PRESENT FORMS

Stative verbs express a permanent state rather than an action and are not used in the continuous forms. These are:
verbs of the senses used to express involuntary actions (feel, hear, smell, taste etc.),
verbs of feelings and emotions (adore, detest, dislike, enjoy, forgive, hate, like etc.)
verbs of opinion (agree, believe, suppose, understand etc.)
other verbs (belong, concern, depend, know, mean, own, possess, need, prefer, want etc.)
I see someone coming.
She hates pop music.
He knows a lot about computers.
NOTE: feel and hurt can be used in either continuous or simple forms.
She feels / is feeling better.
look, watch and listen express deliberate actions and can be used in continuous forms.
He is listening to some records.
Some stative verbs (be, love, see, smell, taste, think etc.) have continuous forms but there is a difference in meaning.
STATE ACTION
 I see them coming towards us. (= I have the ability)  She’s seeing her doctor today. (= she’s visiting)
 These flowers smell nice. (= they have a nice smell)  Why are you smelling the food? Has it gone
off? (= why are you checking the smell of)
 This soup tastes delicious. (= its flavour is good)  She’s tasting the soup. (= she’s testing the flavour)
 It feels like velvet. (= it has the texture of)  He’s feeling the cloth. (= he’s touching the cloth)
 He has a house. (= he possesses)  We’re having a nice time. (= we’re enjoying
ourselves)
 Do you like his new car? (= Is it nice?)  How are they liking the party? (= are they
enjoying)
 I’m thinking about his suggestion. (= I’m
 I think he has left. (= I suppose, I believe) considering)
 Ann is polite. (= her character is)  Tom is being very impolite. (= he’s behaving
impolitely)
 It looks as if it’s going to snow. (= it appears)  They are looking at the statue. (= they’re viewing)

Fill in with Present Simple or Continuous:

1. ‘I (see) ……………………………… there’s a great film on at the cinema tonight. Would you like to go?’ ‘No, I
(see) ………………………… the dentist about my toothache.’
2. ‘I (think) ………………………………….. about going on a picnic this afternoon.’ ‘I wouldn’t bother. I (think)
………………………… it’s going to rain.’
3. ‘Is John feeling OK? He (look) ……………………………………… very red in the face.’ ‘Yes, I know. I (look)
………………………… for the doctor’s phone number now.’
4. ‘How (you like) ……………………………. your stay in Budapest?’ ‘I am really enjoying myself. I particularly
(like) …………………………………………….. the Hungarian food.’
5. ‘Why (you taste) ……………………………………... the stew?’ ‘I think you need to add some spices; it (taste)
…………………………………….. a bit bland.’
6. ‘Why (you feel) ………………………………………….. the radiator, Dad?’ ‘I don’t think it’s working; it (feel)
……………………………………………. very cold in here.’
7. ‘Tom (be) ………………………………… usually a very quiet boy.’ ‘Yes, but he (be) …………………………
very noisy today.’
8. ‘(you have) …………………………………. a car?’ ‘Yes, but I (have) ………………………… some problems
with it, so it’s at the garage.’
9. ‘Why (you smell) ……………………………………. the roses?’ ‘They always (smell) …………………………
so wonderful at this time of year.’

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct present forms:

1. Alan (fly) ……………………………. to Barcelona tonight. He (already pack) …………………………….. his

suitcase, but he (not call) ………………………… a taxi yet. His plane (leave) ………………………… at 8 pm.
2. Ann and Sally (be) …………………………………flatmates. They sometimes (argue) …………………………
because Sally (always make) …………………………………… a mess in the kitchen.
3. ‘Look over there! It’s John Cooper.’ ‘Oh yes! But he (look) ………………………….. so different! He (put on)
………………………… at least 15 kilos, and I (think) ……………………………………………….. he (wear)
………………………… a toupee.’
4. Ever since the accident, Susan (be) ………………………… afraid to drive. Next week, she (see) ……………..
a psychologist who (specialise) ………………………………… in that sort of problem.
5. ‘What a great match! Johnson (pass) ………………………… the ball to Green, who (shoot) …………………..
and (score) ………………………………….!’
6. ‘What on earth (you do) …………………………? Your clothes are all dirty!’ ‘Well, I (work)
…………………. in the garden all day. Look! I (already plant) ………………………… a lot of flowers. I
(plan) ………………... to cut the grass now.

