Tenses

Tenses

REMEMBER: Tenses do not directly refer to TIME. Tenses are just grammatical forms of verbs to refer to some point of the timeline or to refer to different situations.

Example: Present simple do not necessarily refers to present time; it is also used to refer to future time, or to refer to timeless facts such as laws of nature.

“Susan cooks a delicious chocolate cake”. Happening in present time“Susan has a meeting next Tuesday at that time”. Happening in future time

“The ice melts at 0ºC” Timeless fact. (it has no point in the timeline)

Present simple

Grammar structure:

In affirmative sentences: S + V (infinitive) + C The moon moves around the Earth

In negative sentences: S + don’t/ doesn’t + V (infinitive)+ C She doesn’t know anything

In questions: (QW) + Do/ does + S +V (infinitive) +C? Do you like barbecue?

DO NOT FORGET:

1. In affirmative sentences when the 3rd person singular subject (She, He, it) is used, we add an “-s” suffix to the verb. E.g.: “She runs on the track” , “Mat washes the dishes”

2. When we use the verb “be” in a negative sentence or in a question, we DO NOT use the auxiliary “do”. E.g.: “Mark isn’t too tall”, “Is she a good teacher?”.

Uses of Present simple

a) Habitual actions: Actions that happen repeatedly or daily routines.For habits, you usually use time expressions such as: every day, every week, etc.

“Sue plays tennis every weekend”

b) General or permanent situations.

“John lives in Canada”

“Jack works at University”

c) Facts: General timeless truths such as physical laws.

“The Earth moves around the sun”“Earthquakes are common in Chile”

Guillermo Cañete G., Estudiante Ped. En Inglés UDEC, 2011

Exercises:

1) Complete the sentences with the present simple of verbs in brackets.

A. I do yoga every morning . (do yoga)B. My parents________. (not work)C. What time______ lunch? (you/ have)D. I______ meat. (not eat)E. When_____ to go shopping? (you/ want)F. Jim_____ television every morning. (watch)G. My mother and I _____ .very well. (get on)H. ______ to the gym every day? (they go)I. Excuse me, _____ here? (you/ live)J. She always_____ .a shower before breakfast. (have)K. How much coffee_____? (you/ drink)L. We _____ at work. (not smoke)M. He_____ by plane very often. (not travel)N. Why_____ at 6.00. (Linda/ get up)O. They sometimes_____ a taxi home. (get)P. He_____ work at 5.00. (finish)Q. What kind os music_____? (you/ listen to)R. They_____ away at the weekend. (not go)S. She_____ him very often. (not see)T. Why_____ me? (your father/ not like)

2) Complete with the correct verb in present simple.

He lives in a flat

A. _____ the Banks _____ in the afternoon?B. My sister _____ many friends.C. We usually _____ to the news in the car.D. She’s quite shy. She ______ much.E. _____ Jane _____ well with her boss?F. My cooker’s new, but it _____ very well.


GET ON – NOT HAVE – LISTEN – LIVE – OPEN – NOT TALK – NOT WORK

Present Continuous

Grammar structure:

In affirmative sentences: S + am/is/are+ V (-ing form) + C I’m studying for my exams

In negative sentences: S + am not/isn’t/aren’t+ V (-ing form)+ C She isn’t coming this weekend

In questions: (QW) + am/is/are + S +V (-ing form) +C? Am I doing it right?

Uses of Present continuous

a) Activity in progress: Something that is happening now or close to the time of speaking.

“He is attending a meeting now”“I’m reading a really good book at the moment”

b) A temporary situation.

“He is living with her parents”“I’m sleeping in my grandparents’ house for this month”

Exercises:

3) Write sentences with present continuous

IT/ RAIN (-) = It isn’t raining

1- Hey! You/ stand on my foot! (+) =_________________________________2- They/ play very well today (-) = ___________________________________3- What/ you study at the moment (?) =______________________________4- We/ think of you (+) =___________________________________________5- She/ wear make up (?) =_________________________________________6- They/ make/ a big mistake (+) =___________________________________7- Your brother/ work in London now (?) = ____________________________8- She/ talk to her father at the moment (-) = ___________________________


Some verbs are NOT typically used in the continuous tense. Instead, we prefer to use these verbs in the simple present.

