MY DUMMY & INCOMPLETE

GRAMMARS NOTE

INTAKE SESSION JULY 2013

(SECTION 15 SEMESTER 2)

LECTURER: MS SUZANNA BT
MOKHTAR

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

NO TOPIC PAGE
1 SUBJECT- VERB AGREEMENT 3
RULES
2 SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE 5
3 SIMPLE PAST TENSE 12
4 FUTURE TENSE 19
5 PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE 23
6 PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE 27
7 PRESENT PERFECT TENSE 31
8 PAST PERFECT TENSE 35
9 OVERVIEW OF VERB TENSES 38
10 PASSIVE SENTENCES 43
11 REPORTED SPEECH 49
12 PAST YEAR QUESTION 54

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 SUBJECT- VERB AGREEMENT RULES
RULES EXAMPLES

1. SINGULAR SUBJECT- SINGULAR The rich man owns a hotel by the

VERB
2. PLURAL SUBJECT- PLURAL VERB
sea
He has several chalets in Cameron
Highland
Malaysians are very generous
They donate generous amount of
money to various charities.

3. 2 SUBJECT JOINED BY AND= My sister and her family are going

PLURAL VERB to England
Her husband and their children
enjoy being in a holiday there
4. EVERYBODY, ANYONE, No one knows our secret
EACH, EVERY, EVERYONE, Every student is well-rewarded
NO ONE, NONE, SOMEONE, None of the statements is true
SOMETHING = SINGULAR
SUBJECT SINGULAR VERB
5. UNITS OF MONEY, DISTANCE, Five kilometres is a really long
TIME BEFORE THE VERB = walk
SINGULAR SUBJECT- SINGULAR Ten ringgit is all she has in her
VERB purse now
Eight hours is a long time to wait
6. IF SENTENCE HAS FRACTION/ Three- quarters of this building is
PERCENTAGE FOLLOWED BY vacant
NOUN, VERB AGRESS BY Fifty per cent of the furniture
NOUN, NOT THE needs to be sold
FRACTION/PERCENTAGE
7. NOUNS- NATIONALITY Germans speak with a strong
PLURAL VERB guttural sound
NOUNS- LANGUAGE Bahasa Malaysia is the national
SINGULAR VERB language in Malaysia
8. COLLECTIVE NOUN- CAN BE The committee proposes that the
SINGULAR OR PLURAL SUBJECT- meeting be held in Thailand
SINGULAR/ PLURAL VERB The committee cast their votes in
*YOU HAVE TO REFER TO THE favor of the proposal
CONTEXT OF THE SENTENCES

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 EG: Association, committee,
club, company, family,
federation, jury, staff,
team, audience, etc.
9. CERTAIN NOUNS END WITH S, The news is broadcast at prime time
BUT SINGULAR IN NATURE on television
SINGULAR VERB Statistics is a challenging subject
Measles is an infectious disease
EG: Statistics,
mathematics, gymnastics,
aerobics, mumps, measles,
notes, news, comics, etc.
10. THE FOLLOWING WORDS Both Farah and Azman are
INDICATE MANY PLURAL representatives of the students
SUBJECT- PLURAL VERB union
Few people invest in shares
EG: both, both.and, nowadays
several, many, few, others, Several of the students are
people, etc. absent today
11. WHEN USING THESE: Neither the director nor his deputies
Either.or, neither.nor, are available now
not only.but also Either the principle or the head-
THE VERB MUST AGREE TO warden needs to sign this
NOUN CLOSEST TO IT document
Not only the airline industry but also
the shipping industry is hit hard by
the economy depression
12. WHEN USING THESE: The captain as well as his crew, is
as well as, together now in the dining hall
with, accompanied by, The prisoner, accompanied by the
THE VERB FOLLOW THE guards, is in the court now
TRUE SUBJECT
13. IN SENTENCES BEGIN There is a book under your table
WITH THERE, VERB AGREES There are many books in the library
WITH THE SUBJECT
*NOTE THAT THE SUBJECT
COME AFTER VERB

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 SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
Uses:
USES EXAMPLES
1. INFORMATION/ FACT The earth is round
All reptiles are cold-cold blooded
creatures
Julia is a qualified doctor

2. INFORMATION- TRUE AT THE I have ten ringgit in my purse now

TIME OF SPEAKING They live in New York

3. REPEATED/ HABITUAL ACTION Ken walks to college everyday

My sister waters the plant every
morning and evening

*Note:
Everyday, every morning, every
evening indicate repeated or
habitual action.

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AFFIRMATIVE FORM OF SIMPLE PRESENT
TENSE
BE-VERB
SUBJECT BE- VERB EXAMPLES
SINGULAR SUBJECT SINGULAR VERB I am an engineer
I AM He is sitting there
HE IS She is a good student
SHE IS The Tugu Negara is a
IT IS national monument
PLURAL SUBJECT PLURAL VERB You are ridiculous!
YOU ARE We are awesome!
WE ARE They are amazing!
THEY ARE

ACTION VERBS
RULES BASE FORM SIMPLE EXAMPLE
PRE.TENSE
Add s to most OPEN OPENS The girl opens
regular verb WALK WALKS the door to the
HELP HELPS main office
DELIVER DELIVERS Zafirah helps her
mother with the
chores
Add es to verbs TEACH TEACHES She teaches
ending with ch, FETCH FETCHES geography
-sh, -ss PREACH PREACHES The artist
EXPRESS EXPRESSES expresses his
thoughts through
the painting
For verbs ending STUDY STUDIES Yassin studies
with y, replace CRY CRIES medicine at UKM
y with -ies TRY TRIES She tries her
FLY FLIES hardest in

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 achieving her
dream

NEGATIVE FORM OF SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

BE-VERB
AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE
SENTENCES SENTENCES
AM AM + NOT ( - ) I am a politician I am not a
politician
IS IS + NOT ( ISNT) Zaiton is a Zaiton is not a
lecturer lecturer
ARE ARE + NOT They are my They are not my
(ARENT) relatives relatives

ACTION VERBS
AFFIRMATIVE ROOT NEGATIVE NEGATIVE
WORDS (SHORTENED
FORM)
LISTEN DO/DOES + DO/DOES + NOT Dont listen
LISTEN + LISTEN Doesnt listen
PLAY DO/DOES + PLAY DO/ DOES + NOT Dont play
+ PLAY Doesnt play
AGREE DO/ DOES + DO/DOES + NOT Dont agree
AGREE + AGREE Doesnt agree
JUMP DO/ DOES + JUMP DO/ DOES + NOT Dont jump
+ JUMP Doesnt jump

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Examples: -

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE NEGATIVE

SENTENCES SENTENCES (SHORTENED
FORM)
Kim listens (does Kim does not listen to Kim doesnt listen to
listen) to Hitz FM radio the Hitz FM radio station the Hitz FM radio station
station
Vanessa plays (does Vanessa does not play Vanessa doesnt play
play) the violin like a the violin like a the violin like a
professional musician professional musician professional musician

My little boy jumps My little boy does not My little boy doesnt
(does jump) on the jump on the sofa jump on the sofa
sofa

VERB AFTER DO/DOES OR DO NOT/DOES NOT =

BASE FORM!!

