TENSES________________________________________

_
PRESENT TENSES
Present
Simple
walk /s

Present
Continuous
am/are/is
walking
Temporary
action

Present
Perfect
have walked

Pres. Perfect
Cont.
have been
walking
Habitual action
Recently
Past action
completed
producing
action
visible result in
the present
Permanent state Repeated action Action
Duration of an
with
beginning in the action
always(=anno past and
beginning in the
yance)
continuing up to past and
the present
continuing up to
the present.
Arranged future Definite
Indefinite past
Action showing
action:
arrangement or action
annoyance,
timetables,
plan
explanation,
programmes
irritation or
etc.
surprise
Permanent truth
Repeated action
still continuing
Instructions

Stative Verbs
These verbs describe a permanent state. They DO NOT have continuous forms.
e.g. This book belongs to me.
I think you are right.
Senses:
SEE, HEAR, SMELL, FEEL, TASTE, NOTICE, RECOGNISE
Thought processes:
AGREE, BELIEVE, CONSIDER, DOUBT, EXPECT, FEEL (=Think)
Emotion and feelings:
FEEL, FORGIVE, HATE, LOATHE, LIKE, LOVE, MIND, WISH
Possession:
BELONG, HAVE (=possess), POSSESS/OWN
Inherent properties/qualities:
BE, HAVE, LOOK, APPEAR, SEEM, SOUND, SMELL, TASTE, WEIGH,
MEASURE, HOLD, CONTAIN, CONSIST OF, FIT, COST
Others:
APPEAR/SEEM, KEEP (=continue), MATTER, OWE, TRUST, DESERVE, APPLY
NOTE:
Some of these verbs can be STATIVE in one meaning and NON-STATIVE in
another. When the meaning is non-stative then they can take the continuous
form.

PAST TENSES
Simple Past
walked

Past
Continuous
was walking

Past Perfect
had walked

Past Perfect
Cont.
had been
walking

Action
completed in the
past when there
is direct or
indirect time
reference
Past habitual
action

Past action in
progress at a
given point in
time

Past action
which
happened
before another
past action

Duration of a
past action
occurring
before another
past action

Past action in
progress
interrupted by
another action
Simultaneous
past actions

As the past
equivalent of
the Present
Perfect

Action
producing
visible results
in the past

Past actions
happening one
after the other
Past actions that Polite inquiries
wont be
repeated
NOTE:
USED TO +
INFINITIVE
Past habitual action

BE / GET USED TO +
GERUND/NOUN
Habitual action

WOULD
Past repeated action
and routine

FUTURE TENSES
Future Simple
Will / Shall
talk
Predictions,
offers,
promises,
requests,
suggestions
Sudden
decision

When it is
not certain
that
something
will happen
Strong
probability
(=must)
To express
opinion,
speculation
and
assumption
with verbs
like think,

Future
Continuous

be going to will be
talk
talking
Intention
Action in
progress at
a certain
time in the
future
Planned
Already
actions
planned
action
(instead of
the Present
Cont.)
When there Logical
is evidence
assumption
that
about the
something
present
will
definitely
happen
Action seen
as a result of
something
else in the
future

Future
Perfect

Future
Perfect
Cont.
will have
will have
talked
been talking
Action
Duration of
finished
an action up
before a
to a certain
certain future time in the
time
future
Logical
assumption
in the past

Strong
probability

suppose,
expect.
NOTE:
Other ways of expressing the future.
BE + INFINITIVE
BE ABOUT +
INFINITIVE
Express future plans
Immediate future

BE ON THE POINT
OF + GERUND
Immediate future

Exercise # 1
Put each verb in brackets into an appropriate tense.
Farmers, as we all (1) ..... (know), (2) ..... (have) a hard time of it in Britain lately,
and (3) ... (turn) to new ways of earning income from their land. This (4).....
(involve) not only planting new kinds of crops, but some strange ways of making
money, the most unusual of which has got to be sheep racing. Yes, you (5) ...
(hear) me correctly! A farmer in the West of England (6) ..... (hold) sheep races
on a regular basis, and during the past year over 100,000 people (7) ..... (turn
up) to watch the proceedings. "I (8) ..... (pass) the farm on my way to the sea for
a holiday; " one punter told me, "and (9) ..... (think) I'd have a look. I (10) .....
(not believe) it was serious, to tell you the truth." According to a regular visitor,
betting on sheep is more interesting than betting on horses. "At proper horse
races everyone (11) ..... (already study) the form of the horse in advance, and
there are clear favourites. But nobody (12) ..... (hear) anything about these
sheep! Most people (13) ..... (find) it difficult to tell one from another in any
case." I (14) ..... (stay) to watch the races, and I must admit that I (15) ..... (find)
it quite exciting. In a typical race, half a dozen sheep (16) ..... (race) downhill
over a course of about half a mile. Food (17)..... (wait) for them at the other end
of the track, I ought to add!. The sheep (18) .... (run) surprisingly fast, although
presumably they (19) ..... (not eat) for a while just to give them some motivation.
At any rate, the crowd around me (20) ..... (obviously enjoy) their day out at the
races, judging by their happy faces and the sense of excitement.
Exercise # 2
Rewrite each sentence, beginning as shown, so that the meaning stays the same.
1. This matter is none of your business. This matter does .....
2. This bridge will take us three years to complete. In three years' time .....
3. Patsy wasn't always so unfriendly. Patsy didn't .....
4. We'll be at your house soon. It won't .....
5. I haven't seen Anne for years. It's years ..... .
6. The dog keeps stealing my socks! The dog is .....
7. After taking the pills, I began to feel much better. Since taking .....
8. We'll have to leave immediately at the end of the film. The moment .....
9. Harry left before we reached the hotel. By. the time ..... .
10. Is there such a place as El Dorado? Does .....
Exercise # 3
Put each verb in brackets into an appropriate tense.
Ask hundreds of people what they (1) ..... (do) on a certain day in August next
year, or the year after, and there (2) ..... (be) only one reply. Provided of course,
that the people you ( 3 ) . . . (ask), ( 4 ) . . . . . (belong) to the Elvis Presley Fan
Club. Although the King of Rock and Roll ( 5 ) . . . . . (die) nearly two decades
ago, his fans ( 6 ) . . . . . (meet) every year since then outside his home in
Memphis, Tennessee, to show respect for the singer they (7) ..... (love) so much.
Fans like Jean Thomas, from Catford in South London. Jean ( 8 ) . . . .. (visit)
Gracelands, the house where Elvis ( 9 ) . . .. .(suffer) his fatal heart attack, twice
in the past five years. "The first time I (10) .... (borrow) the money from my Mum,
as I (11 ) ...... (not work) then. But two years ago I (12 ) ..... (get) married and

