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Grammar Basics: Unit 42 – You have? …, have you? etc…

Posted on 2012/05/10
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In English it is possible to ask a yes-no question without using “Do you…?” or “Are you…?” and just use the S – V – O form.  When speaking, we indicate that we are asking a question by finishing the sentence with a rising tone:

You’re going home?  I thought you were planning on staying until 10 o’clock.
Grandmother’s out of the hospital?  I didn’t even know she was sick!
Tom got an A on his test?  That’s good news for a change.
You wrote a poem?  Oh, I’d like to hear it, if you don’t mind.

Note:
These type of questions (known as “declarative questions”) are used when:

  1. the speaker wants to show interest, or
  2. the speaker wants to show surprise.

More examples:

Pack your bags.  We’re going out of town for the weekend.
—We are?  I thought you had too much work to do.
You can stay at my place on vacation, but you’ll have to leave your cat at home.  I have a parakeet, you know.
—You do?  I didn’t know you were a bird lover.
Congratulations!  You got top score in the tournament.
—I did?  Wow, I didn’t think I had played that well.
We’ve sold our house and bought a sailboat.
—You have?  Why?
—We’re going to take a couple of years off and sail around the South Pacific.

English also has tag questions.  A tag question is a short question at the end of a sentence.  We ask tag questions when

  1. we are seeking agreement, or
  2. we want to confirm that we have correct information.

It’s hot out today, isn’t it?
Tom hasn’t come home yet, has he?

Note:

  1. Positive sentences will have a negative tag question, and
  2. Negative sentences will have a positive tag question.

Positive sentence, negative tag question:

It’s hot out today, isn’t it?
You ate at an Italian restaurant the other day, didn’t you?
You’ve finished your homework, haven’t you?
Sally’s turned out to be a fine young lady, hasn’t she?
This blue sweater will go well with my sports jacket, won’t it?

Negative sentence, positive tag question:

Tom hasn’t come home yet, has he?
I’ve never seen such a crowd before, have you?
The plants don’t need watering yet, do they?
The bus stop isn’t far off, is it?
Oh no, the train isn’t late again today, is it?

Exercise.  Answer the following questions, using the declarative questions You do? / He doesn’t? / They didn’t? etc.

Example:

Congratulations!  You got top score in the tournament.  — _________  Wow!  ==> Congratulations!  You got top score in the tournament.  —I did?  Wow!

1.    Jack and Jill had a baby boy. — _________  Oh, that’s nice.  I know they had wanted a son.
2.    Speak up.  Bob doesn’t hear very well. — _________  Why doesn’t he just get a hearing aid, then?
3.    I saw Harry last week. — _________  How’s he doing these days?
4.    Mary doesn’t have a car anymore, so you’ll have to pick her up on your way to work. — _________  Oh, I didn’t realize she was that bad off.
5.    I have to go to the dentist. — _________  Didn’t you go just the other month?
6.    Bill and Wanda didn’t go on their second honeymoon after all. — _________  That’s a shame.  I know they had been so looking forward to it.
7.    Sharon just got back from her trip. — _________  Did she have a good time?
8.    I’m sorry, sir, but apparently you and your wife didn’t pay your taxes? — _________  I thought we did.
9.    Have you heard?  The Mississippi bridge collapsed yesterday. — _________  Was anyone hurt?
10.    I didn’t sleep a wink last night. — _________  Why not?

Exercise.  Answer the following questions, using declarative questions like You have? / He will? / She hasn’t? etc.

Example:

Both Tom and Becky were in the hospital. — _________   How awful!  What happened? ==> Both Tom and Becky were in the hospital. —They were?  How awful!  What happened?

