Present Continuous vs. Present Simple

Еще раз напомним: Present Continuous следует употреблять, если речь идет о том, что происходит в момент речи или в настоящий период времени. Действие при этом не является законченным. Present Simple употребляется для обозначения действий «вообще» или повторяющихся. Сравните:

The water is boiling. Can you turn it off, please? Вода кипит. Выключи, пожалуйста.

Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. Вода закипает при 100 градусах по Цельсию.

Let’s go out. It isn’t raining now. Пойдем, погуляем, дождя нет.

It doesn’t rain very much in summer. Летом дождь идет не часто.

Kate wants to work in Italy, so she’s learning Italian. Кейт хочет работать в Италии, поэтому она учит итальянский.

Most people learn to swim then they are children. Многие учатся плавать в детстве.

I’m living with my friends until I find a place of my own. Пока я не нашел собственного жилья, я живу у друзей.

My parents live in London. They have lived there all their lives. Мои родители живут в Лондоне. Они там живут всю жизнь.

И не забывайте о том, что сказано в Приложении 3.

2.14 Complete the sentences using the Present Continuous or the Present Simple:

1. …… (it / snow) outside. …… (it / come) down quite hard, look.

2. Normally …… (I / start) work at eight o’clock, but …… (I / start) at seven this week. We’re very busy at the moment.

3. I haven’t got a car at the moment, so …… (I / go) to work on the bus this week. Usually …… (I / drive) to work.

4. The sun …… (rise) in the east, remember. It’s behind us so …… (we / travel) west.

5. I’m afraid I have no time to help just now. …… (I / write) a report. But …… (I / promise) I’ll give you some help later.

6. …… (I / want) a new car. …… (I / save) up to buy one.

2.15 At work Mark is talking to Alan in the corridor. Complete their conversation using the Present Continuous or the Present Simple:

M.: …… (you / look) for someone?

A.: Yes, ……(I / need) to speak to Neil. He isn’t in his office.

M.: …… (he / talk) to the boss at the moment. …… (I / think) …… (they / discuss) money.

A.: Oh, right. And what about you? …… (you / look) for someone too?

M.: Yes, Linda. …… (you / know) where she is?

A.: Oh, she isn’t here today. She only …… (work) four days a week. …… (she / not / work) on Fridays. She’ll be here on Monday.

M.: Thank you. …… (you / know) a lot about Linda.

A.: Well, most days …… (I / give) her a lift, or …… (she / give) me one. …… (she / live) quite close to me. …… (it / save) petrol.

M.: Yes, of cause. Good idea. Yes, …… (I / agree). Well, …… (I / waste) my time here then. I’ll get back to my computer.

2.16 Choose the correct time expression:

1. Karen usually cooks dinner in the evening / now.

2. It isn’t snowing at the moment / at the weekend.

3. Are they having a piano lesson every Monday / now?

4. Do you go out at present / at the weekend?

5. She seldom / at the moment visits her grandparents.

6. Paul is repairing his bike on Monday / at the moment.

7. They’re running to catch the bus now / at night.

2.17 Put the verbs into the correct form: Present Continuous or Present Simple:

Tony Hunt, a journalist, is interviewing Leila Markham, an environmental scientist.

T.: So tell me, Leila, why is it important to save the rainforests?

L.: There a number of reasons. One is that many plants which could be useful in medicine …… (grow) in the rain forest. We …… (not / know) all the plants, but there are thousands and thousands of them. Researches …… (try) to discover their secrets before they are destroyed.

T.: I see. What other reasons are there?

L.: Well, have you heard that the world …… (get) warmer?

T.: Do you mean what scientists call “global warming”?

L.: That’s right. The rainforests have always had an important influence on our weather. They …… (disappear) at a terrifying rate and people …… (not / do) enough to save them.

T.: But I …… (enjoy) warm sunshine. Is global warming really such a problem?

L.: You know that the polar regions …… (consist) of millions tons of ice. If they …… (melt), the level of the sea will rise and cause terrible floods. Many scientists …… (believe) that temperatures …… (already / rise). We must do everything we can to prevent global warming, and that includes preserving the rainforests!

T.: Thank you, Leila, and good luck in your camping.

L.: Thank you.

2.18 Choose the correct alternative:

From: Pedro Martinez

To: Karen Miller

Subject: Trip to England

Hi, Karen

I’m having / I have a great time here in England. My college term isn’t starting / doesn’t start until next month, so I’m taking / I take the opportunity to earn some money. I’m staying / I stay with my English friend, Robby. His parents are owning / own a software business. In the evenings I’m driving / I drive into London to go clubbing. I’m making / I make a lot of new friends.

