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Preface

This book is prepared for basic grammar learners who want to improve their knowledge
in grammar, especially with twelve tenses. In this book I have also included some further
grammar texts, appendix, at the back of the book. With only specific and clear grammar points
are included in this book.

I hope that this book will become a good facilitator for all basic grammar learners. I am
enthusiastic to all your recommends with the mistakes accidently happen in this book.

I
Acknowledgement

With this little result of this book, I would like to show my profound thank to the authors
as the following: L. G. Alexander (Longman English Grammar), Betty Schrampfer Azar
(Understanding and using English grammar), A. J. Thomsom and A. V. Martinet (Oxford
English grammar of Oxford University Press) and other authors. Without their documents, I will
not prepare this grammar book.

I am also grateful to all my friends who help me to edit this book. Their help and their
supporting is a great force encourages me to get this book.

II
Content Pages

Preface I

Acknowledgement II

I- Present Simple 01-03

II- Present Continuous 04-06

III- Past Simple 06-08

IV- Past Simple Continuous 09-10

V- Present perfect 11-13

VI- Present Perfect Continuous 14-16

VII- Past Perfect Simple 17-19

VIII- Past Perfect Continuous 20-22

IX- Future Simple (will) 23-24

X- Future Simple (going to) 25-26

XI- Future Continuous 27-28

XII- Future Perfect Simple 29-30

XIII- Future Perfect Continuous 31-33

XIV- Conditional Sentences 34-35

XV- Appendix 36-46

References 47
Student Development Institute Basic Grammar
Present Simple (I do/work/like etc.)

We use present simple for:


 Things that happen all the time (habit or routine)
 Something that is always true
 Future with schedule

Forms:

1- Positive Form: S + V + Obj

Ex: I read a lot of books.


Ex: She likes apple.
Ex: They play football.

Ex: I/You/We/They read do like work play watch study


He/She/It reads does likes works plays watches studies

Note:
 Most verbs add –s when use with third person singular (He/She/It)
 When verbs ending in –s; -sh; -ch; -o; -x we add –es to form with He/She/It.
 When verbs ending in –y change –y to –i+es to form with He/She/It.
 But verbs ending in –y with a vowel before –y we don’t change. In this case, we follow
the simple rule add –s.

2- Negative Form: S + do/does + not +V1 + Obj

Ex: She does not (doesn’t) study English.


Ex: I do not (don’t) like apples.
Ex: We do not (don’t) drink beers.

Ex: I/You/We/They don’t read do like work play watch study


He/She/It doesn’t read do like work play watch study

3- Question Form: Do/Does + S + V1 + Obj?

Ex: Do you watch TV?


Ex: Do they play football?
Ex: Does he like listening to music?

Ex: Do I/You/We/They read do like work play watch study?


Does He/She/It read do like work play watch study?

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 Note: we use present simple with always/usually/often/sometime/never.
Ex: I always sit here.
Ex: She usually writes a letter.
Ex: We often go to the river side.
 Present Simple with schedule as future normally uses with travel agent.
Ex: The bus leaves at 5:15 am tomorrow.

Exercises
A- Write the he/she/it form of these verbs.
1- read …………….. 6- have ……………... 11- buy ………………
2- repair …………… 7- push ……………… 12- go ………………...
3- watch …………... 8- do ………………...
4- listen …………… 9- think ………………
5- love …………….. 10- kiss ……………...

B- Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of these verbs.

boil close cost go have like meet open smoke

speak teach wash

1- She’s very clever. She ………………….. four languages.


2- Steve ………………… ten cigarettes a day.
3- We usually ………………… dinner at 8 o’clock.
4- I ……………………. Film. I often ………………… to the cinema.
5- Water …………………. at 100 degree Celsius.
6- In Britain the banks …………………. at 9:30 in the morning.
7- The city museum ……………….. at 5 o’clock every evening.
8- Food is expensive. It ……………… a lot of money.
9- Tom is a teacher. He ………………. English and France.
10- Your job is very interesting. You ………………. a lot of people.
11- Bopha wash her hair twice a week.
C- A- Write the negative.
1- I play the piano very well. I don’t play the piano very well.
2- Jack plays the piano very well. …………………………………………………….
3- You know the answer. ……………………………………………………………..
4- She works very hard. ………………………………………………………………
5- They do the same thing every day. ………………………………………………..
6- He has two sisters. …………………………………………………………………
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B- Write the opposite (positive or negative).

1- I understand. ………………………………………….
2- He doesn’t smoke. …………………………………....
3- They know. …………………………………………..
4- She loves him. ……………………………………….
5- I don’t want it. ………………………………………..
6- He lives in Cambodia. ………………………………..
7- They speak Chinese. ………………………………….
8- It doesn’t rain. ………………………………………..

C- Complete the sentences. All of them are negative. Use don’t/doesn’t + one of these
verbs.

cost drive go know play see sell smoke wash wear

1- “Have a cigarette.” No, thank you, I ………………………………………………


2- They …………………………….... newspapers in that shop.
3- She has a car but she ……………………………… very fast.
4- I like films but I ……………………………… to the cinema very often.
5- He smells bad because he ………………………. very often.
6- It’s a cheap hotel. It ………………………… much to stay here.
7- He likes football but he ………………………….. very often.
8- I …………………………. Much about politics.
9- She is married but she …………………………… a ring.
10- He lives near our house but we ………………………….. him very often.

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Present Continuous (I am doing.)

We use present continuous for


 Action that is happening at the time of speaking.
 Action that is happening around now but not at the time of speaking.
 Future arrangement

Forms:

1- Positive Form: S + be + V-ing + Obj.

Ex: I am working.
Ex: Tom is writing a letter.
Ex: They are playing football.
Ex: It is raining.
Ex: She is eating.
Ex: I am studying at PPIU.
Ex: We are having a party next week.
2- Negative Form:
S + be + not + V-ing + Obj.
Ex: I am not working.
Ex: Tom is not writing a letter.
Ex: They are not playing football.
Ex: It is not raining.
Ex: She is not eating.
3- Question Form:
Be + S + V-ing + Obj?
Ex: Are you working?
Ex: Is Tom writing a letter?
Ex: Are they playing football?
Ex: Is it raining?
Ex: Is she eating?
Note:
 With verbs ending in –e drop –e before add –ing.
Ex: write writing
give giving
But verbs ending in double –ee follow the usual rule.
Ex: see seeing
 With one syllable verbs ending in a vowel and a consonant; we double consonant before
add –ing.
Ex: run running
In some cases two syllable verbs can be double consonant; in this case that verb is
stressed on the second syllable.
Ex: travel travelling
 Verbs that end with four letters: w, x, y, z can add –ing without double.
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Exercises
A- Complete the sentences. Use am/is/are + one of these verbs.

coming building having playing cooking standing swimming

1- Listen. Jonh is playing the piano.


2- They ………………………. a new hotel in the city center at the moment.
3- Look! Somebody ……………………………….. in the river.
4- You ……………………………… on my foot. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
5- Hurry up! The bus ………………………………
6- Where are you, Bob? “In the kitchen, I ……………………………… a meal.”
7- “Hello. Can I speak to Mr. Thomson, please?” She ……………………………. a
shower at the moment. Can you phone again later?
B- What’s happening at the moment? Write true sentences.
1- (I/wash/my hair?) ………………………………………………………………….
2- (it/rain) …………………………………………………………………………….
3- (I/sit/on a chair) ……………………………………………………………………
4- (I/learn/English) …………………………………………………………………...
5- (I/listen/ to the radio) ………………………………………………………………
6- (I/listen/to the teacher) …………………………………………………………….
7- (the sum/ shine) ……………………………………………………………………
8- (I/smoke/a cigarette) ……………………………………………………………….
9- (I/wear/shoes) ………………………………………………………………………
10- (I/read/a book) ……………………………………………………………………..
C- Write the questions “What…….doing?” with different subjects.
1- (he) ……………………………………………………………?
2- (they) ………………………………………………………….?
3- (I) ……………………………………………………………...?
4- (Tom) ………………………………………………………….?
Now write the question “Where…………..going?” with these subjects.

