level 3

1. I the groceries on the kitchen counter.

2. Mrs. Staten at the same school for 20 years.

3. It so much that the river flooded into the town.

4. We that it was my youngest nephew's birthday.

5. Mickey a cold, so he’s going to bed early tonight.

6. Mr. Fisher an expensive new automobile for his wife.

7. When he was younger, my father in a bank.

8. After the ducks in the pond, they flapped their wings to dry off.

9. Sally blew out the candles on her birthday cake and for a pony.

10. Ms. Ali president after an election in 1997 that formally ended the war.
----------

Unit 28: - Past Continous

Past Continuous

The Past Continuous is used for actions or situations that happened over a period of time. For example:
- We were playing tennis with some friends from work.
- The sun was shining this morning.

The Past Continuous is made with the past form of to be and the -ing form.

Singular

I was walking

You were walking

He was walking

She was walking

It was walking

Plural

We were walking

You were walking

They were walking

Usage

The Past Continuous is used for actions which are taking progress in the past. We are in the middle of these actions, they have started but not yet finished. For example:
- We were playing tennis yesterday afternoon.
- What were you doing? I was having lunch with my sister.

The Past Continuous and Past Simple are often used together to show that one situation happened during another one. The Past Continuous is used for a background event that has already started, and the Past Simple is used to introduce a new event. For example:
- I was walking in the park when it started to rain. - "Walking in the park" is a background situation, and "it started to rain" is the new event of interest.
- It was raining so I ran back home.
- While I was running, the rain stopped.
- It wasn't raining, so I walked in the park again.

Note that if we want to show that one situation happened after another one, we usually use the Past Simple. For example:
- Yesterday I walked in the park, it started to rain, I ran back home, and the rain stopped.

Unit 28: Grammar Exercises

Use the past continuous tense forms of the verbs in parentheses to complete the sentences.
Most of the sentences below also need past simple forms of the Be verb.

Example: The soccer team (practice).
Example: She tennis last night. (not/play).

----------

1. He up TV all last night. (watch)

2. While I a shower, the phone rang. (take)

3. A stranded motorist on the side of the highway. (stand)

4. It was a cold day but she her coat. (not/wear)

5. John, what you yesterday evening between 7 and 8 pm? (do)

6. Last summer when I , I went to the gym every morning. (not/work)

7. My daughters on the phone for hours and hours yesterday. (talk)

8. As we the car, storm clouds rolled in and rain started to fall. (wash)

9. After on hold for twenty-five minutes, I finally get through to someone. (wait)

10. Just as the Smith family down for dinner, there was a knock on the door. (sit)

Unit 29: - Future - Will/Shall

Future - Will/Shall

Will is a modal verb used to indicate future time. For example:
- It will be sunny tomorrow.
- The new restaurant will open next week.

Will comes after the subject and before the main verb, and in questions the subject and will invert. Will'll, for example he'll, they'll, and in negatives will not often contracts to won't. often contracts to

Affirmative

He will / He'll stay at home tomorrow.
They will / They'll be very busy.

Negative

I will not / won't stay at home tomorrow.
They will not / won't be very busy.

Question

Will he stay at home tomorrow?
Will they be busy?

Usage

Will is used for future predictions and facts. For example:
- We'll finish it by tonight.
- We have a lot of time. We won't be late.
- "Where will you go next year?" "I'll go to America."

Will is also used to make a spontaneous response. For example:
Offer: - "The telephone's ringing." "I'll answer it."
Promise: - "I'll never leave you" - "I'll give it to you tomorrow morning."
Request: - "Will you wait for me this evening?"
Will for requests is quite strong and often used when the expected answer is "Yes". Otherwise can is more polite: "Can you wait for me this evening?"
Threat: - "You'll be sorry!"
Order: - "You will not eat my chocolate-chip cookies!"

Shall

Shall is used with only I and we to make questions. For example:
"Shall I open the window?"

It can also be used to make statements, but this is formal and old-fashioned.
"We shall arrive at 6.00."

Unit 29: Grammar Exercises

Complete the questions using will or shall.
Note: Shall is generally used in American English with I and we to make offers and suggestions.

1. _____ I be able to see my house from the plane?
a) Will b) Shall

2. _____ I carry that suitcase for you? It looks heavy!
a) Will b) Shall

3. _____ we have enough money to support ourselves?
a) Will b) Shall

4. _____ Liz and Carol have Christmas dinner with their parents?
a) Will b) Shall

5. _____ we call it a day and continue working on the project tomorrow?
a) Will b) Shall

6. _____ I have any problems accessing my account information over the Internet?
a) Will b) Shall

7. _____ Mr. Smith be here soon? I need to talk to him about the Peterson contract.
a) Will b) Shall

8. _____ we just tell Ms. Johnson the truth? Someone is bound to tell her if we don’t.
a) Will b) Shall

9. _____ I get you something warm to drink, like a cup of tea or a bowl of chicken soup?
a) Will b) Shall

10. _____ we need to buy any additional software if we link our server with other servers on the Internet?
a) Will b) Shall

Unit 30: - Future - Going to

Future - Going to

Going to is used to show a future intention. For example:
- I'm going to go on vacation next summer.
- We're going to start our own business.

Going to future sentences are made as follows:
Subject - verb "to be" - going to - infinitive verb. For example: They are going to have dinner.

Usage

Going to is used for future plans. For example:
- I'm going to see my friends this evening.
- He's going to write a book.
- What are you going to do?