INTERROGATIVE/ QUESTION FORM OF SIMPLE

PRESENT TENSE
BE-VERB- USUALLY A YES/ NO QUESTION

BE-VERB + SUBJECT + REST OF

EXAMPLES:-

BE VERB SUBJECT REST OF

QUESTION?
AM I In this group?
IS HE At home?
IS go ZARINA Still angry with me?
ARE YOU Ready for rehearsal?

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ACTION VERB- YES/ NO QUESTION, BUT USING THE
ACTION VERB

DO/DOES + SUBJECT + BASE FORM + REST

QUESTION?

EXAMPLES:-

AFFIRMATIVE ROOT WORDS QUESTION

SENTENCE
Ben surfs the internet Surfs = does + surf Does Ben surf the
every night internet every night?
Krish and Amir go to the Go = do + go Do Krish and Amir go to
gymnasium every week the gymnasium every
week?

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EXERCISES 1

Fill in the blanks with the correct verb.

1. My sister( be- verb) the regional manager of a

multinational corporation.
2. At the end of the meeting, the chairman usually .

( announce) the date of the following meeting.

3. The students( be-verb) now in the lecture hall
4. Lilys parents.(work) hard all day at their family

restaurant
5. Helmi..( go) through all his lecture notes everyday
6. Muslims..( celebrate) Eid after a month fasting

EXERCISES 2

Rewrite the sentences below using the negative form of the simple
present tense

1. Zahrul spends his scholarship money wisely

2. These bags come in different shapes and sizes


3. UITM is the smallest university in Malaysia


4. MPP represents the students voices in the college


5. I like walking on the beach at night


6. I have the freedom here

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EXERCISE 3
Write appropriate questions for the answers given below

1.

Yes, the twins look very much alike
2.

Yes, athletes are very strong, tough people
3.

No, the customer is not very satisfied with the services provided
4.

The government allocates a portion of its annual budget for education
5.

Alam Flora has several mobile recycling centres to collect the items
that can be recycled
6.

Yes, I know the history of Melaka very well.

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 SIMPLE PAST TENSE
USES OF SIMPLE PAST TENSE:

USES
TO DESCRIBE ACTION/ACTIVITY
HAPPENED IN THE PAST
*THE ACTION/ ACTIVITY- COMPLETED AT
A SPECIFIC TIME IN THE PAST
EXAMPLES
1. SPECIFIC TIME EXPRESSIONS
Malaysia gained independence in 1957
Yesterday, Jacks family went to the zoo
I travelled to Amsterdam last month
He took the book just now

1.USUALLY USED WITH SPECIFIC 2. TIME CLAUSES

TIME EXPRESSION
Eg:- When Robert was young, he loved to
Yesterday
eat pizza for dinner everyday
Yesterday evening
A long time ago The prime minister went to Thailand last
Three weeks ago month. He visited the colleges there.
Once upon a time
Before he left, he finished his job.
Two months before
Last night
Last month
Last Monday
In 1999
On the 12th of May
Just now

2.OR TIME CLAUSES

Eg:-
When I was young
After he filed the report
Before the workers left

*To decide whether you should use

simple past tense or not, ask yourself:
when did this particular action
happen? If its in the past, then you
should use simple past tense.

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AFFIRMATIVE FORM OF SIMPLE PAST TENSE
BE-VERBS

SUBJECT BE-VERBS EXAMPLES

SINGULAR SUBJECT SINGULAR VERB I was impressed by his
I performance yesterday
HE WAS He was there last night
SHE She was here just now
IT The monument was built
in 1999
PLURAL SUBJECT PLURAL VERB You were late for the
YOU event yesterday
WE WERE The people were relieved
THEY with the news
We were impressed by his
speech

ACTION VERBS
1. REGULAR ACTION VERB
2. IRREGULAR ACTION VERB

REGULAR ACTION VERBS:

RULES BASE FORM PAST TENSE EXAMPLES
Add ed to most BUMP BUMPED We bumped onto
regular verb INFORM INFORMED each other last
GREET GREETED week
The students
informed me
about the change
last month
Add d to verb DANCE DANCED They danced at
already ended with SHARE SHARED the festive last
e PLACE PLACED night
We shared our
books yesterday
If ended with y CRY CRIED The boy cried last
and a consonant, APPLY APPLIED night

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change y to ied BULLY BULLIED She simplified the
formula for her
friends yesterday
If 1 syllable verb TRAP TRAPPED They grinned at
ended with vowel DRAG DRAGGED their mother just
followed by GRIN GRINNED now
consonant, double DROP DROPPED The police
the last consonant PLAN PLANNED planned to
and add ed ambush them last
month
If 2 syllable verb OCCUR OCCURRED The children
stressed on 2nd REFER REFERRED admitted their
syllable, double the TRANSMIT TRANSMITTED mistakes yesterday
last consonant and ADMIT ADMITTED
add -ed

IRREGULAR VERBS:
THE IRREGULAR VERBS DO NOT HAVE ANY SPECIFIC RULES
/PATTERN

BASE FORM SIMPLE PAST NOTE

TENSE
COST COST BASE FORM & SIMPLE
HIT HIT PAST TENSE= SAME FORM
HURT HURT
PUT PUT
SET SET
BEND BENT BASE FORM & SIMPLE
BLOW BLEW PAST TENSE = NOT THE
CHOOSE CHOSE SAME FORM, CONSONANT
EAT ATE OR VOWEL CHANGES
FIGHT FOUGHT
KEEP KEPT
HOLD HELD
MEET MET
RISE ROSE
SPEAK SPOKE
THROW THREW
WRITE WROTE

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NEGATIVE FORM OF SIMPLE PAST TENSE
BE- VERBS
AFFIRMATI NEGATIVE AFFIRMATI NEGATIVE
VE VE SENTENCES
SENTENCES
WAS WAS + NOT She was happy She was not
when she received happy when she
the gift received the gift
WERE WERE + NOT They were They were not
surprised by the surprised by the
news news

ACTION VERBS
AFFIRMATIVE ROOT WORDS NEGATIVE NEGATIVE
(SHORTENED
FORM)
LAUGHED DID + LAUGH DID + NOT + DIDNT LAUGH
LAUGH
CRIED DID + CRY DID + NOT + CRY DIDNT CRY

SWAM DID + SWIM DID + NOT + SWIM DIDNT SWIM

EXAMPLES:-

AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE NEGATIVE

SENTENCES SENTENCES SENTENCES
(SHORTENED
FORM)
Ben surfed ( did + surf) Ben did not surf the Ben didnt surf the
the internet last night internet last night internet last night
Kai and Karu went ( did Kai and Karu did not go Kai and Karu didnt go to
+ go) to Australia last to Australia last month Australia last month
month
The gown cost ( did + The gown did not cost The gown didnt cost
cost) RM 2000 RM 2000 RM2000

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INTERROGATIVE/ QUESTION FORM OF SIMPLE
PAST TENSE
BE- VERBS- SIMPLE YES/NO QUESTION- PAST TENSE

BE-VERB + SUBJECT + REST OF

QUESTION?
EXAMPLES:-

BE-VERB SUBJECT REST OF

QUESTION?
WAS HE Impressed by my
SHE performance?
THE CHILD Happy to receive the gift?
Excited to see his parents
again?
WERE YOU Here yesterday?
THE PEOPLE Relieved when they heard
THEY the news?
Here last week?

