UNIT I. PRESENT TENSE SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS

PRESENT TENSE SIMPLE

DEFINITION: The Present Tense Simple refers to a habitual and frequent action in the present.

FORMS:

Affirmative: subject + verb (short infinitive) (e.g. go, play) verb + -s/-es for 3rd person singular I go I make you go you makehe, she it, goes he, she, it makeswe go we makeyou go you makethey go they make

Interrogative: Do/does + subject + verb

Do you play tennis every day? Yes, I do. I play tennis every day. When do you go swimming? I go swimming every month. Does he eat vegetables every day? Yes, he does. He eats vegetables every day.

Negative: subject +do/does not (don’t/doesn’t) + verb I don’t like to watch TV.

Adverbs used with the Present Tense Simple: always, usually, generally, often, never, sometimes every: every day, every month, every Tuesday, every January, every summer, etc.

PRESENT TENSE CONTINUOUS

DEFINITION: The Present Tense Continuous refers to an action that takes place at the moment of speech; it refers to an action that is temporary or in progress at the moment of speech.

FORMS: Affirmative: to be (Present Tense) + verb + ing

I am dancing you are dancing he, she, it is dancing we are dancing you are dancing they are dancing

Interrogative: to be + subject + verb + ing Is she eating an apple now? Yes, she is. What are they doing now? They are doing their homework now.

Negative: subject + to be (Present Tense) + verb + ing We are not playing computer games at the moment.

Adverbs used with the Present Tense Continuous: now, at the moment, at present

EXERCISES:

1. Put the verbs in the Present Tense Simple:1. I (write) a letter to my grandparents every month.2. Max (go) to the cinema every weekend?3. They (not plant) trees every year. 4. Susan usually (not like) to wash dishes. 5. Tom and Mary (play) cards with their friends every summer holiday.6. They (help) their father in the workshop every Friday?

2. Put the verbs in the Present Tense Continuous:1. They (listen) to the teacher at the moment.2. Mother (not cook) now.3. Sheila (make) the bed now? 4. The mechanic (repair) the car at the moment?5. You (wait) for your brother now?6. I (look for) my book now.

3. Choose between Present Tense Simple and Present Tense Continuous:1. It (snow) a lot in the mountains in winter.2. Cindy generally (wake up) early in the morning.3. They (not pay) attention to the teacher now. 4. I (not read) newspapers every week.5. Henry (drink) coffee every morning?6. We (not eat) eggs this morning.7. Brooke (write) a poem now?8. They (buy) DVDs every month?

UNIT II. PAST TENSE SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS

PAST TENSE SIMPLE

DEFINITION: The Past Tense Simple refers to a general action in the past.

FORMS: Affirmative: for regular verbs – ed (to play-played, to wash-washed) for irregular verbs: 2nd form (to do-did, to make-made) I finished my homework late last night. She drove home late yesterday.

Interrogative: Did + subject + verb (short infinitive)Did they talk to their friends last week? Yes, they did. They talked to their friends last Saturday.

Negative: subject + did + not (didn’t) + verb (short infinitive)You didn’t drink any milk yesterday morning.

Adverbs used with the Past Tense Simple: yesterday, the day before yesterday, Last - year, month, week, summer, September, etc. Ago – five days ago, three months ago, etc.Before – two hours before, etc.

PAST TENSE CONTINUOUS

DEFINITION: The Past Continuous Tense refers to an action that took place at a certain moment in the past; it refers to an action in progress in a specified moment in the past.

FORMS:

Affirmative: subject + to be (Past Tense) + verb + ingHe was leaving the room when they arrived.They were playing chess at this time yesterday afternoon.

Interrogative: to be (Past Tense) + subject + verb +ingWere they reading the lesson at 10 a.m. yesterday? Yes, they were reading the lesson.

Negative: subject + to be (Past Tense) + not + verb + ingShe was not cleaning the room when I called her yesterday.

Adverbs used with Present Tense Continuous:at this time yesterday, at a specific time or at a certain moment in the past

EXERCISES:

1. Put the verbs in the Past Tense Simple:1. They (not know) the answer to the question last Tuesday.2. When you (take) the books to the library?3. Why Vicky (go) to Bucharest two weeks ago? 4. I (watch) three movies yesterday.6. We (call) the doctor last Saturday.