Going to is also used to make a prediction based on present evidence. For example:
- He's going to fall over! (I can see he's in danger now.)
- She's going to win. (I can see she's winning now.)

Will and going to are both used for predictions and sometimes there is little difference in meaning. Compare:
- It will be sunny this afternoon. (A general prediction)
- It's going to be sunny this afternoon. (because it's getting warmer now)

Going to with the Past Simple of "to be" is often used for an intention or plan that wasn't actually done. For example:
- I was going to meet my friends but I didn't have time.
- We were going to take a vacation but it was too expensive.

Going to is often contracted to gonna in spoken English. For example:
- "I'm gonna buy a new computer."

Unit 30: Grammar Exercises

Unscramble these sentences and questions.
Note: The quiz is sensitive and you must enter the answer exactly. Don't use contractions, and remember to add question marks and periods.

Example: going ask I to am Sue.

----------

1. Charles see to going are We.

2. going Beth you Are to meet?

3. New York fly to I to am going.

4. the United States going Is visit Ian to?

5. Mary is Ronald going secret to his tell.

6. herself to car a Mom going new buy is.

7. Don baseball play going with they to Are?

8. Tom and Veronica get married are to going

9. John Belushi going Is to visit Chicago?

10. Jack going Sherri and Ann lunch eat to are with.

1. The 3 pm train _____ by 4:30 pm.
a) returns b) is returning

2. The girls and I _____ out tonight.
a) go b) are going

3. At 8 am, we _____ on the excursion to Oahu.
a) leave b) are leaving

4. The return train _____ one hour after the race.
a) departs b) is departing

5. We _____ each other sometime in the future.
a) see b) are seeing

6. The office _____ a going-away party for me.
a) throws b) is throwing

7. They _____ a very small wedding on the beach.
a) have b) are having

8. Thanksgiving _____ on the 25th of November this year.
a) falls b) is falling

9. Eating sandwiches every day is boring, so I _____ out today.
a) eat b) am eating

10. Mr. President, you _____ the UN Assembly at noon on July 10th.
a) address b) are addressing

Unit 32: - Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives give information about nouns. For example:
- She's an excellent dancer.
- I've got a new apartment.
Adverbs modify verbs, they tell how something is done. For example:
- She learns quickly.
- You can speak English well.

Adjectives

Adjectives come before the noun. For example:
- This is a beautiful bird.
"This is a bird beautiful." is incorrect.
They provide information such as size (big, small), shape (round, square), color (yellow, green), nationality (Chinese, Polish), and opinion (good, bad).

Adjectives don't change depending on number. For example:
She has a cute puppy.
She has three cute puppies.
Note that the adjective doesn't change with number.

Adjectives also come after certain verbs such as be, feel, look, and taste. For example:
- I'm really happy today.
- She's got a new job so she feels great.
- You look wonderful!
- This chicken tastes delicious.

Adverbs

Adverbs are often formed by adding -ly to an adjective. For example:
- quick (adjective) - He's quick at learning new things.
- quickly (adverb) - He learns quickly.
- bad (adjective) - He didn't get a bad test score.
- badly (adverb) - He didn't do badly in his test.

For adverbs made from adjectives ending in "-y" - change "-y" to "-i" and add "-ly". For example:
- easy (adjective) - He thinks math is easy.
- easily (adverb) - He can do math easily.
- happy (adjective) - He's a happy man.
- happily (adverb) - He works happily every day.

For adverbs made from adjectives ending in "-le" - change "-le" to "-ly". For example:
- simple (adjective) - The teacher makes difficult things simple.
- simply (adverb) - He teaches simply and clearly.

Some adverbs are the same as adjectives. For example:
- He runs fast (adverb) - He's a fast runner. (adjective)
- He studies hard. (adverb) - It's a hard life. (adjective)

The adverb of "good" is "well". For example:
- She's a good pianist.
- She plays the piano well.

Adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs. For example:
- That's a good book.
- That's a very good book.
- She's a talented girl.
- She's an incredibly talented girl.
- You're right!
- You're absolutely right!

Unit 32: Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using an adjective or an adverb.
Note: Act, look, grow, sound, and smell are examples of verbs that can be linking verbs in some sentences and action verbs in others.
Generally, adjectives follow linking verbs, and adverbs follow action verbs.

Example: You can go anywhere you want if you carry a clipboard and look _____.
a) serious b) mad - Answer a) is correct.

----------

1. The rock band’s five-foot speakers look _____ .
a) loud b) loudly

2. The meat smells _____ . We’d better throw it away.
a) bad b) badly

3. I know I've acted _____. Please accept my apologies.
a) bad b) badly

4. This car turns _____. The power steering is really great!
a) nice b) nicely

5. When I called her name, the old woman looked _____ at me.
a) strange b) strangely

6. Mike acts _____ in class, but you can tell he really doesn’t like you.
a) nice b) nice

7. The musician has the striking ability to make his lyrics sound _____ .
a) immediate b) immediately

8. The conversation turned _____ when someone started talking about UFOs.
a) strange b) strangely

9. The cook handed him a bowl of sugar and cinnamon, which he smelled _____ .
a) immediate b) immediately

10. The alarm sounded _____ at its appointed time, and I got up, showered, and shaved.
a) loud b) loudly

Unit 33: - Adjectives: -ed / -ing Forms

Adjectives: -ed / -ing Forms

Many adjectives can end in -ed or -ing. For example:
- I'm excited about tomorrow.
- This is an exciting book.