These verbs are called STATIVE (or non-action) verbs. Here are some examples:

Want - like – love – hate – know - need – see – hear - believe - understand - have (possession) –forget – remember – belong – (ETC)

She has a new house (not She’s having a new house)

4) Complete the sentences with the following verbs in the correct form.

GET – HAPPEN – LOOK – LOSE – MAKE – START – STAY – TRY – WORK

1. “You ‘re working hard today” “Yes, I have a lot to do”.2. I ______________________ for Christine. Do you know where she is?3. It ______________________ dark. Shall I turn on the light?4. They don’t have anywhere to live at the moment. They _________________________ with friends until

they find somewhere.5. Things are not so good at work. The company ______________________ money.6. Have you got an umbrella? It ____________________ to rain.7. You _______________________ a lot of noise. Can you be quieter? I ____________________ to

concentrate.8. Why are all these people here? What __________________________________?


Present simple or Present continuous?

a) Action happening at the moment of speaking v/s a habit.Why are you wearing glasses? (moment of speaking, happening right now)Why do you wear glasses? (Habitual)

b) Temporary event v/s permanent situation.Linda is living with her parents (Temporary. Until she gets a better job)Linda lives with her parents (Permanent. Because she can’t afford to live alone)

Exercises:5) Complete the sentences with the present simple or present continuous.

The girl in the painting is playing the guitar. (play)1. My dog’s not dangerous. He____________. (not bite)2. Why _____ you sunglasses? It ________________! (wear, rain)3. You can turn off the radio. I __________ to it. (not listen)4. I ___________ to go to the bank. I __________ any money. (need, not have)5. Be careful! The baby _____________ that pencil in her mouth! (put)


6. A ________ you usually ___________ at weekends? (cook, eat)B No, we normally _____________ out.

7. A What ____________ you ____________ here? (do, meet)B I __________ Emma. Look, there she is.

6) Are the underlined words right or wrong? Correct them where necessary.

1. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. 2. The water boils. Can you turn it off? is boiling______________3. Look! That man tries to open the door of your car. ______________________________4. Can you hear those people? What do they talk aobut? ___________________________5. The moon goes round the earth in about 27 days. _______________________________6. I must go now. It gets late. ________________________________________________7. I usually go to work by car. ________________________________________________8. “Hurry up! It’s time to leave.” “OK, I come”. __________________________________9. I hear you’ve got a new job. How do you get on? ______________________________10. Paul is never late. He’s always getting to work on time. __________________________11. They don’t get on well. They’re always arguing. ________________________________


Past simple

Grammar structure:

In affirmative sentences: S + V (past simple form) + C Tommy failed the exam

In negative sentences: S + didn’t + V (past simple form)+ C Bill didn’t touch anything in your house

In questions: (QW) + Did + S +V (infinitive) +C? Did you visit the doctor?

Uses of Past simple

a) Completed action/event in the past.

“Jane taught Tom last week”

“Mike took the 3.00 AM bus”

b) Habitual or repeated action/event in the past.

“It snowed almost every weekend in the morning last year”“Peter baked bread every Sunday”

Exercises:

7) Put the verbs in brackets in the past simple.

Two summers ago we had (have) a holiday in Scotland. We _____ (drive) there from London, but our car _____ (break) down on the motorway and we ______(spend) the first night in Birmingham. When we _____ ( get) to Edinburgh we _______ (not can) find a good hotel – they ______ (be) all full. We _______ _________(not know )what to do but in the end we ______ (find) a bed and breakfast and we _____ (stay) there for the week. We ______ (see) the castle, ______ (go) to the Arts Festival , and we ______(buy) a lot of souvenirs. We _____ (want) to go to Loch Ness but we _______(not have) much time and it ____ (be) quite far away. The weather _____ (be) good, but it ______ (start) raining the day we _____ (leave).