5- (we) Where …………………………………………………….?

6- (those children) ………………………………………………………………….?

7- (the little girl) ……………………………………………………………...…….?

8- (the man on the bike) ……………………………………………………………?

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D- Ask the questions.
1- (you/watch/TV?) …………………………………………………………………..?
2- (the children/play?) ………………………………………………………………..?
3- (what/you/do?) …………………………………………………………………….?
4- (it/rain?) …………………………………………………………………………...?
5- (you/write/a letter?) ……………………………………………………………….?
6- (why/you/run?) ……………………………………………………………………?
7- (where/he/go?) …………………………………………………………………….?

Past Simple (I went shopping yesterday)

We use Past Simple for action that happened and finished already in the past with
the exact past time.

Form:

1- Positive Form: S + V2 + Obj.

Ex: I met her yesterday.


Ex: They went holiday last summer.
Ex: She watched TV this morning.
Note:
 V2 used with all subjects. It is divided into regular and irregular verbs.
A- For regular verbs
1- We add –ed to form past tense.
2- With verbs have already –e just add –d.
3- Verbs ending in –y change to –i+ed.
Ex: look looked
smile smiled
study studies
B- For irregular verbs see the list below.
 Adverbs use with past simple are: last night/ last week/ last month/ last year/ last
holiday/ yesterday/ this morning/ one hour ago/ two years ago/ a few weeks ago, etc.
2- Negative Form:
S + did not (didn’t) + V1 + Obj.

In this case, we need auxiliary verb did + not to form the negative. So V2 must be
changed into infinitive.
Ex: I didn’t see her yesterday.
Ex: They didn’t go to school this morning.
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3- Question Form: Did + S + V1 + Obj?

Ex: Did you see her last week?


Ex: What did they do yesterday?
Ex: Did she call you last night?

Note:
 Pronunciation of /t/ and /d/
1- We pronoun /t/ after voiceless sounds such as –k; -p; -s; -ch; -sh; -f.
Ex: laugh laughed /t/
kiss kissed /t/
2- We pronoun /d/ after voice sounds such as –l; -v; -n; -b; and all vowel sounds.
Ex: travel travelled /d/
live lived /d/
3- We pronoun /id/ after /t/ and /d/.
Ex: start started /id/
need needed /id/

Exercises:

A- Write the Past Simple forms.


1- He goes to work by car.
Yesterday ……………………………………………………………….
2- I write a letter to Mary every week.
Last week …………………………………............................................
3- She meets her friends every evening.
She…………………………………………………..yesterday evening.
4- I read two books every night.
Last night …………………………………………................................
5- They buy a new car every year.
Last year ………………………………………………………………..
6- We leave home at 8:30 every morning.
……………………………................................................this morning.
B- Write questions in past simple.
1. Anna / the window / open Did Anna open the window?
2. she / home / walk …………………………………………………………

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3. you / in the garden / work …………………………………………………………
4. you / a song / sing …………………………………………………………
5. she / on a chair / sit …………………………………………………………
6. you / the castle / visit …………………………………………………………
7. Jenny / the door / lock …………………………………………………………
8. she / happy / be ………………………………………………………..............
9. Greg / the ball / kick ………………………………………………………...
10. the car / at the corner / stop ………………………………………………..........
C- Complete with past simple (regular verbs).
1- I opened the door and looked (look) inside.
2- Who ___________ (close) all the windows?
3- I ___________ (carry) my mom´s shopping bag.
4- I ___________ (not climb) over the fence.
5- I ___________ (rip) my shirt.
6- The plane ___________ (land) ten minutes ago.
7- We ___________ (live) in that house when I was a baby.
8- My brother ___________ (not cry) when he fell of his bike.
9- We ___________ (walk) to school yesterday.
10- She ___________ (smile) when she saw me.
D- Past simple (irregular verbs).
1- I lost (lose) my watch in the park.
2- David ___________ (not hurt) his knee.
3- I kicked the ball and it ___________ (break) a window.
4- My new shoes ___________ (not cost) a lot of money.
5- I ___________ (get) this book from the library.
6- We had a garage where we ___________ (keep) our car.
7- Ali ___________ (cut) his knee.
8- The glass ___________ (fall) off the table.
9- The glass ___________ (not break).
10- We ___________ (sell) our old car.

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Past Simple Continuous (I was sleeping.)

We use past continuous for:


 an action that was happening in the past
 an action that was happening in the past before another action happened

Form:
1- Positive Form: S + was/were + V-ing + …….

Ex: It was raining at 2:00 last night.


Ex: I was walking down the street when it began to rain.
Ex: We were sitting in the living room at 6 o’clock.
Note:
 Was is used with (I / He / She / It)
 Were is used with (We / You / They)

Study the time line below:

Start walking End walking Presen


t

Future
It began to rain
Past Continuous

I was walking down the street when it began to rain.

2- Negative Form: S + wasn’t/weren’t (was not/were not) + V-ing + ………

Ex: It wasn’t raining at 2:00 last night.


Ex: I wasn’t walking down the street when it began to rain.
Ex: We weren’t sitting in the living room at 6 o’clock.

Note:

 Was not = wasn’t ( I / He / She / It)


 Were not = weren’t ( You / We / They)

3- Question Form: Was/Were + S + V-ing + ………..?

Ex: Was it raining at 2:00 last night?


Ex: Were you walking down the street when it began to rain?
Ex: Were they sitting in the living room at 6 o’clock?

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Exercises:

A- Fill the gaps using the verb in brackets in the past continuous tense.
1- I ………………………..letters all day yesterday. (write)
2- You ………………………..very slow about it. (be)
3- You ………………………..on the phone for hours and hours. (talk)
4- They ……………………….much business before lunch. (do –NEGATIVE)
5- She …………………………to me all week. Silly now. (speak – NEGATIVE)
6- It ………………………….for long. (rain – NEGATIVE)
7- What …………you …………….when I phoned yesterday? (do)
8- ……………you ………….TV when it happened? (watch)
9- What ……….you………………at the party? (wear)
10- He ……………………..horrible to everyone, the nasty pig! (be)
11- I ……………………….computer games all morning. (play)
12- We ………………………….all afternoon in the library. (revise)

B- Fill the gaps using the verb in brackets in the past continuous and past simple.
1- I ………………… (watch) TV when a bird ……………….into the window. (fly)
2- The Prime Minister …………………………..(relax) on holiday while the country
………………………………..in crisis. (be)
3- Collin ……………………..(have) a shower when Angelina …………………….. on
the door. (knock)
4- We …………………….(have) a coffee when we ……………………the news on the
radio. (hear)
5- The riots ……………………..(start) when the President ………………………… the
country. (visit)
6- Frank ………………………..(pick) his nose when the accident ………………….
(happen)
7- The earthquake ……………………………(begin) when we ……………………..
chess. (play)

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Present Perfect (I have seen)

We use Present Perfect for:

 putting emphasis on the result


 action that is still going on
 action that stopped recently
 finished action that has an influence on the present
 action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of
speaking

Form:

1- Positive Form: S + have/has + V3 (past participle) + ……………..

Ex: I have seen her before.


Ex: She has gone to Paris twice.
Ex: They have worked here since 2010.

2- Negative Form: S + haven’t/hasn’t (have/has not) + V3 + ………

Ex: I haven’t seen her before.


Ex: She hasn’t gone to Paris.
Ex: They haven’t worked here since 2010.

Note:

 Have = ‘ve (I / We / You / They)


 Have not = Haven’t
 Has = ‘s
(He / She / It)
 Has not = Hasn’t
 V3 divided into two: regular verb and irregular verb.
For irregular verb see the list of irregular.
For regular verb we add –ed to the verb or –d to verb has already –e.

3- Question Form: Have/Has + S + V3 + …………………..?

Ex: Have you seen her before?