ACTION VERBS

DID + SUBJECT + BASE FORM + REST OF THE

QUESTION?
EXAMPLES:-

AFFIRMATIVE ROOT WORDS QUESTION

SENTENCE
Ben surfed the internet Surfed = did + surf Did Ben surf the
last night internet last night?
Kai and Karu went to Went = did + go Did Kai and Karu go to
Australia last month Australia last month?

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17
EXERCISE 1

Fill in the blanks with the correct verbs

1. He ( be).(born) in 1999
2. The woman(open) the door for the man to enter onto

her house yesterday.

3. The moon.(seem) brighter last night.
4. She was.(drag) home by her brother last week.
5. He..(stir) his coffee before he gulped it down his throat.
6. She ..(slam) the door right before my face last night.

EXERCISE 2

Fill in the blanks with affirmative or negative form of the given verb in
simple past tense

1. The students were naughty, so the teacher..(punish)

them.
2. I..(be) hungry, so I did not eat the sandwiches
3. It rained the whole day, so we ..(enjoy ) our outing
4. She talked on the phone for such a long time that her mother

(scold) her.
5. Jun was sleepy but she .(go) to sleep early because she

had a lot of work to complete

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EXERCISE 3

Change the following affirmative sentence onto negative sentence

1. The athletes came for the training yesterday.

2. The hippopotamus was in the river when the gamekeeper spotted it.


3. Andrew received many presents for his birthday.

.
4. Both of them were late for their appointments.

.
5. Anita encouraged her daughter to enter the competition.

..

EXERCISE 4
Write appropriate questions for the answers below

1.

John waited for his sister at the commuter yesterday
2.
.
The men painted the hospital last August
3.

Boy scouts from all over the world gathered in Malaysia for the International
jamboree.
4.
..
Suzie and Julius had a picnic on the beach at Tanjung Jara.
5.
..
The baby koala bear was on the tree
6.

The merino sheep were on the eastern slope of the hill.

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20
 FUTURE TENSE
CAN BE EXPRESSED IN THE FOLLOWING FORMS:

1. WILL/ SHALL ( *SHALL- FOR I AND WE ONLY)

2. BE GOING TO
3. SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
4. PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE ( AM/ IS/ ARE + -ing)

USES:
USES
TO EXPRESS THE FUTURE
*In a few minutes, in two weeks, this
weekend, this semester, next month,
next year, tomorrow, soon, shortly,
next Monday, etc.
TO EXPRESS HABITUAL ACTIONS IN
THE FUTURE
TO EXPRESS INSTANT DECISION
TO EXPRESS EXPECTATION/
PREDICTION OF UNCERTAIN EVENTS
*Often with phrases- maybe,
probably, I think, I expect, etc.
TO EXPRESS OFFERS, INVITATIONS,
PROMISES
EXAMPLES
I will move to my new apartment
next month
The director will attend the meeting
shortly
He will coach the players every day
for the next two weeks.
The phone is ringing. I will get it.
I think France will win the World cup
this year. It is the best team in
Europe.
Will you come to Rome with me?
Will you marry me?

AFFIRMATIVE FORM AND NEGATIVE FORM

AFFIRMATI EXAMPLES NEGATIVE EXAMPLES

VE FORM FORM
WILL/ SHALL I will visit Aunt WILL/ SHALL I will not visit
(WILL/SHALL Julia tomorrow NOT Aunt Julia
+ BASE FORM) They will study (WONT/ tomorrow
Mandarin next SHANT) They will not
semester [WILL/SHALL study Mandarin
+ NOT + BASE next semester
FORM)
BE GOING TO I am going to BE NOT GOING I am not going

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(..IS/AM/ARE + sell my books TO to sell my
GOING TO) this week (AM/IS/ARE + books this week
She is going to NOT + GOING She is not
prepare for her TO) going to
lunch prepare for her
They are going lunch
to clean up They are not
their room this going to clean
weekend up their room
this weekend
PRESENT TENSE The charity - -
*Fixed show for the
schedules orphanage
*Usually come begins at
with time 8.00p.m
expressions- The French
next, coming, Restaurant
etc. opens at
7.00a.m
tomorrow
PRESENT I am PRESENT Rita is not
CONTINUOUS participating CONTINUOUS taking the
TENSE in the upcoming TENSE dance class
(IS/ARE/AM + event (IS/ARE/AM + anymore
.ING) Tina is coming NOT+ING) They are not
to visit me any playing for
*Fixed definite time now *Usually come Johors football
plans They are with time team next
*Usually come presenting the expression- season
with time paper to the next month, I am not
expression- professor next season, giving him
upcoming, now, after this, etc money after
next, any time, this because he
etc. is such a
spendthrift

INTERROGATIVE FORM

INTERROGATIVE FORM EXAMPLES

WILL/SHALL Will Rachel meet her coach

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(WILL/SHALL + SUBJ + BASE FORM
+ REST OF QUESTION?)
GOING TO
(BE VERB + SUBJ + GOING TO +
REST OF QUESTION?)
PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
(BE VERB + SUBJ +.ING)
*Usually come with time
expression- tomorrow, next, etc.
tomorrow?
Will he watch the football match
this evening?
Am I going to pick you up after
class today?
Is Sam going to sing at the annual
dinner?
Are they going to submit the
paper later?
Is Gary going to the party
tomorrow?
Are Lisa and Noah participating in
the upcoming dance competition?

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WILL AND BE-

GOING TO

WILL VS BE-GOING TO EXPLAINATION

You see your lecturer carry a pile of WILL
books. Expresses unplanned intention,
You say: spontaneous intention
I will help you with the books
You see a cheap and beautiful outfit BE-GOING TO
at Isetan. Expresses strong intention
You say:
Im going to buy this today
See these two sentences: WILL and BE-GOING TO
(a) Mobile phones are very popular The use is the same when it comes to
these days, and the trend will make predictions about the future.
continue
(b)Mobile phones are very popular
these days, and the trend is
going to continue

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EXERCISE 1

The following sentences contain errors. Underline the error and

write the correct answers in the boxes provided

1. Carine is moved house at the end of the next month.

2. Ronald and Ridzuan are not represent Cambridge College

for the coming inter-college debate.