‘Well, I (never win) ……………………….. anything like this before! I (only enter) ……………………….. a few
competitions in my life, so this is s big surprise. Of course, I (watch) ……………………………TV quiz shows for
years, but now I (think) ……………………… of taking part in more. The prize is wonderful. We (stay) …………
here in Hawaii for ten days now, and we (have) ……………………… a great time. We (already see)
……………. all the sights and my wife (buy) …………………………… lots of souvenirs. We (send)
…………………………. postcards to all our friends to show them how we (spend) ………………………... our
time. Yes, we really (enjoy) ……………………… ourselves. In fact, we (want)
……………………………………. to stay forever.’

Jane,
Thanks for agreeing to look after my flat while I’m away. I (clean) ……………………………. the flat thoroughly,
but as I (work) ………………………… late all week, I (not have) ………………………… time to cook any food
for you. My dog, Rover, (eat) ………………………………….. a tin of dog food every night, and the plants (need)
………………………… watering once a week. Tonight, I (stay) ……………………………… at the Hutton Hotel
so you can contact me there if you need me.
Donna

Dear John,
First of all, sorry I (not write) ………………………… for so long, but I was on holiday. (you get) ………………
your exam results yet? I’m sure you (pass) ……………………… them all since you always (study) ……………...
so hard. I (wait) ……………………….. for mine at the moment, and I (try) ………………………… not to
worry! Well, I (write) ………………………….. from my new flat. Yes, I (move) …………………………...
house! Now, we (paint) …………………………. and (clean) ………………………… the place to make it look
nice. When it’s finished, I am going to have a party and because I (not see) ……………………………….. you for
weeks, I (want) ………………………… you to come. Write soon and let me know if I’ll see you there.
Love,
Mary

Have gone to / Have been to / Have been in

 He has gone to Scotland.
He’s on his way to Scotland or he’s there now. He hasn’t come back yet.
 He has been to Munich once.
He has visited Munich, but he isn’t there now. He has come back.
 He has been in Rotterdam for two years.
He lives in Rotterdam now.

1. Bertha’s not here . She ……………………………………………………………………. to the library.

2. I ………………………………………………………………….. Madrid, but I only spent a few days there.
3. ‘How long ……………………………. you ……………………………… Birmingham?’ ‘For nearly two years.’
4. Tom is alone because his parents ……………………………………………………. the seaside for the weekend.
5. Julia …………………………………………………………... the supermarket – she’ll be back in about an hour.

Fill in since or for:

Sue Wilson has been involved in sports …………….. more than 25 years. Her first interest was gymnastics, which
she has been actively involved in …………….. she was ten, but she has also been interested in other forms of sport
…………… many years. She has been a keen cyclist ………………. 1980, when she made her first bicycle tour of
Europe, and …………………... her marriage to all-round sportsman Tom Wilson in 1985, she has tried her hand at
climbing, sailing and skydiving. Her talent as a writer has kept her busy …………… the past ten years, and she has
become familiar to TV viewers as a sports commentator ………………. her first TV appearance in 1988. Her plans
for the future? ‘I’ve been interested in the role of women in sports ever ……………… I was a teenager. Now, after
being so busy …………….. all these years, I’ve decided to take some time off so I can write a book about it.’ Since
Sue has been part of the sporting world …………… so long, her book should be fascinating.

Fill in with Present Perfect or Past Simple:

1. ‘Is Paul there, please?’ ‘Sorry, he (leave) ……………………………………... about 10 minutes ago.’ ‘I think he
(go) ………………………… to the library.’
2. ‘I (live) ……………………………………... in Lisbon for two years now.’ ‘Really? What a coincidence! I (live)
………………………… there for a year before moving to America.’
3. ‘I need a holiday. I (only have) ……………………………... two days off this year.’ ‘Yes, but last year you (go)
………………………… on holiday four times!’
4. ‘My father once (see) …………………………………………………. Elvis Presley in Las Vegas.’ ‘Well, I (see)
………………………………….. his daughter, Lisa, many times. She lives near me.
5. ‘The chairman (decide) ……………………………………………………... to retire.’ ‘Yes, actually he (inform)
………………………………………….. the managing director of his decision this morning.’