Ex: Has she gone to Paris twice?
Ex: Have they worked here since 2010?

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Note:

 been and gone (present perfect)


Ex: He’s gone to Paris. (I’m there now)
Ex: He’s been to Paris. (Now, he has returned)

 ever (used in question) and never (used in positive and has negative meaning)
Ex: Have you ever seen her?
Ex: I have never loved her.
 for (a period of time) and since (started time)
Ex: I’ve worked here for 2 years.
Ex: I’ve worked here since 2010.
 just (used in positive) and yet (used in negative and question)
Ex: She’s just arrived.
Ex: I’ve not done my homework yet.
Ex: Have you seen her yet?
 already (used in positive)
Ex: I’ve have already called her. (already usually stands between have/has and V3)

Exercises:

A- Write sentences or questions with the present perfect.


1- she / ever / be / here?
Has she ever been here?
2- you / ever buy / books from that bookshop?
……………………………………………………………………………..?
3- I / not have breakfast / today
……………………………………………………………………………..
4- They / never be / to the new shopping center
……………………………………………………………………………..
5- Where / you / be?
……………………………………………………………………………..
6- They / just go / to live to Madrid
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……………………………………………………………………………..
7- John / never fly / before
…………………………………………………………………………….
8- She / just send / me an email
……………………………………………………………………………..
9- She / just arrive
……………………………………………………………………………..

B- Put the verb in Present Perfect or Past Simple.


1- My wife is a writer. She has written (write) many books.
2- We ………………………… (not / have) a holiday last year.
3- I …………………………… (play) tennis yesterday afternoon.
4- What time ……………………………… (you / go) to bed last night?
5- …………………………….. (you / ever / meet) a famous person?
6- The weather …………………………….. (not / be) very good yesterday.
7- My hair is wet. I ……………………………… (just / wash) it.
8- I ……………………………….. (wash) my hair before breakfast this morning.
9- Mary travels a lot. She ……………………………………. (visit) many countries.

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Present Perfect Continuous

We use present perfect continuous for:

 putting emphasis on the course or duration (not the result)


 action that recently stopped or is still going on
 finished action that influenced the present

Form:

1- Positive Form: S + have/has + been + V-ing + …………………

Ex: I have been working here since 2010.


Ex: He has been speaking.
Ex: It has been raining all day.

Note:

 Have been (I / We / You / They)


 Has been (He / She / It)
 With verbs ending in –e, delete an –e and add –ing .

Study the time line below:


Present

Future
2 hr

I have been working for 2 hours.

2- Negative Form: S + haven’t/hasn’t (have/has not) + been + V-ing + …….

Ex: I haven’t been working here.


Ex: It hasn’t been raining all day.
Ex: He hasn’t been speaking.

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Note:

 Have not = Haven’t (I / You / We / They)


 Has not = Hasn’t (He / She / It)
 Adverbs used with present perfect: all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the
whole week, all week, etc.

3- Question Form: Have/Has + S + been + V-ing + ……….?

Ex: Has it been raining all day?


Ex: Have you been working here since 2010?
Ex: Has he been speaking?

Exercises:

A- Choose the correct alternative to complete the sentences.


1. He hasn´t been working in this factory for long / since long.
2. I´ve been living in this town since last year / for the last year.
3. It´s the most interesting book I´ve ever / never read.
4. Turn the TV off, will you? You watched / have been watching it for over two hours.
5. Yesterday I saw / have seen Fred at the station.
6. What have you been doing? We haven´t seen/ didn´t see you for ages.
7. We´ve known / been knowing them for three years.
8. How much time / long have you been waiting?
9. She has been / been being a bus driver since 1998.
10.The baby has been slept / sleeping for most of the day.

B- Use the present perfect or the present perfect progressive. In some sentences, either tense
may be used with little or no change in meaning.
1- It (snow) ………………………………….. all day. I wonder when it will stop.
2- We (have) ………………………………… three major snowstorms so far this
winter. I wonder how many more we will have.
3- It’s ten P.M. I (study) …………………………………… for two hours and probably
won’t finish until midnight.

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4- I (write) ………………………………………. them three times, but I still haven’t
received a reply.
5- The telephone (ring) ……………………………………. four times in the last hour,
and each time it has been for my office mate.
6- The telephone (ring) …………………………………… for all most a minute. Why
doesn’t someone answer it?
7- A: (you, be) ……………………………….. able to reach Bob on the phone yet?
B: Not yet. I (try) ………………………………… for the last twenty minutes, but all
I get is a busy signal.
8- A: Hi, Jenny. I (see, not) ……………………………………. you for weeks. What
(you, do) ………………………………. lately?
B: Studying.
9- A: What are you going to order for dinner?
B: Well, I (have, never) ……………………………………….. vegetarian pizza, so I
think I’ll order that.
10- A: What’s the matter? Your eyes are red and puffy. (you, cry) …………………
…………………………?
B: No. I just finished peeling some onions.
11- A: Dr. Jones is a good teacher. How long (he, be) ……………………………….. at
the university?
B: He (teach) ………………………………………. here for twenty-five years.
12- The little girl is dirty from head to foot because she (play) ……………………..
……………………………… in the mud.

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Past Perfect Simple (I had spoken)

We use past perfect simple for:

 action taking place before another action in a certain time in the past
 sometimes interchangeable with past perfect progressive
 putting emphasis only on the fact (not the duration)

Form:

1- Positive Form: S + had + V3 (past participle) + ………………..

Ex: She had called me.


Ex: Tom had already left by the time Ann got there.
Ex: The thief simply walked in. Someone had forgotten to lock the door.

Note:

 Had + past participle used with all subjects: I / You / We / They / He / She / It.
 The signal words used with past perfect simple: already, just, never, not yet, once, until
that day, if sentence type III (If I had talked,…), etc.

Study the time line below:

eat Present

arrive
Future

Tom had already eaten when his friend arrived.

1st action 2nd action

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2- Negative Form:
S + hadn’t (had not) + V3 + ………………

Ex: She hadn’t called me.


Ex: Tom hadn’t left by the time Ann got there.
Ex: They hadn’t eaten when their friend arrived.

Note:

 Had not = Hadn’t ( I / You / We / They / He / She / It)

3- Question Form: Had + S + V3 (past participle) + …………….?

Ex: Had she called you?


Ex: Had Tom already left by the time Ann got there?
Ex: Had they already eaten when their friend arrived?

Exercises:
Twin Daughters
Anne and Annie

A- Complete the sentences about twins who met as adults. Use the past perfect
form of the verbs in parentheses.
1. Two separate Illinois families had adopted (adopt) Anne Green and Annie Smith
before the twins were three days old.
2. When they met, they were fascinated by their similarities. For example, they
…………………………… (live) near each other before the Greens moved away.
3. As children, both Anne and Annie ……………………………… (go) to the same
summer camp.
4. Anne ………………………………. (not / go) to college, and Annie ………..
………………………………… (not / attend) college, either.
5. Both …………………………………. (marry) for the first time by the age of 22.

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6. Anne ………………………….. (get) divorced and ……………………(remarry).
Annie …………………………………. (not / get) divorced and was still married.
7. Both Anne and Annie were allergic to cats and dogs and …………………..
………………….. never (own) pets.
8. Both ……………………… (give) the same name – Heather – to their daughters.
9. Both ………………previously ……………… (work) in the hospitality industry.
10. Anne ………………………. (work) as a hotel manager. However, Annie
………………………. (not / work) in hotels; she ……………….(be) a restaurant
manager.

B- Complete the sentences with your own words in past perfect.


1- I had never …………………………before I …………………………………
2- By the time ……………………………., he had already …………………………
3- I had never …………………………..until I …………………………………
4- My ……………………..after I had already ………………………………….
5- The movie had ………………………….by the time we …………………………
6- In (year), I ……………………………Prior to that time, I had ………………….
7- When I ……………………., someone else had already …………………………
8- Last (month), I ………………… Before that, I had never ………………………

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Past Perfect Continuous (I had been doing)

We use past perfect continuous for:

 An event that was in progress before another event in the past.

