring them round some evening.

28


29/31

If + should can be used in type1 to indicate that the action, though possible, is not very

likely. It is usually combined with the imperative and is chiefly used in written instructions/

Example: If you should have any difficulty in getting spare time, please inform the factory at

once.

Should can be placed first and the if omitted:

Example: Should this machine fail, ring the bell and wait.

If + were can be used instead ofif + was:

Examples:If she was/ were offered the job, shed take it. (either can be used) If Peter was/ were to apply for the post, hed probably get it

If I was/ were you, I should wait a bit. (were is more usual)

Were I you, I should wait. (were is the only possible form)

Were to is more usual than was to. Were is better than was when the supposition is contrary

to fact. Were is the only possible form when the auxiliary is placed first.

Note that If I were you I should/ would ...... is a useful way of expressing advice.

Example:If I were you I would/ should /Id paint it green.The if I were you is often omitted:Example:Id paint it green.In indirect speech such sentences are best reported by advise:

He said, If I were you Id tell the police.He advised me to tell the police.

If replaced by unless, but for, otherwise, provided, suppose, or inversion

Unless + affirmative verb = if+ negative

Examples: Unless you start at once youll be lateIf you dont start at once, youll be lateUnless you had a permit you couldnt get a job

If you hadnt a permit you couldnt get a job.

But for = if it were not for / if it hadnt been for

Examples: My father sends me an allowance. Bt for that I wouldnt be here.The storm delayed us. But for the storm we would have been in time.

Otherwise = if this doesnt happen / didnt happen/ hadnt happened.Examples: We must be back before midnight; otherwise well be locked out.Her father pays her fees; otherwise she wouldnt be here

Provided (that) can replace if when there is a strong idea of limitation or restriction. It is

chiefly used with permission

Example:you can camp in my field provided you leave no mess.

Suppose / supposing...? = What if....?

Examples: Suppose the plane is late?

What if/ what will happen if the plane is late?

Suppose no one had been there?29


30/31

What if no one had been there?

Suppose can also introduce suggestions

Example: Suppose you ask him? Why dont you ask him?

Inversion of subject and auxiliary with if omitted

If + subject + auxiliary can be replaced by auxiliary + subject:

Examples:If I were in his shoes = were I in his shoesIf there should be a delay = should there be a delayIf he had known in time = had he known in time.

If and in case:

In case is followed by a present or past tense or by should. It appears similar to if and is

often confused with it. But the two are completely different.

An in case clause gives a reason for the action in the main clause:

Example:Some cyclists carry repair outfits in case they have a puncture = Some cyclistscarry repair outfits because they may have / because it is possible they will have a puncture.An in case clause can be dropped without changing the meaning of the main clause. In a

conditional sentence , however, the action in the main clause depends on the action in the if

clause, and if the if clause is dropped, the meaning of the main clause changes.

Compare: Bill:Ill come tomorrow in case Ann wants meTom:Ill come tomorrow if Ann wants me.

In the first case, perhaps Ann will want Bill, perhaps she wont. But Bill will come

anyway. His action doesnt depend on Anns. In case Ann wants me could be

omitted without changing the meaning of the main verb. In the second case, a conditional sentence, Tom will only come if Ann asks him. His

action depends on hers. We cannot remove if Ann wants me without changing the

meaning of the main verb.

An in case clause is normally placed after the main clause, not before it.

Example:In case of accident, phone 999.

If only:

Only can be placed after if and indicates hope, a wish or regret according to the tense used

with it.If only + present tense will express hope:

Example: If only he comes in time = We hope hell come in time.

If only + past/past perfect expresses regret

Example: If only he didnt drive so fast/ If only you hadnt said liarIf only + would can express regret about a present action as an alternative to if only + past

tense

Example:If only he would drive more slowly.

Exercise 01: Put the verb into the correct form:

30


31/31

1- They would be rather offended if I (not/ go).2- If you took more exercise, you (feel) better.3- Im sure Amy will lend you the money. Id be very surprised if she (refuse).4- A lot of people would be out of work if the factory (close down).5- Im sure Sue (understand) if you had explained the situation to her.

Exercise 02: Use you own ideas to complete these sentences.

1-If you took more exercise,2- Id feel angry if..3- If I didnt go to work tomorrow,.4- Would you go to the party if.5- If you bought some new clothes6- Would you mind if.

31

50646309 english grammar tenses

Documents