Simple Past Tense: Explanation

1. The simple past tense is expressed with the past form of the verb and nothing else.
My grandfather died last year.
My grandfather was died last year.
My grandfather has died last year.

(Correct)
(Incorrect
)
(Incorrect
)

2. The simple past tense refers to

a. action which occurred at a specific time in the past
b. completed action
c. past status
Examples
Specific past action
I ate lunch at noon today.
He drove to work yesterday.

Completed action

Past status

John was still single in

She finally mailed the letter.
1995.
Jan finished her report on time.
Jane was a movie star.

Note the usage of the past tense in the following story.

Yesterday Mrs. Hubbard had a very rough day. In the morning, she went to the
kitchen and looked in the cupboard for some food for her dog, but the cupboard
was empty. Her poor dog stared up at her with its hungry eyes, and she knew
she had to do something quickly. She hurried to the grocery store to buy some
dog food, but unfortunately the store was out of her dog's favorite brand, so she
had to catch a bus downtown. After buying the food, she waited for a half hour
in the rain to get a taxi. When she finally got home, her dog was sound asleep
on the living room sofa.
Common problems with the past tense
1. Using the present tense when the past tense is required.
(Incorrect
Last week, Tonya fix her neighbor's car.
)
Last week, Tonya fixed her neighbor's car.
(Correct)
2. Using "was" with verbs in the past tense.
(Incorrect
It was happened one night in September.
)
It happened one night in September.
(Correct)
Exercises
Change the verbs in the following sentence into past tense.
1. Yesterday, I go to the restaurant with a client.
2. We drive around the parking lot for 20 minutes in order to find a parking space.
3. When we arrive at the restaurant, the place is full.

4. The waitress asks us if we have reservations.

5. I say, "No, my secretary forgets to make them."
6. The waitress tells us to come back in two hours.
7. My client and I slowly walk back to the car.
8. Then we see a small grocery store.
9. We stop in the grocery store and buy some sandwiches.
10. That is better than waiting for two hours.
Correct the mistakes in the following sentences:
1. Last night, Samantha have pizza for supper.
2. My pet lizard was died last month.
3. Yesterday I spend two hours cleaning my living room.
4. This morning before coming to class, Jack eats two bowls of cereal.
5. What was happened to your leg?
Simple Present Tense: 1A. Explanation
The simple present tense takes one of two forms depending on the subject.
Subject
base form
-s
form
I, you
eat
They, We
Plural nouns

go
work

He, She, It
Singular nouns
Non count-nouns

eats
goes
works

1B. Examples
Subjects followed by verb in base form:

Subjects with verb in ?s form:

I like rice.

She makes toys.

You look nice.

He rakes leaves.

They think twice.

It takes time.

We throw dice.

Mom bakes pies.

Chefs use spice.

Water slakes thirst.

The boys ring the doorbell.

Jill loves dates.

Children sing on special occasions.

Mr. Smith fills crates.

Some people bring gifts to parties.

Grandpa washes plates.

Bees sting when they are disturbed.

The dog jumps gates.

1C. Exercises
1. Jerry (come/comes) to school on time.
2. Jerry and Linda (come/comes) to school on time.
3. Ms. Jones (teach/teaches) geography.
4. The cat (sleep/sleeps) on the sofa every day.
5. Milk (cost/costs) two dollars a quart.
2A. Explanation
Use the simple present tense to indicate:
1. Routine actions
2. Facts
2B. Examples
Routine actions

Facts

John brushes his teeth every morning.

Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean.

Carol usually drives to work.

Some birds fly south for the winter.

The teacher grades homework on Fridays.

Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen.

Note how the present tense is used in the following paragraph.