I think / I’m thinking my pronunciation is much better than when I arrived, and I’m understanding / I understand almost everything now. On weekends I’m helping / I help Robbie’s dad. At the moment he’s working / he works on a new website and he’s needing / he needs help with it. It’s quite tiring work, but I’m liking / I like it and I’m learning / I learn some really useful stuff about the Web.

Do you come / Are you coming to visit me soon? I’m spending / I spend the winter holiday here at Robbie’s. His parents are wanting / want to meet you and there’s plenty of space. But you must bring your warmest clothes. It’s getting / It gets very cold here in the winter.

Let me know as soon as you’re deciding / you decide. And tell me what you’re doing / you do these days. Do you miss me?

Love, Pedro.

2.19 Complete the conversations. Put the correct form of each verb. Use the Present Continuous or the Present Simple:

1. A.: Is Janet in, please?

B.: Yes, but …… (I / think) she’s busy at the moment. …… (she / wash) her hair.

2. A.: …… (I / think) of buying a new computer.

B.: But computers …… (cost) so much money. What’s wrong with the one we’ve got?

  A.: …… (it / get) out of date now.

3. A.: Your new trousers ……. (look) nice.

B.: Thank you. The trouble is …… (they / not / fit) properly. …… (I / not / know) why I bought them, really.

4. A.: What …… (you / do)?

B.: …… (I / weigh) this letter. …… (I / need) to know how many stamps to put on it.

5. A.: …… (I / think) this road is really dangerous. Look how fast that lorry …… (go).

B.: …… (I / agree). People shouldn’t go so fast.

6. A.: …… (I / like) musicals. And this is a great show, isn’t it? …… (you / enjoy) it?

B.: Yes, I am. …… (I / love) every minute of it.

7. A.: …… (I / always / fall) asleep. I just can’t keep awake.

B.: What time …… (you / go) to bed?

A.: About ten o’clock usually. But …… (it / not / make) any difference.

8. A.: Could you post the goods to me, please?

B.: Yes, certainly.

A.: …… (I / live) at a guest house at the moment as …… (I / look) for a flat. So could you send it to my work address?

B.: Yes, of course. And you’ll have the goods by the end of the week, …… (I / promise).

9. A.: Why …… (you / want) to change the whole plan?

B.: I’m just not happy with it.

A.: And …… (I / not / understand) why …… (you / be) so difficult about it.

2.20 Complete the sentences using the Present Simple Passive:

1. The postbox …… (empty) every day.

2. The stamps …… (postmark) at the post office.

3. The letters …… (sort) into the different towns.

4. The mail …… (load) into the train.

5. The mailbags …… (unload) after their journey.

6. The bags …… (take) to the post office.

7. The letters …… (sort) into the different streets.

8. The letters …… (deliver).

2.21 Complete the sentences using the Present Simple Passive:

1. The roads …… (cover) with the snow.

2. Chocolate …… (make) from cocoa.

3. The castle can …… (see) from a long distance.

4. The guests must …… (meet) at noon.

5. Hockey …… (play) in winter.

6. Flowers …… (sell) in shops and in the streets.

7. Bread …… (eat) every day.

8. Many houses …… (build) in our town every year.

9. Lost time never …… (find) again.

2.22 Complete the sentences using one of these verbs in the Present Simple Passive:

show surround hold cause make   

1. Many accidents …… by dangerous driving.

2. Cheese …… from milk.

3. A cinema is a place where films …….

4. In the United States, elections for president …… every four years.

5. You can’t see the house from the road. It …… by trees.

2.23 Put the verb into the correct form, Present Simple Active or Passive:

1.Water …… (cover) most of the earth’s surface.

2. How much of the earth’s surface …… (cover) by water?

3. The park gates …… (lock) at 6.30 p.m. every evening.

4. This work should …… (do) very carefully.

5. The company is not independent. It …… (own) by a much larger company.

6. She must …… (take) to the hospital.

7. Sometimes it’s quite noisy living here, but it’s not a problem for me. I …… (not / bother) by it.

8. The dog can …… (feed) with meat and vegetables.

9. Somebody …… (accuse) me of stealing money.

10. All flights …… (cancel) because of fog.

11. The weather …… (expect) to be good tomorrow.

12. He has …… (take) to the swimming pool by car, as it is quite a long way.

ПРОШЕДШИЕ времена

Past Simple (Indefinite)

2.1.1. Прочтите текст:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian musician and composer. He lived from 1756 to 1791. He started composing at the age of five and wrote more than 600 pieces of music. He was only 36 years old when he died.

Все выделенные глаголы в тексте стоят в Past Simple. Уже по этим примерам видно, что Past Simple употребляется для выражения действий, произошедших в прошлом и не имеющих отношения к моменту речи. Но прежде всего давайте рассмотрим образование этого времени.

