Lengua extranjera.
Inglés C1
E.U. DE EDUCACIÓN DE SORIA
PRESENT TENSES REVIEW
PRESENT SIMPLE
Use Example
Facts / General truths The Earth is round.
Timetables The train to Oxford leaves at 3 o'clock.
Current habits I always brush my teeth three times a day.
Permanent situations and Paul teaches English at a high school.
states
Jokes and informal stories An elementary school class goes on a field trip to the
police station. The Officer points to the 10 MOST
WANTED list and tells them that...
Proverbs and sayings A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Newspaper headlines Apple apologises for Maps anger.
Reviews and summaries The book starts with Dan and Amy in a Venice airport.
Live sports coverage Özil passes to Cristiano, Cristiano shoots and it's a goal!
Instructions At the end of the tunnel you turn right at the traffic lights.
Fixed events in the future The first term ends on 18th January.
Future in some time clauses When I grow up I'll be an astronaut.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
Use Example
Actions happening now The children are playing in their bedroom.
Actions happening around I'm reading a very interesting book.
now
Temporary actions She's living with her parents while her apartment is flooded.
Changing situations More and more parents are discovering that online education
provides an ideal learning environment for their children.
Annoying habits You are always telling me what to do!
Background information in It's raining so the girl starts running, looking for somewhere to
jokes and informal stories take shelter.
Arrangements I'm seeing the dentist tomorrow at 11.
Future in some time clauses He'll probably be a bit anxious when he's standing at the altar.
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
Use Example
Situations and states that We've been married for 6 years.
started in the past and are
still true
A series of actions They've written 3 books so far.
continuing up to now
Completed actions at an Have you ever ridden a camel?
undetermined time in the
past.
Completed actions where I've read all the books written by John Grisham.
the important thing is the
result
Actions completed recently I've just seen them on my way home.
Future in some time clauses Call me when you've finished the report.
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E.U. DE EDUCACIÓN DE SORIA
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Use Example
Actions and situations He's been working for the same company since he graduated.
continuing up to the present
Future in some time clauses I won't take my driving test until I've been having lessons for
at least two months.
Remember!
When certain verbs are used to describe states, they are generally used in simple tenses
rather than continuous tenses. However, some of these verbs can also be used in
continuous tenses when they describe actions rather than states. Compare the following
pair of sentences:
The nurse is weighing the baby. He weighs 3.8Kg.
Let's practise!
1/ Complete the text with the present simple or present continuous form of the verb in
brackets. If both forms are possible, write both.
Doctors express concern over heavy school bags
Every year thousands of children (go) __________ to the doctors because of back pain, and in
fact, this kind of problem (rapidly become) __________ one of the most common childhood
complaints. And what exactly (cause) __________ this outbreak of back strain and muscle
fatigue? It (seem) __________ that even quite young children (take) __________ more and
more to school - not just books, but also clothes and games players - and their backpacks
(simply weigh) __________ too much. "Some kids (carry) __________ more than 25% of their
bodyweight in a bag that has a nice cartoon character on, but which (actually give) __________
them serious backache, " reported Dr Elaine Sachs, a GP in North London. "Most parents
(simply not realize) __________ what (happen) __________ to their children."
2/ Complete the sentences with appropriate verbs, using the same one for each sentence in
the pair. Use the present perfect in one sentence and the present perfect continuous in the
other. Use negative forms where appropriate.
__ disappear give move put read stay stop swim __
1. a. Maria Harris __________ in a rented flat since returning to Liverpool.
b. We __________ at this hotel a couple of times before.
2. a. With their win yesterday, Italy __________ into second place in the table.
b. As house prices in the cities have risen, people __________ into the countryside.
3. a. All day, the police __________ motorists to question them about the accident.
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E.U. DE EDUCACIÓN DE SORIA
b. Good, the noise __________. I can start concentrating on my work again.
4. a. I __________ any of Dickens' novels.
b. I __________ this book on astrophysics for hours and I'm still on page 6.
5. a. Dr Fletcher __________ the same lecture to students for the last ten years.
b. Mr Goldman __________ nearly a million pounds to the charity this year.
6. a. I did 20 lengths of the pool today. I __________ that far since I was at school.
b. I __________ and I feel exhausted.
7. a. In recent years, Brazilian companies __________ a lot of money into developing
advanced technology.
b. The South African coal company __________ the Calverton Mine up for sale.