Mr. Lee is a bus driver. Every day he gets up at 7:00 a.m. and prepares for his
day. He showers, eats his breakfast, and puts on his uniform. His wife drives him to the
station where he checks in with his supervisor. Then, he gets on Bus #405 and starts the
engine. He pulls out of the parking lot and begins his route. At his first stop, he picks
up Mrs. Miller, who lives in a red house on the corner of Main Street and Seventh
Avenue. She works at the post office and has to be to work by 9:00. At the next stop,
the Bartlett twins get on the bus. They attend class at Bayside Elementary. More
children get on at the next three stops, and they ride until the bus reaches their school.
Mr. Lee enjoys seeing the kids every day and is happy to see them again in the
afternoon when he drives them safely back home.
2C. Exercises
1. To practice the present tense, reread the above paragraph, then try to repeat the main
ideas in your own words. Be sure to use the -s form of the verb when the subject of a
sentence is singular. Have a partner listen to your speech and check for correct usage of
verbs.
2. Tell whether the present tense is appropriate in the following sentences.
1. Yesterday I go to Washington D.C.

Correct

Incorrect

2. Every day, Mr. Johnson cleans his living

room.

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

3. They usually take the bus to the office.

Correct

Incorrect

4. Right now Susan eats her breakfast.

Correct

5. Melinda and Harry work in the bank.

Incorrect

Common Mistakes with the simple present tense

1. Not using the -s form with singular subjects:
(Correct)

Jack likes Chinese food.

(Incorrect
)

Jack like Chinese food.

2. Using the simple present tense when another tense is required.

Last night I watched television for two hours.
Last night I watch television for two hours.

(Correct)
(Incorrect
)

Simple Future Tense

In English the Future Time is expressed in a number of ways. The most common are with
will and be going to. See examples from the following sentences.
I will finish my homework in an hour.
I'm going to finish my homework in an hour.
With be going to, make sure the verb be agrees with its subject.
I'm going to eat a whole watermelon.
She's going to eat a whole watermelon.
Actually, we're going to eat a whole watermelon together.
In speech, the words going to are often pronounced ? gonna .?
Don't forget the be verb.
A: What are you gonna do this weekend?
B: I'm gonna stay home and clean my carpet.
NOT: I gonna stay?
NOT: I'm gonna to stay?
What's the difference between will and be going to?
Both can be used interchangeably in some cases. (Predictions and guesses)
My prints will be here tomorrow.
My prints are going to be here tomorrow.
Be going to is preferable for strong intentions or for describing the inevitable.
I'm going to give her a piece of my mind.
There's no way they can score 21 points in 2 minutes. We're going to win!
Will is the preferable form for making offers or expressing pop decisions.

A: Who will help me finish this chocolate cake?

B: I will.
A: I have two tickets left for the front row.
B: I'll take them.
Sometimes future time can be expressed with either the present or present progressive
tense. In such cases, time words must be expressed or clearly implied.
I fly to Beijing tomorrow.
I'm flying to Beijing tomorrow.
Sorry I can't attend the picnic on Saturday. I'm flying to Beijing .
Singular vs plural
English nouns can be classified as count (singular and plural) and non-count.
The singular form is used when considering the noun as a single item (count) or entity
(non-count).
brick

dog

airplane person

foot

water

sugar

truth

education

The plural form is used when considering more than one of the same item. Non-count
nouns do not have a plural form.
bricks

dogs

airplanes people

feet

Things to be aware of:

Regular plurals
Most plurals are formed by adding -s or -es to the singular noun:
boys

cars

pens

pills

pronounce /z/

cats

rocks

tips

chiefs

pronounce /s/

kisses

watches

boxes

dishes

pronounce /Iz/

In some cases, there are special spelling rules that need to be considered when
forming the plural.
knives

hobbies

quizzes

Irregular plurals
Some nouns take on a different form in the plural:
women

teeth

mice

children

people

Non-count nouns
Non-count nouns do not have a plural form; however, some nouns can be used in both
the count and non-count sense:
I have a lot of experience.

I have a lot of experiences.