3. I was flying to Washington this weekend.
4. The council are not meeting tomorrow.
5. Do Jack and Lea playing tennis today?
6. We is having a farewell party for Mr. Rogers next week.
7. Is veronica joined us for dinner on Thursday?
8. You can come over at 1.00p.m. I was not going anywhere

tomorrow afternoon.
9. Are you went downtown this Friday?
10.I was taking my father to the clinic after work today.

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 PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
USES:
USES EXAMPLES
To express activity/ situation which is -Mrs. Lawrence is feeding her
happening: Siamese cat
(a) AT THE MOMENT OF -The Law students are working hard
SPEAKING on their translation assignments this
(b) OVER A PERIOD OF week
TIME -The guards are patrolling the
prison grounds
-I am making the cake and my sister
is preparing the icing

*Some of the time expressions -At the moment, the florist is

used with this tense are- still, arranging the flower
now, at present, currently, -The soldiers are still marching
presently, at present, at the around the field
moment -The fishmonger is cleaning the fish
now

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRESENT CONTINUOUS

TENSE AND SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
PRESENT CONTINUOUS SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
TENSE

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ACTION-IN PROGRESS/ GOING ON
*The Present Cont. Tense is used to
indicate- action started some time in
the past, is in progress now and will
probably end in the future
Eg:-
(a) The men are praying in
the mosque right now
(b)We are typing our
assignments right now
(c) At the moment, the students
are eating in the canteen
ACTION- FACT/ PRESENT/
HABITUAL
*Simple Past Tense- indicate
fact/present/ habitual action ( have
been done in the past, is still being
done now, continue to be done in the
future)
Eg-
(a) Muslim men pray in the
mosque every Friday
(b)Sarah types her assignments
every weekend
(c) The students eat in the
canteen every afternoon

RULES TO FOLLOW:
SPELLING BASE FORM -ING FORM EXAMPLES
RULES
Words that end PLACE PLACING The waiters are
with the vowel ARRANGE ARRANGING placing the
e, replace e cards on the
with ing table.
Meg is
arranging the
bouquet.
Words that end PLAN PLANNING The town council
with a vowel REFER REFERRING is planning to
and a SIT SITTING build a school.
consonant, DROP DROPPING The construction
double the workers are
consonant and sitting there.
add ing
Words that end LIE LYING The witness is
with ie, TIE TYING lying
change ie to y The kidnapper is

26
and add ing tying the
victims hands

AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCE

BE-VERB ( IS/ ARE/ AM) + VERB +

-ING

EXAMPLE:-

BASE FORM PRESENT CONT. EXAMPLES

TENSE FORM
REST AM + RESTING I am resting after a
long day at work
LISTEN IS + LISTENING Cory is listening
attentively to her
mothers advice
DISCUSS ARE + DISCUSSING The committee
members are
discussing about the
project

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NEGATIVE SENTENCE

BE-VERB (IS/ARE/AM) + NOT + VERB

+ ING

EXAMPLE:-

BASE FORM PRESENT CONT. EXAMPLES

TENSE (-VE)
WRITE AM + NOT + WRITING I am not writing a
memorandum
PARTICIPATE IS + NOT + She is not
PARTICIPATING participating in the
competition
COLLECT ARE + NOT + The girls are not
COLLECTING collecting seashells

INTERROGATIVE FORM
BE VERB (IS/ARE/AM) + SUBJ + VERB + ING +
REST OF QUESTION?

EXAMPLE:-

BE VERB SUBJECT VERB + ING REST OF

QUESTION?
AM I INTERRUPTING Your discussion?
IS JEAN TALKING To you?
ARE THE CUSTOMERS BUYING The new
products?

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EXERCISE 1

Complete the sentences using SIMPLE PRESENT or PRESENT CONTINUOUS

TENSE

1. Right now, my father ..(read) an

article on cloning and he (find) it difficult to understand
some of the scientific term used.
2. The heart patient.(complain) to the doctor
that he.(feel) like something
(press) down to his chest. He (moan) with pain and
(sweat) profusely.
3. We .(watch) a cultural performance right
now. The dancers..(perform) a traditional Iban dance.
4. My elder brother.(try) to fix the blender. He
(unscrews) the motor unit. Now he
(tighten) the blades.
5. Jonathan and his brother..(argue) again. Now he
(scream) at the top of his voice and his
brother(yell) at him. He (be) angry
that his brother..(never, listen) to a word she
(say).

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 PAST CONTINOUS TENSE
USES:
USES
1. TO DESCRIBE ACTION/ACTIVITY
that was:
(a) IN PROGRESS AT A
PARTICULAR TIME IN THE PAST
(b)THE ACTION/ ACTIVITY HAD
STARTED BUT HAD NOT BEEN
COMPLETED AT THAT
PARTICULAR TIME
* Time expressions used:
The whole of last month, all
night, from May to November, for
five hours yesterday.
*Note- these time expression-
happen in the past and take a
long time to complete
2. TO DESCRIBE 2/MORE ACTIONS
THAT WERE ON PROGRESS AT
THE SAME TIME IN THE PAST
*The word WHILE and WHEN
used to combine sentences
describing 2/more actions in the past
cont. tense
3.
(a) USED TOGETHER WITH SIMPLE
PAST TENSE
(b)TO DESCRIBE ACTION IN
PROGRESS WHEN ANOTHER
ACTION TOOK PLACE
(c) SIMPLE PAST TENSE- ACTION-
EXAMPLES
The students were studying for
their examinations the whole of last
month
The workers were busy renovating
the bungalow form May to November.
Paul was working in the garden
while his wife was cooking in the
kitchen
While Michele was writing her
essay, her roommate was cleaning
their room
The reporter was typing the report
and the office boy was sorting the
letter as the managers were
attending the meeting
The reporter was interviewing the
minister when the photographer
took picture
Simon was telling his friend a joke
when the teacher called him
The children were riding on the
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 TOOK PLACEPAST CONT TENSE- elephant when it suddenly started to
ACTION IN PROGRESS rain

*Note- if the first action was

completed before the second action
happened, the simple past tense
should be used for both the actions
AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCE
When the director arrived, the
meeting started
When the show ended, we left the
hall

BE-VERB(WAS/WERE) + VERB
+ ING
EXAMPLES:-

BASE FORM PAST CONT. EXAMPLES

TENSE
HIKE WAS + HIKING Anne was hiking in
Taman Negara when her
mother called.
TRY WERE + TRYING The biologists were
trying to raise the
sunken ship before the
hurricane hit the site

NEGATIVE SENTENCE
BE-VERB (WAS/WERE) + NOT +
VERB + ING
EXAMPLES:-

BASE FORM PAST CONT. EXAMPLES

TENSE (-VE)

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WATCH WAS + NOT + The detective was not
WATCHING watching the house
the whole night

TRAIN WERE + NOT + The players were not

TRAINING training from 6.00p.m
till nightfall

INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE

BE-VERB + SUBJECT + VERB + ING + REST OF

THE QUESTION?