2. Put the verbs in the Past Tense Continuous: 1. Stacy (draw) a flower when the telephone rang. 2. They (make) the bed at this time yesterday morning. 3. Jim (to paint) the fence at 5 p.m. yesterday.4. What you (to do) when Vanessa came in?5. We (not work) when our friends arrived. 6. I (not walk) to school when I met her.

3. Choose between the Past Tense Simple and the Past Tense Continuous: 1. Jack (go) to school by bicycle last spring. 2. Mary (not cook) when her sister came home.3. John (write) to his friend last Sunday.4. We (listen) to the radio when she called us. 5. Carla (bring) them many presents last year.6. They (drink) much tea last week.7. You (talk) to him yesterday?8. George (give) her the book last week?

UNIT III. PRESENT PERFECT TENSE SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE SIMPLE

DEFINITION: The Present Perfect Tense Simple refers to an action that took place at an unspecified time in the past, but whose effects can be perceived in the present.

NOTE: Present Perfect Simple vs. Past Tense SimpleIf the action - not the time of the action - is significant, use Present Perfect Simple.e. g. They have done their homework. If you mention the specific time of the action, use Past Tense Simple.e. g. They did their homework last night.

FORMS:

Affirmative: subject + have/has + verb (-ed or 3rd form)We have cleaned the apartment. They have bought a new house. She has paid all her bills.

Interrogative: Have/has + subject + verb (-ed or 3rd form)Have you talked to them lately? Yes, I have.

Negative: subject + have/has not + verb (-ed or 3rd form)He has not written the letter yet.

Adverbs used with the Present Perfect Tense Simple: already, yet, ever, never, just, lately, recently, until now, so far, up until now since (with beginning of a period of time): since Marchfor (with time period): for two years PRESENT PERFECT TENSE CONTINUOUS

DEFINITION: The Present Perfect Continuous expresses an action/activity that is in progress at the moment of speech.

NOTE: While the Present Perfect Simple expresses an action that finished shortly before the moment of speech (or whose effects may be seen in the present), the action expressed by the Present Perfect Continuous is in progress at the moment of speech.

FORMS:

Affirmative: subject + have/has + been + verb + ing They have been studying German for three years. Interrogative: Have/has + subject + been + verb + ingHow long have they been studying German?

Negative: subject + have/has + not + been + verb + ingThey have not been living in this town for one month.

Adverbs used with Present Perfect Tense Continuous: for, since EXERCISES:

1. Put the verbs in the Present Perfect Tense Simple:1. I (not eat) Chinese food until now.2. You already (talk) to them?3. Peggy (not arrive) yet.4. Peter (not find) a good job.5. They just (wash) the car.6. You (see) that movie?

2. Choose between the Present Perfect Simple and the Past Tense Simple:1. Mary (watch) TV for two hours.2. John (not play) with his friends yesterday.3. You (dance) with her last night?4. They (live) in Bucharest since 2005. 5. Elsie (begin) to teach Spanish in 1999.6. You ever (be) in China?

3. Use the Present Perfect Tense Continuous in the questions and supply appropriate answers:1. How long you (sit) in class?2. How long they (watch) TV?3. How long she (drive)?4. How long he (wear) glasses?5. How long they (listen) to music?6. How long you (live) in this town?

4. Choose between the Present Perfect Simple and the Present Perfect Continuous: 1. Jim is at the bus stop. He (wait) for the bus for ten minutes.2. They never (eat) pizza in this restaurant before.3. Jenny just (finish) the novel.4. You (not write) the article yet.5. I am tired. We (walk) for one hour.6. My eyes are getting tired. I (read) since 2 p.m. (in the afternoon).

UNIT IV. PAST PERFECT TENSE SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS

PAST PERFECT TENSE SIMPLE

DEFINITION: The Past Perfect Tense Simple refers to a past action that is over before another past action starts.

FORMS:

Affirmative: subject + had + verb (-ed or 3rd form)They had already watched the movie when their parents came home.Everybody else had left by the time they arrived at the party.