Third-person singular "-s"

Singular and non-count nouns (in the third person) require the "-s" form of the verb
in the present tense.
The girl loves painting.
My dog likes to eat meat.
Johnny lives next door to Jenny.
Milk contains nutrients.
Tommy has two hobbies.
Jerry is from Colorado.
Singular count nouns require an article (the, a, an) unless
they are "proper" nouns
Mr. Jones went to Arizona.
they are preceded by a possessive
My mother loves my father.
they are preceded by this, that, each, every, either, neither, or one.
Each man contributed one dollar.
(Wrong: Apple is on table. [Articles are required.])
The/An apple is on the table.
Plural nouns and singular non-count nouns do not require an article in the "generic"
sense:
Water is important for plants.
However, they require articles (the, some) in most other cases.
Please put some wine in the glasses.
Subject-verb-agreement
Third person singular -s
Use the -s form of a verb in the present tense when the subject is third person singular.
For all other subjects, use the base form in the present tense.
Example:
base form
I live in Athens.
They live in Crete.
The Smiths live in Rome.
-s form
He lives in Cyprus.
She lives in Malta.
Tim lives in Naples.
Ms. Conner lives in Milan.
The verb have
The -s form of the verb have is has.
6

We have a winner.
He has a trophy.
The verb be
The -s form (present tense) for be is is. For the past tense, it is was.
Was is also used with first person singular subjects (I) in the past tense.
(Am is used in the present tense. Are is used with other subjects in the present, and were
is used in the past.)
She is here.
He is not here.
I am here too.
You are right.
They are wrong.
She was home yesterday.
Ron wasn't home yesterday.
I was here yesterday.
We were here too.
Auxiliary verbs
When auxiliary verbs are used, only the first verb carries the third person singular -s.
Jean does not like spaghetti. (Correct)
Jean does not likes spaghetti. (Wrong!)
Jean do not likes spaghetti. (Wrong!)
Elsa is eating her dinner. (Correct)
Elsa is eats her dinner. (Wrong!)
Leo is going to eat later.
Frank has eaten lunch already. (Correct)
Frank have eaten lunch already. (Wrong!)
Modals
Do not use the -s form of the verb with modals, regardless of the subject.
Ian can eat twelve bowls of rice. (Correct)
Ian can eats twelve bowls of rice. (Wrong!)
The verb-be
The verb be takes on different forms in the present and past.

I
He
She
It
You

Present

Contraction

Past

am
is
is
is
are
are

'm
's
's
's
're
're

was
was
was
was
were
were
7

They
are
're
were
we
The verb be indicates existence, temporary condition or permanent status.
It is really hot today.
Grady's not here right now.
Greg and Tim are engineers.
Trudy was sick yesterday.
Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean.
The base form is be, the past participle is been, and the -ing form is being.
I'll be back tomorrow.
He has been a doctor since 1998.
She is being nice today.
The verb be is also used in progressive tenses, passives and prepositional collocations:
Progressive tenses:
He is writing a letter to his brother.
Jeff was cleaning the house this morning.
The Holleys have been living there since April.
Passive voice:
The people were surprised by the news.
Craig was stopped by the policeman.
Prepositional collocations:
Tracy is fond of chocolates.
Cassie is not afraid of snakes.
I'm interested in making money.
This, that, these, those
Demonstratives are used to point out a particular item. They are as follows:
This (indicates something close to the speaker)
That (indicates something away from the speaker)
These (indicates some things close to the speaker)
Those (indicates some things away from the speaker)
Example:
A: What is this? (pointing to something held in the speaker's hand or near the speaker)
B: A pencil.
A: What is that? (pointing to something at a distance from the speaker)
B: A tree.
Remember that demonstratives are used in reference to the speaker. (What is near
"you" may not be near "me" and vice versa.)
A: What's that you're holding?
B: This is an egg. Here, catch!

A: Oops.
B: That's a mess.
A: What are these (holding up a pair of slippers)
B: Those are slippers.
Be sure to use this/that with singular and non-count nouns and these/those with
count nouns.
This orange is sour.

These oranges are sweet.

That truck is full.