since then I (13) ..... (work) in my husband Chris's garage. Chris and I
(14 ) . . . . . (go) together last year, and we (15) . . . . . (think) of spending two or
three months in the USA next year. I (16) ..... (always want) to visit some of the
places where Elvis (17 ) ..... (perform). Like Las Vegas, for example. " Jean says
that Elvis (18 ) .....(be) her obsession ever since she (19).... (be) ten years old,
and she (20) ..... (own) every single one of his records, good and bad.
Exercise # 4
Decide whether each underlined phrase is appropriate, and rewrite the phrase
more appropriately where necessary.
a) Will you be seeing Rob Jones tomorrow? I wonder if you could give him a
message from Sally Gordon?
b) I had a great time in the Greek Islands. We would own a small boat and go
fishing every day.
c) Julie, hi! I've been hoping I'd see you. I've got some good news!
d) We had a terrible time looking after your dog. It was constantly chasing the
cats next door.
e) We had a lovely time in Madrid. Every day we were exploring the city, and in
the evening we were going to exciting bars.
f) The steam engine is usually thought of as a relatively modern invention, but
the Greeks had built a kind of steam engine in ancient times.
g) I felt rather worried. It was growing darker and colder, and there was still no
sign of the rescue helicopter.
h) Don't worry! All we have to do is wait here until someone will find us.
i) This meat is really tasting awful! Are you quite sure it was fresh?
j) The radiator in my room has burst, and there is water a11 over the f1oor!
You're the manager, what wi11 you do about it?
Exercise # 5
Put the verbs in brackets into the right tense.
1.
2.
3.
4.

I do not know Portugal; I (never be) there.

I (not go) to Portugal when I (be) in Spain last year.
Go and see what John (do), will you?
If you (live) in London for nearly a year now I expect you know where the
Royal Academy is.
5. She (play) the piano when I (knock) on her door last night.
6. I wonder who (make) that dreadful row.
7. You do not need to describe her; I (meet) her several times.
8. After he (eat) an enormous dinner, he (fall) asleep and (dream) peacefully
when a lump of coal (fall) on to the hearth and (wake) him up.
9. I (live) in that flat for several years before I (decide) to look round for
something more central.
10. Imagine it! This time next week you (live) in the lap of luxury in a first class
hotel.
11. I (finish) the book in about twenty minutes' time; can't you wait until then?
12. When you last (see) your sister?
13. I (long) to meet you for ages. I (hear) so much about you.
14. The Incas (beat) in battle by the Spanish conquistadores and, after (hold)
in captivity for some time, their Emperor (murder).
15. When I (get) home last night I (find) a note from my wife saying that she
(run) away With a friend of mine.
16. He (soon complete) thirty years in that job.
17. This time tomorrow you (sit) here again doing some more exercises.
18. A new cinema (build) here. They hope to finish it next month.
19. A new block of flats (build) just opposite where I live. I am not too pleased
about it.
20. The whole house is in confusion because preparations (make) for this
evening's dance.
21. Many people (send) to prison for less than that!