When the adjective ends in -ed, it describes the feeling of something. For example:
- I'm interested in modern art. (This is my personal feeling)
- I was really bored yesterday.

When the adjective ends in -ing, it describes the feeling given by something. For example:
- Modern art is interesting. ("Modern art" can't feel, but it makes me feel interested.).
- The news was shocking. (The "news" gives us a shocking feeling)

Compare:
- He's bored. - He has nothing to do, he's not enjoying himself. This describes his feeling.
- He's boring. - He's not an interesting person. This describes the feeling he gives to other people.

Below are some common adjective pairs using -ed/-ing.
Note that the adjective doesn't change with number.

-ed Adjective

annoy - I don't get annoyed easily.
amazed - I'm amazed by hers artistic talent.
confused - I asked the teacher, but we were still confused.
disappointed - They were disappointed the weather was not good.
surprised - I was surprised to see you.

amused
thrilled

-ing Adjective

annoying - Noisy mobile phones can be annoying.
amazing - The concert last might was amazing.
confusing - This textbook is really confusing.

disappointing - Yesterday's weather was disappointing.

surprising - I heard some surprising news.

amusing
thrilling

1. The children looked _____ by the old toys.
a) fascinated b) fascinating

2. I felt _____ after just a short time in the forest.
a) invigorated b) invigorating

3. It was very _____ to win our first game of the season.
a) bad b) badly

4. The recent downward trend in poverty seems _____.
a) encouraged b) encouraging

5. _____ at the thought of moving away, Jonathon began to cry.
a) Terrified b) Terrifying

6. When you're not in good spirits, it is _____ to stay in bed all day.
a) tempted b) tempting

7. One finding that appeared _____ was that birth rates were declining.
a) troubled b) troubling

8. Never had Ann felt so _____ by the landscape she traveled through.
a) charmed b) charming

9. As _____ as it is to be with others, it's crucial to spend some time alone. .
a) comforted b) comforting

10. The working mother was _____ at the thought of being labeled a "homemaker."
a) amused b) amusing

Unit 34: - Adjective Order

Adjective Order

When we use more than one adjective they should be used in the correct order. Adjective order is not entirely fixed but the general sequence is:

-- Determiner - Opinion - Size - Age - Shape - Color - Origin - Material --> Noun
Determiners are words such as a, an , the, this, that. These words are also kinds of adjectives.

For example:
- a famous, old painting
- a big, round table
- an American, cotton shirt

Adjectives of opinion come before adjectives of fact, for example:
- a beautiful, white flower.
"A white, beautiful flower" sounds unusual.

With two or more adjectives commas are optional. For example:
- "A long, dark tunnel" or "A long dark tunnel" are both acceptable.

With two or more color adjectives use and. For example:
- She's got a black and white kitten.
Adjectives other than colors don't use and. For example:
- She's got a little, black kitten.
"She's got a little and black kitten" is incorrect.

Unit 34: Grammar Exercises

Put the adjectives in the correct order.
Determiner - Opinion - Size - Age - Shape - Color - Origin - Material - Noun

Example: Mary has denim a jacket blue -

----------

1. Mike drives car orange old an.
Mike drives .

2. Patty bought house a white big.
Patty bought .

3. Sheila gave Don silk tie a beautiful.
Sheila gave Don .

4. Veronica will wear red long dress the.
Veronica will wear .

5. I will order milkshake a chocolate large.
I will order .

6. Bob and Jill sold rocking antique chair their.
Bob and Jill sold .

7. The high school held useful a meeting neighborhood.
The high school held .

8. motorcycle off-road 20-year-old My doesn't start any more.
doesn't start any more.

9. black Your handbag cute leather must have cost you a fortune!
must have cost you a fortune!

10. pre-war Japanese floats Some glass adorn my wife’s rose garden.
adorn my wife’s rose garden.

Unit 35: - Comparatives - As...As

Comparatives - As...As

The structure "as...as" is used to compare things that are equal. For example:
- Jennifer is 163cm and Tony is 163cm. Jennifer is as tall as Tony.
- This house is 40 years old, that house is also 40 years old. This house is as old as that house.
- Bach's music is as good as Mozart's.
- Spring is as warm as fall.

"as...as" can also be used in negatives and questions. For example:
The Amazon isn't as long as the Nile.
The second movie wasn't as good as the first.
Is Japan as expensive as England?

"as...as" can also be used to show an extreme amount.
- "Eat as much as you want." The amount you eat is "equal" to the amount you want.
- Hurry! Run as fast as you can!
- Study as hard as possible.

Multiple quantities are expressed with "as...as". For example:
- I'm 22. My friend is twice as old as me. She's 44 years old.
- My aunt is three times as old as me. She's 66.
- And my grandmother is four times as old as me. She's 88 years old.
- Jenny is also 22 years old. She's the same as me.

Unit 35: Grammar Exercises

The structure "as...as" is commonly used in similes - comparisons that show how two essentially unlike things are similar.

Complete the sentences below using the as...as similes in the box.

as white as snow

as smooth as silk

as slow as molasses

as old as the hills

as free as a bird

as nutty as a fruitcake

as light as a feather

as cold as ice

as blind as a bat

as black as coal

Unit 36: - Comparatives: Quantity

Comparatives: Quantity

Quantifiers, or adjectives that show quantity, also have comparative and superlative forms.

