Binder1 48grammar

BBC Learning English
Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge BBC Learning English
Page 1 of 2
bbclearningenglish.com

British Broadcasting Corporation 2007
ar erIne's Grammar ExpIanarIon:
uesrIon a s Form

Catherine:

Hi Juliana! Mark and Elena asked a short question at the end of most of their
sentences. These questions are called question tags. We use them either to ask for
information, or to check information we already have, or just to keep the
conversation going.

Question tags have two parts: a helping verb, or auxiliary verb like do, have, or
can, and a pronoun. Lets look at the helping verb first. Usually, for a negative
sentence, you need to use a positive helping verb in the question tag. Listen to
Elena:

Elena: We haven't got any carrots, have we?

The sentence 'we haven't got any carrots' is negative, so the question tag is
positive: 'have we'. Listen again:

Elena: We haven't got any carrots, have we?

Now, when the sentence is positive, the question tag is negative. Here's Mark:

Mark: The shops are open late tonight, aren't they?

The sentence: 'The shops are open late tonight' is positive, so the helping verb -
'aren't' in the question is negative. Listen again:

Mark: The shops are open late tonight, aren't they?

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

British Broadcasting Corporation 2007 Now sometimes there isn't a helping verb in positive sentences.
When there isn't a helping verb, we use the correct form of the verb do to make the
question tag:

Mark: Elena, you like carrots, don't you?
And as for the second part of the question tag the pronoun you use the pronoun
that corresponds to the subject of the sentence. For example, you like carrots, don't
you, or the shops are open late tonight, aren't they?

OK that's all from me, good luck with your grammar challenge!
Grammar Challenge

Question Tags tables Page 1 of 1
http://www.bbclearningenglish.com/radio/specials/173_grammarchallenge/


Grammar Point Question tags

Positive sentence negative tag
You will do it quickly,
John and Mark are English,
We've been to Turkey,
Paul likes mushrooms,
wont you?
aren't they?
haven't we?
doesn't he?

Negative sentence positive tag
You won't do it today,
Maria and Julie aren't American,
We haven't been to Japan,
Sarah doesn't like onions,
will you?
are they?
have we?
does she?

Pronouns
You won't do it today,
Maria and Julie aren't American,
We haven't been to Japan,
Sarah doesn't like onions,
The weather's beautiful today,
will you?
are they?
have we?
does she?
isnt it?


Question tags
Practice

BBC Learning English Grammar Challenge
Page 2 of 7
http://www.bbclearningenglish.com/

Grammar Challenge Question tags

Exercise 1:
Match the beginnings of the sentences to the correct endings.

1. I was looking forward to that film,
but it was a load of rubbish,
a. isn't it?

2. He talked and talked about the
same topic for hours,
b. have they?

3. That's my coat,

c. doesn't she?
4. You don't know the answer, d. didn't he?

5. They haven't been married very
long,
e. does he?
6. You wont be home till after
midnight,
f. had we?
7. Peter doesn't like chocolate, g. do you?

8. We hadn't been there very long,

h. wasn't it?
9. She lives in Paris,

i. can you?
10
.
You can't swim,

j. will you?

Page 3 of 7

Exercise 2: Correct / Wrong
Read the sentences and decide whether the question tags are in the correct form.

1. We had a great day out at the amusement park, didnt we?
a. Correct
b. Wrong

2. You dont know if Freddy speaks German, does he?
a. Correct
b. Wrong

3. It's really annoying when people push in front of you in a queue, dont they?
a. Correct
b. Wrong

4. You shouldnt tell other people what to do, should they?
a. Correct
b. Wrong

5. You haven't done much revision for your exams, have you?
a. Correct
b. Wrong

6. You will let me know what they said to him, wont they?
a. Correct
b. Wrong

Page 4 of 7

Exercise 3:
Read the sentence and choose the one option a-d which best fits the space.

1. I really like action movies, but you cant stand them,
a. don't I?
b. can you?
c. cant I?
d. do you?

2. If you can't access your account, you have to call the service centre,
a. can you?
b. can't you?
c. have you?
d. don't you?

3. Foreign travel is very exciting, but it can be quite expensive,
a. can it?
b. can't it?
c. isnt it?
d. is it?

4. We gave them the money yesterday, but we havent received a receipt yet,
a. didn't we?
b. didnt they?
c. haven't we?
d. have we?

5. If you don't like your job, you should look for another one,
a. shouldn't you?
b. should you?
c. don't you?
d. shouldn't it?

6. You cant afford to buy the shoes I showed you,
a. can you?
b. did you?
c. can't I?
d. didn't I?

Page 5 of 7

Grammar Challenge Question tags

Answers

Exercise 1:

1. I was looking forward to that film,
but it was a load of rubbish,
h. wasn't it?
2. I hate the food at that restaurant, d. didn't he?

3. That's my coat,

a. isn't it?

4. You don't know the answer, g. do you?

5. They haven't been married very
long,
b. have they?

6. You wont be home till after
midnight,
j. will you?

7. Peter doesn't like chocolate, e. does he?

8. We hadn't been there very long,

f. had we?
9. She lives in Paris,

c. doesn't she?
10
.
You can't swim,

i. can you?

Read the sentences and decide whether the question tags are in the correct form.

1. We had a great day out at the amusement park, didnt we?
a. Correct Yes the subject and auxiliary verb are correct.
b. Wrong - No the subject and auxiliary verb are correct.

2. You dont know if Freddy speaks German, does he?
a. Correct No the auxiliary verb and the subject are both wrong. The correct
question tag is 'do you?'
b. Wrong - Yes the auxiliary verb and the subject are both wrong. The correct
question tag is 'do you?'

3. It's really annoying when people push in front of you in a queue, dont they?
a. Correct No the auxiliary verb and the subject are both wrong. The correct
question tag is 'isnt it?'
b. Wrong Yes the auxiliary verb and the subject are both wrong. The
correct question tag is 'isnt it?'

Page 6 of 7

4. You shouldnt tell other people what to do, should they?
a. Correct No - the auxiliary is correct, but the subject is wrong. The correct question
tag is 'should you?'
b. Wrong Yes - the auxiliary is correct, but the subject is wrong. The correct
question tag is 'should you?'

5. You haven't done much revision for your exams, have you?
a. Correct Yes the subject and auxiliary verb are correct.
b. Wrong - No the subject and auxiliary verb are correct.

6. You will let me know what they said to him, wont they?
a. Correct No - the auxiliary is correct, but the subject is wrong. The correct question
tag is 'wont you?'
b. Wrong Yes the auxiliary is correct, but the subject is wrong. The correct
question tag is 'wont you?'

Exercise 3:

1. I really like action movies, but you cant stand them,
a. don't I? Wrong find the main subject and verb which the question is about.
b. can you? Correct the subject is correct, and the auxiliary is correct too.
c. cant I? Wrong the subject is wrong, and the form of the auxiliary is wrong, too.
d. do you? Wrong - find the main subject and verb which the question is about.

2. If you can't access your account, you have to call the service centre,
a. can you? Wrong the subject is correct but the auxiliary is wrong.
b. can't it? Wrong find the main subject and verb which the question is about.
c. have you? Wrong - the subject is correct but the auxiliary is wrong.
d. don't you? Correct the subject is correct, and the auxiliary is correct too.

3. Foreign travel is very exciting, but it can be quite expensive,
a. can it? Wrong - the subject is correct but the form of the auxiliary is wrong.
b. can't it? Correct the subject is correct, and the auxiliary is correct too.
c. isnt he? - Wrong - find the main subject and verb which the question is about.
d. is it? Wrong - the subject is correct but the auxiliary is wrong.

4. We gave them the money yesterday, but we havent received a receipt yet,
a. didn't we? Wrong - the subject is correct but the auxiliary is wrong.
b. didnt they? Wrong - the subject and the auxiliary are both wrong.
c. haven't we? Wrong - the subject is correct, but the form of the auxiliary is wrong.
d. have we? Correct the subject is correct, and the auxiliary is correct too.

5. If you don't like your job, you should look for another one,
a. shouldn't you? Correct the subject is correct, and the auxiliary is correct
too.
b. should you? Wrong - the subject is correct, but the form of the auxiliary is wrong.
c. don't you? Wrong - the subject is correct, but the auxiliary is wrong.
d. shouldn't it? Wrong the auxiliary is correct, but the subject is wrong.

Page 7 of 7

6. You cant afford to buy the shoes I showed you,
a. can you? Correct the subject is correct, and the auxiliary is correct too.
b. did you? - Wrong - the subject is correct, but the auxiliary is wrong.
c. can't I? - Wrong - the subject is wrong, and the form of the auxiliary is wrong.
d. didn't I? - the subject and the auxiliary are both wrong. Find the main subject and
verb which the question is about.

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

ronuneIarIon o uesrIon a s

Catherine: Hi Giovanni! The language was exactly the same in both sentences, but
the pronunciation is different, and this changes the meaning of the sentence. In
the first one, the speaker's voice goes up. Listen to Hina:

Hina: He's a teacher, isn't he?

When she says 'isn't he?' with her voice going up, this means that she really doesn't
know the answer to the question, and she wants the listener to tell her.
Listen again:


In the second one, the speaker's voice goes down when she says the question tag.
Here it is:


When she says 'isnt he' with her voice going down, she actually knows the answer
to the question. Now you might think thats a bit strange: if she knows the answer,
why does she ask the question? Well, it's a way of keeping the conversation going,
or, she might just be checking that what she thinks is correct. She's expecting the
listener to agree with what she said.

Listen again:


So, your voice goes up when you're asking a real question, and down when you're
Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

British Broadcasting Corporation 2007 checking information or just making conversation. That's all
from me, good luck with your grammar challenge!
Grammar Challenge

Question Tags pronunciation Page 1 of 1


Grammar Point Question tags pronunciation

Real question rising intonation


John and Mark aren't English,


Paul doesn't like mushrooms,

wont you?

are they?

haven't we?

does he?

Checking information or making conversation falling intonation


John and Mark aren't English,


Paul doesn't like mushrooms,

wont you?

are they?

haven't we?

does he?

Question tags pronunciation
Practice

Page 2 of 5

Grammar Challenge Question tags pronunciation

Exercise 1: Real questions
Practice saying these sentences and tag questions with rising intonation on the question
tag.

1. You couldnt lend me twenty pounds, could you?

2. You don't know if Peter is here, do you?

3. They are going to get married, arent they?

4. You aren't going out in this terrible weather, are you?

5. We dont have to go now, do we?

6. She's from Canada, isn't she?

7. You haven't seen Peter today, have you?

8. I could finish this later, couldn't I?

Page 3 of 5

Exercise 2: Checking information or making conversation
Practice saying these sentences and tag questions with falling intonation on the
question tag.

1. This is a lovely town, isnt it?

2. The weather last night was terrible, wasn't it?

3. They can't sing at all, can they?

4. We'll never be able to eat all that pizza, will we?

5. She hates him, doesnt she?

6. She's a wonderful woman, isn't she?

7. The shops are open late tonight, aren't they?

8. We shouldn't leave the party too early, should we?
Page 4 of 5

Exercise 3: Question tags in dialogues
Read this dialogue and decide whether the question tags are real questions, or whether
their purpose is to check information or keep the conversation going. Mark the
intonation with an arrow pointing upwards or downwards. Then practice the dialogue
with a partner, if you have one, or you can play both parts yourself! There are no right
and wrong answers for this activity, but when you have finished, you can listen to a
recording of this dialogue if you want.

The Interview

Chris: Good morning. I'm not too early, am I?

Boss: No, not at all. You've been given a cup of coffee, havent you?

Chris: Yes, I have, thank you.

Boss: We should be ready for you in a couple of minutes. You wouldn't mind filling in
these forms while you're waiting, would you?

Chris: Ok, no problem. I'll give them to the receptionist when I've finished, shall I?

Boss: If you would.

Later

Boss: So the hours are 9.30 to 5.30 Monday to Friday, that's normal, isnt it? And
you'll be working in the stats department: the receptionist showed you where
that is, didnt she?

Chris: Well yes, she did, but

Boss: And you havent had any major illnesses, have you?

Chris: No, but I did want to say that

Boss: And you've had a look at the terms and conditions, haven't you?

Chris: Yes, but I think there's been some sort of mistake.

Boss: Mistake? You are at Jones and Jones, having an interview for the position of
Account Manager, arent you?

Chris: Well, no, actually, I'm in IT. You do have IT vacancies here, dont you?

Boss: Yes, of course we do. But your name is Chris Jones, isnt it?

Chris: I'm afraid not. My name's Chris Smith.

Boss: Oh my goodness, there must have been some sort of mix-up. You will accept my
sincerest apologies, wont you?
Page 5 of 5

Chris: Of course. No harm done!

Grammar Challenge Question tags pronunciation

Answers
To listen to model answers for these activities, go to the question tags pronunciation
section of:

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2


ar erIne's Grammar ExpIanarIon: ed In ad eerI es

Catherine: Hi Deniz! Mark didnt like the film. He used the words 'boring' and 'bored'.
We use -ing or 'ing' adjectives to give more information about things. So if we go to
see a really dull film, and nothing much happens, and the film even makes me feel
quite sleepy, I can say that the film was boring. I use an ing adjective boring
to describe the film. Let's listen to Mark:

Mark: I watched that film on television last night. It was really boring. I was
just bored by it.

He uses the ing adjective to describe the film.

Mark: It was really boring.

But if I want to talk about my feelings about the film how the film affected me, I
use an ed or 'ed' adjective I was bored. Here's Mark again:

Mark: I was just bored by it.

He uses the ed adjective to describe his feelings about the film.

Mark: I was just bored by it.

So it's ing adjectives for other things, and ed adjectives for my feelings. The film
was boring, and I was bored. Now there are only a certain number of adjectives that
work like this. The most common ones are:

Bored / boring

Excited / exciting

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

Interested / interesting

Embarrassed / embarrassing

Tired / tiring

Shocked / shocking

Annoyed / annoying

Frightened / frightening

And finally, worried / worrying

Ok Deniz, good luck with your grammar challenge!
Grammar Challenge

ed / ing adjectives Page 1 of 2
www.bbclearningenglish.com


Grammar Challenge: -ed and ing adjectives

There are several adjectives in English which have 2 forms: an ed form and an ing
form. The ing form is used to describe things, and the ed form is used to
describe our feelings.

-ed form -ing form
amazed amazing
amused amusing
annoyed annoying
astonished astonishing
bored boring
confused confusing
depressed depressing
disappointed disappointing
disgusted disgusting
embarrassed embarrassing
excited exciting
exhausted exhausting
frightened frightening
insulted insulting
interested interesting
intrigued intriguing
satisfied satisfying
shocked shocking
surprised surprising
tempted tempting
terrified terrifying
tired tiring
worried worrying
Grammar Challenge

ed / ing adjectives Page 2 of 2

Adjectives are used to give more information about nouns. They are used with the
verb 'to be' or a copula verb like look, seem, feel, sound, appear etc.

-ed adjectives: example sentences

I'm not interested in football.
We were all surprised when they got married.
He was shocked at the news.

The lecture made me feel really bored.
She felt very disappointed with her exam results.
The children looked very tired when they got back from the trip.

-ing adjectives: example sentences

I don't think football is a very interesting game.
Their marriage was very surprising.
They thought the news was shocking.

I'm not going to that lecture: it sounds really boring.
Her exam results seemed disappointing, but the university accepted her anyway.
The trip looks very tiring. We'd better go to be early tonight.

Adjectives with '-ed' and '-ing'
Practice

ed / ing adjectives practice Page 2 of 7

Grammar Challenge adjectives with '-ed' and '-ing'

Exercise 1:

1. I was looking forward to that
film, but it was a load of
rubbish
a. we were quite shocked.

2. I hate the food at that
restaurant
b. it's absolutely disgusting.

same topic for hours
c. I find it really confusing.

4. He drove much too quickly, and
he wasn't really looking where he
was going
d. I was really disappointed.
5. They had only known each other
for a few days when they
announced their engagement
e. it was the most embarrassing
experience of my life.
6. I fell over in front of everybody in
the restaurant
f. ..I was amazed!

7. My best friend won first prize in a
talent competition, even though
she can't sing
g. I was really bored.
8. I can't add up and I can't
remember numbers. I hate
mathematics

h. it was quite frightening.


Read the sentences and decide whether the adjectives are in the correct form.

1. We had a thrilling ride on a rollercoaster at the amusement park.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

2. I am interesting in old books and stamps.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

3. It's really annoying when people push in front of you in a queue, isn't it?
a. Correct
b. Wrong

4. Success at work is a satisfied experience.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

5. I feel very frustrated when I can't think of the correct word in English.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

6. I felt very embarrassing. Everybody was looking at me and I went bright red.
a. Correct
b. Wrong


Exercise 3:

1. The play was really - in fact, I was so that I fell asleep.
a. bored / bored
b. bored / boring
c. boring / boring
d. boring / bored

2. My friend lost her job, she hasn't got any money and she had to move out of her
flat. She's really unhappy and, and her situation makes me feel too.
a. depressed / depressed
b. depressed / depressing
c. depressing / depressing
d. depressing / depressed

3. Foreign travel is really I'm going to Mexico next month, and I'm really about it!
a. excited / excited
b. excited / exciting
c. exciting / exciting
d. exciting / excited

4. I think that an academic subject is only if the teacher or lecturer talks about it in
an way.
a. interested / interested
b. interested / interesting
c. interesting / interesting
d. interesting / interested

5. My job is extremely At the end of each day I'm absolutely
a. tiring / exhausting
b. tired / exhausted
c. tiring / exhausted
d. tired / exhausting

6. He told me a most story about his days as a footballer. He's a very person.
a. entertaining / amusing
b. entertaining / amused
c. entertained / amusing
d. entertained / amused

Grammar Challenge adjectives with '-ed' and '-ing'

Answers

Exercise 1:

1. I was looking forward to that
film, but it was a load of
rubbish
d. I was really disappointed.
restaurant
b. its absolutely disgusting.

same topic for hours
g. I was really bored.

4. He drove much too quickly, and
he wasn't really looking where he
was going
h. it was quite frightening.

5. They had only known each other
for a few days when they
announced their engagement
a. we were quite shocked.

6. I fell over in front of everybody in
the restaurant
e. it was the most embarrassing
experience of my life.
7. My best friend won first prize in a
talent competition, even though
she can't sing
f. ..I was amazed!

8. I can't add up and I can't
remember numbers. I hate
mathematics

c. I find it really confusing.

Read the sentences and decide whether the adjectives are in the correct form.

1. We had a thrilling ride on a rollercoaster at the amusement park.
a. Correct form Yes this adjective describes the ride, not your feelings
about the ride.
b. Wrong form No this sentence needs an adjective which describes the ride, not
your feelings about the ride.

2. I am interesting in old books and stamps.
a. Correct form No this sentence needs an adjective which describes how you feel.
b. Wrong form Yes this sentence needs an adjective which describes how
you feel.

3. It's really annoying when people push in front of you in a queue, isn't it?

a. Correct form Yes this adjective describes the situation, not your feelings
about the situation.
b. Wrong form No this sentence needs an adjective which describes the situation,
not your feelings about the situation.

4. Success at work is a satisfied experience.
a. Correct form No this sentence needs an adjective which describes how you feel
about success.
b. Wrong form Yes this sentence needs an adjective which describes
success, not your feelings about it.

5. I feel very frustrated when I can't think of the correct word in English.
a. Correct form Yes - this sentence needs an adjective which describes how
you feel about the situation.
b. Wrong form No - this sentence needs an adjective which describes how you feel

6. I felt very embarrassing. Everybody was looking at me and I went bright red.
a. Correct form - No - this sentence needs an adjective which describes how you feel
b. Wrong form Yes - this sentence needs an adjective which describes how
you feel about the situation.

Exercise 3:

1. The play was really - in fact, I was so that I fell asleep.
a. bored / bored Wrong - the first adjective should describe the play, the second
(correct) one describes how I feel about the play.
b. bored / boring Wrong - the first adjective should describe the play, the second one
should describe how I feel about the play.
c. boring / boring Wrong - the first (correct) adjective describes the play, the second
one should describe how I feel about the play.
d. boring / bored Correct the first adjective describes the play; the second
one describes how I feel about the play.

2. My friend lost her job, she hasn't got any money and she had to move out of her
flat. She's really unhappy and, and her situation makes me feel too.
a. depressed / depressed Correct the first adjective describes how my
friend feels, and the second one describes how I feel.
b. depressed / depressing Wrong - the first (correct) adjective describes how my
friend feels, and the second one should describe how I feel.
c. depressing / depressing Wrong - the first adjective should describe how my friend
feels, and the second one should describe how I feel.
d. depressing / depressed Wrong - the first adjective should describe how my friend
feels, and the second (correct) one describes how I feel.

3. Foreign travel is really I'm going to Mexico next month, and I'm really about it!
a. excited / excited Wrong the first adjective should describe foreign travel, and
the second (correct) one describes how I feel about going to Mexico.

b. excited / exciting Wrong the first adjective should describe foreign travel, and
the second one should describe how I feel about going to Mexico.
c. exciting / exciting Wrong the first (correct) adjective describes foreign travel,
and the second one should describe how I feel about going to Mexico.
d. exciting / excited Correct the first adjective describes foreign travel, and
the second one describes how I feel about going to Mexico.

4. I think that an academic subject is only if the teacher or lecturer talks about it in
an way.
a. interested / interested Wrong the first adjective should describe the academic
subject, and the second one should describe the teacher's talk.
b. interested / interesting Wrong the first adjective should describe the subject,
and the second (correct) one describes the teacher's talk.
c. interesting / interesting Correct the first adjective describes the subject,
and the second one describes the teacher's talk.
d. interesting / interested Wrong the first (correct) adjective describes the subject,
and the second one should describe the teacher's talk.

5. My job is extremely At the end of each day I'm absolutely
a. tiring / exhausting Wrong the first (correct) adjective describes my job, and the
second one should describe how I feel.
b. tired / exhausted Wrong the first adjective should describe my job, and the
second (correct) one describes how I feel.
c. tiring / exhausted Correct the first adjective describes my job, and the
second one describes how I feel.
d. tired / exhausting Wrong the first adjective should describe my job, and the
second one should describe how I feel.

6. He told me a most story about his days as a footballer. He's a very person.
a. entertaining / amusing Correct - the first adjective describes the story,
and the second one describes the footballer.
b. entertaining / amused Wrong - the first (correct) adjective describes the story,
and the second one should describe the footballer.
c. entertained / amusing Wrong - the first adjective should describe the story, and
the second (correct) one describes the footballer.
d. entertained / amused Wrong - the first adjective should describe the story, and
the second one should describe the footballer.

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 1

ath erine's Grammar Explanation: eg ret

Catherine:

Hi Mariela! Hina lost touch with her friends, and now she regrets it. Mark didnt move
abroad, and he regrets that, too.

When we want to talk about past regrets, we can use 'regret' as a verb. If we want
to use a second verb, it must be an -ing form. Listen to Hina:

Hina: I really regret losing touch with some of my good friends.

The first verb is regret, and the second verb is 'losing' - it takes ing. Listen again:

Hina: I really regret losing touch with some of my good friends.

If we regret something that didn't happen, we put not before the -ing verb. Here's
Mark:

Mark: I regret not moving abroad as many of my friends did, even for a year
or two.

Of course, you don't have to use a second verb with -ing after regret; you could use
a noun instead. You could just say what happened and then say something like 'I
regret that situation' or 'I regret that' or just 'I regret it'.

Elena: When I first went to university, I was quite young, and I don't think I
put in as much work as I should have done, and I kind of regret it
now.

So, that's regret with an -ing verb, regret with not and an -ing verb, or regret with
a noun. That's all from me, good luck with your grammar challenge!
Grammar Challenge

Regret Page 1 of 1
http://www.bbclearningenglish.com

Grammar Point 'Regret'

To express regrets about past events, you can use the verb 'regret' with an -ing
verb, or with not and an -ing verb, or with a noun.

Positive
I
You
regret taking
not taking
an umbrella
He/she/it regrets
We
You
They
regret
it
that

Negative
I
You
don't regret taking
not taking
an umbrella
He/she/it doesn't regret
We
You
They
dont regret
it
that

Question
Do
I
you
regret taking
not taking
an umbrella?
Does he/she/it regret
Do
we
you
they
regret
it?
that?

'Regret'
Practice

Page 2 of 7

Grammar Point 'regret'

Exercise 1: Form
Read the sentence and choose the option a-d which best expresses a regret.

1. I left it too late to buy a ticket for the concert, and now they are sold out.
a. I regret waiting so long to buy a ticket.
b. I regret to waiting so long to buy a ticket.
c. I am regret waiting so long to buy a ticket.
d. I regret not waiting so long to buy a ticket.

2. He didn't work hard enough, and now he regrets it.
a. He regrets he worked not hard enough.
b. He regrets working not hard enough.
c. He regrets not working hard enough.
d. He regrets working hard enough.

3. They bought cheap pens, but they didnt work very well.
a. They are regret buying cheap pens.
b. They don't regret buying cheap pens.
c. They regret not buying cheap pens.
d. They regret buying cheap pens.

4. I didn't go to music school but became an actor, and I had a happy career.
a. I regret not going to music school.
b. I don't regret going to music school.
c. I regret becoming a singer.
d. I don't regret becoming an actor.

5. You didn't take a warm coat on your trip, but the weather was really cold.
a. I regret I didnt taking a warm coat.
b. I regret taking a warm coat.
c. I regret not taking a warm coat.
d. I am regret not taking a warm coat.

6. She forgot to switch the cooker off, and she burnt her dinner.
a. She regrets switching the cooker off.
b. She doesn't regret switching the cooker off.
c. She regrets to switching the cooker off.
d. She regrets not switching the cooker off.
Page 3 of 7

Exercise 2: Positive / Negative
Read the sentence and choose the option which best expresses the regret.

1. I shouted at my little brother this morning. I feel bad about it now.
a. I regret shouting at my little brother.
b. I don't regret shouting at my little brother.

2. They stayed up really late, so they overslept.
a. They regret staying up late.
b. They regret not staying up late.

3. I didn't go to the supermarket yesterday. It's closed today.
a. I regret going to the supermarket yesterday.
b. I regret not going to the supermarket yesterday.

4. I didn't eat any breakfast, and now I'm really hungry.
a. I regret not eating breakfast.
b. I don't regret eating breakfast.

5. Mary didnt buy the dress she liked, and now they are sold out.
a. Mary doesn't regret not buying the dress she liked.
b. Mary regrets not buying the dress she liked.

6. Jill didn't tell her boyfriend she was going to be late, and he got really angry.
a. Jill regrets not telling her boyfriend.
b. Jill doesn't regret telling her boyfriend.

Page 4 of 7

Exercise 3: Questions
Choose the 5 words which complete each question:

1. Yuki didnt do her homework, and her teacher got very angry with her.
her homework?

not

regret

does

doesn't

doing

is she

2. I wanted to buy a new dress, but I didnt have enough money.
enough money to buy a new dress?

are

you

having

do

not

regret

regretting

3. Khalid wanted a pay rise, but he was afraid to ask for one.
for a pay rise?

asking

regret

do

not

does

he

afraid

4. John drank a lot of wine last night, and now he has a headache.
that wine?

drinking

drink

is

all

does

John

regret

5. Jane and Steven didnt meet until they were in their thirties.
Do ?

earlier

regret

later

not meet

they

meeting

6. Kate and Pete had a big argument, and they broke off their engagement.
their engagement?

are

regret

breaking

do

off

they

not

Page 5 of 7

Grammar Point 'regret' - Answers

Exercise 1: Form
Read the sentence and choose the option a-c which best expresses the regret.

1. I left it too late to buy a ticket for the concert, and now they are sold out.
a. I regret waiting so long to buy a ticket. Correct this expresses the regret
in sentence 1.
b. I regret to waiting so long to buy a ticket. Wrong you need to use an ing form
without 'to'.
c. I am regret waiting so long to buy a ticket. Wrong dont use 'am' with present
simple verbs.
d. I regret not waiting so long to buy a ticket. Wrong the speaker regrets
something that happened, not something that didnt happen.

2. He didn't work hard enough, and now he regrets it.
a. He regrets he worked not hard enough. Wrong you need an ing form.
b. He regrets working not hard enough. Wrong the 'not' is in the wrong place.
c. He regrets not working hard enough. Correct this expresses the regret in
sentence 2.
d. He regrets working hard enough. Wrong he regrets something that didnt
happen, not something that happened.

3. They bought cheap pens, but they didnt work very well.
a. They are regret buying cheap pens. Wrong - dont use 'are' with present simple
verbs.
b. They don't regret buying cheap pens. Wrong they DO regret what happened.
c. They regret not buying cheap pens. Wrong think about positives and negatives.
d. They regret buying cheap pens. Correct this expresses the regret in
sentence 3.

4. I didn't go to music school but became an actor, and I had a happy career.
a. I regret not going to music school. Wrong s/he had a happy career, so s/he
doesn't regret the past.
b. I don't regret going to music school. Wrong s/he didn't go to music school.
c. I regret becoming a singer. Wrong s/he didn't become a singer.
d. I don't regret becoming an actor. Correct this expresses the absence of
regret in sentence 4.

5. You didn't take a warm coat on your trip, but the weather was really cold.
a. I regret I didnt taking a warm coat. Wrong 'regret' should be followed by verb-
ing.
b. I regret taking a warm coat. Wrong I didn't take a warm coat.
c. I regret not taking a warm coat. Correct this expresses the regret in
sentence 5.
d. I am regret not taking a warm coat. Wrong dont use 'am' with present simple
verbs.

Page 6 of 7

6. She forgot to switch the cooker off, and she burnt her dinner.
a. She regrets switching the cooker off. Wrong she didnt switch the cooker off.
b. She doesn't regret switching the cooker off. Wrong she didnt switch the cooker
off.
c. She regrets to switching the cooker off. Wrong - 'regret' should be followed by
verb-ing.
d. She regrets not switching the cooker off. Correct this expresses the regret in
sentence 6.

Read the sentence and choose the option which best expresses the regret.

1. I shouted at my little brother this morning. I feel bad about it now.
a. I regret shouting at my little brother. Correct well done.
b. I don't regret shouting at my little brother. - Wrong - think more carefully about
positive and negative.

2. They stayed up really late, so they overslept.
a. They regret staying up late. - Correct well done.
b. They regret not staying up late. - Wrong - think more carefully about positive and
negative.

3. I didn't go to the supermarket yesterday. It's closed today.
a. I regret going to the supermarket yesterday. - Wrong - think more carefully about
positive and negative.
b. I regret not going to the supermarket yesterday. - Correct well done

4. I didn't eat any breakfast, and now I'm really hungry.
a. I regret not eating breakfast. - Correct well done
b. I don't regret eating breakfast. - Wrong - think more carefully about positive and
negative.

5. Mary didnt buy the dress she liked, and now they are sold out.
a. Mary doesn't regret not buying the dress she liked. - Wrong - think more carefully
about positive and negative.
b. Mary regrets not buying the dress she liked. - Correct well done.

6. Jill didn't tell her boyfriend she was going to be late, and he got really angry.
a. Jill regrets not telling her boyfriend. - Correct well done.
b. Jill doesn't regret telling her boyfriend. - Wrong - think more carefully about positive
and negative.

Page 7 of 7


1. Yuki didnt do her homework, and her teacher got very angry with her.
Does she regret not doing her homework?

2. I wanted to buy a new dress, but I didnt have enough money.
Do you regret not having enough money to buy a new dress?

3. Khalid wanted a pay rise, but he was afraid to ask for one.
Does he regret not asking for a pay rise?

4. John drank a lot of wine last night, and now he has a headache.
Does John regret drinking all that wine?

5. Jane and Steven didnt meet until they were in their thirties.
Do they regret not meeting earlier?

6. Kate and Pete had a big argument, and they broke off their engagement.
Do they regret breaking off their engagement?

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 1

ath erine's Grammar Explanation:
W ish past perf ect

Hi Daewon! Well done - Mark didn't take his umbrella to the park, and now he
regrets it. Elena bought an expensive dress, and she regrets that too. Here's Mark:

Mark: I wish I had taken my umbrella.

Let's break that down. Mark used: I wish, with the past perfect. Now remember,
the past perfect has 3 parts; a subject, like I, you, he, then 'had' and finally, the
past participle, for example, take, took, taken taken is the past participle. So
'I had taken' is past perfect.

So, when Mark says

Mark: I wish I had taken my umbrella.

he's using 'I wish', with past perfect, to talk about past regrets.

Mark regrets something that didn't happen he didn't take his umbrella, and he
wishes he had. But Elena regrets something that did happen: she bought an
expensive dress, but she never wore it. So she uses I wish with I hadn't bought
that's a negative past perfect. Here she is again

Elena: I wish I hadnt bought a rather expensive dress in the sales.

One more thing, if you're talking about he or she, don't forget to say wishes
instead of wish so if you're talking about Elena, say 'she wishes she hadn't
bought that dress'.

Ok Daewon, good luck with your grammar challenge!

Grammar Challenge

Wish + past perfect Page 1 of 1

British Broadcasting Corporation 2007 Grammar Point 'wish' + past perfect for past regrets

To express regrets about past events, we use the subject, followed by wish/wishes,
followed by the past perfect (subject + had/hadn't + past participle).

Positive
I
You

wish
He/she/it wishes
We
You
They

wish

I
you
he/she/it
we
you
they

had
'd

bought

a new coat.