1.    Sam will oversee the project for our department. — _________  I didn’t know the boss still trusted him.
2.    I’ve decided to quit my job and become a pop singer. — _________  I don’t think that’s such a wise thing to do.
3.    Boycott the class.  Don’t worry, the teachers won’t flunk everybody. — _________  How can you be so sure?
4.    It’s nearly 6 o’clock, and Jane still hasn’t finished cleaning her room. — _________  I’m going to have to have a talk with that child.
5.    Have you heard?  Mr. Johnson isn’t retiring until next year. — _________  Oh man, that means I’m going to have to have him for trigonometry next semester.
6.    I’m not going to enter my apple pie in the county fair this year. — _________  That’s a shame.  You’d be a cinch to win the blue ribbon.
7.    Sit down and relax.  We have plenty of time before we have to board the plane. — _________  Aren’t you forgetting that we have to go through security, though?
8.    Congratulations, sir – you’re the ninth caller on WXMQ’s morning talk show. — _________  Oh, how embarrassing – I thought I was calling doctor’s office.
9.    We found the cows in Farmer MacGregor’s field.  They weren’t lost, after all.  — _________  I’m glad to hear that.
10.    It’s a good thing we had the car engine inspected.  The fan belt was so worn it was about to break. — _________  I had no idea it was in that bad a shape.

Exercise.  Complete the following sentences using an appropriate tag question.

Example:

Tom hasn’t come home yet, _________? ==> Tom hasn’t come home yet, has he?

1.    The teachers didn’t go on strike, _________?
2.    That sure was a hard test, _________?
3.    I can’t park here, _________?
4.    Karen likes chocolate cake, _________?
5.    I’m trying as hard as I can, _________?
6.    We’re not afraid of ghosts, _________?
7.    The Wilsons are a nice couple, _________?
8.    Tom isn’t six feet tall, _________?
9.    John has a large collection of baseball cards, _________?
10.    I shouldn’t water the plants every day, _________?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 41 – I am, I don’t, etc… (Solution)

Posted on 2012/05/09
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Exercise.   Complete the following sentences.  Use only one verb – is, was, have, do, can, will, might, should – each time.

1.    I’m not bored, but Tom is.
2.    Mary can’t keep a secret, but I can.
3.    Mother doesn’t watch the news, but Father does.
4.    Our house wasn’t damaged by the storm, but our neighbor’s (house) was.
5.    Hannah won’t eat peas, but Jacob will.
6.    Will Uncle Kirk come to the graduation?  I don’t know – he might.
7.    I can’t make it to the party, but Sue can.
8.    Let’s skip school today. —Do you think we should?  What if Mom and Dad find out?
9.    I haven’t been to China, but Sharon has.

Exercise.  Complete the following sentences.  Use a negative verb – isn’t, wasn’t, haven’t, don’t, can’t, won’t.

1.    Betsy has seen the movie Gone With the Wind, but I haven’t.
2.    Clarice exercises every day, but I don’t.
3.    Dave is a hard worker, but Mary isn’t.
4.    Dick can ride a bike, but Jane can’t.
5.    I thought the air conditioning was on, but it wasn’t.
6.    Sid likes school, but Tom doesn’t.
7.    Ken will sing a solo, but Keith won’t.
8.    I’m going to the county fair, but Jack and Jill aren’t.

Exercise.  Complete the following sentences.  Use do/does/did or don’t/doesn’t/didn’t.

1.    Brad doesn’t have a lot of friends, but Roland does.
2.    This brand of laundry soap really gets clothes clean, but that one doesn’t.
3.    Bill thought it was a great movie, but I didn’t.
4.    We don’t have a dog, but Dan and Rachel do.
5.    The Fosters have a big yard, but we don’t.
6.    Emma reads a lot of history, but Ben doesn’t.
7.    I don’t know too much about chemistry, but Kathy does.
8.    Mike heard rumors about the company going bankrupt, but Mark didn’t.
9.    Sam doesn’t have any homework, but I do.
10.    Steve didn’t go to Scouts, but Joe did.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 41 – I am, I don’t, etc…

Posted on 2012/05/08
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In English, it is not always necessary to repeat some words.  Look at the following examples:

am / is / are / was / were:

Are you nervous? – I wasn’t (nervous) before, but I am (nervous) now. (We do not need to repeat the word “nervous,” since the original question gives us the context.)
I’m not hungry, but Scott is (hungry).

have / has:

I’ve gotten a call from the boss, but Jack hasn’t (gotten a call from the boss).  (Again, enough context is provided for us by the first use of “gotten a call from the boss.)

do / does / did:

I don’t like coffee, but my brother does (like coffee).

can:

I can’t make it to the staff meeting, but Tom can (make it).

will:

The weatherman said it won’t rain today. – He’s full of beans.  I think it will (rain).

might:

Is Mike coming to the party? – I don’t know.  He might (come).

should:

If you haven’t already made a reservation, you probably should (make one).

