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Grammar Basics: Unit 24 – Be, Have, and Do (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/03/09
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Exercises: Complete the sentences by choosing a verb from the list, and using its correct form.

Example:

The library was (build) in 1956. ==> The library was built in 1956.

1. Where are you going?
2. John was waiting for the bus when his phone battery went dead.
3. They don’t have any bananas at the supermarket today.
4. The doctor didn’t do the operation today – he’ll do it tomorrow.
5. Was it raining when you woke up this morning?
6. He didn’t think that Katy was telling the truth.
7. When was the room painted?
8. Ice cream is made from milk.
9. Jack was injured when he was in the army.
10. Everybody was expecting the bad weather to come last night.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 24 – Be, Have, and Do

Posted on 2012/03/08
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In English there are three important “helper” verbs: be, have, and do. These verbs generally are not used alone, but they are usually used together with other verbs in various forms.

be (am / is / are // was / were) + V-ing:

“be” + V-ing is used for the present continuous form.
“was / were” + V-ing is used for the past continuous form.

We’ve already looked at this some, so here we’ll just give a few examples as a quick review:

Examples:

It’s snowing right now.
Shhh! The baby’s sleeping!
Where’s Uncle John? He’s weeding in the garden.

It was snowing yesterday when we walked to school.
The baby was sleeping, until you woke him up – thanks a lot!
Last time I saw him, Uncle John was painting the garage.

be (am / is / are // was / were) + past participle:

“be” + past participle is used for the simple present passive.
“was / were” + past participle is used for the simple past passive.

We’ve also just looked at these cases. Here are a few more examples:

Examples:

The beds are made each morning by the hotel’s cleaning staff.
Janey is excited to go on her first train trip.
I’m exhausted from running up and down the stairs.

When we checked into our room, we saw that the beds were not made.
Peter was depressed to find out that he couldn’t go to summer camp this year.
When were you married?

have / has + past participle:

Recall that this is used for the present perfect:

Examples:

I’ve completed all my assignments, and done all the laundry.
He has always gone to Florida for Christmas vacation.
She’s lost her keys again!
Have you ever crossed the equator?

do / does / did + V (dictionary form):

“do / does” + V (dictionary form) is used for the simple present negative, and for questions.
“did” + V (dictionary form) is used for the simple past negative, and for questions.

Examples:

Do you often eat pizza?
He likes classical and jazz, but he doesn’t like rap.
What kind of movies do you usually watch?
I don’t think he will win the competition.
Did you ever see such a sight in your life as three blind mice?
What did you do last night?
I didn’t know that you were in the navy.

Exercises: Complete the sentences by choosing a verb from the list, and using its correct form.

Example:

The library was (build) in 1956. ==> The library was built in 1956.

do
expect
go
have
injure
make
paint
rain
think
wait

1. Where are you ______ ?
2. John ______ for the bus when his phone battery went dead.
3. They (not) ______ any bananas at the supermarket today.
4. The doctor (not) ______ the operation today – he’ll do it tomorrow.
5. Was it ______ when you woke up this morning?
6. He (not) ______ that Katy was telling the truth.
7. When was the room ______?
8. Ice cream is ______ from milk.
9. Jack was ______ when he was in the army.
10. Everybody was ______ the bad weather to come last night.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 23 – Passive, Part II (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/03/07
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Exercises: Use the present continuous (is/are being…) or the present perfect (has/have been…) with the words in the parentheses to complete the sentences.

Example:

The tree (cut) down tomorrow.==> The tree is being cut down tomorrow.