Все, как всегда, зависит от «правильности» или «неправильности» глагола. Для правильных глаголов Past Simple образуется путем прибавления во всех лицах окончания -ed к форме инфинитива, которое произносится [d] после гласных и звонких согласных звуков, [t] после глухих согласных звуков, [id] после d и t [6].

Неправильные глаголы образуют Past Simple иными способами [7].

Форма глаголов в Past Simple обычно называют II-й формой глагола.

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
I work ed You work ed He work ed She work ed It work ed We work ed You work ed They work ed	I did not (didn’t) work You did not (You didn’t) work He did not (He didn’t) work She did not (She didn’t) work It did not (It didn’t) work We did not (We didn’t) work You did not (You didn’t) work They did not (They didn’t) work	Did I work? Did you work? Did he work? Did she work? Didit work? Did we work? Did you work? Did they work?

Вопросительная и отрицательная формы как правильных, так и неправильных глаголов образуются при помощи вспомогательного глагола do (как и у всех времен группы Simple), но уже в прошедшем времени – did и инфинитива смыслового глагола (без to, разумеется). При этом смысловой глагол теряет окончание -ed, которое переходит к вспомогательному do, образуя форму did. Одним словом, все то же самое, что в Present Simple, только вместо do, does употребляется did. Обратите внимание, что did употребляется во всех лицах и числах (в 3-м лице, ед. числа тоже).

Например:

We invited them to our party, but they decided not to come. Мы их пригласили на вечеринку, но они решили не приходить.

I work in a travel agency now. Before that I worked in a department store. Сейчас я работаю в туристическом агентстве. До этого работал в универмаге.

The police stopped me on my way home last night. Вчера вечером, когда я шел домой, меня остановила полиция.

Laura passed her examination because she studied very hard. Лаура сдала экзамен, так как усердно занималась.

We saw Liz in town a few days ago. Несколько дней назад мы видели Лиз в городе.

I went to the cinema three times last week. На прошлой неделе я ходил в кино три раза.

It was cold, so I shut the window. Было холодно, поэтому я закрыл окно.

A: Did you go out last night? А: Ходил куда-нибудь вчера вечером?

B: Yes, I went to the cinema, but I didn’t enjoy the film much. В: Да, сходил в кино, но фильм не понравился.

When did Mr. Thomas die? – About ten years ago. Когда умер Мистер Томас? – Около 10 лет назад.

What did you do at the weekend? – I didn’t do anything. Чем занимался на выходных? – Ничем.

Past Simple употребляется прежде всего для выражения действия, постоянного признака, свойства предмета или общеизвестного факта, совершившегося (имевшего место) в прошедшем отрезке времени. Как видите, в этом значении оно аналогично Present Simple, только речь идет о прошедшем, а не настоящем времени.  Форма Past Simple переводится русским прошедшем временем, но при этом не передает значений совершенного или несовершенного вида, которые при переводе нужно определять по смыслу высказывания (из контекста).

Единичные действия в прошлом обычно употребляются с такими обозначениями времени, как: yesterday вчера, the other day на днях, on Sunday в воскресенье, in 1980 в 1980 году, last week на прошлой неделе, an hour ago час тому назад, a month ago месяц назад, long ago давно и т.п. Например:

They married in April, 1995. Они поженились в апреле 1995 года.

I took the book from the library yesterday. Я взял книгу в библиотеке вчера.

He left ten minutes ago. Он ушел 10 минут назад.

Время их совершения часто становится ясным благодаря упоминанию места действия и других сопутствующих обстоятельств. Или то, что речь идет о прошедшем времени, определяется из контекста всей беседы или текста.

We met when I was in Germany. Мы познакомились, когда я был в Германии.

I didn’t quite catch what you said. Я не совсем расслышал, что вы сказали.

He changed his point of view. Он изменил свою точку зрения.

2.1.2. Так же, как Present Simple, это время употребляется для выражения обычных, регулярно повторяющихся действий, но в прошлом:

He always came to school on time. Он всегда приходил в школу вовремя.

He never talked to us. Он никогда не разговаривал с нами.

Last winter I spent a lot of time in the library. Прошлой зимой я проводил много времени в библиотеке.

2.1. 3. Несколько слов о глаголах to be и to have в Past Simple.

To be имеет две формы: was для всех лиц единственного числа и were для лиц множественного числа.

I was angry because they were late. Я сердился, потому что они опаздывали.

Обратите внимание, что для образования вопросительной и отрицательной форм глагола to be в Past Simple вспомогательный глагол did не употребляется:

Was the weather good when you were on holiday? Погода была хорошей, когда вы были на каникулах?

They weren’t able to come because they were so busy. Они не смогли прийти, потому что были очень заняты.

Did you go out last night or were you too tired? Вы ходили куда-нибудь вчера вечером или были слишком уставшими?

