• PRESENT SIMPLE FORMS OF ‘TO BE’ – AM/IS/ARE

Exercises Explanation Downloads

• The present simple of be – FORM

The present simple of the verb be has three forms:

o I am.
o He/She/It is.
o We/You/They are.

They= people and things

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We use he for a man, she for a woman, and it for a thing.

o He‘s a little boy.

o She‘s beautiful.
o I like this TV. It‘s very big.

We use they for people and for things.

o I love Sara and Jonas. They are my friends.

o I love these chairs. They are very beautiful.

Don’t forget the subject

We always need a subject before the verb.

o It is cold.
o Is cold.
o Sally is a wonderful woman.
o Is a wonderful woman.

Contractions or short forms

We use ‘m, ‘s and ‘re with personal pronouns (I, you, he, etc.)

o I’m sad.
o You’re tired.
o She’s from Scotland.

But we can also use ‘s with names.

o Laura’s beautiful.
o London’s an expensive city.

Contractions in short answers

We can only use contractions in negative short answers. Not in
positive short answers.
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 o Yes, I am.
o Yes, I’m.
o Yes, she is.
o Yes, she’s.
o Yes, they are.
o Yes, they’re.

The present simple of be – USE

We use the verb be to talk about:

o Who we are: I‘m Steven, and this is Isabella. And this is my

daughter, Alicia.
o Age: I‘m 24 years old, and my father is 50.

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 o Job: I‘m a teacher, and my wife is a doctor.
o Nationality: Alex is from Ireland, and Sonia is from Spain.
o Feelings: I‘m scared. She is very tired.
o Colour: Our dog is black. His eyes are blue.
o Prices: It‘s seven pounds. This T-shirt is twenty dollars.
o The weather: It‘s sunny today. It is very cold this morning.
o The time: What time is it? It‘s ten past four.
o Descriptions in general: He is very short and thin. The cars are old
and cheap.
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Exercise 1

Choose the correct present simple forms of ‘to be’ for the gaps below.

1A: is/Are you a teacher? B: Yes, I am/are.

2A: Is/Are your name Marcus? B: Yes, it is/are.
3A: Are/am your children here? B: No, they aren't/isn't.
4A: Is/Are this your suitcase? B: No, it aren't/isn't.
5A: Where are/is/am we? B: I think this is/are Oxford street.
6A: Is/Are it Saturday today? B: No, It 're/'s Sunday.
7A: Are/Is your friends from the UK? B: No, he is/they are from the US.
8A: Hello, Maria. How am/are you? B: I'm/I are fine, thanks.
9A: How old is/are Peter? B: I think he is/it is 30 years old.
10A: Is/Are David and Molly here? B: Yes, we're/they're next to the door.

Exercise 2

Rewrite the sentences using the short forms of be.

EXAMPLE: They are good friends ⇒ They’re good friends.

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1She is fantastic ⇒-----------fantastic.
2We are in Spain ⇒------------in Spain.
3You are not my friend ⇒ You--------my friend.
4Sheila is from Brighton. ⇒--------from Brighton.
5The chairs are not expensive. ⇒ The chairs ------------expensive.
6I am not British ⇒-------------British.
7Clara is a good student. ⇒-------------a good student.
8You are great. ⇒-------------great.
9They are my friends. ⇒----------my friends.
10He is not angry. ⇒ He ----------- angry.

Exercise 3

Rewrite these sentences using the negative and interrogative forms of ‘to be’. USE
contractions when possible.

EXAMPLE: They are friends ⇒ They aren’t friends. ⇒ Are they friends?

1She is a teacher. ⇒-------------a teacher. ⇒--------------a teacher?

2They're in Berlin. ⇒-------------in Berlin. ⇒-------------in Berlin?
3It's a nice day. ⇒--------------a nice day. ⇒----------a nice day?
4I am very excited. ⇒-------------very excited. ⇒----------------very excited?
5We are students. ⇒-------------students. ⇒----------------students?
6You are right. ⇒--------------right. ⇒----------------right?
7It's 6 o'clock. ⇒-------------6 o'clock. ⇒--------------6 o'clock?
8The table is blue. ⇒-----------blue. ⇒----------------blue?
9He is the new manager. ⇒-------------the new manager. ⇒--------------the
new manager?
10They are sorry. ⇒-------------sorry. ⇒-----------------sorry?

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Exercise 4

Fill in the gaps with the correct present simple forms of ‘to be’.

