ESERCIZI MISTI (TEMPI E PREPOSIZIONI)
01 Elementary Verb Tense Review
Select the correct answer, A or B or C or D.
01. I.................. on holiday three weeks ago.
A. am going B. went C. go D. am gone
02. He................ for ten minutes.
A. spoke B. spoked C. speak D. speaking
03. I was in the bath when the telephone...................
A. ring B. rung C. rang D. ringed
04. I................... at that hotel when they had a fire.
A. stayed B. was staying C. stay D. have stayed
05. He met me as I..................... through the door.
A. come B. was coming C. had come D. will come
06. I.................. my work.
A. has do B. has done C. have did D. have done
07. He....................... here.
A. has always not working B. have always not worked C. have not always
worked D. has not always worked
08. He often..................... golf.
A. plays B. is playing C. do play D. play
09. Where................... to when you overtook me yesterday?
A. was you driving B. were you driving C. was you drive D. was driving you
10. She is here,................. she?
A. wasn't B. weren't C. isn't D. aren't
11. You are going,................ you?
A. isn't B. wasn't C. weren't D. aren't
12. They live here,............... they?
A. aren't B. don't C. doesn't D. isn't
13. I was taking it easy when the boss................... in
A. was walking B. walked C. walking D. walks
14. He was driving when the car..................
A. was crashing B. crash C. crashes D. crashed
15. We................ while you were living in Italy.
A. meet B. met C. were met D. was meeting
16. He................. the report while he was flying to Amsterdam.
A. reading B. were reading C. read D. reads
02 Elementary Verb Tense Review
Select the correct answer, A or B or C or D.
01. An author...................... books.
A. write B. writes C. is writing D. do write
02. He..................... the letter now.
A. is typing B. types C. type D. do type
03. He is a car salesman. He..................... cars.
A. sell B. is selling C. sells D. do sell
04. What were you doing at the bank? I................... my traveller's cheques.
A. changing B. am changing C. was changing D. change
05. After he.................. his dinner, he drank a cup of coffee.
A. was eating B. eat C. ate D had eaten
06. I asked him what he..........................
A. had be done B. had be doing C. has been done D. had been doing
07. .................. to the cinema.
A. Go we B. Let's C. Let's to go D. Let's go
08. Were you working yesterday? Yes, I.................. all day.
A. am working B. was working C. have worked D. had been working
09. For the past week, he.................. English.
A. has been learning B. has learnt C. is learning D. will learn
10. ...................... English?
A. Can you B. Can you speak C. Are you able to D. Will you
11. If it..................., I shall read a book.
A. rain B. will rain C. shall rain D. rains
12. If I had the money, I..................... to New York
A. could fly B. flew C. am flying D. had flown
13. If I....................... a bigger car, police would not catch me.
A. would have B. could C. had D. was having
14. The job was easy enough.......................
A. to be doing B. to doing C. doing D. to do
15. She............................ his insults.
A. bare B. bared C. beared D. bore
16. I smelt........................
A. cooking the food B. the food to cook C. to cook the food D. the food cooking
17. She keeps ....................
A. on to talk B. talk on C. to talk on D. on talking
03 Elementary Verb Tense Review
Give the correct answers, A, B, C or D.
01. The guests complained,.................. they?
A. won't B. don't C. haven't D. didn't
02. He gets up at six,...................... he?
A. don't B. hasn't C. doesn't D. do
03. You drink coffee,............... you?
A. doesn't B. haven't C. didn't D. don't
04. I'm leaving early enough,............... I?
A. aren't B. won't C. am D. don't
05. I............ on holiday three weeks ago.
A. am going B. went C. go D. am gone
06. I.................. at that hotel when they had a fire.
A. stayed B. was staying C. stay D. have stayed
07. He met me as I.......... through the door.
A. come B. was coming C. had come D. will come
08. I................. it before.
A. have drunken B. have drank C. has drunk D. have drunk
09. She.................. to Italy.
A. have gone B. has went C. has gone D. have went
10. The dog................... the postman.
A. has bit B. has bit C. have bit D. has bitten
11. It......................
A. is going to rain B. goes to rain C. am going rain
D. is going to be rain
12. An author.................. books.
A. write B. writes C. is writing D. do write
13. She................ the letter now.
A. is typing B. types C. type D. does type
14. Do you have to go to the post office?
Yes. I................. buy some stamps.