Notes:
1)  Contractions are not possible with positive sentences like these.

I’m not hungry, but Scott is.  (NOT: I’m not hungry, but Scott’s.)
He’s full of beans.  I think it will.  (NOT: I think it’ll.)
I wasn’t before, but I am now.  (NOT: I wasn’t before, but I’m now.)
Sally hasn’t seen a ghost, but I have.  (NOT: Sally hasn’t seen a ghost, but I’ve.)

2)  Contractions are permitted with negative sentences like these.

I’ve gotten a call from the boss, but Jack has not / hasn’t.  (OK)
Mary likes pumpkin pie, but I do not / don’t.  (OK)
Tom should retire, but he probably will not / won’t.  (OK)

Are you…?, Is there…?, Will he…?, etc. questions can be answered with “Yes, I can” / “No, I can’t,” etc.

Are you sleepy? – Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.
Will Jack pick us up at the airport? —Yes, he will. / No, he won’t.  Dave will.
Is the store manager on duty? —Yes, he is. / No, he isn’t (he’s not).
Has Father bought Mother a birthday present yet? —Yes, he has. / No, he hasn’t.
Should Billy go see the dentist? —Yes, he should.

Simple present:  Use “do / does.”

I don’t like coffee, but my brother does.  (i.e., my brother likes coffee)
Becky plays the piano, but Sally doesn’t.  (i.e., Sally doesn’t play the piano)
Do you take this bride to be your wedded wife? —Yes, I do.

Simple past:  Use “did.”

Did you pick up the dog from the vet? —Oh no, I didn’t!  I totally forgot.
Did you and Jack come home early from school? —I did, but Jack didn’t.  He had to stay after class.
Did Tom catch the train? —No, he didn’t, so he wound up taking a later one.

 

Exercise.   Complete the following sentences.  Use only one verb – is, was, have, do, can, will, might, should – each time.

1.    I’m not bored, but Tom _________.
2.    Mary can’t keep a secret, but I _________.
3.    Mother doesn’t watch the news, but Father _________.
4.    Our house wasn’t damaged by the storm, but our neighbor’s (house) _________.
5.    Hannah won’t eat peas, but Jacob _________.
6.    Will Uncle Kirk come to the graduation?  I don’t know – he _________.
7.    I can’t make it to the party, but Sue _________.
8.    Let’s skip school today. —Do you think we _________?  What if Mom and Dad find out?
9.    I haven’t been to China, but Sharon _________.

 

Exercise.  Complete the following sentences.  Use a negative verb – isn’t, wasn’t, haven’t, don’t, can’t, won’t.

1.    Betsy has seen the movie Gone With the Wind, but I _________.
2.    Clarice exercises every day, but I _________.
3.    Dave is a hard worker, but Mary _________.
4.    Dick can ride a bike, but Jane _________.
5.    I thought the air conditioning was on, but it _________.
6.    Sid likes school, but Tom _________.
7.    Ken will sing a solo, but Keith _________.
8.    I’m going to the county fair, but Jack and Jill _________.

 

Exercise.  Complete the following sentences.  Use do/does/did or don’t/doesn’t/didn’t.

1.    Brad doesn’t have a lot of friends, but Roland _________.
2.    This brand of laundry soap really gets clothes clean, but that one _________.
3.    Bill thought it was a great movie, but I _________.
4.    We don’t have a dog, but Dan and Rachel _________.
5.    The Fosters have a big yard, but we _________.
6.    Emma reads a lot of history, but Ben _________.
7.    I don’t know too much about chemistry, but Kathy _________.
8.    Mike heard rumors about the company going bankrupt, but Mark _________.
9.    Sam doesn’t have any homework, but I _________.
10.    Steve didn’t go to Scouts, but Joe _________.

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Crossword – Basic Vocabulary 13 (solution)

Posted on 2012/05/07
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crossword puzzle solution

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Writing Assignment: At a Hotel (Solution)

Posted on 2012/05/05
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hotel pool

Click for larger image

1.    Where was this picture taken?
This picture was taken by a swimming pool.

2.    What are the people in the picture doing?
The people in the picture are enjoying themselves at the pool, swimming.

3.    What kind of building do you see in the picture?
The building that we see in the picture is a hotel (motel).

4.    What do people usually do at that type of building?
People usually stay at a hotel while they are traveling, or on vacation.