22. You (see) my glasses? I can't find them anywhere.

23. Just as I (1uxuriate) in a really hot bath the telephone (ring).
24. When I (get) home I (find) that nothing (do) about clearing up the mess.
25. When I (arrive) on the field yesterday, preparations (be) in full swing for
the Fair which opens today: tents (put) up, swings (erect), people (rush) about
in all directions carrying strange objects, cars (churn) up the mud, booths
(put) together and (fix) in the ground and a group of policemen (stroll) about
keeping an eye on things.
26. I was feeling very tired because I (work) very hard in the garden all day.
27. I assure you that the matter (attend) to as quickly as possible. Have a little
patience.
28. Tolstoy (try) for some time to educate his serfs but after he (work) at it for
about twenty years he (get) discouraged and (give) it up.
29. I (meet) your sister yesterday and I (think) she (look) very well.
Exercise # 6
Put the verbs in brackets into the right tense.
1. How can I ever concentrate if you (continually interrupt) me with idiotic
questions?
2. I am afraid the Director cannot see you at present. He (see) a candidate for a
vacancy.
3. He (hope) to go to University next year but his parents (decide) that they will
not be able to afford it unless he (succeed) in getting a Government grant.
4. He (know) her a long time before he (marry) her.
5. When you (finish) with that book, just pop it in my pigeon-hole, will you?
6. Come and look what (happen) in the street: a woman was robbed of her
handbag and (point) at a man who is being chased along the street by a
policeman. I wonder if he (catch).
7. I expect you (see) the Headmaster in the normal course of events, so you can
tell him then.
8. I am not sure whom that house (belong) to now but I do know that a few years
ago it (live) in by a strange old recluse.
9. I (teach) English for several years before I (realise) why students of certain
nationalities (make) certain mistakes.
10. I (go) to see him as soon as I (receive) his wife's telegram yesterday, but he
already (relapse) into a coma before I (get) there.
Exercise # 7
Explain the difference in meaning between:
1. What is he doing? / What does he do?
2. They talked as I came in. / They were talking as I came in.
3. He had learnt English before he came to England. / He had been learning
English before he came to England.
4. You are very stupid. / You are being very stupid.
5. Tell me when he comes. / Tell me when he will come.
6. A new cinema is being built there. / A new cinema has been built there.
7. Last year he wrote a book. / Last year he was writing a book.
8. He is always going to Paris. / He always goes to Paris.
9. My car always breaks down. / My car is always breaking down.
10. Have you seen that film? / Did you see that film?
11. I shall go to Paris next month. / I will go to Paris next month.
Exercise # 8
Put the verbs in brackets into the right tense.
1. This meat (cock) for nearly two hours; it should be tender by now.
2. As he (cross) the narrow bridge he suddenly (feel) dizzy and (fall) into the
water. Its coldness (revive) him and he (splash) about trying to reach the bank

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

when a passer-by (glimpse) at him, (dive) in and (pull) him out. I think he
would have drowned if nobody had been about.
Look! There is a whole crowd of people over there. Go and see what they
(sell) and if it (be) a bargain, buy it.
His wife (always nag) him these days but fortunately he is good at shutting
out unwanted noise, so he (not hear) a single word of her tirade!
In two years' time you (work) here for ten years. I (never know) you stay in
the same job for so long.
As soon as you (wash) up the dinner things you can go home.
Yesterday she (promise) to leave me in peace for the whole afternoon, but I
(not work) more than ten minutes before she (burst) in to say that she (pick)
up a valuable Chinese vase to dust it, (drop) it and (break) it into smithereens.
What on earth (you do)? You are covered with mud from head to foot.

Exercise # 9
Put the verbs in brackets in the right tense.
1. Where (you be)? I (lock) for you all afternoon.
2. I wonder if you (sit) here in the same room doing the same job this time next
year.
3. Everyone (know) what a large proportion of British cars are produced in the
Midlands, but not everyone (realise) what a difficult time the industry (go)
through at the moment.
4. Tell me what first (strike) you about the house as soon as you (see) it.
5. I (turn) on the radio to listen to the news. It (not be) on for more than a few
moments when it suddenly (blow) up. I (never have) such a shock in my life.
6. If you (learn) English for six years I must say you (have) a very poor grasp of
its construction.
7. At the moment His Honour (hear) a case but we expect the court to rise in
about half an hour.
8. Really women (be) the limit; you (nag) me for weeks to mend this fire and now
I (do) so you (keep) on interrupting me.
9. I (save) up for some time now and next year I (really go) to India for three
months.
10. You (have) your ear to the keyhole a few minutes ago. You (hear) what time
Charles (come) home?
11. My school (be) moved just as the war (break) out, so you can imagine what
chaos (ensue).
12. I (be) to Paris several times but I (not recollect) that particular spot.
13. Why (you look) at me in that funny way? Someone (spread) scandal about
me behind my back?
14. We (hear) a great many different points of view. If everyone who (want) to
say anything (already do) so, we (put) the matter to the vote?
Exercise # 10
Put the verbs in brackets into the right tense.
1. How can you make such dreadful mistakes when you (learn) English for so
many years?
2. I (die) but a clever doctor (manage) to save my life.
3. That girl infuriates me. She constantly (interrupt) to ask some idiotic question
or other.
4. His housekeeper (work) for him for fifteen years before he decided to ask her
to marry him.
5. In old age everyone (like) to look back to see what he (achieve) in life.
6. It is a long time since I (go) to Covent Garden.
7. I wonder how much progress (be) made on constructing those flats.
8. Inquiries (be) made in several parts of the country and you must just wait
until the results of them (be) shown.
9. How long you (know) my sister?

