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Let’s review some of the things we’ve covered here in Grammar Basics so far.

When we use modal verbs (will, shall, might, may, can, could, must, should, would), we use what is called the base form, or dictionary form, of the verb:

will:    John will wash the dishes.
shall:    I shall call you later today.
might:    It might rain tomorrow.
may:    Tom may come to the party.
can:    Bobby can write his name now.
could:    We could go to the park.
must:    You must stand up.
should:    He should get a new car.
would:    I would be quiet if I were you.

The base form / dictionary form is also used with do/does and did:

do/does:

Do you see John anywhere?
Does your dog have a leash?
The phone doesn’t work.

did:

When did you come home last night?
I didn’t eat the cupcake.

We also use the base form / dictionary form after the infinitive marker to:

going to:    I’m going to go to bed now.
have to:    Tom has to do his homework after school.
want to:    We want to build a sand castle.
would like to:    I would like to have some tea, please.
used to:    We used to play by the river when we were kids.

–ing is used for the continuous form:

am/is/are –ing:

Our school is putting on the play, The Diary of Anne Frank.
We are going on vacation next month.
I am taking a shower.

was/were –ing:

I was sleeping when you called.
The boys were playing outside when Grandfather arrived.

Exercise.  Complete the sentences.  Use either “eat breakfast” or “to eat breakfast.”

Example:

I’ll _____________. ==>  I’ll eat breakfast.
John’s going _____________. ==>  John’s going to eat breakfast.

1.    I could _____________.
2.    You must _____________.
3.    Mary wants _____________.
4.    He may _____________.
5.    They have _____________.
6.    We can _____________.
7.    I want _____________.
8.    You should _____________.
9.    She might _____________.
10.    Father used _____________.

Exercise.  Complete the sentences with a verb from the list.  Choose either the base form (sleep/play) or the –ing form (sleeping/playing).

Example:

Shhh – the baby is (sleep/sleeping). ==> Shhh – the baby is sleeping.
Do you (play/playing) a musical instrument?  ==>  Do you play a musical instrument?

be/being
bring/bringing
get/getting
have/having
need/needing
play/playing
practice/practicing
take/taking
wear/wearing
write/writing

1.    I might _____________ your help later this afternoon.
2.    Make sure to set the alarm – I’m _____________ up early tomorrow morning.
3.    What are you _____________ for the costume party next week?
4.    Did John _____________ the piano after school?
5.    Mark didn’t _____________ his thank-you note yet.
6.    They must _____________ tired after their long journey.
7.    Does the hotel _____________ a swimming pool?
8.    Mary said she would _____________ some salad for the picnic.
9.    Our team is _____________ the Southsiders tomorrow.
10.    The ice cream stand doesn’t _____________ credit cards.

Exercise.  Put the verb in the correct form.  Choose either the base form, the infinitive form, or the –ing form.

Example:

May I _____________ you?  (help) ==>  May I help you?
I have _____________ a movie for my history class.  (watch) ==>  I have to watch a movie for my history class.
The children _____________ hopscotch.  (play) ==>  The children are playing hopscotch.

1.    We would like _____________ a cabin for our vacation. (rent)
2.    Does this vending machine _____________? (work)
3.    I’m so hungry I could _____________ a horse. (eat)
4.    They’re going _____________ a new school across the street. (build)
5.    We will _____________ you a call as soon as we get home. (give)
6.    The janitor _____________ the boys’ bathroom right now. (clean)
7.    We must _____________ the orchestra play Mozart’s requiem – I’ve heard it’s an excellent performance. (hear)
8.    Uncle Howard doesn’t _____________ opera. (like)
9.    I would like _____________ the Grand Canyon someday. (visit)
10.    Mother couldn’t _____________ the pickle jar. (open)
11.    What time does your plane _____________ tomorrow morning? (leave)
12.    When did you _____________ home last night? (come)
13.    Father used _____________ in the choir when he was a young man. (sing)
14.    I have _____________ the library book today. (return)
15.    The children want _____________ to the museum this weekend. (go)

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