A-F 103 Present Past Future

ANGLO-PEDIA Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future Simple Tenses Part 1: Ordinary verbs Present Simple Tense: Positive

Negative

I You We They

play have go do

I You We They

He She It

plays has goes does

He She It

Question

do not go

does not

play have do play have go do

Do

Does

I you we they

play? have? go? do?

he she It

play? have? go? do?

Contractions Do not  don’t Does not  doesn’t

Past Simple Tense: Positive

Negative

I You We They He She It

I You We They He She It

played went had did

Question

did not

Contraction Did not  didn’t

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play go have do

Did

I you we they he she it

play? go? have? do?

Future Simple Tense: Positive

Negative

I will You will We will They will He will She will It will

I You We They He She It

play go have do

Question

will not

play go have do

Will

I you we they He she it

play? go? have? do?

Contractions I will  I’ll You will  You’ll He will  He’ll She will  She’ll It will  It’ll You will  You’ll We will  We’ll They will  They’ll will not  won’t

Full forms and contractions Contractions (He’ll, doesn’t etc.) are used in spoken English, and full forms (I will, did not etc.) are used in written English e.g. in e-mails, reports, letters etc. A full form is sometimes used in spoken English in order to emphasise the message, and has an additional meaning (anger, insistence, determination etc.) e.g. Compare the following: a) -Did you forget to do it? -No, I didn’t forget. (Neutral) b) -You forgot to do it again! - No, I did not forget! (Angry) a) I hope I’ll succeed. (Neutral) b) Nothing will stop me. I will succeed. (Determined)

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Part 2: can (be able to) Present Tense Positive

Negative

Question

I can swim. You can do it. He can dance. She can cook. It can happen. You can continue. We can go. They can see.

I cannot swim. You cannot do it. He cannot dance. She cannot cook. It cannot happen. You cannot continue. We cannot go. They cannot see.

Can Can Can Can Can Can Can Can

Contraction:

I swim? you do it? he dance? she cook? it happen? you continue? we go? they see?

Cannot  can’t

Past Tense:

Can  could

Positive

Negative

Question

I could swim. She could cook. They could see

I could not swim. She could not cook. They could not see.

Could I swim? Could she cook? Could they see?

.

Contraction: Could not  couldn’t

Future Tense: ‘Can’ has no future form. Instead, we use the synonym of can: ‘be able to’: Positive

Negative

You will be able to do it. He will be able to dance. We will be able to go.

You will not be able to it. Will you be able to do it? He will not be able to dance. Will he be able to dance? We will not be able to go. Will we be able to go?

Question

Contraction: Will be able to  won’t be able to

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Part 3: must (have to) Present Tense Positive

Negative

Question

I must leave. You must laugh. He must rest. She must wait. It must stop. You must return. We must hurry. They must know.

I must not leave. You must not laugh. He must not rest. She must not wait. It must not stop. You must not return. We must not hurry. They must not know.

Must Must Must Must Must Must Must Must

I leave? you laugh? he rest? she wait? it stop? you return? we hurry? they know?

Contraction: Must not  mustn’t

Past Tense: ‘Must’ has no past form. For positive sentences and questions, you can use the similar expression: ‘have to’: Positive

Negative

Question

I had to leave. He had to rest. They had to know.

Did I have to leave? Did he have to rest? Did they have to know?

There is no negative equivalent in the past, as we generally do not express a ‘prohibition’ in the past.

Future Tense: ‘Must’ has no future form. For positive sentences and questions, use the similar expression to must: ‘have to’: For the negative form, use ‘’must not’ (like the Present Tense): Positive

Negative

She will have to wait. You will have to return. We will have to hurry.

She must not wait. You must not return. You must not hurry.

Question

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Will she have to wait? Will you have to return? Will we have to hurry?

Be careful that the negative forms of ‘must’ and ‘have to’ do not express the same idea: Present Tense: You must not laugh. = It is necessary that you do not laugh. You do not have to laugh. = It is not necessary for you to laugh. Laugh only if you want to. Past Tense: (‘Must not’ has no past equivalent.) I did not have to leave. = It was not necessary for me to leave. I left because I wanted to. Future Tense: You must not return tomorrow. = It is necessary that you will not return. You will not have to return tomorrow. = It is not necessary for you to return. Return only if you want to.

