ANGLO-PEDIA

Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future

Simple Tenses
Part 1: Ordinary verbs
Present Simple Tense:
Positive

Negative

I
You
We
They

play
have
go
do

I
You
We
They

He
She
It

plays
has
goes
does

He
She
It

Question

do not go

does not

play
have
do
play
have
go
do

Do

Does

I
you
we
they

play?
have?
go?
do?

he
she
It

play?
have?
go?
do?

Contractions
Do not dont
Does not doesnt

Past Simple Tense:

Positive

Negative

I
You
We
They
He
She
It

I
You
We
They
He
She
It

played
went
had
did

Question

did not

Contraction
Did not didnt

play
go
have
do

Did

I
you
we
they
he
she
it

play?
go?
have?
do?

Future Simple Tense:

Positive

Negative

I will
You will
We will
They will
He will
She will
It will

I
You
We
They
He
She
It

play
go
have
do

Question

will not

play
go
have
do

Will

I
you
we
they
He
she
it

play?
go?
have?
do?

Contractions
I will Ill
You will Youll
He will Hell
She will Shell
It will Itll
You will Youll
We will Well
They will Theyll
will not wont

Full forms and contractions

Contractions (Hell, doesnt etc.) are used in spoken English, and full forms (I will,
did not etc.) are used in written English e.g. in e-mails, reports, letters etc.
A full form is sometimes used in spoken English in order to emphasise the message,
and has an additional meaning (anger, insistence, determination etc.) e.g. Compare
the following:
a) -Did you forget to do it?
-No, I didnt forget. (Neutral)
b) -You forgot to do it again!
- No, I did not forget! (Angry)
a) I hope Ill succeed. (Neutral)
b) Nothing will stop me. I will succeed. (Determined)

Part 2: can (be able to)

Present Tense
Positive

Negative

Question

I can swim.
You can do it.
He can dance.
She can cook.
It can happen.
You can continue.
We can go.
They can see.

I cannot swim.
You cannot do it.
He cannot dance.
She cannot cook.
It cannot happen.
You cannot continue.
We cannot go.
They cannot see.

Can
Can
Can
Can
Can
Can
Can
Can

Contraction:

I swim?
you do it?
he dance?
she cook?
it happen?
you continue?
we go?
they see?

Cannot cant

Past Tense:

Can could

Positive

Negative

Question

I could swim.
She could cook.
They could see

I could not swim.

She could not cook.
They could not see.

Could I swim?
Could she cook?
Could they see?

Contraction: Could not couldnt

Future Tense:
Can has no future form. Instead, we use the synonym of can: be able to:
Positive

Negative

You will be able to do it.

He will be able to dance.
We will be able to go.

You will not be able to it.

Will you be able to do it?
He will not be able to dance. Will he be able to dance?
We will not be able to go.
Will we be able to go?

Question

Contraction: Will be able to wont be able to

Part 3: must (have to)

Present Tense
Positive

Negative

Question

I must leave.
You must laugh.
He must rest.
She must wait.
It must stop.
You must return.
We must hurry.
They must know.

I must not leave.

You must not laugh.
He must not rest.
She must not wait.
It must not stop.
You must not return.
We must not hurry.
They must not know.

Must
Must
Must
Must
Must
Must
Must
Must

I leave?
you laugh?
he rest?
she wait?
it stop?
you return?
we hurry?
they know?

Contraction: Must not mustnt

Past Tense:
Must has no past form.
For positive sentences and questions, you can use the similar expression: have to:
Positive

Negative

Question

I had to leave.
He had to rest.
They had to know.

Did I have to leave?

Did he have to rest?
Did they have to know?

There is no negative equivalent in the past, as we generally do not express a

prohibition in the past.

Future Tense:
Must has no future form.
For positive sentences and questions, use the similar expression to must: have to:
For the negative form, use must not (like the Present Tense):
Positive

Negative

She will have to wait.

You will have to return.
We will have to hurry.

She must not wait.

You must not return.
You must not hurry.