1. Don’t sit down on the sofa. It’s being cleaned right now.
2. We’re being invited to a wedding on Saturday, so keep your schedule open for that day.
3. The president’s speech is being broadcast on TV tonight.
4. You’ll have to wait to do the laundry. The washing machine is being fixed.
5. Our living room is being painted, so we are spending the day at the mall.
6. Your grandmother’s wedding dress has been repaired, cleaned, and boxed up, so it’s as good as new.
7. The window has been broken! Which one of the neighborhood kids did it, do you think?
8. Twelve trees have been cut down to make space for a swimming pool.
9. Sorry I’m late. The bus has been tied up in traffic for 30 minutes.
10. The grass has already been mowed, so you can cross that off your chore list.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 23 – Passive, Part II

Posted on 2012/03/06
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In addition to having simple present passive (“is done”) and simple past passive (“was done”), we also have the present continuous passive and the present perfect passive. As before, the passive indicates that the doer of the action is unspecified.

Present Continuous Passive: is/are being …

Examples:

Please take the stairs – the elevator is being fixed. (= someone is fixing the elevator)
Tom is being picked up after school. (= someone is picking Tom up after school)
We can’t check into our hotel room yet – it’s (it is) being cleaned right now. (= someone is cleaning the room now)

Present Perfect Passive: has/have been …

Examples:

You don’t have to take the stairs anymore – the elevator has been fixed. (= someone has fixed it)
Tom has already been picked up – he doesn’t need a ride now. (= someone has already picked up Tom)
Let’s check into our room now – it’s (it has) been cleaned. (= someone has cleaned the room)

 

Exercises: Use the present continuous (is/are being…) or the present perfect (has/have been…) with the words in the parentheses to complete the sentences.

Example:

The tree (cut) down tomorrow.==> The tree is being cut down tomorrow.

1. Don’t sit down on the sofa. It (clean) right now.
2. We (invite) to a wedding on Saturday, so keep your schedule open for that day.
3. The president’s speech (broadcast) on TV tonight.
4. You’ll have to wait to do the laundry. The washing machine (fix).
5. Our living room (paint), so we are spending the day at the mall.
6. Your grandmother’s wedding dress (repair / clean / and box up), so it’s as good as new.
7. The window (break)! Which one of the neighborhood kids did it, do you think?
8. Twelve trees (cut) down to make space for a swimming pool.
9. Sorry I’m late. The bus (tie) up in traffic for 30 minutes.
10. The grass (already / mow), so you can cross that off your chore list.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 22 – Passive, Part I (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/03/02
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Exercises: Complete the sentences by using the passive (either present or past) of the indicated verb.

Example:

The baby (give) a bath yesterday. ==> The baby was given a bath yesterday.

1. We had a snow day last week, so classes were canceled.
2. The librarian charged me a fine because several pages of the book were torn.
3. Can I exchange these jeans for some new ones? The zipper is broken.
4. The kitchen was cleaned during the night by some good fairies.
5. The old factory was burned down by a firebug.
6. There was an accident on the highway, and several people were taken to the hospital.
7. Jack was born on a fishing trawler.
8. Tom was woken up in the middle of the night by the baby’s crying.
9. The old lady was helped across the street by a Boy Scout.
10. That picture was taken on our honeymoon.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 22 – Passive, Part I

Posted on 2012/03/01
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Sentences may be either active or passive. When a sentence is active, the doer of the action is specified:

John opened the door. (active – John is the one who opens the door)

 

When a sentence is passive, we are not told who is the doer of the action:

The door was opened. (passive – we don’t know who opened the door)

 

To make a passive sentence, we use an appropriate form of the verb “be” + past participle:

Simple Present passive: am / is / are + past participle
Simple Past passive: was / were + past participle

Examples:

The store was closed.
The bank was robbed last night.
Where were you born?
Ice cream is made from milk.
The toy is broken.

If we want to use a passive sentence and indicate the doer of the action, we can use the phrase “by…”:

The bank was robbed last night by a pair of masked gunmen.
The modern steam engine was invented by James Watt.

Exercises: Complete the sentences by using the passive (either present or past) of the indicated verb.

Example:

The baby (give) a bath yesterday. ==> The baby was given a bath yesterday.

