THE TENSES

PRESENT SIMPLE
(a) Form
affirmative: V (inf); 3 rd pers. sg. : V+s
ex: I walk
John walks
negative: do not/dont + V (inf); 3 rd pers. sg. : does not/doesnt + V
ex. I dont walk
John does not walk
interrogative: Do + sub. + V (inf) ; 3rd pers. sg. : Does + sub + V (inf)
ex. Do you walk?
Does John walk?
(b) Uses
habitual actions in the present (with adverbs such as: always, every day, every Monday,
never, usually etc.)
ex. My grandmother always goes to Spain in winter.
in temporal and conditional clauses, instead of the future (i.e. in clauses that begin with
when, after, before, as soon as, while, if etc.)
ex. When he comes he will find out the truth.
Cnd va veni, va afla adevrul.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
(a) Form
affirmative: to be (am, are, is) + V + ing
ex. I am sleeping
You are sleeping etc.
negative: to be + not + V + ing
ex. I am not sleeping (Im not sleeping)
You are not sleeping (You arent sleeping) etc.
interrogative: to be + sub + V + ing
ex. Are you sleeping?
(b) Uses
actions in progress at the moment of speaking or actions that happen over a limited
period of time
ex. I am learning English now.
My brother is studying law.
personal plans for future actions
ex. Where are you going during the winter holidays?
EXERCICES:
1) Put the verbs in brackets into the simple present or the present continuous tense:
a) I wont go out now as it (rain) and I (not have) an umbrella.

b) In the evenings she (play) cards or (watch) TV.

c) What the cat (do)?
(Taste) your pudding.
d) You (know) why an apple (fall) down and not up?
e) This car (make) a very strange noise. You (think) it is all right?
f) The kettle (boil) now. Shall I make the tea?
2) Translate into English:
1) De ce te uii aa la mine?
Semeni foarte mult cu un prieten al meu.
2) Crezi ce spun ziarele?
Ctui de puin.
Atunci de ce citeti ziarul?
3) Unde merge Mary n weekend?
Nu tiu. De obicei st acas i citete.

PAST TENSE SIMPLE

(a) Form:
affirmative - regular verbs: vb. (infinitive) + -ed
- irregular verbs: the 2nd form in the dictionary
ex. walked
went
negative: did not/didnt + vb. (infinitive)
ex. did not walk
didnt go
interrogative: Did + sub. + vb. (infinitive)
ex. Did he walk?
Did she go?
(b) Uses:
to refer to actions that happened at a specific moment in the past
ex. Yesterday I met George at the theatre.
to refer to actions that were habitual in the past
ex. When I was a kid I went to the movies every day.
EXERCISE
Complete the following with the verbs in the box (see (2) means use see twice)
go
eat
see(2)
be(2)
ring
sing
speak
drink
come
take
Hello, Jane ._________ you ________ to that party for the choir last night?
Yes, I did. I _________ Tom with me.
What _________ it like?

Oh, very quiet indeed. We __________ anything except coffee and orange juice, and we
______ much either except for a few little cakes. And we ________ any songs, even
though it was a choir party!
How strange! _________ you ________ Nigel there?
Yes, I ________ him and I waved to him but I ________ to him.
Why not?
Well, he and his girlfriend __________ too far away and just then the front door bell
_______ and a policeman ________ in. The people next door said we were making too
much noise!
PAST TENSE CONTINUOUS
(a) Form
affirmative: I sg. , III sg. : was + vb. (infinitive) + ing
II sg. , I, II, III pl. : were + vb. (infinitive) + ing
ex. I was sleeping
They were eating
negative : was not/were not + vb. + ing
ex. He was not reading
We werent laughing
interrogative: was/were + sub. + vb. + ing
ex. Were you crying?
Was he working?
(b) Uses:
to refer to actions in progress at a certain moment in the past
ex. While I was writing letters, my brother was playing the piano.
EXERCICES
(1) Put the verbs in brackets into the simple past or past continuous tense:
a) As I (cross) the road I (step) on a banana skin and (fall) heavily.
I still (lie) on the road when I (see) a lorry approaching.
Luckily the driver (see) me and (stop) the lorry in time.
b) When I came in they (sit) round the fire. Mr. Pitt (do) a crossword puzzle, Mrs. Pitt
(knit), the others (read). Mrs. Pitt (smile) at me and (say), Come and sit down.
c) While the guests (dance) thieves (break) into the house and (steal) a lot of fur coat.
d) She was very extravagant. She always (buy) herself new clothes.
(2) Translate into English:
a) n timp ce ncerca s repare maina, telefonul a sunat de cteva ori.
b) De ce m-ai ntrerupt? Discutam ceva foarte important cu fratele tu.
c) Cnd l-am ntlnit ultima dat mi-a spus c se gndete s emigreze n Canada.
d) Ce au fcut prietenii ti n vacan?
e) Toat lumea asculta cu atenie cnd a nceput furtuna.
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