Question

Will she have to wait?

Will you have to return?
Will we have to hurry?

Be careful that the negative forms of must and have to do not express the
same idea:
Present Tense:
You must not laugh. = It is necessary that you do not laugh.
You do not have to laugh. = It is not necessary for you to laugh. Laugh only if you
want to.
Past Tense:
(Must not has no past equivalent.)
I did not have to leave. = It was not necessary for me to leave. I left because I
wanted to.
Future Tense:
You must not return tomorrow. = It is necessary that you will not return.
You will not have to return tomorrow. = It is not necessary for you to return.
Return only if you want to.

ANGLO-PEDIA
Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future
Simple Tenses
EXERCISES
Part 1: Ordinary verbs
Exercise 1: Positive sentences (Tracks 1-21)
Change from the Present Tense into the Past Simple Tense, then into the
Future Simple Tense.
Example:

John goes shopping every Saturday.

John went shopping last Saturday.
John will go shopping next Saturday.

1. Tom hears the news every morning.

yesterday morning.
tomorrow morning.
2. Sally begins early every day.

yesterday.
... tomorrow.
3. I buy a new car every three years.
. three years ago.
. in three years.
4. We meet every Monday.

last Monday.
next Monday.
5. Joe leaves early every afternoon.
yesterday afternoon.
tomorrow afternoon.
6. It gets cold at night.

last night.
tonight.
7. Jane catches the bus every morning.
.................................... last night
.................................... tomorrow evening.
8. The doctor sees him every month.
............... last month.
............... next month.

9. The children eat breakfast every morning.

................ yesterday morning.
............... tomorrow morning.
10. Peter reads his e-mails every hour.
............... an hour ago.
............... after lunch today.
11. Many people come here in summer.
............... last summer.
............... next summer.
12. That shop sells everything every week.
.............. last week.
.............. next week.
13. I choose this colour all the time.
............... last time.
............... next time.
14. He does the accounts every Friday.
............... last Friday
............... next Friday.
15. Tim has a holiday every summer.
............... last summer.
............... next summer
16. The economy grows every year.

...................................... last year.

.................................. next year.
17. Ann writes to me once a month.
............... two months ago.
............... in two months time.
18. House prices rise every quarter.
.............. last quarter.
.............. next quarter.
19. He drinks coffee every morning.
............... yesterday evening
............... tomorrow afternoon
20. Jack flies to Madrid once a week.
............... last week.
............... next week.

Exercise 2: Negative sentences (Tracks 22-32)

Change from the Present Tense into the Past Simple Tense, then into the
Future Simple Tense.
Example:

John doesnt go shopping every Saturday.

John didnt go shopping last Saturday.
John wont go shopping next Saturday.

1. Prices dont fall every autumn.

last autumn.
next autumn.
2. It doesnt get better day by day.

.............. yesterday.
.............. tomorrow.
3. I dont forget it every time.
last time.
............... next time.
4. Sue doesnt work every evening.
............... yesterday evening.
............... tomorrow evening.
5. She doesnt call me every day.

........... yesterday.
................ tomorrow.
6. Tim doesnt ride his bicycle every weekend.
last weekend.
.................. next weekend.
7. They dont run the Marathon every year.
last year.
next year.
8. She doesnt have breakfast every morning.
............... yesterday morning.
............... tomorrow morning.
9. They dont shut it down every night.
last night.
............ tonight.
10. He doesnt go abroad every summer.
............... last weekend.
............... next weekend.

Exercise 3: Questions (Tracks 33-43)

Change from the Present Tense into the Past Simple Tense, then into the
Future Simple Tense.
Example:

Does John go shopping every Saturday?

did John go shopping last Saturday?
will John go shopping next Saturday?