Sofie: Hello.------ you from here?

Dino: No, we---------- . And you?--------- you from here?
Sofie: No, I------- from France. My name------------Sofie.
Dino: Nice to meet you. I 6 Dino. And this 7 Francesca.
Sofie: Where 8 you from?
Dino: We 9 from Italy.
Sofie: 10 you from Rome?
Dino: No, we 11 . We 12 from the north of Italy. I 13 from Torino, and
Francesca 14 from Milano.
Sofie: 15 you here on holiday?
Dino: No, we 16 . It 17 a study trip. This----------a beautiful place.
Sofie: Yes, it------------ .-------------- the trip nice?
Dino: Very nice.

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Present simple form
In present simple verbs, we need to use the verb do/does in questions
and don’t/doesn’t in negatives.

Spelling of he/she/it

The form is the same for all the other persons except he/she/it. The spelling
for he/she/it is different.

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Present simple use
Habits or actions that happen regularly

We use present simple for habits or actions that we repeat regularly:

• I wash my hair every day.

• I never go to the library.
• I go to the library on Saturdays.

Permanent situations or things that are always or often true

• I don’t drink coffee.

• She’s very tall.
• I have two brothers.

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 • Water boils at 100 degrees.
• I like soup.

• Exercise 1
• Choose the correct present simple forms to complete the following
sentences.
• 1I don't drink/not drink/drink not tea.
• 2She have/haves/has two brothers.
• 3Tom do not start/ doesn't start /doesn't starts work until 10 today.
• 4You do play/Do you play/You play an instrument?
• 5The museum does open/opens/open at 10 o'clock.
• 6Peter and Megan often go/do go/goes to the cinema.
• 7John doesn't gets up/do not get up/doesn't get up very late.
• 8What time they do leave/do they leave/they leave home in the
morning?
• 9What language does he studies/does he study/do he studies?
• 10My son never watches/watch/watchs cartoons.

• Exercise 2
• Transform the following sentences into negatives.
•
EXAMPLE: I love pizza. ⇒ I don’t love pizza.
• 1He is a student. ⇒ He---------a student.
• 2Peter works in an office. ⇒ Peter----------in an office.
• 3My parents live in Arizona. ⇒ My parents----------in Arizona.
• 4Suzan likes cats. ⇒ Suzan--------------cats.
• 5He has brothers and sisters. ⇒ He-----------any brothers or sisters.
• 6She speaks three languages. ⇒ She--------------three languages.
• 7John and I want to be musicians. ⇒ John and I--------------to be
musicians.
• 8They play tennis. ⇒ They-----------------tennis.
• 9She gets home late. ⇒ She-------------home late.
• 10Anna and Paul live in the center. ⇒ Anna and Paul--------------in the
center.

Exercise 3

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Write questions in present simple.

EXAMPLE: Peter / drive / a fast car. ⇒ Does Peter drive a fast car ?

1Laura / play / tennis ⇒ ?

2you / speak / English ⇒ ?
3you / want / some coffee ⇒ ?
4Where / he / live ⇒ Where ?
5How often / they / go to the cinema ⇒ How often ?
6What time / Suzan / start work ⇒ What time ?
7Where / she / work ⇒ Where ?
8you / listen to music ⇒ ?
9he / watch / series ⇒ ?
10How often / they / travel ⇒ How often ?

Exercise 4

Fill in the gaps with the verbs in brackets in present simple affirmative or negative.

Sara is my daughter. She has (have) two daughters; they are my

granddaughters. Sara---------- (not have) much free time because she-------
-- (work) in a shop. In the week, she-------(get up) very early and she----------
--- (go) to bed quite late every day. She----------- (love) Sundays because
she------------ (not work) and she------------ (spend) the day with her family.
On Sundays, they--------- (not get up) very late because they always---------
--- (go out). My granddaughters------- (be) always sad on Sunday evenings
because it's the end of the weekend.

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Present continuous – Form

We form the present continuous with am/is/are + the -ing form of the verb.

• I am writing a book.
• She is listening to the radio.
• They are doing their homework.

The short forms of am/is/are are: ‘m/’s/’re.

• I‘m writing a book.

• She‘s listening to the radio.
• They‘re doing their homework.

The negative short forms of am not/is not/are not are: ‘m not/isn’t/aren’t.

• I‘m not writing a book.

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 • She isn’t listening to the radio.
• They aren’t doing their homework.

