- •I. Past Simple vs. Past Continuous.
- •1. Complete the text with the verbs in the box (there is one verb too many). You will need five past progressives and three simple pasts.
- •2. Complete each paragraph with one set of verbs, using the past simple or past continuous.
- •3. Complete the sentences using these pairs of verbs. Use the past simple in one space and the past continuous in the other.
- •4. Complete this text with either the past simple or the past continuous form of the verbs in brackets. Where alternatives are possible, think about any difference in meaning.
- •II Past Simple vs. Past Perfect.
- •5. Use the Past Simple or the Past Perfect to complete the sentences:
- •6. Underline the correct answers. In some cases only one is correct, and in others both are correct.
- •7. Complete this text with these verbs.
- •III Past Perfect vs. Past Perfect Continuous.
- •8. Complete the sentences with one of these verbs, using the same verb for each sentence in the pair. Use the past perfect continuous if possible; if not, use the past perfect.
- •9. Choose the past perfect continuous form of the verb if appropriate; if not, use the past perfect.
- •10. Study this conversation extract. If the underlined verbs are correct, write “V”. If they are wrong, correct them using either the past perfect (active or passive) or past perfect continuous.
- •11. Complete this text with these verbs in the past perfect or past perfect continuous.
- •IV Tense Revision.
- •12. Choose the right tenses:
- •13. Complete the two texts about World War I with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
- •14. Underline the correct form.
- •15. Choose a novel or story, and select one or two pages. Make a list of the past tenses used on these pages. Are these the only tenses possible, or are others also acceptable?
- •2. Life without phrasal verbs
- •3. Complete the sentences with the corresponding prepositions.
- •1. Grammar. Choose the correct answer.
- •2. Vocab. Translate parts of the following sentences using the active vocabulary.
UNIT 4.
GRAMMAR.
I. Past Simple vs. Past Continuous.
NB We use the past simple
- for finished events in the past which have a definite time.
e.g. In 1969 the first man landed on the Moon.
- in narrative (for sequences of actions).
e.g. The door opened and two boys came into the room.
- for past habits and routines (repeated actions) usually with time expressions.
e.g. Few people in Victorian times took a bath every day.
We use the past continuous:
- to describe a continuing unfinished action in the past.
e.g. I looked out of the window and saw that it was raining.
- for a continuing unfinished action interrupted by a sudden past action.
e.g. While I was getting ready for bed, the doorbell rang.
- for activities as background description.
e.g. Darkness was descending over the hushed city as James staggered back to college.
- for two continuing events happening at the same time.
e.g. We were watching the sky and listening for the first sounds of the dawn chorus.
1. Complete the text with the verbs in the box (there is one verb too many). You will need five past progressives and three simple pasts.
-
ask come dance grin hold not dance order play throw
On the dance floor half a dozen couples (1) themselves around. Most of them (2) cheek to cheek, if dancing is the word. The men wore white tuxedos and the girls wore bright eyes, ruby lips, and tennis or golf muscles. One couple (3) cheek to cheek. Mitchell's mouth was open, he (4), his face was red and shiny, and his eyes had that glazed look. Betty (5) her head as far as she could get away from him without breaking her neck. It was very obvious that she had had about all of Mr Larry Mitchell that she could take.
A Mexican waiter in a short green jacket and white pants with a green stripe down the side (6) up and I (7) a double Gibson and (8) if I could have a club sandwich. Raymond Chandler: Playback
2. Complete each paragraph with one set of verbs, using the past simple or past continuous.
miss /not get / wonder break / see / steal / teach
come / listen / make / say explain / talk / understand
1. We (1)................... to music when one of the neighbours (2)... to the door
and (3)........................ she couldn't sleep because we (4)..... too much noise.
2. Someone (5)…..….into Barbara's office and (6).............. her computer
yesterday afternoon while she (7)………her history class. No one
(8).......................... the thief.
3. Because he never (9)……..anything very clearly, none of us (10)……..
what the science teacher (11).............. about most of the time.
4. I'm sorry. I (12)............... here on time and I (13).......... the beginning of
your presentation, but I (14).............. if you might have an extra handout left.
NB. Other uses of the Past Continuous.
- We use the Past Continuous to emphasise the temporary character of the action:
e.g. When I learned to drive, I was living with my parents.
- We use the Past Continuous with verbs describing change and development:
e.g. She was feeling much better after the surgery.
- We use the Past Continuous to speak about something that happens surprisingly often and to complain about annoying habits (See Unit 2):
e.g. When the builders were here I was making them cups of tea all the time.
He was always making snide remarks about my cooking. (other possible adverbs are constantly, continually, forever).
- We can use either the Past Continuous or the Past Simple to talk about things we intended to do but didn’t:
e.g. We were meaning/ meant to call in and see you, but Jane wasn’t feeling well.