10. He (kill) his victim easily, (remove) his wallet, (wipe) away all fingerprints
and just (make) for the front door to make his escape when he (hear) a key
turning in the lock. Someone (come) in! What he (do) if he (be) seen?
11. That programme (finish) anyway long before I need to get ready to go out.
Exercise # 11
Put the verbs in brackets into the right tense.
1. I (see) the headmaster tomorrow in any case, so I (tell) what you (just say).
2. As you see, at last I (get) round to decorating the room. I (mean) to do so for
ages.
3. Can you imagine it? Next year he (work) for that firm for ten years, and yet it
seem only yesterday that he (wear) his first pair of long trousers!
4. I (try) to remember his name for the last half hour, but I (not succeed) yet.
5. It is a long time now since he (run) away and (leave) her.
6. As soon as he (finish) a hearty breakfast, he (get) up and (go) out for a long
walk. We (begin) to grow anxious when he still (not return) by dinner time,
but at half past eight he finally (turn) up, tired, dusty and ravenous, but in the
best of good humours.
7. What was the name of the tune that (play) as we (go) into the cinema? Ever
since then it (go) round and round in my head.
8. I (wait) here nearly half an hour now. If she (not come) within five minutes I
(go) off on my own. If she (not find) me here she (have) no-one to but herself
to blame.
9. I can hear cries for help. I believe someone (attack) by our bees. Quick! To
the rescue!
Exercise # 12
Put the verbs in brackets into the right tense.
1. Out of the darkness (loom) a grim fortress.
2. I (rack) my brains for the last half hour to try to remember where I (see) that
face before.
3. As soon as you (get) a letter from Margaret, please let me know her
whereabouts at once.
4. He (tell) me yesterday that he does not like life in England at all; still less he
(want) to stay here a moment longer than necessary, so whoever (tell) you
that he (think) of becoming naturalised (talk) absolute nonsense.
5. We (leave) our friend's house in the bright moonlight, and (expect) to have a
pleasant drive home, but, as not infrequently happens in those parts, a thick
fog (develop) suddenly, causing us to abandon the car and walk. We (walk) for
two hours before we (arrive) home.
6. They (plod) on through the desert all day and (just begin) to give up all hope
of survival when over their heads they (hear) the sound of a helicopter that
(send) to search for them.
7. You (get) a letter from our fianc soon, I daresay. Let me know how he (get)
on.

CONDITONALS________________________________
__
TYPE 1
Conditions of this type are OPEN, they may or may not be fulfilled. They are both
POSSIBLE and PROBABLE.
If - clause
If + present
If + present
perfect

Main clause
Present
Future
Imperative
Present
Future
Imperative

If + modal +
bare infinitive
Imperative

Present
Future
Imperative.
and/or +
future

Example
If you put ice in the fridge, it
freezes.
If you hurry, you will get there in
time.
If you hear strange noises, lock the
doors!
If you have finished your work,
hand it in.
If you have finished when I arrive,
you will not need my assistance.
If you have already removed the
wire, dont touch it.
If you should see her, tell her I am
fine.
If you can go, I will lend you the
money.
If you must stay, keep quiet.
Get up early, and you wont be late.

Note: Sometimes the If + present + present type is referred to as Type 0 - cause

and effect.
TYPE 2
Conditions of this type are POSSIBLE but IMPROBABLE or HYPOTHETICAL

If - Clause
If + simple past

Main clause
Present conditional

If + simple past

Simple past

If + subjunctive of be Present Conditional

Example
If we left now, we
would avoid the
evening traffic.
If he left at eight
oclock, he missed the
train.
If I were you, I would
phone her.

TYPE 3
Conditions of this type are IMPOSSIBLE, they are completely HYPOTHETICAL.
They refer to something that might have happened in the past but didnt.
If - Clause
If + Past perfect

Main clause
Past conditional

Example
If I had studied, I
would have passed
the exam.

Note: If can be omitted if an inversion is used: Had I studied, I would have

passed the exam.
MIXED CONDITIONALS
If - Clause
Type 1
If + present simple

Main clause
Type 3
Past conditional

Type 2
If + past simple

Type 3
Past conditional

Type 3
If + past perfect

Type 2
Present conditional

Type 2
If + past simple

Type 1
future simple

Example
If he is innocent, he
would have said
something.
If he knew what to do,
he would have done
something.
If I had accepted, I
would be out of a job
now.
If he did not wake her,
she will surely be late.

Note: If may be replaced by other words or phrases such as:

unless (if not )
on condition that
provided that
supposing
as long as
so long as
Exercise # 1
Rewrite each sentence so that it contains tile word in capitals.
1. If you do have any time free, could you give me a ring? SHOUT
2. We won't go away if the weather is bad. UNLESS
3. I didn't have the money so I didn't buy a new suit. WOULD
4. I regret not studying hard last term. ONLY
5. If you hurry up, you won't be late. GOING
6. If they offered you the job, would you accept? WERE
7. If you are going to London by any chance, come and see me. HAPPEN
8. Without you, I would have given up years ago, BEEN
9. If you insist on doing everything yourself, of course you feel tired! WILL
10. Please, take a seat, and I'll inquire for you. WILL
Exercise # 2
Rewrite each sentence beginning as shown so that the meaning stays the same.

