Verb tenses

1. Combine the question and the answer to make a complete statement.

1 How far did the car skid?

Nearly thirty metres.

2 Why did the driver tread on the accelerator?

Because he thought it was the brake.

3 Did the accelerator stick wide open?

Yes, it did.

4 What did the car hit?

A lamp-post.

5 What did they bind the drivers wound with?

A piece of shirt.

6 How long did the passengers nose bleed for?

Quite a long time.

7 Where did the passenger lie down?

On the pavement.

8 Where did the driver wake up?

In hospital.

Who did they lay the blame on?

The other driver.

How much did they sue him for?

Twenty thousand pounds.

When did he quit his job?

Straight after the accident.

Why did he flee the country?

To escape the law.

Did anyone shed any tears when he left?

No, no one.

Where did he seek refuge?

In Australia.

Did he dig for gold there?

Yes, he did.

Did he strike any gold?

Hardly any.

Did he grow rich?

No, grass.

Where did he sow grass?

Wherever he could.

Why did he saw down trees?

To make a fence for sheep.

What did he feed the sheep op?

Bananas, of course!

Why did Sheilas lip swell up?

Because a wasp stung her.

How did Ken split his trousers?

Climbing over a fence.

Did Toby bet that Ken could not sew them up himself? Yes, he did.

Did Ken sew them up himself?

Yes, he did.

How did Helen slit the envelope open?

With her enormously long fingernail.

How did Marilyn speed up her typing?

By going to evening classes.

How much did Zena bid for the Chinese vase?

A couple of hundred.

When did she fall?

Going down the stairs.

How did she feel about breaking the vase?

Terrible.

Did she hurt herself?

Yes, her wrist.

Where did all the water flow?

Downstairs.

Why did Helen fly out of the room in a rage?

Because of what her father said.

What did her father forbid her to do?

Go out with Denis.

How did her father deal with her?

By stopping her monthly allowance.

15 Why did Denis stroke Helens hand?

To try and calm her down.

What rumour did Helens friends spread?

That she was going to get married.

What did Marilyn weave her rugs on?

The looms over there.

How much did she raise her prices by?

Fifteen per cent.

19 When did the question of a bank loan arise?

At the directors meeting.

20 When did they broadcast the news?

Just now, on the BBC.

2. Complete the following sentences by using a suitable tense of the base forms of the verbs in the bubble below The first one is shown as an example.

He was the sort of man who never actually broke the rules but often bent them!

I always make freshly ____________ coffee for breakfast. I cant stand that instant stuff.

3 Whoever ____________ the table forgot to put out the fish knives.

4 Whats the matter? Ive just ____________ my tongue and it really hurts.

Unfortunately, the office which ____________ with lost property was closed for lunch.

6 Apparently, BP has ____________ oil somewhere in Scandinavia.

Dont worry if you cant get any fresh peas, weve got some ____________ones in the fridge.

8 Have you ever ____________ a camel? Yes, in Tunisia. I fell off!

9 The hole they ____________ for the gas pipes was in the wrong place.

10 The watch stopped because you over____________ it and broke the spring.

11 When I was a child, I was once ____________ in the eye by a bee.

12 OK, come on! Where have you ____________ my present? Its after midnight so its my birthday now.

13 That cut looks rather nasty. Have you ____________ it to the doctor?
14 Id like to know who it was that ____________ that vicious rumour about Stuart being an ex-convict.

15 The price of petrol ____________ again last month. Its now twelve per cent more expensive than a year ago.

16 Im afraid you wont be able to wear your favourite pullover anymore its____________ in the wash!

3. SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE. Look at these sentences and divide them into seven groups of three. What are the differences between the seven groups?

Water freezes at zero degrees Centigrade.

Snow covers South of England.

I propose a toast to the bride and bridegroom.

Ill let you know as soon as I have the information.

Disabled man wins medal for bravery.

Lofthouse passes to Greaves, who runs for the goal.

Walter and Daisy celebrate their 50^th wedding anniversary next Saturday.

She comes back from holiday tomorrow.

I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

They live in Barnes.

You get on the coach at 10 p.m. and arrive in Madrid at 8 a.m. the next day.

He works out in the gym twice a week.

The Earth goes round the Sun.