A. will B. have to C. am having to D. want
15. He was nervous because he............... and lost.
A. was gambling B. has gambled C. had gambled D. is
gambling
16. He said that he.............. it.
A. had seen B. see C. sees D. is seeing
17. They....................... yet.
A. haven't written B. have written C. had written D. wrote
18. ................ to the cinema.
A. Go we B. Let us C. Let's to go D. Let's go
19. For the past week, he.................. English in London.
A. has been learning B. has learnt C. is learning
D. will learn
20. The man walking across the road............... a suitcase.
A. carries B. carry C. is carrying D. carrying
21. .................... English?
A. Can you B. Can you speak C. Speak you D. Can you
speaking
22. If I................... in London, I shall learn English.
A. am B. be C. will be D. shall be
23. If I had the money, I................... to New York.
A. could fly B. flew C. am flying D. had flown
24. If I.................. a bigger car, the police would not
catch me.
A. would have B. could C. had D. was having
25. She................. his insults.
A. bare B. bared C. beared D. bore
05 General Review for Beginners
Select the correct answer, A or B or C or D.
01. We gave................ the passports.
A. him B. his C. he D. they
02. The operator gave.................. the number.
A. we B. our C. she D. us
03. ................ coffee is cold.
A. He's B. His C. It D. Its
04. ............... is hot.
A. hers B. her C. she's D. its
05. Have you any change? Yes, I have.....................
A. it B. any C. some D. one
06. Which is................., 25 or 27 degrees?
A. hottest B. more hotter C. most hot D. hotter
07. Which is................., 25, 27 or 30 degrees?
A. hottest B. more hot C. more hotter D. most hotter
08. Is 30 degrees ..................... 27?
A. hotter as B. over hot than C. as hot than D. hotter than
09. We have.................. than they do.
A. less B. few C. more little D. lesser
10. Can I pass you.................. toast?
A. some A. a C. to D. these
11. Would you care for.................. slice of toast?
A. some B. a C. any D. these
12. I haven't................... change.
A. no B. some C. any D. at all
06 General Review for Beginners
Select the correct answer, A or B or C or D.
01. The lazy man lies....................... all morning.
A. the bed B. in the bed C. in bed D. to the bed
02. I had a salad....................
A. for a lunch B. to lunch C. at the lunch D. for lunch
03. Is it far? No,.......................
A. no far B. is not far C. far not D. not far
04. Will it take long? No,.......................
A. not for long B. take not long C. not long D. not take long
05. Do you want much? Yes,....................
A. much B. want much C. lot D. lots
06. He has................... books.
A. much B. a lot of C. many of D. any
07. The holiday was................... enjoyable.
A. much B. some C. fairly D. a lot
08. But it rained....................
A. rather lot B. much C. greatly D. rather a lot
09. He did it....................
A. by him B. by himself C. self D. by self
10. I have been here................... ten weeks.
A. for B. ago C. in D. since
08 ELEMENTARY USAGE
Complete the blanks with one missing word.
01. If today is Tuesday, Thursday is the day after .............................
02. I prefer a life in the open ................................ to working in an office.
03. The town was a long distance .................................
04. I couldn't buy the book because the shop didn't have a copy ............................... stock.
05. The problem needs to be taken seriously. ............................... is no laughing matter.
06. If it had not been for his seat belt, he would have died ................................. the accident.
07. The ambulance arrived just ................................. time to save his life.
08. Talking to the old lady, I had to shout ................................ she was hard of hearing .
09. She is an exceptional person, one ................................. a thousand.
10. I am taking the radio to the repair shop because it is ................................. of order.
10 ELEMENTARY USAGE
Complete the blanks with one missing word.