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ANGLO-PEDIA Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future Simple Tenses EXERCISES Part 1: Ordinary verbs Exercise 1: Positive sentences (Tracks 1-21) Change from the Present Tense into the Past Simple Tense, then into the Future Simple Tense. Example:

John goes shopping every Saturday. …John went shopping … last Saturday. …John will go shopping… next Saturday.

1. Tom hears the news every morning. ……………………………………… yesterday morning. ……………………………………… tomorrow morning. 2. Sally begins early every day.

…………………………………… yesterday. …………………………………... tomorrow. 3. I buy a new car every three years. ………………………………. three years ago. ………………………………. in three years. 4. We meet every Monday.

……………………………………… last Monday. ……………………………………… next Monday. 5. Joe leaves early every afternoon. …………………………………… yesterday afternoon. …………………………………… tomorrow afternoon. 6. It gets cold at night.

……………………………… last night. ……………………………… tonight. 7. Jane catches the bus every morning. .................................... last night .................................... tomorrow evening. 8. The doctor sees him every month. …………………………............... last month. …………………………............... next month.

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9. The children eat breakfast every morning. ………………………................ yesterday morning. ………………………............... tomorrow morning. 10. Peter reads his e-mails every hour. ……………………............... an hour ago. ……………………............... after lunch today. 11. Many people come here in summer. ………………………............... last summer. ………………………............... next summer. 12. That shop sells everything every week. ……………………………….............. last week. ……………………………….............. next week. 13. I choose this colour all the time. …………………………............... last time. …………………………............... next time. 14. He does the accounts every Friday. ………………………............... last Friday ………………………............... next Friday. 15. Tim has a holiday every summer. ……………………………............... last summer. ……………………………............... next summer 16. The economy grows every year.

....................................……..… last year. ..................................………… next year. 17. Ann writes to me once a month. ………………………............... two months ago. ………………………............... in two months time. 18. House prices rise every quarter. ………………..........……….... last quarter. ……………….........………..... next quarter. 19. He drinks coffee every morning. ……………………............... yesterday evening ……………………............... tomorrow afternoon 20. Jack flies to Madrid once a week. ………………………............... last week. ………………………............... next week.

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Exercise 2: Negative sentences (Tracks 22-32) Change from the Present Tense into the Past Simple Tense, then into the Future Simple Tense. Example:

John doesn’t go shopping every Saturday. …John didn’t go shopping … last Saturday. …John won’t go shopping… next Saturday.

1. Prices don’t fall every autumn. ………………………………… last autumn. ………………………………… next autumn. 2. It doesn’t get better day by day.

…………………………….............. yesterday. …………………………….............. tomorrow. 3. I don’t forget it every time. ……………………………… last time. ……………………............... next time. 4. Sue doesn’t work every evening. …………………...............… yesterday evening. …………………...............… tomorrow evening. 5. She doesn’t call me every day.

…………………...........………… yesterday. …….…………...............………… tomorrow. 6. Tim doesn’t ride his bicycle every weekend. …………………………………… last weekend. ………………...............………... next weekend. 7. They don’t run the Marathon every year. …………………………………… last year. …………………………………… next year. 8. She doesn’t have breakfast every morning. ……………………............... yesterday morning. ……………………............... tomorrow morning. 9. They don’t shut it down every night. …………………………………… last night. …………………….........………... tonight. 10. He doesn’t go abroad every summer. ……………………...............… last weekend. ………………………............... next weekend.

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Exercise 3: Questions (Tracks 33-43) Change from the Present Tense into the Past Simple Tense, then into the Future Simple Tense. Example:

Does John go shopping every Saturday? …did John go shopping … last Saturday? …will John go shopping… next Saturday?

1. Does petrol cost a lot these days? ....................................…… in the past? ....................................…… in the future? 2. Do they prepare an agenda every week? …………………………………. last week? ....................................…….… next week? 3. Do these birds fly south every winter? …………………………………...... last winter? ……………………………….….... next winter? 4. Does he know the answer every time? ....................................…………… last time? ....................................…………… next time? 5. Does she send you an e-mail every day? ....................................………… yesterday? ....................................………… tomorrow? 6. Do you sleep well every night? ....................................…… last night? ....................................…… tonight? 7. Does she take the day off every Friday? ....................................…… last Friday? ....................................…… next Friday? 8. Does Sam go jogging twice a week? ..................................…………… twice last week? ..................................…………… twice next week? 9. Do they hold a meeting every Monday? ....................................… last Monday? ....................................… next Monday? 10. Does she wake up early every morning? ....................................… yesterday morning? ....................................… tomorrow morning?