EXAMPLES:-

BE- VERB SUBJECT VERB + ING REST OF

QUESTION?
WAS THE DETECTIVE WATCHING The house the
whole of last
night?

WAS THE BIRD BUILDING A nest in the oak

tree?

WERE THE PLAYERS TRAINING Until nightfall?

WERE YOU LISTENING To music when I

came?

32
EXERCISE 1

Complete the sentence using SIMPLE PAST TENSE or PAST

CONTINUOUS TENSE

1. The salesmen(show) a customer how to

operate the machine when a little boy.(run)
into him.
2. Michele..(lose) her purse while
she.(shop) at the supermarket.
3. I ..(read) a novel when the
light(go) off.
4. As the man..(walk) out of the shop, a security
guard .(stop) him.
5. They .(drive) to Johor when their
car.(break) down.
6. He(meet) with an accident while
he.(study) in Japan.
7. Diana(check) the report when she
..(discover) her mistakes.
8. Jill..(play) the violin when her
father..(return) home from work.
9. When the taxi (arrive), she
(search) for her key.

33
 PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
USES:
USES
1.TO DESCRIBE ACTIVITY/SITUATION-
OCCURRED IN THE PAST AND
CONNECTED TO NOW
*The time it happened is not
important and need not be
mentioned
2. TO DESCRIBE ACTIVITY/ EVENT
WHICH BEGAN AT SPECIFIC TIME IN
THE PAST AND CONTINUES TO NOW
*The time expression is used:-
(a) Since : to show an activity that
started at particular time in the past
and has continued until now
(b) For : to show how long an action
has taken place from the past up to
now
3. TO SHOW AN ACTIVITY THAT
HAPPENED IN THE PAST
*Time expression used do not show
any specific time:- recently, lately,
just, already
4. TO DESCRIBE ACTIVITY STARTED IN Diana has taken a piece of paper to
THE PAST AND HAS NOT BEEN
COMPLETED
*Time expression used:- still, yet
5. TO SHOW AN ACTIVITY THAT
NEITHER HAPPENED AT THE PAST
NOR AT THE TIME OF SPEAKING.
EXAMPLES
I have put the icing and the cherries
on the cake
The droning of the airplane has
awakened the baby
The company has sold its shares to
settle the debts
I have been awake since 5.00a.m
this morning
I have been awake for four hours
Recently, the prices of goods have
remained high
It has been so hot lately
write to her pen-pal. However, she
has not yet written anything on it.
Iman has been in Karate class since
8 this morning. It is now noon and he
has still not returned home.
The twins have never attended
acting classes.
They have never liked acting.
34
NEGATIVE FORM OF THE TENSE IS Karim has never ever met his real
USED. parents. He was adopted at birth.

*Time expression used:- never, ever,

never ever.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIMPLE PAST TENSE
AND PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
SIMPLE PAST TENSE PRESENT PERFECT
TENSE
She checked out of the hotel She has just checked out of the
yesterday afternoon hotel.
They bought a lot of souvenirs when They have bought a lot of
they were in Canada souvenirs.
A thief stole her purse last night A thief has stolen her purse.
She had a medical check-up last She has already had a medical
week check-up.

Note: They both refer to the actions that took place in the past. Difference
is- simple past tense is used when specific time is mentioned while present
perfect is used when specific time IS NOT MENTIONED.

AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES

HAS/HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

EXAMPLES:-

BASE FORM PRESENT PERFECT EXAMPLES

TENSE
CLEAN HAS + CLEANED Nurul has cleaned her
HAVE + CLEANED room.
Nurul and her sisters
have cleaned their

35
 room.
I have cleaned my
room.
BE HAS + BEEN Faris has been to Hong
HAVE + BEEN Kong several times.
They have been to
Amsterdam several
times.
You have asked that
question twice.

NEGATIVE FORM SENTENCE

HAS/ HAVE + NOT + PAST
PARTICIPLE

EXAMPLES:-

BASE FORM PRESENT EXAMPLES

PERFECT TENSE
FULFILL HAS + NOT + Dee has not (hasnt)
FULFILLED fulfilled his ambition.
HAVE + NOT + Jun and Kurt have not
FULFILLED (havent) fulfilled
their ambitions.

PAINT HAS + NOT + PAINTED She has not (hasnt)

HAVE + NOT + PAINTED painted her room yet.
They have not
(havent) painted the
old fence yet.

INTERROGATIVE FORM

36
HAS/ HAVE + SUBJECT + VERB (PAST PARTICIPLE) +
REST OF QUESTION?

EXAMPLES:-

HAS/ HAVE SUBJECT PAST REST OF

PARTICIPLE QUESTION?
HAS FINN CLEANED The mess in the
kitchen?
HAVE THEY MADE The phone call to
their parents?

EXERCISE 1

Complete the sentences below using PRESENT PERFECT TENSE or

PAST TENSE.

1. I ..(wait) for two weeks for a reply from the

company. Im not going to wait any longer.
2. He .(be) very depressed since his grandfather
passed away.
3. Kurt and Sebastian (write) several scripts
since they joined the Warner Brothers.
4. Since she returned from United Kingdom, she.
(introduce) many changes in her school.
5. My sister.(just, get) married to her fiance.
6. The patient(so far, undergo) four
operations at Aventist Medical Centre.
7. Amar..(buy) a present for his mother but he
.(not, yet, give) it to her.
8. Fatin (buy, never) expensive jewelry although
she can afford it.

37
9. Akif has been walking for one hour but he.
(still, not, find) his friends house
10. Last year, flowers..(cover) the hills since
there were adequate rainfalls and sunshine.

38
 PAST PERFECT TENSE
USES:
USES
TO SHOW RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 2
EVENTS/ACTIVITIES THAT HAPPENED
IN THE PAST
PAST PERFECT TENSE is used in the
EARLIER ACTION and the SIMPLE
PAST TENSE is used in the LATER
ACTION
*Time expressions used: BEFORE,
AFTER, WHEN, AS SOON AS, BY
THE TIME, UNTIL show the time
relationship between the earlier
events and the later ones
EXAMPLES
Before I went to the office, I had
deposited some money in the bank.
After I had bought the books, I
rushed to the library.
When I arrived at her room, she told
me nobody had come to visit her
By the time I reached home, my
parents had already left for work.
I had promised to give her the fees
before she went to school.
I promised to give her the books
before she went to school.

*If BEFORE or AFTER is used in the

sentence- simple past tense can be
used for both actions because the
time relationship is already clear.