(a) Form
affirmative: regular verbs: have/ has (III sg.) + vb. + ed
irregular verbs: have/has + the 3rd form of the verb (V3)
ex. I have walked
She has seen
negative: have not/has not +
vb+ed
V3
ex. have not kissed
hasnt drunk
interrogative: have/has + sub. +
vb. + ed
V3
ex. Have you seen ....?
Has George arrived?
(b) Uses
actions that started in the past but continue up to the present (+for, since, always, ever,
never etc.)
ex. I havent seen Paula for two weeks.
It has rained for three days.
Have you ever seen such a beautiful painting?
actions that happened at an unspecified moment in the past
ex. I have bought a new car.
actions that happened during an unfinished period of time (+today, this morning, this
week etc.)
ex. I havent met Peter today.
EXERCISE
Put the verbs in brackets into the present perfect or the simple past tense:
1.This is my house.
How long you (live) here?
I (live) here since 1970.
2. He (live) in London for two years and then (go) to Edinburgh.
3. Shakespeare (write) a lot of plays.
4. I (not see) him for three years. I wonder where he is.
5. He (not smoke) for two weeks. He is trying to give it up.
6. Chopin (compose) some of his music in Majorca.
7. You (lock) the door before you left the house?
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
(a) Form
affirmative: have/has + been + vb. + ing
ex. She has been crying
negative: have/has + not + been + vb. + ing
ex. havent been listening
interrogative: have/has + sub. + been + ing
ex. Have you been waiting long?

(b) Uses
to insist on the uninterrupted continuity of the action
ex. I have been waiting for two hours.

PAST PERFECT
(a) Form
affirmative: had +
ex. had walked
had slept
negative: had + not +
ex. had not known
interrogative: had + sub+

vb. + ed (regular vbs)

the 3rd form of irregular vbs
vb. + ed
V3
vb. + ed
V3

ex. Had he received...?

(b) Uses
to refer to a past action that happened before another past action
ex. When I found out the news Mary had already left.
EXERCISES
1) Translate into English:
a) Cnd am sosit acas, tata plecase.
b) Cei doi frai nu se vzuser de 5 ani cnd s-au ntlnit la Paris.
c) Cnd au ajuns la aeroport, avionul decolase deja.
2) Chose the appropriate forms of the verbs to complete the letter below:
Dear Mary,
havent written
was being
I am sorry that I __ didnt write
__ to you since Christmas. I __ am
__
dont write
have been
have sent
very busy until today. Thank you very much for the book that you _ sent
__
me in
were sending
was
was only just finishing
December. It __ has been __ very interesting. In fact, I _ only just finish
__ it
is being
have only just finished
was happening
have walked
By the way, a strange thing _
happened
_to me last week. I _ was walking
_ down
has happened
walked

Oxford Street when suddenly I ___

She___

met
have met

___ our old friend, Mrs. Wickers.

was meeting
hasnt looked
didnt look
__
doesnt look

did
have last seen
__ a day older now than she _ was __ when I_ last saw

her in 1967! Dont forget we

week.