01. Servicing a large car such as a Cadillac or Mercedes costs lots ............................. money.
02. After the cow died, its calf was brought ............................. by the farmer's children.
03. I've looked ............................. for my keys and simply cannot find them.
04. The reason I failed is that I did not work hard ............................. .
05. You need a ............................. of scissors to cut open the packet.
06. Don't keep it to yourself. ............................. me the secret.
07. She had a party ............................ her birthday.
08. I haven't been on holiday ............................. the year before last.
09. I would like to diet but I am a little too fond ............................. chocolate.
10. Let's pay separately. You pay for your ticket and I'll pay for .............................
11. That is the woman ............................. handbag was stolen in the tube train.
12. Believe it or ............................., P G Wodehouse is the most entertaining author I've ever read.
13. In spite ............................ working until the early hours of the morning, he still didn't finish his work.
14. How long have you ............................. living in London?
16 Time Statements with "Since", "For" and "Ago"
Complete:
01. I have been studying English ....................... three years.
02. We have been waiting for delivery ....................... last Tuesday.
03. They arrived here ten days .......................
04. I met him two years .......................
05. I have been trying to get through on the phone ....................... the past hour.
06. The machine broke down an hour .......................
07. I have been driving ....................... 1974.
08. The new art gallery has been open ....................... October.
09. We had to buy a new washing machine a couple of days .......................
10. That politician has been talking ....................... six hours.
11. I haven't had a cigarette ....................... I gave up on my birthday last year.
12. I was waiting ....................... only a few minutes.
13. He has been eating in that expensive restaurant ever ....................... he got his new job.
14. I left the firm two years .......................
15. He has been working here ....................... the beginning of the month.
PREPOSITION REVIEW 01
REMEDIAL EXERCISE: PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE
Complete with the missing preposition.
Careful! In one place, a preposition is not needed.
01. Jim is............... the office.
02. His wife is............... home.
03. He is sitting................... his desk.
04. She is working.................. the kitchen table.
05. He has papers................. his desk.
06. She has a cookery book open ................... the table.
07. Jim goes................ the office................ eight.
08. His wife stays............... home................ ten; then she goes..................... the supermarket.
09. ..................... the supermarket, she buys groceries.
10. She walks.................. her house.................. the supermarket.
11. She walks..................... the end of her street.................. a busy road.
12. The courses is just.................. the corner.
13. She buys groceries ................ the courses and vegetables................. an open market.
14. Jim works.............. the top floor .................. an office block.
15. He takes a lift (elevator).................... and.............
16. The only exciting thing that happened to Jim was that once the lift stopped............... the eighth and ninth
floors and Jim was stuck................ it.
17. He sat................. the floor until help came.
18. When she has a lot to buy, Mary takes the car and parks................ the car park, close................. the store.
19. ..................... the supermarket, she walks................. the aisles, pushing her trolley.................. the rows of
shelves.
20. She pays.................. the checkout, loads the groceries.................... the boot (trunk) of her car, and
drives................. home.
PREPOSITIONS 02 : REMEDIAL EXERCISE
PREPOSITIONS OF TIME
Complete.
01. The movie starts....................... 2.30.
02. The restaurant opens..................... the evening only.
03. Her birthday is.................... Thursday.
04. The restaurant closes................... midnight.
05. We usually have lunch......................... one.
06. He leaves for New York..................... Friday.
07. The plane takes off....................... 14.50.
08. He returns....................... March 24.
09. We usually go................ holiday.............. the summer.
10. He went to Florida................ February.
11. We are leaving................ three days.
12. He goes to work early................... the morning.
13. They eat dinner.................... the evening.
14. The train always leaves................ time.
15. Will we be................. time to catch it?
16. Too late! We weren't...................... time.
17. Don't be late! Be............... time for the start of the race.
18. What were you doing................ 1989?
19. We stay up late........................ New Year's Eve.
20. We are off to the seaside..................... the day.
03 ELEMENTARY PREPOSITIONS (MAINLY)
REMEDIAL EXERCISE
Select the correct answer, A or B or C or D.