5.    How long can you stay at a hotel?
You can stay at a hotel for a night, or for several nights.

6.    What is it called when you register at a hotel?
When you register at a hotel, that is called “checking in.”  When you are done and you are going to leave, you must “check out.”

7.    Where do you go to check in at a hotel?
To check in at a hotel, you must go to the front desk.

8.    Where is the front desk located?
The front desk is located in the lobby of the hotel.

9.    If you need help with your luggage, who can help you?
If you need help with your luggage, you can ask the bellhop to assist you.

10.    What kind of amenities does a hotel often have?
Common amenities at a hotel are a pool, exercise room, complimentary breakfast, and a microwave and mini-fridge in the room.

11.    Where can you go if you want to relax at a hotel?
If you want to relax at a hotel, you can lounge at the pool to unwind.

12.    Where can you go if you want to get some exercise at a hotel?
If you want to get some exercise at a hotel, you can go to the exercise room.

13.    Whom do you call if you want to have food delivered to your room?
If you want to have food delivered to your room, you can order room service.

14.    What can you do if you want to make sure you will not oversleep in the morning?
If you want to make sure you will not oversleep in the morning, you can contact the front desk and ask them for a wake-up call.

15.    What can you do if you want to sleep in and don’t want housekeeping to come in?
If you want to sleep in and not be disturbed by housekeeping, you can put a “do not disturb” sign on the outside of the door.

16.    What can you do if you forget shampoo, toothpaste, or other such items?
If you forget shampoo, toothpaste, or other toiletries, you can contact the front desk or concierge.

17.    What other furniture might a hotel room have, besides a bed?
Other furniture that a hotel room might have could be a sofa, a wardrobe, a dresser, and a table and chairs.

18.    What can you do if you need an extra bed, or perhaps a bed for a baby?
If you need an extra bed, you can request a rollaway bed.  If you need a bed for a baby, you can request a crib.

19.    If you have some valuables, what can you do to keep them safe?
If you have some valuables, you can ask to put them in the hotel safe.  Also, some rooms have a small room safe that you can use.

20.    Can you take your pet to a hotel?
Some hotels allow pets and others do not.  So if you want to travel with your pet, you should check in advance with the hotel regarding their pet policy.

Paragraph:  At a Hotel

When you stay at a hotel, the first thing you have to do is check in.  You go to the front desk and inquire if there are any vacancies, or available rooms.  Of course, if you made a reservation, then you know that a room is waiting for you.  The clerk at the front desk will ask you to fill out a form with your name and address, and oftentimes your license plate number, if you are driving a car.  After check-in, the clerk will give you a room key and explain where your room is, how to get there, where’s the best place to park, and so on.  The clerk will also inform you about breakfast hours, if a complimentary breakfast is included with your stay.

It is common for hotel rooms to have some extras, like a sofa, a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a coffee maker.  This is very convenient, as it makes it easier to relax and unwind at the hotel if you can kick back and eat a microwave dinner while watching TV, instead of having to go out to eat at a restaurant or something.  You can also relax by taking a dip in the hotel pool, working up a good sweat in the exercise room, or taking a hot bath.

Many hotel rooms are also equipped with an alarm clock, so you don’t have to worry if you forgot your travel alarm.  If you think you are likely to oversleep, or you are concerned about not getting up in time, you can always call the front desk and request a wake-up call.  On the other hand, if you are on vacation and have the luxury of sleeping in, you can put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door.  That way, you won’t be awakened by housecleaning the next morning, and whenever you are ready, you can put up a note letting the maid know that it’s now okay to clean the room.

When your hotel stay is over, you’ll have to check out.  Usually, check-out time is ten or eleven o’clock in the morning, so you’ll want to make sure that you are up in time for that, and that you get a chance to check your room to make sure you don’t accidentally leave anything behind.  Some people leave a tip for the housecleaning crew, but this is not necessary.  Checking out is rather easy – you just have to return the room key, and that’s it.  Then you can be on your way, wherever your next destination may happen to be.