Note that we can use short forms only in negative short answers but not in
positive short answers.

• ‘Are you writing a book?’ ‘No, I’m not/I am not.’

• ‘Are you writing a book?’ ‘Yes, I am.’
• ‘Are you writing a book?’ ‘Yes, I’m.’

Actions happening now

We use the present continuous for things happening now, at the moment of
speaking.

• ‘What are you doing?’ ‘I‘m watching TV.’

Actions happening around now

We use the present continuous for temporary things that are happening
around now (=not at the moment of speaking but these days, or weeks, etc.)

• I‘m reading a very good book at the moment. (=I’m not reading it at the
moment I’m speaking, but I’m reading it these days.)

Now, these days, at the moment, etc.

We use the present continuous with time expressions that mean ‘now’ or
‘around now’: now, at the moment, at present, today, these days, this week,
etc.

Exercise 1

Write positive or negative sentences in present continuous using the verbs in

brackets. Use SHORT FORMS when possible.

1He------------(save) money because he wants to buy a car.

2You----------(not listen) to me.
3My parents------------(look) for a new apartment.
4The victim--------------(not cooperate) with the police.

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5We---------(plan) a trip to Japan.
6I----------(cook) fish for dinner.
7The water------------(boil). You can put the pasta now.
8He-------------(not train) because he has health problems.
9I------------(not work) at present. I'm unemployed.
10It---------------(not rain) now. We can go to the park.

Exercise 2

Write questions and short answers in present continuous with the words in brackets.
Use SHORT FORMS when possible.

1A: (you/cry)? B: No, I .

2A: (your father/recover) well after the operation? B: Yes, he .
3A: (they/try) to find a solution? B: Yes, they .
4A: (the baby/sleep)? B: No, she .
5A: (we/do) the right thing? B: Yes, we .
6A: (he/study) for his exams? B: No, he .
7A: (you eat) my pizza? B: Yes, I .
8A: (you/pay) by credit card? B: No, I .
9A: (they/win) the match? B: Yes, they .
10A: (Tom/run) in the race? B: No, he . He's here with me.

Exercise 3

Complete the dialogues with the verbs in brackets in present continuous. Use
SHORT FORMS when possible.

1Suzan: Hi Mark. What (you/do)?

2Mark: I (watch) TV.
3Suzan: What (you/watch)?
4Mark: A football match. Liverpool (play) against Manchester United.
5Suzan: (you/enjoy) it?
6Mark: Yes, I . It's a great match.
7Suzan: (your team/win)?
8Mark: Yes! But what about you? What (you/do)?
9Suzan: I'm with Alice. We (study) for our maths exam.
10Mark: Well, I'm sure you (not enjoy) maths. Do you want to take a break and
come to my house?
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Present simple or continuous? – Grammar chart

Present simple
We use the present simple for habits or permanent situations. You can
revise the form of the present simple tense here.

Habits or actions that happen regularly

We use the present simple for habits or actions that we repeat regularly:

• I wash my hair every day.

• I never go to the library.
• I go to the library on Saturdays.

Permanent situations or things that are always or often true

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 • I don’t drink coffee.
• She’s very tall.
• I have two brothers.
• Water boils at 100 degrees.
• I like soup.

Adverbs and expressions of frequency

We use adverbs and expressions of frequency with the present simple to

talk about how often something happens.

• We usually order a pizza on Fridays.

• I go running twice a week.

Stative or non-action verbs

Some verbs don’t describe actions. These verbs are called stative or non-
action verbs, and we can use these verbs in the present simple but NOT in
the present continuous. Some of these verbs
are be, have (=possess/own), like, love, hate, prefer, need, want, know, etc.

• They have a new car.

• They are having a new car.
• I like chocolate.
• I‘m liking chocolate.

Present continuous
We use the present continuous for things that are happening now (at the
moment of speaking) or for temporary things that are happening around
now (these days or weeks, etc.). You can revise the form of the present
continuous tense here.

Actions happening now

We use the present continuous for things happening now, at the moment of
speaking.

• ‘What are you doing?’ ‘I‘m watching TV.’

Actions happening around now

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We use the present continuous for temporary things that are
happening around now (=not at the moment of speaking but these days,
weeks, etc.)

• I‘m reading a very good book at the moment. (=I’m not reading it at the
moment I’m speaking, but I’m reading it these days.)
• What TV series are you watching these days? (=You are not watching it
at the moment of speaking, but these days.)

Now, these days, at the moment, etc.

