Past Simple and Past Progressive

3. Explain the meaning of the verb forms in the following examples. See Grammar Reference p. … first.

1. We discussed the problem for hours but did not come to any decision.

2. We were discussing the problem when Mr Blackledge came up with a decision that suited everybody.

3. We were discussing the problem the whole morning.

4. I talked to the manager yesterday and informed him of our plans.

5. I was talking to the manager yesterday and he said he had some news for you.

6. When Maggie was at school she always fell ill before exams.

7. When Maggie was at school she was always falling ill before exams.

4. Supply the correct form of the verbs given in brackets.

1. Last night some people _____________ (to shout) for hours and I couldn’t get to sleep.

2. Everyone _____________ (to have) a good time at the party. All my friends _____________ (to dance).

3. There were so many people in the hall that I didn’t see where my friends _____________ (to sit).

4. Sheila is very absent-minded. Yesterday she put on her jumper inside out. She couldn’t understand why everyone _____________ (to stare) at her.

5. I _____________ (to try) to get hold of you all day yesterday. Where were you?

6. Nobody _____________ (to watch), so the girl ____________ (to take) a magazine from the stand and ____________ (to put) it in her bag.

7. At school I ______________ (to dislike) the maths teacher because he always ______________ (to pick) on me.

8. We _____________ (not to understand) what _______________ (to go on). Several people standing at the entrance to the town-hall ______________ (to shout) and _____________ (to wave) their hands.

9. Everyone disliked Jane. She always _____________ (to make) trouble.

10. Whenever my cousin came to visit us he always _____________ (to make) trouble.

11. I ______________ (to watch) TV last night and ______________ (to see) a program about the work of rescue teams in the mountains.

12. I _____________ (to talk) to some friends yesterday and ____________ (to learn) they ____________ (to go) to the mountains next August.

13. Jeremy phoned to say he ______________ (not to come).

14. I nearly missed the train. When I _____________ (to come) running to the platform, it already _____________ (to leave).

Future Simple and Future Progressive

5. Explain the meaning of the verb forms in the following examples. See Grammar Reference p. … first.

a. I’ll see the manager about our project tomorrow.

b. I’ll be seeing the manager about our project tomorrow.

c. I’m seeing the manager about our project tomorrow.

a. You will work in this office.

b. You’ll be working in this office.

a. Jane isn’t revising for her exam. She is going to fail.

b. Jane is a bad student. She will fail her exam.

a. Will you write to Mr Jackson about our plans?

b. Will you be writing to Mr Jackson about our plans?

6. Supply the correct form of the verbs given in brackets.

1. I have some letters to type. You _______________ (to use) the computer between eleven and twelve tomorrow?

2. I doubt if by the end of this year our employees ____________ (to earn) more than they do today.

3. ‘Has Sharon recovered? She _______________(to come) to the eloquence competition next week?’ the teacher asked the girl’s mother politely.

4. Wilson is already planning his election campaign. He _____________ (to attempt) to win the election next year.

5. By the year 2015 experts predict women _____________ (to beat) men in some sports.

6. I hear you’ve sold your house! When you ____________ (to move)?

7. I hear you’ve been offered a new job. You _______________ (to accept) it or not?

8. Hurry up and buy your ticket. The train _____________ (to leave) soon and I don’t want to miss it. – Which platform it _______________ (to leave) from?

9. You _______________ (to come) to the concert this evening? If so, we _______________ (to meet) you there.

10. I’d rather you didn’t call tomorrow afternoon. I _____________ (to entertain) friends.

11. What do you think you ______________ (to do) this time next year?

12. ‘TV-viewers who missed any parts of the film may like to know that we ____________ (to repeat) the whole serial next month.’

13. I ______________ (to see) him next week, so I _____________ (to mention) it to him then.

14. I ______________ (to work) late at the office this evening, so I ______________ (not to get) home till about ten.

15. You _______________ (to disappoint) her if you don’t go. Now that you’ve promised, she ______________ (to expect) you.

16. ‘Do you think they still ______________ (to wait) for us when we get there?’ – ‘Oh, yes! They ______________ (not to leave) till we arrive.’

17. We can’t make any definite plans for October, because we _______________ (to move) house then.

18. When you arrive at the airport, my assistant _______________ (to wait) for you. You _______________ (to recognize) him very easily. He _______________ (to wear) a dark green suit and a yellow tie.

19. ‘Quick, hear comes a police car! What we _______________ (to say) about the broken window?’

20. I have to be back at 3.30, so I ______________ (to leave) before lunch.

21. What you ________________(to do) this Sunday evening? Would you like to go out?

22. It’s very stuffy in here. I’m afraid I _______________ (to faint).

23. What you ______________ (to give) Ann for her birthday? Have you decided yet?

24. The car is making strange noises. I’m afraid, it _______________ (to break down).