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Writing Assignment: At a Hotel

Posted on 2012/05/04
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hotel pool

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Vocabulary

Check-in
Check-out
Front desk
Wake-up call
Bellhop
Lobby
Room service
Do not disturb
Pool
Exercise room
Ice machine
Vending machine
Room key
Toiletries
Suite
Housekeeping
Rollaway bed
Crib
Elevator
Emergency exit
Fire exit
Breakfast hours
Room safe
Wardrobe
TV guide
Amenities
Mini-fridge
Microwave
Coffee maker
Concierge

1.    Where was this picture taken?
2.    What are the people in the picture doing?
3.    What kind of building do you see in the picture?
4.    What do people usually do at that type of building?
5.    How long can you stay at a hotel?
6.    What is it called when you register at a hotel?
7.    Where do you go to check in at a hotel?
8.    Where is the front desk located?
9.    If you need help with your luggage, who can help you?
10.    What kind of amenities does a hotel often have?
11.    Where can you go if you want to relax at a hotel?
12.    Where can you go if you want to get some exercise at a hotel?
13.    Whom do you call if you want to have food delivered to your room?
14.    What can you do if you want to make sure you will not oversleep in the morning?
15.    What can you do if you want to sleep in and don’t want housekeeping to come in?
16.    What can you do if you forget shampoo, toothpaste, or other such items?
17.    What other furniture might a hotel room have, besides a bed?
18.    What can you do if you need an extra bed, or perhaps a bed for a baby?
19.    If you have some valuables, what can you do to keep them safe?
20.    Can you take your pet to a hotel?

Paragraph:  At a Hotel

Most people have stayed at a hotel.  Some hotels are plain, and others are fancy.  What kind of hotel have you stayed in?  How was your experience?  Write a brief paragraph describing your stay at a hotel.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 40 – It… (Solution)

Posted on 2012/05/04
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Exercise.  Complete the sentences with either it’s/it is or is it.

Example:

________ only five degrees outside.  ==> It’s only five degrees outside.

1.    It is so quiet in the classroom that you could hear a pin drop.
2.    Is it time to leave for the airport yet?
3.    It’s rare to get this much snow in November.
4.    Is it safe to enter the room now?
5.    Is it easy to bake cookies?
6.    The sign says it’s 93 miles to the next gas station.
7.    I don’t know why it’s so difficult for Jack to understand algebra.
8.    Is it fair that you get three cookies, and I get none?
9.    It’s a two-hour hike up the mountain to the temple.
10.    Is it Friday already?  This week sure went by fast.

Exercise.  Make questions with the given information, using How far…?

Example:

the hotel / the airport ==> How far is it from the hotel to the airport?

1.    How far is it from Boston to New York?
2.    How far is it from here to the library?
3.    How far is it from the hostel to the market?
4.    How far is it from the train station to the bus station?
5.    How far is it from your house to the river?

Exercise.  Complete the sentences, choosing an appropriate word or phrase from the lists.

Example:

It’s (easy / stupid / silly) to (get up early / eat your vegetables / wash your clothes) when you’ve had enough sleep.  ==> It’s easy to get up early when you’ve had enough sleep.

1.    It’s difficult to make four goals in a row.
2.    I don’t like these new rules.  It’s stupid to make us fill out fifteen forms just to import paper clips.
3.    Bill and Bob are twins.  It’s impossible to tell them apart if they wear the same clothes.
4.    It’s nice to stay at a decent hotel for a change.
5.    It’s rare to spot an opossum in broad daylight.
6.    Leave your cigarette in the car.  It’s dangerous to pump gas while smoking.
7.    It’s interesting to look at all the different people you find in an airport.
8.    What was the travel agent thinking?  It’s crazy to drive from Berlin to Rome in one day.
9.    It’s sad to see so much poverty and suffering in the world.
10.    It’s good to come home after a long trip, isn’t it?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 40 – It…

Posted on 2012/05/03
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“It” is sometimes called a “dummy subject”, or “dummy pronoun,” because it is often used in place of a “real” subject.  In particular, “it” is used to introduce:

Day / Date:

What day is it?  —It’s Monday.
What date is it?  —It’s May 3rd.
It will be our wedding anniversary next Tuesday.