1. Does petrol cost a lot these days?

.................................... in the past?
.................................... in the future?
2. Do they prepare an agenda every week?
. last week?
..................................... next week?
3. Do these birds fly south every winter?
...... last winter?
..... next winter?
4. Does he know the answer every time?
.................................... last time?
.................................... next time?
5. Does she send you an e-mail every day?
.................................... yesterday?
.................................... tomorrow?
6. Do you sleep well every night?
.................................... last night?
.................................... tonight?
7. Does she take the day off every Friday?
.................................... last Friday?
.................................... next Friday?
8. Does Sam go jogging twice a week?
.................................. twice last week?
.................................. twice next week?
9. Do they hold a meeting every Monday?
.................................... last Monday?
.................................... next Monday?
10. Does she wake up early every morning?
.................................... yesterday morning?
.................................... tomorrow morning?

Exercise 4: Answer these questions with complete sentences.

Example:
How did John travel? By plane.

John travelled by plane.

1. Where does she work? In London.

2. Did you see them? Yes.

3. Will it arrive on time? No.

4. When did they leave? Yesterday.

5. Does Sue live far away? No.

6. How did you sleep? Well.

7. How many children does he have? 3.

8. Where will they meet? At the station.

9. Did your car break down? No.

10. Do you agree? Yes.

11. Why did he come back? To see us.

12. Who will arrange the meeting? Tony.

13. Does it snow here? Yes.

14. When did it happen? Last week.

15. Will it happen again? No.

16. Why did they stop? To have a break.

17. What will you watch? The news.

18. Does John know them? Yes.

19. How much did you pay? 50 Euros.

20. Do we have much time? No.

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Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future / Answer Key

Part 1: Ordinary verbs, Exercise 1: Positive sentences
1. Tom heard the news yesterday morning.
Tom will hear the news tomorrow morning.
2. Sally began early yesterday.
Sally will begin early tomorrow.
3. I bought a new car three years ago.
Ill buy a new car in three years.
4. We met last Monday.
Well meet next Monday.
5. Joe left early yesterday afternoon.
Joe will leave early tomorrow afternoon.
6. It got cold last night.
Itll get cold tonight.
7. Jane caught the bus last night.
Jane will catch the bus tomorrow evening.
8. The doctor saw him last month.
The doctor will see him next month.
9. The children ate breakfast yesterday morning.
The children will eat breakfast tomorrow morning.
10. Peter read his e-mails an hour ago.
Peter will read his e-mails after lunch today.
11. Many people came here last summer.
Many people will come here next summer.
12. That shop sold everything last week.
That shop will sell everything next week.
13. I chose this colour last time.
Ill choose this colour next time.
14. He did the accounts last Friday
Hell do the accounts next Friday.
15. Tim had a holiday last summer.
Tim will have a holiday next summer.
16. The economy grew last year.
The economy will grow next year.
17. Ann wrote to me two months ago.
Ann will write to me in two months time.
18. House prices rose last quarter.
House prices will rise next quarter.

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19. He drank coffee yesterday morning.

He will drink coffee tomorrow morning.
20. Jack flew to Madrid last week.
Jack will fly to Madrid next week.

Part 1: Ordinary verbs, Exercise 2: Negative sentences

1. Prices didnt fall last autumn.
Prices wont fall next autumn.
2. It didnt get better yesterday.
It wont get better tomorrow.
3. I didnt forget it last time.
I wont forget it next time.
4. Sue didnt work yesterday evening.
Sue wont work tomorrow evening.
5. She didnt call me yesterday.
She wont call me tomorrow.
6. Tim didnt ride his bicycle last weekend.
Tim wont ride his bicycle next weekend.
7. They didnt run the marathon last year.
They wont run the marathon next year.
8. She didnt have breakfast yesterday morning.
She wont have breakfast tomorrow morning.
9. They didnt shut it down last night.
They wont shut it down tonight.
10. He didnt go abroad last summer.
He wont go abroad next summer.

Part 1: Ordinary verbs, Exercise 3: Questions

1. Did petrol cost a lot in the past?
Will petrol cost a lot in the future?
2. Did they prepare an agenda last week?
Will they prepare an agenda next week?
3. Did these birds fly south last winter?
Will these birds fly south next winter?
4. Did he know the answer last time?
Will he know the answer next time?
5. Did she send you an e-mail yesterday?
Will she send you an e-mail tomorrow?