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct past forms:

1. Bill (paint) ………………………………… his front door when the telephone (start) …………………………
ringing. He (answer) …………………………… the phone and (speak) ………………………… to his friend.
Later, he (notice) ……………………………………. that he (leave) ………………………………………. red
fingerprints all over the phone.
2. ‘(Tony ring) ……………………………………. you last night?’ ‘Yes. He (wait) ……………………………
for days for you to phone him, but since you (not phone) ……………………………………………… he (sell)
………………………… his motorbike to someone else.’
3. ‘Your hair (look) …………………………….. different last night.’ ‘I know – I (want) …………………………
to dye it red, but I (not pay) …………………………………… attention when I (buy) …………………………
the dye and I (not realise) ……………………………………. until it (be) ………………………… too late that
I (buy) …………………………………………… the wrong colour.’
4. One day, my sister (call) …………………………………. me. She (not know) …………………………………
what to cook for a dinner party she (give) ………………………………………….. that evening and she (want)
………………………… some advice. I (give) ……………………………... her some simple recipes, but I (be)
surprised that she (not contact) …………………………… our mother. When I (ask) …………………………
why, she (reply) ………………………………….., ‘She’s one of the guests.’
5. Last Friday, I (walk) ……………………………………… to work when I (see) ………………………… an old
friend I (not see) ………………………………….. for a long time. I (throw) ………………………… my arms
around him. He (stare) ……………………………………. at me with an open mouth. To my horror, I (realise)
………………………… I (mistake) ………………………………………… him for my friend.

Last year, Tom and Fiona (decide) ………………………… to buy a house. They (save up) ………………………
for ages, and by the end of May, they (put by) …………………………… enough for the deposit on a house. They
(live) …………………………. in a tiny flat at the time and Fiona (insist) ………………………… that she (want)
…………………… a house with a big garden. They (search) …………………………… for only a few days
when they found exactly what they (look for) ……………………………... - a two-bedroomed house in nearly an
acre of garden. Unfortunately, the owner (ask) ………………………… much more than they (be)
……………………….. willing to pay, and when they (look) ………………………… more closely at the interior,
they (see) ……………... that whoever (live) ………………………… there before, (make)
………………………… an absolute mess of the walls and floors. Still, Fiona (like) ………………………… the
garden and the location so much that she (manage) ………………………… to convince Tom that, despite the
price, it (be) …………………………. the perfect house for them.

Last summer, some friends and I (arrange) ………………………… to go camping. We (look) …………………..
forward to going for weeks when finally the date of departure (arrive) ……………………… We (load) …………
the car with our luggage and (set off) ………………………….. early in the morning. The weather was perfect, the
sun (shine) ………………………… brightly and the wind (blow) ………………………… gently. There (not be)
……………………… a cloud in the sky! Shortly afterwards, while we (travel) …………………………. along the
motorway, we (notice) ………………………… that the car (make) ………………………… a strange noise. Pete,
who (drive) ………………………… very fast, suddenly (stop) ………………………. the car. Everyone (get out)
…………………… and (go) ……………………………. round to the back of the car. To our surprise the boot was
wide open – whoever (load) ………………………… the luggage (not close) …………………………. it properly,
and everything (fall out) …………………………!

Used to – Be used to + -ing form/noun/pronoun – Would – Was going to

 Used to expresses past habitual actions and permanent states.
When I was young, I used to go climbing once a month. (also: would go)
He used to live in Paris. (NOT: would)
 Would expresses past repeated actions and routines – not states.
When I was a child, I would go to the cinema every Sunday. (also: I used to go …)
 Be used to means ‘be accustomed to’, ‘be in the habit of’.
Little children are used to going to bed early in the evening.
 Was going to expresses actions one intended to do but didn’t do.
He was going to buy a house but he lost all his money at the racetrack.

1. Sally went to ballet classes three times a week.

go Sally ……………………………………………………………… ballet classes three times a week.
2. It was my intention to phone you last night, but I forgot.
going I …………………………………………………………………………. you last night, but I forgot.
3. Lying on the beach all day is an unusual experience for me.
used I ………………………………………………………………………………... on the beach all day.
4. When I was young, I used to visit my grandmother every day after school.
would When I was young ………………………………………………………….. every day after school.