has
were expecting
are expecting

last see

___ you for Michaels party next

have expected
Yours,

FUTURE SIMPLE
(a) Form:
affirmative: will + V1
ex. will be
negative: will not /wont +V1
ex. wont go
interrogative: will + sub. +V1
ex. will you buy
(b) Uses:
(1) to refer to a future action
ex. Next year I will be 20.
(2) to refer to an unpremeditated future action
ex. Ive left my glasses upstairs.
Ill go and bring them for you.
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
(a) Form:
(1) to refer to an action that will be in progress in the future
ex. This time tomorrow I will be having a class.
EXERCISES:
(A) Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form:
1) I (not wear) glasses when you (see) me next time, Ill be wearing contact lenses. You
probably (not recognize) me.
2) Very soon my parents (retire).
3) The coming election (be) the main topic of conversation for the next fortnight.
4) This time next month the snow (melt) and skiing (be) over.
6

5) Ive left my umbrella at Johns.

I (go) and (bring) it back.
(B) Translate into English:
1) Dac voi avea timp voi citi cartea.
2) Mine pe vremea aceasta voi cnta la pian.
3) Preedintele va deschide expoziia vinerea urmtoare.
4) Dac va ajunge nainte de zece, va vedea sfritul piesei.
5) Nimic nu va schimba prietenia noastr.

FUTURE PERFECT
(a) Form:
affirmative: will + have + V3
ex. will have finished
negative: will + not + have + V3
ex. wont have read
interrogative: will + sub. + have + V3
ex. Will they have arrived?
(b) Uses:
to refer to a future action that happens before another future action
ex. By the time you arrive home I will have finished reading the book.
BE GOING TO
(a) Uses:
informal way of expressing future time
ex. The weather is going to be worse.
to express a present intention about a future action
ex. Im going to buy a new car.
to refer to a future action that has its cause in the present
ex. Its going to rain. Look at the clouds!
EXERCISES:
(A) Put the verbs in brackets into the correct future form:
1) I (buy) a new coat. The weather report says it (be) very cold.
2) Come back in an hour. I (do) my packing by then and well be able to have a talk.
3) You (sell) that beautiful house?
4) By the end of my tour I (give) exactly the same lecture 53 times.
6) Once you (get) used to our methods, you (find) the job a lot easier.
(B) Translate into English:
1) Intenionezi s rmi acas ?
2) Pn sptmna viitoare vom fi terminat cu zugrvitul.

3) Cnd ai de gnd s-i iei permisul de conducere ?

4) Nu-i va gsi un alt serviciu dac nu se strduiete mai mult.
5) Ce vei face n vacana de Crciun?
REVISION (I)
1)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate forms of the verbs:

I (know) him for a very long time.
I expect he (go) to Syria as soon as he (get) a visa.
He (visit) his friend yesterday and (find out) that she (be) abroad for three months.
By the time you get back I (finish) cooking.
Why she (run) away?
Because she (know) it is time for bed and (not want) to go.
Yesterday I (buy) a new watch as my old one (be stolen).
I (lose) my keys. I cannot remember where I last (see) them.
My mother (come) to stay with us next weekend.
They just (decide) that they (undertake) the job.
I (not leave) Paris since we (visit) Louvre three years ago.
We (meet) tomorrow after you (finish) your work.

2) Translate into English:

a) Ninge de trei zile.
b) Ori de cte ori merge n ora, cheltuiete foarte muli bani. N-am mai cunoscut pe
nimeni aa de neglijent cu banii.
c) Ultima dat cnd l-am ntlnit, se gndea s-i cumpere o cmil i s plece n Maroc.
d) Am vrut s-i vorbesc ieri dar alerga n direcia opus i n-am putut s-l opresc.
e) Este prima dat cnd zbor cu avionul.
f) Pn la sfritul anului va fi ctigat toate competiiile i va fi devenit chiar mai
celebru dect este.
g) Dac i va lsa barb, nici prietenii cei mai apropriai nu-l vor recunoate.
h) Se uit la televizor de mai multe ore.

MODAL VERBS
Modal verbs: can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, must, have to, need
General rule: modal verb + V (the infinitive) -----> to refer to the present or future
modal verb + have + V3 ----> to refer to the past
ex. You shouldnt eat so much.
You shouldnt have eaten so much yesterday.

