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The verb when used in the language may have a number of forms to express different realities.
TENSES
THE PRESENT
Present Tense Simple
I am reading a book now. (adverbs: now, this year, this month, this evening)
I have read these books for two weeks (since September 10). (adverbs: for, since, always, lately, never,
ever, just, already, recently, yet)
I have been reading these books since 2 o’clock (for two hours). (adverbs: for, since, always, lately, never,
ever, just, already, recently, yet)
THE PAST
Past Tense Simple
I read the books yesterday. (adverbs: yesterday, last week, last month, the day before yesterday, two years
ago, in 1993, a long time ago, once upon a time, some time ago)
1
Past Perfect Simple
I left after I had read the books. (adverbs: for, since, always, lately, never, ever, just, already, recently,
yet)
When he came, I had been reading the book since 2 o’clock (for two hours). (adverbs: for, since, always,
lately, never, ever, just, already, recently, yet)
THE FUTURE
Future Tense Simple
I will/shall read the books next month. (adverbs: tomorrow, next month, next week, soon)
By tomorrow I will have read the books. (adverbs: by this time next month, by five o’clock this afternoon,
by next year)
By tomorrow I will have bee reading the books for two weeks. (adverbs: by this time next month, by five
o’clock this afternoon, by next year)
EXERCISES
Put the verbs in brackets in the simple or continuous past tense according to the meaning:
1. I (go) to ask you to help me, but you (sleep) so peacefully when I (look) into your room that I
(decide) to do it alone.
2. He (not keep) his appointment with you last Tuesday morning because at the time of the
appointment he (be seen) by the Personnel Manager about a new job.
3. When the dog (bite) Mary again, mother (prepare) dinner and we (listen) to the radio. Mary (shout)
blue murder and (have) hysterics again.
4. We (have) to go round the back door because Grandfather (have) his front door painted.
5. I (walk) down the street some minutes ago when I (see) a curiously dressed man. He (wear) a
sports-coat with black trousers, and one of his shoes (be) black and the other (be) brown.
6. She (wear) green and it (suit) her very well. Her face (be) mildly pretty but, because she (cry) and
mascara (run) down her cheeks, she (not seem) as attractive as I (expected).
7. The person who (drive) the car on the day of the accident (no be) insured.
8. He (come) into the room, (light) a cigarette, (open) the window and (lean) out.