8) Re-order the words to make questions

Where did you go on holyday? go where holiday you on did?Vancouver.

1. __________________________? time did have you good a?Yes, it was great.

2. __________________________? with did who go you?With some friends.

3. __________________________? stay where did you?In a hotel.

4. __________________________? you it why didn’t like?Because it was very modern and quite expensive.

5. __________________________? how did cost plane much the ticket?€500


9) Read what Laura says about a typical working day.

Yesterday was a typical working day for Laura. Write what she did or didn’t do yesterday.

1. She got up at 7 o’clock2. She _________ a big breakfast.3. She ________to work.4. It_______ her half an hour to get to work.5. She ________ work at 8.456. She _______ lunch7. She ________ work at 5 o’clock8. She_____ tired when she _____ home.9. She______ a meal in the evening.10. She ________ out yesterday evening.11. She________ to bed at about 11 o’clock12. She ________ well last night.


Past continuous

Grammar structure:

In affirmative sentences: S + was/were + V (-ing form) + C This time last year I was living in Brazil

In negative sentences: S + wasn’t/ weren’t + V (-ing form)+ C I waved to Helen, but she wasn’t looking

In questions: (QW) + was/were + S +V (-ing form) +C? What where you doing at 8 o’clock?

Uses of Past continuous

a) An action in progress at a specific point of time in the past

“He was walking to school at 8.30 this morning”

“John was running that day”

b) Past action simultaneous with some other event in the past: We often use past simple and the past continuous together to say that something happened in the middle of something else.

“Matt phoned when we were having dinner”“It was raining when I got up”

Note the difference: using past simple and past continuous v/s using past simple and past simple

Exercises:

10) Complete with a verb in the past continuous.

1. He met his wife when he _______________ in Japan. (work)2. They _____________ for us when we arrived. (wait)3. ________ she _____________ a coat when she went out? (wear)4. What ______ you _________ at 7.30 last night? (do)5. I ___________________ when you gave the instructions. (not listen)6. I _____________________ when you phoned me. (drive)7. It _____________________ when I woke up this morning. (not rain)


Past simple or past continuous?

a) Past continuous indicates incomplete action v/s complete action“She was drowning in the lake, so the lifeguard raced into the water” (incomplete)“He drowned in the lake. We didn’t see him again” (complete)

b) Using past simple and past continuous v/s using past simple and past simple“He was leaving when I came in” (I saw him when I came in)“He left when I came in” (He left before I came in)

Exercises:

11) Put the verbs into the past simple or past continuous.

She arrived when we were having dinner. (arrive, have)1. I __________ my arm when I _____________ football. (break, play)2. _______ you __________ fast when the police ___________ you? (drive, stop)3. It _____________ when we ____________ the pub. (snow, leave)4. I ______________ the match because I _______________. (not see, work)5. When you ____________ me, I _____________ to my boss. (call, talk)

12) Put the verbs into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.


Referring to the future.

In English Language, there’s no tense directly related to the future time. But there are ways to refer to the future time using modal auxiliaries and tenses already mentioned.

a) Modal auxiliary “Will” (contracted form < ‘ll > , negative contracted form <won’t> )

I. Instant decisions: We use “will” when we decide to do something at the time of speaking.

Oh, I’ve left the door open. I’ll go and shut it.“What would you like to drink” “I’ll have an orange juice, please”

II. Offering to do something ( for offer questions we use the auxiliary “shall”)

That bag looks heavy. I’ll help you with it.Shall I open the window? (Not Will I open the window?)

III. Promising to do something.

Thanks for lending me the money. I’ll pay you back on Monday.I won’t tell anyone what happened. I promise.

