THE VERB “TO BE” IN THE PAST INDEFINITE TENSE

POSITIVE FORM	NEGATIVE FORM	QUESTIONS
I was	I was not (wasn't)	Was I?
You were	You were not (weren't)	Were you?
He was	He was not (wasn't)	Was he?
She was	She was not (wasn't)	Was she?
It was	It was not (wasn't)	Was it?
We were	We were not (weren't)	Were we?
You were	You were not (weren't)	Were you?
They were	They were not (weren't)	Were they?

1. 
   We didn't like that house. It was very old and it wasn't large enough.
   
2. 
   Helen got married when she ... 21 years old.
   
3. 
   I called you yesterday evening but you ... at home. Where ... you?
   
4. 
   My son ... at work last week because he... ill. He's better now.
   
5. 
   The shops ... open yesterday because it ... a public holiday.
   
6. 
   “ ... you at home at 9.30?” – “No, I ... . I ... at work.”
   

1. Где они были вчера вечером?

2. Почему ты вчера опоздал?

3. Его вчера не было в институте.

4. Меня там не было.

5. Ее не было дома в 5 часов.

1. This time last year I ... in England.

2. 
   We ... tired when we arrived home, so we went to bed.
   

3. 
   Anton Chekhov died in 1904. He ... a famous Russian writer.
   
4. 
   - Where are the dogs?
   

5. Tom ... late for work yesterday.

Russian	English
В моей комнате есть (имеется) телефон	There is a telephone in my room.
В саду (имеется) много яблонь.	There are many apple-trees in the garden.
Вчера в институте было собрание.	There was a meeting at the Institute yesterday.

- Is there a telephone in your room?

- No, there isn't. No, there is no telephone in my room.

- Was there a meeting at the Institute?

- No, there wasn't.

- Will there be many people there?

- No, there won't. No, there won't be any people there.

Mind that the sentences: “There is a book on the table” and “The book is on the table” have different meaning. The first one shows that there is something (a book) in that place; the second one shows that the object (the book) we now are speaking about or looking for is in that place (on the table).

1. 
   Munford is a very modern town. ... many old buildings.
   
2. 
   Look! ... a photograph of George in the newspaper!
   
3. 
   ... a nice concert on TV last night. Did you like it?
   
4. 
   ... five people in my family: my parents, my two sisters and me.
   
5. 
   The bookcase was empty. ... any books in it.
   
6. 
   We can’t take any photographs. ... any film in the camera.
   
7. 
   How many members ... in your family?
   
8. 
   We didn’t visit the museum. ... enough time.
   

- Is there a good programme on TV tonight?

- Yes, there is.

There aren't any theatres in my town.

1. 
   There is a cat in the window.
   
2. 
   There are a few mistakes in the test.
   
3. 
   There are plenty of glasses in the cupboard.
   
4. 
   There were a lot of people at the stadium.
   
5. 
   There isn't anything on the plate.
   
6. 
   There wasn't anybody in the room.
   
7. 
   There are difficult exercises in this book.
   
8. 
   There is something on the shelf.
   
9. 
   There will be some interesting programmes on TV tomor­row.
   
10. 
    There are several vacant seats in the room.
    
11. 
    There weren't any pears on the plate.
    

1. 
   Look! ... their telephone number in the letter.
   
2. 
   Polotsk is a very old town. ... a lot of ancient buildings there.
   
3. 
   Excuse me, ... a restaurant near here?
   
4. 
   How many students ... in your group?
   
5. 
   I was hungry but ... anything to eat.
   
6. 
   ... a football match on TV last night.
   
7. 
   ... many people at the meeting?
   
8. 
   Look! ... an accident. Call the ambulance!
   
9. 
   ... 24 hours in a day.
   
10. 
    This box is empty. ... nothing in it.
    
11. 
    ... somebody at the airport to meet you when you arrive tomorrow.
    
12. 
    When we arrived at the cinema ... a long queue outside.
    

1. 
   В этом журнале много интересных статей.
   
2. 
   В нашем городе много музеев и театров.
   
3. 
   В этой комнате есть телефон?
   
4. 
   В этой комнате два окна.
   
5. 
   В чашке не было чая.
   
6. 
   Сколько статей было в этом журнале? - Там было несколько статей.
   
7. 
   Сколько студентов в аудитории? - Двадцать.
   
8. 
   Рядом с нашим домом будет парк.
   
9. 
   На этой улице была школа?
   
10. 
    На столе лежит несколько книг.
    

1. 
   Where can we sit? ... any chairs.
   
2. 
   ... a bus from the city centre to the airport?
   
3. 
   I’m sorry I’m late. ... a lot of traffic.
   
4. 
   ... any letters for me yesterday?
   
5. 
   ”We stayed at a nice hotel”. “Did you? ... a swimming-pool?”
   
6. 
   I found a wallet in the street but ... any money in it.
   
7. 
   “... many people at the meeting?” “No, very few.”
   
8. 
   The radio wasn’t working because ... any batteries in it.
   

I have a cup of tea for breakfast in the morning (usually).