CAN, COULD
Uses:
(1) physical or mental ability
ex. They can lift that box.
She can play the piano.
Obs: could will sometimes be replaced by was able to when one refers to the past
ex. He was finally able to pass his exam.
(2) permission (informal English)
ex. Can I take your car?
(3) logical impossibility
ex. Mary has refused to lend me money.
She cant be so selfish!
John couldnt have broken the window because he wasnt at home at the time.
MAY, MIGHT
Uses:
(1) permission (formal English)
ex. May I take a piece of fruit, please?
(2) possibility
ex. He may come tomorrow.
S-ar putea s vin mine.
I might have lost my keys.
S-ar putea s-mi fi pierdut cheile.
Exercises:
(A) Add the necessary modals to the following verbs:
1) Accept his offer now. He (change) his mind later.
2) I (tell) him your address because I didnt know it myself at the time.
3) Youd better tell him again. He (misunderstand) what you said.
4) I (use) your pen, please?
6) John (say) such a thing! He is too much of a gentleman.
(B) Translate into English:
1) Ce bine c nu i s-a ntmplat nimic. i-ar fi putut rupe gtul.
2) L-ai vzut pe Greg astzi?
Nu. S-ar putea s fie la birou.
3) Nu se poate s se fi rtcit. Aveau o hart la ei.
4) S-ar putea s se fi rzgndit.
5) Pot pleca acum?
6) tie s bat la main foarte bine.
SHOULD
Uses:
1) advisability (to refer to something that is/is not recommended)
ex. You should drink more milk.
You shouldnt have lied to them.

2) logical expectation
ex. They should be here by now.
Exercises
1) Add the right modal to the verbs in brackets:
a) Its your fault, Tom. You (ask) for an estimate before letting the workers start painting
your house.
b) My car wont start. Something (go) wrong with the engine.
c) He failed the exam but he (pass) it. He can only blame himself. He (work) much harder
during the term.
d) Why didnt you wait for me yesterday?
I waited five minutes.
You (wait) a little longer.
e) The meeting (be) over by now.
f) Why are you so late? Yon (be) here two hours ago!
2) Translate into English:
a) N-ar fi trebuit s-i mprumui maina.
b) S-ar putea s ning mine.
c) Nu se poate s fi fost aa de neatent.
d) Ar trebui s dormi mai mult.
e) Nick n-ar fi trebuit s se rzgndeasc n ultimul moment.
f) S-ar putea s fi greit numrul de telefon.
MUST
Uses:
(1) obligation (coming from the speaker)
ex. The teacher: John, you must come to school every day.
(2) logical expectation
ex. He must be very tired. (Trebuie c e foarte obosit)
They must have lost their patience.
(3) must not = interdiction
ex. You must not feed that cat!
HAVE TO
Uses:
(1) obligation (because of external circumstances)
ex. I have to walk to my office this week. The buses are on strike.
Exercises:
(A) Add the necessary modals to the following verbs:
1) I can never remember peoples phone numbers. I always (look) them up.
2) I found that everything I said on the phone had been reported to the police.
Your phone (be) tapped.
3) You (not touch) that button. The whole house might explode.

10

4) I simply (tell) him what happened.

5) The unexpected death of his wife (be) a great shock to him.
6) On Saturday morning I (not get up) at 7 oclock.
(B) Translate into English:
1) Trebuie s fumezi mai puin.
2) Este interzis intrarea n aceast camer.
3) Trebuie c sunt foarte bucuroi.
4) Trebuie s beau ceai pentru c mi s-a terminat cafeaua.
5) Probabil c prietena ta s-a suprat foarte tare.