1. We had a snow day last week, so classes (cancel).
2. The librarian charged me a fine because several pages of the book (tear).
3. Can I exchange these jeans for some new ones? The zipper (break).
4. The kitchen (clean) during the night by some good fairies.
5. The old factory (burn) down by a firebug.
6. There was an accident on the highway, and several people (take) to the hospital.
7. Jack (born) on a fishing trawler.
8. Tom (wake) up in the middle of the night by the baby’s crying.
9. The old lady (help) across the street by a Boy Scout.
10. That picture (take) on our honeymoon.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 21 – Present Perfect vs. Simple Past, Part III (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/02/29
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Exercises: Use the words in parentheses to make the sentence either present perfect or simple past.

Example:

(you / ever / go) skiing? ==> Have you ever gone skiing?
(you / go) skiing last year? ==> Did you go skiing last year?

1. Tom has lost his key. Can you help him find it?
2. I’ve been looking for you. Where have you been?
3. What did you eat for lunch yesterday?
4. Matt has taken piano lessons since he was eight years old.
5. Last week we got a lot of snow.
6. I have traveled around the world, but I have never tasted anything as delicious as this barbecue.
7. This morning I exercised before I went to school.
8. Mother has made a delicious dinner for tonight’s party.
9. Have you ever had Mr. Smith as a teacher?
10. Where did you live ten years ago?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 21 – Present Perfect vs. Simple Past, Part III

Posted on 2012/02/28
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In some cases, it doesn’t matter if you use the Present Perfect or the Simple Past:

Examples:

John has gone home.
John went home.

However, if you include a finished time (yesterday, a week ago, last month, last year, etc.), then you must use the Simple Past:

Examples:

John went home last night. (not “John has gone home last night.”)
Where did you go yesterday? (not “Where have you gone yesterday?”)
Yesterday we ate breakfast at Tiffany’s. (not “Yesterday we have eaten breakfast at Tiffany’s.”)

Also recall from a few days ago: When you are talking about the past until now, then you must use the Present Perfect:

Have you ever eaten squid? (until now)
We’ve lived in Dallas for three years. (we still live there now)

Exercises: Use the words in parentheses to make the sentence either present perfect or simple past.

Example:

(you / ever / go) skiing? ==> Have you ever gone skiing?
(you / go) skiing last year? ==> Did you go skiing last year?

1. Tom (lose) his key. Can you help him find it?
2. I’ve been looking for you. Where (you / be)?
3. What (you / eat) for lunch yesterday?
4. Matt (take) piano lessons since he was eight years old.
5. Last week we (get) a lot of snow.
6. I (travel) around the world, but I (never / taste) anything as delicious as this barbecue.
7. This morning I (exercise) before I went to school.
8. Mother (make) a delicious dinner for tonight’s party.
9. (you / ever / have) Mr. Smith as a teacher?
10. Where (you / live) ten years ago?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 20 – Present Perfect vs. Simple Past, Part II (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/02/24
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Exercise: Rewrite the sentences using the present perfect.

Example:

Did Kelly go on vacation yet? ==> Has Kelly gone on vacation yet?

1. I haven’t told my father yet that I lost my job.
2. Tim has already shoveled the snow from the sidewalk.
3. Sam’s just taken a shower.
4. Have you just gotten home from work?
5. Oh, I’ve already put away the groceries.
6. Have you changed the baby’s diaper yet?
7. We’ve just bought a new dishwasher.
8. Steve’s already graduated from college.
9. Dave hasn’t voted yet.
10. I’ve just turned on the radio.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences using the simple past.

Example:

The guests have already come! ==> The guests already came!