 We never use future forms after: as long as, after, before, by the time, if (conditional), unless, in case,
until/till, when (time conjunction), whenever, while, once, suppose/supposing, on condition that,
providing/provided, etc.
Let’s buy some extra food in case they call round. (NOT: in case they will call round)
 When used as a question word and if meaning ‘whether’ (especially after I don’t know, I doubt, I wonder
etc) can be used with future forms
When will he bring the books back?
We don’t know if he will be appointed to the post or not. (=whether)

Fill in the correct present or future forms:

When you (take) ……………………………... a holiday with Activity Wales, you (have) …………………………
the time of your life. As soon as you (arrive) ……………………………., you (feel) ………………………… as if
you (be) ……………………………… in a different world. While you (stay) ………………………………… with
us, we (do) …………………………. our best to ensure that your holiday (run) ………………………… smoothly
and you (not get) …………………………… bored. Activity Wales (have) ……………………………. something
to offer for all ages and tastes. If you (want) ………………………………... to play golf, ride, sail or fish, our staff
(be) ………………………… happy to make the necessary arrangements, or if you simply (want) ………………..
to relax and enjoy the breathtaking view, we (be) ………………………………. delighted to organise some guided
walks. Before your holiday (be) ……………………………….. over, you (already plan) …………………………
your next visit.

Fill in will or be going to:

1. ‘Why do you need so much sugar?’ ‘I ………………………………………………………… to make a cake.’

2. ‘Oh no! I’ve left my purse at home and I haven’t got any money on me!’ ‘Don’t worry! I ………………………
lend you some.’
3. ‘I don’t know how to use this mixer.’ ‘That’s OK. I ………………………………………………… show you.’
4. ‘Why are all these people gathered here?’ ‘The Prime Minister …………………………. open the new hospital.’
5. ‘Did you remember to buy the magazine I asked for?’ ‘Sorry, I didn’t. I ………………………………….. buy it
when I go out again.’
6. ‘What’s that on your curtains?’ ‘It’s a stain. I ………………………… take them to the dry cleaner’s tomorrow.’
7. ‘These bags are very heavy. I can’t lift them.’ ‘I …………………………………………….. carry them for you.’
8. ‘I hear you’re going to Leeds University in September.’ ‘Yes. I …………………………………. study French.’
9. ‘Why don’t you tidy your room?’ ‘I ………………………… play football in ten minutes, so I haven’t got time.’
10. ‘How can we get all this home?’ ‘I ……………………………………………….. ask James to come and help.’

Fill in the correct future forms:

From 14-20 June, Liverpool (hold) …………………………………. its International Garden Festival. Tickets (be)
………………………… on sale to the public from Saturday 1 May, and this year, we (offer) ……………………
special family tickets at the discount price of £15. The gates (open) …………………………………… at 9 am and
the first event (start) …………………………………………… at 9.30.

Kenwhite’s one-day sale (start) ………………………… this Monday. The store (open) …………………………
at 8 am and early morning shoppers (be able to) ………………………… enjoy shopping in peace and quiet before
the crowds (arrive) …………………………….. We (offer) ……………………………… substantial discounts on
ladieswear and you (come across) ……………………………… some real bargains in our menswear range. By the
end of the day, we are sure that all of our customers (find) ……………………………… what they are looking for.

Anne Mayton’s latest book ‘The S-Plan Diet’ (be) ………………………… available in bookshops next week. The
new S-plan diet (help) ………………………… you lose weight safely and quickly. You (not need) ……………..
to miss meals and you (not have to) ………………………………….. spend hours measuring out portions of food.
By the end of the diet, the author guarantees you (lose) ………………………………... at least 7 kilos or she (give)
………………………… you your money back.

Choose the correct item:

1. I’m sorry, I’m not ready to go out – I haven’t finished doing the washing-up already / yet.
2. I don’t think I’ve ever met her yet / before.
3. He’s still / yet got a good memory even though he’s almost eighty.
4. I used to live here six years before / ago.
5. He’s lived in Rome all his life and he yet / still lives there.
6. I’ve before / already read this book – I don’t want to read it again.
7. The last time I fed the goldfish was two days before / ago.
8. I can’t believe I’ve been here nearly a year yet / already.
9. I’m afraid the plumber hasn’t arrived still / yet.
10. He can still / already speak and he’s only one year old.