Negative
I
You

wish
He/she/it wishes
We
You
They

wish

I
you
he/she/it
we
you
they

hadn't

bought

a new coat.

Question
Do
I
you
Does he/she/it

Do
we
you
they

wish

I
you
he/she/it
we
you
they

had
'd

bought

a new coat?

'Wish' + past perfect
Practice

Page 2 of 6

Grammar Point 'wish' + past perfect for past regrets

Exercise 1: Form

restaurant...
a. I wish I'd brought my umbrella.
2. It's raining... b. I wish I hadn't shouted at him.

3. It was freezing in the park... c. I wish I'd eaten a proper breakfast.

4. I've got a horrible stomach
ache...
d. I wish we'd gone to Paris.
5. My brother isn't speaking to me... e. I wish I'd worn a coat.

6. I'm really lonely... f. I wish I hadnt eaten so much
popcorn.
7. I'm hungry... g. I wish we'd eaten somewhere else.

8. I hated every minute of that
holiday...

h. I wish I hadn't broken up with my
boyfriend.
Page 3 of 6

Read the sentence and choose the option which best expresses a past regret.

1. I shouted at my little sister this morning. I feel bad about it now.
a. I wish I had shouted at my little sister
b. I wish I hadn't shouted at my little sister

2. I didn't go to the library yesterday. It's closed today.
a. I wish I had gone to the library
b. I wish I hadn't gone to the library

3. I took no notice of the teacher, and I did really badly in the test.
a. I wish I had taken more notice
b. I wish I hadn't taken more notice

4. They stayed up really late, and they are very tired, so the boss is most displeased.
a. The boss wishes they had stayed up
b. The boss wishes they hadn't stayed up

5. Jack didn't tell his wife he was going to be late, and she got really angry with him.
a. Jack wishes he had told his wife
b. Jack wishes he hadn't told his wife

6. Mary told her brother she was going to be late, so he didn't wait for her.
a. Mary wishes she had told her brother
b. Mary wishes she hadn't told her brother
Page 4 of 6


1. Mary didnt prepare for the interview, and she's sad because she didnt get the job.
prepared for the interview?

wish

wishes

does

had

did

Mary

she

2. I wanted to wash my car, but I didnt have time.
time to wash your car?

does

you'd

had

you

do

wish

have

3. Michal wanted to buy a diamond ring for his girlfriend, but he couldnt afford it.
Does Michal's girlfriend a diamond ring?

wish

wishes

had

hadn't

bought

he

her

4. Maria ate too many sweets when she was a child, and now she has lost her teeth
Does Maria sweets when she was a child?

eaten

had

hadn't

wish

ate

fewer

she

5. Frank and Bill ran all the way to school, but they were still late.
Do all the way to school?

hadn't

run

ran

they

they

hadn't

wish

6. Benny asked her to have dinner with him, but she laughed and said no.
asked her to have dinner with him?

hadn't

he

he

do

does

wish

had

Page 5 of 6

Grammar Point 'wish' + past perfect for past regrets - Answers

Exercise 1: Form

restaurant...
g. I wish we'd eaten somewhere else.
2. It's raining... a.

I wish I'd brought my umbrella.
3. It was freezing in the park... e.

I wish I'd worn a coat.

4. I've got a horrible stomach
ache...
f.

I wish I hadnt eaten so much
popcorn.
5. My brother isn't speaking to me... b. I wish I hadn't shouted at him.

6. I'm really lonely... h.

I wish I hadn't broken up with my
boyfriend.
7. I'm hungry... c I wish I'd eaten a proper breakfast.

8. I hated every minute of that
holiday...

d. I wish we'd gone to Paris.

Read the sentence and choose the option which best expresses a past regret.

1. I shouted at my little sister this morning. I feel bad about it now.
a. I wish I had shouted at my little sister - WRONG
b. I wish I hadn't shouted at my little sister - CORRECT

2. I didn't go to the library yesterday. It's closed today.
a. I wish I had gone to the library - CORRECT
b. I wish I hadn't gone to the library - WRONG

3. I took no notice of the teacher, and I did really badly in the test.
a. I wish I had taken more notice - CORRECT
b. I wish I hadn't taken more notice - WRONG

4. They stayed up really late, and they are very tired, so the boss is most displeased.
a. The boss wishes they had stayed up - WRONG
b. The boss wishes they hadn't stayed up - CORRECT

5. Jack didn't tell his wife he was going to be late, and she got really angry with him.
a. Jack wishes he had told his wife - CORRECT
b. Jack wishes he hadn't told his wife - WRONG

6. Mary told her brother she was going to be late, so he didn't wait for her.
a. Mary wishes she had told her brother - WRONG
b. Mary wishes she hadn't told her brother - CORRECT
Page 6 of 6


1. Mary didnt prepare for the interview, and she's sad because she didnt get the job.
Does Mary wish she had prepared for the interview?

2. I wanted to wash my car, but I didnt have time.
Do you wish you'd had time to wash your car?

3. Michal wanted to buy a diamond ring for his girlfriend, but he couldnt afford it.
Does Michal's girlfriend wish he had bought her a diamond ring?

4. Maria ate too many sweets when she was a child, and now she has lost her teeth.
Does Maria wish she had eaten fewer sweets when she was a child?

5. Frank and Bill ran all the way to school, but they were still late.
Do they wish they hadn't run all the way to school?

6. Benny asked her to have dinner with him, but she laughed and said no.
Does he wish he hadn't asked her to have dinner with him?

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

P ast perf ect pronunciation

Hi Mika! There was a difference between the two sentences the difference was
about pronunciation. When we use 'wish' to talk about past regrets, in positive
sentences, there's a long form, and a short form too. In the long form, the words
are pronounced one by one. Listen to Mark:

Mark: I wish I had taken my umbrella

Actually, English speakers dont use the long form very much. They usually use the
short form. That's when 'I had' 'you had' 'we had', becomes 'I'd', 'you'd' 'we'd'
and so on. Let's listen to an example:

Mark: I wish you'd listened carefully

And again:

Mark: I wish you'd listened carefully

Now, sometimes learners get confused because the short form can be so short, they
can't hear the had. They might think that Mark made a general wish: 'I wish you
listened carefully', but he didn't. He made a specific wish about a past event: I
wish you had listened carefully.

Listen to another example:

I wish you'd liked my friend

I wish you liked my friend

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

British Broadcasting Corporation 2007 In the first one, the short 'you'd liked' means that this is a wish
about a specific past event. In the second one, there is no had, so it's a general
wish.

Listen one more time:

I wish you'd liked my friend

I wish you liked my friend]

Ok Mika? Good luck with the grammar challenge!
Grammar Challenge

Past perfect pronunciation Page 1 of 3

British Broadcasting Corporation 2007 Grammar Point Past Perfect Pronunciation


There is a long form and a short form of pronunciation.

Regrets about the past

Positive: I wish I had bought a new coat
Negative: I wish I hadnt bought a new coat
Question: Do you wish you had bought a new coat?

Pronunciation - long form:
In the past perfect clause, the subject and 'had' are pronounced separately.

I wish I had bought a new coat.
I wish you had bought a new coat.
I wish he had bought a new coat.
I wish she had bought a new coat.
I wish we had bought a new coat.
I wish you had bought a new coat.
I wish they had bought a new coat

Pronunciation short form:
In the past perfect clause, the subject and 'had' are pronounced together: the had is
shortened to 'd.

I wish I'd bought a new coat.
I wish you'd bought a new coat.
I wish he'd bought a new coat.
I wish she'd bought a new coat.
I wish we'd bought a new coat.
I wish you'd bought a new coat.
I wish they'd bought a new coat

Grammar Challenge


General regrets
To express general regrets about states or things which happen regularly, we use the
subject, followed by wish/wishes, followed by the past simple (subject + verb).

Positive: I wish I had more money
Negative: I wish I wasn't so fat
Question: Do you wish you lived in the city?

Pronunciation
We dont usually use a short form when we use wish to talk about general regrets.

I wish I'd more money WRONG
I wish I had more money RIGHT

Problem areas
Problems with listening and pronunciation of sentences with 'wish' occur for 2 reasons:
1. The listener can't hear the 'had' when past perfect is used.
2. The past simple form of some verbs is the same as the past participle.

1. The listener cant hear the 'had' when past perfect is used.
This can happen when the speaker is talking very quickly.

For example:
I wish she'd worked harder' might sound like 'I wish she worked harder
I wish you'd listened to me' might sound like 'I wish you listened to me

It is an especially common problem when the verb after 'had' begins with a t or d.

For example:
I wish you'd told me' might sound like 'I wish you told me
I wish I'd danced with you' might sound like 'I wish I danced with you

In the above the meaning changes from a general regret to a specific past regret when
'had' is used.

The past simple form of the verb is the same as the past participle. All the above
sentences are grammatically correct, even though the meanings are different.

When the past simple form is not the same past participle, it is easier to work out whether
the speaker said 'had'.
Grammar Challenge



For example:
I wish you'd taken your medicine
I wish you took your medicine

To deal with these problems, you need to listen carefully to both the pronunciation and
the grammar of the sentence.

Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge
Uncountable nouns
Page 1 of 2


U ncountab le nouns

Catherine:

Hello Edward! Actually Edward, Hina's mistake was with the noun 'homework'. She
said that she had three homeworks. She should have said:

Hina: My teacher gave me three pieces of homework today.

Or she could say:

Hina: My teacher gave me a lot of homework today.

Or another way she could say it is:

Hina: My teacher gave me three homework tasks today.

So, what can we learn from Hina's mistake? Well, most nouns are either countable or
uncountable, and it's important not to get them mixed up. With countable nouns,
you can use numbers and plurals, so Hina could say

Hina: My teacher gave me three essays today.

She can say three, and use an 's' at the end of 'essay', because 'essay' is a countable
noun. One essay, two essays, three essays. But homework is uncountable, so
we can't say three homeworks. If we want to count homework, we have to add
something to make it countable, like the word pieces. Here's Hina again:

Hina: My teacher gave me three pieces of homework today.

Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge
Uncountable nouns
Page 2 of 2


British Broadcasting Corporation 2007 Or you can add a second, countable noun like tasks:

Hina: My teacher gave me three homework tasks today.

You can use words like some or a lot of

Hina: My teacher gave me a lot of homework today.

Hina: My teacher gave me some homework today.

But you can't use numbers and plurals with uncountable nouns, and when it comes
to articles, you can't say a or an either: you have to use 'the' or zero article. Some
of the most important uncountable nouns to remember are:

accommodation
information
equipment
furniture
pollution
patience
luggage
weather
rubbish
advice

Ok, that's all from me. Good luck with your grammar challenge!

Grammar Challenge

Uncountable nouns tables Page 1 of 1

Grammar tab les

ncountab le nouns

Nouns are usually countable or uncountable. Numbers, plurals and the articles 'a'
and 'an' are NOT normally used with uncountable nouns. To make uncountable nouns
countable, use a second noun like 'pieces'. Some of the most important uncountable
nouns to remember are:

accommodation
information
equipment
furniture
pollution
patience
luggage
weather
rubbish
advice

Uncountable nouns: example sentences

My teacher gave me three pieces of homework today.
My teacher gave me a lot of homework today.
My teacher gave me three homework tasks today.
My teacher gave me a lot of homework today.
My teacher gave me some homework today.
I have to finish the homework by Friday.

Grammar Challenge
ncountab le nouns
Practice

B B C L earning E ng ish G ra m ar Cha l enge
Uncountable nouns practice Page 2 of 7

G ram m ar Chal l enge un ountab l e nouns

E x er ise :

1. I am going to an overseas
conference next week ...
a. ... we will have to buy some
furniture.
2. Could you give me some
information ...
b. ... about the history of this
building?
. My father gave me...

c. ... I can hardly breathe.
4 . Before we move into our new
house ...
d. ... you need a lot of patience.
5 . There is so much pollution in this
city ...
e. ... on this flight.
6 . I f you are learning a foreign
language ...
f. ... but I haven't booked my
accommodation yet.
7 . Y ou are only allowed to take one
piece of luggage ...
g. ... it's much too hot.
8 . The weather is terrible today ...

h. ... a very useful piece of advice.
9 . Could you please put all that
rubbish...

i. ... in the bin?

Uncountable nouns practice Page of 7

E x er ise : Corre t rong
R ead the sentences and decide whether they are grammatically correct.

1. We bought quite a lot of expensive furnitures for the new office.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

2. I bought a new luggage for my trip to Australia.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

. Y ou have to use specialist equipments for this task.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

4 . This information is out of date.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

5 . There is a lot of rubbish on the streets of my city.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

6 . My sister gave me a very useful piece of advice.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

7 . The tourist guide gave me several informations about the castle.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

8 . Teachers need to have a patience.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

E x er ise :
R ead the sentence and choose the one option which best fits the space.

1. D on't go to that city in February - ... really bad then.
a. the weather is
b. a weather is
c. the weathers are

2. We took ... on our camping trip.
a. a lot of equipment
b. a lot of equipments
c. some equipments
d. five equipments

. We stayed in ...
a. some expensive accommodations
b. an expensive accommodation
c. very expensive accommodation
d. a very expensive accommodation

4 . S ue told me about her problem and I gave her ...
a. an advice
b. a piece of advice
c. a piece of advices
d. advices

5 . ... in my city.
a. There are a lot of pollutions
b. There are some pollutions
c. There is a pollution
d. There is a lot of pollution

G ram m ar Chal l enge un ountab l e nouns

A nswers

E x er ise :

1. I am going to an overseas
conference next week ...
f. ... but I haven't booked my
accommodation yet.
2. Could you give me some
information ...
b. ... about the history of this
building?
. My father gave me ...

h. ... a very useful piece of advice.
4 . Before we move into our new
house ...
a. ... we will have to buy some
furniture.
5 . There is so much pollution in this
city ...
c. ... I can hardly breathe.
6 . I f you are learning a foreign
language ...
d. ... you need a lot of patience.
7 . Y ou are only allowed to take one
piece of luggage ...
e. ... on this flight.
8 . The weather is terrible today ...

g. ... it's much too hot.
9 . Could you please put all that
rubbish...

i. ... in the bin?

E x er ise : Corre t rong
R ead the sentences and decide whether they are grammatically correct.

1. We bought quite a lot of expensive furnitures for the new office.
a. Correct No - 'furnitures' should be 'furniture'.
b . W rong es ' urnitures' shou d e ' urniture'

2. I bought a new luggage for my trip to Australia.
a. Correct No - 'a' should be 'some'.
b . W rong es 'a' shou d e 'som e'

. Y ou have to use specialist equipments for this task.
a. Correct No - 'equipments' should be 'equipment'.
b . W rong es 'e uip ents' shou d e 'e uip ent'

4 . This information is out of date.
a. Corre t es his senten e is gram m ati al l y orre t.
b. Wrong No This sentence is grammatically correct.


5 . There is a lot of rubbish on the streets of my city.

6 . My sister gave me a very useful piece of advice.

7 . The tourist guide gave me several informations about the castle.
a. Correct No - Y ou cannot use 'several' with uncountable nouns.
b . W rong es ou annot use 'several ' with un ountab l e nouns

8 . Teachers need to have a patience.
a. Correct No Y ou need to delete 'a'.
b . W rong es ou need to de ete 'a'

E x er ise :
R ead the sentence and choose the one option which best fits the space.

1. D on't go to that city in February - ... really bad then.
a. the weather is Corre t you have used this un ountab l e noun orre tl y
b. a weather is Wrong we don't usually use 'a' like this with uncountable nouns.
c. the weathers are - Wrong uncountable nouns cannot be made plural like this.

2. We took ... on our camping trip.
a. a ot of e uip ent Corre t you have used this un ountab l e noun
c orre tl y
b. a lot of equipments - Wrong uncountable nouns cannot be made plural like this.
c. some equipments - Wrong uncountable nouns cannot be made plural like this.
d. five equipments - Wrong uncountable nouns cannot be made plural like this, and
numbers cannot normally be used

. We stayed in ...
a. some expensive accommodations - Wrong uncountable nouns cannot be made
plural like this.
b. an expensive accommodation Wrong we don't usually use 'an' like this with
uncountable nouns.
c . very e pensive ac c om m odation Corre t you have used this un ountab l e
noun orre tl y
d. a very expensive accommodation Wrong we don't usually use 'a' like this with
uncountable nouns.


4 . S ue told me about her problem and I gave her ...
a. an advice Wrong we don't usually use 'an' like this with uncountable nouns, and
you need to use an article or a word like 'some' or 'a piece of'.
b . a pie e of advi e Corre t you have used this un ountab l e noun orre tl y
c. a piece of advices - Wrong uncountable nouns cannot be made plural like this.
d. advices Wrong - uncountable nouns cannot be made plural like this, and you need
to use a word like 'some' or 'a piece of'.

5 . ... in my city.
a. There are a lot of pollutions - Wrong uncountable nouns cannot be made plural
like this.
b. There are some pollutions - Wrong uncountable nouns cannot be made plural like
this.
c. There is a pollution Wrong we don't usually use 'a' like this with uncountable
nouns.
d T here is a ot of pol l ution Corre t you have used this un ountab l e noun
c orre tl y
Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

Need er In

Catherine:

Hello Asae! You were right to say that Helen's shoes need polishing, but in fact there
are 3 things she needs to do to prepare for the wedding. First, her hair needs
washing, second, the car needs cleaning, and finally, her shoes need polishing.

We use 'need' with an -ing verb to talk about fixing or improving things. There are
three parts to this structure. First, you name the thing my hair, or the car, or my
shoes. Then you say 'need' - or 'needs' if the subject is 'he' 'she' or 'it' - and finally,
you use a verb with ing. Listen to Helen:

Helen: My hair needs washing, the car needs cleaning, and my shoes need
polishing.

Now when you use this structure, you dont have to say who is going to do the
fixing, or repairing, or cleaning. You dont say 'my hair needs cutting by the
hairdresser' it's not necessary. Just say 'my hair needs cutting' - that's enough.

Now, questions and negatives are very straightforward. Here's Helen using 'do' to
make a present simple question:
Helen: Does my hair need cutting?

And for the past:
Helen: Did my hair need cutting?

And for the future:
Helen: Will my hair need cutting?

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

British Broadcasting Corporation 2007 And here are some negatives, for the present, past and future:

Helen: My hair doesnt need cutting
My hair didnt need cutting
My hair wont need cutting


Grammar Challenge

Need + verb-ing tables Page 1 of 1

Grammar tab les

'Need v erb - ing '

To talk about fixing or improving things, you can use 'need' with an -ing verb. There
are three parts to this structure. First, you name the thing my hair, or the car, or
my shoes. Then you say 'need' - or 'needs' - and finally, a verb with ing.

Positive
subject need(s) verb-ing
My hair needs cutting
The curtains need washing

Negative
subject doesn't/don't need verb-ing
My hair doesn't need cutting
The curtains don't need washing

Question
do/does subject need verb-ing
Does my hair need cutting?
Do the curtains need washing?

'Need' + verb-ing
Practice

Grammar Challenge
Need + verb-ing practice
Page 2 of 6


Grammar Challenge 'need' + verb-ing

Exercise 1:

1. My computer has a very small
memory
a. it really needs tidying up.
2. My car is making strange noises

b. I think it needs cutting.
3. Your room is such a mess

c. it needs ironing.
4. The recycling bin is full

d. it needs emptying.
5. This apple is rotten

e. it needs throwing away.
6. The grass is getting very long

f. they need cleaning.
7. Your shirt is very creased

g. I think it needs servicing.
8. Your shoes are covered in mud

h. it needs upgrading.

Grammar Challenge
Page 3 of 6


Exercise 2:

1. The dog yet. I took him out about an hour ago.
a. didnt need walking
b. needs walking
c. doesnt need walking
d. needn't walking

2. The garden is completely overgrown. It desperately
a. needs weeding
b. need weeding
c. doesn't need weeding
d. needing weeds

3. The kitchen really but I did it anyway.
a. dont need cleaning
b. isnt need cleaning
c. didnt need cleaning
d. needed cleaning

4. The windows must be kept clean. They every morning.
a. dont need washing
b. need washing
c. need to washing
d. have need washing

5. Please have some more cake. It .
a. needs eating
b. needed eating
c. doesnt need eating
d. didnt need eating

6. We're going away next month, and the plants - Would you do it for me please?
a. are needing water
b. need to water
c. needed watering
d. will need watering
Grammar Challenge
Page 4 of 6


Choose 5 words to make each question:

1. The baby has just had his dinner, and now he's covered in food.
?

bathing

the

does

baby

need

a bath

2. Can I wash that skirt by hand, or do I have to take it to the dry cleaners?
?

dry-
cleaning

need

does

do

that

is

skirt

3. I'm not sure when my library card has to be renewed. Is it soon?
soon?

card

my

do

renewing

does

it

need

4. I'm not sure if I have to get these documents checked.
?

documents

these

need

checked

does

do

checking

5. I dont know if I should print these pictures.
?

pictures

printing

need

not do

they

these

6. My hair is getting quite long.
Do ?

it

think

needs

do

cutting

they

you

Grammar Challenge
Page 5 of 6


Grammar Challenge 'need' + verb-ing

Answers

Exercise 1:

1. My computer has a very small
memory
h. it needs upgrading.
2. My car is making strange noises g. I think it needs servicing.

3. Your room is such a mess a. it really needs tidying up.

4. The recycling bin is full d. it needs emptying.

5. This apple is rotten e. it needs throwing away.

6. The grass is getting very long b. I think it needs cutting.

7. Your shirt is very creased c. it needs ironing.

8. Your shoes are covered in mud

f. they need cleaning.

Exercise 2:

1. The dog yet. I took him out about an hour ago.
a. didnt need walking Wrong this situation is happening in the present, not the
past.
b. needs walking Wrong you need to use the negative form.
c. doesnt need walking Correct you have used the present, negative form
of need + verb-ing.
d. needn't walking Wrong check how the negative is formed.

2. The garden is completely overgrown. It desperately
a. needs weeding Correct you have used the present form of need + verb-
ing.
b. need weeding Wrong 'need' must agree with the subject.
c. doesn't need weeding Wrong - you need a positive, not negative form.
d. needing weeds Wrong 'need' does not take the 'ing' it belongs to 'weed'.

3. The kitchen really but I did it anyway.
a. dont need cleaning Wrong the auxiliary is in the wrong form.
b. isnt need cleaning Wrong you have used the wrong auxiliary.
c. didnt need cleaning Correct this is the correct form.
d. needed cleaning Wrong you need a negative.
Grammar Challenge
Page 6 of 6


4. The windows must be kept clean. They every morning.
a. dont need washing Wrong - you need a positive, not negative form.
b. need washing Correct this is the correct form.
c. need to washing Wrong delete the 'to'.
d. have need washing Wrong delete the 'have'.

5. Please have some more cake. It .
a. needs eating Correct the cake needs to be eaten.
b. needed eating Wrong this situation is happening in the present, not the past.
c. doesnt need eating Wrong - you need a positive, not negative form.
d. didnt need eating Wrong - this situation is happening in the present, not the past,
and you need a positive, not negative form.

6. We're going away next month, and the plants - Would you do it for me please?
a. are needing water Wrong 'need' is in the wrong tense here.
b. need to water Wrong 'water' should take ing, not the infinitive with 'to'.
c. needed watering Wrong you need to use the future form of need + verb-ing.
d. will need watering Correct you have used the future form of need +
verb-ing.

Choose 5 words to make each question:

1. The baby has just had his dinner, and now he's covered in food.
Does the baby need bathing?

2. Can I wash that skirt by hand, or do I have to take it to the dry cleaners?
Does that skirt need dry-cleaning?

3. I'm not sure when my library card has to be renewed. Is it soon?
Does my card need renewing soon?

4. I'm not sure if I have to get these documents checked.
Do these documents need checking?

5. I dont know if I should print these pictures.
Do these pictures need printing?

6. My hair is getting quite long.
Do you think it needs cutting?

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

H av e someth ing done

Catherine:

Hi Raffaella! That's pretty good! Elena's going to make 2 improvements to the office.
First, she's having the walls painted, and second, she's going to have the carpets
cleaned.

We use 'have' with a noun and a past participle when we arrange for somebody to
make some kind of improvement to something for us. Elena has arranged for
somebody to clean the carpets next week, so she says:

Elena: I'm going to have the carpets cleaned tomorrow

She uses the future form of have thats going to have - with a noun the
carpets and the past participle of clean which is cleaned.

There are a couple of things to remember when you use this structure. First, you can
show tense by changing the form of 'have'. So, next week when Elena's carpets are
nice and clean, she can say:

Elena: I have just had the carpets cleaned.

And a few days later she could say:

Elena: I had the carpets cleaned last week.

Secondly, you don't have to say who is going to do it. Elena didn't say:

Elena: I'm going to have the walls painted by the painters.

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

British Broadcasting Corporation 2007 It's enough to say:

Elena: I'm going to have the walls painted.

And finally, you can say 'get' instead of 'have' - the meaning is exactly the same, but
it's a little more informal. So Elena could say to her friend:

I'm getting the walls painted this afternoon.


Grammar Challenge

Have something done tables Page 1 of 1

Grammar tab les

av e someth ing done

We use 'have' with a noun and a past participle when we arrange for somebody to
make some kind of improvement to something for us.

subject have noun past participle
I have my hair cut every month
The hotel has the windows cleaned regularly
We have just had the house painted
They had the roof replaced two years ago

Have something done
Practice

Grammar Challenge
Have something done practice
Page 2 of 6


Grammar Challenge have something done

Exercise 1:


a. so I will have to have my
photograph taken.
2. I'm going to a wedding next
week

b. I must get it cut.
3. My hair looks horrible c. so I'm going to have my suit dry-
cleaned.
4. My skirt is too long

d. since I had it repaired.
5. I need a new passport

e. I'd better get it serviced.

6. This room looks terrible f. we must have it painted.

7. Do you like my suit?... g. I need to get it taken up.

8. I can't give you the document
personally
h. I had it made for me last year.
9. My computer has been working
beautifully

i. I will have it delivered.

Grammar Challenge
Page 3 of 6


Exercise 2:

1. The garden is completely overgrown. I should really
a. have it weeded
b. have it weeding
c. having it weeding
d. get it weeding

2. My neighbour is having a new garden wall
a. build
b. building
c. built
d. builded

3. The windows were broken in the storm. - straight away.
a. had we fixed them
b. we had fixed them
c. we them had fixed
d. we had them fixed

4. I had to after I had my purse stolen.
a. get the locks changed
b. get the locks change
c. get the locks changing
d. get changed the locks

Grammar Challenge
Page 4 of 6



1. You look nice!
Have ?

cut

hair

had

you

have

cutted your

2. Your car is filthy!
Are you going will you do it yourself?

get

to

do

or

cleaned

it

need

3. I wanted to ask you about your library card.
yet?

it

you

renewed

renewing

have

ever

had

4. Your jacket doesn't fit you properly.
- Why ?

altered

get

you

fit

don't

it

do

5. A: I met a very famous film star yesterday.
B: Really? Did with him?

have

took

your

taken do

you

photograph

Grammar Challenge
Page 5 of 6


Grammar Challenge have something done

Answers

Exercise 1: Matching


e. I'd better get it serviced.

2. I'm going to a wedding next
week
c. so I'm going to have my suit dry-
cleaned.
3. My hair looks horrible b. I must get it cut.

4. My skirt is too long

g. I need to get it taken up.

5. I need a new passport

a. so I will have to have my
photograph taken.
6. This room looks terrible f. we must have it painted.

7. Do you like my suit? ... h. I had it made for me last year.

8. I can't give you the document
personally
i. I will have it delivered.
9. My computer has been working
beautifully

d. since I had it repaired.

Exercise 2:

1. The garden is completely overgrown. I should really
a. have it weeded Correct you have used the correct form of 'have
something done'.
b. have it weeding Wrong you need an ed verb form, not an ing form.
c. having it weeding Wrong both verbs are in the wrong form.
d. get it weeding Wrong you need an ed verb form, not an ing form.

2. My neighbour is having a new garden wall
a. build - Wrong you need to use the past participle.
b. building - Wrong you need to use the past participle.
c. built Correct you have used the correct form of 'have something done'.
d. builded - Wrong this is not the past participle of 'build'.
Grammar Challenge
Page 6 of 6


3. The windows were broken in the storm. - straight away.
a. had we fixed them - Wrong the subject is in the wrong place.
b. we had fixed them Wrong the object is in the wrong place.
c. we them had fixed Wrong the object is in the wrong place.
d. we had them fixed Correct you have used the correct form of 'have
something done'.

4. I had to after I had my purse stolen.
a. get the locks changed Correct you have used the correct form of 'have
something done'.
b. get the locks change - Wrong this is not the past participle of 'change'.
c. get the locks changing Wrong - this is not the past participle of 'change'.
d. get changed the locks Wrong - the object is in the wrong place.


1. You look nice!
Have you had your hair cut?

2. Your car is filthy!
Are you going to get it cleaned or will you do it yourself?

3. I wanted to ask you about your library card.
Have you had it renewed yet?

4. Your jacket doesn't fit you properly.
Why don't you get it altered?

5. A: I met a very famous film star yesterday.
B: Really? Did you have your photograph taken with him?

Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge
Because / because of
Page 1 of 2


eeause eeause o

Catherine:

Hi Taka! You're right to say that the grammar was slightly different, although the
meaning was the same. Hina couldn't go out because she was ill. Hina said
because in the first one, and because of in the second one.

So, what's the difference between because and because of? Well, because is a
conjunction. That means it must be followed by a subject and verb. Listen to Hina:

Hina: I couldn't go out because I had a cold.

Did you hear the subject and verb after because? She said 'I had a cold'. Listen
again:

Hina: I couldn't go out because I had a cold.

Now because of isn't a conjunction, its a preposition. That means it must be
followed by a noun phrase, not a verb phrase. Here's Hina again:

Hina: I couldn't go out because of my cold.

Did you catch the noun phrase? Hina said 'my cold'. Listen again:

Hina: I couldn't go out because of my cold.

You could also use a gerund that's an verb plus 'ing' - after because of so Hina
could say:

Hina: I couldn't go out because of having a cold.

A verb with ing often functions as a noun so you use it after because of.

Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge
Page 2 of 2


So that's because with a verb phrase, and because of with a
noun phrase or a gerund.


Grammar Challenge

Because / because of tables Page 1 of 1

Grammar tab les

B ecause ecause of

Because and because of are both used to introduce reasons, but grammatically
they operate differently. Because is a conjunction. It must be followed by a subject
and verb. Because of is a preposition. It must be followed by a noun phrase or
verb-ing, not a verb phrase.

Because
because subject verb
because it was raining we stayed at home
because I don't like fish, I ordered chicken
because he felt ill, he didn't go to the party

Because of
because of noun phrase
or verb-ing

because of the rain we stayed at home
because of not liking fish I ordered chicken
because of his illness
feeling ill
he didn't go to the party

Practice

Grammar Challenge
Because / because of practice
Page 2 of 6


Grammar Challenge because / because of

Exercise 1:

1. I couldn't go swimming because
of
a. not working hard enough.
2. I got a stomach ache because

b. the terrible service.
3. I failed the exam because of

c. the terrible weather.
4. I passed my driving test
because
d. I love spicy food.
5. I went to a Mexican restaurant
because
e. I played really badly.
6. I didn't go back to that
restaurant because of
f. my cold.

7. We didn't play football because
of
g. I had eaten too much ice-cream.
8. I lost the game because

h. I drove very carefully.

Grammar Challenge
Page 3 of 6


Exercise 2:

1. I had a headache because
a. of the loud music.
b. listening to loud music.
c. the loud music.
d. of the music was loud.

2. He quit his job because
a. the poor wages.
b. of the poor wages.
c. of the wages were poor.
d. having poor wages.

3. Because I cleaned it from top to bottom.
a. of the kitchen was really dirty
b. the really dirty kitchen
c. of dirty
d. the kitchen was really dirty

4. Because , she got the job.
a. of she was the best candidate
b. she was the best candidate
c. she the best candidate
d. being the best candidate

5. They missed their flight because
a. of being late.
b. of they were late.
c. being late.
d. they late.

6. I couldn't concentrate on my work because
a. the noise.
b. of it was noisy.
c. noisy.
d. of the noise.
Grammar Challenge
Page 4 of 6


Exercise 3: Word Order
Choose the 5 words which complete each sentence:

1. We postponed our holiday

the

it

because

being

bad

of

weather

2. We can't go to the cinema

it

today

isn't

of

open

is

because

3. He had to give up work

daughter's

his

of

was

ill

illness

because

4. We have to leave this accommodation ...

because

much

costs

of cost

it

too

5. , we have to leave this accommodation.

cost

of

it

the

because

has

high

Grammar Challenge
Page 5 of 6


Grammar Challenge because / because of

Answers

Exercise 1:

1. I couldn't go swimming because
of
f. my cold.

2. I got a stomach ache because

g. I had eaten too much ice-cream.
3. I failed the exam because of

a. not working hard enough.
4. I passed my driving test
because
h. I drove very carefully.
5. I went to a Mexican restaurant
because
d. I love spicy food.
6. I didn't go back to that
restaurant because of
b. the terrible service.
7. We didn't play football because
of
c. the terrible weather.
8. I lost the game because

e. I played really badly.