Quantifier

much/many/a lot of
I have a lot of apples.
I don't have many apples.
I don't have much time.

few - They have a few potatoes.
little - We've got a little rice.

Comparative

more
I have more apples than you.
I don't have more apples than you.
I don't have more time than you.

fewer - We've got fewer potatoes.
less - They've got less rice.

Superlative

most
He has the most apples.
I don't have the most apples.
I don't have the most time.

fewest -You've got the least potatoes.
least - I've got the least rice.

Remember that:
- many and few are used with countable nouns.
- much and less are used with uncountable nouns.
- a lot of / lots of can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.

You can also use the "as...as" structure to show equality. For example:
- We have as many candies as you.
- There are as few people in this town as that one.
- She's got as much water as we do.
- I've got as little time as you do.

Example: On the first day of his vacation, the boy felt
Answer: On the first day of his vacation, the boy felt

1. The night was

2. Her hateful eyes were

3. Without my glasses, I am

4. The sheets on the bed looked

5. The bicycle looks heavy, but it feels

6. Paragliding is about the closest one can get to being

7. My computer is very fast at times, and at other times it is

8. When I was a child, a man of seventy seemed to me to be

9. After using our body lotion, your skin is guaranteed to feel

10. The man acted so oddly that his neighbors considered him to be

Unit 36: Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using the appropriate quantifier.

Example: Americans now own _____ dogs and more cats.
a) fewer b) less - The answer is: a) fewer
----------

1. _____ people live in a city than in a town.
a) More b) The most

2. Ethanol produces_____ pollution than gasoline.
a) the least b) less

3. There has been _____ news recently about obesity.
a) many b) much

4. There are _____ fish that are strictly carnivores or herbivores.
a) few b) little

5. Statistically, women are involved in _____ accidents than men.
a) fewer b) the fewest

6. I read that Taiwan has _____ motorcycles per capita in the world.
a) more b) the most

7. Many of the world's farms use _____ chemicals to help grow food.
a) lots of b) much

8. _____ children live in gun-owning households today than in 1980.
a) Fewer b) Little

9. Labor saving procedures are supposed to help you get your work done with ____ effort.
a) the fewest b) the least

10. In emergency situations, it is much preferable to have ____ knowledge than none at all.
a) the fewest b) little

Unit 37: - Gerunds & Infinitives: Verb+Gerund / Verb+Infinitive

Gerunds and Infinitives: Verb+Gerund / Verb+ Infinitive

A gerund is a verb that functions as noun. For example:
- I enjoy playing tennis. I enjoy play tennis" is incorrect.
- We practice speaking English every day.
- They just bought a new swimming pool.

In English the infinitive is made of to and the verb. For example:
- I want to learn a new language.
- You forgot to close the door.

Verbs are often followed by infinitives or gerunds and choosing which to use has few fixed rules, it depends mainly on the individual verb.

Verb + Gerund

Here are some common verbs that can be followed by gerunds, but not infinitives.

admit - He admitted taking the money.
celebrate - We celebrated winning the competition.
deny - The government denied spending too little on education.
dislike - I dislike complaining.
enjoy - She enjoys meeting her friends.
finish - I finished working there last month.
imagine - I imagine being a waitress is a difficult job.
keep - Where are my keys? I keep losing them.
mind - I don't mind waiting, we've got time.
miss - I miss talking with my sisters.
remember - Do you remember going to Italy?
risk - Jeff's always late. He risks losing his job.
stop - Don't stop singing, it's really nice.
suggest - I suggest having lunch first.

Gerunds are also used after some phrasal verbs. For example:
- If you keep on doing the same thing, you'll get the same results.
- She wants to give up drinking coffee.

Verb + Infinitive

Below are some common verbs that can be followed by infinitives, but not usually gerunds.

aim - I'm aiming to finish this book by the end of March.
afford - I can't afford to buy new clothes.
agree - My boss agreed to give me a reference.
decide - We decided to have a baby.
deserve - You deserve to have a better score.
forget - Don't forget to lock the door.
hope - I hope to go to Harvard Business School.
learn - I learnt to read when I was 3 years old.
mean - I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you angry.
need - You don't need to study a lot, you need to study a little for a long time.
offer - He offered to help me carry these bags.
plan - They plan to go abroad next year.
pretend - He's pretending to be sick.
promise - She promised to be here on time.
refuse - Why do they always refuse to listen?
seem - She seems to be really intelligent.

Unit 37: Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using a gerund or an infinitive.

Example: I strongly suggest _____ an attorney on hand before signing a contract to buy a home.
a) having b) to have - The answer is: a) having
----------

1. Do all of us need _____?
a) going b) to go

2. Beth promised _____.
a) writing b) to write

3. Joe doesn't mind _____ by himself.
a) working b) to work

4. Carol and her husband seem _____ the perfect life.
a) having b) to have

5. Do you really enjoy _____ to work on Monday morning?
a) going b) to go

6. After eating its fill, the monkey decided _____ home some food.
a) carrying b) to carry

7. The higher return you hope to achieve, the more you must risk _____.
a) losing b) to lose

8. When Nick lived in Asia, he missed _____ Christmas with his family.
a) celebrating b) to celebrate

9. I vehemently dislike _____ with morons, screw-ups, deadbeats, crooks, and liars.
a) dealing b) to deal

10. Although Susan has a good job, she can't afford _____ out of her parents' house.
a) moving b) to move

Unit 38: - Gerunds & Infinitives: Verb+Gerund or Infinitive

Gerunds and Infinitives: Verb + Gerund or Infinitive

Some verbs can be followed by an infinitive or a gerund. These verbs in turn can be subdivided into two groups, verbs with little difference in meaning, and verbs with a distinct change in meaning.