Those trucks are empty.

This milk is fresh.

Sometimes demonstratives can be used as pronouns (to refer to a particular noun.)
Give me that!

Whose are these?

Give me that (spoon).

Whose are these (socks)?

This and that can also be used with one. However, these and those are more
commonly used alone.
I want this one.

I want these. (not these ones)

I'll take that one.

I'll take those.

On the telephone, this and that are used differently in British and American English to
identify callers.
Example:
Receiver: Hello.
Caller:

I was wondering if you would be interested in buying . . .

Receiver: Who is this? (American)

Who is that? (British)
(Both expressions are used to ask the caller to identify himself/herself.)
Caller:

This is Mr. Fuller from the Acme Brush Company.

(Same for both British and American English)

Caller:

Hi Jack. Long time no see!

Receiver: Is this Bob? What a surprise! (American)

Is that Bob? What a surprise! (British)

VERB LIST
Regular Verbs
base

-s form

past

past participle -ing form

call
clean

calls
cleans

called
cleaned

called
cleaned

calling
cleaning

look
talk

looks
talks

looked
talked

looked
talked

looking
talking

1
1

end
wait

ends
waits

ended
waited

ended
waited

ending
waiting

2
2

kiss
wash

kisses
washes

kissed
washed

kissed
washed

kissing
washing

3
3

live
love

lives
loves

lived
loved

lived
loved

living
loving

4
4

beg
sin

begs
sins

begged
sinned

begged
sinned

begging
sinning

5
5

play
stay

plays
stays

played
stayed

played
stayed

playing
staying

cry

cries
studies

cried
studied

cried
studied

crying
studying

die
tie

dies
ties

died
tied

died
tied

dying
tying

Notes:
1. Pronunciation differences in past/past participle after /p, s, k, f/ sounds
2. Pronunciation differences in past/past participle after /t, d/ sounds
3. Spelling and pronunciation differences in -s form after /s, sh, ch, z/ sounds
4. Dropping of "silent e" with -ing endings
5. Doubled consonants after "short" vowel sounds
6. Spelling differences when "y" is preceded by a consonant
Irregular Verbs
base

-s form

past

10

past participle -ing form

notes

6
6

cut
fit
hit
let
put
quit
set
shut
split
upset

cuts
fits
hits
lets
puts
quits
sets
shuts
splits
upsets

cut
fit
hit
let
put
quit
set
shut
split
upset

cut
fit
hit
let
put
quit
set
shut
split
upset

cutting
fitting
hitting
letting
putting
quitting
setting
shutting
splitting
upsetting