Interrogative: had + subject + verb (-ed or 3rd from)Had you finished the game when they called? Yes, I had.

Negative: subject + had + not + verb (-ed or 3rd from)He had not written the letter when the phone rang.

Adverbs used with the Past Perfect Tense Simple: hardly, scarcely, no sooner … than, before, after, when, by the time

PAST PERFECT TENSE CONTINUOUS

DEFINITION: the Past Perfect Tense Continuous refers to a past action that was in progress when another past action took place.

FORMS:

Affirmative: subject + had + been + verb + ingThey had been reading for two hours when their friends called them.I had been walking for 30 minutes when I met her.

Interrogative: had + subject + been + verb + ingHad she been writing for an hour when her mother called her? Yes, she had.

Negative: subject + had + not + been + verb +ing We had not been drawing when our parents called us.

Adverbs used with the Past Perfect Tense Continuous: for, since

EXERCISES:

1. Put the verbs in the Past Perfect Tense Simple:1. When we arrived, the movie already (start).2. I (finish) my homework when I went to bed. 3. The rain (stop) by the time we left the building.4. Lena already (wash) the clothes when her husband came home.5. Mary already (plan) her entire summer holiday before she told her parents about it. 6. They already (buy) house when they inherited a large sum of money.

2. Put the verbs in the Past Perfect Tense Continuous:1. Susan (cook) for half an hour when her friend called her.2. They (do) exercises for 15 minutes when the bell rang.3. The students (rehearse) for the play for two hours when their teacher arrived. 4. Maggie (watch) the show for ten minutes when the fire alarm started ringing. 5. James (talk) on the phone with his girlfriend for one hour and a half when his father came home.6. They (play) Clue for three hours when their parents called them.

3. Put the verbs in the Past Tense Simple, Past Perfect Tense Simple or Past Perfect Tense Continuous:1. Alanna (finish) her breakfast when the phone (ring).2. They (chat) for one hour when their friends (invite) them to go to the movies. 3. Michael (play) cards with his brother for a few hours when his girlfriend (come) for a visit.4. Paula (write) all the messages before she (offer) to help her grandparents.5. I already (take) many photos before we (met) again in the evening. 6. They (see) many interesting places before they (finish) the trip.

UNIT V. FUTURE TENSE SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS

FUTURE TENSE SIMPLE

DEFINITION: The Future Tense Simple refers to an action that takes place in the future.

FORMS:

Affirmative: subject + shall/will + verb (short infinitive)She’ll watch the show tomorrow morning.They’ll rehearse for the play next week.

Interrogative: Will + subject + verb (short infinitive)Will you visit your grandparents next January? Yes, I shall. I’ll visit them next January.

Negative: subject + shall/will + not + verb (short infinitive)He will not (won’t) on that trip next month.

Adverbs used with Future Tense Simple: Tomorrow, and next + week, month, year, summer, January, etc.

FUTURE TENSE CONTINUOUS

DEFINITION: The Future Tense Continuous expresses a future action in progress at a certain moment in the future.

FORMS:

Affirmative: subject + shall/will + be + verb +ing She will be making a birthday cake at this time tomorrow afternoon. They will be playing with their friends at 6 p.m. next Saturday.

Interrogative: shall/will + subject + be + verb + ingWill Brandon be writing an essay at this time tomorrow? Yes, he will.

Negative: subject + shall/will + be + verb +ing Pamela will not (won’t) be cooking at 1 p.m. next Tuesday.

Adverbs used with Future Tense Continuous: at this time tomorrow/next week/next Monday, etc.

EXERCISES:

1. Put the verbs in the Future Tense Simple: 1. They (go) to the beach next summer.2. Margaret (join) our pottery classes next month.3. Mark (accompany) you to the theater next Sunday?4. Michael (buy) a new car next year.5. We (not pay) all our bills next week.6. They (celebrate) their friend’s birthday next Saturday?

