* It's hot today. (not 'it is being hot')
* Sarah is very tired. (not 'is being tired')
D. Look and feet
You can use the present simple or continuous when you say how somebody looks or feels now:
* You took well today. or You're looking well today.
* How do you feel now? or How are you feeling now?
but * I usually feel tired in the morning. (not 'I'm usually feeling')
EXERCISES
4.1 Are the underlined verbs right or wrong? Correct the ones that are wrong.
1. I'm seeing the manager tomorrow morning. RIGHT
2. I'm feeling hungry. Is there anything to eat? --- wrong, I feel hungry
3. Are you believing in God? --- wrong, do you believe in God? no I’m an atheist
4. This sauce is great. It's tasting really good. --- - wrong, it tastes really good.
5. I'm thinking this is your key. Am I right? --- wrong, I think
4.2 Look at the pictures. Use the words in brackets to make sentences. (You should also study Unit 3 before you do this exercise.)
1. (you/not/seem/very happy today) You don't seem very happy today.
2. (what/you/do?) ---what are you doing?
Be quiet! (I/think) ---I’m thinking
3. (who/this umbrella/belong to?) --- To whom does this umbrella belong ?
I've no idea.
4. (the dinner/smell/good) ---The dinner smells good.
5. Excuse me. (anybody/sit/here?) ---Is anybody sitting here?
No, it's free
6. Can you ring me back in half an hour? (I/have/dinner) ---I’m having dinner
4.3 Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple.
1. Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat? (you/want)
2. Jill is interested in politics but she --- to a political party. (not/belong) does not belong to
3. Don't put the dictionary away. I --- it. (use) I’m using it
4. Don't put the dictionary away. I --- it. (need) I need it.
5. Who is that man? What ---? (he/want) does he want
6. Who is that man? Why --- at us? (he/look) is he looking
7. George says he's 80 years old but nobody --- him. (believe) - believes
8. She told me her name but I --- it now. (not/remember) – don’t remember
9. I --- of selling my car. (think) Would you be interested in buying it? Am thinking
10. I --- you should sell your w
car. (think) You --- it very often. (not/use) think, don’t use
11. I used to drink a lot of coffee but these days I --- tea. (prefer) prefer
12. Air --- mainly of nitrogen and oxygen. (consist) consists
4.4 Complete the sentences using the most suitable form of be. Sometimes you must use the simple (am/is/are) and sometimes the continuous is more suitable (am/is/are being).
1. I can't understand why he's being so selfish. He isn't usually like that.
2. Jack --- very nice to me at the moment. I wonder why. – was being
3. You'll like Jill when you meet her. She --- very nice. - is
4. Normally you are very sensible, so why --- so silly about this matter? Are you being
5. Why isn't Sarah at work today? --- ill? – Is she being
UNIT 5. Past simple (I did)
A. Study this example:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian musician and composer. He lived from 1756 to 1791. He started composing at the age of five and wrote more than 600 pieces of music. He was only 35 years old when he died.
Lived/started/wrote/was/died are all past simple.
B. Very often the past simple ends in -ed (regular verbs):
* I work in a travel agency now. Before that I worked in a shop.
* We invited them to our party but they decided not to come.
* The police stopped me on my way home last night.
* She passed her examination because she studied very hard.
For spelling (stopped, studied etc.), see Appendix 6.
But many verbs are irregular. The past simple does not end in -ed. For example:
write -> wrote
* Mozart wrote more than 600 pieces of music.
see -> saw
* We saw Rose in town a few days ago.
go -> went
* I went to the cinema three times last week.
shut -> shut
* It was cold, so I shut the window.
For a list of irregular verbs, see Appendix 1.
C. In questions and negatives we use did/didn't + infinitive (enjoy/see/go etc.):
I/she/they: enjoyed/saw/went
Did: you/she/they: enjoy?/see?/go?
I/she/they: didn't: enjoy/see/go
* A: Did you go out last night?
B: Yes, I went to the cinema but I didn't enjoy the film much.
* 'When did Mr Thomas die?' 'About ten years ago.'
* They didn't invite her to the party, so she didn't go.
* 'Did you have time to write the letter?' 'No, I didn't.'
Be careful when do is the main verb in the sentence:
* What did you do at the weekend? (not 'what did you at the weekend')
* I didn't do anything. (not 'I didn't anything')
D. The past of be (am/is/are) is was/were:
I/he/she/it was/wasn't
we/you/they were/weren't
was I/he/she/it?
were we/you/they?
Note that we do not use did in negatives and questions with was/were:
* I was angry because they were late.
* Was the weather good when you were on holiday?
* They weren't able to come because they were so busy.
* Did you go out last night or were you too tired?