burst
cast
cost
hurt

bursts
casts
costs
hurts

burst
cast
cost
hurt

burst
cast
cost
hurt

bursting
casting
costing*
hurting

spread

spreads

spread

spread

spreading

knit

knits

knit/knitted

knit/knitted

knitting

sit
spit

sits
spits

sat
spat/spit

sat
spat/spit

sitting
spitting

begin
swim

begins
swims

began
swam

begun
swum

beginning
swimming

ring
sing
spring

rings
sings
springs

rang
sang
sprang

rung
sung
sprung

ringing
singing
springing

cling
fling
sling
sting
swing
wring

clings
flings
slings
stings
swings
wrings

clung
flung
slung
stung
swung
wrung

clung
flung
slung
stung
swung
wrung

clinging
flinging
slinging
stinging
swinging
wringing

hang

hangs

hung/hanged** hung/hanged

hanging

drink
shrink
stink

drinks
shrinks
stinks

drank
shrank
stank

drunk
shrunk
stunk

sinking
shrinking
stinking

think
bring

thinks
brings

thought
brought

thought
brought

thinking
bringing

11

buy
seek
fight

buys
seeks
fights

bought
sought
fought

bought
sought
fought

buying
seeking
fighting

catch
teach

catches
teaches

caught
taught

caught
taught

catching
teaching

creep
keep
sleep
sweep
weep

creeps
keeps
sleeps
sweeps
weeps

crept
kept
slept
swept
wept

crept
kept
slept
swept
wept

creeping
keeping
sleeping
sweeping
weeping

bleed
breed
feed
flee
lead
speed

bleeds
breeds
feeds
flees
leads
speeds

bled
bred
fed
fled
led
sped/speeded

bled
bred
fed
fled
led
sped/speeded

bleeding
breeding
feeding
fleeing
leading
speeding

meet

meets

met

met

meeting

bend
lend
send
spend

bends
lends
sends
spends

bent
lent
sent
spent

bent
lent
sent
spent

bending
lending
sending
spending

deal
feel
kneel

deals
feels
kneels

dealt
felt
knelt

dealt
felt
knelt

dealing
feeling
kneeling

dream

dreams

dreamt/dreamed dreamt/dreamed dreaming

mean

means

meant

meant

meaning

spill

spills

spilt/spilled

spilt/spilled

spilling

build

builds

built

built

building

burn

burns

burnt/burned

burnt/burned

burning

hold

holds

held

held

holding

sell
tell

sells
tells

sold
told

sold
told

selling
telling

12

find
grind
wind

finds
grinds
winds

found
ground
wound

found
ground
wound

finding
grinding
winding

break
choose
freeze
speak
steal
wake
weave

breaks
chooses
freezes
speaks
steals
wakes
weaves

broke
chose
froze
spoke
stole
woke
wove

broken
chosen
frozen
spoken
stolen
woken
woven

breaking
choosing
freezing
speaking
stealing
waking
weaving

arise
drive
ride
rise
write

arises
drives
rides
rises
writes

arose
drove
rode
rose
wrote

arisen
driven
ridden
risen
written

arising
driving
riding
rising
writing

bite
hide
slide

bites
hides
slides

bit
hid
slid

bitten
hidden
slid

biting
hiding
sliding

get
forget

gets
forgets

got
forgot

gotten
forgotten

getting
forgetting

give
forgive
forbid

gives
forgives
forbids

gave
given
forgave
forgiven
forbade/forbad forbidden

giving
forgiving
forbidding

fall

falls

fell

fallen

falling

swell

swells

swelled

swollen

swelling

dive

dives

dove/dived

dived

diving

blow
fly
grow
know
throw

blows
flies
grows
knows
throws

blew
flew
grew
knew
threw

blown
flown
grown
known
thrown

blowing
flying
growing
knowing
throwing

draw
withdraw

draws
withdraws

drew
withdrew

drawn
withdrawn

drawing
withdrawing

show

shows

showed

shown

showing

13

eat

eats

ate

eaten

eating

beat

beats

beat

beaten

beating

take
forsake
mistake
shake

takes
forsakes
mistakes
shakes

took
forsook
mistook
shook

taken
forsaken
mistaken
shaken

taking
forsaking
mistaking
shaking

make

makes<TDMADE<
td><TDMADE< td>

making

swear
wear
tear
bear

swears
wears
tears
bears

swore
wore
tore
bore

sworn
worn
torn
born

swearing
wearing
tearing
bearing

stand
understand

stands
understands

stood
understood

stood
understood

standing
understanding

become
come
run

becomes
comes
runs

became
came
ran

become
come
run

becoming
coming
running

dig
spin
stick

digs
spins
sticks

dug
spun
stuck

dug
spun
stuck

digging
spinning
sticking

strike

strikes

struck

struck/stricken striking

do
go

does
goes

did
went

done
gone

doing
going

have

has

had

had

having

hear

hears

heard

heard

hearing

lay
pay
say

lays
pays
says

laid
paid
said

laid
paid
said

laying
paying
saying

lie

lies

lay

lain

lying

light

lights

lit/lighted

lit/lighted

lighting

lose

loses

lost

lost

losing

14

leave

leaves

left

left

leaving

prove

proves

proved

proven/proved

proving

read

reads

read

read

reading

see

sees

saw

seen

seeing

sew

sews

sewed

sewn/sewed

sewing

shave

shaves

shaved

shaven/shaved

shaving

shine

shines

shined/shone

shined/shone

shining

shoot

shoots

<SHOT< td>

shot

shooting

win

wins

won

won

winning

be

is/are/am

was/were

been

being

CONJUNCTION AND LINKING WORDS

Coordinators
Coordinators connect elements of equal importance.
S + V , but
S+V

(and, but, so, or, nor, for*, yet)