01. I live............... 27 South Street.
A. in B. at C. to D. inside
02. She lives................. Dublin.
A. in B. at C. to D. for
03. I am going....................
A. to the work B. in work C. to work D. work
04. I sleep.................. night.
A. in B. at C. to D. at the
05. Snow falls.................. December.
A. in B. to C. at D. over
06. The bridge goes................. the river.
A. over B. by C. at D. with
07. I will see you.................. Tuesday.
A. at B. in C. on D. with
08. She swam.................. the river.
A. across B. beyond C. into D. through
09. Many books and papers were lying.................... the room.
A. through B. over C. about D. along
10. The plane flew................... the clouds.
A. on top of B. over C. above D. on
11. It is.................. time to start.
A. near B. ready C. nearby D. almost
12. They went to the hotel......................
A. walking B. by foot C. on foot D. with foot
13. It's a bargain. It's................... £5.
A. only B. but C. solely D. even
14. The people in the room................... are very noisy.,
A. down B. lower C. under D. below
15. The train is................... at 5.10.
A. to arrive B. on time C. due D. believed
16. Don't disturb him. He is fast..................
A. sleeping B. sleep C. sleepy D. asleep
17. The water is.................... Be careful!
A. full B. high C. deep D. up
18. He................... 32 on his next birthday.
A. gets B. become C. is D. will
19. I.................. a well-done steak.
A. will B. become C. shall D. want
20. I have only a £20 note. I need some................
A. small money B. coinage C. change D. coins
21. You don't shower with your.................... on, do you?
A. cloths B. clothes C. clothings D. cloth
22. I have lived in Edinburgh.................. my life.
A. for B. since C. total D. all
23. It is heavy. Hold it with................ hands.
A. each B. both C. all D. every
24. She is the lady................. told me.
A. what B. who C. as D. this
25. Read a book............... you are waiting.
A. to B. while C. that D. so
04 MORE PREPOSITIONS
ELEMENTARY REVIEW
Complete.
1. I am leaving for Paris........... Tuesday.
2. The match starts........... three.
3. She is having a party............. her birthday.
4. We are going away................ Christmas.
5. They don't work.............. Sunday.
6. The cinema opens.............. two.
7. We eat too much................ Christmas Day.
8. We have a holiday............... Saturday.
9. My birthday is................ May 10.
10. Her birthday is............... April.
11. We must finish the work............. Friday.
12. We sleep.............. night.
13. We work............. day.
14. He died............. the age of 92.
15. We get up early................ the morning.
16. What time do we have to be............... the airport?
17. They live............. that house.
18. He lives.............. 24 West Street.
19. They live.............. New York.
20. I am staying........... that hotel.
Preposition Review 06
Read these sentences aloud using the correct prepositions:
01. He talked to me ....................... the problem.
02. The room measured three metres ............................. five.
03. Throughout the holidays it rained day ...................... day.
04. He lied ...................... the police when he was arrested for drunken driving.
05. Port comes ....................... Portugal.
06. The movie was boring from beginning ....................... end.
07. In the floods there were ten thousand square kilometres .................. water.
08. The goods do not have to be paid for in advance but can be sent cash .................. delivery.
09. The train is not ......................... time so we will be late.
10. I prefer to pay ........................ cheque rather than cash.
INTERMEDIATE PREPOSITIONS 07
Complete with the most suitable preposition:
01. He didn't tell the truth. He lied.................... it.
02. The patient was very ill indeed. The doctors were working................ time.
03. The sun disappeared................ the clouds.
4. The boxer lost the fight because he hit his opponent................ the belt.
05. I will arrive sometime.............. three and four in the afternoon.
06. He was so ill, he was.................. the help of the doctors.
07. The weather didn't improve. It went................ bad to worse.
08. I couldn't buy the book because the shop didn't have it.............. stock.
09. I felt pleased I no longer had the responsibility. It was a weight................. my shoulders.
10. This is the better product. It has many advantages.................
its competitors.