Distance:

How far is it to the post office?  —It’s about three blocks.
It’s about 1200 miles from Chicago to Miami.
If I had known it was going to be that far from the train station to the office, I would have taken the bus instead of walking.
It won’t be long now – we are just three miles from our destination.

Time:

What time is it?  —It’s 2 o’clock in the afternoon. /  —It’s noon.
It’s 3 o’clock in the morning?  Why on earth are you calling me?
It’s about time he got a job.  He’s been living with his parents since he graduated college.
We’d better be going home now.  It’s getting late.
Rise and shine!  It’s time to get up!
It took an hour for the accident to be cleaned up so the traffic could move again.

Weather:

It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring.  (First line from a children’s rhyme)
You don’t have to take your umbrella – according to the weatherman, it’s not supposed to rain today.
It’s awfully humid out.  Let’s go for a swim later, okay?
It’s a beautiful day for a picnic.
When it rains, it pours.

Other uses of “it” as a dummy subject:

It’s nice to…
It’s a good thing…
It’s a shame…
It’s difficult…
etc.

It’s nice to take a vacation when you’ve been working hard.
It’s a good thing I packed some extra clothes.
It’s a shame Tom didn’t get to finish university.  I know he wanted to study engineering.
It’s difficult to imagine all the hardships the Pilgrims faced when they first came from England.

Exercise.  Complete the sentences with either it’s/it is or is it.

Example:

________ only five degrees outside.  ==> It’s only five degrees outside.

 

1.    ________ so quiet in the classroom that you could hear a pin drop.
2.    ________ time to leave for the airport yet?
3.    ________ rare to get this much snow in November.
4.    ________ safe to enter the room now?
5.    ________ easy to bake cookies?
6.    The sign says ________ 93 miles to the next gas station.
7.    I don’t know why ________ so difficult for Jack to understand algebra.
8.    ________ fair that you get three cookies, and I get none?
9.    ________ a two-hour hike up the mountain to the temple.
10.    ________ Friday already?  This week sure went by fast.

 

Exercise.  Make questions with the given information, using How far…?

Example:

the hotel / the airport ==> How far is it from the hotel to the airport?

 

1.    Boston / New York
2.    here / library
3.    the hostel / the market
4.    the train station / the bus station
5.    your house / the river

 

Exercise.  Complete the sentences, choosing an appropriate word or phrase from the lists.

Example:

It’s (easy / stupid / silly) to (get up early / eat your vegetables / wash your clothes) when you’ve had enough sleep.  ==> It’s easy to get up early when you’ve had enough sleep.

 

It’s:
crazy
dangerous
difficult
good
impossible
interesting
nice
rare
sad
stupid

to:
come home
drive
look at
make four goals
make us
pump gas
see
spot
stay
tell them apart

 

1.    It’s ________ to ________ in a row.
2.    I don’t like these new rules.  It’s ________ to ________ fill out fifteen forms just to import paper clips.
3.    Bill and Bob are twins.  It’s ________ to ________ if they wear the same clothes.
4.    It’s ________ to ________ at a decent hotel for a change.
5.    It’s ________ to ________ an opossum in broad daylight.
6.    Leave your cigarette in the car.  It’s ________ to ________ while smoking.
7.    It’s ________ to ________ all the different people you find in an airport.
8.    What was the travel agent thinking?  It’s ________ to ________ from Berlin to Rome in one day.
9.    It’s ________ to ________ so much poverty and suffering in the world.
10.    It’s ________ to ________ after a long trip, isn’t it?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 39 – There was / were, There has / have been, There will be (Solution)

Posted on 2012/05/02
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Exercises.  Complete the sentences using there + is / are / was / were / has been / have been / will be.

Example:

__________ some nice apples at Tom’s Apple Orchard this year.  ==> There are some nice apples at Tom’s Apple Orchard this year.

1.    There have been an unusual number of bees this summer.
2.    There are DVDs and CDs available for checkout at the library.
3.    Luckily, there was one vacancy left at the Sleepy Hollow Motel.
4.    There will be roll call early tomorrow morning, so make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
5.    There were 22 boys and 20 girls in my graduating class.
6.    There is nothing as good as Mom’s cooking.
7.    The Farmer’s Almanac says there will be a cold winter next year.
8.    There was a black bear in the back yard when I got up this morning.
9.    Guess what?  There has been an earthquake in California.
10.    There’s no use crying over spilled milk.