We use the present continuous with time expressions that

mean now or around now. Some of these expressions are: now, at the
moment, at present, today, these days, this week, etc.

Present simple or continuous?

Usually or now?

We use the present simple for things that we usually do, and we use
the present continuous for things that we are doing now.

• I listen to the radio. (=I usually listen to the radio; it’s a habit.)
• I‘m listening to the radio. (=I’m doing it now.)
• I don’t usually watch documentaries, but I’m watching a
documentary now.

Temporary or permanent?

We use present simple when a situation is permanent or present

continuous when a situation is temporary.

• I work in an office. (=Permanent situation.)

• I‘m working in an office. (=Temporary situation.)
• I live in Edinburgh. (=Permanent situation.)
• I‘m living in Edinburgh. (=Temporary situation.)

What do you do?/What are you doing?

• What does Erik do? (=What is his job?)

• What is Erik doing? (=What is he doing now, at the moment of
speaking?)

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 • Exercise 1
• Choose the correct present simple or present continuous form to complete
the dialogues below.
• 1Cindy: What you are doing/are you doing /do you do?
• 2Robert: I'm listening to the radio. They talking/talk/are talking about
football.
• 3Cindy: Do you often listen/Are you often listening/Do you listen
often to the radio?
• 4Robert: Yes. I 'm like/like/'m liking the radio.
• 5Cindy: Are you often listening/Do you listen often/Do you often
listen to sports programmes?
• 6Robert: Not usually, but today I 'm want/want/'m wanting to know
what they say about my team.
• 7Terry: What are you do/ are you doing/do you do?
• 8Lisa: I'm an architect, but I don't work/'m not work/'m not working at
the moment.
• 9Terry: Do you look/Are you looking/Do you looking for a job?
• 10Lisa: Yes. I 'm need/need/'m needing to find a job soon.

Exercise 2

Complete the following sentences choosing the correct present simple or present
continuous forms.

1.1You can take the newspaper. I _____ it.

a.'m not reading

b.don't read
c.'m not read
2.I _____ to work by car, but today I'm going by bus.
a.usually go
b.'m usually going
c.usually going
3.'Where is John?' 'He _____ a shower.'
a.has
b.having

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c.'s having
4.I _____ exercise very often.
a.'m not doing
b.don't do
c.'m not do
5.Can you hear that? Our neighbours _____.
a.argue
b.arguing
c.are arguing
6.Our neighbours _____ almost every day.
a.argue
b.do argue
c.are arguing
7.What time _____ work on Fridays?
a.is she start
b.does she start
c.is she starting
8.I'm hungry. I _____ to eat something.
a.'m wanting
b.'m want
c.want
9.'Where is Jane?' 'In the living room. She___________ a movie.'
a.'s watching
b.watching
c.watches
10.10I _____________ TV when I'm having dinner.
a.'m never watching
b.never watch
c.'m never watch

Exercise 3

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Complete the following postcard with the verbs in brackets in present simple or
present continuous.

Dear Kate,
I--------- (write) from New York. This is my second year here. Can you believe
it? Right now I--------------(sit) in a coffee shop in Manhattan. Lots of business
people------------- (walk) fast in the street, and lots of tourists---------- (look)
at the amazing buildings around them.This is a great city. Every morning, I-----
------ (get up) early and I----------- (go) for a run in Central Park. Then I-------
---- (have) some coffee and bagels before going to work. Now I----------
- (have) a cappuccino and a bagel in a Starbucks near my office. I------------
- (love) my job, and I'm happy because my business----------------- (expand)
very quickly.I hope to see you soon.
Take care,
Sally.

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Have got – form

Have got (British English) = have (American English)

The verb have got is a common form used in the UK, mainly when people are
speaking. In the US, people use the verb have.

• I‘ve got a car. = I have a car.

• I haven’t got a car. = I don’t have a car.
• Have you got a car? = Do you have a car?

Be careful with this common mistake!

The verb have got only has a present form (NOT past).

• I had got a car.

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 • I had a car.
• I hadn’t got a car.
• I didn’t have a car.
• Had you got car?
• Did you have car?

Have got – use

Possession, family

• She‘s got a nice apartment.

• Have you got a computer?
• I haven’t got any brothers or sisters.

Illnesses

• I‘ve got a headache.

• She‘s got a cold.

Physical descriptions

• He‘s got brown hair and a long nose.

• They‘ve got blue eyes.