Exercise 2:

1. I had a headache
a. because of the loud music. Correct 'because of' is followed by a noun.
b. because listening to loud music. Wrong you should use 'because of' if you want
to use a verb-ing.
c. because the loud music. Wrong you should use 'because of' if you want to use a
noun.
d. because of the music was loud. - Wrong - 'because of' must be followed by a noun,
not a subject and verb.

2. He quit his job because
a. the poor wages. Wrong 'because' must be followed by a subject and verb.
b. of the poor wages. Correct 'because of' is followed by a noun.
c. of the wages were poor. - Wrong - 'because of' must be followed by a noun, not a
subject and verb.
d. having poor wages Wrong 'because' must be followed by a subject and verb, not
a verb-ing.

Grammar Challenge
Page 6 of 6


3. Because I cleaned it from top to bottom.
a. of the kitchen was really dirty - Wrong - 'because of' must be followed by a noun,
b. the really dirty kitchen Wrong 'because' must be followed by a subject and verb.
c. of dirty Wrong 'because' must be followed by a subject and verb.
d. the kitchen was really dirty Correct - 'because' must be followed by a
subject and verb.

4. Because , she got the job.
a. of she was the best candidate Wrong - 'because of' must be followed by a noun,
b. she was the best candidate Correct - 'because' must be followed by a
subject and verb.
c. she the best candidate Wrong 'because' must be followed by a subject and verb.
d. being the best candidate Wrong 'because' must be followed by a subject and
verb, not a verb-ing.

5. They missed their flight because
a. of being late. Correct 'because of' can be followed by a verb-ing.
b. of they were late. Wrong - 'because of' must be followed by a noun, not a subject
and verb.
c. of late. Wrong - 'because of' must be followed by a noun, not an adjective.
d. were late. Wrong 'because' must be followed by a subject as well as a verb.

6. I couldn't concentrate on my work because
a. the noise. Wrong 'because' must be followed by a subject and verb.
b. of it was noisy. Wrong - 'because of' must be followed by a noun, not a subject
and verb.
c. noisy. Wrong 'because' must be followed by a subject and verb.
d. of the noise. Correct 'because of' is followed by a noun phrase.



1. We postponed our holiday because of the bad weather.

2. We can't go to the cinema because it isn't open today.

3. He had to give up work because of his daughter's illness.

4. We have to leave this accommodation because it costs too much.

5. Because of the high cost, we have to leave this accommodation.

Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge
So & such
Page 1 of 2


S o and S uch

Catherine: Well done Vittorio! Helen really enjoyed the food. The ice-cream was
so good that she ordered a second bowl and it was such good coffee that she had 2
cups.

We can use so and such with that to express cause and effect, or reason and result.
When Helen says:

Helen: The ice-cream was so good that I ordered a second bowl.

The good ice-cream is the cause or reason for her ordering a second bowl which is
the effect or result.

Now when we use so with that, so is often followed by an adjective. Listen to
Helen:


Did you hear the adjective? She said 'so good that.' Listen again:


But such is often followed by an adjective and a noun. Here's Helen again:

Helen: they make such good coffee that I had a second cup.

Did you hear it? Such with an adjective - good and coffee is the noun. Such good
coffee. The result of the good coffee is that she had a second cup Use that to
introduce the result.
Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge
So & such
Page 2 of 2


Listen one more time:
Helen: they make such good coffee that I had a second cup.

Now 'coffee' is uncountable, so you don't need to use 'a or 'an'. But if you use a
countable noun, like 'restaurant, you would say something like 'It's such a good
restaurant that I go there twice a week.'

Ok, that's so with an adjective, and such with an adjective and noun. After both of
them, use 'that' to give the result.


Grammar Challenge

So & such tables Page 1 of 1

Grammar tab les

S o such

So... that and such... that are used to describe reasons and results.

So + adjective + that
subject & verb so adjective that (result)
The ice-cream was so good that I ordered a second bowl.
She felt so upset that she started to cry.
The weather was so lovely that we decided to have a picnic.

Such + adjective + noun + that
subject & verb such adjective +
noun
that (result)
It was such good coffee that I drank three cups.
We had such a good holiday that we're going back next year.
It was such a horrible day that they couldn't go out.

So & such
Practice

Grammar Challenge
So & such practice
Page 2 of 6


Grammar Challenge so & such

Exercise 1:

1. The weather was so . a. I only answered 3 questions.

2. It was such a cold day

b. I ate 3 pieces.
3. The shoes were so cheap

c. I finished it an hour early.
4. It was such an expensive dress

d. I couldn't eat any of it.
5. The exam was so difficult that

e. that we couldn't go out at all.
6. It was such an easy exam that

f. bad that we stayed at home all
day.
7. The cake was so delicious that

g. that I bought 3 pairs.
8. It was such a horrible cake

h. that I couldn't afford to buy it.

Grammar Challenge
So & such practice
Page 3 of 6


Exercise 2:

1. I ... that I fell asleep on the bus.
a. was such tired
b. was tired
c. was so tired
d. so tired

2. It was ... it broke down every few weeks.
a. such an old that
b. such an old car so
c. so an old car that
d. such an old car that

3. We were ... that we ate the food before it was properly cooked.
a. such hungry
b. so hungry
c. such hunger
d. so a hungry

4. He was ... that he hardly had any friends at all.
a. so shy
b. such a shy
c. such shy
d. shy so

5. They were ... that they were invited to parties every weekend.
a. so a popular couple
b. so popular couple
c. such popular
d. such a popular couple

6. The music was ... that I could hardly hear myself think.
a. so loudly
b. such loudly
c. such loud
d. so loud
Grammar Challenge
So & such practice
Page 4 of 6



1. The ... they won the match.

so

that

play

team

well

such

played

2. It was ... I went to see it again.

good

a

that

so

such

film

boring

3. ... I could hardly control myself.

angry

so

such

I

that

felt

angrily

4. She ... that she got a promotion.

a

so

worker

hard

work

was

such

5. ... he got a pay rise.

such

so

that

work he

hard

worked

6. ... we had to go home early.

we

tired

tiring

were

such

so

that

Grammar Challenge
So & such practice
Page 5 of 6


Grammar Challenge so & such

Answers

Exercise 1:

1. The weather was so . f. bad that we stayed at home all
day.
2. It was such a cold day

c. that we couldn't go out at all.
3. The shoes were so cheap

g. that I bought 3 pairs.
4. It was such an expensive dress

h. that I couldn't afford to buy it.
5. The exam was so difficult that

a. I only answered 3 questions.
6. It was such an easy exam that

c. I finished it an hour early.
7. The cake was so delicious that

b. I ate 3 pieces.
8. It was such a horrible cake

d. I couldn't eat any of it.

Exercise 2:

1. I ... that I fell asleep on the bus.
a. was such tired - Wrong you need to use 'so' plus an adjective.
b. was tired Wrong you need to add 'so'.
c. was so tired - Correct you have used 'so' with an adjective.
d. so tired Wrong you need to add a verb.

2. It was ... it broke down every few weeks.
a. such an old that - Wrong you need to use a noun with 'such'.
b. such an old car so Wrong you need to use 'that' to introduce the result.
c. so an old car that Wrong you should use 'such' with an adjective and noun.
d. such an old car that Correct you have used 'such' with an adjective and
noun.

3. We were ... that we ate the food before it was properly cooked.
a. such hungry - Wrong you need to use 'so' plus an adjective.
b. so hungry - Correct you have used 'so' with an adjective.
c. such hunger Wrong you need to use 'so' plus an adjective.
d. so a hungry Wrong do not use 'a' with an adjective.

Grammar Challenge
So & such practice
Page 6 of 6


4. He was ... that he hardly had any friends at all.
a. so shy - Correct you have used 'so' with an adjective.
b. such a shy - Wrong you need to use 'so' plus an adjective.
c. such shy - Wrong you need to use 'so' plus an adjective.
d. shy so Wrong the words are in the wrong order.

5. They were ... that they were invited to parties every weekend.
a. so a popular couple Wrong you should use 'such' with an adjective and noun.
b. so popular couple Wrong you should use 'such' with an adjective and noun; and
you also need an article.
c. such popular - Wrong you need to use a noun with 'such'.
d. such a popular couple Correct you have used 'such' with an adjective
and noun.

6. The music was ... that I could hardly hear myself think.
a. so loudly Wrong You need an adjective, not an adverb.
b. such loudly - Wrong you need to use 'so' plus an adjective.
c. such loud - Wrong you need to use 'so' plus an adjective.
d. so loud - Correct you have used 'so' with an adjective.



1. The team played so well that they won the match.

2. It was such a good film that I went to see it again.

3. I felt so angry that I could hardly control myself.

4. She was such a hard worker that she got a promotion.

5. He worked so hard that he got a pay rise.

6. We were so tired that we had to go home early.

Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge
Simple passives
Page 1 of 2


S imple assi es

Catherine:

Well done, Jin! The 2 dialogues had the same meaning, but the grammar was slightly
different. Helen said the robbers stole over 20,000 pounds.
in the first one, but in the second one she said over 20,000 pounds was stolen.

So, what's the difference between active and passive simple tense sentences?
Well, an active sentence has a subject, verb and object - in that order. Here's Helen:

Helen: The robbers stole over 20,000 pounds.

So: subject the robbers; past simple verb stole; and object 20,000 pounds.

But if we want, we can put the object at the beginning of the sentence, like this:

Helen: Over 20,000 pounds was stolen.

Now this is a passive sentence, in a simple tense, and it works like this. The object
goes first. Then, the verb 'to be' present or past: for example, is, was, were etc.
After that, you need the past participle of the verb. In Helen's sentence, the verb is
steal, so its steal, stole, stolen. Listen again:

Helen: Over 20,000 pounds was stolen.

Did you catch it? Object, verb to be, past participle. This is a passive sentence in the
simple past. But where's the subject? Well, you can add it to the end of the
sentence like this:

Helen: Over 20,000 pounds was stolen by the robbers.
Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge
Simple passives
Page 2 of 2



Grammar Challenge

Simple passives tables Page 1 of 2

Grammar tab les

imple passi es

Passive sentences focus on the noun that is the receiver or result of an action, rather
than the noun that is performing the action (the agent).

Present simple passive - positive

passive subject 'to be' past participle
Paper is made from wood.
Tigers are found in India.

Present simple passive - negative
Paper isn't made from metal.
Tigers aren't found in Canada.

Present simple passive - questions
'to be' passive subject past participle
Is paper made from wood ?
Are tigers found in India ?

Past simple passive - positive
The bridge was opened in 1977.
The pyramids were built by the ancient Egyptians.

Past simple passive - negative
The bridge wasn't opened in 1968.
The pyramids weren't built by the modern Egyptians.

Grammar Challenge

Simple passives tables Page 2 of 2

Past simple passive - questions
'to be' passive subject past participle
Was the bridge opened in 1977 ?
Were the pyramids built by the ancient Egyptians ?

Simple passives
Practice

Grammar Challenge
Simple passives practice
Page 2 of 6


Grammar Challenge simple passives

Exercise 1:

1. Romeo and Juliet ... a. ... were chosen at random.

2. These windows ... b. ... are all spoken in Switzerland.

3. Smoking ... c. was written by William
Shakespeare.
4. The post ... d. ... are cleaned every morning.

5. A huge bunch of flowers and a
cheque for $10,000 ...
e. ... is delivered every morning.

6. Five lucky winners ...

f. ... is not allowed in this office.

7. There are no newspapers left.
The last one ...
g. ... were presented to the winner.

8. French, Italian, Romansch and
German ...

h. ... was sold five minutes ago.

Grammar Challenge
Page 3 of 6


Exercise 2:

1. Oxygen ... by red blood cells.
a. carrying
b. is carrying
c. is carried
d. carried

2. Bread ... from wheat.
a. is made
b. made
c. making
d. is making

3. Penicillin ... by Sir Alexander Fleming.
a. is discovered
b. was discovered
c. discovered
d. was discovering

4. Two people ... in the accident.
a. are killed
b. were died
c. were killed
d. was killed

5. In many countries, Labour day ... on May 1 every year.
a. is celebrate
b. is celebrated
c. is celebrating
d. celebrated

6. Oxygen ... for a fire to burn.
a. is requiring
b. is requires
c. requires
d. is required
Grammar Challenge
Page 4 of 6


Exercise 3: active passive transformations
Rearrange the words in the boxes to form a passive version of each sentence.

1. After the final performance, the judges chose the winner.

chosen

After

the
winner

performance
,

was

the
final

2. When did someone invent the microchip?

the

was

invented

when

?

microchip

3. If you don't water the plants regularly, they will die.

will the

watered

regularly,

plants

If die

aren't

they

4. Someone told me that the bus leaves at 10 o'clock.

was

that

10 o'clock

the bus

I at

told

leaves

5. Do people process new applications here?

?

new

here

processed
are

applications

6. The police caught the robbers this morning.

robbers

were

this

arrested

The

morning

Grammar Challenge
Page 5 of 6


Grammar Challenge simple passives

Answers

Exercise 1:

1. Romeo and Juliet ... c. was written by William
Shakespeare.
2. These windows ... d. ... are cleaned every morning.

3. Smoking ... f. ... is not allowed in this office.

4. The post ... e. ... is delivered every morning.

5. A bunch of flowers and a cheque
for $10,000 ...
g. ... were presented to the winner.

6. Five lucky winners ...

a. ... were chosen at random.

7. There are no newspapers left.
The last one ...
h. ... was sold five minutes ago.
8. French, Italian, Romansch and
German ...

b. ... are all spoken in Switzerland.

Exercise 2:

1. Oxygen ... by red blood cells.
a. carrying Wrong you need to use the verb 'to be' and the past participle.
b. is carrying - Wrong you need to use the past participle instead of the '-ing' form of
the verb.
c. is carried Correct this sentence is present simple passive.
d. carried Wrong you need to use the verb 'to be' as well as the past participle of
the verb.

2. Bread ... from wheat.
a. is made Correct this sentence is present simple passive.
b. made Wrong you need to use the verb 'to be' as well as the past participle.
c. making Wrong you need to use the verb 'to be' and the past participle.
d. is making Wrong you need to use the past participle of the verb, not the '-ing'
form.

3. Penicillin ... by Sir Alexander Fleming.
a. is discovered Wrong the verb 'to be' should be in the past tense.
b. was discovered Correct this sentence is past simple passive.
c. discovered Wrong you need to use the verb 'to be' as well as the past participle.
d. was discovering - Wrong you need to use the past participle instead of the '-ing'
form of the verb.
Grammar Challenge
Page 6 of 6


4. Two people ... in the accident.
a. are killed wrong the verb 'to be' should be in the past tense.
b. were died wrong 'died' is not normally used in the passive.
c. were killed Correct this sentence is past simple passive.
d. was killed - Wrong the verb 'to be' must agree with the subject.

5. In many countries, Labour day ... on May 1 every year.
a. is celebrate Wrong you need to use the past participle of the verb.
b. is celebrated Correct this sentence is present simple passive.
c. is celebrating - Wrong you need to use the past participle instead of the '-ing' form
of the verb.
d. celebrated Wrong you need to use the verb 'to be' as well as the past participle.

6. Oxygen ... for a fire to burn.
a. is requiring Wrong you need to use the past participle instead of the '-ing' form
of the verb.
b. is requires Wrong you need to use the past participle of the verb.
c. requires Wrong - you need to use the verb 'to be' as well as the past participle.
d. is required Correct this sentence is present simple passive.

Exercise 3: active passive transformations
Rearrange the words in the boxes to form a passive version of each sentence.

1. After the final performance, the judges chose the winner.
After the final performance, the winner was chosen.

2. When did someone invent the microchip?
When was the microchip invented?

3. If you don't water the plants regularly, they will die.
If the plants aren't watered regularly, they will die.

4. Someone told me that the bus leaves at 10 o'clock.
I was told that the bus leaves at 10 o'clock.

5. Do people process new applications here?
Are new applications processed here?

6. The police arrested the robbers this morning.
The robbers were arrested this morning.

Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge
Continuous passives
Page 1 of 2


ontinuous assi es

Catherine:

Hello Guy! You seem to have got the right idea: when Elena arrived at the
restaurant, the waiters were already serving dinner. Elena used a past continuous
passive sentence to talk about this. She said:

Elena: dinner was being served.

So, how do we make a passive continuous sentence? Let's look at the active form
first. Here's Elena:

Elena: the waiters were serving dinner.

This sentence starts with a subject the waiters. Then, we have 'were serving'. This
is the continuous form of the verb - made with 'to be' plus an -ing verb, Finally we
have the object dinner. Listen again:

Elena: the waiters were serving dinner.

So: subject the waiters; past continuous verb were serving; and object dinner.

But if we want, we can put the object at the beginning of the sentence, like this:


Now this is a continuous passive sentence, and it works like this. The object goes
first. Then, the verb 'to be' present or past: for example, is, was were etcetera.
Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge
Continuous passives
Page 2 of 2



Then you need to say being. That's b-e-i-n-g, being. It makes the verb continuous.
And after that, you need the past participle of the verb. In Elena's sentence, the verb
is serve, so its serve, served, served. Listen again:


Did you catch it? Object, verb to be, being, past participle. This is a continuous
passive sentence. But where's the subject? Well, you can add it to the end of the
sentence like this:

Elena: dinner was being served by the waiters.


Grammar Challenge

Continuous passives tables Page 1 of 2

Grammar tab les

ontinuous passi es

Present continuous passive - positive

passive subject 'to be' being past participle
The bridge is being painted this year.
The interviews are being held in the office.

Present continuous passive - negative
The bridge isn't being painted next year.
The interviews aren't being held in the canteen.

Present continuous passive - questions
'to be' passive subject being past participle
Is the bridge being painted next year ?
Are the interviews being held in the canteen ?

Past continuous passive - positive
The bridge was being painted last year.
The interviews were being held in the office.

Past continuous passive - negative
The bridge wasn't being painted in 1968.
The interviews weren't being held in the canteen.

Grammar Challenge

Continuous passives tables Page 2 of 2

Past continuous passive questions
'to be' passive subject being past participle
Was the bridge being opened in 1977 ?
Were the interviews being held in the canteen ?

Continuous passives
Practice

Grammar Challenge
Continuous passives
Page 2 of 6


Grammar Challenge continuous passives

Exercise 1:

1. The exam ... a. ... were being served.

2. Three people ... b. ... was still being built.

3. The building where I work ... c. ... is being held in the main hall.

4. When I arrived at the party,
drinks ...
d. ... is still being prepared.

5. Dinner isn't ready yet. It ... e. ... are being made to the procedure.

6. In 1992 the bridge ... f. ... are being held against their will.

7. Reservations ... g. ... is being renovated right now.

8. A number of changes ...

h. ... are not being taken any more.

Grammar Challenge
Continuous passives
Page 3 of 6


Exercise 2:

1. Concert tickets ... at the box office.
a. being sold
b. are being sold
c. are be sold
d. are being selling

2. Following yesterday's accident, 3 people are still ... for minor injuries.
a. treated
b. being treating
c. treating
d. being treated

3. Your suit is not ready yet. It ... right now.
a. is being cleaned
b. is being cleaning
c. is been cleaned
d. is cleaning

4. I could not use my car yesterday because it ...
a. was being serviced
b. were being serviced
c. was being service
d. was been serviced

5. He left the room while the money ...
a. has being collected
b. was been collected
c. was being collected
d. was being collecting

6. We couldn't use the bathroom while it ...
a. was been refitted
b. was being refitted
c. is being refitted
d. was refitting
Grammar Challenge
Continuous passives
Page 4 of 6


Exercise 3: sentence completion
Use the words in the boxes to complete the passive continuous sentences. There are 2
words in each box which you do not need to use.

1. I couldn't wear my suit yesterday because ...

cleaned was it cleaning been

being

2. My brother is in hospital - ... for a chest infection.

has

is treat being treated he

3. ... for the new restaurant?

taken

reservations take are is being

4. ... taken online by students all over the world.

being this it course been

is

5. We had to stay in a hotel while ...

our was house has decorated been

being

6. ... about the missing jewellery.

was people three are questioned questioning

being

Grammar Challenge
Continuous passives
Page 5 of 6


Grammar Challenge continuous passives

Answers

Exercise 1:

1. The exam ... c. ... is being held in the main hall.

2. Three people ... f. ... are being held against their will.

3. The building where I work ... g. ... is being renovated right now.

4. When I arrived at the party,
drinks ...
a. ... were being served.

5. Dinner isn't ready yet. It ... b. ... is still being prepared.

6. In 1992 the bridge ... d. ... was still being built.

7. Reservations ... h. ... are not being taken any more.

8. A number of changes ...

e. ... are being made to the procedure.

Exercise 2:

1. Concert tickets ... at the box office.
a. being sold Wrong you need to add the verb 'to be'.
b. are being sold - Correct you have used a present passive continuous verb.
c. are be sold Wrong you need to use 'being', not 'be'.
d. are being selling Wrong the main verb should be a past participle, not an '-ing'
form.

2. Following yesterday's accident, 3 people are still ... for minor injuries.
a. treated - Wrong you need to add the verb 'to be' as well as 'being'.
b. being treating Wrong the main verb should be a past participle, not an '-ing'
form.
c. treating Wrong - the past passive continuous is made from the verb 'to be' with
'being' and the past participle.
d. being treated - Correct you have used a present passive continuous verb.

Grammar Challenge
Continuous passives
Page 6 of 6


3. Your suit is not ready yet. It ... right now.
a. is being cleaned - Correct you have used a present passive continuous
verb.
b. is being cleaning Wrong the main verb should be a past participle, not an '-ing'
form.
c. is been cleaned Wrong you need to use 'being', not 'been'.
d. is cleaning Wrong you need to add 'being', and the main verb should be a past
participle, not an '-ing' form.

4. I could not use my car yesterday because it ...
a. was being serviced - Correct you have used a past passive continuous
verb.
b. were being serviced Wrong the verb 'to be' needs to agree with the subject.
c. was being service Wrong the main verb should be a past participle.
d. was been serviced Wrong you need to use 'being', not 'been'.

5. He left the room while the money ...
a. has being collected Wrong you need to use the verb 'to be', not 'to have'.
b. was been collected Wrong you need to use 'being', not 'been'.
c. was being collected - Correct you have used a past passive continuous
verb.
d. was being collecting Wrong the main verb should be a past participle, not an '-
ing' form.

6. We couldn't use the bathroom while it ...
a. was been refitted Wrong you need to use 'being', not 'been'.
b. was being refitted - Correct you have used a past passive continuous verb.
c. is being refitted Wrong the verb 'to be' should be in the past tense.
d. was refitting Wrong you need to add 'being'.

Exercise 3: sentence completion
Use the words in the boxes to complete the passive continuous sentences. There are 2
words in each box which you do not need to use.

1. I couldn't wear my suit yesterday because it was being cleaned.

2. My brother is in hospital - he is being treated for a chest infection.

3. Are reservations being taken for the new restaurant?

4. This course is being taken online by students all over the world.

5. We had to stay in a hotel while our house was being decorated.

6. Three people are being questioned about the missing jewellery.
Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge
Present perfect passives
Page 1 of 1

P resent P erf ect assi es

Catherine:

That's exactly right, Veronica! Elena can't go to the party because it has been
cancelled. Listen to Diarmuid again:

Diarmuid: The party has been cancelled!

Diarmuid used a present perfect passive sentence. He could have used an present
perfect active sentence, like this:

Diarmuid: William has cancelled the party.

But he wanted to talk about the party, not William! So the party moves to the
beginning of the sentence, and he doesn't talk about William at all:


In the present perfect tense, we use have or has with a past participle, but for
present perfect passive sentences, we use has been, or have been, followed by the
past participle. So we get the party, followed by has been, then the past participle
cancelled. Listen one more time:


Got it? But don't forget, when people are speaking, they often shorten words like is
or has, so they sound like this:

Diarmuid: The party's been cancelled!

The has is shortened to 's' in the spoken form, so watch out for that.
Grammar Challenge

Present perfect passives tables Page 1 of 1

Grammar tab les

resent perf ect passi es

Present perfect passive - positive

passive subject 'have' been past participle
The house has been painted this year.
The children have been given their medicine.

Present perfect passive - negative
passive subject 'havent' been past
participle

The house hasn't been painted yet.
The children haven't been given their medicine.

Present perfect passive - questions
'to be' passive subject been past participle
Has the house been painted this year ?
Have the children been given their medicine ?

Present perfect passive
Practice

Page 2 of 7

Grammar Challenge present perfect passive

Exercise 1:

1. Dinner ...

a. ... have been hurt in a car accident.
2. Two people ...

b. ... has been elected.
3. A new president ...

c. ... have been opened in the past
year.
4. A new species of frog ...

d. ... has been increased again.
5. The price of a bus ticket ... e. ... has already been served.

6. Three new schools ...

f. ... has been damaged by acid rain.
7. A new type of microchip ... g. ... has been discovered.

8. The statue ...

h. ... has been invented.

Page 3 of 7

Exercise 2:
Read the sentence and decide whether it is grammatically correct or wrong.

1. The new regulations have announced.
A. Correct
B. Wrong

2. Many accidents have been caused by careless driving.
A. Correct
B. Wrong

3. Three buildings has been damaged in the explosion.
A. Correct
B. Wrong

4. A lot of money was been stolen in the robbery.
A. Correct
B. Wrong

5. A man has been seriously injured in a traffic accident.
A. Correct
B. Wrong

6. Millions of mobile phones have being sold in Asia this year.
A. Correct
B. Wrong

7. Has this room been painted recently?
A. Correct
B. Wrong

8. Why have the president's trip been postponed?
A. Correct
B. Wrong

9. Has the suspect been arresting yet?
A. Correct
B. Wrong

Page 4 of 7

Exercise 3:

1. Nearly 350 concert tickets ...
a. have been selling
b. have being sold
c. are be sold
d. have been sold

2. The president ... to hospital for an emergency operation.
a. taken
b. being taken
c. has been taken
d. was been taken

3. Your documents ... and were posted back to you today.
a. have been processed
b. have being processed
c. has been processed
d. have been processing

4. How many languages... into?
a. has this book translating
b. was this book been translated
c. has this book been translated
d. this book has been translated

5. ... yet?
a. Has this room been cleaned
b. Has this room been cleaning
c. This room has been cleaned
d. Has this room being cleaned

6. Angela ... to the party.
a. hasn't being invited
b. hasn't been invited
c. haven't been invited
d. hasn't invited
Page 5 of 7

Grammar Challenge present perfect passive

Answers

Exercise 1:

1. Dinner ...

e. ... has already been served.

2. Two people ...

a. ... have been hurt in a car accident.
3. A new president ...

b. ... has been elected.
4. A new species of frog ...

g. ... has been discovered.

5. The price of a bus ticket ... d. ... has been increased again.

6. Three new schools ...

c. ... have been opened in the past
year.
7. A new type of microchip ... h. ... has been invented.

8. The statue ...

f. ... has been damaged by acid rain.

Exercise 2:
Read the sentence and decide whether it is grammatically correct or wrong.

1. The new regulations have announced.
A. Correct Try again what word should be between 'have' and 'announced'?
B. Wrong Well done 'been' should be between 'have' and 'announced'.

2. Many accidents have been caused by careless driving.
A. Correct Well done this sentence is grammatically correct.
B. Wrong Try again this sentence is grammatically correct.

3. Three buildings has been damaged in the explosion.
A. Correct Try again you need to change the form of 'has'.
B. Wrong Well done 'has' should be changed to 'have'.

4. A lot of money was been stolen in the robbery.
A. Correct Try again you need a different word instead of 'was'.
B. Wrong Well done 'was' should be changed to 'has'.

5. A man has been seriously injured in a traffic accident.

Page 6 of 7

6. Millions of mobile phones have being sold in Asia this year.
A. Correct Try again 'being' is wrong in this sentence.
B. Wrong Well done 'being' should be changed to 'been'.

7. Has this room been painted recently?

8. Why have the president's trip been postponed?
A. Correct Try again the form of 'have' is wrong.
B. Wrong Well done 'have' should be changed to 'has'.

9. Has the suspect been arresting yet?
A. Correct Try again you need to use the past participle of 'arrest'
B. Wrong Well done 'arresting should be replaced by 'arrested'.

Exercise 3:

1. Nearly 350 concert tickets ...
a. have been selling Wrong you need to use a past participle, not an ing form.
b. have being sold Wrong you need to use 'been', not 'being'.
c. are be sold Wrong you need to use 'have been', not 'are be'.
d. have been sold Correct this is the correct form of the present perfect
passive.

2. The president ... to hospital for an emergency operation.
a. taken Wrong you need to use 'has been' as well as the past participle.
b. being taken - Wrong you need to use 'has been' as well as the past participle.
c. has been taken Correct this is the correct form of the present perfect
passive.
d. was been taken - Wrong you need to use 'has' instead of 'was'.

3. Your documents ... and were posted back to you today.
a. have been processed Correct this is the correct form of the present
perfect passive.
b. have being processed Wrong you need to use 'been', not 'being'.
c. has been processed Wrong 'have' must agree with the subject.
d. have been processing Wrong you need to use a past participle, not an ing form.

4. How many languages ... into?
a. has this book translating Wrong You need to use 'been', and you also need a
past participle, not an ing form.
b. was this book been translated Wrong - you need to use 'has' instead of 'was'.
c. has this book been translated Correct this is the correct form of the
present perfect passive.
d. this book has been translated Wrong the words are in the wrong order.

Page 7 of 7

5. ... yet?
a. Has this room been cleaned Correct this is the correct form of the
present perfect passive.
b. Has this room been cleaning Wrong You need to use a past participle, not an
ing form.
c. This room has been cleaned Wrong the words are in the wrong order.
d. Has this room being cleaned Wrong You need to use 'been', not 'being'.

6. Angela ... to the party.
a. hasn't being invited Wrong You need to use 'been', not 'being'.
b. hasn't been invited Correct this is the correct form of the present perfect
passive.
c. haven't been invited Wrong 'have' must agree with the subject.
d. hasn't invited Wrong 'been' is missing.
Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2
http: / www.bbclearningenglish.com/

Nuala's Grammar Explanation:
U sed to didn t use to

We heard a form of used to three times there. When we want to talk about the past
and things that we did regularly, things that were habits, we say used to followed
by the base form of the verb, which is the infinitive without to. Thats used u s
e d to t o.

Listen to Tim:

Tim: I used to smoke 20 a day.

By saying used to Tim is telling us about the past, about his habit ( his smoking
and that he doesn't smoke any more. We use used to to talk about discontinued
past habits; thats things that we did before but which we don't do now. Listen again:

Tim: I used to smoke 20 a day.

Elena, on the other hand, told us about something she didn't do when she was
younger.

Elena: I didn't use to walk anywhere.

The negative form is not + use, thats u s e, followed by the base form. Listen
again:
Elena: I didn't use to walk anywhere.

S o, to recap then: when you want to talk about things you did regularly in the past
but which you don't do now, you say used to followed by the base form.
S he used to smoke.
They used to eat meat.

I n the negative, it's didn't use to followed by the base form.
S he didn't use to walk anywhere.

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2


Extra inf ormation
Because both positive form used and the negative use are both followed by to
some learners find it difficult to hear when there's a d there and when there isn't.
I t makes it easy to say though you just run the words together used to smoke
or didn't use to exercise rather than saying them separately used to smoke

U sed to and didn't use to are only used to talk about past habits. There is no
present form. To talk about present habits we can use the present simple) . When
using these structures there is often two parts to the sentence, something about the
past and something about the present, for example:

I used to drive to work but now go by car.
I didn't use to like coffee but love it now.

P ositive senten es
I used to smoke 20 cigarettes a day.
I used to eat loads of junk food.
N egative senten es
I didn't use to do any exercise.
I didn't use to swim very well.
A l l pronouns tak e
used to didn't use to
I
Y ou
S he
He
I t
We
They
used to
didn't use to
eat a lot of sweets.
eat meat.
live in the city.
have long hair.

Grammar Challenge
sed to
Practice activ ities

Grammar Challenge BBC Learning English 20 0 7
Page 2 of 5

U sed to
Q ui :
All the people here have changed in some way. Match the beginnings of the sentences
to the correct endings.

1.
I was very healthy when I was
younger because
a. she didn't use to like animals.
2. Her hair looks fabulous short but b. they used to live in a tiny flat.
3 . He's so much healthier now but c. she used to have really long hair.
4 .
I t's strange that she works with
dogs now because.
d. they used to live in New Y ork.
5 .
Now he never goes to sunny
places on holidays but
e. he used to smoke 20 a day.
6 . I love Thai food now but f. I used to cycle everywhere.
7 . They live in a huge house now but g. I didn't use to like spicy food.
8 .
They moved to the countryside a
few years ago even though.

h. he used to love beach holidays.

Page 3 of 5

U sed to
Q ui :
R ead the sentences and decide whether the form is correct or not.

1. We used to go everywhere together. Now he won't even speak to me.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

2. Every day now I uses to ride my bike to school.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

3 . They didn't use to drin alcohol.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

4 . We used to have a dog when we were young.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

5 . S he didn't used to s ok e.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

6 . They used to iving in S ingapore.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

Page 4 of 5

U sed to - A nswers
Q ui :

1.
I was very healthy when I was
younger because
f. I used to cycle everywhere.
2. Her hair looks fabulous short but c. she used to have really long hair.
3 . He's so much healthier now but e. he used to smoke 20 a day.
4 .
I t's strange that she works with
dogs now because
a. she didn't use to like animals.
5 .
Now he never goes to sunny
places on holidays but
h. he used to love beach holidays.
6 . I love Thai food now but g. I didn't use to like spicy food.
7 . They live in a huge house now but b. they used to live in a tiny flat.
8 .
They moved to the countryside a
few years ago even though

d. they used to live in New Y ork.
Page 5 of 5

U sed to - A nswers
Q ui :
R ead the sentences and decide whether the form is correct or not.