2. Put the verbs in the Future Tense Continuous:1. Mary and Tom (driving) to Bucharest at this time next Wednesday.2. Patsy (not write) birthday cards at 7 p.m. next Monday.3. They (drink) coffee at 9 p.m. tomorrow evening?4. Robert (watch) the dance show on T.V. at this time tomorrow morning?5. We (do) our homework at 5 p.m. next Thursday.6. They (bake) cakes for their parents at this time tomorrow afternoon.

3. Put the verbs in the Future Tense Simple or Future Tense Continuous: 1. We (eat) cookies and ice-cream at this time next Saturday.2. You (not walk) on the beach at 4 p.m. tomorrow afternoon. 3. They (swim) in the Atlantic Ocean next June.4. Tristan (not take) a taxi to the airport next Friday.5. Catherine (plant) more flowers in her garden next spring.6. Richard (not preparing) dinner for his friends at 7 p.m. next Thursday.

UNIT VI. GRAMMAR REVIEW: TENSES

EXERCISES

1. Answer the following questions: 1. What are the differences among the Present Tense Simple, Present Tense Continuous, and the Present Perfect Tense Continuous? Give examples to illustrate the differences. 2. What are the differences between the Past Tense Continuous and the Past Perfect Tense Continuous? Give examples.

2. Put the verbs in the correct tenses: 1. Susan (work) in this company now. She (work) here for five years.2. I (not finished) lunch yet; please call me later.3. We already (read) the reviews of the movie when they suggested going to the cinema. 4. Joshua (live) in New York for 10 years; now he (live) in San Francisco. 5. I’m sorry I’m late; how long you (wait) for me? 6. We (travel) for five days when we (met) them by accident during our trip last summer. 7. How long you (watch) T.V. before your parents (come) home? 8. Please be quiet; I (do) my homework at the moment.9. Tony just (leave).10. Maureen (go) shopping every Saturday morning.11. You and your friends (travel) to Italy at this time next Sunday. 12. Monica already (dust) the furniture when the guests arrived. 13. No sooner the train (leave) than they (start) crying.14. What they (do) lately? 15. Mandy (play) tennis with her boyfriend next month. 16. They (write) that essay last Tuesday?17. We (not) want to invite them to our party.18. Kate often (cook) for her friends? 19. I (not meet) her recently.20. They (discussed) all the issues by the time the president of the company arrived.

UNIT VII. THE PASSIVE VOICE

DEFINITION: In the passive voice, the object of an active verb becomes the subject of a passive verb.

FORMS: to be + past participle (-ed or 3rd form)

Present Tense Simple: Active: Cindy makes a cake. Passive: A cake is made by Cindy.

Present Tense Continuous: Active: Cindy is making a cake. Passive: A cake is being made by Cindy.

Past Tense Simple:Active: Cindy made a cake. Passive: A cake was made by Cindy.

Past Tense Continuous: Active: Cindy was making a cake. Passive: A cake was being made by Cindy.

Present Perfect Tense Simple: Active: Cindy has made a cake. Passive: A cake has been made by Cindy.

Past Perfect Tense Simple: Active: Cindy had made a cake. Passive: A cake had been made by Cindy.

Future Tense Simple: Active: Cindy will make a cake. Passive: A cake will be made by Cindy.

EXERCISE:

Put the verbs in the correct tense and then change the sentences from the active voice into the passive voice: 1. My grandparents just (plant) the vegetables in the garden. 2. They (paint) the room now.3. We (clean) our classroom every week.4. Roger already (invite) his friend to the party. 5. They (play) the game at the moment. 6. The teacher (send) Leslie home yesterday.7. When I passed by the old school, the constructors (work) on a new building.

8. They (finish) their homework when I (drop) by to talk to them. 9. Angie (lock) the door before we (arrive).10. They (open) a new concert hall next month. 11. Nick (install) the central heating next autumn. 12. Lizzie (finish) the book last Sunday. 13. The board (hold) meetings every Friday.14. I (print) the copies right now.15. They just (send) the invitations to their friends.

UNIT VIII. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

DEFINITION: Conditional sentences express possible or hypothetical conditions in the present and in the past.

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES TYPE I

Definition: Conditional sentences type 1 express a possible condition in the present.

Tenses used: Present Tense in the Conditional Clause, Future Tense in the Main Clause.