NEED
Uses:
1) can be used as a modal verb or as on ordinary verb
ex. Need I tell you what to do?
Do I need to tell you what to do?
2) neednt have + V3: to refer to a past action that was not necessary but was performed
didnt need to + V1: to refer to a past action that was not necessary and was not
performed
ex. You neednt have brought an umbrella. It never rains in this country. (but you
did bring an umbrella)
We didnt need to buy milk because we had plenty at home. (and we didnt buy
it)
Exercises:
(A) Fill in the blanks using the appropriate modal verb:
1) You (run) home for my glasses. I have a spare pair in my bag.
2) We (buy) tickets because we all had a monthly pass.
3) The mystery (be solved) in the future.
4) He (be) at home right now.
I phoned two minutes ago and nobody answered.
5) You (bring) me so many flowers!
6) We (write) the essays. The teacher didnt even ask to see them.
(B) Translate into English:
1) S-ar putea s nu fi neles ce i-ai spus.
2) N-ar fi trebuit s pleci fr s le spui.
3) N-ar fi fost nevoie s gtesc atta. Oricum, musafirii n-au rmas la mas.
4) Trebuie s dormi mai mult.
5) S-ar putea s ning mine.
(C) Complete the following sentences using the appropriate modal:
1) The weather is very changeable and it (rain), so take an umbrella.
2) The windows broken; somebody (throw) a brick through it.
Not necessarily, he (use) a hammer.

11

3)
4)
5)
6)

Mozart (play) the piano expertly when he was only five.

If you were in trouble you (tell) we. I would have arrived immediately.
John (take) that raincoat with him it was a lovely day.
I (hand in) this report today. Its urgent.

(D) Translate into English:

1) S-ar putea s-i fi trimis o scrisoare.
2) Ar fi trebuit s schimbe roata.
3) Probabil c s-au mutat la ar. Nu i-am vzut de mai bine de doi ani.
4) N-am putut traduce textul pe loc dar cred c, dac mi vei da un dicionar, l voi putea
traduce.
5) Ar fi trebuit s vnd casa anul trecut. Acum preurile sunt mult mai mici.
(E) Rewrite each sentence so that it does not contain the word or words underlined
and so that the meaning stays the same. Other changes may be necessary.
a. It would have been a good idea to take your umbrella.
...................................................................................................................................
b. Its certain to rain tomorrow.
...................................................................................................................................
c. I know youre tired, but thats no reason to be so irritable.
...................................................................................................................................
d. The hotel was as comfortable as possible.
...................................................................................................................................
e. Its possible that Ann is out.
...................................................................................................................................
f. You are quite wrong to eat so much chocolate.
...................................................................................................................................
g. Im sure that isnt the road to Canterbury.
...................................................................................................................................
h. Connies mother was wrong to let the children watch so much television.
...................................................................................................................................
IF CLAUSES (CONDITIONALS)
If Clause
present simple
past tense
past perfect

Main Clause
future/ present simple
Would + infinitive
Would + have + V3

Ex.:
If I win the prize, I will call you.
If I won the prize, I would call you. (Dac a ctiga premiul, te-a suna.)
If I had won the prize, I would have called you. (Dac a fi ctigat premiul, te-a fi
sunat.)

12

Exercises:
1. Complete the following conditionals:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

If she (have) more time, she would read the book.

They will visit the town if .
If the film (not be) so boring, I wouldnt have left before it ended.
If my brother lived in town, he (lend) me his car.
I would have told you the truth if
What would you do if?
If we met him, we (ask) him about his book.
They wouldnt have returned if

2. Complete the following sentences:

1. The cake would have been burnt if ____________ .
2. You will get into trouble if ______________ .
3. You dress would look better if _____________ .
4. She would not have married him if _______________ .
5. Dont give him anything unless ________________ .
6. If I had time, ________________ .
7. If it hadnt been raining _________________ .
8. I might have learnt more English if ______________ .
9. The teacher would not be angry with you if ________________ .
10. You will lose your money if ______________ .
3. Match the columns to make correct conditional sentences.
1. If the weather is good, ____________
a. I would need to take the bus.
2. If my coworkers were friendlier, ___________ b. Ill go to the beach this weekend.
3. If I had known you would be there, _________ c. I would enjoy my work more.
4. If Im late for work, _______________
d. I have to stay at the office until I
finish.
5. If I didnt have a car, ______________
e. I would have gotten a job by now.
6. If I had graduated last year, _______________ f. I would have gone to the party.

OTHER CASES WHEN A CONDITIONAL IS USUALLY REQUIRED:

WISH + past tense (to refer to a hypothetical situation in the present)
+ past prefect (to refer to a hypothetical situation in the past)
Ex:

I wish Mary were here now. (A vrea ca Mary s fie acum aici.)
I wish I had met him last year, when I so much needed an expert like him. (A
vrea s-l fi ntlnit anul trecut)

13

AS IF + past tense (to refer to a hypothetical situation in the present)

+ past prefect (to refer to a hypothetical situation in the past)
Ex:

He behaves as if he owned this place. (Se poart de parc ar fi proprietarul...)