• Exercise 1
• Choose the correct verb forms to complete the sentences below.
1.1_____ a pen?
a.Do you have got
b.Have you got
c.You have got
2.They _____ any children.
a.don't have got
b.don't got
c.haven't got

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3.A: 'Have you got a car?' B: 'Yes, I _____.'
a.have
b.do
c.'ve got
4.When we were kids, we _____ many toys.
a.hadn't got
b.didn't have
c.hadn't
5.He ____ a very nice family.
a.'s got
b.have got
c.'ve got
6.There is a door here. _____ the key?
a.Have you got
b.Do you got
c.Do you have got
7.They _____ two cats and two dogs.
a.has got
b.'ve
c.'ve got
8._____ a question?
a.Have you
b.Do you have got
c.Do you have
9.I _____ the answer to your question.
a.haven't
b.don't have got
c.haven't got
10.I _____ a lot of money at the moment.
a.don't have got
b.don't have

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c.haven't

Exercise 2

Transform these sentences using the verb have got like in the example below.
Use short forms when possible: ‘ve got, ‘s got, haven’t got, hasn’t got.

EXAMPLE: They have a yacht ⇒ They ‘ve got a yacht.

1I have a new computer. ⇒ I------a new computer.

2Do you have a new profile photo? ⇒--------a new profile photo?
3She has blonde hair and blue eyes. ⇒ She---------blonde hair and blue eyes.
4I don't have a Twitter account. ⇒ I---------a Twitter account.
5She doesn't have any money. ⇒ She---------any money.
6A: Do you have a laptop? B: Yes, I do. ⇒ A: Have you got a laptop? B: Yes, I---
------ .
7They have a lot of Youtube fans. ⇒ They ---------a lot of Youtube fans.
8He doesn't have any interest in science. ⇒ He ---------any interest in science.
9Does she have a sister? ⇒---------a sister?
10I have a terrible headache. ⇒ I----------a terrible headache.

Exercise 3

Change the following sentences or questions into the past tense.

EXAMPLE: They haven’t got a house ⇒ They didn’t have a house.

1He's got a girlfriend. ⇒ He a girlfriend.

2They haven't got any problems. ⇒ They any problems.
3Have you got a pen? ⇒ a pen?
4She hasn't got a sister. ⇒ She a sister.
5He's got an exam. ⇒ He an exam.
6Has she got a cold? ⇒ a cold?
7Have you got a headache? ⇒ a headache?
8I haven't got time. ⇒ I time.
9She's got a nice smile. ⇒ She a nice smile.

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10He hasn't got much experience. ⇒ He much experience.

Was/were – Form

Was/were

We use was/were as the past simple forms of be. We

use was for I/he/she/it and were for you/we/they.

• I was at home yesterday.

• You were late at the meeting.
• She was excited about the party.
• We were tired after the excursion.
• Were they at the conference?

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No positive short forms

The negative short forms of was not and were not are wasn’t and weren’t,
but there are no short forms of was and were in affirmative sentences.

• Tom was tired, but Susan wasn’t very tired.

• Paul and Tom were happy, but we weren’t happy.

Was/were – Use
Was/were are the past forms of am/is/are. Present: am/is = past: was.
Present: are = past: were.

• I‘m happy. ⇒ I was happy. (am ⇒ was)

• She is at her office. ⇒ She was at her office. (is ⇒ was)
• You are late. ⇒ You were late. (are ⇒ were)

We use was/were to talk about the past. We often use past expressions of
time: yesterday, last night, last week, two months ago, etc.

• She was in Stuttgart last summer.

• We were late to the party last night.

We use was/were in the expression was/were born. The expression be

born is always past (NOT present): was/were born.

• ‘Where were you born?’ ‘I was born in Sweden.’

• ‘Where are you born?’ ‘I am born in Sweden.’
• Mozart was born in 1756.

• Exercise 1
• Choose was/were or am/is/are to complete the following sentences.
• 1My son was/were short in school, but now he is/are/am tall.
• 2'WasWere you at the stadium yesterday?' 'Yes, I was/were/'s.'
• 3Yesterday Philip and Emma was/were in London. Today
they am/are/is in Paris.
• 4Sara and I were/was at home that night, and you was/were with us.
• 5Yesterday we were/was late for the concert, and today
I are/am/is late for class.