Verb + Gerund or Infinitive: Little difference in meaning.

Here are some common verbs that can be followed by gerunds or infinitives with little change in meaning. A change of meaning may still exist however, as there are almost limitless combinations of verbs and gerunds/infinitives.

begin - She began to sing. - He began working here last year.
bother - Don't bother to wash the dishes. I'll do it. - Don't bother washing the dishes. I'll do it.
continue - You can continue to live here for 6 months. - You can continue living here for 6 months.
start - I started to learn the clarinet when I was 8. I started learning the clarinet when I was 8.

love / like / hate /prefer

These four verbs use the gerund for situations or actions in progress. The infinitive is used for factual information.

hate
- I hate working at my new job (I'm workng there now.)
- I hate to work on Sundays. (specific time and situation)

like
- I like playing the piano. (I like the process andfeeling of playing the piano.)
- I like to play the piano. (It's a fact I like to play the piano.)

love
- I love living in the country. (I'm probably living there now.)
- I love to live in the country. (Generally speaking I like the country, maybe I'm not living there now.)

prefer
- I prefer to study by myself. (Sounds factual)
- I prefer studying by myself. (Sounds more personal, perhaps I'm studying now.)

These verbs are also often used with would and the infinitive, and refer to specific situations. For example:
- I would love to go to China.
- We would prefer to meet at 7.00.

Allow / permit

Allow and permit have one pattern for gerunds and another for infinitives.
allow + gerund - My teacher doesn't allow eating in class.
allow + object + infinitive - My teacher doesn't allow us to eat in class.
permit + gerund - My teacher doesn't permit eating in class.
permit + object + infinitive - My teacher doesn't permit us to eat in class.

Unit 38: Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using a gerund or an infinitive.

Example: The Rules Committee allowed each candidate _____ for five minutes.

a) talking b) to talk - The answer is: b) to talk
----------

1. Our teacher doesn't allow _____ in Study Hall.
a) talking b) to talk

2. This license permits _____ under certain conditions.
a) driving b) to drive

3. Would you be willing to allow me _____ my own opinion?
a) having b) to have

4. Should we permit foreigners _____ campaign contributions?
a) making b) to make

5. For the protection of our campers, we cannot permit _____.
a) wandering b) to wander

6. Our work schedules do not permit us _____ our children long distances.
a) driving b) to drive

7. You'll be surprised how preparing ahead will allow _____ some extra fun too.
a) having b) to have

8. How can you permit your children _____ around New York at the dead of night?
a) wandering b) to wander

9. This knife has a particularly fine blade that allows _____ precise cuts and incisions.
a) making b) to make

10. Group work allows students _____ about their understandings and discoveries with peers.
a) talking b) to talk

1. Stop _____ mean to your sister!
a) being b) to be

2. On my way home, I stopped _____ some gas.
a) getting b) to get

3. After high school, Sally went on _____ medicine.
a) studying b) to study

4. Before you go to sleep, don't forget _____ the door.
a) locking b) to lock

5. As soon as Ann turns 18, she means _____ to Hollywood.
a) moving b) to move

6. Jason remembered _____ in to me at a party two years ago.
a) running b) to run

7. We regret _____ you that we have suspended all business activity.
a) informing b) to inform

8. We will never forget _____ called Mommy and Daddy for the first time.
a) being b) to be

9. I don't regret _____ up tennis and settling down with my wife and children.
a) giving b) to give

10. I had to go home early yesterday because my son had forgotten _____ his key.
a) taking b) to take

Unit 40: - Conditionals - Zero Conditional

Conditionals

English conditional statements are grouped into four main types - zero, first, second, and third conditional.

Zero Conditional

Zero conditional is used for statements and facts which are perceived to be true.

Zero conditional has the form if + present simple + present simple. For example:
- If you need any help just call me.
- If you run fast you get tired.
All conditionals have two clauses, the if clause
- "If you have time, ..."
and the main clause
- "...come and visit us".

Either of these two clauses can come first:
- "If it rains take an umbrella" - or also:
- "Take an umbrella if it rains."

The zero conditional is often used with imperatives. For example:
- If you feel sick, see a doctor.
- If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

Unit 40: Grammar Exercises

The zero conditional (using If you can't...) is often found in old sayings and proverbs.

Complete the sayings and proverbs below using the clauses in the box.

you can't be helped.

better not show your teeth.

be thankful for what you have escaped.

then you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning.

join them.

don't say anything at all.

adjust your sail.

you can't rule.

get out of the kitchen.

somebody else will.

Example: If you can't take the temperature
Answer: If you can't take the temperature

1. If you can't serve

2. If you can't beat them,

3. If you can't bite,

4. If you can't take advice,

5. If you can't control the wind,

6. If you can't stand the heat,

7. If you can't laugh at yourself,

8. If you can't say anything nice,

9. If you can't be a good example,

10. If you can't be content with what you have received,

Unit 41: - First Conditional

First Conditional

First conditional is used for statements and facts which will be true, if a certain condition is met.

First conditional has the form if + present simple + will + base verb. For example:
- If it's sunny, we'll go to the beach.
- If I have time, I'll meet you at work.
- If we don't go now, we'll be late.
As with all conditionals the first conditonal has two clauses, the if clause
- "If you help us, ..."
and the main clause
- "...we'll help you.".