NOTE: Do not use Future Tense in a Conditional Clause!!!

Examples:If you listen to the teacher, you will learn many interesting things. Your mother will be very glad if you do your homework correctly.

Unless = if not (pay attention to avoid double negation)You will not get good grades unless you do all your school assignments correctly.

EXERCISE:

Put the verbs in parentheses in the correct form (type I conditionals): 1. If I (have) enough time this afternoon, I (go) to the cinema.2. If it (not rain) later today, I (walk) to my grandparents’ house.3. Grace (play) the game with him if he (show) her how to do it.4. They (not come) unless you (invite) them.5. Audrey (not bake) a cake if we (not ask) her.6. If it (snow) and it (be) windy, we (take) a taxi to the railway station.7. Marcus (forgive) her if she (tell) him the truth. 8. They (not send) us the money if we (not keep) our promise.

UNIT IX. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES TYPE II

Definition: Conditional Sentences type II refer to a hypothetical condition in the present.

Tenses used: Past Tense in the Conditional Clause, Present Conditional (would + verb short Infinitive) in the Main Clause.

NOTE: Do not use Present Conditional (would + verb) in a Conditional Clause!!!

Examples:If I had time, I would go to the circus with you. If they had more money, they would buy a bigger house.

EXPLANATION: the conditions in these sentences are expressed in the present, but they are hypothetical – contrary to the present situation. In the first sentence, the situation is that I do not have money, and consequently, I will not go to the circus with you.

NOTE: As this type expresses a hypothetical condition, always use the form “were” (Past tense of to be) in conditional sentences type II for all the persons: If I were a doctor ….If she were a lawyer … If he were younger ….

EXERCISES:

1. Put the verbs in the correct tenses (type II conditionals) and answer the following questions: 1. What you (do) if you (have) a million dollars?2. What you (do) if you (be) the president of Romania?3. What you (do) if you (go) to New York? 4. What you (take) with you if you (go) to a desert island? 5. What you (do) if you (have) no mobile phone? 2. Put the verbs in the correct form: 1. If he (have) a new car, he (be) very happy.2. If Julia (be) on a Greek island now, she (be) swimming in the sea.3. If the weather (be) better, we (walk) on the beach.4. I (ask) my friend to help me, if I (meet) him.5. Carl (ride) a motorcycle, if his parents (buy) him one.6. If we (win) the lottery, we (take) a trip around the world.7. If they (be) older, they (know) more about life.8. If Stella (feel) better, she (not stay) in bed.

UNIT X. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES TYPE III

Definition: Conditional Sentences type III refer to hypothetical conditions in the past (they are often used to express regret for a past action that could have but did not take place)

Tenses used: Past Perfect Tense in the Conditional Clause, Past Conditional (would + have + verb [ed or 3rd form]) in the Main Clause.

NOTE: Do not use Past Conditional (would + have + verb [-ed or 3rd from]) in a Conditional Clause!!!

Examples:If I had had time, I would have accompanied you on your trip. If they had known about it, they would have tried to help her.

EXPLANATION: the conditions in these sentences are expressed in the past but they are hypothetical; we can only imagine what would have happened if … the circumstances had been different. In the second sentence, for example, they did not know about it, so they did not help her, but they wish they had done it.

EXERCISE:

1. Put the verbs in the correct form (type III conditionals):

1. If Nicole (go) to Australia, she (send) you a postcard.2. If I (know) that my grandfather had a problem, I (call) him earlier. 3. Sarah (go) to the party, if she (feel) better.4. They (visit) their friend if they (know) that he was in hospital.5. I (buy) you more chocolate if you (tell) me.6. If Sheila (not have) such a bad cold, she (come) to your performance.7. If they (pay) more attention in class, they (know) how to do the homework.8. If Brian (listen) to his parents’ advice, he (not fail).

UNIT XI. REPORTED/INDIRECT SPEECH

According to the sequence of tenses in English, when the reporting verb (say, tell, exclaim, ask, etc.) is in the present tense, the tenses in the reported speech stay the same.