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6. Did you sleep well last night?

Will you sleep well tonight?
7. Did she take the day off last Friday?
Will she take the day off next Friday?
8. Did Sam go jogging twice last week?
Will Sam go jogging twice next week?
9. Did they hold a meeting last Monday?
Will they hold a meeting next Monday?
10.Did she wake up early yesterday morning?
Will she wake up early tomorrow morning?

Part 1: Ordinary verbs, Exercise 4: Answer the questions

1. She works in London.
2. Yes, I saw them.
3. No, it wont arrive on time.
4. They left yesterday.
5. No, Sue doesnt live far away.
6. I slept well.
7. He has 3 children.
8. Theyll meet at the station.
9. No, my car didnt break down.
10.Yes, I agree.
11. He came back to see us.
12. Tony will arrange the meeting.
13. Yes, it snows here.
14. It happened last week.
15. No, it wont happen again.
16.They stopped to have a break.
17. Ill watch the news.
18. Yes, John knows them.
19. I paid 50 Euros.
20. No, we dont have much time.

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ANGLO-PEDIA
Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future
Simple Tenses
EXERCISES
Part 2: CAN / be able to
Exercise 1: Answer these questions with complete sentences.
Example:
Can you see the television? No.

No, I cant see the television.

1. Could they find the way? No.

2. How many people can we invite? Ten.

3. Will we be able to stop? No.

4. Can she drive? Yes.

5. Could the children write? Yes.

6. Will he be able to find a solution? Yes.

7. Could you reach him on his mobile? No.
8. When will we be able to begin? Soon.

9. Where can we park the car? here.

10. What could you see? The fire.

11. Will I be able to borrow money? No.

12. Can Sam see me now? No.

13. Who could answer the question? Jill.

14. Can she speak Japanese? No.

15. Where will you be able to go? Paris.

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Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future / Answer Key

Part 2: Can / be able to, Exercise 1
1. No, they couldnt find the way.
2. We can invite ten people.
3. No, we wont be able to stop.
4. Yes, she can drive.
5. Yes, the children could play.
6. Yes, hell be able to find a solution.
7. No, we couldnt reach an agreement.
8. Well be able to begin soon.
9. We can park the car here.
10. We could see the fire.
11. No, you wont be able to sell it.
12. No, Sam cant see you now.
13. Jill could answer the question.
14. No, she cant speak Japanese.
15. Ill be able to go to Paris.

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ANGLO-PEDIA
Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future
Simple Tenses
EXERCISES
Part 3: MUST / have to
Exercise 1: Answer these questions with complete sentences.
Example:
Must you leave now? Yes.

Yes, I must leave now.

1. Who must sign this report? Jim.

2. Where did you have to go? To Berlin.

3. Will they have to wait? No.

4. What must he do? Take his medicine.

5. When must we pay the bill? Now.

6. Must we register first? Yes.

7. Did Joe have to leave? Yes.

8. When will I have to return? Tomorrow.

9. Did they have to fill in a form? No.

10. What mustnt we do? Lose the key.

11. What must he wear? Glasses.

12. Will he have to buy a ticket? Yes.

13. What did you have to write? A letter.

14. Must we get up early? Yes.

15. Who had to finish the work? Richard.

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Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future / Answer Key

Part 3: Must / have to, Exercise 1

1. Jim must sign this report.

2. I had to go to Berlin.
3. No, they wont have to wait.
4. He must take his medicine.
5. We must pay the bill now.
6. Yes, we must register first.
7. Yes, Joe had to leave.
8. Youll have to return tomorrow.
9. No, they didnt have to fill in a form.
10. We mustnt lose the key.
11. He must wear glasses.
12. Yes, hell have to buy a ticket.
13. I had to write a letter.
14. Yes, we must get up early.
15. Richard had to finish the work.

Anglo-Link Language Community, 2008

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