1. It's a pity your parents can't be here too. If only ...

2. If Jane hadn't refused to work overtime, she would have got promotion. If it
hadn't ...
3. If you left out that chapter, you can't really say you read the whole book.
Unless ...
4. If you want my advice, I'd think it twice about buying a car like that. If I ...
5. It won't make any difference if City score first, United will still win. United
will still win ...
6. If the painting is finished by Saturday, we'll pay you extra. Finish ...
7. Provided your voice is audible, the audience will get the point of this scene.
As long as the audience ...
8. If you refuse to stop eating sweets, you can't expect to lose weight easily. If
you won't
9. Without your help, I wouldn't have found the house. If you ...
10. Getting up early makes me feel hungry. If ...
Exercise # 3
Decide whether each sentence is grammatically possible or not.
1. If you haven't received a letter yet, you haven't got the job.
2. If it isn't for David, we are missing the bus.
3. If it's raining, we go to the pub on the corner instead.
4. If you didn't lend us the money, we would have gone to the bank.
5. If you should happen to change your mind, drop me a line.
6. If it wasn't for the rain, we would have been home by now.
7. If you will drive so fast, no wonder the police keep stopping you.
8. If I knew you were coming, I would have met you at the airport.
9. But for you helped us, we would have taken much longer.
10. If Jack joins the team, I'm leaving.
Exercise # 4
Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase.
1. That was lucky! If I ......... this bus, I .......... met you.
2. But for Pauline, I .......... passed the exams.
3. If I were .......... where the treasure is, that would you do?.
Exercise # 5
Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word in capitals, and so that
the meaning stays the same.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Everyone thought the book was written by the princess herself. HAVE
I cant lift this table on my own. UNLESS
I wont stay in this job, not even for double the salary. IF
The coins are believed to have been buried for safe-keeping. IT
If you insist on eating so fast, of course you get indigestion. WILL
If you found the missing money, what would you do? WERE
Please come this way, and I'll see if Mr Francis is in. WILL

Exercise # 6
Put each verb in brackets into an appropriate tense.
1. The second film we saw ......... (direct) by Leonard Hughes.
2. If I ...........(know) that you ........... (arrive) on that train, I ........... (come) to
meet you.
3. I wish you ........... (not eat) all the food! I'm hungry!
4. Be careful! If you ........... (tease) the cat, it ........... (scratch) you!
5. Thanks very much! If you .........,. (not help) me, we ........... (not finish) the
work so quickly.
6. Hurry up, or all the best seats ,.......... (take).
7. Carol now wishes she ........... (marry) in a church.

8. If it ........... (not be) for you, I ........... (still be) in prison today!
Exercise # 7
Put the verb in brackets into the right tense.
1. Go and tell him that if he ........... (make) a nuisance of himself he must stop it.
2. If I .......... (have) enough money I ........... (spend) three months in the south of
France next summer.
3. If he ........... (ask) you for the money yesterday, what you ........... (say)?
4. If you ........... (finish) doing this test, give it to me to mark.
5. If she ......... (be) better dressed she would be more popular.
6. It ........... (not be) funny if you ........... (see) him last week?
7. If you .......... (be) to Paris, do tell me about it.
8. If I .......... (see) him next week I ........... (te11) him what you said.
9. If I .......... (listen) to that symphony concert on the radio last night I
certainly ........ (not hear) you knock.
10. If he ........... (tell) me that last week I ........... (be) saved a lot of trouble.
Exercise # 8
Complete the following sentences.
1. If you were in my place ...
2. Will you lend me 5 if ...
3. ... would you have paid the bill?
4. I should have had my photograph taken if ...
5. Surely if you ... he would understand.
6. If he had told you everything ...
7. If you have finished with that bock ...
8. Would you have told him the truth if ....?
9. I should not like to be in his shoes if ...
10. Wouldn't it have been extraordinary if ...
11. If I were Prime Minister ...
12. If you ... it last week ...
13. If he ... that he deserved whatever came to him.
14. ... if she were rich?
15. If William the Conqueror ...
16. If you have been gardening all day ...
17. Tell me something of prison life if ...
18. Would European thought now be different if Rousseau
19. I shall not be at all surprised if ...
20. If I have offended you ...
Exercise # 9
Put the verbs in brackets into the right tense.
1. I will hold the ladder if you .......... (try) to reach the cat.
2. If someone were to leave me 25,000, I .......... (be) able to fulfil my lifelong
ambition.
3. Don't you think you ought to have done it if he ........... (ask) you to?
4. If you ........... (see) my puppy anywhere, please tell me.
5. You ........... (be) amused if he had impersonated Mr Churchill.
6. If I ........... (offend) you, I do apologise.
7. If she were to marry him, what ........... (be) your reaction?
8. I should be grateful if you ........... (raise) the matter with the Managing
Director.
9. Mightn't he have fallen if he .......... (try) to climb over the roof to the skylight?
10. If it ........... (not snow) I w111 go for a brisk walk.
11. He would not agree to it unless I ........... (be) prepared to make
considerable
12. concessions.
13. Provided that she ........... (tell) me, I wouldn't have minded.

Exercise # 10
Substitute another construction for the part of the sentence that is in bold type.
1. You would have been annoyed if you had seen how he reacted.
2. If you had not sprung to my defence, I should have been overpowered.
3. If they had not been really stuck for someone to do it, I would never have
volunteered.
4. My wife would have been shocked if she had seen how her children behaved
at that party.
5. If he had not had a very strong constitution, that operation would have
killed him.
6. The fire would have gutted the house completely if I had not lived almost
next door to the Fire Station.
7. If he had not made a complete confession of his crimes no-one would have
suspected them.
8. I should have been thunderstruck if I had received such a message.
9. If the government had not intervened promptly, chaos would have
ensued.