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• 6Asim were/is/was born in Egypt, and I were/was/am born in
Birmingham.
• 7'Were/Was you excited about the trip?' 'Yes, we 're/were/was very
excited.'
• 8'Was/Were Kate angry yesterday after the meeting?' 'No, but I think
she am/are/is angry now.'
• 9'Were/Was you at the beach last Sunday?' 'Yes, I was/were.
• 10The weather are/was/is nice today, but it were/was horrible last
weekend.

• Exercise 2
• Complete the following sentences with was/were or wasn’t/weren’t.
• 1Where-----you last night? I called you, but you------at home.
• ----------Sandra happy after the exam?' 'No, she -------.'
• 3I remember I-------very worried, but you-------calm.
• 4Betty and Paul------at home; they-----at the cinema
• 5---------you tired after the concert?' 'Yes, I---------.'
• 6I'm very sorry. You-------right, and I-------wrong.
• 7'Were your parents at the meeting?' 'My dad -------there, but my
mum-------
• 8We-------late! We ----------early. The concert was at 8 and we arrived
at 7.
• 9Vivian----------at the meeting, but I--------there. I always go to the
meetings.
• --5---------Tim with you?' 'No, only Sally and Peter----------there with
me.'

• Exercise 3
• Write questions using was/were and the words below. Put the words in the
correct order.

• EXAMPLE: you / what time / at the station ⇒ What time were you at the
station ?
• 1the keys / where ⇒ ?
• 2Robin / why / at the meeting ⇒ ?
• 3born / she / when ⇒ ?

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• 4how expensive / the hotel ⇒ ?
• 5why / you / angry ⇒ ?
• 6unconscious / I / after the accident ⇒ ?
• 7the questions / difficult ⇒ ?
• 8the accident / what time ⇒ ?
• 9you / how often / in contact with them ⇒ ?
• 10where / you and Tom / last night ⇒ ?

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Past simple – Use
Completed actions in the past

We use the past simple to talk about actions or events that happened in the
past. We know, or we say, when the events happened.

• I saw Jim yesterday.

• We didn’t go out last Saturday. We stayed at home.
• She moved to Chester three years ago.

Past habits

We use the past simple to talk about past habits (things that we did more or
less often).

• She washed her hair every day.

• She worked as a nurse.
• I often played in the park when we were children.

Situations that were true in the past

We also use the past simple to talk about things that were true in the past.

• My grandfather had two brothers.

• He lived with my grandparents as a child.

Events in chronological order

We use the past simple to describe the main events of a story in

chronological order.

• When I arrived home, I took off my shoes and then I relaxed on the sofa.

• .

Past simple regular

We often add -ed to verbs (regular verbs) to make the past simple.

• We often watch a film on Saturday. ⇒ We watched a film last Saturday.

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 • I live in Barcelona. ⇒ I lived in Barcelona in the 90s.

When do we double the consonant?

We double the consonant when the verb ends in consonant + vowel +

consonant. This is always true when the verb is one syllable.

• stop ⇒ stopped, plan ⇒ planned, shop ⇒ shopped, rob ⇒ robbed.

When the verb is two syllables, we only double the consonant when
the STRESS is in the last syllable.

• reFER ⇒ referred, preFER ⇒ preferred, reGRET ⇒ regretted

But we do NOT double the consonant when the STRESS is NOT in the last
syllable.

• VIsit ⇒ visited, ANswer ⇒ answered.

Past simple irregular

Irregular verbs don’t add -ed to make the past simple. Some very common
irregular verbs are:

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Exercise 1

Write the past simple forms of the regular verbs in brackets to complete these
sentences.

1I ----------(study) all night yesterday.

2We-------------(play) poker after dinner.
3After escaping from prison, he-----------(rob) a bank.
4He-----------------(start) playing chess at the age of 7.
5We--------------(arrive) home very late.
6We---------------(visit) the Louvre while we were in Paris.
7He--------------(try) to escape.
8I----------------(stop) smoking when I was 30.
9When I was a child, I-----------------(hate) fish.
10We really-----------------(enjoy) the concert.

Exercise 2

Write the past simple forms of the irregular verbs in brackets to complete these
sentences.

1I---------------(find) my true love when I was 50.

2We---------------(buy) this sofa in the shop at the end of the street.
3We never----------------(wear) uniforms in school.
4I-------------(forget) to tell you something important.
5I---------------(see) Peter at the theater last week.
6After the meeting, I----------------(speak) with my boss.
7Yesterday I-----------------(drive) to work.
8She---------------(run) her first marathon when she was 18.
9I------------------(make) a lot of mistakes during the match.
10Somebody----------(eat) my biscuits without telling me.