S + V and V
S and S + V
N and N
Adj. and Adj.
Phrase and Phrase
Can be used in a series: A, B, C, or D
Subordinators
Subordinators connect elements of unequal importance. One clause is not as
strong as the other.
S + V although S + V

(although, even though, because, since*,

when, while, before*, after*, whenever,
wherever*, if, unless, whether?[or not]
as, as [adjective] as, so that, whereas
15

anywhere*, anytime*)
Although S + V , S + V
Sentence Connectors
Sentence Connectors connect paragraphs or show relationship between very
different ideas.
S + V . However, S + V

(however, therefore, thus, moreover,

nevertheless, first*, then*, next*, still*

S + V ; however, S + V

besides, consequently, furthermore)

Prepositions
Prepositions show relationship among elements of a sentence.
They are followed by noun phrases only and cannot take on a S + V.
S + V (prep. phrase)

(during, after*, before*, in, on, at

despite, in spite of, for*, since*, by

(Prep. phrase), S + V

like, except, but*, about, to*, from

between [A and B], among, with

(Prep. phrase) V + S (unusual)

within, without, beside, near, next to)

* These words have more than one function.

Simple Prepositions
In On

At

In the house
On the desk
At school

Above

Below

Above average
Below 100

Over

Under

Over the fireplace

Under the table

Around

Through

Around the building

Through the door

16

Before

After

Before lunch
After 10:00

To

From

(Go) to Colorado
(Come) from Arizona

About

By

A story about dogs

Written by me

With

Without

She wouldn't go with us.

So we went without her.

Between

Among

Just between you and me

There are no secrets among us (three).

Inside

Outside

Inside the room

Outside the box

In front of

Behind

In front of the house

Behind the tree

Next to

Near

Next to the bank

Near the library

On top of

Underneath

On top of the file cabinet

Underneath the refrigerator

Present Simple Verbs

Click the answer button to see the answer.
1. She ___ four languages.
a. speak
b. speaks
2. Jane is a teacher. She ___ French.
a. teach
b. teaches
3. When the kettle ___, will you make some tea?
a. boil

17

b. boils
4. I always ___ the window at night because it is cold.
a. close
b. closes
5. Those shoes ___ too much.
a. cost
b. costs
6. The food in Japan is expensive. It ___ a lot to live there.
a. cost
b. costs
7. His job is great because he ___ a lot of people.
a. meet
b. meets
8. He always ___ his car on Sundays.
a. wash
b. washes
9. My watch is broken and it ___ to be fixed again.
a. need
b. needs
10. I ___ to watch movies.
a. love
b. loves
11. I ___ to the cinema at least once a week.
a. go
b. goes
12. They never ___ tea in the morning.
a. drink
b. drinks
13. We both ___ to the radio in the morning.
a. listen
b. listens

18

14. He ___ a big wedding.

a. want
b. wants
15. George ___ too much so he's getting fat.
a. eat
b. eats
16. The earth ___ round the sun, doesn't it?
a. go
b. goes
17. The shops in England ___ at 9:00 in the morning.
a. open
b. opens
18. The post office ___ at 5:30 pm.
a. close
b. closes
19. Jackie ___ two children now.
a. has
b. have
20. Mr. Smith ___ too much. He always has a cigarette in his mouth.
a. smoke
b. smokes
21. When the phone ___, please answer it.
a. ring
b. rings

What, When or Where?