IV. Future predictions. (you can also use “be going to” –more informal-)

It will rain tomorrow (= It’s going to rain tomorrow)b) Be going to + verb:

I. Future plans.Randy and Joyce are going to get married in October.

II. Decisions: We have already decided to do something, we had time to think and plan.

We’re going to see a movie at the cinema on Saturday.

III. Prediction based on present evidence.

Look at those black clouds! It’s going to rain.


Will or be going to?

Exercises:

13) Complete the sentences using “will” (‘ll) or be going to.

1. A: Why are you turning on the TV?B: I’m going to watch the news. (I/watch)

2. A: Oh! I’ve just realised. I haven’t got any money.B: Haven’t you? Well, don’t worry , ___________________________ you some. (I/lend)


3. A: I’ve got a headache.B: Have you? Wait a second and _____________________ an aspirin for you. (I/get)

4. A: Why are you filling that bucket with water?B: _____________________ the car. (I/wash)

5. A: I’ve decided to repaint this room.B: Oh! Have you? What colour _________________________ it? (you/paint)

6. A: Where are you going? Are you going shopping?B: Yes, ___________________________ something for dinner (I/buy)

7. A: I don’t know how to use this camera.B: It’s easy. _________________________________ you. (I/show)

8. A: What would you like to eat?B: ______________________________ a sandwich, please. (I/ have)

9. A: Did you post that letter for me?B: Oh, I’m sorry. I completely forgot. ______________________________ it now. (I/do)

10. A: The ceiling in this room doesn’t look very safe, does it?B: No, it looks as if _____________________________ down (it/fall)

11. A: Has George decided what to do when he leaves school?B: Yes. Everything is planned. ________________________________ a holiday for a few weeks. (he/have) Then _____________________________ a computer programming course. (he/do)

c) Present simple tense: We use present simple to talk about timetables, programs, etc. (for public transport, cinema, etc.) Usually with a future-time expression.

My train leaves at 11.20 pm, so I have to say goodbye.What time does the film begin this evening?

You can use the present simple to talk about people if their plans are fixed like a timetable.

I start my new job on Monday

d) Present continuous tense: Used for personal future arrangements (plans we have planned for a fixed time or place).

What time are you meeting Ann tomorrow?I’m seeing my friends tonight.

Present simple or present continuous? (future)


Exercises:

14) Put the verb into the more suitable form, present continuous or present simple.

1. I _____________ (go) to the cinema this evening.2. ____________________ (the film/begin) at 3.30 or 4.30?3. We ______________________________(have) a party next Saturday. Would you like to come?4. The art exhibition __________________(finish) on 3 May.5. I ______________________ (not/go) out this evening. I ___________________(stay) at home.6. _____________________________ (you/do) anything tomorrow morning?7. We ___________________(go) to a concert tonight. It ________________(start) at 7.30.8. I______________________ (leave) now. I’ve come to say goodbye.9. A: Have you seen Liz recently? B: No, but we __________________(meet) for lunch next week.10. You are on the train to London and you ask another passenger:

Excuse me. What time ___________________ (this train/ get) to London?11. You are talking to Helen:

Helen, I ________________ (go) to the supermarket ____________________ (you/come) with me?12. You and a friend are watching TV. You say:

I’m bored with this programme. What time ____________________ (it/end)?13. I___________________ (not/use) the car this evening, so you can have it.14. Sue _____________________ (come) to see us tomorrow. She ______________________ (travel) by train

and her train ________________________ (arrive) at 10.15.


Present perfect

Grammar structure:

In affirmative sentences: S + have/has + V (past participle) + C I’ve never seen Star Wars.

In negative sentences: S + haven’t/hasn’t + V (past participle)+ C She hasn’t done her homework yet.

In questions: (QW) + Have/Has + S +V (past participle) +C? Have you worked in a bank?

Uses of Present perfect:

a) A situation that started in the past and continues into the present (and maybe into the future)I’ve been a teacher since 2006 (I started working in 2006 and now I’m still doing it)

When we use present perfect, there is a connection with “now”. The action in the past has a result now.