Form:

1- Positive Form: S + had + been + V-ing + ……………….

Ex: Tom had been studying for two hours before his friend came.
Ex: He had been speaking to her.
Ex: I had been sleeping when she arrived.
Note:
 Had been = ‘d been: used with all subjects (I / You / We / They / He / She / It)

Study the time line below:

Present

2 hrs Future

Tom had been studying English for two hours before his friend came.

2- Negative Form: S + hadn’t (had not) + been + V-ing + …………

Ex: Tom had not been studying before his friend came.
Ex: He had not been speaking to her.
Ex: I had not been sleeping when she arrived.

Note:

 Had not been = Hadn’t been (I / You / We / They / He / She / It)

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3- Question Form:
Had + S + been + V-ing + …………….?

Ex: Had Tom been studying for two hours before his friend came?
Ex: Had you been sleeping when she arrived?
Ex: Had he been speaking to her?

Exercises:

A- Fill the gaps with the verb in brackets using the past perfect continuous or the past
perfect simple.

1- When the student revolution came, I …………………………. there for 6 months.


(work)
2- Before Jim finally decided to go to Thailand, he …………………………… about it
for months. (think)
3- They ………………………………….. all the chocolate cake by the time Michael got
to the party. (eat)
4- I ……………………………………. Scarlett Johansson on three previous occasions.
Lucky me! (meet)
5- The forensic evidence shows that he ………………………………. his nose just
before he was murdered. (pick)
6- When the doctor told him his liver was seriously bad, he ………………………….
hamburgers for a month. (eat)
7- Prior to the explosion, the fat man ……………………………… seven large
chocolate cakes. (eat)
8- When they cancelled the flight to Alicante, the storm ……………………………. all
afternoon with no sign of abating. (rage)

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B- Fill the gaps with the verb in brackets using the past perfect continuous or the past
continuous.

1- When I asked Carlos if he wanted to go out, he said he couldn’t because he


……………………………………….. an assignment. (finish)
2- Scarlett came into the room panting. She ………………………………….. round the
park. (jog)
3- Scarlett wasn’t in. She ………………………………… around the park. (jog)
4- I ………………………………. a bath when I suddenly had a great idea. (have)
5- He told me he …………………. seriously ………………… about finding another
job soon. (think)
6- He …………………………….about finding a new job for about a year before he
finally got round to it. He’s happy now. (think)
7- It was obvious from her outrageous behavior that …………………………………
(drink)
8- I ……………………………………… a latte in the Café New York, when I saw a
famous actor walk past the window. (drink)

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Future Simple (I will……)

We use future simple for:


 Spontaneous decision (decision made at the time of speaking)
 Prediction (without evidence)

Form:
1- Positive Form: S + will + V1 (infinitive) + ………………….

Ex: I will help you to carry this bag. (Spontaneous decision)


Ex: She will call you.
Ex: It will rain this evening. (It may rains or may not.)
Study the time line below:
Future

Note:
 Will = Shall
 Will used with all subjects (I / You / We / They / He / She / It)
 Shall used with only (I / We)
 We often say I think …………will……………
 Phrases used with future (will): in a year, next …, tomorrow If-Sate Type I (If you ask
her, she will help you.) assumption: I think, probably, perhaps, etc.

2- Negative Form: S + will not (won’t) + V1 (infinitive) + ……….

Ex: He won’t help you to carry your bag.


Ex: She won’t call you.
Ex: It won’t rain.
Note:
 Will not = Won’t (I / You / We / They / He / She / It)
 Will = ‘ll (Ex: I will = I’ll)

3- Question Form: Will + S + V1 (infinitive) + ……………….?


Ex: Will you help me to carry this bag?
Ex: Will she call you?
Ex: Will it rain?

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Exercises:
A- Write sentences with I think……will……
1- (Diana / pass the exam) I think ………………………………………………….
2- (Jack / win the game) I think …………………………………………………….
3- (Sue / like her present) …………………………………………………………...
4- (the weather / be nice tomorrow) ………………………………………………..
Write two sentences with I don’t think……..will………..
5- (they / get married) I don’t ………………………………………………………
6- (I / be at home this evening) ……………………………………………………..
B- Complete the sentences. Use I will (I’ll) + one of these verbs.

carry do eat send show sit stay

1- My case is very heavy.


I …………………………..it for you.
2- Enjoy your holiday.
Thank you. I ………………………………you a postcard.
3- I don’t want this banana.
Well, I’m hungry. ……………………………………………..it.
4- Are you coming with me?
No, I don’t think so. …………………………………………..here.
5- Did you phone Jack?
Oh no, I forgot. ………………………………………………..it now.
6- Do you want a chair?
No, it’s okay. ………………………………………………….on the floor.
7- How do you use this camera?
Give it to me and ……………………………………………..you.

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Future Simple (I’m going to ….)

We use future simple (be going to) for:


 Future plan (with intention)
 Prediction (with evidence)

Form:

1- Positive Form: S + be + going to + …………………..

Ex: I am going to the cinema this evening. (We have already planned)
Ex: They are going to get married.
Ex: It is going to rain. (We have enough evidence)

Note:
 Be (am / is / are)
 Am is used with (I)
 Is is used with (He / She / It)
 Are is used with (We / You / They)
 Phrases used with going to: in one year, next week, tomorrow, etc.

2- Negative Form: S + be + not + going to + ………………….

Ex: I am not going to the cinema this evening.


Ex: They are not going to get married.
Ex: It is not going to rain.

Note:
 I am not = I’m not
 He / She / It is not = He’s / She’s / It’s not = He / She / It isn’t
 We / You / They are not = We’re / You’re / They’re not = We / You / They aren’t

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3- Question Form:
Be + S + going to + ……………………?

Ex: Are you going to the cinema this evening?


Ex: Are they going to get married?
Ex: Is it going to rain?

Exercises:
A- Make questions. Use ………………be going to ……………
1- (what / you / wear / to the party?) …………………………………………………?
2- (when / you / visit me again?) …………………………………………………….?
3- (what time / Tom / phone you tonight?) …………………………………………..?
4- (how long / your friends / stay here?) ……………………………………………..?
5- (what time / you / get up tomorrow?) ……………………………………………..?

B- Complete the sentences. Use …….be going to + one of these verbs.

eat give lie rain study walk wash

1- My hair is dirty. I …………………………………………………………………..


2- I don’t want to go home by bus. I ………………………………………………….
3- John’s university course begins in October.
He ……………………………………………………………… engineering.
4- Take an umbrella with you. It ……………………………………………………..
5- I’m hungry. I …………………………………………… this sandwich.
6- It’s Val’s birthday next week. We ……………………………….her a present.
7- I feel tired. I ……………………………………….down for an hour.

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Future Continuous (I will be doing…)

We use future Continuous for:


 action that is going on at a certain time in the future
 action that is sure to happen in the near future

Form:

1- Positive Form: S + will + be + v-ing + …………………

Ex: I will be working tomorrow night.


Ex: They will be doing their assignment.
Ex: He will be playing football this time tomorrow.

Study the time line below:

10:00 11:00

Tom will be sleeping when we arrive.

(Tom will go to sleep at 10:00 tomorrow night. We will arrive at 11:00. The
action is still going on.)

2- Negative Form: S + will + not (won’t) + be + v-ing +


…………….
Ex: I won’t be working tomorrow night.
Ex: They won’t be doing their assignment.
Ex: He won’t be playing football this time tomorrow.

Note:

 Will not = Won’t


 Time expression used with future continuous: in one year, next week, tomorrow, etc.

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3- Question Form:
Will + S + be + V-ing + ………………….

Ex: Will you be working tomorrow night?


Ex: Will they be doing their assignment?
Ex: Will he be playing football this time tomorrow?

Exercises:
Use the future progressive or the simple present.