He behaved as if he had owned that place. (Se purta de parc ar fi fost
proprietarul...)
IF ONLY + past tense (to refer to a hypothetical situation in the present)
+ past prefect (to refer to a hypothetical situation in the past)
Ex: If only I had more free time! (Numai de-a avea mai mult timp liber!)
If only he hadnt forgotten to bring a map! (Numai de n-ar fi uitat s aduc o
hart!)
ITS TIME+ past tense (to refer to a hypothetical situation in the present)
+ past prefect (to refer to a hypothetical situation in the past)
Ex: Its time we left.
It was about time they had made up their minds.
WOULD RATHER + infinitive (same subject in both sentences)
+ past tense (different subjects; to refer to a hypothetical
situation in the present)
+ past prefect (different subjects; to refer to a hypothetical
situation in the past)
Ex: Id rather translate the whole text. (A prefera s traduc...)
Id rather you translated the whole text. (A prefera ca tu s traduci)
Id rather they had translated the whole text yesterday. (A prefera ca ei s fi
tradus)
Exercises:
1. Supply a suitable tense of the verbs in brackets:
1. I wish I (know) his name.
2. Its time we all (go) home.
3. Id rather you (leave) now.
4. Dont you wish you (come) earlier?
5. He acts as if he (know) English perfectly.
6. If only he (not drink) so much last night!
7. He said he wished he (never see) me.
8. I feel as if my head (be) on fire.
9. Its about time you (get) the tea ready.
10. If only he (tell) me the whole story!
11. Id rather they (buy) the house now.

14

12. I wish I (not break) the vase.

2. Finish each of the sentences in such a way that it means the same as the one
written before it:
1. They didnt catch the plane. Thats why they didnt arrive yet.
If _________________________________________________
2. Its my opinion that you should cut down on smoking.
If I ________________________________________________
3. My brother doesnt like movies so he never goes to the cinema.
If my brother________________________________________
4. He left the town without telling me.
If only _____________________________________________
5. Im sorry I dont know the answer.
I wish ______________________________________________
6. But for his presence of mind there might have been a serious accident.
If it ________________________________________________
7. You wont get a loan if you cant prove that you are trustworthy.
Unless _____________________________________________
8. I would have liked John to stay at home last night.
Id rather John ______________________________________
3. Read the following sentences and make all the necessary corrections:
1. He acts as if he knows English perfectly.
2. If he had worked harder as a student he wouldnt be unemployed now.
3. I would help you if I had heard about your trouble.
4. I wish I know what is wrong with my car.
5. Id rather you dont tell them about our change of plans.
4. Complete each sentence so that it means the same as the sentence above it:
a. Without this medicine, the patient would have got worse.
If she ________________________________________________
b. Im sure it wasnt the meat that made you ill.
It couldnt _______________________________________________
c. Although she is old, Mrs. Logan rides her bicycle long distances.
In spite _______________________________________________
d. Its a pity I ate those last two cream cakes!
I wish ________________________________________________
e. I started jogging two years ago.
Its two years __________________________________________
f. Please leave the classroom immediately after the bell rings.
As soon as ____________________________________________
g. Please dont tell the doctor that I have been eating chocolates.
Id rather _____________________________________________
h. If jogging is new to you, you may find it tiring at first.
If you are not __________________________________________

15

i. I think youd better not take too much exercise.

If I were ______________________________________________

REPORTED SPEECH
STATEMENTS
When the reporting verb is in the present or future tense, no tense change is necessary.
e.g.

I am very tired.
She often says she is very tired.

When the reporting verb is in the past, the following changes occur:
e.g.

present simple becomes past tense simple

present continuous becomes past tense continuous
present perfect becomes past perfect
future becomes future in the past
I dont like English
He said he didnt like English.
Im watching the film, I cannot help you
She said she was watching the film and could not help me.
I havent seen my brother for a long time
He said he hadnt seen his brother for a long time.
Ill call you tomorrow.
She said she would call me the next day.