“Where is your key?” “I don’t know. I’ve lost it” (= I don’t have it now)

You can use the present perfect with just, already and yet. (adverbs)

Just = a short time ago

“Are you hungry?” “No. I’ve just had lunch”.

Already = sooner than expected

“What time Mark is leaving?” “He’s already gone”.

Yet = until now. Yet shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet ONLY in questions and negative sentences and in the end of them.

Has it stopped raining yet?


b) Past experiences: Use present perfect to talk past experiences when you don’t say exactly when they happened.I’ve been to London (not I’ve been to London last year)

When we talk about experiences, we often use the present perfect with ever and never.

“Have you ever been to London?” “ No, I’ve never been there”.

Exercises:

15) Read the situations and write sentences. Use the following verbs.

ARRIVE – BREAK – FALL – GO UP – GROW – IMPROVE – LOSE

1. Tom is looking for his key. He can’t find it. He has lost his key.

2. Margaret can’t walk and her leg is in plaster. She_____________________________________

3. Last week the bus fare was 80 pence. Now it is 90. The bus fare ______________________________

4. Maria’s English wasn’t very good. Now it is better. Her English_________________________________

5. Dan didn’t have a beard before. Now he has a beard.He________________________________________

6. This morning I was expecting a letter. Now a have it.The letter__________________________________

7. The temperature was 20 degrees. Now it is only 12.The _______________________________________


Compare the present perfect of go and be.

He’s gone to Paris = He’s in Paris nowHe’s been to Paris = He went to Paris and came back.

Use How long …..? + Present perfect to ask about an unfinished period of time (from the past until now).

Use for + a period of time, e.g. for two weeks. Or since with a point of time, e.g. since 1990.

16) You’re asking people questions about things they have done. Make questions with “ever” using the words ins brackets.

1. (ride/horse?) Have you ever ridden a horse?2. (be/California?) Have_____________________________________________________________.3. (run/ marathon?) __________________________________________________________________.4. (speak/ famous person?) _____________________________________________________________.5. (most beautiful space/visit?) What is the __________________________________________________.

17) Complete B’s sentences. Use the verbs I brackets + just/already/yet


18) Complete B’s answers. Some sentences are positive and some negative. Use the following verbs.


Past simple or Present perfect?

a) The past simple often occurs with specific time information (such as last year, in 1990, that day, etc.) while the present perfect occurs with more general time information (such as already, since, yet, etc).

The plane has just arrived.The plane arrived at 3.00 pm.

b) The past tense is used for a completed historical period v/s an incomplete one in present perfect.

My father lived here all his life (complete-The father has left or is dead)My father has lived here all his life (incomplete-the father still lives there)

c) Present perfect is used for general questions (often when we start a conversation) and Past simple is used for specific questions (questions asking specific details).

A: Have you ever been to Mexico? B: Yes, I have.A: When did you go to Mexico? B: I went last year.

Use past simple to ask/say EXACTLY when something happened.

Exercises:

19) Right or wrong ? Correct the wrong sentences.

He’s got up late this morning. He got up late this morning

1. We’ve been to Ireland last year. ___________________________________2. Have you ever gone to Paris? ______________________________________3. Jane’s gone to the bank. She’ll be back soon. ____________________________4. I like your shoes. Where did you buy them? _______________________________5. I’ve seen that film last week. ___________________________________________6. I spoke to him a minute ago. ___________________________________________7. My sister’s a writer. She’s written five novels. ______________________________8. World War II has ended in 1945. ________________________________________

20) Complete the dialogues with the past simple or present perfect.I’ve already seen that film twice. (already/see)1. A: How long ________________ at university? (you/be)

B: I _________________ two years ago. I’m in my third year now. (start)A: Do you live with your parents?B: I _____________________ with them for the first two years but then I ______________________ into a student hostel last September and I _______________________ there since then. (live, move, live)

2. A: ________________ _______a job yet? (your brother/find)


B: Yes, he _____________________ work in a hotel. (just/start)

3. A: ______________________ to Nobu – that new Japanese restaurant? (you/ever/be)B: Yes, we ___________________________ there for my birthday. (go)A: What was it like?B: The food _____________________ fantastic but it ___________________ a fortune! (be, cost)

21) Complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets using present perfect or past simple.