AFFIRMATIVE FORM

HAD + PAST
PARTICIPLE
EXAMPLES:-

BASE FORM PAST PERFECT EXAMPLES

TENSE
BE HAD + BEEN Nancy had been a

39
ARRIVE HAD + ARRIVED teacher before she
FORGET HAD + FORGOTTEN became a nurse.
LEAVE HAD + LEFT The doctor had arrived
before the ambulance
came.
My mother had
forgotten her keys.
After I had left the
place, Sarina arrived
NEGATIVE FORM

HAD + NOT + PAST PARTICIPLE

EXAMPLES:-

BASE FORM PAST PERFECT EXAMPLES

TENSE (-VE)
GO HAD + NOT + GONE The children had not
(hadnt) gone to
school for weeks.
FINISH HAD + NOT + FINISHED We had not (hadnt)
finished cooking
when the guest
arrived.

INTERROGATIVE FORM

HAD + SUBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE+

REST OF QUESTION?
EXAMPLES:-

HAD SUBJECT PAST REST OF

PARTICIPLE QUESTION?

40
 JUDITH WRITTEN Many novels
before she met
HAD with the
accident?
GEORGE LIVED In the jungle
before he met
Jane?
THEY READ They book before
they bought it?

EXERCISE 1

Fill in the blanks with the SIMPLE PAST TENSE or the PAST PERFECT

TENSE form of the verb given in the brackets.

1. The police ( interview) several people

before they(arrest) the suspect.

2. By the my brother(finish) his conversation on the

phone, my elder sister..(eat) her dinner.

3. Lee(wait) for almost two hours when Judith

finally(turn) up.
4. My parents(go) to bed when I

..(arrive) home.
5. I (call, not) Brandon as I

.(misplace) his number.

6. As soon as Juliet.(take) her medicine, she

.(go) straight to bed.

7. When Brittany.(return) home from home, she

realized that somebody..(ransack) her house.

41
 8. After I(deposit) my cheque, the teller..

(give) me a receipt.
9. I ..(read) all his books before I

eventually..(meet) John Grisham.

10. She .(meet) him only twice before they

.(decide) to get engaged.

OVERVIEW OF VERB TENSES

Complete the sentences with a form of STUDY. Then, identify the
tense in each sentence.

1. Jun is a student. He ..every day.

2. Jerry is at his desk. He ..right now.
3. Tory had some assignments to do, so he .last
night.
4. Judy began studying at 7:00 last night. Her friends came over around
7:30. Judy was still at her desk when they arrived. In other words,
Judy.last night when her friends came over.
5. Harold tomorrow.
6. Katie is studying chapter 7. She (already)
.chapter 1 until 6.
7. Last week Daren finished studying chapter 1. This week hes studying
chapter 2. He (already)..chapter 1 when he
started chapter 2.

PRACTICE 1

Complete the sentences with the words in parentheses. Use the

SIMPLE PRESENT or PRESENT PROGRESSIVE.

1. Right now Yuki ( read) .an article in the

newspaper, but she (understand, not) ..it.
Some of the vocabulary (be).too difficult for her.

42
2. Right now I (look)at the board. I (see)
.some words on the board.
3. I (need)to call my parents
today and tell them about my new apartment. They cant call me
because they (know, not).my new
telephone number.
4. Right now the children (be)..at the beach. They
(have)a good time. They (have)
a beach ball, and they (play)
..catch with it. They (like)
..to play catch. Their parents (sunbathe)
.. They (try)..to
get a tan. They (listen)..to some music on a transistor
radio. They also (hear)..the sound of
seagulls and the sound of waves.
5. Mike is at the library. He (sit).at a table.
He (write)a composition. He (use)
.a dictionary to look up the spelling of some
words. The dictionary (belong, not).to
him. It (belong)..to his classmate. Mike (look)
up words in the dictionary because he (want)
..to make sure that he doesnt have any misspelled
words in his paper.
6. A: Which colour (prefer, you)., red or
blue?
B: I (like).blue better than red. Why?
A: According to this magazine article I (read)
..right now, people who (prefer)
blue to red (be)
.calm and (value)
.honesty and loyalty in their friends. A preference for
the colour red (mean)that a person (be)

43
 .aggressive and (love)
.excitement.
B: Oh? That (sound).like a bunch of nonsense to
me.
7. This coffee is good. I (like)..it. What
kind is it? I (prefer) coffee to tea. How about you?
8. Right now, I (think)about seagulls and
waves.
9. I (think).that seagulls are
beautiful birds.

44
PRACTICE 2

Complete the sentences with the words in parentheses. Use the

SIMPLE PAST or PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE.

1. At 6:00p.m, William sat down at the table and began to eat. At

6:05p.m, William (eat)..dinner.
2. While William (eat)dinner, Emma (come)
through the door.
3. In other words, when Emma (come)through the
door, William (eat)..dinner.
4. William went to bed at 10:30. At 11:00, William (sleep)
..
5. While William (sleep)..the phone (ring)
.
6. In other words, while the phone (ring).William
(sleep)
7. William left his house at 8:00a.m, and (begin)
.to walk to class. While he (walk)
.to class, he (see)
..Ms. Sylvester.
8. My roommates parents (call)him last night while
we (watch).television.
9. Yesterday afternoon I (go)..to visit Berrys
family. When I (get)there, Mrs. Berry (be)
in the yard. She (plant)
flowers in her garden. Mr. Berry (be)
..in the garage. He (work)
.on their car. He (change)
..the oil. The children (play)
in the front yard. In other words,
while Mr. Berry (fix)..the oil in the car, the
children (play)in the front yard.

45
PRACTICE 3

Complete the sentences by using a form of the words in the

parentheses. Read carefully for time expressions.

1. Before Harry (go)to bed later tonight, he

(write).a letter to his uncle.
2. After I (get)home from the school tomorrow afternoon, I
(drink)a cup of tea.
3. As soon as Quinn (get).up tomorrow
morning, she (brush) her teeth.
4. Ben (meet)me at the airport when my
plane (arrive) tomorrow.
5. My friend (drop)over again tomorrow. When she
(come).. I(prepare)..some
aspirin for her.
6. If I (see)..him tomorrow, I (tell)
..him about the test.
7. While I (drink)a cup of coffee yesterday
evening, my cousin (come)over, so I (offer)
..him a cup of coffee too.
8. I go to New York often. When I (be).there, I
usually (see)a Broadway play.
9. Piper and I (go)..to the beach tomorrow if
the weather (be) warm and sunny

46
PRACTICE 4

Complete the sentences with the words in parentheses. Use

PRESENT PERFECT, PAST PERFECT or SIMPLE PAST.

1. Last night I (go).to bed at 10:00. I (finish,

already).. my homework.
2. Bob and Jane are old friends. They (know)
..each other for a long time.
3. My husband and I (come)here two
months ago. We (be) in this city for two months now.
4. I was late. The movie (started, already)..by
the time I (get).. there.
5. Your Mandarin is getting better. You (learn)
..a lot of Mandarin since you came here.
6. A: (you, enjoy)the concert last
night?
B: very much. I (go, not).to the concert
for a long time.
7. A: Until now, what European countries (you, visit)
?
B:I (visit)Hungary, German
and Switzerland. I (visit)..Hungary in 2009. I (be)
.in German and Switzerland in 2011.
8. By the time class was over this morning, the rain (stop)
. So, I didnt need my umbrella
anymore.