11. The floods were serious. There were ten thousand square
kilometres................. water.
12. The bank wants to be sure you can pay back the money. It lends money only..................... good security.
INTERMEDIATE PREPOSITIONS 08
Complete with the most suitable preposition:
1. I don't know exactly how far it is. I think it's 23 kilometres ................ the nearest round number.
2. Because of the huge traffic jam on the main road, traffic was........................ a standstill.
3. The criminal appeared................... the court.
4. The soldier saw his girlfriend when he was.................. duty.
5. We can stroll over because it is................. easy walking distance.
6. At high tide, the ship got................... way.
7. He got the sack because he was not quite up.................... the job.
8. It stands.................. reason that success requires hard work.
9. The estate agent showed the potential purchaser............... the building.
10. He makes a terrible noise when he sings ................ key.
11. The goods were sold cheaply because they were............... sale.
12. When you speak to the old lady, you will have to shout because she is hard.................. hearing.
INTERMEDIATE PREPOSITIONS 09
Complete with the most suitable preposition:
1. Hurry up! The train is...................... to leave.
2. The gambler did not pick his horses carefully or thoughtfully. He selected them..................... random.
3. We shall see each other again.................... long.
4. Much of Holland is........................ sea level.
5. He stayed loyal to his friends..................... thick and thin.
6. The golfer got.................... all sorts of difficulties trying to escape from the bunker.
7. I play tennis when I am....................... work.
8. If you smoke, you are.................. danger of getting ill.
9. It is a pity that holidays cannot last.................. ever.
10. The room measured five metres.................... six.
11. Drinks are cheaper.................. board ship.
12. Let's shelter from the rain................... that tree.
INTERMEDIATE PREPOSITIONS 10
Complete with the most suitable preposition:
01. She has got over her illness, and is up and.................. again.
02. The cars were moving round the track...................... high speed.
03. I saw it all. It happened.................... my very eyes.
04. The noisy children burst.................. the room.
05. He is too young. He is................... age for admission to that nightclub.
06. They gave their customer a guided tour................. their workshops.
07. She was able to make him do whatever she wanted. She could twist him.................... her little finger.
08. I have the job................. hand and should complete it by late afternoon.
09. The whole idea of a holiday is to get away............... it all.
10. The handle stuck, and then it broke when he tried to move it............ force.
11. The car was a write-off but the driver escaped.................. injury.
12. In the operating theatre, the patient is put................... anaesthetic.
INTERMEDIATE PREPOSITIONS 11
Complete with the most suitable preposition:
01. Unemployed teenagers hang...................... the city streets.
02. He sold his shares...................... a profit.
03. I was very early. I arrived an hour.................. time.
04. The newspapers were not supposed to print what the President said because he was speaking.................. the
record.
05. The book is unobtainable because it is out................. print.
06. With competition intense, you cannot sell goods that are.............. standard.
07. They were gossiping about him................. his back.
08. We have a dog and a cat....................... the canary.
09. I prefer to travel.................... train.
10. After my holiday, I felt fresh and ready.................... work.
11. The drunken man swayed................. side to side.
12. There was no compulsion. I did it................. my own free will.
03 SIMPLE PRESENT: USE
ELEMENTARY REMEDIAL
Answer the questions.
1. What does a secretary do?
He/she ......................... letters, ......................... the mail, ........................ appointments, ......................... at a desk,
......................... faxes, ......................... a diary and ......................... customers.
2. What does a student do?
He/she ......................... books, ......................... to cassettes, ......................... to classes, ........................ essays,
......................... English and ......................... up late.