1- Right now I am attending class. Yesterday at this time, I was attending class.
Tomorrow at this time, I (attend) ……………………………………..class.
2- Tomorrow I’m going to leave for home. When I (arrive) ……………………... at
the airport, my whole family (wait) …………………………………for me.
3- When I (get) ……………………….up tomorrow morning, the sun (shine)
…………………………, the birds (sing) ………………………………., and my
roommate (lie, still) ………………………………..in bed fast asleep.
4- A: When do you leave for Florida?
B: Tomorrow. Just think! Two days from now I (lie) …………………………. on
the beach in the sun.
A: Sound great! I (think) ……………………… about you.
5- Next year at this time, I (do) ………………………………….. exactly what I am
doing now. I (attend) ……………………………….. school and (study)
………………………………… hard next year.
6- Look at those clouds. When class (be) …………………………………..over, it
(rain, probably) …………………………………………………
7- A: How can I get in touch with you while you’re out of town?
B: I (stay) …………………………………………….at the Pilgrim Hotel. You
can reach me there.

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Future Perfect Simple (I will have done)

We use future perfect simple for:

 Action that will be complete (finish) before another time or event in the future. Or
 Action that will be finished at a certain time in the future.

Form:

1- Positive Form: S + will + have + v3 + ……………….

Ex: I will have finished this report by 10 pm tonight.


Ex: They will have spoken to her in the day she comes.
Ex: The clock will have fixed by the evening.

Note:

 All subjects used with “will have”


 The signal words used with future perfect simple: by Monday, in a week, by the time…,
etc.

Study the time line below:


Date line
Present

Past
I’ll have finished homework

I will have finished my homework by the time I go out on a date tonight.

2- Negative Form: S + will not (won’t) + have + v3 + …………..

Ex: He won’t have finished this report by 10 pm tonight.


Ex: We won’t have spoken to her in the day she comes.
Ex: The clock won’t have fixed by the evening.

Note:

 Will not = Won’t (I / He / She / It / We / You / They)

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3- Question Form:
Will + S + have + V3 + …………………

Ex: Will he have finished this report by 10 pm tonight?

Ex: Will they have spoken to her in the day she comes?

Ex: Will the clock have fixed by the evening?

Exercises:

A- Make the future perfect positive:


By 10 pm tonight …
1. I __________________________ (finish) this report.
2. We __________________________ (have) dinner.
3. She __________________________ (leave) Paris.
4. John __________________________ (meet) Lucy.
5. They __________________________ (take) the exam.
6. It __________________________ (stop) snowing.
7. I __________________________ (read) all of this book.
8. You __________________________ (fall) asleep.
9. She __________________________ (watch) the film.
10. He __________________________ (arrive).

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Future Perfect Progressive (I will have been doing)

We use future perfect progressive to:


 Emphasize the duration of an activity that will be in progress before another time or
event in the future. Or
 putting emphasis on the course of an action

Form:
1. Positive Form: S + will + have + been + v-ing + …………….

Ex: I will go to bed at ten P.M. Ed will get home at midnight. At midnight I will be
sleeping. I will have been sleeping for two hours by the time Ed gets home.
Ex: He will have been living here for 20 years by the end of the year.
Ex: She will have been teaching for 45 years.

Ed gets home

2hrs

I am sleeping.

I will have been sleeping for two hours by the time Ed gets home.
Note:
 Sometimes the future perfect and the future perfect continuous have the same meaning.
Ex: When Professor Jones retires next month, he will have taught for 45 years.
Ex: When Pro. Jones retires next month, he will have been teaching for 45 years.

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2. Negative Form: S + will + not (won’t) + have + been + v-ing + …..

Ex: I will not have been sleeping.

Ex: He will not have been living here for 20 years.

Ex: She will not have been teaching for 45 years.

Note:

 Will not = Won’t (I / He / She / It / We / You / They)

3. Question Form: Will + S + have + been + v-ing + ……………..?

Ex: Will he have been sleeping for 2 hours?


Ex: Will you have been living here for 20 years?
Ex: Will she have been teaching for 45 years?

Exercises:
Fill the gaps with the verb in brackets using either the future perfect simple or
continuous tenses.
1- By the time we get to the party, Fat Bob ………………………………..everything
(eat).
2- When we get to March, Jimbo ……………………………………..in Thailand for 18
months. (live)
3- There’s no point going now. The bus ………………………………….by the time we
get there. (leave)
4- Be prepared to stand up during the concert as they ………………………………... all
the seats by now. (take)

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5- Come June, we …………………………………………. together for four months.
(go out)
6- When you get to L.A., you ………………………………………..for seven hours.
(fly)
7- I’m sure that when we go to the meeting, all the important decisions …………….
…………………………………….beforehand. (take PASSIVE)
8- This time tomorrow I ……………………………………….all my exams. (finish)
9- A week Friday we ………………………………………..the course. (complete)
10- Old Mr Macawber ……………………………………………maths for 30 years by
the end of this term. (teach)
11- Come next spring, we …………………………………..in Kyoto for two years.
(work)
12- By the time you wake up tomorrow morning, Pete ………………………………... in
Qingdao. (arrive)
13- At this rate, we ………………………………………..everything ready by six
o’clock. (get)
14- Johnson …………………………………………….at sea 7 days by the time he enters
French waters. (be)
15- If what scientists say is true, humans ………………………………………..life a
miserable existence within the next 15 years. (make)

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Conditional Sentences

A conditional sentence typically consists of an if-clause (which presents a condition)


and a result clause.

Ex: If it rains, the street gets wet.

If-clause Result clause

Kinds of Conditional Sentences

Type 1: Conditional Sentence (First Condition)

Asking or talking about something that is quite possible in present or future.

If + s + present simple, s + will + infinitive…………

Ex: If it rains, I will stay home.


Ex: If I lose my job, I will go abroad.
Ex: If you study hard, you will pass your exam.

Type 2: Conditional Sentence (Second Condition)

Asking/talking about imagined situations/consequences now. Something that is untrue in


the present or future.

If + s + past simple, s + would/could + infinitive…………

Ex: If he were here right now, he would help us.


Ex: If I had enough money, I would buy a car.
Ex: If I lost my job, I would go abroad.
Type 3: Conditional Sentence (Third Condition)
Asking/talking about imagined situations/consequences then. Something that is untrue in
the past.

If + s + past perfect, s + would/could + have + v3 + ……………..

Ex: If I had lost my job, I would have gone abroad.


Ex: If you had told me about the problem, I would have helped you.
Ex: If they had studied, they would have passed the exam.

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Exercises:
A- Present or future conditional sentences.

Complete the sentences with the verbs in parentheses.

1- If I have enough apples, I (bake) …………………………an apple pie this afternoon.

2- If I had enough apples, I (bake) ……………………….an apple pie this afternoon.

3- I will fix your bicycle if I (have) ………………a screwdriver of the proper size.

4- I would fix your bicycle if I (have) ……………..a screwdriver of the proper size.

5- Sally always answers the phone if she (be) ……………….in her office.

6- Sally would answer the phone if she (be) …………………in her office right now.

7- I (be, not) ……………………a student in this class if English (be) ………………my

native language.

8- Most people know that oil floats on water. If you pour oil on water, it (float) ………..

……………........................

9- If there (be) ………………………no oxygen on earth, life as we know it (exist, not)

…………………………………..

10- If I (be) ……………………..a bird, I (want, not) ……………………………………..

B- Complete the sentences with the verbs in parentheses.

1- If I (have) ………………………………enough money, I will go with you.

2- If I (have) ………………………………enough money, I would go with you.

3- If I (have) ………………………………enough money, I would have gone with you.

4- If the weather is nice tomorrow, we (go) ………………………………..to the zoo.

5- If the weather were nice tomorrow, we (go) ………………………………to the zoo.

6- If the weather had been nice tomorrow, we (go) ……………………………to the zoo.

7- If Sally (be) ……………………at home tomorrow, I am going to visit her.