1. We used to go everywhere together. Now he won't even speak to me.
a. Corre t e l done the or is 'used to' ase or of the ver .
b. Wrong S orry - the form 'used to' ase or of the ver is correct.

2. Every day now I uses to ride my bike to school.
a. Correct S orry - the form is wrong. There is no present tense form of 'used to'.
b . W rong e l done there is no present tense or of 'used to'

3 . They didn't use to drin alcohol.
a. Corre t e l done the negative or is didn't use to ase or of the
ver .
b. Wrong S orry -the form is correct. I n the negative, it's 'didn't use to' ase
f or of the ver .

4 . We used to have a dog when we were young.
a. Corre t e l done the or is 'used to' ase or of the ver .
b. Wrong S orry - the form is correct. I t's 'used to' ase or of the ver .

5 . S he didn't used to s ok e.
a. Correct S orry the negative form is didn't use to'. Not 'didn't used to'
b . W rong e l done the negative or is didn't use to ase or of the
ver .

6 . They used to iving in S ingapore.
a. Correct S orry we don't use the verb ing form after 'used to'
b . W rong e l done the or is wrong We don't use the ver ing form after
'used to'
Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

T ime prepositions

N ual a: Hi! we heard three different prepositions at, in and on. We use these
prepositions when we're talking about time but we use each one with different time
expressions. Listen again:

Finn: I n the morning, at 3 o'clock.
Elena: n 2 4 .
D iarmuid: At midnight, on Christmas D ay.
Carrie: I n D ecember.

We use 'at' for times of the day. At half past 7 , at midnight, at sunset at breakfast time.

Finn: At 3 o'clock
D iarmuid: At midnight

We use 'on' for days and dates. On the
th
of June, on Tuesdays, on S aturday morning.

D iarmuid: On Christmas day.

We use 'in' for longer periods of time like months, years, seasons. n April, in 19 8 7 , in
the winter of ' 6 .

Elena: I n 2 4
Carrie: n D ecember

Finally, there are some time expressions that don't use any prepositions at all. Words like
'next', 'last', 'today', 'tomorrow' or 'yesterday'.

D iarmuid: Next Christmas were going on a cruise.

That's all from me, good luck with your grammar challenge!
Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

ore inf ormation
A t for times of the day
at half past
at midnight
at sunset
at breakfast time

O n for days and dates
on the th of June
on Tuesdays,
on S aturday morning
on Christmas day
I n for longer periods of time
in April
in 1 8 7
in the winter of 19 7 6
in the 19 3 s
N o preposition for some time
words
next
last
tomorrow
yesterday

Grammar Challenge
Time prepositions
Practice activities

Page 2 of 5
http:/ / www.bbclearningenglish.com/

T im e prepositions
Q ui :
Look at this conversation between Helen and D ima. S ome of the words are missing.
Choose the best answer from the options below to complete the sentences.

D i a: What did you do 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the weekend?

H el en: I had a really busy time, not like 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ last weekend when I didn't
do anything at all. 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S aturday, I got up 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7 .3 0 and went
to the airport to meet my aunt. 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the afternoon we went to a concert in
the park. Then, 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the evening we had a little party for her. S o the
guests started arriving 7 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 8 ish and some were still there
8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ midnight!

D i a: S ounds like you had a great time.

H el en: Y es but I 'm already looking forward to 9 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ next weekend just so I
can have a quiet time 10 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S aturday and S unday!

O ptions
1 ) at / in / on / no preposition
3 ) At / I n / On / no preposition
1 0 ) at / in / on / no preposition

Page 3 of 5

T im e prepositions
Q ui : Correc t rong
R ead the sentences and decide whether the time prepositions are correct or not.

1 . Let's meet at o'c l oc k outside the cinema.
a. Correct
b . Wrong

2 . We always play badminton on uesdays at the gym.
a. Correct
b . Wrong

3 . Have you decided to get married at spring?
a. Correct
b . Wrong

4 . S he grew up on the 9 7 0 s.
a. Correct
b . Wrong

5 . He was born on 1 5 une 1 9 8 3 .
a. Correct
b . Wrong

6 . I n L ast sum m er he went to Greece on holiday.
a. Correct
b . Wrong

Page 4 of 5

T im e prepositions - A nswers
E x erc ise 1 :
Look at this conversation between Helen and D ima. S ome of the words are missing.

D i a: What did you do 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the weekend?

H el en: I had a really busy time, not like 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ last weekend when I didn't
do anything at all. 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S aturday, I got up 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7 .3 0 and went
to the airport to meet my aunt. 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the afternoon we went to a concert in
the park. Then, 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the evening we had a little party for her. S o the
guests started arriving 7 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 8 ish and some were still there
8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ midnight!

D i a: S ounds like you had a great time.

H el en: Y es but I 'm already looking forward to 9 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ next weekend just so I
can have a quiet time 10 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ S aturday and S unday!

O ptions b ol d options are orre t)
3 ) At / I n / O n / no preposition
1 0 ) at / in / on / no preposition

Page 5 of 5

T im e prepositions - A nswers
E x erc ise 2 : Corre t rong
R ead the sentences and decide whether the time prepositions are correct or not.

1. Let eet at 7 o'clock t e t e e a
a. Corre t e l done, we use 'at' with ti es.
b. Wrong S orry, the preposition is correct.

2. e a a a a t on Tuesdays at t e
a. Corre t el l done we use 'on' with days of the wee .

3. a e e e t et arr e at Spring
a. Correct S orry, the preposition is wrong.
b . W rong el l done we don't use 'at' or onger periods of ti e we use 'in'

4. e re on the 1970s
b . W rong el l done we don't use 'on' or l onger periods of tim e we use 'in'

5. e a r on 15 J une 1983
a. Corre t el l done we use 'on' with dates.

6. I n Last summer e e t t ree e a
b . W rong el l done we don't use a preposition with words i e ' ast' or
'nex t'

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

resent perf ect

N ual a: Elena used the present perfect ' 've lived'. We use the present perfect when
we want to talk about a period of time that started in the past and continues until
now. I f the activity is completed or finished or we mention the exact time something
happened, we use the past simple. Listen to Finn:

Finn: I lived in London for 20 years.

We use the present perfect to talk about an action that began in the past and is still
continuing now, sometimes called the unfinished past.

Finn: I haven't experienced many cities in my life.

He hasnt experienced many cities in his life. The period of time we are talking about
is his life, which hasnt finished yet.

Elena: I 've lived here for years.

S hes lived here for six years means she came to London six years ago and shes still
here now.

S o, to recap then: We use the present perfect to talk about an action or state that
began in the past and is still continues now. That's all from me, good luck with your
grammar challenge!

Extra inf ormation
The present perfect is essentially a present tense. Although it refers to the past, it's
the e f e t on the present that we're highlighting when we use the present perfect.
He hasn't experienced many cities in her life his life up until now .
S he's lived in London for 6 years = S he came to London 6 years ago and she's still
here now .

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

P ositive
su j e t has have past parti ip e
I
Y ou
W e
T hey
have
ve
H e
S he
has
s
l ived here for 6 years.
b een teaching for years.
studied a lot this term.

N egative
su j e t have not has not past parti ip e
I
Y ou
W e
T hey
have not
haven t
ve not
H e
S he
has not
hasn t
s not
b ought anything yet.
b een living here long.
f ai ed any e am s this term.

Q uestion
have has su j e t ever past parti ip e
H ave
I
you
we
they
H as
he
she
ever
ridden a horse?
read Harry Potter?
m et anyone famous?

Present perfect
Practice activities
Page 2 of 6

P resent per e t
Q ui :
R ead the sentence and choose the one option a - c which best fits the space.

1 . in Hong Kong since 20 0 4 .
a. S he lived
b . S he's lived
c . S he's live

2 . I him for ages.
a. seen
b . haven't saw
c . haven't seen

3 . S he's the boss for 6 months now.
a. has
b . be
c . been

4 . We to France on holiday last year.
a. went
b . 've gone
c . go

5 . He had a lot of problems recently.
a. have
b . 's
c . is

6 . S he four marathons. Her first one in 20 0 1 in Amsterdam.
a. has run / has been
b . ran / was
c . has run / was

Page 3 of 6

P resent per e t
E x er ise :
Look at this information about the Harry Potter writer JK R owling. Choose the best
answer from the options below to complete the sentences.

S he 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ born on 3 1 July 19 6 5 .

S he 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7 Harry Potter books and although she says she won't write any
more, lots of her fans hope her seventh one won't be her last.

S he 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ as an English Language teacher in Portugal for a short time in the
early 9 0 s.

Her books about Harry Potter 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ incredibly successful and so far she
5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ more than 5 0 0 million from them.

S he 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ married twice and has two children one from each marriage.

O ptions
1 ) has been / was / is
2 ) writes / has wrote / has written
3 ) has worked / worked / is worked
4 ) have / have been / has been
5 ) has made / has make / makes
6 ) has / has been / was

Page 4 of 6

P resent per e t - A nswers
E x er ise :

1. e
a. S he lived S orry, you need to use the present perfect here.
b . S he's ived e l done the present per e t here is orre t.
c . S he's live S orry, the main verb 'live' is in the wrong form.

2. r a e
a. seen S orry, you need a part of the auxiliary 'to have' to make the present perfect.
b . haven't saw S orry, the main verb 'see' is in the wrong form.
c . haven't seen e l done this is orre t.

3. e t e r t
a. has S orry, you need the past participle of a main verb.
b . be S orry, thats not the correct form of the main verb. Y ou need the past
participle.
c . b een e l done that s the orre t or to ak e the present per e t.

4. e t ra e a a t ear
a. went e l done you need the past si p e here as we are tal k ing ab out
l ast year a ti e whi h is inished
b . 've gone S orry, you need the past simple here as we are talking about last year
a time which is finished.
c . go S orry, you need the past simple here as we are talking about last year a time
which is finished.
Page 5 of 6

5. e a a t r e re e t
a. have S orry, this is the wrong form of the auxiliary to have.
b . 's e l done this is orre t.
c . is S orry, this is the wrong auxiliary verb.

6. e r arat er r t e ter a
a. has run / has been S orry, this is partly correct but you need the present perfect
followed by the past simple.
b . ran/ was S orry, this is partly correct but you need the present perfect followed by
the past simple.
c . has run was e l done you need the present per e t ol l owed y the past
si p e

Page 6 of 6

P resent per e t - A nswers
E x er ise :
Look at this information of the Harry Potter writer JK R owling. Choose the best answer
from the options below to complete the sentences.

S he 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ born on 3 1 July 19 6 5 .

S he 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7 Harry Potter books and although she says she won't write any
more, lots of her fans hope her seventh one won't be her last.

S he 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ as an English Language teacher in Portugal for a short time in the
early 9 0 s.

Her books about Harry Potter 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ incredibly successful and so far she
5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ more than 5 0 0 million from them.

S he 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ married twice and has two children one from each marriage.

O ptions
1) has been / was / is
2) writes / has wrote / has written
3 ) has worked / wor ed is worked
4 ) have / have een / has been
5 ) has ade / has make / makes
6 ) has / has een / was

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

Nuala's g rammar explanation:
H av e to don't h av e to

N ual a: To talk about things we have no choice about, things were obliged to do, we can
use 'have to'. Listen again:

Anna: But I have to wear a uniform.

S he has no choice about it. The rules of her job are that she has to wear a uniform. To
form that we use 'have to' or 'has to', followed by the base form of the verb that's the
infinitive with 'to' . S he has to wear a uniform. He has to get up early. They have to do
their homework.

To talk about things you can choose to do or not, we use 'don't have to'. S o here we're
not talking about rules at all, but about things you can decide to do or not. Listen again:

A nna We don't have to live near the hospital.

Nurses can choose to live close to their work or not. t's up to them.

A nna We don't have to live near the hospital.

To form this, we use 'don't' or 'doesn't have to', followed by the base form of the main
verb. They don't have to live near the hospital. he doesn't have to work late. We don't
have to eat breakfast.

S o, to recap. For things that are rules you use 'have to' or 'has to', followed by the base
form of the verb. To talk about things that aren't rules, things we can choose to do or
not, we use 'don't' or 'doesn't have to' followed by the base form.

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

Find out more

P ositive
We use 'have to' to talk about things we must do, things we are obliged to do.
S u j e t have to has to b ase or of ver
I
Y ou
We
They
have to
He
S he
has to
wear a uniform .
get up early on undays .
study hard.

N egative
We use 'don't have to' to talk about things we have a choice about, things we aren't
obliged to do.
S u j e t don't doesn't have to b ase or of ver
I
Y ou
We
They
don't have to
He
S he
doesn't have to
wear a uniform.
get up early on undays.
study hard!

Grammar Challenge
H av e to d on t hav e to
Page 2 of 5
http: www.bbclearningenglish.com

H ave to / don t have to
Q ui :

1.
I hate getting up early during the
week. I love the weekends
because I
a. have to wear a uniform.
2. At my hairdressers you b. have to eat them.
3 .
Most school children in Britain look
very similar because they
c. has to wear a uniform.
4 .
I need to be in the office by 8
o'clock every morning so I
d. doesn't have to wear a uniform.
5 .
D on't worry, if you don't like the
vegetables, you
e. don't have to have an appointment.
6 . S he's a soldier so she f. have to get up early.
7 .
I know you don't like carrots but if
you want to grow up to be big and
strong, you
g. don't have to get up early.
8 .
When she's not working at the
airport she

h. don't have to eat them.

Page 3 of 5

H ave to / don t have to
Q ui :

1. When you visit my parents a present.
bring don't doesn't you have has to

2. The museum is free. We to go in.
pay do anything don't have doesn't to

3 . I can't stay out late tonight. My parents say by 10 . 0 .
be have I don't back to has

4 . To get a driving licence in Britain
be to 17 you have having has

5 . S he works as a sales rep a lot in her job.
she's has so she travel to doesn't

6 . I t's up to you, if you don't want to.
doesn't go have don't to do you
Page 4 of 5

H ave to / don t have to A nswers
Q ui :

1.
I hate getting up early during the
week. I love the weekends
because I
g. don't have to get up early.
2. At my hairdressers you e. don't have to have an appointment.
3 .
Most school children in Britain look
very similar because they
a. have to wear a uniform.
4 .
I need to be in the office by 8
o'clock every morning so I
f. have to get up early.
5 .
D on't worry, if you don't like the
vegetables, you
h. don't have to eat them.
6 . S he's a soldier so she c. has to wear a uniform.
7 .
I know you don't like carrots but if
you want to grow up to be big and
strong, you
b. have to eat them.
8 .
When she's not working at the
airport she

d. doesn't have to wear a uniform.

Page 5 of 5

H ave to / don t have to A nswers

Q ui :

1. When you visit my parents, you a present.
When you visit my parents, you don't have to ring a present.

2. The museum is free. We to go in.
The museum is free. We don't have to pay anything to go in.

3 . I can't stay out late tonight. My parents say by 10 . 0 .
I can't stay out late tonight. My parents say I have to e ac k by 10 . 0

4 . To get a driving licence in Britain
To get a driving licence in Britain you have to e 7 .

5 . S he works as a sales rep a lot in her job.
S he works as a sales rep so she has to trave a lot in her job.

6 . I t's up to you, if you don't want to.
I t's up to you, you don't have to go if you don't want to.

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

M ust mustn't

To talk about things you're obliged and not obliged to do, we can use 'must' or
'mustn't'. Listen again:

Jo: Y ou must curtsey or bow
Elena: Y ou must address her as Ma'am

To talk about rules and things you're not allowed to do, things that you're obliged
not to do. you can use 'must not' or 'mustn't'

D iarmuid: Y ou mustn't look directly at the Queen.
Elena: Y ou mustn't call her Eli abeth.

When we use must or mustn't we're talking about obligation and this obligation can
come from ourselves:

I haven't been to the dentist for ages. must go soon,

or from someone else: a school, a government or your boss

Y ou mustn't take things from the office without permission.

I n the positive, you use 'must' followed by the base form of the main verb, that's the
infinitive without 'to'. Must is a modal auxiliary. ts form doesn't change whether
you're talking about you, , she. ou must, must, she must etc.

I n the negative, you use 'must not' followed by the base form of the main verb. n
spoken English, we usually use contractions. o we say 'mustn't' rather than 'must
not. Listen again:

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

British Broadcasting Corporation 2007 Listen again:

D iarmuid: Y ou mustn't look directly at the Queen.
Elena: Y ou mustn't call her Eli abeth.

S o, when you want to talk about rules or things you have no choice about, you use
'must' or 'mustn't' followed by the base form:

Y ou must curtsey or bow.
Y ou mustn't call her Eli abeth


Find out more

m ust ustn't ase orm
P ositive senten es
I ust do my homework.
S he ust wear a uniform.
N egative senten es
We ustn't talk in here!
Y ou ustn't steal.
A l l pronouns ta e
m ust/ m ustn't
I
Y ou
S he
He
I t
We
They
must mustn't
have a visa.
b uy a ticket.
s o e in here.
have long hair.

Grammar Challenge
ust

Page 2 of 6

M ust
Q ui :

1. D on't tell anyone. a. you must have the right visa.
2. S sh! I t's an exam. b.
you mustn't forget to give him my
best.
3 .
I haven't been to the dentist in
ages.
c. you must go to the police.
4 .
I f you know anything about the
robbery,
d. Y ou must keep it a secret.
5 . I f you want to visit the US A, e. Y ou mustn't tell her about it.
6 .
We want the party to be a surprise
for her.
f. Y ou mustn't talk.
7 . I t's the doctor's orders. g.
Y ou must stay in bed until you're
better.
8 . When you next see your brother,

h.
I must go and have a check-up
soon.

Page 3 of 6

M ust
Q ui :

1 . I f you drive your car at night, you use your headlights. I t's the law!
a. must
b . mustn't
c . must to

2 . I my mum's birthday this year. I forgot it last year and she was really upset.
a. mustn't forget
b . must forget
c . must forget not

3 . The doctor said she the medicine for two more weeks.
a. must to take
b . musts take
c . must take

4 . I to buy some milk today. Will you remind me later?
a. must remember
b . mustn't remember
c . must remembering

5 . I f you want return these goods madam, the receipt first.
a. I must saw
b . I must see
c . I mustn't see

6 . Everyone in that firm has short hair and wears very smart clothes. He his hair cut
before the interview or he's got no chance of getting a job with them.
a. must gets
b . must get
c . mustn't get
Page 4 of 6

M ust - A nswers
Q ui :

1. D on't tell anyone. d. Y ou must keep it a secret.
2. S sh! I t's an exam. f. Y ou mustn't talk.
3 .
I haven't been to the dentist in
ages.
h.
I must go and have a check-up
soon.
4 .
I f you know anything about the
robbery,
c. you must go to the police.
5 . I f you want to visit the US A, a. you must have the right visa.
6 .
We want the party to be a surprise
for her.
e. Y ou mustn't tell her about it.
7 . I t's the doctor's orders. g.
Y ou must stay in bed until you're
better.
8 . When you next see your brother,

b.
you mustn't forget to give him my
best.
Page 5 of 6

M ust - A nswers
Q ui :


r e r ar at t e r ea t t t e a
a. m ust e l done this is the orre t or when tal k ing ab out a aw or ru e
b. mustn't S orry, you need the positive form here.
c. must to S orry, after 'must' you use the infinitive without 'to'.

rt a t ear r t t a t ear a e a rea et
a. m ustn't orget e l done this is the orre t or when tal k ing ab out an
ob l igation
b. must forget S orry, your mum won't be very happy if you forget her birthday
again!
c. must forget not S orry, the words are in the wrong order.

e t r a e t e e e r t re ee
a. must to take S orry, after 'must' you use the infinitive without 'to'.
b. musts take S orry, 'must' is a modal auxiliary, it doesn't change form.
c . m ust tak e e l done this is the orre t or when tal k ing ab out an order
or ru e of the doc tor's

t e t a re e ater
a. m ust re e b er e l done this is the orre t or when tal k ing ab out a
personal ob l igation
b. mustn't remember S orry, this is the opposite of what you should do.
c. must remembering S orry, after 'must' you use the infinitive without 'to'.

Page 6 of 6

a t ret r t e e a a t e re e t r t
a. I must saw S orry, after 'must' you use the infinitive without 'to'.
b . I ust see e l done this is the orre t or when tal k ing ab out the
shop's ru es
c. I mustn't see S orry, this is the opposite of what the shop assistant would say.

e a r t e re t e ter e e t re e t a r
a. must gets S orry, after 'must' you use the infinitive without 'to'.
b . m ust get e l done this is the orre t or .
c. mustn't get S orry, this is the opposite of what he should do if he wants to get the
job.
Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

resent continuous

We use the present continuous to talk about an activity that's happening just now, at
the moment of speaking.

Jo: I 'm not wearing my uniform. 'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

We can also use the present continuous to talk about things we're doing around now.

Jo: I 'm just relaxing and enjoying the sunshine here.

S he's on holiday for a week so for that time, around now, she's relaxing.

To form the present continuous, we use the present form of the verb to be ; am,
she is, we are, they are, followed by the present participle of the main verb, which is
the verb plus 'ing' cooking, wearing, shopping. n informal spoken English, we use
contractions so we say 'I 'm', 'you're', 'she's' etc.
Listen again:

Jo: I 'm not wearing my uniform. 'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
I 'm just relaxing and enjoying the sunshine here.

S o, to recap then: when you want to talk about what's happening at the moment of
speaking or what you're doing around now, you use the present continuous. And you
form that with the present form of the verb 'to be' followed by the present participle
of the main verb.

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

Find out more
The present continuous is also known as the present progressive. There is no
difference except in the name.

P ositive
S u j e t to e present parti ipl e
I
am
'm
Y ou
We
They
are
're
He
S he
I t
is
's
l iving in Birmingham
studying at university
waiting for a train

egative
S u j e t to e present parti ipl e
I
am not
'm not
Y ou
We
They
are not
aren't
He
S he
I t
is not
isn't
sm o ing these days
wor ing very hard at the moment
answering the phone today

Grammar Challenge
Present Continuous
Practice acti ities
Page 2 of 5

P resent Continuous
Q ui :

1.
S he never usually has time for
books but she's on holiday so
a. she's sleeping in.
2.
Look at him! He's supposed to be
on a diet but
b. I t's raining.
3 . Now that he's out of hospital c.
S o that's why you're drinking
champagne!
4 . Quick! Have you got an umbrella? d.
he's sitting there eating a huge bar
of chocolate!
5 .
S he gets up early every day for
school but today's S aturday so
e. I 'm revising for my exams.
6 . I can't go out just now because f. they're riding their bikes instead.
7 .
They usually drive to work but
because the weather is so nice
today
g. she's reading loads just now.
8 . Congratulations!

h. he's playing a lot more sport now.

Page 3 of 5

P resent Continuous
Q ui :
Look at each of the statements in the following qui . ome of them are grammatically correct and
some of them are wrong, they have mistakes. ecide whether the statement is correct or wrong.

1 . We're nurses but we have the day off today so we're not wor ing
a. Correct
b . Wrong

2 . I t's a lovely day! T he sun shining and the wind l owing gently.
a. Correct
b . Wrong

3 . Helen cant come to the phone now, shes have a shower.
a. Correct
b . Wrong

4 . I ' reading the new Harry Potter book just now. I t's great.
a. Correct
b . Wrong

5 . A: Where's Neil? B: H e tal k s to that guy over there, at the bar.
a. Correct
b . Wrong

6 . S he's riding her bike every day.
a. Correct
b . Wrong

Page 4 of 5

P resent Continuous - A nswers
Q ui :

1.
S he never usually has time for
books but she's on holiday so
g. she's reading loads just now.
2.
Look at him! He's supposed to be
on a diet but
d.
he's sitting there eating a huge bar
of chocolate!
3 . Now that he's out of hospital h. he's playing a lot more sport now.
4 . Quick! Have you got an umbrella? b. I t's raining.
5 .
S he gets up early every day for
school but today's S aturday so
a. she's sleeping in.
6 . I can't go out just now because e. I 'm revising for my exams.
7 .
They usually drive to work but
because the weather is so nice
today
f. they're riding their bikes instead.
8 . Congratulations!

c.
S o that's why you're drinking
champagne!
Page 5 of 5

P resent Continuous - A nswers
Q ui :
R ead the sentences and decide whether the question tags are in the correct form.

e re r e t e a e t e a t a e re t r
a. Corre t es we l done the ver or s in this senten e are orre t.
b. Wrong No sorry, we use the present continuous to talk about what we're doing
around now.

t a e a e a t e e t
a. Correct No, sorry, the auxiliary 'to be' is missing from this sentence.
b . W rong es we l done the au i iary 'to e' is issing rom this senten e

. e e a t e t t e e e a e a er
a. Correct No, sorry, the form is incorrect.
b . W rong es we l done you need the present parti ip e of the ain ver
ver ing in the present ontinuous

rea t e e arr tter t t reat
a. Corre t es we l done the or is orre t.
b. Wrong No, sorry, the form is correct. We use the present continuous to talk about
what we're doing around now.

ere e e ta t t at er t ere at t e ar
a. Correct No, sorry, the form is incorrect. We use the present continuous to talk
about what we're doing at the moment of speaking.
b . W rong es we l done we use the present ontinuous to tal k ab out what
we're doing at the om ent of speak ing

e r er e e er a
a. Correct No, sorry, the present continuous is not correct here.
b . W rong es we l done e don't use the present ontinuous to tal k ab out
things we do every day or our hab its
Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 3

uestions w ith 'lik e'

The word 'like' is used in lots of different ways in English. Today were going to
concentrate on three types of questions which use this word.

When we want to find out about someone's personality or their permanent nature we use
this question:

Jo: What's he like?

When we want to find out about someone's physical appearance we can ask:

Jo: What does he look like?

To ask about someone's hobbies or interests, we can say:

Jo: What does he like doing?

When we reply to most of these questions, we don't use 'like' in the answer. Listen again
to the answer to this question 'What's he like?'

Elena: Well he's a really good laugh.

S o there's no 'like' in that answer. Now listen to the answer to the question 'What does
he look like?'

Elena: He's not great looking but he has gorgeous brown eyes.

S o there's no 'like' there either. Now in the final answer, we do use 'like'

Elena: He likes sports

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 3


But sometimes we can also use another verb that means something similar to 'like'
'love', 'be into', 'enjoy'.

Elena: he's really into football.

S o, to recap then: we heard three different questions with 'like':

Jo: What's he like?
Jo: What does he look like?
Jo: What does he like doing?

With the first two, we a t use 'like' in the answers but in the final one sometimes we do
use 'like' but we can also use other verbs.

That's all from me, good luck with your Grammar Challenge!

Grammar Challenge

Page 3 of 3

Find out more

To ask about someone's personal ity.
NB: We don't use 'like' in the answer.
What is
What are
What am
she he it
you they we
I
like?
S he's friendly,
He's grumpy,
They're very serious,

To ask about someone's physi al appearan e:
NB: We don't use 'like' in the answer.
What does
What do
she he it
I you they we
look like?
S he's tall and good looking
He's got green eyes.
They're both blonde,

To ask about someone's ho ies:
NB: Y ou can use 'like' in the answer.
What does
What do
she he it
I you they we
like
doing?
S he likes sports
He's into computers
They love sailing and swimming


Grammar Challenge
Questions w ith lik e
Page 2 of 6

Q uestions with ' i e'

E x er ise :

1. What's she like? a.
He's quite cute with curly hair and
huge brown eyes.
2. What does he like doing? b.
S he likes sports and she's really
into riding her bike.
3 . What do they look like? c.
He's ambitious and very hard
working.
4 . What's he like? d. S he's quiet and very serous.
5 . What do you like doing? e. He's really into computer games.
6 . What does she look like? f.
I like painting and making things
with my hands.
7 . What does she like doing? g.
S he's short with black hair and
green eyes.
8 . What does he look like?

h.
They're not identical twins but
they're both blonde with green
eyes.

Page 3 of 6


E x er ise :

R ead the question and choose the one option a - c which best answers it.

1 . W hat's she i e
a. S he's tall with long dark hair.
b. S he likes playing tennis.
c. S he's really friendly.

2 . W hat does she i e doing
a. S he likes dancing.
b. S he's tall and very graceful.
c. S he's really talkative.

3 . W hat do you ook i e
a. I 'm friendly with a good sense of humour.
b. Playing tennis.
c. I 'm tall, blonde with blue eyes.

4 . W hat do you i e doing
a. I 'm quite shy really.
b. I 'm short with long black hair.
c. Pretty much any sport, really.

5 . W hat does he ook i e
a. He's look like short dark hair and brown eyes.
b. He's got short dark hair and brown eyes.
c. He looks like short dark hair and brown eyes.

6 . W hat is he i e
a. He likes playing computer games.
b. He's great fun to be around.
c. He's tall, dark and handsome.

Page 4 of 6


A nswers

E x er ise :

1. What's she like? d. S he's quiet and very serous.
2. What does he like doing? e. He's really into computer games.
3 . What do they look like? h.
They're not identical twins but
they're both blonde with green
eyes.
4 . What's he like? c.
He's ambitious and very hard
working.
5 . What do you like doing? f.
I like painting and making things
with my hands.
6 . What does she look like? g.
S he's short with black hair and
green eyes.
7 . What does she like doing? b.
S he likes sports and she's really
into riding her bike.
8 . What does he look like?

a.
He's quite cute with curly hair and
huge brown eyes.

Page 5 of 6


A nswers

E x er ise :

R ead the question and choose the one option a - c which best answers it.

1 . W hat's she i e
a. S he's tall with long dark hair. S orry, this is the answer to 'What does she look like?'
b. S he likes playing tennis. S orry, this is the answer to 'What does she like doing?'
c . S he's real l y riend y e l done this te l s us ab out her personal ity

2 . W hat does she i e doing
a. S he i es dan ing e l done this te l s us ab out her hob b ies
b. S he's tall and very graceful. S orry, this is the answer to 'What does she look like?'
c. S he's really talkative. S orry, this is the answer to 'What is she like?'

3 . W hat do you ook i e
a. I 'm friendly with a good sense of humour. orry, this is the answer to 'What are you
like?'
b. Playing tennis. S orry, this is the answer to 'What do you like doing?'
c. I ' tal l l onde with l ue eyes W e l done this te l s us ab out your physi al
appearan e

4 . W hat do you i e doing
a. I 'm quite shy really. S orry, this is the answer to 'What are you like?'
b. I 'm short with long black hair. S orry, this is the answer to 'What do you look like?'
c. P retty u h any sport real l y e l done this te l s us ab out your hob b ies

Page 6 of 6

5 . W hat does he ook i e
a. He's look like short dark hair and brown eyes. S orry, you need to substitute the
words 'look like' for one other word.
b . H e's got short dar hair and rown eyes e l done this te l s us ab out his
physi al appearan e
c. He looks like short dark hair and brown eyes. S orry, you need to substitute the
words 'looks like' for one other word.

6 . W hat is he i e
a. He likes playing computer games. S orry, this is the answer to 'What does he like
doing?'
b . H e's great un to e around e l done this te l s us ab out his personal ity.
c. He's tall, dark and handsome. - orry, this is the answer to 'What does he look like?'

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

ero conditional

When we want to talk about a possible or imaginary situation a condition) and the
consequences of it the result) , we can use a structure called 'the ero conditional'. n
this structure we're talking about every time a particular condition happens, the result is
always the same.

I n our example, every time someone sends Kate an email, she writes back immediately.
S o the condition that's the 'if' part) is that someone emails her and the result what
happens) is that she always writes a reply at once. Listen again:

Neil: I f someone emails her, she replies straight away.

Every time she doesn't answer the phone, her phone machine takes a message for her.
Here the condition is that she isn't in her office, and the result is that her machine always
takes a message. Listen again:

Neil : I f she doesnt answer, the machine takes a message.

We make the ero conditional with ' f' followed by a present simple verb,

Neil: I f someone emails her,

followed by another verb in the present simple.

Neil: she replies straight away.

I n the z ero conditional examples we heard today, we've used 'if' but you can also use
'when' and it has exactly the same meaning.

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

British Broadcasting Corporation 2007 Neil: When someone emails her, she replies straight away.

S o, to recap then: when we want to talk about a possible situation where something
might or might not happen and the consequences of it what will always happen as a
result , we use 'the z ero conditional'.

And we make it with ' f' or 'When' followed by the present simple, followed by another
present simple verb.


Find out more

Conditional sentences are usually made up of two parts, a conditional clause and a main
clause. The conditional clause is the 'if' part of the sentence and the main clause is the
result, what happens.

There are other ways of forming a z ero conditional sentence but this is the basic
structure we talk about in this programme.

C N D I T I O N A L C A U S E M A I N C A U S E
I f when present si p e present si p e
I f
When
you heat ice
she's not in
you don't water plants
it m e ts.
her machine tak es a message.
they die

The two clauses can come in any order. n written English if the conditional clause comes
first you put a comma between it and the main clause. ou don't use a comma if the
main clause comes first.

Note that the sentences above contain two examples of the z ero conditional!