8. a. An important file __________ from my office.
b. Plants and vegetables __________ from my garden since we had new neighbours.
3/ Circle the correct word of phrase.
1. Could you explain what 'antidisestablishmentarianism' means / is meaning, please?
2. Each song only costs / is only costing 50 cents at the moment because they're on special
offer.
3. It doesn't matter / isn't mattering which of the books we've studied this term you do
your essay on.
4. It's only a quick call as I ring / I'm ringing from my mobile.
5. I think I recognise / I'm recognising that woman over there. Wasn't she on that quiz show
last night?
6. Excuse me, does the nut cake contain / is the nut cake containing walnuts? I'm allergic to
them.
7. I really don't agree / I'm really not agreeing that capital punishment deters people from
committing murder.
8. Why don't you play / aren't you playing football, Mark? I thought you had a match this
afternoon.
9. How do you feel / are you feeling about inviting Jackie to come with us on Saturday?
10. You really resemble / are resembling your father when you frown like that.
11. If you're not watching / you don't watch TV, turn it off!
12. The number you have dialed does not exist / is not existing. Please try again.
13. The idea of going to a Greek island really appeals / is really appealing to me.
14. We're having / We have the living room repainted so it's probably best if we go into the
kitchen.
15. Right now, my job involves / is involving a huge amount of foreign travel.
16. Britney doesn't feel / isn't feeling very well, so I've told her she can go home.
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17. I heard that Doug thinks / is thinking quite a lot of Kate these days. Is that true?
18. I want everyone to do exercise H, and that includes / is including you too, Anne!
19. Stay out of this, Simon, it doesn't concern / isn't concerning you at all.
20. We have / are having a barbeque right now, so can I call you back this evening?
4/ Write one word in each gap.
1. Why do you __________ leave the light on when you go out of the room? You wait till
you start paying the electricity bill!
2. Fifteen teachers are teaching here full-time at __________.
3. My sister's revising for the GCSEs at the __________.
4. I'm quite happy living at home for the time __________, but I guess I'll have to get my
own place eventually.
5. It's true that Ralph calls us quite __________, but most students only call their parents
when they need something, don't they?
6. We go to the cinema __________ now and then, but only if there's something good on.
7. I'm alone in my study bedroom reading __________ of the time.
8. Tim __________ goes out to play until he's done all his homework.
9. I see Lucinda from __________ to time, but not on a regular basis.
10. I'm sitting in the garden __________ now talking to you on my mobile.
11. Don't get Matthew that game; I'm pretty sure he's got it __________.
12. That's the last __________ we're inviting Dave to one our parties!
13. Do young people these __________ have more free time than they did in the past?
14. I've been looking for a website like this __________ ages!
15. My mum fills up with petrol __________ she goes to the supermarket.
16. I'm staying in __________ now, but I might go out a bit later on.
17. Michael, haven't you done your homework __________? I think it's time you started...
18. I __________ haven't found my sunglasses.
19. __________ is the last time I ever order from that pizzeria. It was disgusting!
20. We've won every match we've played __________ far this season.
Lengua extranjera. Inglés C1
E.U. DE EDUCACIÓN DE SORIA
PAST TENSES REVIEW
PAST SIMPLE
Use Example
Single completed actions Sony and Philips invented the CD in the early 1980s.
Repeated or habitual actions We moved house a lot when I was a kid.
in the past
General truths about the Early clocks were usually very unreliable.
past
Permanent situations and Did the ancient Egyptians have more advanced technology
states in the past than other civilisations?
The main events in a story Frank turned on the TV and sat on the sofa.
Present in conditional If we didn't have computers, what would the world be like?
sentences
Present after wish, it's time, I'd rather Michael didn't waste so much time playing video
would rather, etc games.
PAST CONTINUOUS
Use Example
Actions in progress at a Were you chatting to Matt online at midnight last night?
particular moment in the
past
Actions in progress around a At the turn of the twentieth century, many discoveries were
particular moment in the being made in physics and other sciences.
past
Temporary situations and At the time, I was working for a large software company in
series of actions in the past California.
Changing and developing I was getting frustrated with my Internet provider so I decided
situations in the past to change.
Annoying or amusing past When she was young, Tina was always taking things apart to
habits (usually with always) see how they worked.
Background information in a It was raining outside and people were making their way home
story after work.
Actions in progress over a Were you writing e-mails all yesterday morning?
period of time
Two actions in progress at While I was playing a computer game, my brother was doing
the same time his homework.