47
 PASSIVE SENTENCES

ACTIVE
SENTENCE
Bob (s) / kicked (v) / the ball (o)

The ball (o) / was kicked (v)/ by the boy (s)

PASSIVE

*The active and passive sentence, both; have the same meaning.

* Form of all passive verbs: BE + PAST PARTICIPLE

TENSES FORMS OF PASSIVE VERBS

*Based on the first 3 examples below, detect the verb and notice the change
according to- verb and subject (singular/plural)

TENSES ACTIVE PASSIVE

SIMPLE PRESENT The news surprises me I am surprised by the
( IS/ARE/AM + The news surprises news
P.PARTICIPLE) Sam Sam is surprised by
The news surprises us the news
We are surprised by
the news
SIMPLE PAST The news surprised me I was surprised by the
(WAS/WERE + The news surprised us news
P.PARTICIPLE) We were surprised by
the news
PRESENT CONT. Mary is helping her Her mother is being
(IS/ARE/AM + BEING mother (s) helped by Mary
+ P.PARTICIPLE) Mary is helping the The children are being
children(p) helped by Mary
PAST CONT. Mary was helping her Her mother was being
(WAS/WERE + BEING mother(s) helped by Mary
+ P.PARTICIPLE) Mary was helping the The children were being
children(p) helped by Mary

48
PRESENT PERFECT Bob has mailed the The letter has been
(HAS/HAVE + BEEN + letter(s) mailed by Bob
P.PARTICIPLE) Bob has mailed the The letters have been
letters(p) mailed by Bob

PAST PERFECT Bob had mailed the The letter had been
(HAD + BEEN + letter(s) mailed by Bob
P.PARTICIPLE) Bob had mailed the The letters had been
letters(p) mailed by Bob
SIMPLE FUTURE Mary will help her Her mother will be
(WILL + BE + mother helped by Mary
P.PARTICIPLE)
BE GOING TO Mary is going to help Her mother is going to
( BE-GOING TO + BE her mother be helped by Mary
+ P.PARTICIPLE) Mary is going to help The children are going
the children to be helped by Mary
Mary was going to help Her mother was going
her mother to be helped by Mary
Mary was going to help The children were going
the children to be helped by Mary
FUTURE PERFECT Mary will have helped Her mother will have
(WILL HAVE + BEEN + her mother been helped by Mary
P.PARTICIPLE)
MODAL AUXILIARIES Bob will mail the letter The letter will be mailed
( MODAL + BE + Bob can mail the letter by Bob
P.PARTICIPLE) Bob should mail the The letter could be
letter mailed by Bob
Bob ought to mail the The letter should be
letter mailed by Bob
Bob must mail the letter The letter ought to be
Bob has to mail the mailed by Bob
letter The letter must be
Bob may mail the letter mailed by Bob
Bob might mail the The letter has to be
letter mailed by Bob
The letter may be
mailed by Bob
The letter might be
mailed by Bob

49
NON- PROGRESSIVE PASSIVE (ACTION
NOT HAPPENING)
EXAMPLES
The door is locked
Now the door is locked
Now, the window is broken
NOTES
*Used to describe an existing
state/situation, action happened
earlier.
*There is no by-phrase
*Past participle- function as adjective

COMMON NON-PROGRESSIVE PASSIVE VERB +

PREPOSITION
EXAMPLES
I am interested in Malay culture
He is worried about losing his job
He is known for his integrity
She is tired of her job
NOTES
*Many non-progressive verbs are
followed by prepositions other than
by
*eg:- about, for, of, by, with, to, etc.

PASSIVE WITH GET

RULES EXAMPLES NOTES
GET + ADJECTIVE/ I am getting *Get may be
P.PARTICIPLE hungry followed by
(ADJECTIVE) I am getting fat adjective/ past

50
 I am getting sleepy participle but, past
I stopped working participle also
because I got functions as
sleepy adjective ->
I am getting describing
married next month noun/subject.

PARTICIPIAL ADJECTIVE
EXAMPLES NOTES
The problem confuses the *(a) and (c) the present
students participle serves as an adjective
(a) It is a confusing with an active meaning. The
problem noun it modifies performs an
The students are confused by action.
the problem *(b) and (d) the present
(b) They are confused participle serves as an adjective
students with passive meaning.
The story amuses the children
(c) It is an amusing
story
The children are amused by the
story
(d) They are amused
children

51
EXERCISE 1

Change the sentences from active to passive

1. Thomas Edison invented the phonograph


2. Water surrounds an island


3. A plumber is going to fix the leaky faucet

..
4. The teacher is going to explain the lessons


5. Waiter and waitresses serve the customers

..
6. She has examined the sick child

..

7. Maria has designed several public buildings

.

8. My mistake embarrassed me

.
9. Did a cat kill the bird?


10. My cat didnt kill the bird


11. Does the hotel provide clean towels?

.
12. Do a large number of people speak English?

52


13. This news will amaze you

14. Sometimes my inability to speak English frustrates me

..
15. After class, one of the students always erases the board

.
16. I didnt write that note. Did Elsa write it?

.

53
 REPORTED SPEECH
FIXED
TENSES DIRECT SPEECH REPORTED
SPEECH
PAST PERFECT TENSE I had taken English She said that she had
lessons before taken English lessons
before
WOULD I would help, but She said that she
would help, but
COULD I could swim when I She said that she could
was four swim when she was four
SHOULD I should call my She said that she
mother should call her mother
OUGT TO I ought to watch TV She said that she ought
to watch TV
MIGHT I might be late She said that she might
be late

*General truth/ fact does not change too

Eg: The world is round -> She said that the world is round

CHANGE USING SPECIFIC RULES

TENSES/ RULES DIRECT SPEECH REPORTED
SPEECH
S.PRESENT -> I like ice cream She said that she
S.PAST liked ice cream
PRESENT CONT. I am living in She said that she
-> PAST CONT. London was living in
London
S. PAST -> PAST I bought a car She said that she
PERFECT had bought a car
PAST CONT. -> I was walking She said that she
PAST PERFECT along the beach had been walking
CONT. along the beach
PRESENT PERFECT I havent seen She said that she

54
-> PAST PERFECT Julie hadnt seen Julie
WILL -> WOULD Ill see you later She said that she
would see me later
SHALL -> WOULD I shall come later She said that she
would come later
CAN -> COULD I can speak She said that she
perfect English could speak perfect
English
MUST -> HAD TO I must study at She said that she
the weekend had to study at the
weekend

REPORTED QUESTIONS USE THE SAME

RULES ABOVE
EXAMPLES:-

TENSES/ RULE DIRECT REPORTED

QUESTION QUESTION
S. PRESENT-> S. PAST Where is the post She asked me where
office, please? the post office was.
Where is Julie? She asked me where
Where do you live? Julie was.
(live) She asked me where I
Do you love me? lived.
(love) She asked me if I loved
Do you like chocolate? her.
(like) She asked me if I liked
chocolate.
PRESENT CONT -> What are you doing? She asked me what I
PAST CONT Are you living here? was doing.
She asked me if I was
living here.
S. PAST -> PAST Who was that man? She asked me who that
PERFECT man had been.
PRESENT PERFECT -> Have you ever been to She asked me if I had

55
PAST PERFECT Mexico? ever been to Mexico

56
REPORTED REQUEST
DIRECT REQUEST REPORTED REQUEST
Please help me. She asked me to help her.
Please dont smoke She asked me not to smoke.
Could you bring my book tonight? She asked me to bring her book that
night.
Could you pass the milk, please? She asked me to pass the milk
Would you mind coming early She asked me to come early the next
tomorrow? day
Please dont be late She asked me not to be late
Close the window, please? She asked me to close the window
Could you close the window
please?
Would you mind closing the window
please?