Direct Speech: Ann: “I have just finished writing the letter.”Indirect Speech: Ann says that she has just finished writing the letter.

However, if the reporting verb is in the Past Tense, the following changes are required:

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

1. Present Simple ------------- Past Simple

Mark: “I go to school.” -------------- Mark said that he went to school.

2. Present Continuous ------------ Past Continuous

Sue: “I am going to school.” ---------- Sue said that she was going to school.

3. Present Perfect ------------- Past Perfect

Rick: “I have just made the bed.” -------- Rick said he had just made the bed.

4. Past Simple ------------- Past Perfect

Mike: “I bought a book.” ---------- Mike said he had bought a book.

5. Future Simple ------------- Future-in-the-Past

Anne: “I’ll clean the room.” -------- Anne said she would clean the room.

Changes in adverbs of time:

Direct Speech Indirect Speech Here ------------------------ thereNow ------------------------ then

Today ----------------------- that dayYesterday ----------------- the day before/the previous dayAgo ----------------- before Tomorrow ---------------- the next dayLast week/month ---------- the previous week/monthNext week/month -------- the following week/month

EXERCISE:

Change the following sentences from Direct Speech into Indirect Speech using the reporting verb in the past tense:

1. Sandra: “I am thirsty.”2. George: “I have not done my homework yet.” 3. Freddie: “I will buy that great car!”4. Helen: “I have already filled in the form.”5. Colin and Andrew: “We played tennis yesterday.” 6. Brooklyn: “I’ll go to the concert tomorrow.”7. Sharon: “I go shopping every Saturday.”8. Sue: “I have brought them nice presents.”9. Martha: “I am planting flowers in the garden.” 10. Leslie: “I ride my bike to school every day.”11. Carol: “I watched that movie a while ago.”12. David: “I drink tea every morning.”13. Julia: “I have corrected all my mistakes.” 14. Matt: “I met Tim at the theater last night.”15. Debbie: “I asked him to join me on the trip.”

UNIT XII. ASKING QUESTIONS

TYPES OF QUESTIONS

1. YES/NO QUESTIONS – can be answered by “yes” or “no.”Examples:

Did you tell him the story? Yes, I did/No, I didn’t. Does she like ice cream? Yes, she does/No, she doesn’t.

2. WH-QUESTIONS or INFORMATION QUESTIONS – they require a detailed answerQuestion words: when, where, why, who, what, how.Examples:

When did you meet him? I met him last week.Where does she spend your summer holidays? She spends them at the seaside. Who is your teacher? My teacher is Miss Ellie.

3. TAG-QUESTIONS – are questions added at the end of a sentence in order to ask for confirmation or to seek agreement.

NOTE: The question tags always depend on the subjects and predicates (verb tenses) used in the main body/part of the question. Also, unless otherwise specified, if the first part of the question contains a verb in the affirmative form, the tag will be negative. If the first verb is in a negative form, the tag will be affirmative.

Examples:You like computer games, don’t you?She doesn’t like spiders, does she?They have seen the movie, haven’t they?He won’t betray them, will he?

EXERCISE:

Ask yes/no-, wh- and tag questions for the following sentences:

1. I am busy at the moment; please call me later.2. I haven’t talked to him about his bad grades.3. Scott is upset because he has not passed her exam.4. I am going to buy that jacket as soon as I have enough money.5. Last Monday, they decided to go to the movies. 6. Renee has not brought us the toys we wanted.7. I think you have not studied hard for this exam. 8. Lauren did not send her friend a birthday card. 9. They will walk in the park more often in order to keep fit.

10. Donna has enjoyed the novel, so she has decided to buy another book by the same author.11. We played chess until late last night.12. Jim expected the translation to be less difficult. 13. Bonnie has many beautiful paintings on the walls of her room. 14. They sang many nice songs at the school festival last month.15. We visited many museums during our trip to Germany last summer. 16. It was so hot that they had to open all the windows.17. Charles buys nice presents for his friends every year. 18. They had already signed the contract when we finally found out about the agreement. 19. Sonya was ironing his shirts when we went to see her around 5 p.m. yesterday afternoon. 20. They sold all their books and clothes on e-bay before they left for Australia.