Exercises.  Complete the sentence using there + is / are / was / were / has been / have been / will be, and make the sentences negative.

Example:

I looked high and low, but __________ any keys on the desk.  ==> I looked high and low, but there weren’t any keys on the desk.

1.    Are you sure there wasn’t any milk left in the fridge?
2.    Goldilocks went into the cabin, but there wasn’t a soul around.
3.    There haven’t been any customers all day.
4.    There weren’t that many people at the nightclub last night.
5.    There aren’t any pencils in my pencil cup.  Please go to the supply room and get me a new pack.
6.    I checked in the supply cabinet, but there weren’t any pencils.
7.    Wasn’t there even one pack left?  I thought I had ordered some.
8.    No, there haven’t been any pencils in the supply cabinet for a whole month.
9.    You’d better lock your desk, then, when you leave for the night.  Apparently there’s been a pencil thief here lately.
10.    Whoever’s been taking the pencils had better come clean, or there will be trouble in River City!

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Grammar Basics: Unit 39 – There was / were, There has / have been, There will be

Posted on 2012/05/01
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In our last Grammar Basics, we looked at the phrase “There is / are…”  For the simple past tense of this phrase, we have:

There was…. (singular) // There were… (plural).
There wasn’t (was not)…. (singular) // There weren’t (were not)… (plural).

There was an accident at the train station.
There were a lot of people at the concert.
Was there a baseball game on TV today?
There weren’t (were not) any parking spaces in that lot.
There wasn’t any sale on eggs at the grocery store.

For the present perfect, we have:

There has been…(singular) // There have been…(plural).
There hasn’t been (has not been)…(singular) // There haven’t been (have not been)…(plural).

Waiter, there’s been (there has been) some sort of mistake.  I ordered steak, not fish.
There have been a lot of tornadoes lately.
Have there been any phone calls for me this morning?
There hasn’t been any rain for the past month.
There haven’t been any complaints for our department for three weeks now – good job!

For the future, we have:

There will be…
There won’t (will not) be…

Are you coming to the reunion?  There will be a live jazz band.
Will there be dancing? – Yes, so be sure to wear your dancing shoes.
There won’t be (there will not be) any school next Monday.  It’s a holiday.

Exercises.  Complete the sentences using there + is / are / was / were / has been / have been / will be.

Example:

__________ some nice apples at Tom’s Apple Orchard this year.  ==> There are some nice apples at Tom’s Apple Orchard this year.

1.    __________ an unusual number of bees this summer.
2.    __________ DVDs and CDs available for checkout at the library.
3.    Luckily, __________ one vacancy left at the Sleepy Hollow Motel.
4.    __________ roll call early tomorrow morning, so make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
5.    __________ 22 boys and 20 girls in my graduating class.
6.    __________ nothing as good as Mom’s cooking.
7.    The Farmer’s Almanac says __________ a cold winter next year.
8.    __________ a black bear in the back yard when I got up this morning.
9.    Guess what?  __________ an earthquake in California.
10.    __________ no use crying over spilled milk.

Exercises.  Complete the sentence using there + is / are / was / were / has been / have been / will be, and make the sentences negative.

Example:

I looked high and low, but __________ any keys on the desk.  ==> I looked high and low, but there weren’t any keys on the desk.

1.    Are you sure __________ any milk left in the fridge?
2.    Goldilocks went into the cabin, but there __________ a soul around.
3.    __________ any customers all day.
4.    __________ that many people at the nightclub last night.
5.    __________ any pencils in my pencil cup.  Please go to the supply room and get me a new pack.
6.    I checked in the supply cabinet, but __________ any pencils.
7.    __________ even one pack left?  I thought I had ordered some.
8.    No, there __________ any pencils in the supply cabinet for a whole month.
9.    You’d better lock your desk, then, when you leave for the night.  Apparently __________ a pencil thief here lately.
10.    Whoever’s been taking the pencils had better come clean, or __________ trouble in River City!

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