He walks in, goes straight up to the barman and says

First, I remove the inspection cover. Then I move the red lever and

Make sure Mr. Smith gets these papers before he leaves!

Prime Minister flies to New York.

He always catches the 7.40 to Victoria.

Three times three equals nine.

Stay at the hotel until you hear from me.

I forgive you this time.

Now write one sentence of your own for each of the seven groups.

Stative verbs. These are either not normally used in the progressive or change their meaning when used in the simple or progressive.

Look through the list of common stative verbs below and classify them into the groups suggested.

1 verbs related to the senses __________ ______ ____ _________________
2 verbs related to thinking __________ ______ ____ _________________
3 verbs related to possession __________ ______ ____ _________________
4 verbs related to emotional states __________ ______ ____ ___________
5 verbs related to appearance __________ ______ ____ _________________
6 others __________ ______ ____ _________________
appear believe belong to contain depend on doubt dislike feel find
guess hate have hear imagine involve know like love mean
mind own prefer realize regard remember seem smell sound
suppose taste understand want

Meaning changes in stative verbs. In the following pairs of sentences, put the verb into the correct tense, and explain the differences in meaning between the simple and progressive forms of the verbs.

1. Im surprised you arent enjoying your music classes. I ________________  (think) they

would be ideal for you.

2. I ________________ (think) about getting a new car soon, but Ill have to put it off until next year because I cant afford it.

3. The concept of infinity ________________ (be) very difficult for most people to grasp.

4. 1 told him he ________________ (be) unnecessarily difficult and that he ought to make a compromise.

5. There was no one downstairs; so she turned off the light again and decided that she must ________________ (imagine) things.

6. You can tell your bank manager about your difficulties, but I _______________ (not /imagine) he will be all that sympathetic.

7. The last time I went to Stratford, Janet Suzman ________________ (appear) as Cleopatra.

8. They stated in their report that there ________________ (appear) to be a strong link between hooliganism and social deprivation.

9. Im entirely in favour of the new law. I ________________ (always/feel) there was

something morally questionable about blood sports.

10. If you ________________ (not/feel) very well recently, you ought to go and see the doctor.

5. Present progressive. Look at these sentences and divide them into four groups of three. What are the differences between the four groups?

Jack is cleaning the car. 

The daffodils are coming along nicely.

I am going to Poland next month. 

Im always forgetting to lock the car.

I am making the pastry.

We are meeting the solicitors at 10 a.m.

He is constantly having bonfires.

I am eating out tonight.

I am taking the train to the office this week.

We are staying in a hotel while the roof of our house is being replaced.

Im forever tidying up after you.

The toast is burning.

Now write one sentence of your own for each of the four groups.

6. Acceptability

Are any of these sentences unacceptable?

Despite Johns urgent request, Im refusing to help him.

We are looking forward to seeing you.

We look forward to your early reply.

Im thinking that youve got the answer.

Sally is looking very beautiful.

We are not knowing all the details.

Im seeing Mr. Burgess then.

Martina looks great.

The cost of living rises very fast this year.

Im feeling sick.

7. Present simple and progressive

Complete the following using the present simple or present progressive. Remember that both tenses may refer to the future.

1 This milk _________ (not smell) too fresh I think Ill throw it out.

2 You _________ (forever/use) my razor, cant you buy one of your own?
3 Oh yes, Jean and I _________ (know) each other very well.
4 Mark _________ (go) to work by train while his cars at the mechanics.
5 Dont forget the coach _________ (leave) at 6.45 tomorrow morning so youd better get an early night.

6 Wheres Ha cry? In the study I think he _________ (write) some letters.
7 Aunt Agnes is very generous, she _________ (always/give) the children wonderful presents for their birthdays.

8 That new postman _________ (not seem) very bright to me, he _________ (always/leave) our letters in the wrong letterbox.

9 Im sorry we cant make it to the party on Saturday but we _________ (have) dinner with some old friends.

10 Predictably, at the end of the film the Swarzenegger hero _________ (rescue) the prisoners and _________ (get) the girl!

11 Where_________ you _________ (live) until your new house is ready?

12 Carter _________ (serve), Pampas _________ (return) but the ball _________ (go) into the net. Game to Carter!