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Exercise 4: Answer these questions with complete sentences. Example: How did John travel? By plane.

John travelled by plane.

1. Where does she work? In London.

……………………………………………………

2. Did you see them? Yes.

……………………………………………………

3. Will it arrive on time? No.

……………………………………………………

4. When did they leave? Yesterday.

……………………………………………………

5. Does Sue live far away? No.

……………………………………………………

6. How did you sleep? Well.

……………………………………………………

7. How many children does he have? 3.

……………………………………………………

8. Where will they meet? At the station.

……………………………………………………

9. Did your car break down? No.

……………………………………………………

10. Do you agree? Yes.

……………………………………………………

11. Why did he come back? To see us.

……………………………………………………

12. Who will arrange the meeting? Tony. …………………………………………………… 13. Does it snow here? Yes.

……………………………………………………

14. When did it happen? Last week.

……………………………………………………

15. Will it happen again? No.

……………………………………………………

16. Why did they stop? To have a break.

……………………………………………………

17. What will you watch? The news.

……………………………………………………

18. Does John know them? Yes.

……………………………………………………

19. How much did you pay? 50 Euros.

……………………………………………………

20. Do we have much time? No.

……………………………………………………

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Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future / Answer Key Part 1: Ordinary verbs, Exercise 1: Positive sentences 1. Tom heard the news yesterday morning. Tom will hear the news tomorrow morning. 2. Sally began early yesterday. Sally will begin early tomorrow. 3. I bought a new car three years ago. I’ll buy a new car in three years. 4. We met last Monday. We’ll meet next Monday. 5. Joe left early yesterday afternoon. Joe will leave early tomorrow afternoon. 6. It got cold last night. It’ll get cold tonight. 7. Jane caught the bus last night. Jane will catch the bus tomorrow evening. 8. The doctor saw him last month. The doctor will see him next month. 9. The children ate breakfast yesterday morning. The children will eat breakfast tomorrow morning. 10. Peter read his e-mails an hour ago. Peter will read his e-mails after lunch today. 11. Many people came here last summer. Many people will come here next summer. 12. That shop sold everything last week. That shop will sell everything next week. 13. I chose this colour last time. I’ll choose this colour next time. 14. He did the accounts last Friday He’ll do the accounts next Friday. 15. Tim had a holiday last summer. Tim will have a holiday next summer. 16. The economy grew last year. The economy will grow next year. 17. Ann wrote to me two months ago. Ann will write to me in two months’ time. 18. House prices rose last quarter. House prices will rise next quarter.

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19. He drank coffee yesterday morning. He will drink coffee tomorrow morning. 20. Jack flew to Madrid last week. Jack will fly to Madrid next week.

Part 1: Ordinary verbs, Exercise 2: Negative sentences 1. Prices didn’t fall last autumn. Prices won’t fall next autumn. 2. It didn’t get better yesterday. It won’t get better tomorrow. 3. I didn’t forget it last time. I won’t forget it next time. 4. Sue didn’t work yesterday evening. Sue won’t work tomorrow evening. 5. She didn’t call me yesterday. She won’t call me tomorrow. 6. Tim didn’t ride his bicycle last weekend. Tim won’t ride his bicycle next weekend. 7. They didn’t run the marathon last year. They won’t run the marathon next year. 8. She didn’t have breakfast yesterday morning. She won’t have breakfast tomorrow morning. 9. They didn’t shut it down last night. They won’t shut it down tonight. 10. He didn’t go abroad last summer. He won’t go abroad next summer.

Part 1: Ordinary verbs, Exercise 3: Questions 1. Did petrol cost a lot in the past? Will petrol cost a lot in the future? 2. Did they prepare an agenda last week? Will they prepare an agenda next week? 3. Did these birds fly south last winter? Will these birds fly south next winter? 4. Did he know the answer last time? Will he know the answer next time? 5. Did she send you an e-mail yesterday? Will she send you an e-mail tomorrow?