I haven't got tea for breakfast this morning.

The past of have is had. In negatives and questions we use did + have.

1. 
   Ben doesn't read much. He ... many books.
   
2. 
   It's a nice town. It ... a very nice shopping centre.
   
3. 
   Mother is going to the dentist. She ... a toothache.
   
4. 
   Where's my newspaper? – I don't know. I ... it.
   
5. 
   Julia wants to go on holiday but she ... got any money.
   
6. 
   I'm not going to work today. I ... a bad cold.
   

I haven't got any sandals this summer.

1. 
   They have seminars every month. (this month)
   
2. 
   They have a lot of flowers in their garden every summer. (this summer)
   
3. 
   We have a letter from home every week. (this week)
   
4. 
   He often has a sore throat. (today)
   
5. 
   I usually have warm shoes in the winter. (this winter)
   
6. 
   She has a new dress every summer. (this summer)
   
7. 
   They always have a light supper. (tonight)
   
8. 
   I often have a headache in the evening. (tonight)
   
9. 
   I often have fish for dinner. (today)
   

1. 
   There are no mistakes in his dictation.
   
2. 
   There is no garden near his house.
   
3. 
   There are no pictures in her room.
   
4. 
   There are no French books in her library.
   
5. 
   There is no English newspaper on her table.
   
6. 
   There is no coffee in my cup.
   
7. 
   There is no telephone in my flat.
   
8. 
   There are no maps on the walls of our classroom.
   
9. 
   There is no sugar in Peter’s tea.
   

1. 
   They like flowers. They've got a lot of roses in their garden
   
2. 
   Jane hasn't got a car. She goes everywhere by bicycle.
   
3. 
   Everybody likes Tom. He ... a lot of friends.
   
4. 
   Mr. and Mrs. Eastwood ... two children, a boy and a girl.
   
5. 
   This insect ... six legs.
   
6. 
   I can't open the door. I ... a key.
   
7. 
   Quick! Hurry! We ... much time.
   
8. 
   What's wrong? – I ... something in my eye.
   

1. 
   У них есть три собаки и три кошки.
   
2. 
   У нее большие зеленые глаза.
   
3. 
   У моего брата голубая машина.
   
4. 
   Сколько у вас земли?
   
5. 
   У нас не было машины в прошлом году.
   
6. 
   У меня вчера болела голова.
   
7. 
   Когда вы пьете чай?
   
8. 
   Мы хорошо провели время вчера.
   

INDEFINITE shows an action as a fact (customary, repeated)		PRESENT
		PAST	verb
		FUTURE
CONTINUOS shows an action as a process		PRESENT
		PAST	to be + -ing
		FUTURE
PERFECT shows an action completed before a definite moment, connected with it		PRESENT
		PAST	to have + Participle II
		FUTURE
PERFECT CONTINUOUS shows an action in progress, whose duration before a definite moment is expressed		PRESENT
		PAST	to have been+ -ing
		FUTURE

Let's go out now. It isn’t raining (not/rain) any more.

1. 
   Please be quiet. I (try) to concentrate.
   
2. 
   Look! It (snow).
   
3. 
   Why (you/look) at me like that? Have I said something wrong?
   
4. 
   You (make) a lot of noise. Can you be a bit quieter?
   
5. 
   Excuse me, I (look) for a phone box. Is there one near here?
   
6. 
   (in the cinema) It's a good film, isn't it? (you/enjoy) it?
   
7. 
   Listen! Can you hear those people next door? They (shout) at each other again.
   
8. 
   Why (you/wear) your coat today? It's very warm.
   
9. 
   I (not/work) this week. I'm on holiday.
   
10. 
    I want to lose weight. I (not/eat) anything today.
    

1. 
   The number of people without jobs ... at the moment.
   
2. 
   He is still ill but he ... better slowly.
   
3. 
   These days food ... more arid more expensive
   
4. 
   The world ... . Things never stay the same.
   
5. 
   The cost of living ... . Every year things are dearer.
   
6. 
   George has gone to work in Spain. When he arrived, his Spanish wasn't very good but now it ... .
   
7. 
   The economic situation is already very bad and it. ... worse.
   

1. 
   The swimming bath (open) at 9.00 and (close) at 18.30 every day.
   
2. 
   What time (the banks/close) in Britain?
   

3. 
   How many cigarettes (you/smoke) a day?
   
4. 
   “What (you/do)?” “I'm an electrical engineer.”
   
5. 
   “Where (your father/come) from?” “He (come) from Scotland.”
   
6. 
   If you need money, why (you/not/get) a job?
   
7. 
   I (play) the piano, but I (not/play) very well.
   
8. 
   I don't understand the word “deceive”. What (“deceive”/ mean)?
   

1. 
   Ann watches television. (How often?) ________________?
   
2. 
   I write to my parents. (How often?) ________________?
   
3. 
   I have dinner in the evening? (What time/usually?) ________________?
   
4. 
   Tom works. (Where?) ________________?
   
5. 
   I go to the cinema. (How often?) ________________?
   
6. 
   People do stupid things. (Why?) ________________?
   
7. 
   The car breaks down. (How often?) ________________?
   

Please don't make so much noise. I study. WRONG - am studying.