Exercise 3

Complete the text with these verbs in past simple.

arrive – ask – fly – go – pay – say – stop – take – tell – think – want

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Two summers ago, we-------------on a trip to New York. We----------from
Manchester to John F. Kennedy International Airport. The journey was long,
but we were very excited; we are from a little village and we really---------
- to visit a megacity like New York. When we-------------------- at our
destination, we-------- -a taxi to our hotel in Manhattan. The taxi driver was
very nice and------------ us lots of things about New York and Manhattan.
"How much is it?" I asked the taxi driver when he---------his car in front of the
hotel. When he--------- that it was 52 dollars, I 9------- that it wasn't possible,
but it was! For the first –and I hope the last– time in my life, I----------------52
dollars for a taxi. I guess that's one of the problems of big cities, they are
really expensive.

Past simple negatives and questions

We use did and didn’t to make negatives, questions and short answers in
past simple.

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Word order in questions

Remember that the word order in questions is QWASI: (Question Word),

Auxiliary (did), Subject, Infinitive.

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Infinitive without to

We use did or didn’t with the bare infinitive of the main verb (= infinitive
without to).

• I didn’t work yesterday.

• I didn’t didn’t worked yesterday.
• Did you go to the concert?
• Did you went to the concert?

Don’t use did in positive sentences

We use did or didn’t in negatives, questions and short answers, but NOT in
positive sentences.

• We stayed home yesterday.

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 • We did stay home yesterday.
• I went out last night.
• I did go out last night.

Did or was/were?

We use did and didn’t (NOT was/wasn’t or were/weren’t) as the auxiliary

verb in negatives and questions in past simple.

• We didn’t eat at 6.
• We weren’t eat at 6.
• Did you do your homework?
• Were you do your homework?

We do NOT use did or didn’t in past simple negatives or questions when

the main verb is be.

• They weren’t happy.

• They didn’t be happy.
• Was he at home?
• Did he be at home?

• Exercise 1
• Choose the correct past simple forms to complete these sentences.
1.We _____ a bus to Chicago last week.
a.were took
b.did took
c.took

2._____ to the party last weekend?

a.Did you go
b.Went you
c.Did you went
3.Yesterday I ____ the train, but I ____ late for work.
a.did miss / were not
b.missed / didn't be
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c.missed / wasn't

4.They _____ a swimming pool in their backyard last summer.

a.did put
b.putted
c.put

5.Where _____ this afternoon?

a.were he go
b.did he go
c.did he went
6.She _____ home early from the party yesterday.
a.came
b.camed
c.didn't came
7.How much _____ for it?
a.did you paid
b.did you pay
c.paid you
8.They _____ the play very much.
a.weren't enjoy
b.didn't enjoyed
c.didn't enjoy
9.When _____ that crazy idea?
a.did you got
b.did you get
c.got you
10.Where _____ last night?
a.were you
b.did you be
c.did you were

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Exercise 2

Complete the conversation using the words in brackets to make past simple positive,
negative, and questions.

1Emma: Where------------------ (you/travel) this summer?

2Phil: We-------------(go) to Playa del Carmen, in Mexico.
3Emma: Where------------(you/stay)?
4Phil: We----------(stay) in a nice beach resort.
5Emma:--------------------------(your children/like) it?
6Phil: Of course! They----------- (spend) all week on the beach.
7Emma:-------------------(be/you) there for one week?
8Phil: Yes. We------------------ (come) back last Sunday.
9Emma:----------------(your wife/enjoy) the trip too?
10Phil: Yes, she-----------, although she-----------(not like) the food too much.

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Will – Form

Will is an auxiliary verb. This means that:

• We use will + infinitive: I‘ll be (or will be) at home next Saturday.
• Will has a negative form: I won’t be (or will not be) at home next
Saturday.
• We put will before the subject in questions: Will you be at home next
Saturday?
• We use will in short answers: Yes, I will. / No, I won’t (or No, I will not).

Will – Use
We use will to talk about things that we think will happen in the future.

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 • He will love your new coat.
• They won’t win this match.

Note that it’s common to use will with the expressions I think, I don’t think, I
hope, etc., or also with I’m sure, I’m not sure, perhaps, etc.

• I hope they will arrive soon.

• I don’t think they‘ll win.
• I’m sure you‘ll be fine.
• Perhaps I‘ll be late.