Present and future in Would you be happier if you were studying computer science?
conditional sentences
Present and future after I wish we were going to the computer fair next weekend.
wish, it's time, would rather,
etc
Lengua extranjera. Inglés C1
E.U. DE EDUCACIÓN DE SORIA
PAST PERFECT SIMPLE
Use Example
Situations and states before Had you had your computer long before it broke down?
the past
Completed actions before a When talking films appeared, the cinema had already become
moment in the past a popular form of entertainment.
A series of actions By the time of his death, Thomas Edison had invented a
continuing up to a moment number of things that changed everyday life.
in the past
Completed actions where I beat Jason at International Captain because I'd played it a lot
the important thing is the with my brother.
result at a moment in the
past
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Use Example
Actions and situations She'd been writing computer games for over ten years before
continuing up to a moment she finally had a hit.
in the past (or just before a
moment in the past)
Talking about past habits
If we want to talk about past habits, we have other alternatives to the use of the Simple Past
with an adverb:
The ancient Greeks used to rely on the power of slaves, rather than machines.
The ancient Greeks would rely on the power of slaves, rather than machines.
Sometimes, as in the examples, we can use either used to or would without any change in
the meaning of the sentence. Beware, however, that would can be used with action verbs
only:
It used to seem strange to be able to communicate over long distances.
It would seem strange to be able to communicate over long distances.
In addition, we cannot use would either in closed questions or negative sentences without a
change in meaning. Look at these examples:
Did you use to go out with my sister? = Habit
Would you go out with my sister? = Hypothesis
I didn't use to play with my dolls. = Habit
I wouldn't play with my dolls. = Refusal
Let's practise!
1/ Write a verb from the box in the correct form in each gap.
appear check complete disappear get go kidnap look make mean open press
race rain remind seeHigh-tech
start take travel wait wear work
trouble
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E.U. DE EDUCACIÓN DE SORIA
It all (1) __________ as I made my way home from work. We (2) __________ on a top
secret computer program, and everyone (3) __________ pretty nervous about finishing on
time, so it was good to get away from the office. It (4) __________ and it seemed like
everyone (5) __________ home at the same time, anxious to avoid getting wet. I (6)
__________ down into the underground station and (7) __________ for the train when I (8)
__________ her at the end of the platform. She (9) __________ a red leather jacket that (10)
__________ me of something I'd seen in a film, although I couldn't remember when. As I
watched, she (11) __________ her handbag and (12) __________ out what looked like a hand-
held computer. She (13) __________ something on the screen, then (14) __________ in my
direction. Suddenly, my mobile phone (15) __________ a sound that (16) __________ I had a
text message. Frowning, I (17) __________ a key and the message (18) __________ 'We (19)
__________ your daughter. We know you (20) __________ the program. Follow the woman in
red.' I looked up just as she (21) __________ around the corner. I (22) __________ after her.
2/ Read the following paragraph and decide whether the underlined verbs can be replaced
by:
(a) both used to and would [+ infinitive]
(b) only used to [+ infinitive]
(c) neither used to nor would [+ infinitive]
From a very early age I often (1) looked at models in catalogues and (2) said: "I'd like to do
that." I (3) was a very small child so one day my mum (4) gave me one of her tops to wear as a
dress and on sunny days I (5) walked up and down the garden path as if I was modeling it on
the catwalk. I (6) loved that top and I really (7) believed that one day I'd be a model. I (8) found
it recently when I was cleaning the house and I (9) smiled to myself.
1 ____ 2 ____ 3 ____ 4 ____ 5 ____ 6 ____ 7 ____ 8 ____ 9 ____
3/ Write one word in each gap.
The night before
Jane lay awake. She had (1) __________preparing for the next day (2) __________ a long time
and now she couldn't sleep. Her team (3) __________ playing the local champions at water
polo in the final and Jane was the captain. She (4) __________ feeling the pressure.
She turned over and remembered how she (5) __________ learned to swim. Her father had
taught her. They (6) __________ go to the local pool every day after school and her father (7)
__________ to show her what to do. She hadn't liked the water at first, but she soon (8)
__________ used to it. She learned quickly and joined the water polo team. She had (9)
__________ their youngest member!
She quickly got used to scoring goals and (10) __________ under pressure, but tomorrow was
different. It was the biggest match of her life. She closed her eyes again and tried to get to
sleep. 'I (11) __________ used to have problems sleeping' she thought to herself. 'But then
again, I didn't (12) __________ to be the captain of the team' She watched the clock change
slowly and knew that it was going to be a long night.