OTHER CHANGES in reported speech when the reporting verb is in the past:
-

now becomes then

here becomes there
today becomes that day
yesterday becomes the day before
tomorrow becomes the next day
next week becomes the next/following week etc.
IMPERATIVES

Imperatives become infinitives in reported speech.

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e.g.

Stop crying!
He told me to stop crying.
Dont go there.
She told me not to go there.
QUESTIONS

All changes that apply to statements also apply to questions. In addition to these, the
word order of reported questions is the same as that of simple statements; there is no
inversion as in a simple question.
e.g.

What is the matter?

He asked me what the matter was.
Do you speak German?
She asked me if I spoke German.
Did Paul give you the book?
He asked me if Paul had given me the book.

Exercises:
1. Put the following sentences into reported speech, introducing them with a verb in
the past tense:
1. Im sorry Im late.
2. I am very stupid.
3. She is quite charming but hasnt much sense.
4. He can come in when I have finished my work.
5. The clock will never work again if you try to mend it.
6. I lost my temper yesterday morning.
7. Ill come as soon as I can.
8. Ive sold all those you gave me yesterday.
9. I was very ill yesterday.
10. He learnt all this nonsense a long time ago.
11. I have been here before.
12. She has done her homework well.
13. We are living in another house now.
14. I have been shopping all the morning.
15. I have not told you anything yet.
16. You may see the photographs if you like.
17. She has written me a long letter.
18. I am giving a party this week to all my friends.

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2. Put the following sentences into reported speech with the introducing verb in the
past tense. Vary the introducing verb: he asked, enquired, wondered, wanted to know,
etc.
1. Where are you going? (He asked me ...)
2. How will you do that? (They wanted to know ... )
3. Who will come to the pictures with me?
4. When was your dress finished?
5. Why are you so sad?
6. What is the matter?
7. Which book are you taking?
8. Where should we meet tonight?
9. Who showed you my work?
10. How could you be so unkind?
11. When did they tell you that?
12. Why has she not eaten anything?
13. What am I to do?
14. What is the time?
3. Put the following sentences into reported speech with the introducing verb in the
past tense. Vary the introducing verb.
1. Are you enjoying yourself?
2. Did you see the King yesterday?
3. Does she always wear a hat?
4. Have you seen my new hat?
5. Do I look all right?
6. Are the grapes sour?
7. Is it time to go?
8. Will the taxi be here at eight oclock?
PASSIVE VOICE
Passive construction: the appropriate form of the verb + the past participle (the past
participle = vb. + ed for regular verbs; 3rd form of the verb for irregular verbs)
e.g.

Someone has stolen my books.

My books have been stolen.
They gave my sister an orange.
My sister was given an orange.
An orange was given to my sister.
We must look into this matter.
This matter must be looked into.

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They left the wounded behind.

The wounded were left behind.
Exercises:
1. Complete the following passive voice sentences in the tenses suggested:
1. This picture (always admire). Present
2. His leg (hurt) very badly in an accident. Past
3. This exercise (do) very carefully. Present Continuous
4. The box (not open) for the last hundred years. Present Perfect
5. The Tower of London (formerly use) as a prison. Past
6. Two of my dinner plates (break). Present Perfect
7. A big battle (fight) here 200 years ago. Past
8. You (invite) to lunch tomorrow. Present Continuous
9. This play (forget) in a few years time. Future
10. The bridge (built) last year. Past
11. My brother (never beat) at tennis. Present Perfect
12. English (speak) all over the world. Present
2. Put the following sentences into the passive voice with a personal subject:
1. They gave my little sister a ticket, too.
2. People will show the visitors the new buildings.
3. Someone has already paid the electrician for his work.
4. They promise us higher wages.
5. Somebody will tell you what time the train leaves.
6. Someone ordered the prisoners to stand up.
3. Rewrite each sentence so that it does not contain the words underlined and so that
it contains a passive form:
a. Someone left the phone off the hook all night.
...................................................................................................................................
b. The government has announced that petrol prices will rise tomorrow.
...................................................................................................................................
c. A burglar broke into house last week.
...................................................................................................................................
d. People asked me the way three times.
...................................................................................................................................
e. The fruit-pickers pick the apples early in the morning.
...................................................................................................................................
f. Its time the authorities did something about this problem.
...................................................................................................................................
g. Lots of people had parked their cars on the pavement.
...................................................................................................................................
h. The government agreed with the report and so they changed the law.
...................................................................................................................................
i. You have to fill in an application from.