Zero conditional
Practice activities

Page 2 of 5

Z ero c onditiona

E x er ise 1 :

1. I f you mix black and white, a. it floats.
2. I f you don't water flowers, b. it turns to ice.
3 . When you heat ice, c. you get dough.
4 . I f you freez e water, d. it melts.
5 . When you tickle her, e. they die.
6 . I f you mix flour and water, f. she laughs.
7 .
When the teacher gives us
homework,
g. you get grey.
8 . I f you pour oil on water,

h. she always does it.

Page 3 of 5

Z ero c onditiona

E x er ise 2 :

Chocolate 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ when you heat it.

S he hardly ever drinks alcohol so 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ just one glass of wine,
she gets drunk.

3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ coffee, I always 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a cup.

S he's a really good friend, 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a problem, I 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to
her and she helps me solve it.

I f 7 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ rainy and sunny at the same time, you sometimes
8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a rainbow.

O ptions
1) melting / melts / melt
2) if she drink / if she drank / if she drinks
3 ) When I smells / When I smell / When smell
4 ) wanting / want / wants
5 ) if I have / if I will have / if I had
6 ) talk / will talk / have talked
7 ) it / is / it's
8 ) see / saw / seen
Page 4 of 5

Z ero c onditiona

A nswers

E x er ise 1 :

1. I f you mix black and white, g. you get grey.
2. I f you don't water flowers, e. they die.
3 . When you heat ice, d. it melts.
4 . I f you freez e water, b. it turns to ice.
5 . When you tickle her, f. she laughs.
6 . I f you mix flour and water, c. you get dough.
7 .
When the teacher gives us
homework,
h. she always does it.
8 . I f you pour oil on water,

a. it floats.

Page 5 of 5

Z ero c onditiona

A nswers

E x er ise 2 :

I f you heat chocolate, it 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

S he hardly ever drinks alcohol so 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ just one glass of wine,
she gets drunk.

3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ coffee, I always 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a cup.

S he's a really good friend. 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a problem, I 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to
her and she helps me solve it.

I f 7 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ rainy and sunny at the same time, you sometimes
8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a rainbow.

Corre t answers

1) m e ts
2) if she drink s
3 ) W hen I sm e l
4 ) want
5 ) if I have
6 ) ta k
7 ) it's
8 ) see

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

Articles introduction
Today we're looking at articles - that's the words 'a', 'an' and 'the'. There are two kinds of
articles definite and indefinite. The definite article is 'the' and the indefinite articles are 'a'
and 'an'. We'll be looking at this topic again in future Grammar Challenges but today we'll
begin by concentrating on one main difference between the definite and indefinite articles.

When we're referring to something or someone for the first time in a conversation, or a
piece of text, we use 'a'. Listen:

Helen: Have you got any kids?
D iarmuid: Y eah a girl and a boy.

I n this conversation D iarmuid uses 'a' because it's the first time he's mentioned his
children. But when we refer to something or someone both speakers in a conversation know
about, we change to use 'the'. Listen:

D iarmuid: The girl's 10 and the boy is seven.

Now both Helen and D iarmuid know which children they're talking about they're talking
about D iarmuid's children) so that's why he uses 'the' and says 'the girl' and 'the boy'.

S o to recap we use 'a' or 'an' the indefinite article) the first time we refer to something
or someone and we use 'the' the definite article when both the speaker and listener know
about the person or thing being discussed.

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

Find out more
There are two types of articles. They are known as the de inite and inde inite articles. The
words 'a' and 'an' are the indefinite articles and 'the' is the definite article. Articles are used
at the beginning of noun phrases.

a or an
I f the noun begins with a vowel sound then the indefinite article to use is 'an', e.g. an
apple. However if the noun begins with a consonant sound, then the indefinite article to use
is 'a', e.g. a at.

T he ero arti l e
I n some cases nouns such as plural and uncountable nouns do not have articles before
them. This lack of an article is sometimes known as the ero arti l e, e.g. I 've got two cats.

There are quite a few rules connected with the use of articles. Here is a basic one to start
with:
We use the inde inite arti l e 'a' and 'an'
to refer to something or someone for the first time in a conversation:

S he's has two children a boy and a girl.
I hear you've just bought a new car.
S he bought a lovely bag yesterday.

We use the de inite arti l e 'the'
to refer to something or someone both speakers in a conversation know about or has
been referred to before:

T he boy is and the girl 4 .
I 'm going to use the new one for driving my family around and I 'm keeping my old one
just for myself.
T he bag was red leather and really lovely.

1

Articles introduction
Practice activities

Page 2 of 5

A rti l es

E x er ise :

1. S he only ate a. a lovely garden.
2. Has your office got b.
a flat in the city and a cottage in
the country.
3 . They've got two kids. c. a canteen in it?
4 .
I had a coffee and a sandwich for
lunch.
d.
The boy is nice but the girl is quite
rude sometimes.
5 .
Waiter! I ordered some drinks
ages ago.
e.
When will the coffees be ready
please?
6 . They've got two houses, f.
the big one in the sitting room and
the small one in their bedroom.
7 . Her house has g. an apple for breakfast.
8 . They've got two T s. They use

h.
The coffee was fine but the
sandwich was stale.


Page 3 of 5

A rti l es

E x er ise :

My girl-friend and I saw two films last week. 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ first one was 2 )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ thriller and 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ second one was 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
romantic comedy.

When we came out of 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ cinema after watching 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ rom-
com, we saw 7 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ really romantic scene right in front of our very eyes.

There was 8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ man running after this woman with 9 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
bunch of flowers in his hand. When he caught up with 1 0 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ woman, he got
down on one knee and shouted so everyone could hear Will you marry me? , then he
kissed her and gave her 1 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ flowers.

We went for ( 1 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ cup of coffee after that, but it seemed very dull after
what we'd seen.

O ptions
( 1) The / A / An
( 2) the / a / an
( 3 ) the / a / an
( 4 ) the / a / an
( 5 ) the / a / an
( 6 ) the / a / an
( 7 ) the / a / an
( 8 ) the / a / an
( 9 ) the / a / an
( 10 ) the / a / an
( 11) the / a / an
( 12) the / a / an

Page 4 of 5

A rti l es

A nswers

E x er ise :

1. S he only ate g. an apple for breakfast.
2. Has your office got c. a canteen in it?
3 . They've got two kids. d.
The boy is nice but the girl is quite
rude sometimes.
4 .
I had a coffee and a sandwich for
lunch.
h.
The coffee was fine but the
sandwich was stale.
5 .
Waiter! I ordered some drinks
ages ago.
e.
When will the coffees be ready
please?
6 . They've got two houses, b.
the country.
7 . Her house has a. a lovely garden.
8 . They've got two T s. They use

f.
the big one in the sitting room and
the small one in their bedroom.


Page 5 of 5

A rti l es

A nswers

E x er ise :


My girl-friend and I saw two films last week. 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ first one was 2 )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ thriller and 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ second one was 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
romantic comedy.

When we came out of 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ cinema after watching 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ rom-
com, we saw 7 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ really romantic scene right in front of our very eyes.

We saw 8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ man running after this woman with 9 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ bunch
of flowers in his hand. When he caught up with 1 0 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ woman, he got down
on one knee and shouted so everyone could hear Will you marry me? , then he kissed her
and gave her 1 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ flowers.

We went for ( 1 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ cup of coffee after that, but it seemed very dull after
what we'd seen.

( 1) T he
( 2) a
( 3 ) the
( 4 ) a
( 5 ) the
( 6 ) the
( 7 ) a
( 8 ) a
( 9 ) a
( 10 ) the
( 11) the
( 12) a
Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 1

ef inite articles
Today we're looking at articles; the words 'a' 'an' and 'the' and we're concentrating on the
definite article 'the'. Let's look at rules:

Firstly, to refer to something or someone both speakers in a conversation know about:
Helen: Have you got any kids?
D iarmuid: Y eah, a girl and a boy. The girl's 1 and the boy is 7 .

At the beginning of the sentence, D iarmuid says 'a' girl and 'a' boy because this is the first
time he's talking about his children. Later he says 'the girl' and 'the boy' because now Helen
knows which children D iarmuid is talking about.

S econdly, we use 'the' before seas, rivers, and groups of mountains or islands.
Example 1: the Atlantic
Example 2: the Nile
Example 3 : the Himalayas
Example 4 : the Philippines

Thirdly, we use 'the' if there is only one of these people or things:
Example 1: the BBC
Example 2: the Taj Mahal
Example 3 : the moon

And finally, we use 'the' before superlative adjectives
Example 1: the smallest
Example 2: the prettiest
Example 3 : the most expensive

S o to recap, we use 'the' when both the speaker and listener know about the person or
thing being discussed, before the names of some areas of geography, if there is only one of
these people or things and before superlative adjectives.



Definite articles
Practice activities

Grammar Challenge activities BBC Learning English
Page 2 of 5

D e inite arti l es

E x er ise :

1. We went on a boat trip on a. the Alps is beautiful.
2.
The Titanic was on its first journey
across
b.
the most expensive shoes I 've ever
bought.
3 . They're sailing around c. the R iver Thames.
4 . They were d. the fastest runner in the race.
5 .
The queen is going to visit the
President in
e.
the country.
6 . They've got two houses, f. the White House.
7 . The snow on g. the Atlantic when it sunk.
8 . S he was

h. the Greek I slands this summer.


Page 3 of 5

D e inite arti l es

E x er ise :

1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ country I 'd most like to visit is I ndia.

I 'd love to take 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ train ride down 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ western coast and
4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ boat trip along 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Y amuna river. Of course, I 'd visit 6 )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Taj Mahal it's probably 7 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ most famous building in
8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ whole country.

I 'd like to go there with my family. My partner and I have 3 children - 2 girls and
9 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ boy and I 'd love 1 0 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ children to see and experience I ndia
while they're still young.

O ptions
1) The/ A/ An
2) the/ a an
3 ) the/ a an
4 ) the/ a an
5 ) the/ a an
6 ) the/ a an
7 ) the/ a an
8 ) the/ a an
9 ) the/ a an
10 ) the/ a an


Page 4 of 5

D e inite arti l es

A nswers

E x er ise :

1. We went on a boat trip on c. the R iver Thames.
2.
The Titanic was on its first journey
across
g. the Atlantic when it sunk.
3 . They're sailing around h. the Greek I slands this summer.
4 . They were b.
the most expensive shoes I 've ever
bought.
5 .
The queen is going to visit the
President in
f. the White House.
6 . They've got two houses, e.
the country.
7 . The snow on a. the Alps is beautiful.
8 . S he was

d. the fastest runner in the race.

Page 5 of 5

D e inite arti l es
A nswers
E x er ise :

1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ country I 'd most like to visit is I ndia.

I 'd love to take 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ train ride down 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ western coast and
4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ boat trip along 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Y amuna river. Of course, I 'd visit 6 )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Taj Mahal it's probably 7 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ most famous building in
8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ whole country.

I 'd like to go there with my family. My partner and I have 3 children - 2 girls and
9 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ boy and I 'd love 1 0 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ children to see experience I ndia while
they're still young.

O ptions
1) T he
2) a
3 ) the
4 ) a
5 ) the
6 ) the
7 ) the
8 ) the
9 ) a
10 ) the
Grammar Challenge

Grammar Challenge explanation BBC Learning English
Page 1 of 2

Nuala's rammar explanation:
For and since

We use f or and sin e to talk about how long something has been happening:

E x am p e : for five years
E x am p e : since they opened in building in 19 8 7
E x am p e : for six months

We use f or when we mention a period of time. For example:

E x am p es
for a long time for a second for two minutes
for years for ages for three days

I t is possible to leave out the word or. For example:
I 've lived here for seven years is the same as saying I 've lived here seven years. Both
are perfectly correct.

But in negative sentences, we almost always use f or
S he hasn't seen him six months is wrong. I nstead we'd say S he hasn't seen him f or six
months.

And with expressions like al l orning, al l y i e or al l day, we never use f or
He's lived there all his life not He's lived there for all his life.

We use sin e when we mention a point in time in the past, when something began. For
example:

E x am p es
since 20 0 3 since last January since o'clock
since July since breakfast time since the war
Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2


S o, to recap. We use f or and sin e to talk about how long something has been happening.
We use f or with a period of time and we use sin e with a point in time.


For and since
Practice activities


Page 2 of 5

F or and sin e

E x er ise :
Match the beginnings of the sentences to the most suitable endings.

1. S he's been a teacher for a.
since the early 9 0 s and we still
haven't learnt the language.
2.
My grandparents have been
married since
b. but it still looks new.
3 . I 've hated vegetables since I c. three years at that school.
4 . He's had that car for years d. children together.
5 . I haven't seen her since we e. 19 4 0 and they're still really in love!
6 . We've been living in Tokyo f. were at school together.
7 . I 've been waiting g. for you for hours!
8 . I 've known her since we were

h. was a child.


Page 3 of 5

F or and sin e
E x er ise :
Penny is being interviewed for a job. S ome of the words of the questions and answers are
missing.


I nterviewer How long have you been working in sales?
P enny 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 20 0 2.
I nterviewer And I see you've been working in London 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ five years. I s
that right?
P enny es, I 've been here 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I graduated.
I nterviewer And what about other languages. Can you speak any?
P enny Well, my mother's I talian so I 've been able to speak I talian 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I was a little girl. I learnt French at school so I 've been able to speak that
5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ more than 10 years.
I nterviewer Now, I presume you're used to working with computers?
P enny Oh yes. 've worked with them 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ years.
I nterviewer Now have you got any questions for me?
P enny es. I was wondering how long you've worked here.
I nterviewer Well, I was one of the first people to work here so I 've been here 7 )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a very long time. 8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 19 8 2, in fact.

O ptions
1 ) for since
2 ) for since
3 ) for since
4 ) for since
5 ) for since
6 ) for since
7 ) for since

Page 4 of 5

8 ) for since

F or and sin e nswers
E x er ise :
Match the beginnings of the sentences to the most suitable endings.

1. S he's been a teacher for c. three years at that school.
2.
My grandparents have been
married since
e. 19 4 0 and they're still really in love!
3 . I 've hated vegetables since I h. was a child.
4 . He's had that car for b. years but it still looks new.
5 . I haven't seen her since we f. were at school together.
6 . We've been living in Tokyo a.
since the early 9 0 s and we still
haven't learnt the language.
7 . I 've been waiting g. for you for hours!
8 . I 've known her

d. since we were children together.


Page 5 of 5

F or and sin e nswers
E x er ise :
Penny is being interviewed for a job. S ome of the words of the questions and answers are
missing.

I nterviewer How long have you been working in sales?
P enny 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 20 0 2.
I nterviewer And I see you've been working in London 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ five years. I s that
right?
P enny Y es, I 've been here 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I graduated.
I nterview And what about other languages. Can you speak any?
P enny Well, my mother's I talian so I 've been able to speak I talian 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
I was a little girl. I learnt French at school so I 've been able to speak that
5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ more than 10 years.
I nterview Now, I presume you're used to working with computers?
P enny Oh yes. 've worked with them 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ years.
I nterview Now have you got any questions for me?
P enny Y es. I was wondering how long you've worked here.
I nterview Well, I was one of the first people to work here so I 've been here
7 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a very long time, 8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 19 8 2, in fact.

A nswers
1 ) sin e
2 ) f or
3 ) sin e
4 ) sin e
5 ) f or
6 ) f or
7 ) f or
8 ) sin e
Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

Nuala's Grammar Explanation
ronunciation: 'ed' ending s
In the past simple regular verbs end in 'ed' and there are three different ways of pronouncing
these two little letters - / d /, / d / and / t /.

First let's look at the / d / ending.

Regular verbs that end in the sound / t / or / d /, in the past simple the 'ed' ending is
pronounced / d /. Here are some examples:

Examples:
start - started invite invited want wanted need needed
decide - decided

The pronunciation of the 'ed' ending for other regular verbs in the past simple depends on
whether the last sound of the infinitive of the verb is voiced or not. Regular verbs that end in
voiced sounds will have / d / as the pronunciation of the 'ed' ending in the past simple. Here
are some examples.

Examples:
smile - smiled turn - turned love - loved seem - seemed

Finally, regular verbs that end in unvoiced sounds will have / t / as the pronunciation of the 'ed'
ending in the past simple. Here are some examples.

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

Examples:
jump - jumped kiss kissed wash - washed look - looked
watch watched

So, to recap. There are three different ways to pronounce the letters '-ed' for regular verbs in
the past simple and the way to choose how to pronounce them depends on the final sound of
the infinitive.


Find out more

/ d /
infinitives that end in the
sound / t / or / d /
/ d /
infinitives that end in a
voiced sound
/ t /
infinitives that end in an
unvoiced sound
needed
hated
dated
seated
lived
chilled
enjoyed
tried
shopped
picked
wished
crunched

All vowel sounds are voiced.

You can find more information about which sounds are voiced and unvoiced on the
Pronunciation Tips section of the website:
http://www.bbclearningenglish.com/multimedia/pron/index.shtml

Pronunciation: 'ed' endings
Practice activities


Page 2 of 5

P ronun iation 'ed' endings
E x er ise :
Listen to what Callum did last S unday. I n particular listen to how he pronounces the ed
endings of his regular past simple verbs. Which group does each verb fall into - / t /, / d /
or / d / ?

S unday 1 ) turned into a very long day. My mum was coming back from holiday so I went
to the airport to pick her up.

Unfortunately her flight was 2 ) de ayed for a couple hours so I had to hang around at
the airport. I went to the bookshop and 3 ) b rowsed around for a while, 4 ) f l i k ed
through some maga ines and bought a paper to read while I 5 ) waited.

S he finally 6 ) arrived at about 5 o'clock and 7 ) wanted to go straight home because
she was so tired. S o we 8 ) j u ped in the car and I 9 ) dropped her off at her place
then 1 0 ) headed to my flat in south London but when I 1 1 ) tried to find my house
keys, they weren't in my pocket.

I 1 2 ) real ised with horror that I must have left them in the airport bookshop when I was
paying for my paper. S o I had to go all the way back to the airport but luckily someone
had handed in my keys and I was able to collect them and come home again. I t was a
very, very long day.

1 ) turned /t/ /d/ /d/
2 ) de ayed /t/ /d/ /d/
3 ) b rowsed /t/ /d/ /d/
4 ) f l i k ed /t/ /d/ /d/
5 ) waited /t/ /d/ /d/
6 ) arrived /t/ /d/ /d/
7 ) wanted /t/ /d/ /d/
8 ) u ped /t/ /d/ /d/
9 ) dropped /t/ /d/ /d/
1 0 ) headed /t/ /d/ /d/
1 1 ) tried /t/ /d/ /d/
1 2 ) real ised /t/ /d/ /d/


Page of 5

P ronun iation 'ed' endings
E x er ise :
Listen to these sentences. I s the person pronouncing the 'ed' endings correctly or not?

1 . H e i ed i e c ream when he was young
a. Correct
b. Wrong

2 . S he l osed the door
a. Correct
b. Wrong

3 . T hey invited you to the party
a. Correct
b. Wrong

4 . S he waited at the us stop or an hour
a. Correct
b. Wrong

5 . I phoned you ast night ut you weren't in
a. Correct
b. Wrong

6 . I watc hed te evision al l ast night
a. Correct
b. Wrong

NOTE:
The audio for these exercises is available to download from:
http:/ / www.bbclearningenglish.com/ radio/ specials/ 1413_ gramchallenge26

Page 4 of 5

P ronun iation 'ed' endings nswers
E x er ise :
Listen to what Callum did last S unday. I n particular listen to how he pronounces the ed
endings of his regular past simple verbs. Which group does each verb fall into - / t /, / d /
or / d / ?

S unday 1 ) turned into a very long day. My mum was coming back from holiday so I went
to the airport to pick her up.

Unfortunately her flight was 2 ) de ayed for a couple hours so I had to hang around at
the airport. I went to the bookshop and 3 ) b rowsed around for a while, 4 ) f l i k ed
through some maga ines and bought a paper to read while I 5 ) waited.

S he finally 6 ) arrived at about 5 o'clock and 7 ) wanted to go straight home because
she was so tired. S o we 8 ) j u ped in the car and I 9 ) dropped her off at her place.
Then 1 0 ) headed to my flat in south London but when I 1 1 ) tried to find my house
keys, they weren't in my pocket.

I 1 2 ) real ised with horror that I must have left them in the airport bookshop when I was
paying for my paper. S o I had to go all the way back to the airport but luckily someone
had handed in my keys and I was able to collect them and come home again. I t was a
very, very long day.

A nswers
1 ) turned /d/
2 ) de ayed /d/
3 ) b rowsed /d/
4 ) f l i k ed /t/
5 ) waited /d/
6 ) arrived /d/
7 ) wanted /d/
8 ) u ped /t/
9 ) dropped /t/
1 0 ) headed /d/
1 1 ) tried /d/
1 2 ) real ised /d/

Page 5 of 5

P ronun iation 'ed' endings nswers
E x er ise :
Listen to these sentences. I s the person pronouncing the 'ed' endings correctly or not?

1 . H e i ed i e c ream when he was young
a. Correct, 'liked' was pronounced with a / t / sound.

2 . S he l osed the door
b. Wrong, 'closed' was pronounced with an / d / sound. I t should be / d /.

3 . T hey invited you to the party
a. Correct, 'invited' was pronounced with an / d / sound.

4 . S he waited at the us stop or an hour
a. Correct, 'waited' was pronounced with an / d / sound.

5 . I phoned you ast night ut you weren't in
a. Correct, 'phoned' was pronounced with a / d / sound.

6 . I watc hed te evision al l ast night
b. Wrong, 'watched' was pronounced with an / d / sound. I t should be / t /.

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

ndef inite articles
Today we're concentrating on the indefinite articles 'a' and 'an' and looking at four rules for
using them.

Firstly, to refer to something or someone for the first time in a conversation or piece of
text:

Example 1: He's got a new job.
Example 2: They had a fight last night.
Example 3 : S he bought a lovely bag yesterday.

S econdly, with professions or job titles:

Example 1: He's a nurse
Example 2: S he a stay-at-home-mum
Example 3 : S he's a sales rep.

Thirdly, with some expression of quantity, or amounts of things:

Example 1: About 2 0 a week.
Example 2: a pair of socks
Example 3 : four times a day
Example 4 : 7 0 kilometers an hour

Finally, we use the indefinite article with expressions with 'what'

Example 1: What a rude child!
Example 2: What a pity!
Example 3 : What a fantastic house!

Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2


S o to recap we use 'a' or 'an' the first time we refer to something or someone, with
professions or job titles, with some expressions of quantity and with expression with 'what'.


Find out more
Although we use an indefinite article with jobs or professions we don't use an article with
adjectives about jobs or work:
He's unemployed
S he's retired

The indefinite article 'a' is used before words that begin a consonant sound. 'An' is used
before words which begin with a vowel sound. Note that we are talking about sounds and
not spelling.

For example the word European begins with the vowel letter 'e' but it is pronounced with
the consonant sound / j / . Therefore we say and write, He's a European.

Indefinite articles
Practice activities


Page 2 of 5

I nde inite arti l es

E x er ise :

1. What a a. reporter on T .
2. S he works as a b. a pair of scissors please?
3 . S he was driving at c. a delicious meal!
4 . Have you got d. fantastic idea!
5 . He gave e. a day.
6 . He's an f. 8 0 kilometres an hour.
7 . Y um! What g. a C and a book for her birthday.
8 . They always eat 3 meals

h. artist.


Page 3 of 5

I nde inite rti l es
E x er ise :

1 . S he's got V in her itc hen and one in her sitting room .
a. a
b. no article)
c. an

2 . I i e to get y hair ut
a. once month
b. once the month
c. once a month

3 . don't now when ast saw a i m that good
a. What fantastic a film!
b. What a fantastic film!
c. What the fantastic film!

4 . I ' usy ust now Can you p ease ust ?
a. wait a minute
b. wait the minute
c. a minute wait

5 . W hat ast ar t an go rom to 0 in se onds
a. the / miles the hour
b. a / miles an hour
c. no article) / miles a hour

6 . H e was une p oyed or ew onths ut now he's got new ob .
a. no article) / the / the / a
b. no article) / a / a
c. an / a / the

Page 4 of 5

I nde inite arti l es nswers
E x er ise :

1. What a d. fantastic idea!
2. S he works as a a. reporter on T .
3 . S he was driving at f. 8 0 kilometres an hour.
4 . Have you got b. a pair of scissors please?
5 . He gave her g. a C and a book for her birthday.
6 . He's an h. artist.
7 . Y um! What c. a delicious meal!
8 . They always eat 3 meals

e. a day.

Page 5 of 5

E x er ise :

1. S he's got TV in her kitchen and one in her sitting room.
a. a - W el l done, we use the indef inite artic l e to ref er to so ething or so eone f or
the f irst tim e in a c onversation.
b. no article) S orry, you need an article before the noun 'TV '.
c. an S orry, you need a different indefinite article.

2. I like to get my hair cut
a. once month S orry, you need an article before the noun 'month'.
b. once the month S orry, you need a different article.
c . onc e a m onth W el l done, we use the indef inite artic l e with this ex pression.

3 . I don't know when I last saw a film that good.
a. What fantastic a film! S orry, the words are in the wrong order.
b . W hat a f antastic f il m W el l done, we use the indef inite artic l e.
c. What the fantastic film! S orry, you need a different article.

4 . I 'm busy just now. Can you please just ?
a. wait a m inute W el l done, we use the indef inite artic l e.
b. wait the minute S orry, you need a different article.
c. a minute wait S orry, the words are in the wrong order.

5 . What fast car! I t can go from 0 to 6 0 in 5 seconds.
a. the / miles the hour S orry, in both answers you need a different article.
b . a / m il es an hour W el l done, we use indef inite artic l es with b oth these
ex pressions.
c. no article) / hours a mile S orry, in the first answer you need an article and in the second
one the words are in the wrong order and you need a different indefinite article.

6 . He was unemployed for few months but now he's got new job.
a. no article) / the / the S orry, the first answer is correct but the second and third need
different articles.
b . ( no artic l e) / a / a - W el l done, we don't need an artic l e b ef ore this ad ec tive and
the other two answers al l tak e indef inite artic l es.
c. an / a / the S orry, the second answer is correct but the first and the third answers are
incorrect.
Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

resent perf ect continuous
The present perfect continuous is what we use when we want to talk about an activity that's
recently stopped and that has some kind of connection with t e p re en t ti m e, now. For
example, D iarmuid sees Helen covered in paint now so asks the question:

D iarmuid: What have you been doing?

Helen has just recently stopped working in the kitchen so she says:

Helen: I 've been decorating the kitchen.

To form the present perfect continuous, we use the present form of the verb to have -
have, she has, we have - followed by 'been', followed by the present participle of the main
verb, which is the verb plus 'ing' painting, decorating, working.

I n informal spoken English, we use contractions so we say ' 've', 'you've', 'she's' etc. Listen
again:

Helen: I 've been decorating the kitchen.

I n questions however, we don't always contractions:

D iarmuid: What have you been doing?

S o, to recap then: when you want to talk about an activity that's recently stopped or just
stopped and that has a connection with the present time, we use the present perfect
continuous. And you form that with 'have' or 'has', followed by 'been', followed by
the present participle.


Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

Find out more
The present perfect continuous is used to talk about an activity that's recently stopped or
just stopped and that has a connection with now.

P ositive
S u j e t to have b een present parti ip e
I
Y ou
We
They
have
've
He
S he
I t
has
's
been
painting the kitchen.
p aying tennis.
watc hing T .

N egative
S u j e t to have b een present parti ip e
I
Y ou
We
They
have not
haven't
He
S he
I t
has no
hasn't
been
s ok ing.
p aying tennis.
wor ing hard.

Q uestion
Q uestion word to have su j e t b een present parti ip e
have

I
you
we
they
What
has

he
she
it
been
doing
eating
waiting for?

Present Perfect Continuous
Practice activities


Page 2 of 6

P resent per e t ontinuous
E x er ise :
Match the two halves of the conversations.

1. A: Y ou're covered in mud! a. B: I 've been decorating the kitchen.
2.
A: your eyes are red. Y ou look
sad.
b. B: I 've been baking a cake.
3 . A: Y our clothes are all wet! c. B: I 've been crying.
4 . A: What are you laughing about? d. B: I 've been shopping at the sales.
5 . A: Mmm! S omething smells nice. e.
B: Joe's been telling me a funny
story.
6 . A: Those bags look heavy.

f. B: I 've been drinking in the pub.
7 .
A: Y ou're covered in paint!
g. B: I 've been playing football.
8 . A: Y ou smell of alcohol! h. B: I t's been raining.


Page 3 of 6

P resent per e t ontinuous
E x er ise :

1 . S he's een in eou or ive years
a. live
b. living
c. lives

2 . I wor ing in the garden
a. have
b. 'm be
c. 've been

3 . H e or ages
a. is been waiting
b. 's been waiting
c. has been wait

4 . H e sin e o' l oc k .
a. has been studying
b. is been studying
c. studying

5 . I , honest
a. been haven't smoking
b. 've been not smoking
c. haven't been smoking

6 . Y ou hat did you ?
a. been shopping buy
b. 've been shopping buy
c. have had shopping buying

Page 4 of 6

P resent per e t ontinuous nswers
E x er ise :

1. A: Y ou're covered in mud! g. B: I 've been playing football.
2.
A: your eyes are red. Y ou look
sad.
c. B: I 've been crying.
3 . A: Y our clothes are all wet! h. B: I t's been raining.
4 . A: What are you laughing about? e.
B: Joe's been telling me a funny
story.
5 . A: Mmm! S omething smells nice. b. B: I 've been baking a cake.
6 . A: Those bags look heavy.

f. B: I 've been shopping at the sales.
7 .
A: Y ou're covered in paint!

a. B: I 've been decorating the kitchen.
8 . A: Y ou smell of alcohol! d. B: I 've been drinking in the pub.

Page 5 of 6

P resent per e t ontinuous nswers
E x er ise :


1 . S he's een in eou or ive years
a. live - S orry, this verb is in the wrong form. Y ou need the 'ing' form.
b . l iving e l done we use the 'ing' or of the ain ver in the present per e t
c ontinuous
c. lives - S orry, this verb is in the wrong form. Y ou need the 'ing' form.

2 . I wor ing in the garden
a. have - S orry, there is a word missing here. Y ou need part of the verb 'to be'.
b. 've be - S orry, the first word is correct but the second one should be a different form
of the verb 'to be'.
c . 've een e l done we use have or 've p us ' een' in the present per e t
c ontinuous

3 . H e or ages
a. is been waiting - S orry, the first word is incorrect.
b . 's een waiting e l done this is the orre t or of the present per e t
c ontinuous
c. has been wait - S orry, the first two words are correct but the final one should be an
'ing' form.

4 . H e sin e o' l oc k .
a. has een studying e l done this eans he's een doing a ot of revision
b. is been studying - S orry, the first word is incorrect. Y ou need a form of the verb 'to
have'.
c. studying - S orry, you need two extra words here.

Page 6 of 6

5 . I , honest
a. been haven't smoking - S orry, the words are in the wrong order.
b. 've been not smoking - S orry, this is not how we make the negative form of the
present perfect continuous.
c . haven't een s ok ing e l done this is the orre t negative or of the
present per e t ontinuous

6 . Y ou hat did you ?
a. been shopping buy - S orry, the second answer is correct but in the first one there is a
word missing
b . 've een shopping uy e l done the irst answer is the present per e t
c ontinuous and the se ond one is the past si p e
c. have had shopping buying - S orry, in the first answer there is a wrong word and in
the second one the form is not correct.
Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 2

Goin to
There are different ways to talk about the future in English. One way of talking about
something which you predict is about to happen is to use the phrase 'going to'.

E x am p e
Thunder)
Take an umbrella, it sounds like it's going to rain

We use this form when we have some evidence, for example something we see or hear,
which lets us predict something that is about to happen or will happen soon.

E x am p e
Thunder)
I t's going to rain.

I n this example you see black clouds, you hear thunder. This tells you from your experience
that rain is coming, it's going to rain.

The 'going to' structure is very simple to make. t's the present simple of the verb 'to be',
followed by 'going to', followed by the base form of the main verb, that's the infinitive
without to.

I 've eaten too much, I 'm going to be sick.
S he's going to have a baby!
Look at that rain! We're going to get wet.

S o to recap, we use 'going to' to talk about something we predict is about to happen.

That's all from me, good luck with your grammar challenge.
Grammar Challenge

Page 2 of 2

Find out more
Although we use it to talk about the future 'going to' is actually a present form. Our
prediction about what is about to happen is based on evidence that we have in the present,
for example, what we can see or hear. We see black clouds now, we predict rain for the
future.

S u j e t to e going to b ase in initive
I
am
'm
be sick
s / he
fall over
crash
it
is
's
rain
hurt
you
we
they
are
're
going to
be late
win the match
get wet

Future predictions with
'going to'
Practice activities


Page 2 of 5

F uture predi tions with 'going to'

E x er ise :
Match each prediction with 'going to' on the left to the most suitable situation on the right.

1. I think we're going to win! a. R unning for a train.
2. He's going to be late, as always! b. Looking at the sky.
. I t's going to pour down. c. At a football match.
4 . S ssh, the film's going to start. d. I mpatiently waiting for a friend.
5 . I 'm going to fall! e.
After a shopping trip for a present
for your mother.
6 . We're not going to make it! f.
I n the cinema when the lights go
down.
7 . S he's really going to like this. g.
Explaining to your partner that you
are working late.
8 . I 'm not going to finish on time.

h. D uring a skiing lesson.