1. Look! Somebody is climbing up that tree over there. ____________

2. 
   Can you hear those people? What do they talk about? ____________
   
3. 
   Are you believing in God? ____________
   
4. 
   Look! That man tries to open the door of your car. ____________
   
5. 
   The moon goes round the earth. ____________
   
6. 
   I'm thinking it would be a good idea to leave early. ____________
   
7. 
   The government is worried because the number of people without jobs is increasing. ____________
   
8. 
   I'm usually going to work by car. ____________
   

1. 
   I (not/belong) to a political party.
   
2. 
   Hurry! The bus (come). I (not/want) to miss it.
   
3. 
   The River Nile (flow) into the Mediterranean.
   
4. 
   The river (flow) very fast today – much faster than usual.
   
5. 
   We usually (grow) vegetables in our garden but this year we (not/grow) any.
   
6. 
   You can borrow my umbrella. I (not/need) it at the moment.
   
7. 
   (at a party) I usually (enjoy) parties but I (not/ enjoy) this one very much.
   
8. 
   George says he's 80 years old but I (not/believe) him.
   
9. 
   Ron is in London at the moment. He (stay) at the Hilton Hotel. He usually (stay) at the Hilton Hotel when he's in London.
   
10. 
    My parents (live) in Bristol. They were born there and have never lived anywhere else. Where (your parents/live)?
    
11. 
    She (stay) with her sister at the moment until she finds somewhere to live.
    

1. 
   We (have) a party next Saturday. Would you like to come?
   
2. 
   The concert this evening (start) at 7.30.
   
3. 
   George, is it true that you (get) married next week?
   
4. 
   The art exhibition (open) on 3 May and (finish) on 15 July.
   

6. Ann, we (go) to town. ______ (you/come) with us?

1. 
   My wife normally (work) at home, but she (spend) this month in Italy.
   
2. 
   Goodnight. I (go) to bed. I always (go) to bed early during the week.
   
3. 
   Most days, Tom usually (cycle) to work
   
4. 
   We usually (watch) the news on TV at five o'clock, but tonight we (watch) that new soap opera.
   
5. 
   She usually (wear) a blue dress, but today she (wear) a grey one.
   
6. 
   What's your brother doing? He (do) the crossword in the news­paper. He (do) it every day.
   
7. 
   I'm afraid I'll lose this game of chess. I (play) very badly. I usually (play) much better.
   
8. 
   What's she doing? – She (mend) her husband's socks. She always (mend) them.
   
9. 
   Yes, you can borrow my dictionary. I (use) it a lot, but I (not / use) it now.
   
10. 
    Jack usually (sit) near me, but this morning he (sit) at the back.
    

1. 
   Alice is in her room right now. She (read) a book. She (like) the book.
   
2. 
   It (snow) right now. It's beautiful! I (like) this weather.
   
3. 
   I (know) Ann Jones. She's in my class.
   
4. 
   The teacher (talk) to us right now. I (understand) everything she's saying.
   
5. 
   Carol and I (think) of getting married.
   
6. 
   The river Volga (flow) into the Caspian Sea.
   
7. 
   (You/think) that's a good idea?
   
8. 
   The river (flow) very fast today than usual.
   
9. 
   I (see) many things in this room.
   
10. 
    Is Marry ready to come out? — No, she still (dress).
    

1. 
   I (look) at the clock right now. I (want) to know the time.
   
2. 
   I'm in my apartment. I (try) to study. I (hear) the music from the next apartment. The music is loud.
   
3. 
   You (always to complain) that waiters are rude.
   
4. 
   I (walk) to school every day. I (take, not) the bus.
   
5. 
   You (always to borrow) money!
   
6. 
   What (you, read) right now? — I (read) my grammar book.
   
7. 
   Robert (cook) his own dinner every evening.
   
8. 
   That's worried because the number of people without job (increase).
   
9. 
   Robert is a vegetarian. He (eat, not) meat.
   
10. 
    (you, cook) your own dinner every day?
    

1. 
   Mike (talk) to his classmates every day in class. Right now he (talk) to Polly.
   
2. 
   Polly and Mike (sit) next to each other in class every day, so they often (help) each other with their grammar exercises. Right now Polly (help) Mike with an exercise on present verb tenses.
   
3. 
   It (rain) a lot in this city, but it (rain, not) right now. The sun (shine).
   
4. 
   Diana (wash) her hair every other day.
   
5. 
   I (think) he is a kind man.
   
6. 
   He (have) a cat.
   
7. 
   I (see) a butterfly. You (see) it?
   
8. 
   Every morning, the sun (shine) in my bedroom.
   
9. 
   Are you in a hurry? – Yes, I (walk) quickly because I'm cold. I (want) to get home as soon as possible.
   
10. 
    Where's your father? — He (be) in the bathroom. He (shave).