Lengua extranjera. Inglés C1
E.U. DE EDUCACIÓN DE SORIA
FUTURE TENSES REVIEW
WILL
Use Example
Predictions based on opinions I think England will win tonight.
Future facts The factory will open in July.
Decisions made at the I know! I'll ask for a pay rise tomorrow.
moment of speaking
Offers I'll help you with the advertising campaign.
Promises I promise you you won't lose your job.
Requests Will you give a presentation on the sales figures?
Refusals (won't) No, I won't give a presentation.
GOING TO
Use Example
Predictions based on present Look at that wall. It looks as if it's going to fall down.
evidence
Intentions I'm going to get my degree, then get a well-paid job.
FUTURE PERFECT SIMPLE
Use Example
Completed situations before a It looks as if Jake will have lost his job by the end of the
certain time week.
Continuing situations up to a This time next month, I'll have worked at the company for
certain time exactly 25 years.
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Use Example
Continuing situations up to a This time next month, I'll have been working at the company
certain time (emphasises for exactly 25 years.
duration)
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
Use Example
Situations in progress at a This time next week I'll be travelling round Russia on
certain time in the future business.
Situations which will happen The company Chairperson will be arriving on Thursday.
in the future in the normal
course of events
Habits or repeated actions at I think that, in the future, more and more people will be
a point in the future commuting to work by plane.
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E.U. DE EDUCACIÓN DE SORIA
Other ways to express the future
For the (very) near future:
o Be (just) about to + infinitive: I'm just about to ask for my pay rise.
o Be (just) on the point/verge of + -ing form: I'm just on the point/verge of asking for
my pay rise.
For formal arrangements: Be due to, e.g. I'm due to meet my boss at eleven o'clock.
For obligations: Be to do, e.g. You're to get those reports written before Friday!
For formal announcements: Be to do, e.g. The factory is to open in July.
To express certainty, possibility, etc we can use some modal verbs: I might ask for a
pay rise tomorrow.
Let's practise!
1/ Write a short phrase using will, be going to, present simple or present continuous on the
line to complete each sentence. If more than one form is correct, write all possibilities.
1. (I/ come) into the office on Saturday morning if you like, Pete.....................................
2. Carol, (you/ show) Harry how to use the photocopier, please? .....................................
3. From the look of things, (it/ snow) later today. .............................................................
4. Hurry up! (We/ miss) the ferry! ......................................................................................
5. I can't come in to work this morning because (I/ go) to the doctor's................................
6. Don't worry! (They/ sack) anyone for at least six months...............................................
7. (Jenny/ find) a job easily when she graduates? ..............................................................
8. No, I'm afraid (I/ be) at the meeting tomorrow. ..............................................................
9. (The new version/ launch) in the spring. .....................................................................
10. (I/ order) a pizza, shall I? .............................................................................................
11. It looks like (some people/ make) redundant quite soon. .............................................
12. What time (the train/ leave) on Saturday? ...................................................................
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E.U. DE EDUCACIÓN DE SORIA
2/ Write the verb in brackets in the correct form (future perfect simple, future perfect
continuous or future continuous) in each gap. If more than one form is correct, write all the
possibilities.
1. By the end of today ................................................ (Ed/ apply) for over 17 jobs!
2. This time next year ...................................... (I/ hopefully/ run) my own business.
3. In three days' time ..................................... (we/ live) here for exactly two years.
4. .......................................... (Gemma/ already/ arrive) by the time we get there?
5. .......................................... (you/ travel) all day, will you? Surely ......................................
( you/ have) several stops on the way, won't you?
6. ........................................... ( we/ wait) for you at reception when you arrive.
7. At the end of this sponsored jumpathon, ............................... (1,000 people/ jump) up
and down on the spot non-stop for 48 hours!
8. ............................................... (the boys/ sign) autographs all morning, so they'll need a
couple of hours' break before the recording session.
9. How many people ..................................... (you/ interview) for the position tomorrow?
10. ...................................(Terry/ see) the e-mail as he's only just got here so we'd better
discuss that first.
11. What ...................................... (you/ do) this time next week?
12. ......................................... (we/ see) Ken and Tricia when we go to the States as they'll
be away at the time, unfortunately.