Page of 5

F uture predi tions with 'going to'
E x er ise :
R ead the situation, listen to the sound effect then choose the most suitable prediction.
P L E A S E O T E : To complete this activity you will need to listen to the sound effects on
the web page.

1 . Y ou are on hol iday am ping in a tent at night. n ortunate y the tent has a
hol e in it. hat do you thin when you hear this sound
a. I t's going to rain
b. We're going to get wet.

2 . Y ou are in the street and you see a ar driving very ui k l y
a. He's going to be in trouble
b. He's going to crash

3 . Y ou're staying in a hote and you hear this rom the ne t room . hat do you
thin ?
a. He's going to be late.
b. He's going to be sleeping.

4 . Y ou are p aying ootb al l in the garden of your parents' house ou i k the al l
in the wrong dire tion
a. I t's going to break the window.
b. D ad's going to be very angry.

5 . W hat is your rother going to do?
a. He's going to have a bath.
b. He's going to run a bath

6 . Y ou are at the dentist. ou are in the waiting room and it's near y ti e or your
appointm ent. ou hear this sound hat do you thin ?
a. Help!
b. Aaaaah!

Page 4 of 5

F uture predi tions with 'going to' nswers
E x er ise :
Match each prediction with 'going to' on the left to the most suitable situation on the right.

1. I think we're going to win! c. At a football match.
2. He's going to be late, as always! d. I mpatiently waiting for a friend.
. I t's going to pour down. b. Looking at the sky.
4 . S ssh, the film's going to start. f.
I n the cinema when the lights go
down.
5 . I 'm going to fall! h. D uring a skiing lesson.
6 . We're not going to make it! a. R unning for a train.
7 . S he's really going to like this. e.
After a shopping trip for a present
for your mother.
8 . I 'm not going to finish on time.

g.
Explaining to your partner that you
are working late.

Page 5 of 5

E x er ise :

1 . Y ou are on hol iday am ping in a tent at night. n ortunate y the tent has a
hol e in it. hat do you thin when you hear this sound
a. I t's going to rain. S orry, it's already raining so this is not a prediction about the future.
b. We're going to get wet. Corre t

2 . Y ou are in the street and you see a ar driving very ui k l y
a. He's going to be in trouble. Corre t
b. He's going to crash. S orry, we hear the crash so this is not a prediction about the
future.

3 . Y ou're staying in a hote and you hear this rom the ne t room . hat do you
thin ?
a. He's going to be late. Corre t
b. He's going to be sleeping. S orry, he's already sleeping so this is not a future prediction.

4 . Y ou are p aying ootb al l in the garden of your parents' house ou i k the al l
in the wrong dire tion
a. I t's going to break the window. S orry, we hear the window breaking so this is not a
future prediction.
b. D ad's going to be very angry. Corre t

5 . W hat is your rother going to do?
a. He's going to have a bath. Corre t
b. He's going to run a bath. S orry, we hear the bath running so this is not a prediction
about the future.

6 . Y ou are at the dentist. ou are in the waiting room and it's near y ti e or your
appointm ent. ou hear this sound hat do you thin ?
a. Help! Corre t I think this is a suitable reaction.
b. Aaaaah! Corre t I think this is a suitable reaction.

Grammar Challenge

Page 1 of 1

ero articles
Articles are the small words 'a' 'an' and 'the' that we use before nouns. However sometimes
we don't use any articles and this is what some people call the ' ero' article. Today we're
looking at a few simple rules for when we don't use an article with a noun:

Firstly, we don't use an article with plural nouns or uncountable nouns when we're talking
about things in general:

Example 1: I 'm terrified of heights.
Example 2: I hate cheese.
Example : I 'm into drum and base.

S econdly, before countries, towns, streets, languages and single mountains:

Example 1: I 'm from China.
Example 2: I 've climbed Mount Everest.

Thirdly, before some places and with some forms of transport:

Example 1: I live at home with my parents.
Example 2: I came here by car.

Finally, in exclamations with what plus an uncountable noun:

Example 1: What beautiful weather!
Example 2: What loud music!



The 'zero' article
Practice activities

Page 2 of 5

Z ero arti l es

E x er ise :

R ead each sentences and decide whether it is correct or not.

1. I don't really like sweet things but I love a hoc ol ate.
a. Correct
b. Not correct

2. S he goes to work b y us.
a. Correct
b. Not correct

3 . They usually go skiing in the l ps but last year they went to France and skied on the
M ont l an .
a. Correct
b. Not correct

4 . W hat the great hol iday we had in I taly and what the antasti heese we ate!
a. Correct
b. Not correct

5 . He's from the al dives and she's from I re and.
a. Correct
b. Not correct

6 . He bought a pair of eans and the ost antasti suit 've ever seen.
a. Correct
b. Not correct


Page 3 of 5

Z ero arti l es

E x er ise :

They met at 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ speed-dating event.

S he was from 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I reland and he was from 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Caribbean.

S he really likes 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ folk music but he prefers 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ja z .

S he loves skiing but he's terrified of 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ heights and was even too scared to
go to 7 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ top of 8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Empire S tate Building when he went to 9 )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ New Y ork on holiday.

S he eventually decided to go out with him anyway and six months later they got married!
What 1 0 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ romantic story she'll have to tell her grandchildren.

O ptions
1) the / a / an / no article
2) the / a / an / no article
3 ) the / a / an / no article


Page 4 of 5

Z ero arti l es

A nswers

Q ui :
R ead the sentences and decide whether each one is correct or not.

1. I don't really like sweet things but I love hoc ol ate.
a. T his senten e is orre t
We don't use any article when we're talking about uncountable nouns in general.

2. S he goes to work b y us.
We don't use any article when we're talking about some kinds of transport, including
'by bus'.

3 . They usually go skiing in the l ps but last year they went to France and skied on the
M ont l an .
b . T his senten e is not orre t.
We use the definite article with groups of mountains but no article with single
mountains.

4 . W hat the antasti heese we ate in I taly!
b . T his senten e is not orre t.
We don't use an article with expressions with 'What + uncountable noun'.

5 . He's from the al dives and she's from I re and.
W e use the de inite arti l e with ountries ade up of is ands ut we don't use
an arti l e ountries i e ' re and'

6 . He bought a pair of eans and the ost antasti suit 've ever seen.
We use articles with these pieces of clothing.

Page 5 of 5

Z ero arti l es
A nswers
E x er ise :

They met at 1 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ speed-dating event.

S he was from 2 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I reland and he was from 3 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Caribbean.

S he really likes 4 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ folk music but he prefers 5 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ja z .

S he loves skiing but he's terrified of 6 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ heights and was even too scared to
go to 7 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ top of 8 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Empire S tate Building when he went to 9 )
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ New Y ork on holiday.

S he eventually decided to go out with him anyway and six months later they got married!
What 1 0 ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ romantic story she'll have to tell her grandchildren

O ptions
1) a
2) no arti l e
3 ) the
4 ) no arti l e
5 ) no arti l e
6 ) no arti l e
7 ) the
8 ) the
9 ) no arti l e
10 ) a
Grammar Challenge
Still, yet and already

Grammar Challenge BBC Learning English 2007
Page 1 of 3

Nualas grammar explanation:
Today were looking at the adverbs still yet and already.

We use still to talk about something, a situation or an action, thats continuing, often for a
longer time than expected. It hasnt changed or stopped. Still usually goes in the middle of
the sentence, before the verb.

Example sentences
Are you still working in the hospital?
Im still there.
Hes still living in London.
Do you still see Harry?

We use yet mostly in questions and negative sentences. Using yet shows that were
expecting something to happen or have happened. In spoken English yet almost always
comes at the end of the sentence or question.

Example sentences
I havent found one yet.
I havent seen him yet.
Have you finished it yet?

Finally, we use already to talk about things that have happened, often earlier than expected.
It usually goes in the middle or the end of sentence, just before or after the verb.

Example sentences
Ive eaten already.
Shes already done it.

Page 2 of 3

Weve already seen the film.

So to recap: Still to talk about something thats continuing, yet for something were
expecting to have happened and already for things that have happened, earlier than
expected.

Find out more
Still usually goes in the middle of the sentence, before the verb.

Still
Are you married to him?
Is she unemployed?
I'm living with my parents.
They
still
haven't replied.

Both yet and already are often used with the present perfect. Yet is used in questions and
negative sentences.
Questions with yet
Have you tidied your room
Has he come home
Has she finished
Have they seen the film
yet?

Negative statements with yet
You havent met her
He hasnt done it
She hasnt spoken to him
They havent paid
yet?

Page 3 of 3

Present perfect with already
Have you two met?
Hes done it
Shes fixed it
Theyve sold their car
already

Practice activities

C L earning E ng ish G ra m ar Cha l enge

Page 2 of 6


Exercise 1:
Read the statements below and then decide which of the sentence (a or b) is correct.

1. John went to live in France 5 years ago and he lives there now.
a. He still lives in France.
b. He lives in France yet.

2. They havent arrived. We expect them to be here soon.
a. They didnt arrive yet.
b. They havent arrived yet.

3. Shes unemployed. Shes been unemployed for 3 years.
a. She still hasnt got a job.
b. Shes got a job already.

4. Ive just finished eating dinner. Im hungry.
a. Im hungry yet.
b. Im still hungry.

5. He started looking for a job yesterday. Hes starting working tomorrow.
a. Hes got a job already.
b. Hes still got a job.

6. She stopped eating meat 10 years ago. Even though she likes steak she doesnt eat meat
now.
a. She already doesnt eat meat.
b. She still doesnt eat meat.


Page 3 of 6

Exercise 2:
Read this information about Peter in the past and Peter now.

Peter in 1997 Peter now
I want to get married one day.
Id like to have children in the future.
I play the guitar.
I ride my bike every day.
I want to travel and see the world
Im engaged!
I have two lovely children.
I play the guitar.
I cycle every day.
Ive been to Japan, Holland, Italy, Brazil and
China but I want to travel more.


Peter (1) __________ rides his bike every day.

He isnt married (2)__________ but he (3)__________ has two children.

He (4)__________ plays the guitar.

Hes visited lots of counties (5)__________but he (6)__________wants to go to more.

Options
(1) still / yet / already

Page 4 of 6

Still, already and yet
Exercise 1: ANSWERS
Read the statements below and then decide which of the sentence (a or b) is correct.

1. John went to live in France 5 years ago and he lives there now.
a. He still lives in France. Correct We use still to talk about a situation thats
continuing.
b. He lives in France yet. Incorrect This is a positive sentence. We use yet mostly in
questions and negative sentences.

2. They havent arrived. We expect them to be here soon.
a. They didnt arrive yet. Incorrect Yet is used with the present perfect form, not the simple
past.
b. They havent arrived yet. Correct - Yet is used with the present perfect form.

3. Shes unemployed. Shes been unemployed for 3 years.
a. She still hasnt got a job. Correct We use still to talk about a situation thats
continuing.
b. Shes got a job already. Incorrect - We use already to talk about things that have happened,
often earlier than expected.

4. Ive just finished eating dinner. Im hungry.
a. Im hungry yet. Incorrect This is a positive sentence. We use yet mostly in questions
and negative sentences.
b. Im still hungry. Correct - We use still to talk about a situation thats continuing.


Page 5 of 6

5. He started looking for a job yesterday. Hes starting working tomorrow.
a. Hes got a job already. Correct - We use already to talk about things that have
happened, often earlier than expected.
b. Hes still got a job. Incorrect - We use still to talk about a situation thats continuing.

6. She stopped eating meat 10 years ago. Even though she likes steak she doesnt eat meat
now.
a. She doesnt still eat meat. Incorrect The word order is wrong. Still should be in a different
position.
b. She still doesnt eat meat. Correct - Still usually goes before the verb.


Page 6 of 6

Exercise 2: ANSWERS
Read this information about Peter in the past and Peter now.

Peter in 1997 Peter now
I want to get married one day.
Id like to have children in the future.
I play the guitar.
I ride my bike every day.
I want to travel and see the world
Im engaged!
I have two lovely children.
I play the guitar.
I cycle every day.
Ive been to Japan, Holland, Italy, Brazil and
China but I want to travel more.


Peter (1) __________ rides his bike every day.

He isnt married (2)__________ but he (3)__________ has two children.

He (4)__________ plays the guitar.

Hes visited lots of counties (5)__________but he (6)__________wants to go to more.

Answers
(1) still
(2) yet
(3) already
(4) still
(5) already
(6) still

Sung Hyeons Diary Grammar Challenge Future Plans

M onday T uesday W ednesday T hursday F riday S aturday S unday
M orning
Meet Peter
1 -12 New
business
project.
Fix Bike
D entist
11.

Tennis
1 12.
S LEEP!
f ternoon
S upermarket
weekly
shop
Get hair cut
Prepare for
party
Lunch with
Mum
E vening
Theatre with
D ad

Cinema with
Kate
MY PAR T

Grammar Challenge
Future plans

Page 1 of 2


Nualas Grammar Explanation:
There are a number of different ways of talking about the future in English. Today were looking
at two ways to talk about future plans: Using the present continuous and going to.

In an earlier programme we saw that the present continuous is used to describe actions that are
happening at the time of speaking. We can also use the same form to talk about and ask about
future plans that have already been made such as fixed arrangements

What are you doing at the weekend?
Im visiting my parents.
Im travelling to Spain on business.

Another way of talking about future plans is to use going to plus infinitive. Weve seen
previously that this form can be used to talk about future prediction. It can also be used to talk
about your intentions or decisions for the future.

Im going to study medicine at university.
Im going to visit my mother.
Im going to get a new car.

So to recap, both the present continuous and going to plus infinitive can be used to talk about
future plans. Often there is not much difference between them and you can use either form but
generally if a plan is a fixed arrangement then the present continuous is best. If a plan is an
intention or a decision then going to is the better form to use.

Thats all from me, good luck with your grammar challenge.

Grammar Challenge
Future plans

Page 2 of 2


Find out more
Although both going to' and the present continuous are present forms they can be used to talk
about the future. This is because the future plan has already been made and exists in the present,
it is not something which is decided at the moment of speaking.

Present continuous
Subject to be verb + ing
I
am
'm
S / he
is
's
You
We
They
are
're
babysitting tonight.
studying this weekend.
not doing anything next week.
seeing the dentist on Tuesday.
seeing friends at the weekend.
meeting at 12.00 with the bank manager

Going to
Subject to be going to base infinitive
I
am
'm
S / he
is
's
You
We
They
are
're
going to
watch a film tomorrow
do the shopping later.
take the train.
start music lessons soon.
study really hard at the weekend.

Future plans
Practice activities


Page 2 of 5

Future plans
Exercise 1
Look at Paulas diary for next week then complete the sentences about her plans by choosing the
correct option.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Buy mums
present
John -
coffee
10.30
Haircut
3.30

Evening class
7pm

Babysitting,
Fiona 7pm
Dentist
11 am

Cinema -
Clare 7.30

Lunch -
Mums
birthday

(1) Shes going have / Shes going to have her hair cut on Tuesday.

(2) Shes going having / Shes having lunch with her mum on Sunday.

(3) Shes to meeting / Shes going to meet Clare on Saturday evening.

(4) Shes going to buy / Shes going to buying her mum a present on Monday.

(5) Shes babysitting / Shes going to babysitting Fiona on Thursday.

(6) Shes attending / Shes attend her evening class on Wednesday at 7.00.

(7) Shes going meeting / Shes meeting John for coffee on Tuesday morning.

(8) Shes seeing / Shes to seeing the dentist on Friday morning.


Page 3 of 5

Future plans
Exercise 2:
Read the sentences and choose the one option (a or b) to complete this dialogue.

A: What (1)__________ you (2) __________ at the weekend?
B: Im quite busy on Saturday. (3)__________ the kids to the zoo in the afternoon and then
some friends (4)__________ over for dinner in the evening.
A: What about on Sunday? What (5)__________ then?
B: Well, I dont have any plans really.
A: Ive got an extra ticket for the concert in the park on Sunday. Paul and David (6)__________
too. Pauls (7)__________ a picnic and David (8)__________ the drinks. So, do you fancy
it?
B: Sounds lovely. What time (9)__________ you (10)__________?
A: 3 oclock at the park gates. See you then!

O ptions
(1) are /do
(2) do / doing
(3) Im taking / Im going to taking
(4) is coming / are coming
(5) do you doing / are you doing
(6) are coming / coming
(7) has / bringing
(8) is organising / organised
(9) are / have
(10) meet / meeting


Page 4 of 5

Future plans
Exercise 1 - ANSWERS
Look at Paulas diary for next week then complete the sentences about her plans by choosing the
correct option.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Buy mums
present
John -
coffee
10.30
Haircut
3.30

Evening class
7pm

Babysitting,
Fiona 7pm
Dentist
11 am

Cinema -
Clare 7.30

Lunch -
Mums
birthday

(1) Shes going to have her hair cut on Tuesday.

(2) Shes having lunch with her mum on Sunday.

(3) Shes going to meet Clare on Saturday evening.

(4) Shes going to her mum a present on Monday.

(5) Shes babysitting Fiona on Thursday.

(6) Shes attending her evening class on Wednesday at 7.00.

(7) Shes meeting John for coffee on Tuesday morning.

(8) Shes seeing the dentist on Friday morning.

Page 5 of 5

Future plans
Exercise 2: ANSWERS
Read the sentences and choose the one option (a or b) to complete this dialogue.

A: What (1)__________ you (2) __________ at the weekend?
B: Im quite busy on Saturday. (3)__________ the kids to the zoo in the afternoon and then
some friends (4)__________ over for dinner in the evening.
A: What about on Sunday? What (5)__________ then?
B: Well, I dont have any plans really.
A: Ive got an extra ticket for the concert in the park on Sunday. Paul and David (6)__________
too. Pauls (7)__________ a picnic and David (8)__________ the drinks. So, do you fancy
it?
B: Sounds lovely. What time (9)__________ you (10)__________?
A: 3 oclock at the park gates. See you then!

Answers
(1) are
(2) doing
(3) Im taking
(4) are coming
(5) are you doing
(6) are coming
(7) bringing
(8) is organising
(9) are
(10) meeting

Grammar Challenge
Present perfect & past simple

Page 1 of 1

In a previous Grammar Challenge we looked at how we can use the present perfect to talk about
a past action that has a result in the present. But today we're looking at another way we use the
present perfect, to announce news, especially when we want to emphasize the news as a present
fact. Listen:

Matt: Have your heard? Maria's just quit.

So when voice Matt announces the news he uses the present perfect but when he goes into the
details of what happened he uses a different tense. Listen:

Matt: She went up to the boss and shouted
Fei Fei: What did the boss say?
Matt: Nothing! He just looked really shocked and told us to get on with our work!

To tell the details of what happened in the past, they both used the past simple.

We make the present perfect with the present form of the verb 'to have' (I have, she has, we
have) and the past participle of the verb - seen, driven, worked.

So, to recap then: We can use the present perfect to announce news but when we want to give
the details of what happened at a definite time, we use the past simple.


Present perfect & past simple
Practice activities



Page 2 of 5

Present perfect and past simple
Exercise 1:
Match the beginnings of these pieces of news to the correct endings.

1. She's just had a. on holiday.
2. We've just heard. b. engaged.
3. Andy and Helen have just got c. my toe! I'm always walking into things.
4. They've just announced d. my purse!
5. Someone's just stolen e. We passed our exams!
6. There's been f. a terrible train crash.
7. Ouch! I've just stubbed g.
a baby boy. She's going to call him
Andy.
8. He's gone

h. this year's winners.



Page 3 of 5

Exercise 2:
Read the sentences and choose the one option (a or b) to completes the dialogues.

I
A: (1)__________ you (2) __________ the new James Bond film?
B: Yeah! I (3)__________ it ages ago when it first (4) __________ out.

II
A: Oh no! (5)__________ my wallet!
B: When (6)__________ you last (7) __________ it?

III
A: (8)__________ just (9)__________ some new shoes. Do you like them?
B: They're lovely. (10)__________they expensive?

Options
(1) Have /Did
(2) saw / seen
(3) ve seen / saw
(4) came / has come
(5) I lost / I've lost
(6) Did / Have
(7) Had / have
(8) I've / I'm
(9) buy / bought
(10) have you bought / did you buy



Page 4 of 5

Exercise 1: ANSWERS
Match the beginnings of these pieces of news to the correct endings.

1. She's just had g.
a baby boy. She's going to call him
Andy.
2. We've just heard. e. We passed our exams!
3. Andy and Helen have just got b. engaged.
4. They've just announced h. this year's winners.
5. Someone's just stolen d. my purse!
6. There's been f. a terrible train crash.
7. Ouch! I've just stubbed c. my toe! I'm always walking into things.
8. He's gone

a. on holiday.



Page 5 of 5

Exercise 2: ANSWERS
Read the sentences and choose the one option a - c which best completes the dialogue.

I
A: (1)__________ you (2) __________ the new James Bond film?
B: Yeah! I (3)__________ it ages ago when it first (4) __________ out.

II
A: Oh no! (5)__________ my wallet!
B: When (6)__________ you last (7) __________ it?

III
A: (8)__________ just (9)__________ some new shoes. Do you like them?
B: They're lovely. (10)__________they expensive?

ANSWERS
(1) Have
(2) seen
(3) saw
(4) came
(5) I've lost
(6) Did
(7) have
(8) I've
(9) bought
(10) did you buy

Grammar Challenge
Will & going to

Page 1 of 2

Nualas Grammar Explanation
Today were looking at and contrasting two ways to talk about future plans, using going to and
will.

In an earlier programme we saw that going to can be used to talk about your intentions or
decisions for the future.

Example sentences
Im going to study medicine at university.
Im going to visit my mother at the weekend.
Im going to get a new car on Saturday.

Will, on the other hand, can used to talk about future decisions made at the moment of
speaking for things that arent planned. Listen:

Diarmuid: Ill go up to bed now.

In this example, the speaker hasnt planned to go to bed early but because he suddenly feels tired
he decides to go to bed. Mary, on the other hand, has planned to finish reading part of her book
so says:

Mary: Im just going to finish reading this chapter.

Will is a modal form and doesnt change whatever the subject and its followed by the
infinitive without to. In spoken English we tend to contract will (I will, Ill, you will, youll
and so on). Listen:

Diarmuid: Ill go up to bed now.
Mary: then Ill come right up.

Page 2 of 2

So, to recap then: We can use going to to talk about intentions or decisions for the future and
we can use will to talk about decisions made at the moment of speaking.

Find out more

Subject will base infinitive
I
s / he
you
we
they
will
'll
go to bed now.
have an early night.
go to the shops, if you like.
answer the door.
bring a cake.
look after it for you.

Will and going to
Practice activities


Page 2 of 5

Will and going to
Exercise 1:
Some friends are going to have a party and they are discussing the arrangements. Match the
beginnings and ends of the suggestions they make.

1. Ive got a printer so a. Ill bring my guitar.
2. Im good at baking so b. Ill make the invitations.
3. Ive got loads of CDs so c. Ill supply the flowers.
4. I live near the supermarket so d. Ill bring them.
5. Ive got a big garden so e. Ill buy the drinks.
6.
Ive just had a party and Ive got
some left-over paper plates.
f. Ill bring some sausages.
7. I work in a butchers shop so g. Ill make a cake.
8. If we want to have some live music

h. Ill organise the music.


Page 3 of 5

Will and going to
Exercise 2:
Read the sentences and choose the best option from the choices below to complete the text.

I.
A: Ive booked the tickets. Im so glad (1)__________ to Spain on holiday.
B: When (2)__________ ?

II.
A: Im off to the shops. Do you want anything?
B: Let me think oh yes, I need some stamps.
A: OK, no problem, (3) __________ to the post office anyway to send Mums birthday present
so Ill get some while Im there.

III.
A: Does anyone want to come to the cinema with me tonight?
B: Sure! (4)__________ with you. I havent got any plans for this evening.

IV.
A: What are you doing this weekend?
B: I dont know. Maybe (5)__________ some studying or I might not!
A: Ive booked a tennis court but cant find anyone to play with me.
B: (6)__________with you. Thats sounds much more fun than studying!

Options
(1) Im going to visit / Ill visit
(2) will you go / are you going
(3) Ill pop in / Im going to pop in
(4) Im going to come / Ill come
(5) Im going to do / Ill do
(6) Ill play / Im going to play

Page 4 of 5

Will and going to
Exercise 1: ANSWERS
Some friends are going to have a party and they are discussing the arrangements. Match the
beginnings and ends of the suggestions they make.

1. Ive got a printer so b. Ill make the invitations.
2. Im good at baking so g. Ill make a cake.
3. Ive got loads of CDs so h. Ill organise the music.
4. I live near the supermarket so e. Ill buy the drinks.
5. Ive got a big garden so c. Ill supply the flowers.
6.
Ive just had a party and Ive got
some left-over paper plates.
d. Ill bring them.
7. I work in a butchers shop so f. Ill bring some sausages.
8. If we want to have some live music,

a. Ill bring my guitar.

Page 5 of 5

Will and going to
Exercise 2: ANSWERS
Read the sentences and choose the best option from the choices below to complete the text.

I.
A: Ive booked the tickets. Im so glad (1)__________ to Spain on holiday.
B: When (2)__________ ?

II.
A: Im off to the shops. Do you want anything?
B: Let me think oh yes, I need some stamps.
A: OK, no problem, (3) __________ to the post office anyway to send Mums birthday present
so Ill get some while Im there.

III.
A: Does anyone want to come to the cinema with me tonight?
B: Sure! (4)__________ with you. I havent got any plans for this evening.

IV.
A: What are you doing this weekend?
B: I dont know. Maybe (5)__________ some studying or I might not!
A: Ive booked a tennis court but cant find anyone to play with me.
B: (6)__________with you. Thats sounds much more fun than studying!

ANSWERS
(1) Im going to visit
(2) are you going
(3) Im going to pop in
(4) Ill come
(5) Ill do
(6) Ill play
Grammar Challenge
Reported speech

Page 1 of 2

Nualas Grammar Explanation:
When we want to talk about what someone said, we can use the exact words. For example,
Agent X said:

Agent X: Im from Spain

Or we can use reported speech

Diarmuid: She told me she was from Spain.

When we report what someone said we usually put the verb in the reporting clause back one
tense. So, for example, if the direct speech words are in the present tense, in reported speech the
verb is in the past tense. Listen, heres the direct quote:

Agent X: I own a caf

But when its reported, the verb is in the past simple:

Diarmuid: She mentioned that she owned a caf

In reported speech there are a lot of verbs we can use. We can use tell with an indirect object,
told me, told him, told us etc. Or we can use verbs such as explain, admit mention,
say and so on

Thats all from me, good luck with your grammar challenge!

Page 2 of 2

Find out more

In reported speech, we usually put the verb in the reported clause back one tense:

Direct speech Reported speech
Present
Im from Spain.

Present Perfect
Ive been married for years.

Past
I stole it.
Past
She told me that she was from Spain.

Past Perfect
He said he had been married for years.

Past Perfect
She admitted she had stolen it.

In direct speech we use inverted commas to show the exact words the person said.
For example:

Im from Spain.

But in reported speech, we dont use inverted commas.

Reported speech
Practice activities



Page 2 of 5

Reported speech
Exercise 1:
Someone says something to you that's the opposite of what they told you earlier. Match the
beginnings of these conversations with the correct endings.

1. I'm going to Japan on holiday. a. You said she'd had a boy.
2. He's a lawyer. b.
You admitted you cheated in all your
exams.
3. She's had a baby girl. c. You told me he was a teacher.
4. I haven't seen Bob for ages. d. You told me she was fluent in both.
5. I love these new boots. e. You said you hated them.
6. I only cheated in one exam. f. You said you were going on business.
7. She doesnt speak French or Italian.. g. You told me his office was in Rome.
8. He works in London.

h. You told me you'd seen him last week.



Page 3 of 5

Reported speech
Exercise 2:
These are the exact words Frank said to you yesterday.

"I've just got engaged! We're getting married next year. We're going to Paris for our honeymoon.
It's all going to be very expensive. Luckily, my friend is a photographer so he he'll take the photos
for us. We'll be having the reception in my parents' back garden. My mum is baking the cake for
us and my sister's band is playing free for us. I hope you'll come to the wedding."

Now you're telling your friend what Frank told you. Chose the correct option.

He said he (1)__________ just got engaged. He told me that he (2) __________ next year.
He told me (3) __________ to Paris for their honeymoon. He mentioned that it (4) __________
very expensive. He said that his friend (5) __________ and he (6) __________ the photos for
them. He mentioned that they (7) __________ the reception in his parents' garden. He admitted
that (8) __________. He said his sisters band (9) __________. He said he (10) __________ I'd
come to the wedding.

Options
(1) have / had
(2) was getting / getting
(3) they were going / they going
(4) was all to being / was all going to be
(5) will be a photographer / was a photographer
(6) would take / will take
(7) be having / would be having
(8) his mum was baking a cake for them / my mum is baking a cake for us
(9) was playing free for them./ is playing free for us
(10) hope / hoped


Page 4 of 5

Reported speech
Exercise 1: ANSWERS
Someone says something to you that the opposite of what they told you earlier. Match the
beginnings of these conversations with the correct endings.

1. I'm going to Japan on holiday. f. You said you were going on business.
2. He's a lawyer. c. You told me he was a teacher.
3. She's had a baby girl. a You said she'd had a boy.
4. I haven't seen Bob for ages. h. You told me you'd seen him last week.
5. I love these new boots. e. You said you hated them.
6. I only cheated in one exam. b.
You admitted you cheated in all your
exams.
7. She doesnt speak French or Italian.. d. You told me she was fluent in both.
8. He works in London.

g. You told me his office was in Rome.



Page 5 of 5

Reported speech
Exercise 2: ANSWERS
These are the exact words Frank said to you yesterday.

"I've just got engaged! We're getting married next year. We're going to Paris for our honeymoon.
It's all going to be very expensive. Luckily, my friend is a photographer so he he'll take the photos
for us. We'll be having the reception in my parents' back garden.. My mum is baking the cake for
us and my sister's band is playing free for us. I hope you'll come to the wedding."

Now you're telling your friend what Frank told you. Chose the correct option.

He said he (1)__________ just got engaged. He told me that he (2) __________ next year.
He told me (3) __________ to Paris for their honeymoon. He mentioned that it (4) __________
very expensive. He said that his friend (5) __________ and he (6) __________ the photos for
them. He mentioned that they (7) __________ the reception in his parents' garden. He admitted
that (8) __________. He said his sisters
band (9) __________. He said he (10) __________ I'd come to the wedding.

ANSWERS
(1) had
(2) was getting
(3) they were going
(4) was all going to be
(5) was a photographer
(6) would take
(7) would be having
(8) his mum was baking a cake for them
(9) was playing free for them
(10) hoped
Grammar Challenge
Indirect questions

Page 1 of 2

To make simple questions in English, I'm sure you know, we use 'What', 'Why', 'Who' etc. and
then we invert or change round the subject and the first verb. Listen:

Example: What's the time?

But this isnt the only way of asking for the same information. If we want to be more formal or
more polite, we use longer, more indirect ways of asking questions. Listen:

Example: Could you tell me what the time is please?

This kind of question has two parts. They start with a phrase such as : 'Could you tell me.?'
'Do you know?', 'Have you any idea?', 'Would you mind telling me?' Listen:

Example 1: Do you know when the film finishes?
Example 2: Have you any idea where I left my keys?
Example 3: Would you mind telling me how to get to the post office please?

The information which the questioner wants is then expressed in the second half of the phrase in
a form which is not like a question. We don't change the order of the subject and verb.

What time is it? Could you tell me what time it is?
Where is he? Could you tell me where he is?

So, to recap then: when we want to ask a question in a more formal or polite way than usual, we
can use an indirect question. And we make it with an expression like 'Can you tell me' plus the
word order of a statement, rather than the inverted word order of a simple question.


Page 2 of 2

Find out more

Direct question
Where's the nearest bank please?

When is the last train on a Saturday night?

How much do two tickets cost?

Why can't you come in to work

Indirect questions
Could you tell me

Do you know

Have you any idea

Would you mind telling me
where the nearest bank is please?

when the last train is on a Saturday night?

how much two tickets cost?

why you can't come in to work?

Indirect questions
Practice activities



Page 2 of 5

Indirect questions
Exercise 1:
Match the situations on the left with an indirect question on the right.

1.
Youre not wearing your watch. a. Have you any idea where my keys are?
2.
You need to buy some stamps on
holiday.
b. Could you tell me what time it is?
3.
The shop is still shut. c. Do you know what her name is?
4.
Youre surprised by what he did. d.
Can you tell me how to use the
photocopier?
5.
You need to copy some documents
at the library.
e. Have you any idea when it opens?
6.
You would like to introduce yourself
to a beautiful stranger at a party.
f.
Can you tell me what the capital of
Bolivia is?
7.
You are revising for a geography
test.
g. Have you any idea why he did that?
8.
You want to lock the door.

h. Do you know where the post office is?



Page 3 of 5

Indirect questions
Exercise 2:
You have to interview someone for a job in your company.
Choose the correct indirect questions that you'll ask from the options below.

Options
1: (A) Could you tell us what you studied at university?
(B) Could you tell us what did you study at university?

2: (A) Can you tell me how long you have been working in sales?
(B) Can you tell me how long have you been working in sales?

3: (A) Could you tell me why you want this job?
(B) Could you tell me why do you want this job?