3. What does a tourist do?
He/she ...................... in a hotel, ......................... a sight-seeing trip,
......................... in restaurants, ......................... art galleries, ......................... to the theatre and ........................
directions.
05 PRESENT TENSES
PRE-INTERMEDIATE REVIEW
Give the correct forms of the present continuous and simple present in the following sentences:
1. What time you (want) breakfast in the morning?
2. I (eat) normally at seven, but when I (take) an early flight I (grab) a cup of coffee at six.
3. (take) you an early flight tomorrow?
4. No. I (visit) our local office in the morning and then (catch) a lunchtime plane to Paris.
5. Who (see) you in Paris?
6. I (meet) Gustav Leroux, our French agent. He (live) in Paris and (run) our French subsidiary.
7. (keep) you him up to the mark?
8. That (be) not necessary. He (set) a high standard.
9. What (mean) you?
10. Our French operation (make) a higher return per dollar invested than we (do) in Detroit.
11. Why (go) you over there then?
12. We (think) of expanding into Spain. Personally, I (not think) it (be) a good idea. What (think) you?
13. I (suppose) if you (have) an office in Paris, you (want) to make the best use of it.
14. It (appear) that Leroux (speak) Spanish fluently. His family (belong) to the Pyrenees, and his mother (be)
Spanish.
15. What (believe) you (be) the problem then?
16. I (worry) about next year. If Leroux (succeed) in Spain, we (give) him control of the whole European
operation.
17. (matter) that?
18. You (bet) it (do). Leroux (speak) not just French, Spanish and English. He (understand) German as well.
19. You (mean)...
20. Yes. If Leroux (run) everything, what (do) I?
08 USE OF THE PAST CONTINUOUS AND PAST SIMPLE
Give the correct forms of the verbs:
01. I (fall) when I (cross) the road.
02. I (drop) my bag when I (board) the plane.
03. I (get) wet while (walk) in the rain.
04. Whenever the politician (open) his mouth to speak the crowd (shout) insults.
05. While the maid (clean) the room a skeleton (fall) out of the cupboard.
06. As soon as he (get) under the shower, the doorbell (ring).
07. They (slip) and (fall) while they (climb) the mountain.
08. While I (sightsee) in London I (hide) my money in my socks.
09. As they (fly) from Stockholm to Moscow, the starboard engine (burst) into flames.
10. When she (have) lunch a waiter (drop) a plate of soup in her lap.
11. As it (rain) their mother (cancel) the picnic.
12. When he (cycle) downhill, the brakes (fail) and he only (avoid) a serious accident by steering into a friendly
rhododendron bush.
14 PAST TENSE REVIEW
Telling a story. Give the correct form of the words in brackets.
01. Inside the police station, a sergeant (stand) at a desk, writing.
02. He still (write) when the constable (bring) Bert in, and he and the constable (stand) in front of the desk until
the sergeant (finish).
03. Finally, he (look) up and (say) to the constable: "Where you (find) him?"
04. "He (sleep) on a bench in the park. It (be) not easy to wake him up. As I (stand) there, he just (go) on
snoring. He (snore) so loudly, he (frighten) the children."
05. "(complain) anyone?"
06. "Two little old ladies (come) up to me and (tell) me that the snores (make) them nervous."
07. The sergeant (say): "A man (telephone) here and (tell) me that he (live) next to the park and the noise (cause)
interference on his TV. He (ask) why we not (do) anything about it."
08. He (turn) to Bert and (ask) him if he (realise) he (be) Public Nuisance Number One.
09. Bert (reply) in a rush that he (be) a heavy sleeper, that he (work) at night, and that he (be) unable to sleep at
home because his neighbour (give) piano lessons, and the students always (play) Bach preludes, and he (hate)
Bach.
10. The sergeant (scratch) his head and said he (wonder) what the piano students (think) of Bert's trombone.
15 EXERCISE
REVISION OF IRREGULAR PAST TENSE
Read this passage from Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome and give the correct past form of the verbs in
brackets.