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Appendix
Table of English Tenses

Tense Affirmative/Negativ Use Signal Words


e/Question
Simple Present A: He speaks.  action in the present taking always, every …, never,
N: He does not speak. place once, never or several normally, often, seldom,
Q: Does he speak? times sometimes, usually
 facts if sentences type I (If I
 actions taking place one after talk, …)
another
 action set by a timetable or
schedule

Present A: He is speaking.  action taking place in the at the moment, just, just
Progressive N: He is not speaking. moment of speaking now, Listen!, Look!, now,
Q: Is he speaking?  action taking place only for a right now
limited period of time
 action arranged for the future

Simple Past A: He spoke.  action in the past taking place yesterday, 2 minutes ago,
N: He did not speak. once, never or several times in 1990, the other day, last
Q: Did he speak?  actions taking place one after Friday
another if sentence type II (If I
 action taking place in the talked, …)
middle of another action

Past A: He was speaking.  action going on at a certain when, while, as long as


Progressive N: He was not speaking. time in the past
Q: Was he speaking?  actions taking place at the
same time
 action in the past that is
interrupted by another action

Present Perfect A: He has spoken.  putting emphasis on the result already, ever, just, never,
Simple N: He has not spoken.  action that is still going on not yet, so far, till now, up
Q: Has he spoken?  action that stopped recently to now
 finished action that has an
influence on the present
 action that has taken place
once, never or several times
before the moment of
speaking

Present Perfect A: He has been speaking.  putting emphasis on the course all day, for 4 years, since
Progressive N: He has not been or duration (not the result) 1993, how long?, the
speaking.  action that recently stopped or whole week
Q: Has he been speaking? is still going on
 finished action that influenced
the present

Past Perfect A: He had spoken.  action taking place before a already, just, never, not
Simple N: He had not spoken. certain time in the past yet, once, until that day
Q: Had he spoken?  sometimes interchangeable if sentence type III (If I had
with past perfect progressive talked, …)
 putting emphasis only on the

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fact (not the duration)

Past Perfect A: He had been speaking.  action taking place before a for, since, the whole day,
Progressive N: He had not been certain time in the past all day
speaking.  sometimes interchangeable
Q: Had he been speaking? with past perfect simple
 putting emphasis on the
duration or course of an action

Future I A: He will speak.  action in the future that cannot in a year, next …,
Simple N: He will not speak. be influenced tomorrow
Q: Will he speak?  spontaneous decision If-Satz Typ I (If you ask
 assumption with regard to the her, she will help you.)
future assumption: I think,
probably, perhaps
Future I A: He is going to speak.  decision made for the future in one year, next week,
Simple N: He is not going to  conclusion with regard to the tomorrow
speak. future
(going to) Q: Is he going to speak?
Future I A: He will be speaking.  action that is going on at a in one year, next week,
Progressive N: He will not be certain time in the future tomorrow
speaking.  action that is sure to happen in
Q: Will he be speaking? the near future

Future II A: He will have spoken.  action that will be finished at a by Monday, in a week
Simple N: He will not have certain time in the future
spoken.
Q: Will he have spoken?
Future II A: He will have been  action taking place before a for …, the last couple of
Progressive speaking. certain time in the future hours, all day long
N: He will not have been  putting emphasis on the course
speaking. of an action
Q: Will he have been
speaking?

The -ing form


The –ing form can be used like a noun, like an adjective or like a verb.
Smoking is forbidden.
I have a long working day.
I don't like dancing.
When it is used like a noun it may or may not have an article before it.
Marketing is a very inexact science.
The marketing of the product will continue for a few months yet.
It can also be part of a 'noun phrase'.
Speaking to an audience is always stressful.
Swimming after work is very relaxing.
In formal English, we would use a possessive with the –ing form. In informal English, many people do
not.
I'm angry about his missing the meeting.
Do you mind my coming?
As an adjective, the –ing form can be used before a noun.
I was met by a welcoming party at the airport.
Let's go to the meeting room.
The –ing form is used after prepositions.
Before leaving, you need to speak to Sarah.
After discussing it with her, I've changed my mind.
Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, do some work for charity.
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Notice that when 'to' is used as a preposition, it is followed by the –ing form.
I don't object to working this Sunday.
I'm looking forward to seeing him again.
I'm used to working long hours.
There are many verb + -ing combinations. Here are some common ones:
I admit telling her.
I appreciate having the raise.
I avoid speaking to him.
I consider blowing your nose in public to be wrong.
I delayed coming until the last possible moment.
He denied telling her.
I detest going to parties.
I enjoy dancing.
I feel like having a party.
I've finished writing the report.
I've given up going to the gym.
I can't help thinking about it.
I can't imagine ever leaving this company.
I don't mind doing that.
He put off talking to her as long as he could.
I can't stand drinking beer.
Some verbs can be followed by either the infinitive or –ing form but with different meanings. Here are
some common ones:
I stopped smoking last month. (I no longer smoke.)
I stopped to smoke a cigarette. (I stopped what I was doing and had a cigarette.)
I remember telling him. (A memory of the past.)
I must remember to tell him. (Something to remember for the future.)
I'm interested in finding out more details. (Interested about the future.)
I was interested to read his report. (Interested in the past.)
Some verbs can be followed by either the infinitive or –ing form but with the same meaning. Here are
some common ones:
I love to go shopping.
I love going shopping.
I'm afraid to fly.
I'm afraid of flying.
I started to learn English 5 years ago.
I started learning English 5 years ago.

Zero conditional
When we talk about things that are generally or always true, we can use:
If/When/Unless plus a present form PLUS present simple or imperative
If he gets there before me, ask him to wait.
When you fly budget airline, you have to pay for your drinks and snacks.
Unless you need more space, a small car is big enough for one person.
Note that we are not talking about a specific event but something which is generally true.
In the condition clause, we can use a variety of present forms. In the result clause, there can only be the
present simple or imperative.
If you visit London, go on the London Eye.
If unemployment is rising, people tend to stay in their present jobs.
If you've done that, go and have a coffee.
When you go on holiday, take plenty of sun cream. It'll be very hot.
When I'm concentrating, please don't make so much noise.
When I've finished an article, I always ask Kate to read it through.
Notice that 'unless' means the same as 'if not'.
Unless he asks you politely, refuse to do any more work on the project.
Unless prices are rising, it's not a good investment.

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Unless you've been there yourself, you don't really understand how fantastic it is.

The first conditional


We use the First Conditional to talk about future events that are likely to happen.
If we take John, he'll be really pleased.
If you give me some money, I'll pay you back tomorrow.
If they tell us they want it, we'll have to give it to them.
If Mary comes, she'll want to drive.
The “if” clause can be used with different present forms
If I go to New York again, I'll buy you a souvenir from the Empire State Building.
If he's feeling better, he'll come.
If she hasn't heard the bad news yet, I'll tell her.
The "future clause" can contain 'going to' or the future perfect as well as 'will'.
If I see him, I'm going to tell him exactly how angry I am.
If we don't get the contract, we'll have wasted a lot of time and money.
The "future clause" can also contain other modal verbs such as 'can' and 'must'.
If you go to New York, you must have the cheesecake in Lindy's.
If he comes, you can get a lift home with him.