4: (A) Can you tell us how long were you with your last company?
(B) Can you tell us how long you were with your last company?

5: (A) Would you mind telling me why did you leave your previous job?
(B) Would you mind telling me why you left your previous job?

6: (A) And finally, can you tell us what salary you expect?
(B) And finally, can you tell us what salary do you expect?


Page 4 of 5

Indirect questions
Exercise 1: ANSWERS
Match the situation on the left with an indirect question on the right.

1.
Youre not wearing your watch. b. Could you tell me what time it is?
2.
You need to buy some stamps on
holiday.
h. Do you know where the post office is?
3.
The shop is still shut. e. Have you any idea when it opens?
4.
Youre surprised by what he did. g. Have you any idea why he did that?
5.
You need to copy some documents
at the library.
d.
Can you tell me how to use the
photocopier?
6.
You would like to introduce yourself
to a beautiful stranger at a party.
c. Do you know what her name is?
7.
You are revising for a geography
test.
f.
Can you tell me what the capital of
Bolivia is?
8.
You want to lock the door.

a. Have you any idea where my keys are?



Page 5 of 5

Indirect questions
Exercise 2: ANSWERS
You have to interview someone for a job in your company.
Choose the correct indirect questions that you'll ask from the options below.

Answers

1: (A) Could you tell us what you studied at university?

2: (A) Can you tell me how long you have been working in sales?

3: (A) Could you tell me why you want this job?

4: (B) Can you tell us how long you were with your last company?

5: (B) Would you mind telling me why you left your previous job?

6: (A) And finally, can you tell us what salary you expect?

Grammar Challenge
To, for, so that
_______________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grammar Challenge bbclearningenglish.com BBC Learning English 2007
Page 1 of 3

Catherine's Grammar Explanation: To, for, so that

Hi Selman! That's pretty good! Jackie and Elena are taking some water to make tea, some pots and
pans for cooking, and some extra blankets so they don't get cold.

In English, when we want to talk about purpose, or the reason why we do things, we can use to, we can
use for and we can use so that.

Firstly we can use for with an ing verb. Heres Elena:

Elena: I'm bringing some pots and pans for cooking

She uses for with an -ing verb to say why she's bringing the pots and pans. Listen again:

Elena: I'm bringing some pots and pans for cooking

Secondly, we can use an infinitive with 'to'

Jackie and Elena are preparing for a weekend break. What are they taking, and why?

Jackie: Have we got everything we need for our trip?
Elena: Yes Jackie, we've got some water to make tea, I'm bringing some pots and pans for cooking,
and I'm taking some extra blankets so that we don't get cold.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 2 of 3

Elena: we've got some water to make tea

In this sentence, she uses an infinitive to make to say why they are taking the water. Listen again:

Elena: we've got some water to make tea

A third way to talk about reason or purpose is with so that. Here's Elena:
Elena: I'm taking some extra blankets so that we don't get cold.

Did you get it? So that is followed by a subject - we - and verb don't get to tell us why she's taking
the extra blankets.

Ok, let's recap. To talk about reason or purpose, we can use for with an -ing verb for objects, or for
actions, we can either use to with an infinitive or so that with a subject and verb.


___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 3 of 3

Grammar Tables: To, for, so that
To talk about purpose, or the reason why we do things, we can use for + verb-ing, we can use the
infinitive with to, and we can use so that + subject + verb.

Action or event 'for' + verb-ing
I'm bringing some pots and pans for cooking.
I've got special glasses for reading small print.
A thermos flask is for keeping hot food hot.

Action or event Infinitive with 'to'
We've got some water to make tea.
I went to the shops to buy some milk.
I worked very hard to get a promotion.

Action or event 'so that' + subject + verb
I'm taking some extra blankets so that we don't get cold.
I chained my bicycle to the fence so that it wouldn't get stolen.
I worked very hard so that I would do well in the exam.

Grammar Challenge
To, for, so that
_______________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 1 of 4

Practice activities

Exercise 1:

1. I bought a lovely new dress a. for marking important parts of
documents.
2. A small notebook is useful b. so that I could be first in the queue
when the shop opened.
3. David worked really hard

c. for painting the best picture.
4. Highlighter pens are great

d. for writing down new vocabulary.
5. I gave my teacher a big bunch of
flowers
e. so that we'll have enough for the
weekend.
6. I got up early

f. to wear to the party.
7. My son won a prize at school

g. to pass the final exam.
8. I ordered an extra loaf of bread

h. to say 'thank you'.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 2 of 4

Exercise 2:

1. I took some tablets rid of my headache
a. to get
b. to getting
c. for get

2. Paul quit his job more time with his family
a. for to spend
b. so to spend
c. so that he could spend

3. This liquid is good stains out of cotton clothes
a. for getting
b. for get
c. for to get

4. When you visit the waterfall, it's a good idea to take a plastic coat you dry
a. to keep
b. to keeping
c. keep

5. I got up really early I wouldn't miss my flight
a. to
b. for
c. so that

6. I drink chamomile tea before I go to bed to sleep
a. for go
b. to help me go
c. so that go
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 3 of 4

To, for, so that: practice activities
Answers

Exercise 1:

1. I bought a lovely new dress

f. to wear to the party.
2. A small notebook is useful

d. for writing down new vocabulary.
3. David worked really hard

g. to pass the final exam.
4. Highlighter pens are great

a. for marking important parts of
documents.
5. I gave my teacher a big bunch of
flowers
h. to say 'thank you'.
6. I got up early

b. so that I could be first in the queue
when the shop opened.
7. My son won a prize at school

c. for painting the best picture.
8. I ordered an extra loaf of bread

e. so that we'll have enough for the
weekend.

Exercise 2:

1. I took some tablets rid of my headache
a. to get Correct you have used an infinitive with 'to' to give the purpose of an action
b. to getting Wrong 'to' should be followed by the infinitive
c. for get Wrong you should use an infinitive with 'to', or 'for' with verb-ing

2. Paul quit his job more time with his family
a. for to spend Wrong but this is sometimes used in colloquial speech
b. so to spend Wrong we don't usually use 'so' and 'to' together
c. so that he could spend Correct 'so that' is followed by a subject and verb to explain the
purpose of an action

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 4 of 4

3. This liquid is good stains out of cotton clothes
a. for getting Correct 'for' + verb-ing is usually used to describe the purpose of an object
b. for get Wrong we dont usually say 'for get'
c. for to get Wrong we dont usually say 'for to'

4. When you visit the waterfall, it's a good idea to take a plastic coat you dry
a. to keep Correct you have used an infinitive with 'to' to give the purpose of an action
b. to keeping Wrong 'to' should be followed by the infinitive
c. keep Wrong you should use an infinitive with 'to' to give the
purpose of an action

5. I got up really early I wouldn't miss my flight
a. to Wrong 'to' should be followed by the infinitive
b. for Wrong 'for' should be followed by verb-ing
c. so that - Correct 'so that' is usually followed by a subject and verb

6. I drink chamomile tea before I go to bed to sleep
a. for go Wrong 'for' should be followed by verb-ing
b. to help me go Correct you have used an infinitive with 'to' to give the purpose of an action
c. so that go Wrong - 'so that' is usually followed by a subject and verb

Grammar Challenge
Second conditional
_________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 1 of 2

Catherine's Grammar Explanation: 2
nd
Conditional

Hi Anna! Well done: Elena's worried about Matt losing his passport. She thinks it would take a lot of
time and money to get a new one. But Matt told her it's in a safe place, so he isn't very likely to lose it.

When we talk about things which are unlikely to happen, or which won't happen because they are
impossible, we can use the 2
nd
conditional. This structure puts if and the past simple together with
would and the infinitive. Here's Elena:

Elena: If you lost your passport it would take ages to get another one

Let's break that down. First, she says if you lost your passport that's if with a past simple verb lost.
The past simple shows that there's only a small possibility of this happening. To give the possible
result of losing the passport, she uses would with the infinitive without to, like this:

Elena: it would take ages to get another one

Task for challenger: Elena and Matt are getting ready to go on holiday. What is Elena
worried about and why?

Elena: Have you got everything Matt? Where's your passport?
Matt: Don't worry Elena, it's in a really safe place. I'm not going to lose it.
Elena: Oh gosh Matt, I hope not. If you lost your passport it would take ages to get another one,
and it'd cost you a fortune!
Matt: And if it cost me a fortune, I wouldn't be able to take you on holiday again, would I?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 2 of 2
Here's another example. This time, Elena's using the short form of would.

Elena: and itd cost you a fortune

Of course as well as would, we can use wouldn't.

Matt: And if it cost me a fortune, I wouldn't be able to take you on holiday again, would I?


___________________________________________________________________________________

Grammar Tables: 2
nd
Conditional
To talk about an impossible or improbable situation, we can use if and the past simple together with
would and the infinitive.

Positive & Negative
if past simple subject +
would /
wouldn't
infinitive (without to)
If you lost your passport it would take ages to get another one.
If it cost me a fortune I wouldn't be able to take you on holiday again.
If I couldn't take you on holiday again we would savea lot of money.

Question
if past simple would / wouldn't +
subject
infinitive (without to)
If it cost me a fortune would I be able to take you on holiday again?
If we couldn't go on holiday again would we savea lot of money?
If you lost your passport how much would it cost to get another one?

Grammar Challenge
Second conditional
_________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 1 of 3

Practice activities

Exercise 1:
Match the beginnings of the sentences to the correct endings, to make logical conditional sentences.

1. If I were taller,

a. if I thought he really loved me.
2. I'd buy a new computer

b. you lost your job?
3. How would you feel if

c. if you apologized.
4. If you could visit any country in the
world,
d. I'd come to the party with you.
5. He'd be really upset

e. if he knew about the theft.
6. I'd marry him tomorrow f. I wouldn't have to wear high heeled
shoes.
7. I'd forgive you

g. if I had enough money.
8. If I didn't feel so ill,

h. where would you go?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 2 of 3

1. marry him, would you say yes?

he

to

if

would

asked

asks

you

2. How would we keep in touch ?

to

didn't

we

have

if

did

computers

3. if the pay was lower than it is?

leave

you

left

job

your

if

would

4. If she , going out with her.

he

beautiful

wouldn't

isn't wasn't

being

be

5. If people , be fewer wars.

more

would

there

tolerant

wouldn't

were

are

6. If you , be able to communicate.

speak

spoke

speaking

couldn't

wouldn't

we

English

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Page 3 of 3
Grammar Challenge 2
nd
Conditional practice activities
Answers

Exercise 1:
Match the beginnings of the sentences to the correct endings, to make logical conditional sentences.

1. If I were taller,

f. I wouldn't have to wear high-heeled
shoes.
2. I'd buy a new computer

g. if I had enough money.
3. How would you feel if

b. you lost your job?
4. If you could visit any country in the
world,
h. where would you go?
5. He'd be really upset

e. if he knew about the theft.
6. I'd marry him tomorrow a. if I thought he really loved me.

7. I'd forgive you

c. if you apologized.
8. If I didn't feel so ill,

d. I'd come to the party with you.



1. If he asked you to marry him, would you say yes?

2. How would we keep in touch if we didn't have computers?

3. Would you leave your job if the pay was lower than it is?

4. If she wasn't beautiful, he wouldn't be going out with her.

5. If people were more tolerant, there would be fewer wars.

6. If you couldn't speak English, we wouldn't be able to communicate.

Grammar Challenge
'Should have'
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Page 1 of 2

Catherine's Grammar Explanation: 'Should have' + past participle for advice about the past

Hi Sylvia! Don't worry, we're here to help you! Matt made 3 mistakes at his job interview. Firstly, he
wasn't very well prepared, secondly, he didn't wear a clean shirt and thirdly, he was late!

When we want to talk about mistakes we made in the past, we can use 'should have' with a past
participle, like this:

Matt: It's my own fault really, I should've prepared more carefully for the interview.

Did you hear it? Should - have - prepared. Matt didn't prepare for the interview, but now he realizes
that was a mistake. Did you notice the way he shortens 'should have' to 'should've'? Listen again:

Matt: I should've prepared more carefully for the interview.

Elena uses both a positive and negative form of should have with a past participle to give her opinion
of events in the past. Remember, Matt wore a dirty shirt and he was late for his interview.

Task for challenger: Matt had a job interview recently, but he wasn't successful. What did he
do wrong?

Matt: I didn't get the job. It's my own fault really, I should've prepared more carefully for the
interview.
Elena: And you should've worn a clean shirt. And you shouldn't have been late!

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Page 2 of 2

Elena: And you should've worn a clean shirt. And you shouldn't have been late!

Positive: should've worn; negative: shouldn't have been

So, if we want to give advice or opinions about past events which didn't go so well, we can use 'should
have' or 'shouldn't have' with a past participle, to talk about where we went wrong.

That's all from me, ________, good luck with your grammar challenge!

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Grammar Tables: 'Should have' + past participle for advice about the past
When we want to talk about mistakes we made in the past, we can use 'should have' with a past
participle.

Positive & negative
Subject
should have /
shouldn't have
past participle
Matt

should've prepared more carefully for the interview.
He should have worn a clean shirt.
They shouldn't have been late.

Question form
Should /
shouldn't
subject have past participle
Should Matt

have prepared more carefully for the interview?
Should he have worn a clean shirt?
Shouldn't they have arrived early?

Grammar Challenge
Should have
_______________________________________________

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Page 1 of 4

Practice activities

Exercise 1:
Match the sentences on the left to the appropriate ones on the right.

1. My girlfriend left me.

a. I shouldn't have gone to bed so late last
night.
2. She won't be able to finish her dinner.

b. I should have prepared more
thoroughly.
3. This movie is really boring.

c. I should have put on thicker socks.
4. I think that dress looks awful on her. d. She should have chosen a different
colour.
5. This food is burnt. e. I should have been nicer to her.

6. My feet are freezing! f. We should have chosen a romantic one.

7. I was really late for work today.

g. She shouldn't have ordered so much.
8. The interview didn't go too well.

h. You shouldn't have left it in the oven so
long.

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Page 2 of 4

Exercise 2:

1. I've got a terrible headache. I all that beer.
a. shouldn't have drank
b. should've drink
c. should've drunk
d. shouldn't have drunk

2. I went to work yesterday, even though I felt ill. Today I feel even worse. I .
a. shouldn't have stayed at home
b. shouldn't have gone to work
c. should have stayed at home
d. should have gone to work

3. My kids are so spoilt. I should have with them.
a. been stricter
b. stricted
c. being stricter
d. been stricting

4. You didn't believe me, but I was telling the truth. You should me.
a. believed
b. have believed
c. have believe
d. have believing

5. Mary only married Doug for his money. Now he thinks his friends ... .
a. should have warned him about her.
b. shouldn't have warned him about her.
c. should have warned her about him.
d. shouldn't have warned her about him.

6. He wasn't wearing his seatbelt, so he was injured in the crash. He should have it.
a. wore
b. wearing
c. worn
d. wored
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Page 3 of 4

Grammar Challenge 'should have' + past participle practice activities
Answers

Exercise 1:

1. My girlfriend left me.

e. I should have been nicer to her.

2. She won't be able to finish her dinner.

g. She shouldn't have ordered so much.
3. This movie is really boring.

f. We should have chosen a romantic one.

4. I think that dress looks awful on her. d. She should have chosen a different
colour.
5. This food is burnt. h. You shouldn't have left it in the oven so
long.
6. My feet are freezing! c. I should have put on thicker socks.

7. I was really late for work today.

a. I shouldn't have gone to bed so late last
night.
8. The interview didn't go too well.

b. I should have prepared more
thoroughly.

Exercise 2:

1. I've got a terrible headache. I all that beer.
a. shouldn't have drank Wrong the verb is in the wrong form.
b. should've drink Wrong the speaker regrets drinking the beer, and the verb is in the wrong form.
c. should've drunk Wrong the speaker regrets drinking the beer.
d. shouldn't have drunk Correct the speaker regrets drinking the beer.

2. I went to work yesterday, even though I felt ill. Today I feel even worse. I .
a. shouldn't have stayed at home Wrong the speaker DIDNT stay at home yesterday.
b. shouldn't have went to work Wrong 'went' is not the past participle of 'go'.
c. should have stayed at home - Correct the speaker regrets going to work yesterday.
d. should have gone to work Wrong the speaker DID go to work yesterday.

3. My kids are so spoilt. I should have with them.
a. been stricter Correct the speaker regrets not being strict.
b. stricted Wrong 'strict' is not a verb.
c. being stricter Wrong 'being' is not a past participle.
d. been stricting Wrong 'strict' can not take '-ing'.

4. You didn't believe me, but I was telling the truth. You should me.
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Page 4 of 4

a. believed Wrong you need to add 'have' to this sentence.
b. have believed Correct the speaker is unhappy that s/he wasnt believed.
c. have believe Wrong 'believe' is not a past participle.
d. have believing Wrong 'believing' is not a past participle.

5. Mary only married Doug for his money. Now he thinks his friends ... .
a. should have warned him about her Correct this is his opinion about a past mistake.
b. shouldn't have warned him about her Wrong they DIDN'T warn him.
c. should have warned her about him Wrong the pronouns are wrong.
d. shouldn't have warnt him about her Wrong 'warnt' is not the correct spelling of the past
participle, and they DIDN'T warn him about her

6. He wasn't wearing his seatbelt, so he was injured in the crash. He should have it.
a. wore Wrong 'wore' is not a past participle.
b. wearing Wrong 'wearing' is not a past participle.
c. worn Correct this is an opinion about a past mistake.
d. wored Wrong 'wored' is not a past participle.

Grammar Challenge
Agreements with Auxiliary Verbs
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Page 1 of 2

Catherine's Grammar Explanation: Agreements with auxiliary verbs

Hello Onur! That's very good. Keith keeps the conversation going by agreeing with everything Joyce
says.

Keith: Yes, it really does No Joyce, there isn't

His agreements are very short, because he uses auxiliary verbs. Lets look at the first one.

Joyce: Oxford Street gets so busy these days.
Keith: Yes, it really does.

Keith agrees by saying yes, with a subject pronoun and an auxiliary verb. The subject is Oxford Street,
so the pronoun is it. Joyce's sentence has a main verb, so the auxiliary is does. Listen:

Joyce: Oxford Street gets so busy these days.
Keith: Yes, it really does.

Listen to another one.

Joyce: But all the shops are selling the same stuff!
Keith: That's true Joyce, they are.

This time the subject is the shops, so the pronoun is they. And Joyce uses an auxiliary, so Keith uses it
too.

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Page 2 of 2

Now to agree with negative sentences, we start with No, and we use the subject pronoun with a
negative auxiliary. Listen to this one:

Joyce: There isn't any variety any more!
Keith: No Joyce, there isn't.

So thats yes for positive agreement, no for negative agreement, and you need a subject pronoun and
auxiliary verb.


___________________________________________________________________________________

Grammar tables: Agreements with auxiliary verbs

Statement Signal agreement Pronoun Auxiliary
Oxford Street gets so busy these days. Yes it does.
All the shops are selling the same stuff! That's true Joyce, they are.
I can't afford to spend all this money. No Joyce, you can't.
We haven't got much time. You're right, we haven't.

Grammar Challenge
Agreements with auxiliary verbs
_______________________________________________

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Page 1 of 4

Practice activities: Agreements with auxiliaries

Exercise 1:
Match the sentences to their responses to make agreements.

1. That was a brilliant film!

a. No, we mustn't.
2. I'm really bad at singing.

b. Yes, it is.
3. This coat is really beautiful.

c. You're quite right, they do.
4. We mustn't be late for the party.

d. I know, he wouldn't.
5. They always leave early.

e. No, she didn't
6. He wouldn't stop talking all night!

f. I know you are.
7. We're not allowed to smoke in the
office.
g. Yes, it was.
8. She never went abroad until she was
in her seventies.

h. No, we're not.

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Page 2 of 4

Exercise 2:
Read the statements and choose the most appropriate agreements.

1. Children get too much pocket money these days.
a. Yes, they did.
b. Yes, he does.
c. Yes, they do.

2. We should try to get 8 hours' sleep every night.
a. Yes, we should.
b. Yes, you can.
c. Yes, we have.

3. Those oranges weren't very good.
a. No, they weren't.
b. No, you weren't.
c. Yes, they are.

4. It's getting late. The restaurant might be closing soon.
a. Yes, it mightn't.
b. Yes, it might.
c. Yes, it can.

5. This won't take too long.
a. No, it doesn't.
b. Yes, it does.
c. No, it won't.

6. I've always been good at cooking.
a. Yes, you've.
b. Yes, I have.
c. Yes, you have.

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Page 3 of 4

Answers

Exercise 1:
Match the beginnings of the sentences to the responses, to make agreements.


g. Yes, it was.

f. I know you are.

b. Yes, it is.
4. We mustn't be late for the party.

a. No, we mustn't.

c. You're quite right, they do.
6. He wouldn't stop talking all night!

d. I know, he wouldn't.
office.
h. No, we're not.
8. She never went abroad until she was
in her seventies.

e. No, she didn't.

Exercise 2:
Read the statements and choose the most appropriate agreements.

1. Children get too much pocket money these days.
a. Yes, they did. Wrong the auxiliary is in the wrong tense
b. Yes, he does. Wrong the subject is wrong
c. Yes, they do. Correct!

2. We should try to get 8 hours' sleep every night.
a. Yes, we should. Correct!
b. Yes, you can. Wrong the pronoun and the auxiliary are both wrong
c. Yes, we have. Wrong the auxiliary is wrong

3. Those oranges weren't very good.
a. No, they weren't. Correct!
b. No, you weren't. Wrong the pronoun is wrong
c. Yes, they are. Wrong the auxiliary is in the wrong tense, and the statement is negative but the
agreement signal here is positive

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Page 4 of 4

4. It's getting late. The restaurant might be closing soon.
a. Yes, it mightn't. Wrong the auxiliary is negative but the statement is positive
b. Yes, it might. Correct!
c. Yes, it can. Wrong the auxiliary is wrong

a. No, it doesn't. Wrong the auxiliary is wrong
b. Yes, it does. Wrong the statement is negative but the agreement here is positive, and the
auxiliary is wrong
c. No, it won't. Correct!

6. I've always been good at cooking.
a. Yes, you've. Wrong we don't usually use short forms in short answers.
b. Yes, I have. Wrong the pronoun is wrong
c. Yes, you have. Correct!
Grammar Challenge
Disagreements with auxiliaries
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Page 1 of 2

Catherine's Grammar Explanation: Disagreements with auxiliary verbs

Hello Beom! You're quite right: Keith and Joyce don't agree about how they met. In English, you can
use auxiliary verbs to disagree with statements. Listen to this:

Keith: Well, Joyce and I both went to a graduation party...
Joyce: No we didn't! It was a birthday party.

No, we, didn't. No shows that Joyce disagrees. We is a pronoun, and refers to the subject of Keith's
sentence, and didn't is an auxiliary verb. Keith used a positive past tense main verb: he said went, so
Joyce uses the past tense auxiliary didn't. It's negative because she disagrees. Listen again:

Keith: Well, Joyce and I both went to a graduation party...
Joyce: No we didn't! It was a birthday party.

Here's another one:

Keith: so I was at the party with all of my friends
Joyce: No you weren't! You were on your own.

This time, I was becomes you weren't, and of course, she starts with No. Let's listen to one more.

Keith: And Joyce couldnt find anybody to dance with her...
Joyce: Yes, I could actually! Keith, you're such a liar!!!

This time, Keith's statement is negative: - Joyce couldn't find so Joyce disagrees by saying Yes, I
could! Listen again:

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Page 2 of 2

Keith: And Joyce couldnt find anybody to dance with her...
Joyce: Yes, I could actually! Keith, you're such a liar!!!


___________________________________________________________________________________

Grammar tables: Disagreements with auxiliary verbs

Statement Signal
disagreement
Pronoun Auxiliary
We both went to a graduation party. No we didn't
I was at the party with all my friends. No you weren't
Joyce couldnt find anybody to dance with. Yes she could
We haven't got much time. Yes we have

Grammar Challenge
Disagreements with auxiliaries
_______________________________________________

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Page 1 of 4

Practice activities: Disagreements with auxiliaries

Exercise 1:
Match the statements to the responses to make disagreements.


a. No, they don't.

b. Yes, we should.

c. No, it wasnt.
4. We shouldn't dress formally for the
party.
d. Yes, he did.

e. Yes, she did.
6. He never stopped talking all night!

f. No, you aren't.
office.
g. Yes, we are.
8. She didnt go abroad until she was in
her seventies.

h. No, it isn't.

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Page 2 of 4

Exercise 2:
Read the statements and choose the most appropriate disagreements.

1. Children have too much free time these days.
a. No, they don't.
b. No, they do.
c. Yes, they do.

a. No, it won't.
b. Yes, it will.
c. Yes, it did.

3. You should try to get 12 hours' sleep every night.
a. No, you should.
b. No, you shouldn't.
c. No, you don't.

4. Those cakes weren't very tasty.
a. Yes, they weren't.
b. Yes, they are.
c. Yes, they were.

5. It's getting late. We'll have to go home soon.
a. No, we won't.
b. No, we don't.
c. No, we haven't.

6. I have never been good at cooking.
a. Yes, you haven't.
b. No, you have.
c. Yes, you have.

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Page 3 of 4

Answers

Exercise 1:
Match the beginnings of the sentences to the responses, to make disagreements.


c. No, it wasnt.

f. No, you aren't.

h. No, it isn't.
4. We shouldn't dress formally for the
party.
b. Yes, we should.

a. No, they don't.
6. He never stopped talking all night!

d. Yes, he did.
office.
g. Yes, we are.
8. She didnt go abroad until she was in
her seventies.

e. Yes, she did.

Exercise 2:
Read the statements and choose the most appropriate disagreements.

1. Children have too much free time these days.
a. No, they don't. Correct!
b. No, they do. Wrong for disagreements, if the verb in the sentence is positive, the auxiliary
should be negative
c. Yes, they do. Wrong this is an agreement: you need to choose a disagreement

a. No, it won't. Wrong this is an agreement: you need to choose a disagreement
b. Yes, it will. Correct!
c. Yes, it did. Wrong you have used the past tense to agree with a statement about the future

3. You should try to get 12 hours' sleep every night.
a. No, you should. Wrong for disagreements, if the verb in the sentence is positive, the auxiliary
should be negative
b. No, you shouldn't. Correct!
c. No, you don't. Wrong the auxiliary is wrong

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Page 4 of 4

4. Those cakes weren't very tasty.
a. Yes, they weren't. Wrong for disagreements, if the verb in the sentence is negative, the auxiliary
should be positive
b. Yes, they are. Wrong the auxiliary is in the wrong tense
c. Yes, they were. Correct!

5. It's getting late. We'll have to go home soon.
a. No, we won't. Correct!
b. No, we don't. Wrong you have used the wrong auxiliary
c. No, we haven't. Wrong you have used the wrong auxiliary

6. I have never been good at cooking.
a. Yes, you haven't. Wrong for disagreements, if the verb in the sentence is negative, the auxiliary
should be positive
b. No, you have. Wrong this statement has a negative meaning so you need a positive response
c. Yes, you have. Correct!
Grammar Challenge
Let and allow
_______________________________________________

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Page 1 of 3

Catherine's Grammar Explanation: let and allow

Hello Husniye! That's spot on! Matt didn't see much of the concert. When he went out to get a
drink, he was refused permission to go back in.

In English, to talk about giving and refusing permission, we can use both let and allow. Both
words mean 'give permission to do something'. First, here's Matt using let.

Matt: they let me go out to get a drink, but then they wouldn't let me back in!

Now the verb let is usually followed by a noun or object pronoun, and then by an infinitive
without to. Listen again:

Matt: they let me go out to get a drink

Did you hear it? Let, me, go. Let, pronoun, infinitive. Now, let can be made negative by using an
auxiliary verb, like didn't, can't or wouldn't. And it's possible to use a prepositional phrase like
'back in' instead of the infinitive. Listen to Matt:

Matt: they let me go out and get a drink, but then they wouldn't let me back in!

Now, we can also use 'allow' to talk about permission. Like 'let', 'allow' is followed by a noun or
object pronoun, but then, it takes an infinitive with to, like this:

Matt: They allowed me to go out.

They allowed me to go out. Like let, you can use won't or wouldn't to make a negative:

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Page 2 of 3
Matt: They wouldn't allow me to go back in.

But allow is a bit more formal than 'let', and so it's common to find it in the passive form, like
this:

Matt: 'people who leave the auditorium during a performance are not allowed to re-enter'.

So to recap: let and allow are both followed by nouns or object pronouns. 'Let' takes an infinitive
without to, and 'allow' takes an infinitive with to. Both can be made negative with an auxiliary
verb, and allow is often used in the passive form.


__________________________________________________________________

Grammar Tables: 'let' and 'allow'
Both 'let' and 'allow' can be used to talk about giving and refusing permission.
Let
subject let object infinitive or prepositional phrase
They

let me go out and get a drink
They wouldn't let me back in

Allow
subject allow object infinitive with 'to'
They

allowed me to go out and get a drink
She won't allow anyone to smoke in the office

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Page 3 of 3
Allow (passive)
passive
subject
verb 'to be' allowed infinitive with 'to'
He

wasn't allowed to go out and get a drink
Nobody is allowed to smoke in the office

Grammar Challenge
Let and allow
_________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 1 of 4

Practice activities

Exercise 1:

1. If I promise to give it straight back a. you are not allowed to take them
home.
2. I'm not allowed to smoke

b. please let me go with you.
3. Please leave the CDs here -

c. ... take the CDs home?
4. I have to stay at home tonight -

d. will you let me use your car?
5. I allow the children to stay up later

e. at weekends.
6. You are only allowed to buy alcohol
in British pubs
f. my mum won't let me go out.
7. I don't want to go by myself -

g. if you are 18 or over.
8. Why won't they let people

h. in the office.

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Page 2 of 4
Read the sentences and decide whether they are grammatically correct or wrong.

1. My parents wouldn't let me to get married until my older brother was married.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

2. I do not allow my daughter staying out after 8 o'clock at night.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

3. The university does not allow students who are very late to enter lectures.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

4. In the UK, people are not let drive a car until they are 17 years old.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

5. You're only allowed to eat here if youre wearing formal clothes.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

6. There is a snake in that box. Don't let it out!
a. Correct
b. Wrong

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Page 3 of 4
Grammar Challenge 'make' & 'let' practice activities
Answers

Exercise 1:

1. If I promise to give it straight
back
d. will you let me use your car?
2. I'm not allowed to smoke

h. in the office.
3. Please leave the CDs here -

a. you are not allowed to take them
home.
4. I have to stay at home tonight -

f. my mum won't let me go out.
5. I allow the children to stay up
later
e. at weekends.
6. You are only allowed to buy
alcohol in British pubs
g. if you are 18 or over.
7. I don't want to go by myself -

b. please let me go with you.
8. Why won't they let people

c. ... take the CDs home?

Read the sentences and decide whether they are grammatically correct or wrong.

1. My parents wouldn't let me to get married until my older brother was married.
a. Correct form No 'let' is followed by an object + infinitive without 'to'
b. Wrong form Yes 'let' is followed by an object + infinitive without 'to'

2. I do not allow my daughter staying out after 8 o'clock at night.
a. Correct form No 'allow' is followed by an object + infinitive with 'to'
b. Wrong form Yes 'allow' is followed by an object + infinitive with 'to'

3. The university does not allow students who are very late to enter lectures.
a. Correct form Yes 'allow' is followed by a subject (this one has a relative clause) + the
infinitive with 'to'
b. Wrong form No 'allow' is followed by a subject (this one has a relative clause) + the infinitive
with 'to'

4. In the UK, people are not let drive a car until they are 17 years old.
a. Correct form No 'let' is not usually used in a passive form
b. Wrong form Yes 'let' is not usually used in a passive form

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Page 4 of 4
5. You're only allowed to eat here if youre wearing formal clothes.
a. Correct form Yes in both active and passive forms, 'allow' is followed by a subject + the
b. Wrong form No in both active and passive forms, 'allow' is followed by a subject + the

6. There is a snake in that box. Don't let it out!
a. Correct form Yes 'let' can be followed by an object + a prepositional phrase
b. Wrong form No 'let' can be followed by an object + a prepositional phrase

Grammar Challenge
Unless
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Page 1 of 2

Catherine's Grammar Explanation: 'Unless'

Hello! That's very good Hengchun! If Matt and Elena don't arrive at the party before 8 o'clock, they
won't get anything to eat. Here's Matt:

Matt: Unless we're there at 8 o'clock we won't get anything to eat!

Unless is followed by a subject and verb, like this:

Matt: Unless we are there at 8 o'clock

Unless means only if or except if. The second part of the sentence gives the possible result. Matt and
Elena will get something to eat only if they arrive before 8. Listen again:

Matt: Unless we're there at 8 o'clock we won't get anything to eat!

Here's another example:

Matt: We'll go by bus unless Elena wants to take a taxi.

They will go by bus except if Elena wants to take a taxi. Note that unless is used with a present tense,
even when it has a future meaning. Here's another example:

Elena: I'm not going to dance unless you ask me.

Elena is only going to dance if Matt asks her.