REPORTED ORDERS
DIRECT ORDER REPORTED ORDER
Go to bed! He told me to go to bed
Dont worry! He told me not to worry
Be on time! He told me to be on time
Dont smoke! He told me not to smoke
Sit down! He told me to sit down

TIME EXPRESSION WITH REPORTED

SPEECH
NOW THEN/ AT THAT TIME
TODAY YESTERDAY/ THAT DAY/
TUESDAY/ THE 25TH OF MARCH
YESTERDAY THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY/
THE DAY BEFORE/ WEDNESDAY/
THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER
LAST NIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE/ THURSDAY

57
 NIGHT
LAST WEEK THE WEEK BEFORE/ THE
PREVIOUS WEEK
TOMORROW THE NEXT DAY/ TODAY/ THE
FOLLOWING DAY/ FRIDAY

58
EXERCISE 1

Complete the sentence using the correct reported speech

1. Lee asked, What do you want?

Lee asked

me

..
2. Jun asked, Are you hungry?
Jun wanted to

know

..
3. Im going to Kedah said Bruno
Bruno informed

me

4. Did you enjoy your holiday? asked Mai
Mai asked

me

.
5. Gerard asked What are you talking about?
Gerard asked

me

..
6. Aiman asked Have you seen my literature book?
Aiman wanted to

know

7. Ana said, I dont want to go.
Ana

said

..
8. Can you help me with my homework? asked Lucy

59
 Lucy asked

me

9. Why is the sky blue? asked my niece.
My niece asked

me

10.My mother asked, Where is everyone?
My mother

wondered

.
11.I think Ill go to the library tomorrow, said Catherine
Catherine

said

12.Adam just asked Hisyam, Will you be in class next week?
Adam wanted to

know

13.Is what Ive heard true?
I

wondered

..
14.I may be late, said Noah
Noah

said

..
15.Didi said I have to go downtown
Didi

said

..

60
 PAST YEAR QUESTION (MAY 2013/SET A/ HPE3023)

PART A : TENSES

Fill in the blanks with the correct verb forms of the verbs in brackets.
Eg: The library is (be) open.

1. I ..( read ) a very interesting book now.

2. Your train will .(leave) at 17.24 from platform 9.
3. Aina. (sit) behind the door when we were looking for her.
4. Johanne.. (lose/just) her keys.
5. The Monsoon season.. (come) once or twice a year.
6. He. (eat/already) his lunch.
7. I... ( begin/ already) to read the texts in my English textbooks

again.
8. (I / be going to/ listen) to your nagging all day?
9. (he/listen) to the songs after this?
10. She.. ( admire) him for the last five years.
11. I. (watch) an interesting television show last night when my

brother arrived.
12. By the time we ( reach ) his home, he had already gone.
13. The lady. ( pay) for her purchases when the thief snatched her

handbag.
14. We had completed our project by the time he.. ( arrive)
15. They. ( forbid) to enter the room

PART B: ERROR IDENTIFICATION

The following sentences contain errors. Underline the errors and correct them as shown
in the example.

Eg: She is a kind of person which others consider shy. Whom

1. Two people got hurt in the accident and were took to the

hospital by an ambulance.
2. Dont be a workaholic. You may spend some time with your family. .

61
 3. The winner of the race has not been announcing yet. ..
4. Many strange things happen last night. .
5. In class yesterday, I was confusing. I didnt understand the lesson.
6. I didnt go to dinner with them because I had already ate.
7. She is the woman whose I told you about.
8. You look tired. You would sleep early. .
9. I am bake a chocolate cake at this moment.
10. Most students want to returned home as soon as possible. .
11. He avoided to answering my question. ..
12. She deserve to win the prize. .
13. The rain had stopping when I woke up.
14. If I taught this class, I would not giving tests. ..
15. The students are helped by the clear explanation that their

teacher gave yesterday.

PART C

PASSIVE VOICE (SENTENCE CONSTRUCTION)

Change the following sentences into the passive voice.

1. That 10 years old genius created and developed the software.

2. Ahmad is preparing that report.

3. Afiqah had returned the book to the library.

4. I paid RM50 to the taxi driver.

5. I paid the taxi driver RM 50.

6. They must complete the project before the deadline.

7. Someone was making the coffee when I walked into the kitchen.

8. Suzy had taken Mandy to the bookstore.

9. Two horses were pulling the farmers wagon.

10. We expect the students to finish the assignments.

11. Lightning didnt cause the fire

12. The cat knocked over the milk.

13. The Persians invented windmills around 1500 years ago.

14. The waiter has not brought us the coffee.

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15. The waiter has not brought the coffee to us.

16. Farah sent me the videos that she got from Nani.

17. Farah sent the videos that she got from Nani to me.

PART D: GERUND AND INFINITIVES

Fill in each blank with either the gerund or the infinitive form of the verb in parentheses

Nadine and her family have been thinking of (1).(look) for a house to buy.

They have been considering (2).(buy) their own place ever since Nadines brother

moved in with them last year. There are now three adults and four children living in a small

apartment, and the rent keeps (3).(go) up every year.

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 Although they need more space and dislike (4).(argue) with the landlord

who refuses (5)(fix) things, they are afraid that they cannot afford a house. They

enjoy (6)..(walk) around the neighborhoods that they like, and they sometimes

write down phone numbers of real estate offices when they walk past For Sale signs in front of

nice houses. But they are always shocked at the prices. They remember (7)(see)

much bigger houses at lower prices back in their hometown, so they get discouraged.

Nadines cousin, who is a real estate agent, has told them (8).( not,

hope) for a dream house. He tells them (9).(look) for a fixer upper a house

in bad condition! He says that they should expect (10)..(do) a lot of work on

their first house and make it nice.

Nadine and her husband Aiman Hariss, are planning on (11).(do) part

time job if they really decide to buy a house because they know it will be difficult (12)

(pay) the bills with just their monthly paychecks. They worry about (13)

..(leave) their children while they are at work, and they do not look forward to (14)

(try) to find child care for them. But her sister Alyaa has promised (15)

(help) her.

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