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6. Did you sleep well last night? Will you sleep well tonight? 7. Did she take the day off last Friday? Will she take the day off next Friday? 8. Did Sam go jogging twice last week? Will Sam go jogging twice next week? 9. Did they hold a meeting last Monday? Will they hold a meeting next Monday? 10.Did she wake up early yesterday morning? Will she wake up early tomorrow morning?

Part 1: Ordinary verbs, Exercise 4: Answer the questions 1. She works in London. 2. Yes, I saw them. 3. No, it won’t arrive on time. 4. They left yesterday. 5. No, Sue doesn’t live far away. 6. I slept well. 7. He has 3 children. 8. They’ll meet at the station. 9. No, my car didn’t break down. 10.Yes, I agree. 11. He came back to see us. 12. Tony will arrange the meeting. 13. Yes, it snows here. 14. It happened last week. 15. No, it won’t happen again. 16.They stopped to have a break. 17. I’ll watch the news. 18. Yes, John knows them. 19. I paid 50 Euros. 20. No, we don’t have much time.

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ANGLO-PEDIA Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future Simple Tenses EXERCISES Part 2: CAN / be able to Exercise 1: Answer these questions with complete sentences. Example: Can you see the television? No.

No, I can’t see the television.

1. Could they find the way? No.

……………………………………………………

2. How many people can we invite? Ten.

……………………………………………………

3. Will we be able to stop? No.

……………………………………………………

4. Can she drive? Yes.

……………………………………………………

5. Could the children write? Yes.

……………………………………………………

6. Will he be able to find a solution? Yes. …………………………………………………… 7. Could you reach him on his mobile? No. …………………………………………………… 8. When will we be able to begin? Soon.

…………………………………………………

9. Where can we park the car? here.

…………………………………………………

10. What could you see? The fire.

…………………………………………………

11. Will I be able to borrow money? No.

…………………………………………………

12. Can Sam see me now? No.

…………………………………………………

13. Who could answer the question? Jill.

…………………………………………………

14. Can she speak Japanese? No.

…………………………………………………

15. Where will you be able to go? Paris.

…………………………………………………

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Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future / Answer Key Part 2: Can / be able to, Exercise 1 1. No, they couldn’t find the way. 2. We can invite ten people. 3. No, we won’t be able to stop. 4. Yes, she can drive. 5. Yes, the children could play. 6. Yes, he’ll be able to find a solution. 7. No, we couldn’t reach an agreement. 8. We’ll be able to begin soon. 9. We can park the car here. 10. We could see the fire. 11. No, you won’t be able to sell it. 12. No, Sam can’t see you now. 13. Jill could answer the question. 14. No, she can’t speak Japanese. 15. I’ll be able to go to Paris.

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ANGLO-PEDIA Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future Simple Tenses EXERCISES Part 3: MUST / have to Exercise 1: Answer these questions with complete sentences. Example: Must you leave now? Yes.

Yes, I must leave now.

1. Who must sign this report? Jim.

…………………………………………………

2. Where did you have to go? To Berlin.

…………………………………………………

3. Will they have to wait? No.

…………………………………………………

4. What must he do? Take his medicine. ………………………………………………… 5. When must we pay the bill? Now.

.…………………………………………………

6. Must we register first? Yes.

…………………………………………………

7. Did Joe have to leave? Yes.

…………………………………………………

8. When will I have to return? Tomorrow. ………………………………………………… 9. Did they have to fill in a form? No.

…………………………………………………

10. What mustn’t we do? Lose the key.

…………………………………………………

11. What must he wear? Glasses.

…………………………………………………

12. Will he have to buy a ticket? Yes.

…………………………………………………

13. What did you have to write? A letter. ………………………………………………… 14. Must we get up early? Yes.

…………………………………………………

15. Who had to finish the work? Richard. …………………………………………………

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Anglo-File 103: Present, Past, Future / Answer Key Part 3: Must / have to, Exercise 1

1. Jim must sign this report. 2. I had to go to Berlin. 3. No, they won’t have to wait. 4. He must take his medicine. 5. We must pay the bill now. 6. Yes, we must register first. 7. Yes, Joe had to leave. 8. You’ll have to return tomorrow. 9. No, they didn’t have to fill in a form. 10. We mustn’t lose the key. 11. He must wear glasses. 12. Yes, he’ll have to buy a ticket. 13. I had to write a letter. 14. Yes, we must get up early. 15. Richard had to finish the work.

©Anglo-Link Language Community, 2008

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