INVERSION____________________________________
_
After negative or restrictive adverbials:
Not only...
Rarely.....
Seldom...
Little...
Barely....
Nowhere.....
No sooner ... than
In no way .....
No sooner .... than ....
Not only ....but ....
On no occasion... etc.
Conditional sentences without If:
Had I .....
Were you to ..... Should you hear....
Only after, only by, only if, only when, not until : when placed at the beginning of
the sentence for emphasis require the inversion of the subject and the auxiliary
verb in the main clause.
Exercise # 1
Choose the most suitable words underlined.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Jim promised that he would never / never would he tell anyone else.
Not until it was too late I remembered / did I remember to call Susan.
Hardly had we settled down in our seats than / when the lights went out.
Only after checking three times I was / was I certain of the answer.
At no time I was aware / was I aware of anything out of the usual.
Only Catherine and Sally passed / did they pass the final examination.
So the waves were high / So high were the waves that swimming was
dangerous.
8. Only when Pete has arrived / has Pete arrived can we begin the programme.
9. No sooner had it stopped raining than / when the sun came out.
10. If should you leave early / Should you leave early could you give me a lift?
Exercise # 2
Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase.
1. ....... had we arrived at the hotel, when there was a power cut.
2. ........... are members of staff to accept gratuities from clients.
3. ........... Detective Dawson realise what she was to discover!
4. ........... so many employees taken sick leave at the same time.
5. ........... to pay the full amount now, there would be a ten per cent discount.
6. I supposed, as ........... most people, that I would be retiring at 60.
7. ........... the doctors seen a more difficult case.
8. ........... Jean win first prize, but she was also offered a promotion.
9. ........... will late arrivals be admitted to the theatre before the interval.
10. ........... one missing child been found, than another three disappeared.
Exercise # 3
Re-write each sentence, starting as shown, so that the meaning stays the same.
1. It was only when the office phoned me that I found out about the meeting.
Not until...
2. The facts were not all made public until later. Only ...
3. If I had realised what would happen, I wouldn't have accepted the job. Had ...
4. The response to our appeal was so great that we had to take on more staff.
Such ...
5. Harry broke his leg, and also injured his shoulder. Not only ...
6. The police didn't at all suspect that the judge was the murderer. Little ...

7. If you do happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call me? Should ...
8. The bus driver cannot be blamed for the accident in any way. In ...
9. The snowfall was so heavy that all the trains had to be cancelled. So ...
10. If the government raised interest rates, they would lose the elections. Were
...
Exercise # 4
Decide which sentences are inappropriate in the contexts given.
1. Guest to host : "So nice was that pudding, that I would like to have some
more."
2. Witness to court : "No sooner had I turned out the light, than I heard a noise
outside."
3. News reader : "Such was the force of the earthquake, that whole villages
have been
4. devastated. "
5. Parent to child : "Should you fancy a pizza, let's order one now."
6. Friend to friend : "Never before have I seen this film."
7. Politician to audience: "Seldom has the country faced a greater threat."
8. Celebrity to interviewer : "Were I to have the time, I'd go c1inlbing more
often."
9. Victim to the police officer: "Scarcely had we been introduced when he
punched me for no reason."
10. Printed notice : "Under no circumstances is this control panel to be left
unattended."
11. Colleague to colleague : "Should you change your mind, just let me know."
Exercise # 5
Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase.
1. Scarcely ........... the pilot had to make an emergency landing.
2. Little ........... what has been going on in her absence.
3. No sooner ........... than I realised I'd left my bag on the platform.
4. Only when ...........on the light did we notice the hole in the ceiling.
5. Not until I asked a passer-by ..............where I was.
6. Seldom does .............below freezing at this time of the year.
7. Hardly ........... his speech, when the minister was interrupted.
8. On no account am ........... while I am in a meeting.
9. Rarely has ........... this school written a better composition.
10. In no way ........... bear responsibility for injuries to passengers.
Exercise # 6
Rewrite each sentence so that it contains the word or words in capitals, and so
that the meaning stays the same.
1. Were Smith to resign, I might stand a chance of getting his job. IF
2. Such was the demand for tickets that people queued day and night. GREAT
3. The money is not to be paid under any circumstances. NO
4. Three days passed before we arrived at the first oasis. NOT UNTIL
5. Hardly had the ship left port, than a violent storm developed. SOON AFTER
6. They would have discovered land sooner had they carried a compass. IF
7. Little did Brenda know what she was letting herself in for. IDEA
8. It was only when I stopped that I realised something was wrong. DID I
9. The accused never expressed regret for what he had done. AT NO TIME
10. So exhausted were the runners that none of them finished the race. TOO
Exercise # 7
Rewrite each sentence, beginning as shown, so that the meaning stays the same.
1. As soon as I got into the bath, someone knocked at the door. No sooner ...