Last summer, I (visit) ………………………… the Unites States. I (look forward) ………………………… to the
trip for ages, and I (enjoy) ……………………………….. myself very much. On the 4th of July, a friend (suggest)
………………………… we go and watch the fireworks. I (see) ……………………………. fireworks before, but I
(never experience) …………………………….. anything like the spectacle we (witness) …………………………
that night.

Sarah (leave) ………………………… school two years ago, and for the last year, she (look) ……………………..
for a decent job. She (hope) ……………………………………… to find work as a secretary, but as she (never do)
………………………… a secretarial course before, I think she (have) ………………………… some difficulty in
finding such a job.

‘Where (you be) …………………………….... lately? The last time I (see) ……………………………… you (be)
………………………… two years ago.’ ‘I (move) …………………………………… to London 18 months ago –
I (work) ………………………….. as a nurse there since then.’ ‘Oh really! How (it go) …………………………?’
‘Great! I (enjoy) ………………………………………………. it very much at the moment, although at first, it (be)
………………………… very hard.’

‘I (have) ………………………………… a party tonight. Would you like to come?’ ‘I’d love to, but unfortunately,
I (already arrange) ………………………………. to go out for dinner.’ ‘What (you do) …………………………
tomorrow?’ ‘Not much. I think a friend (come) ……………………………………. to visit me in the morning, but I
(not have) ………………………… any plans for later in the day. (you fancy) ………………………….. going for
a drive?’
Peter (drive) ………………………………. to work yesterday when a dog (run) ………………………… into the
middle of the road. Peter (manage) …………………………………….. to stop in time, but the car which (follow)
………………………… behind him (crash) ………………………….. into the back of his car. Then, the two cars
(collide) …………………………………. with a police car which (travel) ………………………… in the opposite
direction.

Some thieves (break into) ………………………… my house yesterday. Apparently, I (leave) ……………………
the window open. This is the first time anything like this (happen) ……………………………... to me. The thieves
(get in) ……………………………. through the window and (steal) …………………………….. all my jewellery.
None of the neighbours (see) ………………………… anything happen.

‘What (you do) ………………………… tonight?’ ‘I (study) ………………………… for my exams.’ ‘What time
(you finish) …………………………….. studying?’ ‘I (finish) ……………………………... by 8 o’clock, I hope.’
‘Good – let’s go to the cinema then. The film (start) ………………………… at 8.30.’

‘(you see) ………………………… ‘The Cure’ concert last night?’ ‘No, but I (see) ………………………… them
before. I (go) ………………………… to one of their concerts five years ago.’ ‘They (improve) …………………
a lot since then.’ ‘(they still make) …………………………………………. records?’ ‘Oh yes, they (just release)
………………………… a new one.’

This time next week, I (be) …………………………… on my honeymoon and I (forget) …………………………
all about my problems at work. My husband and I (relax) ……………………………………… by the pool and we
(look forward) ………………………… to spending romantic evenings together.

Technology has made such dramatic advances in the past decade that by the year 2100 who knows what changes
(take) ………………………………… place? It is quite likely that by 2020, we (use up) …………………………
most of the earth’s natural resources, and so, we (rely) ………………………………………… on wind power and
hydropower for our energy needs. As a result of this shortage of energy, it is quite probable that scientists (find)
………………………… a way for us to live on another planet. By the next century, it’s possible that people (live)
…………………………………. in cities on the Moon or perhaps in cities on the seabed. It is hoped that scientists
(discover) ……………………………. cures for fatal diseases such as Aids and, due to the advancement of genetic
engineering, hereditary diseases passed down from generation to generation (exist) ………………………………..
no longer. It is quite possible that by 2100, life expectancy (increase) ………………………………….. to 100 and
that we (be able to) …………………………………. enjoy a healthier existence that is now possible. Another area
likely to have been further affected by technology in the next years is education. In schools, computers (replace)
………………………… teachers and many students (stay) ……………………………... at home to complete their
education. We (see) …………………………… changes in the work-place too. The two main areas of employment
(be) ………………………………… the so-called creative and caring professions, and the disappearance of jobs in
manufacturing (result) ………………………………………………….. in massive unemployment.