Click the answer button to see the correct answer.
1. ___ is the name of the President of the United States of America?
a. What
b. When
c. Where
2. ___ month is the Chinese new year?
a. What
b. When
19

c. Where
3. ___ is Christmas Day?
a. What
b. When
c. Where
4. ___ did Neil Armstrong say when he first landed on the moon?
a. What
b. When
c. Where
5. ___ did he first land?
a. What
b. When
c. Where
6. ___ did the Americans drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima?
a. What
b. When
c. Where
7. ___ is New York city?
a. What
b. When
c. Where
8. ___ is that called in English?
a. What
b. When
c. Where
9. ___ are the Hawaiian islands?
a. What
b. When
c. Where
10. ___ are you doing this afternoon?
a. What
b. When
c. Where

Prepositions
20

Click the answer button to see the answer.

1. The winner of the competition was ___ the drawing-room.
a. on
b. in
c. at
2. Everybody sat ___ the floor, but Mr. Spencer sat ___ a chair ___ the corner.
a. over - in - on
b. about - on - at
c. on - on - in
3. The judge poured champagne ___ the glass.
a. into
b. on
c. inside
4. The elderly lady was always ___ home ___ night.
a. at - at
b. in - at
c. into-inside
5. Adriana used to swin ___ the sea and sunbathe ___ the sand.
a. on -at
b. on - in
c. in - on
6. During the week I get up early ___ the morning and go to bed late ___ night. But
normally ___ weekends I sleep until midday.
a. on - at - at
b. in - at - on
c. in - in - at
7. Peter lives ___ Boa Viagem Avenue, now, but he lived ___ 109, Amizade Street
___ 1980.
a. on - at - in
b. in - at - on
c. on - at - on
8. He was born ___ 8:15 ___ the morning ___ June, 18th, 1928
a. in - on - at
b. at - in - on
c. on - on - in

21

9. The hanging light is ___ the table.

a. in
b. over
c. at
10. "I'm staying ___ the Jangadeiro Hotel. It's ___ Boa Viagem Ave. ___ Recife".
a. at - in - on
b. in - on - at
c. at - on - in
11. Thomas was born ___ January 9th ___ Buenos Aires.
a. in - on
b. on - in
c. at - on
12. He's arriving from Europe ___ Wednesday.
a. at
b. on
c. of
13. She doesn't work ___ night.
a. in
b. on
c. at

A Little-A Few
Click the answer button to see the answer.
1. I've got ___ money. Let's have coffee.
a. a little
b. a few
2. I've got ___ stamps that you can use.
a. a little
b. a few
3. I've got ___ time. Do you want to talk?
a. a little
b. a few
4. She can speak ___ Spanish.
a. a little

22

b. a few
5. I write ___ letters every week.
a. a little
b. a few
6. We had ___ rain last night.
a. a little
b. a few
7. They made ___ mistakes, but it was OK.
a. a little
b. a few
8. Let's go outside for ___ fresh air.
a. a little
b. a few
9. There are ___ new hotels since you last visited.
a. a little
b. a few

Have-Has
Click the answer button to see the answer.
1. I ___ blond hair and blue eyes.
a. have
b. has
2. Ann ___ to go home now.
a. have
b. has
3. Mr. Scotford ___ two brothers.
a. have
b. has
4. They ___ two cats and three rabbits.
a. have
b. has

23

5. The man next door ___ had an accident.

a. have
b. has
6. The new supermarket ___ everything.
a. have
b. has
7. ___ you heard about my new job?
a. Have
b. Has
8. Mr. and Mrs. Smith and their son ___ gone to Sweden for the week.
a. have
b. has
9. The tomatoes ___ grown quickly this year.
a. have
b. has
10. The lettuce ___ grown quickly too.
a. have
b. has
11. ___ your father got a nice car?
a. Have
b. Has
12. ___ you bought a camera?
a. Have
b. Has
13. ___ she got many friends?
a. Have
b. Has
14. ___ your mother got blue eyes?
a. Have
b. Has
15. ___ you got a ticket?
a. Have