2. There was so much uncertainty that the financial markets remained closed.
Such ...
3. It's not common for there to be so much rain in March. Seldom ...
4. You won't be allowed in until your identity has been checked. Only ...
5. Just after the play started there was a power failure. Hardly ...
6. The Prime Minister has hardly ever made a speech as inept as this. Rarely ...
7. We had only just arrived home when the police called. Scarcely ...
8. Press photographers are banned from taking photographs backstage. On
no ...
9. The way so much money has been spent to so little purpose must be a record!
Never before ....
10. The judge was taken ill just after the trial proceedings began. Barely ...
Exercise # 8
Complete each sentence with a suitable word or phrase.
1. Should ........... anything, could you let me know?
2. Were ..........., everyone in it Would have been killed.
3. Had .......... harder, I would probably have passed all my exams.
4. Should .......... neighbourhood, why don't you drop in?
5. Had ........... immediately, your daughter would not be so ill.
6. Were ........... you, I would turn you down flat!
7. Should ..........., just call room service, and order a meal.
8. Were .......... job, we couldn't be sure that she would accept.
9. Had ......... measures, this political crisis could have been avoided.
10. Should ........... lost, we would have heard from film by now.
Exercise # 9
Put the verbs in brackets into the right form.
1. To such an extent her bad temper (get) on his nerves that he is filing a
petition.
2. Hardly he (come)into the room when he saw someone disappearing through
the French window.
3. Very seldom one(come)across snakes in England.
4. In none of his bocks Dickens (show) greater understanding of the human
heart than in BLEAK HOUSE.
5. Only after I had known him for some time I (begin) to appreciate his real
worth.
6. On no account I ever (believe)a word he says.
7. Not as a critic but as a close friend I (urge) you to reconsider your decision.
8. In such a plight he (find) himself that he was at his wit's end what to do.
9. Not a soul I (meet) as I rambled over the Downs.
10. At no time in the history of mankind women (have) greater opportunities
for fol1owing careers than they have now.
11. In none of his novels Hardy (give) vent to his pessimism so openly as in
JUDE THE OBSCURE.
12. With every justification he (be) called an incompetent bungler.
Exercise # 10
Put the underlined expressions at the beginning of the sentence. It may be
necessary to make minor alterations to them and to the rest of the sentence to
make the sentence grammatically correct.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

I didn't see a soul all day.

The pirate ship lay far out at sea.
That can happen to you nowhere else in the world.
He would go on working in any circumstances.
The car sped round the bend.
I have very rarely seen such a strikingly beautiful woman.
He didn't say a single word all afternoon.

8. I don't think he would like it anyway.

9. I wouldn't offend you on any account.
10. You have seen it already perhaps?
11. The children scrambled into the coach.
12. The Flea Market was the most fascinating part of the town.
13. He little thought that he would one day see his name in all the headlines.
14. I haven't seen that kind of tree anywhere else in England.
15. John goes to the theatre only on very rare occasions.
16. Jane Austen is undoubtedly one of the foremost English novelists.
17. That tall figure of a man loomed out of the swirling mist.
18. Let us have your ideas by all means.
19. We found ourselves in such a desperate situation that we had to shoot our
way out.
20. He is called a fool with good reason.
21. It is not by any means true that all English people know their own
language well.
22. A pheasant rose out of the brushwood ahead of me.
23. He had not been treated so abominably in any city he had previously
visited.
24. I have told him not to do that on innumerable occasions.
25. The throbbing beat of drums came through the silence of the jungle.
26. You shouldn't panic in any circumstances.
27. I have received complaints about you on numerous occasions.
28. The director did not realise what was going on until his attention was
drawn to certain irregularities.
29. A great pile of plates and dishes fell down with a resounding crash.
30. The mass of luggage went up on the backs of sturdy porters.
31. The success of the scheme has been such that the same principle is to be
applied in other cases.

MODAL
VERBS__________________________________
The modal
verbs are:

can - could - may - might - must - ought to will - would - shall - should - have to - need dare - used to

Modal verbs:
Take no -s in the third person singular except for have to, need and
dare
Have no infinitive or participle forms so they cannot be used in the
continuous tenses except for need, have to and dare.
Are followed by bare infinitive except for ought to, have to and
used to
From their negative and interrogative forms the same way as the
auxiliaries apart from need, have to and dare

Ability /
Inability:
can - cant could couldnt
Necessity:
need - have to
- must

Possibility /
Impossibility:
can - could may - might

Permission /
Obligation:
Concession: can must - have to
- could - may might

Prohibition:
Logical
mustnt - cant assumption:
affirmative:
must be must have
negative:
cant be - cant
have
Advice:
Criticism:
Requests,
Offers,
should - ought should have to - ought not ought to have Suggestions:
can - would to will - shall should - might

Absence of
Obligation or
Necessity:
neednt - dont
have to neednt have didnt need to

Exercise # 1
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of "can", "be able to", "must" or "have to".
1. One has to pass certain exams to be accepted by this college.
2. Although the room was full of smoke, he...................................... phone the
fire brigade.
3. If I go by train, I ............................................ buy a ticket.
4. You ........................................... be careful with electricity.
5. As a child he ................................................... play squash for hours.
6. If you want to be a member of the dub, you ................................., register in
time.
7. In the end we................................................ use all the meat we'd bought so
we threw it away.
8. She was so short she ......................................................., reach the door
handle.
9. ................................................... we really stay so late at the party?
10. Our father told us that we...................................................... be home by 10
p.m.
Exercise # 2
Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of the words in capitals.
1. You have to fill in a form before joining the dub. MUST
2. You must fill in a form before joining the club.
3. It's not right that children are not allowed to play on the grass. SHOULD
4. Please turn on the light! COULD
5. What are we going to do with them when they arrive? SHALL
6. Do you want to come to dinner with me? WOULD
7. It isn't necessary for you to stay any longer. NEED
8. Is there any possibility of the flight being cancelled? LIKELY
9. Is it necessary for me to speak to her in person? HAVE
10. She's such a talented musician. She should have been a professional.
OUGHT
11. Do you believe that he will pass the exam? LIKELY
12. I don't believe she's an actress; she looks so ordinary. CAN'T
13. It is necessary for governments to take action against tax evasion. MUST
14. It wasn't necessary for him to be quite so extravagant but he was. NEED

15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.