EXERCISES
5.1 Read what Sharon says about a typical working day:
SHARON
I usually get up at 7 o'clock and have a big breakfast. I walk to work, which takes me about half an hour. I start work at 8.45. I never have lunch. I finish work at 5 o'clock. i'm always tired when I get home. I usually cook a meal in the evening. I don't usually go out. I go to bed at about 11 o'clock. I always sleep well.
Yesterday was a typical working day for Sharon. Write she did or didn't do yesterday.
1. She got up at 7 o'clock.
2. She --- a big breakfast.
3. She ---.
4. It --- to get to work.
5. --- at 8.45.
6. --- lunch.
7. --- at 5 o'clock.
8. --- tired when --- home.
9. --- a meal yesterday evening.
10. --- out yesterday evening.
11. --- at 11 o'clock.
12. --- well last night.
5.2 Put one of these verbs in each sentence:
buy catch cost drink fall hurt sell spend teach throw win write
1. Mozart wrote more than 600 pieces of music.
2. 'How did you learn to drive?' 'My father --- me.'
3. We couldn't afford to keep our car, so we --- it.
4. I was very thirsty. I --- the water very quickly.
5. Paul and I played tennis yesterday. He's much better than me, so he --- easily.
6. Don --- down the stairs this morning and --- his lag.
7. Jim --- the ball to Sue, who --- it.
8. Ann --- a lot of money yesterday. She --- a dress which --- l100.
5.3 A friend has just come back from holiday. You ask him about it. Write your questions.
1. (where/go?) Where did you go?
2. (go alone?) ---
3. (food/good?) ---
4. (how long/stay there?) ---
5. (stay/at a hotel?) ---
6. (how/travel?) ---
7. (the weather/fine?) ---
8. (what/do in the evenings?) ---
9. (meet anybody interesting?) ---
5.4 Complete the sentences, Put the verb into the correct form, positive or negative.
1. It was warm, so I _took_ off my coat. (take)
2. The film wasn't very good. I didn't enjoy it very much. (enjoy)
3. I knew Sarah was very busy, so I --- her. (disturb)
4. I was very tired, so I --- to bed early. (go)
5. The bed was very uncomfortable. I --- very well. (sleep)
6. Sue wasn't hungry, so she --- anything. (eat)
7. We went to Kate's house but she --- at home. (be)
8. It was a funny situation but nobody --- (laugh)
9. The window was open and a bird --- into the room. (fly)
10. The hotel wasn't very expensive. It --- very much. (cost)
11. I was in a hurry, so I --- time to phone you. (have)
12. It was hard work carrying the bags. They --- very heavy. (be)
UNIT 6. Past continuous (I was doing)
A. Study this example situation:
Yesterday Karen and Jim played tennis. They began at 10 o'clock and finished at 11.30. So, at 10.30 they were playing tennis.
They were playing = 'they were in the middle of playing'. They had not finished playing.
Was/were ~ing is the past continuous:
I/he/she/it was playing/doing/working etc.
we/you/they were playing/doing/working etc.
B. 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:
* This time last year I was living in Brazil.
* What were you doing at 10 o'clock last night?
* I waved to her but she wasn't looking.
C. Compare the past continuous (I was doing) and past simple (I did):
Past continuous (in the middle of an action)
* I was walking home when I met Dave. (= in the middle of walking home)
* Ann was watching television when the phone rang.
Past simple (complete action)
* I walked home after the party last night. (= all the way, completely)
* Ann watched television a lot when she was ill last year.
D. We often use the past simple and the past continuous together to say that something happened in the middle of something else:
* Tom burnt his hand when he was cooking the dinner.
* I saw you in the park yesterday. You were sitting on the grass and reading a book.
* While I was working in the garden, I hurt my back.
But we use the past simple to say that one thing happened after another:
* I was walking along the road when I saw Dave. So I stopped and we had a chat.
Compare:
* When Karen arrived, we were having dinner. (= We had already started dinner before Karen arrived.)
* When Karen arrived, we had dinner. (= First Karen arrived and then we had
dinner.)
E. There are some verbs (for example, know/want/believe) that are not normally used in the continuous (see Unit 4A):
* We were good friends. We knew each other well. (not 'we were knowing')
* I was enjoying the party but Chris wanted to go home. (not 'was wanting')
EXERCISES
6.1 What were you doing at the following times? Write one sentence as in the examples. The past continuous is not always necessary (see the second example).
1. (at 8 o'clock yesterday evening)
I was having dinner with some friends.
2. (at 5 o'clock last Saturday)
I was on a train on my way to London.
3. (at 10.15 yesterday morning)
4. (at 4.30 this morning)
5. (at 7.45 yesterday evening)
6. (half an hour ago)
6.2 Use your own ideas to complete these sentences. Use the past continuous.
1. Tom burnt his hand while he was cooking the dinner.
2. The doorbell rang while I ---
3. We saw an accident while we ---
4. Mary fell asleep while she ---
5. The television was on but nobody ---
6.3 Put the verbs into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.
1. I saw (see) Sue in town yesterday but she --- (look) the other way.
2. I --- (meet) Tom and Ann at the airport a few weeks ago. They --- (go) to Berlin and I --- (go) to Madrid. We --- (have) a chat while we --- (wait) for our flights.