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...................................................................................................................................
j. They dont know what happened to the ship.
...................................................................................................................................
4. Rewrite each sentence so that the meaning stays the same:
a. They have decided to cancel the match.
It ____________________________________________________
b. We thought it was necessary to send a telegram
It ____________________________________________________
c. We have agreed to meet again in a fortnight.
It ____________________________________________________
d. There is a rumour that the couple are to seek a divorce.
It ____________________________________________________
e. There is confirmation of Mr. Jacksons resignation.
It ____________________________________________________
f. We believe that the ship has sunk.
It ____________________________________________________
REVISION (II)
1. Complete each sentence beginning as shown, so that it means the same as the
sentence above it.
a. The film director made the actor do the scene again.
The actors ____________________________________________
b. Dont forget to collect the theatre tickets, Peter, his friend said.
Peters friend reminded _________________________________
c. I dont want him to stay out so late.
Id rather he ___________________________________________
d. I think the play should have started by now.
I think its ____________________________________________
e. Im sorry I ruined the performance, said the actor to the director.
The actor apologised ____________________________________
f. Only a talented author could have written a play like that.
That play _____________________________________________
g. There is not much likelihood of such a thing happening again.
I dont _______________________________________________
h. My painting still needs framing.
I havent _____________________________________________
i. How long is her new film?
How long does ________________________________________
j. He is appearing in a musical for the first time.
This is first time _______________________________________
2. The word in capitals at the end of each of the following sentences can be used to
form a word that fits suitably in the blank space. Fill each blank in this way.

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a. When I tried to learn Chinese, I found it ____________ .

(POSSIBLE)
b. During my last holiday in France I used my French very ___________ .
(SUCCESS)
c. As a result of being ______________ , I bought the wrong ticket.
(UNDERSTAND)
d. I asked the _________ for the bill, but she didnt understand me. (WAIT)
e. Failing the exam was a great _____________ . (DISAPPOINT)
f. My teacher told me my spelling was far too ____________ . (ACCURATE)
g. The arrival of my Swedish friend was quite ____________ . (EXPECT)
h. Jean is rather untidy and her work is _________________ . (ORGANISE)
i. I find I can learn with a lot of ________________ . (REPEAT)
j. Im afraid this paragraph is ______________ ; rewrite it please. (GRAMMAR)
3. Complete each sentence so that it means the same as the sentence above it.
a. Wheres the theatre?
Could you ____________________________________________ ?
b. How far is the bus stop?
Would you mind _______________________________________ ?
c. I dont want to go to London.
Id rather ______________________________________________ .
d. Turn left at the first turning.
Take __________________________________________________ .
e. Few people like living here.
Not ___________________________________________________ .
f. You cant swim anywhere here.
There is ________________________________________________ .
g. Can you describe Norwich?
What is ________________________________________________ ?
h. It would be nice to live in Leeds.
Id _____________________________________________________ .
4. The word in capitals at the end of each the following sentences can be used to
form a word that suitably in the blank space. Fill each blank in this way.
a. We gave up eating sugar because it is ______________ . (HEALTH)
b. He decided to buy a new ____________ book and learn new recipes. (COOK)
c. We threw the wine away as it was _____________ . (DRINK)
d. She complained to the nurse _________ about her back. (END)
e. Although he fell heavily, he was ____________ . (INJURE)
f. When I said I would stop smoking, he stared at me in ____________ . (BELIEVE)
g. The pain in her foot gave her another ___________ night. (SLEEP)
h. We sent the steak back as it was ________ ; almost raw in fact. (DO)
i. The doctor said there was no ___________ of my getting worse. (LIKELY)
j. He made a rapid _____________ from his attack of flu. (RECOVER)

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