It (cast) a gloom over the boat, there being no mustard. We (eat) our beef in silence. Existence (seem) hollow
and uninteresting. We (think) of the happy days of childhood, and (sigh). We (brighten) up a bit, however, over
the apple-tart, and, when George (draw) out a tin of pine-apple from the bottom of the hamper, and (roll) it into
the middle of the boat, we (feel) that life (be) worth living after all.
We are very fond of pine-apples, all three of us. We (look) at the picture on the tin; we (think) of the juice. We
(smile) at one another, and Harris (get) a spoon ready.
Then we (look) for the knife to open the tin with. We (turn) out everything in the hamper. We (turn) out the
bags. We (pull) up the boards at the bottom of the boat. We (take) everything out on to the bank and (shake) it.
There (be) no tin-opener to be found.
Then Harris (try) to open the tin with a pocket-knife, and (break) the blade and (cut) himself badly; and George
(try) a pair of scissors, and the scissors (fly) up, and nearly (put) his eye out. While they (dress) their wounds, I
(try) to make a hole in the thing with the spiky end of the hitcher, and the hitcher (slip) and (jerk) me out
between the boat and the bank into two feet of muddy water, and the tin (roll) over, uninjured, and (break) a tea
cup.
Then we all (get) mad. We (take) that tin out on the bank, and Harris (go) up into a field and (get) a big sharp
stone, and I (go) back into the boat and (bring) out the mast, and George (hold) the tin and Harris (hold) the
sharp end of his stone against the top of it, and I (take) the mast and (poise) it high up in the air, and (gather) up
all my strength and (bring) it down.
It was George's straw hat that (save) his life that day.... Harris (get) off with merely a flesh wound....
As for the tin...
There (be) one great dent across the top that (have) the appearance of a mocking grin, and it (drive) us furious,
so that Harris (rush) at the thing, and ( catch) it up, and (fling) it far out into the middle of the river, and as it
(sink) we (hurl) our curses at it, and we (get) into the boat and (row) away from the spot...
19 PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Examples:
I have now been living in London for three months.
I have been learning English for three years.
Remember that the present perfect is used for time past that continues up to and includes the present.
Complete the sentence with the correct forms of the verbs given.
01. I .............. in the garden all morning and need a good lunch. (dig)
02. I .............. since five in the morning and could do with a nap. (work)
03. He .............. time all evening watching television. (waste)
04. She .............. for the company for the last five years so it is time she was promoted. (work)
05. Dear Susan, It .............. all week so we have spent most of our time sitting in the hotel. (rain)
06. He .............. reports all weekend and has not had time to relax. (read)
07. The children .............. football all afternoon and are screaming for their tea. (play)
08. I .............. for the bus for the past 20 minutes and still it has not come. (wait)
09. How long .............. you .............. here? (wait)
10. It .............. all night long and now there are drifts a metre deep. (snow)
20 PERFECT TENSES: USAGE
SINCE and FOR with present perfect and present perfect continuous
Put the verb in the correct tense and complete where necessary with SINCE or FOR.
1. I (type).............. seven this morning.
2. I (be) off work.......... almost a week.
3. How long you (wait)?
4. How long you (be) off work?
5. How long you (type)?
6. He (live) in that hotel........... the beginning of August.
7. She (study) English............ five years.
8. How long she (study) English?
9. I (work) for the company............ 1988.
10. Inflation (rise)............ interest rates (lower) by the
government.
11. He (be) teetotal........... his illness.
12. That church (stand)............. centuries.
13. The sun (shine)............. last week.
14. I (sit) in front of this computer screen............. ages and
it is driving me crazy.
15. I not (take) any holidays........ the beginning of last year.
16. What you (do)........... I (see) you last?
17. We (be) on holiday............. the past month.
18. I (try) to complete reading War and Peace ever ..............
I was fifteen years old.
19. ........... how long you (be) here?
20 ............ when you (be) here?