24

b. Has
16. ___ they got any children?
a. Have
b. Has
17. ___ he learnt how to use it yet?
a. Have
b. Has
18. ___ we been there before?
a. Have
b. Has
19. ___ my number been called yet?
a. Have
b. Has
20. ___ you sold out of vanilla ice cream?
a. Have
b. Has

Was or Were
Click the answer button to see the answer.
1. A man ___ walking his dog.
a. was
b. were
2. A lot of people ___ shopping.
a. was
b. were
3. Tom and Sarah ___ watching television.
a. was
b. were
4. Two teenage boys ___ fighting.
a. was
b. were

25

5. Sally ___ jogging with her friend this morning.

a. was
b. were
6. Another man ___ watching her.
a. was
b. were
7. The students ___ using the computer lab.
a. was
b. were
8. The young newly weds ___ sleeping.
a. was
b. were
9. A baby ___ crying.
a. was
b. were
10. A lot of people ___ working.
a. was
b. were

Much-Many
Click the answer button to see the answer.
1. How ___ apples did you buy?
a. much
b. many
2. How ___ do you weigh?
a. much
b. many
3. How ___ does it cost to fly to America?
a. much
b. many
4. How ___ brothers and sisters do you have?
a. much

26

b. many
5. How ___times a day do you brush your teeth?
a. much
b. many
6. How ___ was your computer?
a. much
b. many
7. How ___ photos did you take?
a. much
b. many
8. How ___ water did he drink?
a. much
b. many
9. How ___ people did you invite?
a. much
b. many
10. How ___ mistakes did you make on the test?
a. much
b. many

Plural Forms and Irregular Nouns

What is the correct PLURAL of the word?
Click the answer button to see the correct answer.
1. How many

study English as a second language?

2. Five

opened a computer services company.

3. Even

enjoy learning on the Internet.

4. Most basketball players are 6

5. Which breed of
6. My

tall or more.

produces the finest wool?

are sensitive to the cold.

7. At daylight savings time, we have to change our

8. The boys went fishing and caught 10
9. There are 10

in the Maintenance Department.

27

10. The

keep their

on the

Prepositions
Click on the answer button to see the answer.
1. I bought a new dress ___ the store.
2. I found my car keys ___ my pocket.
3. My friends are waiting ___ me ___ the mall.
4. I saw the horse jump ___ the fence.
5. Cathy lives ___ her parents ___ a small house.
6. We took a taxi ___ the airport.
7. I put some clean towels ___ the bathroom.
8. Linda rides the bus ___ school every day.
9. Steven is talking ___ his girlfriend ___ the phone.
10. We went ___ Boston ___ vacation.
11. I like to watch TV ___ late ___ night.
12. We moved the bookcase ___ the bedroom ___ the den.

Pronouns
Make a choice by clicking on the radio button, then compare it with the correct answer
hidden under the answer button.
1.
Despite her parents complaints, she decided to live by ___ in New York City.
her
herself

28

2.
If you happen to see your parents this weekend, give ___ my best regards.
him
her
them

3.
I can't understand ___ when she speaks German with ___ .
her, me
him, me

4.
He should be ashamed of ___ .
himself
him

5.
Mary was worried about the children, so she convinced ___ husband not to accept
the job abroad.
his
her

6.
We came across a friend of ___ at the mall yesterday.
ours
us

7.

29

I can't find ___ pencil. Can I use ___ , Mary?

my, yours
mine, your

8.
I cut ___ when I was peeling the potatoes.
me
myself

9.
This house is too expensive for ___ . We can't pay such a high rent.
us
we

10.
Each plan has ___ merits.
it
its

11.
He ___ said so.
hisself
himself

12.
I do my work and they do ___ .
their
theirs

30

13.
Give it back to ___ . It's ___.
me, mine
me, my

14.
Despite ___ old age, he is very active.
his
its

15.
They enjoyed ___ a lot at the cocktail party.
theirselves
themselves

31