It's important to brush your teeth regularly. SHOULD

You can attend the meeting if you wish. MAY
Please, answer the door! WILL
I don't believe he's dead. l saw him only yesterday. CAN'T
As a child he had the habit of biting his nails. USED
I don't believe he's only twelve. CAN'T
Mozart was able to compose and play music before he was ten. COULD
Give this message to Mrs. Bates, please! WILL
Do you think that she will go away this weekend? LIKELY
There's no need to do the ironing now. HAVE
Do you know how to play the piano? CAN

Exercise # 3
Finish the following sentences without changing the meaning of the sentences
printed before.
1. Perhaps he was feeling tired yesterday. He may have been feeling tired
yesterday.
2. I don't think he is revising for his test. He ....
3. I suppose you've already met Charlie. You ...
4. I'm sure the ferries leave once a day for that island. The ferries ...
5. Perhaps they decided not to come after all. They ...
6. I don't think the hostages have been released yet. The hostages....
7. Perhaps you'll need some help with that. You ...
8. I don't think she was sleeping when you called her. She ...
9. I think she's going abroad. She ...
10. I suppose he's had a lot of experience in management. He ...
Exercise # 4
Rewrite the following sentences using "didn't need to" or "needn't have".
It wasn't necessary for Paul to have studied for so many hours because the exam
was cancelled. Paul needn't have studied for so many hours.
1. It wasn't necessary for mother to cook as we had been invited out to dinner.
2. It wasn't necessary for Andrew to take so much money on holiday as he did.
3. It was unnecessary for him to have got so angry yesterday; it was only a joke
after all.
4. It wasn't necessary for Mr. Jones to collect his wife because his son said he
would do it.
Exercise # 5
Rewrite the following sentences using "mustn't" or "needn't".
1. You are not allowed to overtake on the inside lane.
2. It isn't necessary for him to wash up now; he can do it later.
3. He doesn't have to leave until 6 o'clock.
4. It isn't necessary for you to send a taxi to pick me up from the station.
5. Taking photographs in the museum is prohibited.
Exercise # 6
Finish the following sentences without changing the meaning of the sentences
printed before them.
Let's review what we've done so far. Shall ...?
1. I'm sure it wasn't his fault. It ...
2. Shall 1 tell you my opinion? Would ...
3. He is unlikely to be promoted. There ...
4. It is forbidden to enter that room without permission. You ....
5. Is it likely that he will return this afternoon? Is he ...
6. They couldn't understand the message because of the interference on the
radio. The interference ....
7. Perhaps she has forgotten about the meeting. She ...
8. I suppose my mother left this message. My mother ...

9. You should have signed this form at the bottom. Why ....
10. Did you need to spend so much money? Was ...
11. He is certain to have noticed our absence by now. He ....
12. You need to be more careful. You ...
13. Could he have been telling the truth? Is it ...
14. You mustn't play ball games inside the school. It is ...
15. I suppose she has seen the newspaper today. She ....
16. It wasn't necessary for you to apologise. After all, it wasn't your fault.
You ...
17. Perhaps they have made alternative arrangements. They ...
18. How does Saturday suit you? Would ....
19. How do you feel about going on an excursion? Would ...
20. Was it necessary to invite so many people? Did ....
21. I don't think we're near the village yet. We ....
22. It is very possible that he'll pass his tests. There is every ...
23. You'd better consult the map. You ....
24. Could we meet on Friday? Would Friday ...
25. It is certain that the ship will arrive at 7 o'clock. The ship is ...
Exercise # 7
Fill in the blanks with a suitable word or phrase practising modals.
He must be quick or he'll miss his appointment.
1. You .................................... you couldn't come; 1 waited for ages.
2. If it snows, we ............................................ skiing.
3. He ............................................. on time, but I doubt it.
4. This room ...................................; look at the state of the walls.
5. She .......................................; she looks exhausted this morning.
6. We ............................... jogging in order to improve our stamina.
7. He ............... at the cinema that evening, although no one is quite sure.
8. You ........................... me a present; you could have just sent a card.
9. We ................................ to the bank after all; we had enough cash.
10. You.................. all night. I didn't think you'd finish the work in time!
11. Do we ........................: or have you got enough to feed everyone?
12. You ............................................... me; I can do it alone.
13. They ................................. here by now; I wonder what's happened.
14. ...........................................the pleasure of this dance, madam?
Exercise # 8
For each of the sentences below write a new sentence as similar as possible in
meaning to the original sentence but using the word given. The word must not
be altered in any way.
e.g. Photography interests me. FIND
I find photography interesting.
1. You needn't dean up now. NECESSARY
2. May I borrow your typewriter? MIND
You mustn't ride motorbikes in the park. FORBIDDEN
They couldn't go to the Middle East because of the war. PREVENTED
Shall we eat now? WHY
You should be careful what you say to him. ADVISABLE
Perhaps it wasn't John who rang. MAY
We don't have to go to the party. OBLIGED
You ought to phone the manager tonight. IDEA
Would you like to go out with us? INTEREST
Why didn't you let me know you were coming? SHOULD
He must have heard the news by now. CERTAIN
He may not be at home. PERHAPS
They aren't likely to come with us. WILL
You mustn't open your book once the test has started. RULES

20