Past perfect

Grammar structure:

In affirmative sentences: S + had + V (past participle) + C She’d gone when I arrived.

In negative sentences: S + hadn’t + V (past participle)+ C He was nervous. He hadn’t flown before.

In questions: (QW) + has + S +V (past participle) +C? Had you seen this movie before?

Uses for past perfect

a) An action that occurred in the past before some other past event.

The telephone wasn’t working because we hadn’t paid the bill.

There was nothing in the fridge. I could see that Peter hadn’t done the shopping.

We use the past perfect after when, to show that something is completely finished in the past.

When I had watered all the flowers, I sat down and had a cool drink.

She went to visit her sister when Susan had done her shopping.


Exercises:

22) Make past perfect sentences.

1. I couldn’t get in because ___________________________ my keys .(forget) (+)2. Ann wasn’t at home. Where ________ she ____________? (go)(+)3. The woman told me that she ________________ in China a few years before. (work) (+)4. Everything in the garden was brown because it _____________________ .(rain) (-)5. The bathroom was full of water. What _____________________? (happen) (+)6. I knew I ______________________that man somewhere before. (see) (+)7. We were surprised to see Mark, because we __________________ his letter. (get) (-)8. After three days the dogs came back home. Where ______________ ___? (be) (+)9. They gave me some money back because I __________________ too much. (pay) (+)

23) Make sentences using the past perfect after <when>.


Present perfect or past perfect?

Past simple or past perfect?

Remember that an event that occurs in past perfect means that it happened before some other past event.

Exercises:

24) Put in the simple pas or past perfect.1. Bill didn’t tell anybody how he had got into the house. (not tell/ get)2. Emma _________ to France last year. Before that she _____never ________ outside Ireland. (go/be)3. When their mother _________ home, the children _______________ all sweets. (get/eat)4. Yesterday I ______________ man who _____________ at school with my grandmother. (meet/be)5. It _____________ to rain, and I ________________ that I ___________ my window. (start/remember/not close)6. I __________________ a letter on my desk that I___________ never _____________. (find/open)


7. I _____________________Bob I couldn’t go to the theatre, but he _________ already ________ the tickets. (tell/buy)

25) Circle the correct answers.


Zero conditional

The zero conditional is a structure used for talking about general truths — things which always happen under certain conditions.

If you freeze the water, it turns into ice.

Structure

A zero conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an “if” clause and a main clause:

“if” clause main clause

If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

If the “if” clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the “if” clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:

main clause “if” clause

Water boils if you heat it to 100 degrees,

We use the same verb form in each part of a zero conditional: the simple present tense:

“if” clause if + subject + simple present verb

main clause subject + simple present verb

Uses for Zero Conditional.

The zero conditional is used to talk about things which are always true — such as scientific facts and general truths:

Example Explanation

If you cross an international date line, the time changes.

This always happens — every time you cross a date line.

If it rains, the grass gets wet. This is basically always true — the rain makes the grass wet.

Wood doesn't burn if there is no air.This is a scientific fact — wood needs air in order to burn. No air = no fire.


Exercises:

26) Make a zero conditional sentence using the words.1. You/not/eat/you/die. If you don’t eat, you die.__________________________________________2. My daughter/ eat/too much chocolate/she/ get/sick. _____________________________________.3. Ice/float/you/drop/it/in water. _______________________________________________________.4. Iron/rust/it/get/wet. _______________________________________________________________.5. If/no/rain/the grass/not /grow/_______________________________________________________.


First conditional

Structure:

A first conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause:

if clause main clause

If you study hard,

you will pass the test.

If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:

main clause if clause

You will pass the test if you study hard.