Second conditional
The Second Conditional is used to talk about 'impossible' situations.
If we were in London today, we would be able to go to the concert in Hyde Park.
If I had millions dollars, I'd give a lot to charity.
If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much better place.
If everyone had clean water to drink, there would be a lot less disease.
Note that after I/he/she/it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'.
(Some people think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other people think 'was' is equally 'correct'.)
If she were happy in her job, she wouldn't be looking for another one.
If I lived in Japan, I'd have sushi every day.
If they were to enter our market, we'd have big problems.
Note the form 'If I were you' which is often used to give advice.
If I were you, I'd look for a new place to live.
If I were you, I'd go back to school and get more qualifications.
The Second Conditional is also used to talk about 'unlikely' situations.
If I went to China, I'd visit the Great Wall.
If I was the President, I'd reduce taxes.
If you were in my position, you'd understand.
Note that the choice between the first and the second conditional is often a question of the speaker's
attitude rather than of facts. Compare these examples. Otto thinks these things are possible, Peter doesn't.
Otto – If I win the lottery, I'll buy a big house.
Peter – If I won the lottery, I'd buy a big house.
Otto – If I get promoted, I'll throw a big party.
Peter – If I got promoted, I'd throw a big party.
Otto – If my team win the Cup, I'll buy champagne for everybody.
Peter – If my team won the Cup, I'd buy champagne for everybody.
Note that the 'If clause' can contain the past simple or the past continuous.
If I was still working in Brighton, I would commute by train.
If she were coming, she would be here by now.
If they were thinking of selling, I would want to buy.
Note that the main clause can contain 'would' 'could' or 'might.
If I had the chance to do it again, I would do it differently.
If we met up for lunch, we could go to that new restaurant.
If I spoke to him directly, I might be able to persuade him.
Also note that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.
What would I do without you? ("if you weren't here")
Where would I get one at this time of night? ("if I wanted one")
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He wouldn't agree. ("if I asked him")

Third conditional
We can use the Third Conditional to talk about 'impossible' conditions, impossible because they are in the
past and we cannot change what has happened.
If I had worked harder at school, I would have got better grades.
If I had had time, I would have gone to see him. But I didn't have time.
If we had bought that house, we would have had to rebuild the kitchen.
If we had caught the earlier train, we would have got there on time but we were late.
Notice that the main clause can contain 'would', 'could' or 'might.
If I had seen him at the meeting, I would have asked him. (But he wasn't there so I didn't.)
If I had seen him at the meeting, I could have asked him. (But he wasn't there so it wasn't
possible.)
If I had seen him at the meeting, I might have asked him. (But I'm not sure. Perhaps if the
opportunity had arisen.)
If I had paid more attention in class, I would have understood the lesson.
Also notice that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.
I'd have done it. ("if you had asked me but you didn't.")
I wouldn't have said that. ("if I'd been there.")
He wouldn't have let him get away with that. ("if he had tried that with me.")

Wish
Let's start off with the easy part.' I wish to' can mean the same as 'I want to' but it is much, much more
formal and much, much less common.
I wish to make a complaint.
I wish to see the manager.
You can also use 'wish' with a noun to 'offer good wishes'.
I wish you all the best in your new job.
We wish you a merry Christmas.
Notice that when you want to offer good wishes using a verb, you must use 'hope 'and not 'wish'.
We wish you the best of luck.
We hope you have the best of luck.
I wish you a safe and pleasant journey.
I hope you have a safe and pleasant journey.
However, the main use of 'wish' is to say that we would like things to be different from what they are, that
we have regrets about the present situation.
I wish I was rich.
He wishes he lived in Paris.
They wish they'd chosen a different leader.
Notice that the verb tense which follows 'I wish' is 'more in the past' than the tense corresponding to its
meaning.
I'm too fat. I wish I was thin.
I never get invited to parties. I wish I got invited to parties.
It's raining. I wish it wasn't raining.
I went to see the latest Star Wars film. I wish I hadn't gone.
I've eaten too much. I wish I hadn't eaten so much.
I'm going to visit her later. I wish I wasn't going to visit her later.
In the case of 'will', where 'will' means 'show willingness' we use 'would'.
He won't help me. I wish he would help me.
You're making too much noise. I wish you would be quiet.
You keep interrupting me. I wish you wouldn't do that.
Where 'will' means a future event, we cannot use 'wish' and must use 'hope'.
There's a strike tomorrow. I hope some buses will still be running.
I hope everything will be fine in your new job.
In more formal English, we use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was' after 'wish'.
I wish I were taller.

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I wish it were Saturday today.
I wish he were here.

Will be doing
We can use 'will be doing' to talk about something that will be in progress at a particular moment in the
future.
This time next week, I'll be sitting on the beach in Barbados.
I'll be thinking about you all back in the office – and I'll be laughing.
We'll be enjoying ourselves too, boss. We won't be doing any work while you are not here.
We can use 'will be doing' to talk about future events that are fixed or decided.
I'll be visiting your country on a regular basis. In fact, I'm going to be coming next month.
He'll be looking after the factory until we can appoint a new manager.
They'll be thinking about this very carefully over the next few months.
We can use 'will be doing' to predict what is happening now.
Try phoning his hotel. He'll probably still be having breakfast.
They'll be deciding who gets the contract at this very moment. I'm very nervous.
She's not in her office. She'll be having lunch in the canteen.
We can use 'will be doing' to ask extremely politely, and with no pressure, about future plans.
Will you be eating with us this evening?
Will you be needing anything else?
Will they be joining us for dinner?

Will have done


We can use 'will have done' to talk about what will have been achieved by a certain moment in time.
We'll have been in these offices for eight years next month.
She'll have visited ten countries in twelve days by the time she gets back.
I'll have finished this project by Friday.
If we want to emphasize the continuity of the activity, we can use the continuous form.
I'll have been working here for 35 years by the time I retire.
She'll have been driving for more than fifteen hours straight by the time she gets here.
They'll have been working with us for 15 years by the end of this year.
We can also use 'will have done' to predict what we think has already happened at present.
He'll have already read the report by now. Too late to change it.
She'll have boarded her plane. It's too late to contact her.
They'll have decided by now. We should hear the result today or tomorrow.

Have something done


If you 'have something done', you get somebody else to do something for you.
I'm going to have my hair cut.
She's having her house redecorated.
I'm having a copy of the report sent to you
In informal English, we can replace 'have' by 'get'.
We're getting a new telephone system installed.
They will be getting the system repaired as quickly as they can.
I got the bill sent direct to the company.
We can also use 'have/got something done' in situations where something bad has happened to people or
their possessions. This is not something they wanted to happen.
John had all his money stolen from his hotel bedroom.
We had our car damaged by a falling tree.
I got my nose broken playing rugby.

Had better
We use “had better” plus the infinitive without “to” to give advice. Although “had” is the past form of
“have”, we use “had better” to give advice about the present or future.
You'd better tell her everything.
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I'd better get back to work.
We'd better meet early.
The negative form is “had better not”.
You'd better not say anything.
I'd better not come.
We'd better not miss the start of his presentation.
We use “had better” to give advice about specific situations, not general ones. If you want to talk about
general situations, you must use “should”.
You should brush your teeth before you go to bed.
I shouldn't listen to negative people.
He should dress more appropriately for the office.
When we give advice about specific situations, it is also possible to use “should”.
You shouldn't say anything.
I should get back to work.
We should meet early.
However, when we use “had better” there is a suggestion that if the advice is not followed, that something
bad will happen.
You'd better do what I say or else you will get into trouble.
I'd better get back to work or my boss will be angry with me.
We'd better get to the airport by five or else we may miss the flight.

Asking questions
The basic rule for asking questions in English is straightforward: Invert the order of the subject and the
first auxiliary verb.
It is snowing. = Is it snowing?
He can speak German. = Can he speak German?
They have lived here a long time. = Have they lived here a long time?
She will arrive at ten o'clock. = Will she arrive at ten o'clock?
He was driving fast. = Was he driving fast?
You have been smoking. = Have you been smoking?
If there is no auxiliary, use part of the verb 'to do'.
You speak fluent French. = Do you speak fluent French?
She lives in Brussels. = Does she live in Brussels?
They lived in Manchester. = Did they live in Manchester?
He had an accident. = Did he have an accident?
Most questions with question words are made in the same way:
How often does she use it?
Why don't you come?
Where do you work?
How many did you buy?
What time did you go?
Which one do you like?
Whose car were you driving?
Note who, what and which can be the subject. Compare:
Who is coming to lunch? (who is the subject of the verb)
Who do you want to invite to lunch? (you is the subject of the verb)
What happened? (what is the subject of the verb)
What did you do? (you is the subject of the verb)
Note the position of the prepositions in these questions:
Who did you speak to?
What are you looking at?
Where does he come from?