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Page 2 of 2
Be careful with positives and negatives. Listen:

Matt I'll go by car unless it's a long way
Elena I won't go by car unless it's a long way

In the first one, Matt will go by car, except if it's a long way, in which case he'll fly, or take the train or
something. In the second one, Elena will go by car only if it's a long way. If it's a short distance, she'll
fly or take the train. Listen again:

Matt I'll go by car unless it's a long way
Elena I won't go by car unless it's a long way

To recap, 'unless' with a subject and verb means 'only if' or 'except if' in positive and negative
sentences. The other part of the sentence gives the possible result.

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Grammar Tables
possible result unless subject and verb
I'm not going to dance unless you ask me
I won't go by car unless it's a long way
We can go to the park unless someone has a better idea

unless subject and verb possible result
Unless we're there by 8 o'clock we won't get anything to eat
Unless Elena wants to take a taxi we can go by bus
Unless you tell me who broke the cup I will make you pay for it

Grammar Challenge
Unless
_________________________________________________

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Page 1 of 4

Practice activities

Exercise 1:

1. You can't watch television in the
UK
a. unless you're going to be late.
2. Don't tell her what happened

b. unless she asks you.
3. You don't have to call me

c. unless they are with an adult.
4. We're going for a picnic tomorrow

d. unless they talk to him first.
5. Children are not allowed into the
cinema
e. unless they give me a discount.
6. You have to pay to enter the
exhibition
f. unless it rains.
7. Michael's quite shy. He doesn't talk to
people
g. unless you have a licence.
8. I'm not buying that computer

h. unless you are over 65 years old.

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Page 2 of 4
Exercise 2: Correct or wrong?
Read the sentences and decide whether they are correct or wrong, either in grammar or meaning.

1. I don't watch TV unless the news is on.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

2. We can sit near the front unless you don't want to sit at the back.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

3. You will put on weight unless you eat fatty food.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

4. Unless you will wear a thick coat, you will get very cold.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

5. Unless they are showing an action film, we could go to the movies tomorrow afternoon.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

6. You can borrow my car unless you ask me first.
a. Correct
b. Wrong

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Page 3 of 4
Grammar Challenge unless practice activities
Answers

Exercise 1:

1. You can't watch television in the
UK
g. unless you have a licence.
2. Don't tell her what happened

b. unless she asks you.
3. You don't have to call me

a. unless you're going to be late.
4. We're going for a picnic tomorrow

f. unless it rains.
5. Children are not allowed into the
cinema
c. unless they are with an adult.
6. You have to pay to enter the
exhibition
h. unless you are over 65 years old.
7. Michael's quite shy. He doesn't talk to
people
d. unless they talk to him first.
8. I'm not buying that computer

e. unless they give me a discount.

Exercise 2: Correct or wrong?
Read the sentences and decide whether they are correct or wrong, either in grammar or meaning.

1. I don't watch TV unless the news is on.
a. Correct - Yes - well done!
b. Wrong No - this sentence is correct in grammar and meaning.

2. We can sit near the front unless you don't want to sit at the back.
a. Correct - No this sentence does not make sense. Delete 'don't'.
b. Wrong - Yes this sentence does not make sense. Delete 'don't'.

3. You might put on weight unless you eat fatty food.
a. Correct - No the meaning is wrong. 'You might put on weight if you eat fatty food' is better.
b. Wrong - Yes the meaning is wrong. 'You might put on weight if you eat fatty food' is better.

4. Unless you will wear a thick coat, you will get very cold.
a. Correct No the tense in the 'Unless' part of the sentence should be present: 'Unless you wear a
thick coat'
b. Wrong Yes the tense in the 'Unless' part of the sentence should be present: 'Unless you
wear a thick coat'

5. Unless they are showing an action film, we could go to the movies tomorrow afternoon.
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Page 4 of 4
a. Correct - Yes - well done!
b. Wrong No - this sentence is correct in grammar and meaning.

6. You can borrow my car unless you ask me first.
a. Correct No it makes better sense to say: 'You cant borrow my car unless you ask me first.
b. Wrong Yes it makes better sense to say: 'You cant borrow my car unless you ask me
first'.

Grammar Challenge
Reported Questions
_________________________________________________

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Page 1 of 2

Catherine's Grammar Explanation: Reported Questions

Hi Noelia! Well done. When we want to tell somebody about a question that somebody else asked, we
often use reported speech. Here's William's mum's original question:

William's mum: Um, hi, are you and Jackie coming over for tea?

And here's William reporting the question to Jackie:

William: she asked if we were going over for tea.

William uses a reporting verb in this case, asked.


For yes / no questions, use if or whether. But if there's a question word, such as who, what or how, use
it! Listen:

William's mum: ... and how are you going to get here?
William: and she also asked how we were going to get there.

And you have to use statement word order. William's mum says are you, but William says we are.
William also changed the pronouns, from 'you and Jackie', to 'we':

William's mum: are you and Jackie coming over for tea?

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Page 2 of 2

Now, tenses often move back: from present simple to past simple, past simple to past perfect and so
on. But, if the thing being talked about was true when it was originally said, and is still true when it's
being reported, you can keep the tense the same if you want. And, you don't have to move the tense
back if you're reporting something that's just been said.

So to recap: Say who was talking and use a reporting verb. Repeat the question word, or use if or
whether for yes / no questions. Statement word order, change the pronouns and move the tense back if
necessary.


___________________________________________________________________________________
Grammar Tables: Reported questions

Say who was talking and use a reporting verb. Repeat the question word, or use if or whether for yes /
no questions. Statement word order, change the pronouns and move the tense back if necessary.

Use a reporting verb:
she asked if we were going over for tea.

For yes / no questions, use if or whether:

Repeat question words:
she also asked how we were going to get there.

Use statement word order, change pronouns & move the tense back if necessary:

Grammar Challenge
Reported Questions
_________________________________________________

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Page 1 of 4

Practice activities

Exercise 1
Read the original questions and decide which reported question is most appropriate.

1. Alex: 'What do you think of the new film?'
a. Alex wanted to know what I thought of the new film.
b. Alex asked me what you thought of the new film.

2. Maria: 'Is Annie going to be the next group leader?'
a. Maria asked when Annie is going to be the next group leader.
b. Maria wants to know if Annie is going to be the next group leader.

3. Vikki: 'Have they seen all the rooms yet?'
a. Vikki wondered if they had seen all the rooms yet.
b. Vikki wondered: have they seen all the rooms yet?

4. Yuki: 'Did you have enough time to finish your work?'
a. Yuki asked them if theyd had enough time to finish their work.
b. Yuki asked me if theyd had enough time to finish their work.

5. James: 'Why are Laurence and Steven still traveling?'
a. James wanted to know where Laurence and Steven were still traveling.
b. James wanted to know why Laurence and Steven were still traveling.

6. Jack: 'Michael, can I borrow your pen please?'
a. Jack asked if he could borrow Michael's pen.
b. Michael wants to know can Jack borrow his pen.

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Page 2 of 4

Exercise 2: Word order
Read the original question. Then read the reported question and choose the 5 words which complete
each sentence.

1. 'Is it your birthday this month?'
She asked birthday this month.

was

it

me

if

when

her

my

2. 'Are you having a party?'
She wanted having a party.

know

I

if

we

when

was

to

3. 'Who are you going to invite to the party?'
She asked to invite to the party.

was

are

me

going

who

I

if

4. 'Have you chosen the music for the party?'
She wanted to the music for the party.

chose

whether

you

know

I

chosen

had

5. What do you want for a present?
She for a present.

asks

asked

I

whether

what

wanted

me

6. How old are you going to be?
She going to be.

old

asks

how

will

I

was

asked

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Page 3 of 4
Grammar Challenge Reported questions practice activities
Answers

Exercise 1
Read the original questions and decide which reported question is most appropriate.

1. Alex: 'What do you think of the new film?'
a. Alex wanted to know what I thought of the new film. Correct Well done!
b. Alex asked me what you thought of the new film. - Wrong the pronouns don't make sense

2. Maria: 'Is Annie going to be the next group leader?'
a. Maria asked when Annie is going to be the next group leader. Wrong this is a yes/no
question, so you need to use 'if' or 'whether', not 'when'
b. Maria wants to know if Annie is going to be the next group leader. Correct Well done!

3. Vikki: 'Have they seen all the rooms yet?'
a. Vikki wondered whether they had seen all the rooms yet. Correct Well done!
b. Vikki wondered: have they seen all the rooms yet? Wrong you need to use 'if' or 'whether',
and use statement word order

4. Yuki: 'Did you have enough time to finish your work?'
a. Yuki asked them if theyd had enough time to finish their work. Correct Well done!
b. Yuki asked me if theyd had enough time to finish their work. - Wrong the pronouns don't
make sense

5. James: 'Why are Laurence and Steven still traveling?'
a. James wanted to know where Laurence and Steven were still traveling. Wrong check the
question word
b. James wanted to know why Laurence and Steven were still traveling. Correct Well
done!

6. Jack: 'Michael, can I borrow your pen please?'
a. Jack asked if he could borrow Michael's pen. Correct Well done!
b. Michael wants to know can Jack borrow his pen. Wrong the subject is wrong, and you need
to use if/whether and statement word order.

Read the original question. Then read the reported question and choose the 5 words which complete
each sentence.

1. 'Is it your birthday this month?'
She asked me if it was my birthday this month.

2. 'Are you having a party?'
She wanted to know if I was having a party.

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Page 4 of 4

3. 'Who are you going to invite to the party?'
She asked me who I was going to invite to the party.

4. 'Have you chosen the music for the party?'
She wanted to know whether I had chosen the music for the party.

5. What do you want for a present?
She asked me what I wanted for a present.

6. How old are you going to be?
She asked how old I was going to be.

Grammar Challenge
Verb, object, 'to' + infinitive
_______________________________________________

Catherine's Grammar Explanation: Verb, object, 'to' + infinitive

Hello, Ehsan! I think that's pretty good too! Elena told Marco to be nice to everybody, she
warned him not to eat too much cake, she reminded him to thank the hostess and she's
encouraging him to share his toys.

English reporting verbs like tell, warn, remind and encourage, are often followed by an object
and then an infinitive with 'to', like this:

Elena: Well, I told him to be nice to everybody

I told him to be. Subject and verb I told, object him, infinitive with 'to' to be. Here's another
one:

Elena: I also reminded him to say thank you to the hostess

Subject and verb - I reminded, object - him, infinitive with 'to' - to say.

Now the negative infinitive is made with not, like this:

Elena: and I've warned him not to eat too much cake.

I've warned him not to eat. Negative infinitive.

Here are some of the verbs which take this pattern: advise, ask, beg, encourage, force, invite,
order, permit, persuade, remind, tell, want and warn.

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Page 2 of 2
It might help to remember that all the verbs on this list are action verbs, and they all need 2
people to make sense. For example, I don't invite myself to do something I invite someone else.

So to recap. Some reporting verbs are followed by an object and then by an infinitive with 'to' I
told you to do it. The negative infinitive is formed with not I told you not to do it.


______________________________________________________________________________

Grammar tables: Verb, object, 'to' + infinitive

subject verb object (not) to + infinitive
I reminded Marco to say thank you.
Marco's mother ordered him to get into the car.
I 've warned him not to eat too much cake.
Elena told the children not to touch the glasses.

Verbs which take this pattern include:
advise, allow, ask, beg, command, encourage, forbid, force, instruct, invite, oblige, order, permit,
persuade, remind, tell, want, warn

Grammar Challenge
Verb, object, 'to' + infinitive
_________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 1 of 5

Practice activities

Exercise 1:
Read the first sentence, and choose the most suitable verb to complete the second sentence.

1. "Ellie, would you like to come to my party?"
Ellie's friend invited / instructed / obliged her to go to the party.

2. "Mum, will you let me go to the party?"
Ellie encouraged / begged / asked her mum to let her go to the party.

3. "Please, please, please mum, PLEASE let me go to the party!"
She forced / begged / persuaded her mother to let her go to the party.

4. "Ellie, you are absolutely NOT allowed to go to the party."
Ellie's mum forbade / forced / allowed her to go to the party.

5. "Now go upstairs and do your homework."
Ellie's mum advised / trained / ordered her to go upstairs and do her homework.

6. "And don't forget to tidy your room"
Ellie's mum reminded / begged / instructed her to tidy her room.

7. "Don't forget to clean under the bed, or there will be trouble!"
Ellie's mum advised / warned / encouraged her not to forget to clean under the bed.

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Page 2 of 5
Exercise 2:
Read the first sentence. Then rearrange the words and phrases to complete the second sentence.
For each sentence, there are 2 words that you do not need to use.

1. "Remember you have to pick your jacket up from the dry cleaner's."
... ... ... ... ... to the dry cleaner's.
to warned she me ordered reminded go

2. "It's really hot in here. Would you mind opening the window?"
... ... ... ... ... the window.
he asked begged her ordered open to

3. "Would you like to have dinner with us on Friday?
He ... ... ... ... ... with them on Friday.
Invited persuaded commanded have them to inner

4. "We'd be delighted if you could all be with us at the ceremony"
They ... ... ... ... ... attend the ceremony.
warned their reminded to invited friends all

5. "Well, if I were you I'd start saving up for my holiday."
... ... ... ... ... saving up for my holiday.

started me advised advise start he to

6. "Don't drive too fast. The police are cracking down on speeding."
He ... ... ... ... ... too fast.

drove warn not to warned drive him
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Page 3 of 5

7. "He's just bought a car, so I can visit her any time"
Buying a car ... ... ... ... ... her any time.
reminded visited has enabled him visit to

8. Come on, it's about time you looked for a new job, you know!
Jack ... ... ... ... ... a new job.
look to me encourage encouraged look for

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Page 4 of 5
Grammar Challenge Verb, object, 'to' + infinitive practice activities
Answers

Exercise 1:
Read the first sentence, and choose the most suitable verb to complete the second sentence.

1. "Ellie, would you like to come to my party?"
Ellie's friend invited / instructed / obliged her to go to the party.
Why is invited the correct answer? would you like has the idea of invitation; instruct and oblige
have an idea of giving orders rather than invitations

2. "Mum, will you let me go to the party?"
Ellie encouraged / begged / asked her mum to let her go to the party.
Why is asked the correct answer? will you let is a straightforward question. There is no
particular idea of encouragement or begging in these words.

3. "Please, please, please mum, PLEASE let me go to the party!"
She forced / begged / persuaded her mother to let her go to the party.
Why is begged the correct answer? Please, please, please has the idea of begging. To persuade,
you usually give lots of reasons why a person should do something; you do not usually say
please when you are forcing someone to do something

4. "Ellie, you are absolutely NOT allowed to go to the party."
Ellie's mum forbade / forced / allowed her to go to the party.
Why is forbade the correct answer? In this context, the use of both forced and allowed suggest
that Ellie went to the party. Only forbade makes sense because she did not go.

5. "Now go upstairs and do your homework."
Ellie's mum advised / trained / ordered her to go upstairs and do her homework.
Why is ordered the correct answer? The use of the imperative verbs go and do show that this is
an order, not advice or training

6. "And don't forget to tidy your room"
Ellie's mum reminded / begged / instructed her to tidy her room.
Why is reminded the correct answer? The use of the phrase don't forget is a reminder, not
begging or instruction

7. "Don't forget to clean under the bed, or there will be trouble!"
Ellie's mum advised / warned / encouraged her not to forget to clean under the bed.
Why is warned the correct answer? or there will be trouble is a clear warning to Ellie.
Encouragement and advice do not usually carry the threat of a punishment

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Page 5 of 5
Exercise 2:
Read the first sentence. Then rearrange the words and phrases to complete the second sentence.
For each sentence, there are 2 words that you do not need to use.

1. "Remember you have to pick your jacket up from the dry cleaner's."
She reminded me to go to the dry cleaner's.

2. "It's really hot in here. Would you mind opening the window?"
He asked her to open the window.

3. "Would you like to have dinner with us on Friday?
He invited them to have dinner with them on Friday.

4. "We'd be delighted if you could all be with us at the ceremony"
They invited all their friends to attend the ceremony.

5. "Well, if I were you I'd start saving up for my holiday."
He advised me to start saving up for my holiday.

6. "Don't drive too fast. The police are cracking down on speeding."
He warned him not to drive too fast.

7. "He's just bought a car, so I can visit her any time"
Buying a car has enabled him to visit her any time.

8. Come on, it's about time you looked for a new job, you know!
Jack encouraged me to look for a new job.

C L earning nglish
Grammar Challenge
| o c
_________________________________________________

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Page 1 of 2

Catherine's Grammar Explanation: between & among

Hello Chuan! Well done! Jackie said the location was fantastic. It's among the trees, between the
mountains and the sea, and not too far from the station.

Between and among are both prepositions, and they are usually followed by nouns. Let's look at
between first.

Between is usually followed by 2 nouns, like this:

between the mountains and the sea

The nouns can be single, plural or uncountable. The important thing is that between identifies them as
2 separate, individual things (or groups of things). Here are some more examples:

Is there a connection between unemployment and crime?

He shared the money equally between Jake and Mary.

In fact, it is possible to use between with more than 2 things, as long as they are separate things.
Listen:

He shared the money equally between his 3 grandchildren, Paul, Callum and Nuala.

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Page 2 of 2
Now among, or amongst, gives the idea of being part of a group of many, so it's usually followed by a
plural noun phrase. Jackie says her house is:

among the trees

And some more examples:

Her exam results put her among the top 10% of students in her group

It gets very lonely, living among strangers

Ok, let's summarise. Between distinguishes 2 or more separate things and is followed by countable or
uncountable, single or plural nouns. Among means 'one of many', and usually goes with plural nouns.


___________________________________________________________________________________

Grammar Tables: Between & among
between
clause between noun (s) referring to individual things
Is there a connection between unemployment and crime?
He shared the money equally between his 3 grandchildren
He shared the money equally between Jake and Mary

among
clause among plural nouns
Her exam results put her among the top 10% of students in her group
It's among the trees
It's difficult to live among strangers

Grammar Challenge
Between and among
_________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 1 of 3

Practice activities

Exercise 1: Gap-fill
Read the sentences and choose which is better - between or among.

1. The printer is the computer and the photocopier.
a. between
b. among

2. There are a few French speakers the students.
a. between
b. among

3. Sales of magazines book club members increased slightly this year.
a. between
b. among

4. There was a similarity in sales of fiction books members and non-members.
a. between
b. among

5. Gina shared the cake herself, Flora, Yao and Sarah.
a. between
b. among

6. Humaid shared the money the whole class.
a. between
b. among

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Page 2 of 3

1. All .

fought

them

themselves

under

amongst

children

the

2. This ice cream is to John.

Jack

between

among

amongst

be

and

shared

3. Where is my phone? I can't find on my desk.

it

all

stuff

between

among

things

this

4. Oh there it is! It's the modem.

between

among

the

and monitor

amongst

hiding

5. Which shoes do you like? I can't the brown.

blue

decide

the

between

have

among

and

6. and then tell the boss, ok?

decide

of

among

can

to

we

ourselves

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Page 3 of 3
Grammar Challenge because / because of practice activities
Answers

Exercise 1: Gap-fill
Read the sentences and choose which is better - between or among.

1. The printer is the computer and the photocopier.
a. between Correct the computer and the photocopier are two separate things.
b. among Wrong the computer and the photocopier are two separate things.

2. There are a few French speakers the students.
a. between Wrong the students are a group.
b. among Correct the students are a group.

3. Sales of magazines book club members increased slightly this year.
a. between Wrong book club members are a group.
b. among Correct book club members are a group.

4. There was a similarity in sales of fiction books members and non-members.
a. between Correct members and non-members are two separate groups.
b. among Wrong members and non-members are two separate groups.

5. Gina shared the cake herself, Flora, Yao and Sarah.
a. between Correct herself, Flora, Yao and Sarah are all separated individuals.
b. among Wrong herself, Flora, Yao and Sarah are all separated individuals.

6. Humaid shared the money the whole class.
a. between Wrong the whole class is a group.
b. among Correct the whole class is a group.


1. All the children fought amongst themselves.

2. This ice cream is to be shared between Jack and John.

3. Where is my phone? I can't find it among all this stuff on my desk.

4. Oh there it is! It's hiding between the monitor and the modem.

5. Which shoes do you like? I can't decide between the blue and the brown.

6. We can decide among ourselves and then tell the boss, ok?

Grammar Challenge
Subject verb agreement
_________________________________________________

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Page 1 of 2

Catherine's Grammar Explanation: Subject verb agreement

Hello Peng! Well done! Kaz is right, and so are you it's my sisters and my father live in London.

It's important in English that the subject of a sentence agrees with the verb. So in the simple present
tense, when the subject is singular, we add s to the verb, like this:

My father lives in Beijing.

With the verb 'to be' we say:

Chinese food is delicious

And an ing subject is also single:

Living in London costs a lot of money

Now when the subject is plural, or if the verb has more than one subject, the verb changes:

My sisters live in Beijing.
My mother and my father livein London.

But, if we use each or every, the verb remains singular. Listen:

Every resident has to pay tax.
Each address is listed in a special register.
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Page 2 of 2
Finally, the subject and verb must agree with each other, even if they get separated by extra
information like this:

Her parents, despite retiring several years ago, still live in the city.

So to sum up: singular subjects take singular verbs, but plural or multiple subjects take plural verbs,
even when they are separated from their subjects. Subjects with each and every usually take a singular
verb.


___________________________________________________________________________________

Grammar Tables: Subject verb agreement
Singular subjects take singular verbs, but plural or multiple subjects take plural verbs, even when they
are separated from their subjects. Subjects with each and every usually take a singular verb.

subject verb
My father lives in Beijing.
Chinese food is delicious.
Living in Beijing costs a lot of money.
My brothers live in Tokyo.
Chinese pancakes are delicious.
Reading and writing are important skills.
Every resident has to pay tax.
Each address is listed in a special register.

Grammar Challenge
Subject - verb agreement
_________________________________________________

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Page 1 of 4

Practice activities

Exercise 1:
Match the beginnings to the correct endings to make sentences which are grammatically correct and
make sense.

1. Every animal in the zoo...

a. is learning English.
2. These books

b. ...is fed a natural diet.
3. Youling believes that speaking
English fluently
c. sometimes have more than one
meaning.
4. Maria, as well as Marco and Alice,

d. are learning English.
5. Unfortunately, English grammar

e. is very expensive!
6. This book

f. is sometimes irregular.
7. English words

g. are very expensive!
8. Marco and Alice

h. is important in the modern world.

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Page 2 of 4

Exercise 2:
Kaz and Youling are doing their English homework. Read their sentences and decide which one of
them is correct.

1. Kaz: Right Youling, exercise 2, number 1. Those strawberries arenot ready to eat yet. What
have you got?
Youling: No Kaz, I think it should be Those strawberries is not ready to eat yet.

a. Kaz is correct.
b. Youling is correct.

2. Kaz: Number 2. That fruit cake looks delicious.
Youling: No, Kaz, it's That fruit cake look delicious.

a. Kaz is correct.

3. Kaz: Right, number 3: Every person in the room have eaten a piece of the fruit cake.
Youling: I think it should be Every person in the room has eaten a piece of the fruit cake.

a. Kaz is correct.

4. Kaz: Next one: Each guest, no matter how late it is, has to have a ticket.
Youling: You mean: Each guest, no matter how late it is, have to have a ticket.

a. Kaz is correct.

5. Kaz: Let's look at number 5. Washing up take a long time without hot water.
Youling: I think it should say: Washing up takes a long time without hot water.

a. Kaz is correct.

6. Kaz: Last one! Using washing-up liquid makes it a lot easier.
Youling: I don't agree. It must be Using washing-up liquid make it a lot easier.

a. Kaz is correct.

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Page 3 of 4
Grammar Challenge: subject - verb agreement practice activities
Answers

Exercise 1:
Match the beginnings to the correct endings to make sentences which are grammatically correct and
make sense.

1. Every animal in the zoo...

b. ...is fed a natural diet.
2. These books

g. are very expensive!
3. Youling believes that speaking
English fluently
h. is important in the modern world.
4. Maria, as well as Marco and Alice,

a. is learning English.
5. Unfortunately, English grammar

f. is sometimes irregular.
6. This book

e. is very expensive!
7. English words

c. sometimes have more than one
meaning.
8. Marco and Alice

d. are learning English.

Exercise 2:
Kaz and Youling are doing their English homework. Read their sentences and decide which one of
them is correct.

1. Kaz: Right Youling, exercise 2, number 1. Those strawberries arenot ready to eat yet. What
have you got?
Youling: No Kaz, I think it should be Those strawberries is not ready to eat yet.

a. Kaz is correct. - Well done! Those strawberries are plural & countable
b. Youling is correct. - Sorry - Those strawberries are plural & countable

2. Kaz: Number 2. That fruit cake looks delicious.
Youling: No, Kaz, it's That fruit cake look delicious.

a. Kaz is correct. - Well done! That fruit cakeis singular
b. Youling is correct. - Sorry - That fruit cake is singular

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Page 4 of 4
3. Kaz: Right, number 3: Every person in the room have eaten a piece of the fruit cake.
Youling: I think it should be Every person in the room has eaten a piece of the fruit cake.

a. Kaz is correct. Sorry Subjects with each & every take singular verbs
b. Youling is correct. Well done! Subjects with each & every take singular verbs

4. Kaz: Next one: Each guest, no matter how late it is, has to have a ticket.
Youling: You mean: Each guest, no matter how late it is, have to have a ticket.

a. Kaz is correct. Well done! The subject and verb must agree with each other, even if they
get separated by extra information
b. Youling is correct. Sorry - The subject and verb must agree with each other, even if they get
separated by extra information

5. Kaz: Let's look at number 5. Washing up take a long time without hot water
Youling: I think it should say: Washing up takes a long time without hot water

a. Kaz is correct. Sorry - Single verb-ing subjects usually take singular verbs
b. Youling is correct. Well done! Single verb-ing subjects usually take singular verbs

6. Kaz: Last one! Using washing-up liquid makes it a lot easier.
Youling: I don't agree. It must be Using washing-up liquid make it a lot easier.

a. Kaz is correct. Sorry - Single verb-ing subjects usually take singular verbs
b. Youling is correct. Well done! Single verb-ing subjects usually take singular verbs

Grammar Challenge
Subject - verb agreement 2:
Singular and plural subjects
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Page 1 of 3

Catherine's Grammar Explanation:

Hi Lee! In fact, there were 4 mistakes. The newsreader should have said: news is just in; a group
of tourists were bitten... Rabies is a serious threat; everybody is in hospital.

In English, singular subjects usually take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.

My brother lives in Moscow, but my sisters live in St Petersburg

But some subjects can be tricky. Firstly, indefinite pronouns like everybody, and everything have a
plural meaning, but take singular verbs. Listen:

Everybody is in hospital nobody is safe

What's more, some nouns which end in -s are actually singular, like news, mathematics, physics,
diabetes and rabies. Listen:

Todays news is that rabies is on the increase.

But, words like people, children, data and media need a plural verb even though they dont end in s.

The media have collected more data

Now a collective noun like family, team, government and group can be singular or plural, since we can
view it as a single group, or as a collection of individuals. We can say:

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Page 2 of 3

The team has worked well this year

Or:

The team have promised to work harder this year

So with this example:

A group of tourists were bitten by a stray dog

Each tourist was bitten individually. The dog didn't bite them all together in one big bite!

So to sum up: indefinite pronouns like everybody and nothing, take singular verbs. Some nouns which
end with s, like news and diabetes are actually single. Other words like data and media are plural,
and collective nouns like government and group can be single or plural.

Ok, that's all from me: good luck with your grammar challenge!

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Page 3 of 3
Grammar Tables: Subject - verb agreement 2: Singular and plural verbs

Indefinite pronouns like everybody and anyone, take singular verbs. Some nouns which end with s,
like news, maths and diabetes are actually single. Other words like data and media are plural, and
collective nouns like team, government and group can be single or plural.

Rule
Some nouns which
follow this rule
Example sentence
Some indefinite pronouns
have plural meanings, but
take singular verbs
everybody, anyone,
everything
Everybody is in hospital
Some nouns which end with
s are singular
mathematics, physics,
rabies, diabetes, news
Rabies is on the increase
Some nouns which don't end
with s are plural
people, children, data,
media

The media have collected more data

Some collective nouns can
be singular and plural
family, team, police,
group, government, jury
The jury has found the defendant guilty
The jury are having a discussion

Grammar Challenge
Subject - verb agreement 2:
Singular and plural subjects
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Page 1 of 3

Practice activities

Exercise 1:

1. Everyone who a. is on the increase in the developed
world.
2. The media

b. are forbidden by law to go on strike.
3. Some people think that maths c. have reported the death of the
president.
4. Diabetes d. were told not to jump on the
furniture.
5. The children e. is really difficult.

6. The orchestra f. was taken to the hotel by coach.

7. The police g. was injured in the accident was
taken to hospital.
8. I'm sure my team

h. is going to win the match.

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Page 2 of 3

1. The shocking.

the

news

are

murders

was

were

about

2. The .

taxes

has

are

everybody's

government

did

increased

3. English and subjects.

important

school

are

was

is

very

mathematics

4. accommodation.

wants

much

costs

nobody leave

to

this

5. about the new rules.

for

is

are

asking

asks

information

everybody

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Page 3 of 3
Grammar Challenge: Subject - verb agreement 2: Single and plural subjects
Practice activities
Answers

Exercise 1:

1. Everyone who g. was injured in the accident was
taken to hospital.
2. The media

c. have reported the death of the
president.
3. Some people think that maths e. is really difficult.

4. Diabetes a. is on the increase in the developed
world.
5. The children d. were told not to jump on the
furniture.
6. The orchestra f. was taken to the hotel by coach.

7. The police b. are forbidden by law to go on strike.

8. I'm sure my team

h. is going to win the match.



1. The news about the murders was shocking.

2. The government has increased everybody's taxes.

3. English and mathematics are very important school subjects.

4. Nobody wants to leave this accommodation.

5. Everybody is asking for information about the new rules.
C L earning E nglish
Quiz net
| c s

Quiznet BBC Learning English 2012
Page 1 of 3

1. Which option is NOT CO R ECT? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , can't hear myself think!
a Turn it down
b Turn the music down
c) Turn down the music
d Turn down it

2. Which option is NOT CO R ECT? I f you don't know what something means, use a
dictionary to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
a look the word up
b look up the word
c) look it up
d look up it

3 . I 'm so tired, I 'm really _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
a looking forward the weekend to
b looking the weekend forward to
c) looking forward to the weekend
d weekend looking forward to

4 . When we go on holiday, who's going to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the dog?
a look for
b look after
c) look up
d look at

5 . I t takes about two hours, so we should _ _ _ _ _ _ _ at about six o'clock
a get it in
b get in it
c) get in
d get on

6 . Which option is NOT CO R ECT? I 'll have to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , it's killing me!
a give up it
b give it up
c) give up smoking
d give smoking up

Page 2 of 3

A N S W E R S :

1. Which option is NOT CO R ECT? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , can't hear myself think!
a Turn it down I f the 2 parts of the verb can be separated, and you use a pronoun -
you MU T separate the verb.
b Turn the music down With some multi-word verbs you can choose to separate the 2
parts - check this in your dictionary when you look up a new verb.
c) Turn down the music With some multi-word verbs you can choose to separate the 2
parts. f you use a noun, you don't have to separate the 2 parts of the verb.
d urn down it f the parts o the ver an e separated and you use a
pronoun you U S T separate the ver .

2. Which option is NOT CO R ECT? I f you don't know what something means, use a
dictionary to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
a look the word up With some multi-word verbs you can choose to separate the 2 parts -
check this in your dictionary when you look up a new verb.
b look up the word With some multi-word verbs you can choose to separate the 2 parts. If
you use a noun, you don't have to separate the 2 parts of the verb.
c) look it up If the 2 parts of the verb can be separated, and you use a pronoun - you MUST
separate the verb.
d ook up it If the 2 parts of the verb can be separated, and you use a pronoun - you
MUST separate the verb.

3 . I 'm so tired, I 'm really _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
a looking forward the weekend to With multi-word parts with 3 parts you cannot separate
any part - the noun object must therefore go at the end of the verb.
b looking the weekend forward to With multi-word parts with 3 parts you cannot separate
c ook ing orward to the wee end With multi-word parts with 3 parts you cannot
separate any part - the noun object must therefore go at the end of the verb.
d weekend looking forward to With multi-word parts with 3 parts you cannot separate

4 . When we go on holiday, who's going to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the dog?
a look for 'Look for' means to search for something.
b ook af ter ' ook af ter' eans to tak e are of som ething
c) look up You can 'look up' a word in a dictionary.
d look at 'Look at' means to watch or stare.

5 . I t takes about 2 hours, so we should _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ at about six o'clock
a get it in The verb 'get in' meaning 'to arrive' does not have an object.
b get in it The verb 'get in' meaning 'to arrive' does not have an object.
c get in he ver 'get in' eans 'to arrive' of ten af ter a train or p ane
j ourney
d get on This is not the correct answer.

Page 3 of 3

6 . Which option is NOT CO R ECT? I 'll have to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , it's killing me!
a give up it If the 2 parts of the verb can be separated, and you use a pronoun - you
MUST separate the verb.
b give it up If the 2 parts of the verb can be separated, and you use a pronoun - you MUST
separate the verb.
c) give up smoking With some multi-word verbs you can choose to separate the 2 parts. If
you use a noun, you don't have to separate the 2 parts of the verb.
d give smoking up With some multi-word verbs you can choose to separate the 2 parts -
check this in your dictionary when you look up a new verb.

Y ou can try this quiz online at: http: / bbc.in/ HKrE8 G

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