Either of these two clauses can come first:
- "If he gets a new job we'll move to London." - or also:
- "We'll move to London if he gets a new job."

In the first conditional will is a modal verb expressing certainty. Other modal verbs can also be used to show various degrees of certainty. For example:
- If you like Asian food, you'll love this restaurant. (There is a 100% chance you'll love the restaurant.)
- If you like Asian food, you should like this restaurant. (80%)
- If you like Asian food, you might like this restaurant. (50%)
- If you like Asian food, you probably won't like this restaurant. (20%)
- If you like Asian food, you won't like this restaurant. (0%)

Unit 41: Grammar Exercises

Using the rules for first conditionals, complete the sentences below.

Example: If the teacher _____ come, who _____?

a) doesn't... will teach
b) does... won't teach - The answer is: a) doesn't... will teach
----------

1. I _____ say anything if you _____.
a) don't... won't b) won't... don't

2. What _____ if you _____ get a job?
a) do you do... won't b) will you do... don't

3. If a soufflé _____ punctured or shaken it _____.
a) is... will collapse b) will be... collapses

4. If teachers _____ earn respect, students _____ give it.
a) don't... won't b) won't... don't

5. You _____ asked to leave if you _____ follow the rules.
a) are... won't b) will be... don't

6. If you _____ keep up with the payments, you _____ your home.
a) don't... will lose b) won't... lose

7. Ladybugs _____ fly if the temperature _____ below 13 degrees Celsius.
a) don't... will be b) won't... is

8. What _____ you get if you _____ a huge, hairy monster with a penguin?
a) do... will cross b) will... cross

9. We _____ your deposit if you _____ your reservation more than 7 days in advance.
a) return... will cancel b) will return... cancel

10. If the company _____ bankrupt, how _____ able to pay our bills and feed our families?
a) goes... will we be b) will go... are we

Unit 42: - Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns replace specific things with general, non-specific concepts. For example:
- I want to live abroad in Italy.
- I want to live abroad somewhere.
This unit covers indefinite pronouns made with some, any, no, and every.

Some / any

Some and any can be combined with "-thing" to refer to an undefined object. For example:
- There's someone outside the door.
- There isn't anyone in the office.

Some and any can be combined with "-where" to refer to an undefined location. For example:
- I'm looking for somewhere to live.
- We don't want to live anywhere near here.

Some and any can be combined with "-body" or "-one" to refer to an undefined person. There is very little difference in meaning between "-body" and "-one". For example:
- If you have a problem, someone/somebody will help you.
- Do you know anyone/anybody who can help?

These compound nouns follow the same rules as some and any, that is some is used in affirmative statements, and any is used in negative statements and questions. For example:
- I need something from the supermarket.
- I don't need anything from the supermarket.
- Do you need anything from the supermarket?

No

No can be combined with various nouns to mean an absence of something. For example:
- "Did you find your wallet? No, there's nothing here."
- "Did anything happen?" "No, nothing happened."

- This job is going nowhere. (It's not getting better.)
- Nowhere is as good as here. (I like here the best.)

- Is anybody here? No, there's nobody here.
- I waited for an hour but nobody came.

Sometimes words with no- can have more emphasis than words with any. For example:
- I didn't tell anyone what happened.
- I told nobody what happened.

Every

Every can be used to mean a group or total of individual things. For example:
- Everything in this house is simple and useful.
- Jane was sick last night, but everything is OK now.

- Everyone was at Michael's birthday party last night.

- Baseball caps come from America, but people wear them everywhere.

Unit 42: Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences below with the correct indefinite pronoun.

Example: I have _____ to go.

a) nowhere b) nobody - The answer is: a) nowhere
----------

1. _____ you can do, I can do better.
a) Anybody b) Anything

2. I have _____ important to tell you.
a) somebody b) something

3. Can _____ reliably predict an earthquake?
a) anyone b) anywhere

4. We're bored because there's _____ to do.
a) anything b) nothing

5. I thought I had heard voices, but _____ was there.
a) nobody b) somebody

6. Here's fifty dollars. You can buy _____ you want.
a) anyone b) anything

7. We don't want _____ telling us what we should do.
a) anybody b) nobody

8. _____ tastes as good as Cola Rola. It's the best drink in the house!
a) Anything b) Nothing

9. No one is really sure how the universe and _____ in it was created.
a) everything b) nothing

10. Are you taking her _____ special tonight, like an expensive restaurant?
a) anywhere b) everywhere

Unit 43: - Must & Have to - Necessity

Must and Have to - Necessity

Must and have to are modal verbs often used to convey necessity.
- I have to go home now.
- I must arrive by 12.00.

Have to is used for general necessity. For example:
- I have to finish this before 12.00. (I have a general obligation to finish this by 12.00)
Must is used for necessity which we feel personally.
- I must finish this before 12.00. (I have a sense of strong personal responsibility to finish this.)

Must does not have a past form, we have to use have to for the past.
- I had to get up early this morning.
- I must got up early this morning. This is incorrect.

Note that have to inflects like a normal verb, it can have different tenses and uses auxiliary verbs for questions and negatives. For example:
- Do we have to go out tonight?
- You don't have to come with us.

Must doesn't use auxiliary verbs or different tenses.
- Must we go out tonight? (This sounds rather British, I really don't want to go out tonight.)
- We mustn't forget the tickets. (No auxiliary verb "to do", just add not.)