1. Matt didn’t eat dinner yet.
2. The TV repairman just left.
3. Mr. Jones is not in. He already left for the day.
4. Do you want to talk to Bill? He didn’t go to bed yet.
5. Help! I was just robbed!
6. She already celebrated her birthday.
7. The baby didn’t get any teeth yet.
8. The baby just said “Dada” for the first time.
9. Did you talk to your cousin yet?
10. Mary already returned the books to the library.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 20 – Present Perfect vs. Simple Past, Part II

Posted on 2012/02/23
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There are three adverbs that are often used together with the Present Perfect and the Simple Past: just, already, and yet.

just = “a short time ago”

Examples:

Tom just came home from school.
Tom’s just come home from school.
Sally’s not here – she just left a few minutes ago.
Come in! I just finished cleaning the kitchen.
It’s weird that Mark called me – I was just thinking about him.

already = “before you/I expected”

Examples:

The children have already done their homework, and are now playing in the back yard.
I already baked a cake for tomorrow night’s party.
John’s in bed already. He got up at 5:30 this morning, so he was pretty tired.
Hello, Mr. Smith. I do believe we’ve already met.
Hurry up and get dressed! The guests have already come!

yet = “until now”

Examples:

Have you done your homework yet?
Did you do your homework yet?
I haven’t seen the new Indiana Jones movie yet.
Bob’s been at his job for five years, and hasn’t gotten a promotion yet.
Did Kelly go on vacation yet?

 

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences using the present perfect.

Example:

Did Kelly go on vacation yet? ==> Has Kelly gone on vacation yet?

1. I didn’t tell my father yet that I lost my job.
2. Tim already shoveled the snow from the sidewalk.
3. Sam just took a shower.
4. Did you just get home from work?
5. Oh, I already put away the groceries.
6. Did you change the baby’s diaper yet?
7. We just bought a new dishwasher.
8. Steve already graduated from college.
9. Dave didn’t vote yet.
10. I just turned on the radio.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences using the simple past.

Example:

The guests have already come! ==> The guests already came!

1. Matt hasn’t eaten dinner yet.
2. The TV repairman’s just left.
3. Mr. Jones is not in. He’s already left for the day.
4. Do you want to talk to Bill? He hasn’t gone to bed yet.
5. Help! I’ve just been robbed!
6. She’s already celebrated her birthday.
7. The baby hasn’t gotten any teeth yet.
8. The baby’s just said “Dada” for the first time.
9. Have you talked to your cousin yet?
10. Mary’s already returned the books to the library.

 

There are three adverbs that are often used together with the Present Perfect and the Simple Past: just, already, and yet.

just = “a short time ago”

Examples:

Tom just came home from school.
Tom’s just come home from school.
Sally’s not here – she just left a few minutes ago.
Come in! I just finished cleaning the kitchen.
It’s weird that Mark called me – I was just thinking about him.


already = “before you/I expected”

Examples:

The children have already done their homework, and are now playing in the back yard.
I already baked a cake for tomorrow night’s party.
John’s in bed already. He got up at 5:30 this morning, so he was pretty tired.
Hello, Mr. Smith. I do believe we’ve already met.
Hurry up and get dressed! The guests have already come!

yet = “until now”

Examples:

Have you done your homework yet?
Did you do your homework yet?
I haven’t seen the new Indiana Jones movie yet.
Bob’s been at his job for five years, and hasn’t gotten a promotion yet.
Did Kelly go on vacation yet?

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences using the present perfect.

Example:
Did Kelly go on vacation yet? ==> Has Kelly gone on vacation yet?

1. I didn’t tell my father yet that I lost my job.

2. Tim already shoveled the snow from the sidewalk.

3. Sam just took a shower.

4. Did you just get home from work?

5. Oh, I already put away the groceries.

6. Did you change the baby’s diaper yet?

7. We just bought a new dishwasher.

8. Steve already graduated from college.

9. Dave didn’t vote yet.

10. I just turned on the radio.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences using the simple past.

Example:
The guests have already come! ==> The guests already came!

1. Matt hasn’t eaten dinner yet.

2. The TV repairman’s just left.

3. Mr. Jones is not in. He’s already left for the day.

4. Do you want to talk to Bill? He hasn’t gone to bed yet.

5. Help! I’ve just been robbed!

6. She’s already celebrated her birthday.

7. The baby hasn’t gotten any teeth yet.

8. The baby’s just said “Dada” for the first time.

9. Have you talked to your cousin yet?

10. Mary’s already returned the books to the library.

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