Asking questions (Cont)


In the section Questions 1, we looked at how to ask direct questions. To make a question, we invert the
order of the subject and the first auxiliary verb.
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Where is Johnny?
Has he found it yet?
If there is no auxiliary, use part of the verb 'to do'. For example:
What time did he arrive?
How often do you play tennis?
However, when we ask for information, we often say 'Do you know…?' or ' Could you tell me….?' These
are indirect questions and more polite.
Note that the word order is different. For example:
Do you know where Johnny is?
Have you any idea if he has found it?
Note that we don’t use do, does or did. For example:
Could you tell me what time he arrived?
Would you mind telling me how often you play tennis?
Use if or whether when there is no question word.
Has he done it? = Do you know if he has done it?
Is it ready? = Can you tell me if it is ready?
The same changes in word order happen when we report questions. Note that in reported questions, the
verb changes to the past:
What are you doing? = He asked me what I was doing.
What have you done about it? = He asked me what I had done about it.
Do you work with Pamela? = He asked me if I worked with Pamela.

Question tags
We use tags in spoken English but not in formal written English.
 They are not really questions but are a way of asking the other person to make a comment and so
keep the conversation open.
 Making a tag is very mechanical. To make a tag, use the first auxiliary. If there is no auxiliary,
use do, does or did. With a positive sentence, make a negative tag and with a negative sentence,
make a positive tag.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
He has been, hasn't he?
You can, can't you?
It must be, mustn't it?
You know him, don’t you?
He finished it, didn't he?
He will come, won't he?
It isn't very good, is it?
It hasn't rained, has it?
It can't be, can it?
Jenny doesn't know James, does she?
They didn't leave, did they?
He won’t do it, will he?
Notice these:
There isn't an ATM here, is there?
Let's have a cup of coffee, shall we?
To reply, use the same auxiliary:
It's beautiful, isn't it? ~ Yes, it is. I think it's fabulous.
It isn't very good, is it? ~ No, it isn't. In fact, it's terrible.
Although, the rules are very simple and mechanical, in order to use them easily in conversation, they have
to be automatic. So you need to hear and practice them very often.

Reported speech
We use reported speech when we are saying what other people say, think or believe.
He says he wants it.
We think you are right.
I believe he loves her.
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Yesterday you said you didn't like it but now you do!
She told me he had asked her to marry him.
I told you she was ill.
We thought he was in Australia.
When we are reporting things in the present, future or present perfect we don't change the tense.
He thinks he loves her.
I'll tell her you are coming.
He has said he'll do it.
When we tell people what someone has said in the past, we generally make the tense 'more in the past'.
You look very nice. = I told him he looked very nice.
He's working in Siberia now. = She told me he was working in Siberia now.
Polly has bought a new car. = She said Polly had bought a new car.
Jo can't come for the weekend. = She said Jo couldn't come for the weekend.
Paul called and left a message. = He told me Paul had called and had left me a message.
I'll give you a hand. = He said he would give me a hand.
However, when we are reporting something that was said in the past but is still true, it is not obligatory to
make the tense 'more in the past'. The choice is up to the speaker. For example:
"The train doesn't stop here."
He said the train doesn't stop here.
He said the train didn't stop here.
"I like Sarah."
She said she likes Sarah.
She said she liked Sarah.
When we are reporting what was said, we sometimes have to change other words in the sentence.
 We have to change the pronoun if we are reporting what someone else said. Compare these two
sentences. In each case the person actually said "I don't want to go."
I said I didn't want to go.
Bill said he didn't want to go.
We have to change words referring to 'here and now' if we are reporting what was said in a different place
or time.
Compare these two sentences. In each case the person actually said "I'll be there at ten tomorrow."
(If it is later the same day) He said he would be there at ten tomorrow.
(If it is the next day) He said he would be there at ten today.
Now compare these two sentences.
(If we are in a different place) He said he would be there tomorrow at ten.
(If we are in the place he is coming to) He said he would be here at ten tomorrow.

Reported speech (Cont)


We also use reported speech when we are saying what other people asked or wanted to know. We do not
use do or question marks in indirect questions.
"What time is it?" = He asked me what time it was.
"Why hasn't he come? = She wondered why he hadn't come.
"When will you be arriving?" = He wanted to know when we would be arriving.
"What were you doing?" = They questioned him about what he had been doing.
We use the same structure when we report answers.
"147 Oak Street." = I told him what my address was.
"I didn't have time to do it." = She explained why she hadn't done it.
"Look at this dress and bag." = She showed me what she had bought.
"Put the paper here and press this button." = He demonstrated how the scanner worked.
Yes/no questions are reported with if or whether.
Do you want a ride? = Mike asked me if I wanted a ride.
Are you coming? = They wanted to know if I was coming.
Will you be here later? = She asked me whether I would be here later.

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Suppose
We often use 'suppose' to mean 'imagine' or 'guess'
I suppose you'll be meeting Danielle when you go to Paris?
When you weren't there, I supposed you must have been held up.
I suppose you two know each other?
Notice that 'suppose' is not normally used in the continuous form. We do not usually say
'I am supposing'.
Now I suppose we'll have to do something else.
We're waiting for John and I suppose he must be stuck in traffic.
At this moment I suppose it doesn't matter.
Notice that for 'imagine not' or 'guess not' that we make 'suppose' negative, not the other verb.
I don't suppose you know where Mary is?
I don't suppose he'll do anything.
I don't suppose you have a Nokia phone charger here?
When responding to an idea with 'suppose', you can use 'so' to avoid repeating the idea that has already
been expressed.
Is Susan coming to this meeting? ~ I suppose so.

Suppose (Cont)
'Supposed to be' can be used to mean 'it is said/believed'.
The new James Bond movie is supposed to be excellent.
He is supposed to have been rude to Mark but I don't believe it.
It is supposed to be the best restaurant in town.
'Supposed to be' can also be used to talk about what is arranged, intended or expected.
It is a bit like 'should'.
I'm supposed to get to work by 8.
John is supposed to turn off all the lights when he leaves.
I'm supposed to pay my rent on the first of the month.
It's not supposed to be here.
Often there is a suggestion that the action 'supposed to' happen does not actually happen.
I'm supposed to be there before 8 but I'm often late.
You were supposed to phone me.
I'm supposed to be getting on a plane to Tokyo at this very minute.
'Not supposed to' often suggests that something is not allowed or prohibited.
You're not supposed to smoke in here.
I'm not supposed to tell you.
We're not supposed to use the Internet for personal reasons at work.
'Suppose' can also be used as a conjunction to mean 'what if'. Notice that the verb which follows it is
sometimes, but not always, put 'more in the past'.
Suppose we take the earlier train to Munich? It would give us more time there.
Suppose we took the plane instead? That would give us even more time.
There's nobody in reception to let our visitors in. Suppose I sit there until somebody comes?
I'm going to ask him for a pay increase. ~ Suppose he said 'no'? What would you do?

The imperative
We can use the imperative to give a direct order.
1. Take that chewing gum out of your mouth.
2. Stand up straight.
3. Give me the details.
We can use the imperative to give instructions.
1. Open your book.
2. Take two tablets every evening.
3. Take a left and then a right.
We can use the imperative to make an invitation.
1. Come in and sit down. Make yourself at home.
2. Please start without me. I'll be there shortly.
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3. Have a piece of this cake. It's delicious.
We can use the imperative on signs and notices.
1. Push.
2. Do not use.
3. Insert one dollar.
We can use the imperative to give friendly informal advice.
1. Speak to him. Tell him how you feel.
2. Have a quiet word with her about it.
3. Don't go. Stay at home and rest up. Get some sleep and recover.
We can make the imperative 'more polite' by adding 'do'.
Do be quiet.
Do come.
Do sit down.

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References:
Longman English Grammar, Alexander: 1988.
Understanding and using English grammar, third edition; Betty Schrampfer
Azar: 2002.
Oxford Pocket English Grammar, A.J. Thomson and A. V. Martinet: 1990.
Www.egp4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simplepresent.

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