We use will for promises or refusals.

• I will lend her the money.

• I won’t help you.

We use will when we make decisions at the moment of speaking (instant

decisions).

• A: There’s no milk in the fridge. B: I’ll go to the shop to buy some more.
• A: This box is very heavy. B: Don’t worry. I’ll help you.

Shall I…? Shall we…?

We use Shall I…? or I’ll when we offer to do things for other people.

• Shall I make some coffee?

(=Do you want me to make coffee?)

• I‘ll make some coffee.

We use Shall we…? to suggest doing something.

• Shall we go to the cinema? (=Do you want to go to the cinema?)

• Exercise 1
• Complete the sentences with I will (I’ll), Shall I or Shall we.
1.A: I'm hungry. B: _____ make some bacon and eggs.
a.I'll

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b.Shall I
c.Shall we

2.I hope _____ see you again one day.

a.I'll
b.Shall I
c.Shall we

3.A: _____ go to a restaurant tonight? B: Yes. That's a great idea.

a.I'll
b.Shall I
c.Shall we

4.I don't think _____ go out this weekend. I'm very tired.
a.I'll
b.Shall I
c.Shall we
5.5_____ always love you.
a.I will
b.Shall I
c.Shall we

6.A: It's very hot in this room. B: _____ open the windows?
a.I'll
b.Shall I
c.Shall we

7.A: _____ have a barbecue on Saturday? B: That's an excellent idea! Who

shall we invite?
a.I will
b.Shall I
c.Shall we

8.You look thirsty. _____ get you a drink?

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a.I'll
b.Shall I
c.Shall we

9.A: Did you talk to Laura? B: Oh no, I forgot. _____ call her now.
a.I'll
b.Shall I
c.Shall we

10.I'm sure _____ find a great job soon.

a.I'll
b.Shall I
c.Shall we

Exercise 2

Use the verbs in the box and will or won’t to complete these sentences. Use short
forms of will when you can.

be (x2) come get lend pass see stay turn on win (x2)

EXAMPLE: I won’t be at the office on time. There’s a lot of traffic.

1Peter needs to study more or he---------------the exam.

2A: Shall we watch a film? B: Good idea! I---------------the TV.
3A: you -----------at your office tomorrow morning? B: Yes, I'll be there all
morning.
4I'm not sure Sandra-------------the job. They interviewed a lot of people for
the same job.
5He--------------------the election. Very few people will vote for him and he'll
lose.
6A: When--------------I you again? B: I don't know. I hope you'll see me very
soon.
7I don't think he---------------to the party. He doesn't like big parties.
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8I'm sorry but I-----------you the money. I have no money.
9Do you think they --------------the match?
10Perhaps I-----------at home tonight. I want to relax and watch a movie.

Exercise 3

Complete the sentences with ‘ll (will), won’t or shall and the words in brackets. Use
short forms of will when you can

EXAMPLE: Sentence ⇒ Will she pass the exam? (she/pass)

1 back soon? (she/be)

2A: Will he leave? B: No, he .
3 the bag for you? It looks heavy. (I/carry)
4They the tournament. It's impossible. (win)
5 me a favour? (you/do)
6A: tomorrow again? B: Yes, great! (we/meet)
7I don't think the readers his new book. (like)
8It's dark. I the light. (turn on)
9I'm sure he us. He always helps people. (help)
10A: for dinner tonight? B: OK. (we/go out)

Be going to -Form
Be going to consists of the present continuous of the verb go (I’m going, you
are going, etc.) + to-infinitive form of the main verb.

When the main verb is go

When the main verb is go, we can exclude it if we want.

• I’m going shopping this afternoon. (=I’m going to go shopping this

afternoon.)
• We are going to Cyprus next summer. (=We are going to go to Cyprus
next summer. )

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Be going to – Use
Predictions

We use be going to to talk about something that we see is going to

happen (there is present evidence).

• Don’t drive like a crazy man. We’re going to have an accident!

• The doctor said I’m going to have a girl.
• Look at those clouds. It’s going to rain.

Intentions or plans

We use be going to for intentions or plans (decisions taken before the

moment of speaking).

• ‘Why are you undressing?’ ‘Because I’m going to go for a swim.’

• We are going to have a drink after work. Do you want to come?

Future time expressions

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We often use be going to with future time expressions (tomorrow, next
week, etc.).

• We are going to play cards tonight.

• She’s going to study biology next year.

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