Negative Forms

Don't have to means that something is not necessary, but possible.
- You don't have to come, but you can if you want to.
- We don't have to leave today.

Must not is strong and means that something is prohibited.
- You must not push the red button.
- We mustn't be late.

Must and have to - Certainty

Must and have to can also express certainty.
- This must be the ight way.
- This has to be the right way.

--- Unit 43: Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences below using must or a form of have to.

Example: You _____ light a naked flame near the gas pumps.

a) don't have to b) must not - The answer is: b) must not
----------

1. Victoria _____ wake up at 4:00 in the morning yesterday.
a) had to b) must

2. I strongly believe that they should _____ ask permission.
a) have to b) must

3. Can _____ reliably predict an earthquake?
a) anyone b) anywhere

4. When I was young, I _____ do many things for myself.
a) didn't have to b) must not

5. While operating a motor vehicle, you _____ drink and drive.
a) don't have to b) must not

6. Why _____ a new year come for us to make changes in our lives?
a) has to b) must

7. You _____ wear a tie, but you can wear one if you want to.
a) don't have to b) must not

8. The weather became so severe that all of the workers _____ be sent home.
a) had to b) must

9. Bill _____ see everything at once because he can always visit again.
a) doesn't have to b) must not

10. _____ all of the current assumptions about the universe one day be revised?
a) Have to b) Must

1. Ought Mary to clean up the mess she made.
clean up the mess she made.

2. opposite the Shouldn't of zero be everything?
of zero be everything?

3. look should Everyone at the stars from time to time.
at the stars from time to time.

4. should We have a plan when the going gets difficult.
when the going gets difficult.

5. turn we whom To should for inspiration and wisdom?
for inspiration and wisdom?

6. study if ought Dan to more he wants to pass the exam.
he wants to pass the exam.

7. to ought You worry not about things you can't change.
things you can't change.

8. schools that Some think should things offer parenting classes.
offer parenting classes.

9. ought Vegetables to canned be while they're still fresh.
while they're still fresh.

10. do you Don't say something to ought unless you can actually do it.
unless you can actually do it.

Unit 45: - Would

Would

Would is a modal verb expressing some kind of imaginary or hypothetical situation. Would is often contracted to 'd, for example
- I would love to learn Spanish.
- I'd love to learn Spanish.

Offers and Requests

Would is used to make offers and show willingness. For example:
- Would you like a cookie with your coffee?
- Would you like to go out this evening?
- Would you like some help?

Would can also be used to make requests.
- Would you open the door for me?
This has a slightly commanding tone, perhaps like a teacher to a student. Could is less assertive.
- Could you open the door please?

Hypothetical Situations

Would is used to show hypothetical situations. For example:
- I would love to go abroad. (But I'm not abroad now.)
- You would be a great lawyer. (You're not a lawyer now - being a lawyer is an imaginary situation)

Would is often used in the main clause of conditional statements.
- If I had time, I would visit my family.
- I'd go to the beach if it was sunny.

For more information see the units on Conditionals.

Will - Past form

Would is used as the past form of will, it's used for future predictions made in the past. For example:
- He'll call you tomorrow. (A future prediction made now.)
- He said he'd call you tomorrow. (A prediction made in the past)
- They'll arrive at 7.00. (prediction made now)
- They told me they would arrive at 7.00. (prediction made in the past)

Past Habit

Would can be used for a past habit, an action that happened regularly in the past. For example:
- I would often play soccer when I was young.
- My grandfather would always give us candy.

Note that would cannot be used for a past state, for example:
- "He would be handsome when he was younger." Incorrect
- "He was handsome when he was younger." Correct
Would is used only for past habits - something that happened many times.

For past states you can use "used to":
- He used to be handsome when he was younger.
For more information see the Unit on "Used to".

Unit 45: Grammar Exercises

Choose the best sentences in which to put would.

Example: You _____ light a naked flame near the gas pumps.

a) If I knew what was going to happen in the future, I _____ bet a lot of money.
b) I became a poor man when my team lost because I _____ bet a lot of money on them.
The answer is: a) - would goes in this sentence.
(The best word to use in the other sentence is had.)
----------

1.
a) Dave _____ run if he was younger.
b) Dave _____ run when he was younger.

2.
a) Bob said he _____ cut up some firewood tomorrow.
b) Bob said he _____ cut up some firewood yesterday.

3.
a) I feel I _____ let the team down if I gave up.
b) I thought I _____ let the team down when we lost 21-6.

4.
a) I was told that my mom _____ come by earlier.
b) My mom told me that she _____ come by later tonight.

5.
a) My son told me he _____ quit his job if he fell behind at school.
b) My son told me that he _____ quit his job because it was boring.

6.
a) Sue found a pair of jeans that _____ fit her last month.
b) Sue found a pair of jeans that _____ fit her if she lost 15 pounds.

7.
a) Tom told me that his previous vacation _____ cost a lot of money.
b) Tom told me that his upcoming vacation _____ cost a lot of money.

8.
a) I _____ put the groceries away if I knew where things went.
b) After we had _____ the groceries away, we went for a walk in the park.

9.
a) If I had more time, I _____ read the newspaper.
b) I _____ read the newspaper by the time I had my second cup of coffee.

10.
a) My husband said he _____ set the alarm clock if he went to bed earlier than me.
b) My husband said he _____ set the alarm clock when he went to bed the night before.