3. I --- (cycle) home yesterday when suddenly a man --- (step) out into the road in front of me. I --- (go) quite fast but luckily I --- (manage) to stop in time and --- (not/hit) him.
6.4 Put the verbs into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.
1. Jane was waiting (wait) for me when I arrived (arrive).
2. 'What --- (you/do) this time yesterday?' 'I was asleep.'
3. '--- (you/go) out last night?' 'No, I was too tired.'
4. 'Was Carol at the party last night?' 'Yes, she --- (wear) a really nice dress.'
5. How fast --- (you/drive) when the accident --- (happen)?
6. John --- (take) a photograph of me while I --- (not/look).
7. We were in a very difficult position. We --- (not/know) what to do.
8. I haven't seen Alan for ages. When I last --- (see) him, he --- (try) to find a Job in London.
9. I --- (walk) along the street when suddenly I --- (hear) footsteps behind me. Somebody --- (follow) me. I was frightened and I --- (start) to run.
10. When I was young, I --- (want) to be a bus driver.
UNIT 7 Present perfect (1) (I have done)
A. Study this example situation:
Tom is looking for his key. He can't find it. He has lost his key. 'He has lost his key' = He lost it and he still hasn't got it.
Have/has lost is the present perfect simple:
I/we/they/you have (= I've etc.) finished/lost/done/been etc.
he/she/it has (= he's etc.) finished/lost/done/been etc.
The present perfect simple is have/has + past participle. The past participle often ends in -ed (finished/decided etc.), but many important verbs are irregular (lost/done/been/written etc.). For a list of irregular verbs, see Appendix 1.
B. When we use the present perfect there is always a connection with now. The action in the past has a result now:
* 'Where's your key?' J don't know. I've lost it.' (I haven't got it now)
* He told me his name but I've forgotten it. (I can't remember it now)
* 'Is Sally here?' 'No, she's gone out.' (she is out now)
* I can't find my bag. Have you seen it? (do you know where it is now?)
We often use the present perfect to give new information or to announce a recent happening:
* Ow! I've cut my finger.
* The road is closed. There's been (= there has been) an accident.
* (from the news) The police have arrested two men in connection with the robbery.
C. You can use the present perfect with just, already and yet:
Just = a short time ago:
* 'Would you like something to eat?' 'No, thanks. I've just had lunch.'
* Hello. Have you just arrived?
We use already to say that something happened sooner than expected (see also Unit 110D).
* 'Don't forget to post the letter, will you?' 'I've already posted it.'
* 'What time is Mark leaving?' 'He's already gone.'
Yet = 'until now' and shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in questions and negative sentences (see also Unit 110C):
* Has it stopped raining yet?
* I've written the letter but I haven't posted it yet.
D. Note the difference between gone (to) and been (to):
* Jim is away on holiday. He has gone to Spain. (= he is there now or on his way there)
* Jane is back home from holiday now. She has been to Italy. (= she has now come back from Italy)
For been (to) see also Units 8 and 125B.
EXERCISES
7.1 You are writing a letter to a friend. In the letter you give news about yourself and other people. Use the words given to make sentences. Use the present perfect.
Dear Chris,
Lots of things have happened since I last wrote to you.
1. I/buy/a new car
I've bought a new car.
2. my father/start/a new job
3. I/give up/smoking
4. Charles and Sarah/go/to Brazil
5. Suzanne/have/a baby
7.2 Read the situations and write sentences. Choose one of the following:
arrive break go up grow improve lose
1. Mike is looking for his key. He can't find it. He has lost his key.
2. Margaret can't walk and her leg is in plaster. She ---
3. Maria's English wasn't very good. Now it is much better. ---
4. Tim didn't have a beard last month. Now he has a beard. ---
5. This morning I was expecting a letter. Now I have it. ---
6. Last week the bus fare was 80 pence. Now it is 90. ---
7.3 Complete Bs sentences. Use the verb in brackets + just/already/yet (as sbown).
1. A: Would you like something to eat?
B: No, thanks. I've just had lunch. (just/have)
2. A: Do you know where Julia is?
B: Yes, I --- her. (just/see)
3. A: What time is David leaving?
B: He --- (already/leave)
4. A: What's in the newspaper today?
B: I don't know. I --- (not/read/yet)
5. A: Is Ann coming to the cinema with us?
B: No, she --- the film. (already/see)
6. A: Are your friends here yet?
B: Yes, they --- (just/arrive)
7. A: What does Tim think about your plan?
B: I --- (not/tell/yet)