USE OF THE GERUND
30 Gerund or Infinitive: "-ing" or "to"
01. I can't think of (go) to visit her in hospital without (buy) some flowers.
02. The examiner gave the students some time (think).
03. The band plans (start) (play) by 9pm.
04. The play is programmed (start) at 7pm, so we have decided (meet) at 6.30.
05. I am looking forward to (see) the film again.
06. I intend (study) English (understand) American business methods.
07. She still plans on (marry) him even after he refused (buy) an engagement ring.
08. I cannot resist (eat) fish and chips when I am in England.
09. She enjoys (go) to parties and (dance) in discos all night long.
10. I stopped (live) in London when I realised it was time for me (move) on.
11. Don't forget (turn) off the heating before (leave) the house.
12. I understood (buy) red roses for your girlfriend on St Valentine's Day was a bit old-fashioned.
USE OF THE GERUND
31 Gerund or Infinitive: "-ing" or "to"
Complete with the gerund or infinitive of the verb given.
1. I remember when you had tried (climb) that wall (escape) from the neighbour when he saw you (steal) apples
in the orchard.
2. I am considering (go) away on holiday over Easter.
3. We are looking into (buy) a larger flat because we long (have) more space.
4. The restaurant we intend (eat) at is sure (be) to your taste.
5. I find it hard (understand) why you like (read) those trashy novels.
6. He loves (garden) because it gives him a feeling of (do) something useful.
7. There is no point in me (ask) you (do) the washing up.
8. As you refuse (work) on Sundays there is no point in (offer) you overtime.
9. I don't want her (come) to dinner because I know she will say something (annoy) me.
10. Peter is supposed (remind) me (do) the tax returns before Monday, otherwise the tax man will come (knock)
on our door.
11. Do you want me (shake) it, or would you like me (stir) it, Mr. Bond?
12. I have spent a few minutes (watch) those people across the road and I am beginning (think) they are rather
eccentric.
USE OF THE GERUND
32 Gerund or Infinitive: "-ing" or "to"
Complete with the gerund or infinitive of the verb given.
01. You should think about (save) until you have enough money (get) a decent video camera rather than (rush)
(buy).
02. We all dislike (have) (work) even though we are all eager (spend) money on (have) a good time and (get) the
things we want.
03. I have been attempting (learn) (play) the flute and I hope (play) in public soon.
04. I have trouble (understand) modern art as some artists only seem out (shock); I cannot understand them not
(want) to make the kind of beautiful things we all like (look) at.
05. You mustn't mind (take) trouble over the cooking if you want your guests (enjoy) their meal.
06. It is worth (watch) the news if you want (keep) up to date.
07. I like (watch) the clouds at sunset because it seems (relax) and puts me in the right frame of mind (sleep).
08. I enjoy (visit) the internet café on my way home (check) my e-mails and maybe (surf) the net for a while.
09. (Eat) apples is better for you than (drink) fizzy orange juice.
10. I meant (buy) some croissants before (leave) for work.
11. I detest (hear) loud car radios even more than (listen) to politicians rant and rave.
12. He had given up (smoke) twenty or thirty times but was so weak-willed he couldn't prevent himself (start)
again as soon as he was offered the deadly weed.
33 INFINITIVE (TO) OR GERUND (-ING)
Provide the "to" or the "-ing" form of the verb. It may be necessary to provide a preposition as well.
01. They were thinking... some time on the North African coast. (spend)
02. The factory owner was accused... the health of his workers. (endanger)
03. He was planning... a holiday in the USA. (take)
04. The burglar decided... into the house... a window. (get, break)
05. The removal men were asked... the furniture into the van. (load)
06. He hurt his back... ... the sofa on his own. (try, lift)
07. The danger... on thin ice must be obvious. (skate)
08. Shopaholics just cannot stop themselves... things. (buy)
09. He bought the books... his friends, not... . (impress, read)
10. The newspaper printed a story about a man... a dog. (bite)