Unit 46: - Would 2

Would 2

Would is a modal verb expressing some kind of imaginary or hypothetical situation. Here are some more uses of would continuing from the previous unit.

Wish ... Would

Wish...would is used when the speaker wants a present situation to be different. The speaker is dissatisfied with the situation and believes that the thing wished for is unlikely to actually happen. For example:
- I wish Jane would call me.
- I wish they would stop fighting.
- I wish the dog would stop barking.
- I wish the dog wouldn't keep barking.

Because wish...would is often used to complain, it's unusual to use this structure to talk about yourself. For example:
- "I wish I'd study more." This is unusual though not incorrect.

Wish...would is used for actions, but not normally for states.
- I wish I had more time. To "have" something is a state not an action, so we use the past tense "had".
- I wish I would have more time. Incorrect
- I wish I knew the answer.
- I wish I would know the answer. Incorrect

Would rather

Would rather + verb (base form) is used to express a preference. It often implies that we don't like other available choices. For example:
- "Let's go shopping this evening". "Oh, I'd rather go tomorrow." (And I don't want to go this evening)
- "Which book would you rather buy?" "I'd rather buy this one. That one isn't so good."

Would rather is also used with the past simple when giving a strong request, usually with some authority.
- Can I meet John after lunch, Mom?" "Yes, but I'd rather you did your homework first".
- "I'd rather you didn't tell anyone about the party. It's going to be a surprise."

All structures with would rather are more often found in British English.

Would mind

Would mind is used to make a polite request. For example:
- "Would you mind closing the window?"
- "Would you mind waiting a few minutes? I need to buy some stamps."
- "Would you mind if we didn't come tonight? We're just really tired, that's all."

Unit 46: Grammar Exercises

Choose the correct sentence in each pair.

Example: You _____ light a naked flame near the gas pumps.

a) I wish the program would play fair.
b) I wish the program would prove fair.

The answer is: a) - I wish the program would play fair.
(The other sentence has a stative verb.)
----------

1.
a) I wish it would seem hard.
b) I wish it would snow hard.

2.
a) I wish it would feel early.
b) I wish it would come early.

3.
a) I wish she would play well.
b) I wish she would appear well.

4.
a) I wish the lions would run free.
b) I wish the lions would remain free.

5.
a) I wish the teacher would be late.
b) I wish the teacher would arrive late.

6.
a) I wish nothing would go wrong.
b) I wish nothing would seem wrong.

7.
a) I wish my car would move faster.
b) I wish my car would become faster.

8.
a) I wish my bicycle would steer right.
b) I wish my bicycle would sound right.

9.
a) I wish the class wouldn’t talk loud.
b) I wish the class wouldn’t become loud.

10.
a) I wish the thief would turn straight.
b) I wish the thief would walk straight.

Unit 47: - Prepositions & Conjunctions of Time - for / during / while / when

Prepositions and Conjunctions of Time - for / during / while / when

For

For shows how long something happened. It is used to refer to a period of time. For example:
- We're ging to live in Malta for 6 months.
- She's in New York for a few days.
- We went to Saudi Arabia for a week.

See also the related unit on the Present Perfect and since.

While / During

Both during and while refer to a period of time in which something happens. For example:
- My phone rang while I was in a meeting.
- My phone rang during the meeting.

During is used with a noun or noun phrase. For example:
- We were busy during the weekend.
- During the night the cat woke me up.
- The Athenians suffered heavy losses during the battle of Salamis.

While is used with a subject and verb. For example:
- We went shopping while you were sleeping.
- You shouldn't eat while you are in the library.
- While I was working I got an email from Tamara.

When / While

When and while can both be used when two things happen at the same time.

When two continuous actions happen at the same time, we usually use while. For example:
- "While you were studying I went out shopping." Studying and shopping are actions.

When two short events happen at the same time, we use when. For example:
- "When I saw you I didn't recognize you." I saw you and I didn't recognize you are individual events.
- I heard you when you opened the door.
In this situation while is incorrect. For example:
"While I saw you I didn't recognize you."

When one continuous background situation occurs and one shorter event occurs at the same time, whenwhile can both be used. For example:
- "When I was in Rome I met my wife." - "While I was in Rome I met my wife."
- "I cut myself while I was cooking dinner." - "I cut myself when I was cooking dinner." and

The position of while and when clauses is interchangeable with usually little difference in meaning.
- Don't forget to lock the door when you go out. - When you go out don't forget to lock the door.
- We're still growing while other businesses are losing clients. - While other businesses are losing clients, we're still growing.

Unit 47: Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using during, for, while, and when.

Example: _____ the night, the wind blew the front door open.

a) During
b) While

The answer is: a) - During
----------

1. The phone rang several times _____ dinner.
a) during
b) when

2. It began to snow _____ I was walking home
a) for
b) while

3. We visited many relatives _____ our vacation.
a) during
b) when

4. Susan has been studying English _____ five years.
a) for
b) when

5. The children have been playing video games _____ hours.
a) for
b) during

6. _____ the hike up the mountain, we saw a lot of deer.
a) During
b) While

7. I was shocked _____ I saw my picture in the newspaper.
a) during
b) when

8. _____ I got to work, I noticed my computer was unplugged.
a) For
b) When

9. A car pulled out in front of me _____ I was riding my bicycle.
a) during
b) while

10. _____ the last guests finally left the party, it was early morning.
a) For
b) When