We use different verb forms in each part of a first conditional:

main clause if clause

You will pass the test if you study hard.

“if” clause if + subject + simple present verb

main clause subject + will + verb infinitve

Uses.

a) Events that are possible to happen after a cause.If I have time this weekend, I’ll go out with my friends.If you don’t study for the exam, you’ll fail.

b) SuperstitionsIf you break a mirror, you’ll have bad luck for 7 years.

c) ThreateningIf you touch it, I’ll kill you!


Exercises:

27) Complete the sentences with the correct form of verbs.1. You _________________ better if you turn on the lamp. (see)2. If you don’t put so much sugar in your coffee, it ____________ bitter. (taste)3. If we don't protect the elephant, it ________ extinct. (become)4. You won't pass the course if you ________. (not study)5. You ________ heart disease if you eat too much meat. (get)6. She ________ completely different if she cuts her hair.(look)7. You'll pay higher insurance if you ________ a sports car. (buy)8. If you ________ an apple every day, you'll be very healthy. (eat)9. If a deer ________ into your garden, it ________ all your plants.(get/eat)10. If I ________ some eggs, how many ________? (cook/eat)

28) Match the sentence halves.


Second conditional

Structure

If + past simple , would + verb infinitive

If I didn’t have parents, I’d live in an orphanage.I wouldn’t get married if I had little money.Would you take the manager’s job if they offered it to you?

The contraction of would is ‘d (I’d, you’d, she’d, etc.) and the contraction of would not is wouldn’t. Remember with can, use could + infinitive, not would can. If I had a car, I could drive there.

Uses

Use the second conditional to talk about an improbable/impossible or hypothetical future situation and its consequence.

If a bear attacked me, I’d run away. = I’m imagining this situation. It’s very improbable.

Exercises:

29) Match the sentence halves.


With the verb be, you can use were (instead of was) after I and he/she/it.

If he was/were here, he’d help you.

Use were (not was) in the expression: If I were you…

We often use this expression for advice.

30) Complete with the correct form of the verbs

If I found a good job, I ‘d move to the USA. (find, move)1. We______________ the house if it __________________ a garden. (buy, have)2. If I __________________ his number, I ________________ him. (know, phone)3. You __________________ more if you _______________ harder. (learn, work)4. If you _________________ for a week, you ______________ see everything. (stay, can)5. I ________________ to the doctor’s If I _____________ you. (go, be)

First conditional or second conditional?

Use the first conditional for possible future situations

If I have time tomorrow, I’ll help you. (=maybe I will have time).

Use the second conditional for improbable/impossible or hypothetical situations.

If I had time tomorrow, I’d help you. (=I won’t have time).

Exercises:

31) First or second conditional? Complete the sentences.If you tell her anything, she ‘ll tell everybody in the office. (tell)We’d have a dog if we had a garden. (have)1. It’ll be quicker if we ___________ a taxi to the airport. (get)2. If you stopped smoking, you ______________ better. (feel)3. What would you do if you _____________ your job? (lose)4. If you buy the food, I ____________ tonight. (cook)


5. I think he’d be happier if he ____________ alone. (not live)6. I’ll be very surprised if Marina ______________ coming here. (not get lost)7. Where will he live if he ___________ the job in Moscow? (get)8. If she didn’t have to look after her mother, she _____________ life more. (enjoy)

Passive voice

The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.

The active voice says what the subject does: My grandfather built his house in 1935.

The passive voice says what happens to the subject: This house is quite old. It was built in 1935.

When we use the passive, who or what causes the action is often unknown or irrelevant.

A lot of money was stolen in the robbery (somebody stole it, but we don’t know who)

Is this room cleaned everyday? (does somebody clean it? – It’s not important who)

If we want to say who does or what causes the action, we use by… at the end of the sentence.

This house was built by my grandfather.

Two hundred people are employed by the company.

The passive structure is:

Be + Verb (past participle)

Lada cars are made in Russia.



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Tenses

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