She wasn’t at school yesterday. Она вчера не была в школе.

Глагол to have имеет в Past Simple одну форму для всех лиц и чисел – had. Вопросительная и отрицательная формы образуются по общему правилу – при помощи вспомогательного глагола did:

Did you have many toys when you were a child? В детстве у тебя было много игрушек?

He didn’t have any friends when he was a schoolboy. У него совсем не было друзей, когда он учился в школе.

2.1.4. Страдательный залог Past Simple образуется по формуле to be (Past S.) + V 3. Например:

This house was built 100 years ago. Этот дом был построен 100 лет назад.

I was given a dollar every day. Каждый день мне давали доллар.

We were invited to the party last week. Нас пригласили на вечеринку на прошлой неделе.

Вопросительная и отрицательная формы образуются по общим правилам:

The room wasn’t cleaned yesterday. Комнату вчера не убирали.

Was this tree planted by his grandfather? Это дерево было посажено его дедушкой?

Were you allowed to park there? Вам разрешили там припарковаться?

Exercises

3.1 Write the Past Simple of the following verbs:

laugh, tidy, travel, stay, plan, hate, cry, rob, pull, love, study, dance, kiss, drop, change, enjoy, try, live, prefer, cook, hurry.

3.2 Write the Past Simple of the following verbs:

run, make, break, read, see, drink, feed, eat, come, find, say, take, drive, steal, write, wake, bring, leave, sleep, swim, know, give.

3.3 In pairs, ask and answer questions using the prompts below as in the example:

A: Mary went somewhere yesterday.

B: Did she go to the theatre?

1. Mary / go / somewhere yesterday. (theatre)

2. John / meet / somebody yesterday. (his boss)

3. Father / repair / something yesterday. (the car)

4. They / visit / somebody yesterday. (the Browns)

5. Sheila / buy / something yesterday. (a dress)

6. Tom / talk to / somebody yesterday. (Ben)

7. They / bring / something yesterday. (a cake)

8. You / walk / somewhere yesterday. (park)

3.4 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form of the Past Simple:

1. Did you go to school yesterday? – No, it was Sunday. (you / go)

2. He …… an interesting book last month. (read)

3. I looked for my keys but I …… them. (not / find)

4. I wasn’t hungry so I …… anything. (not / eat)

5. …… to Fred yesterday? – Yes, I phoned him. (you / speak)

6. …… the bell? – Yes, but nobody answered. (you / ring)

7. What was the noise? – I …… anything. (not / hear)

8. What …… for breakfast? – Bacon and eggs. (they / have)

9. How many books ……? – Only one. (you / buy)

3.5 First, put the verbs in brackets in the Past Simple and then match the beginnings of the sentences to their endings:

1. John was (be) tired, so 2. Peter …… (need) some money, so 3. Anna …… (not / like) the film, so 4. Sophia and Mary …… (miss) the bus, so 5. Somebody …… (steal) Mr. Jones’ car, so 6. The children …… (break) their mother’s watch, so 7. I …… (not / feel) well, so 8. Mike …… (have) toothache, so

a. he …… (go) to the dentist. b. he …… (call) the police. c. I …… (take) an aspirin. d. she …… (shout) at them. e. he …… (go) to the bank. f. he went (go) to bed early. g. they …… (take) a taxi. h. she …… (leave) the cinema.

3.6 Anna’s mother left a list of things for Anna to do. Now she is talking to Anna on the phone. Look at the list and fill in the gaps with the correct verb in the Past Simple. Give short answers:

Mother: Hello Anna. Anna: Hi Mum. M.: Did you do the things I asked you to do? A.: I did some of them but not all of them. M.: So, did you go to the supermarket? A.: ……, but I …… to the baker’s. M.: That’s all right. …… the letters? A.: ……. M.: …… the beds? A.: ……, and I also …… the dishes. M.: Good! What about the dog? A.: I …… Blacky and then I …… him for a walk. M.: …… the plants? A.: ……. M.: It doesn’t matter. I’m glad you did all those things. A.: To tell the truth Mum, Grandma came and helped me!

go to the supermarket post the letters go to the baker’s feed Blacky take him for a walk make the beds water the plants wash the dishes

+   - - + + + - +

3.7 Put the verbs in brackets into the Past Simple:

Last Sunday the Carter family …… (go) camping in the countryside. They …… (find) a nice place by a river. Mr Carter …… (put up) the tent. After that they …… (eat) some sandwiches and cakes. Then, Mr Carter …… (show) Sam and Pamela how to fish. Mrs Carter…… (pick) some flowers, and their dog Champ …… (swim) in the river. They all …… (have) a very good time.

3.8 Complete the newspaper story about a fire. Put in the Past Simple forms of the verbs:

Two people …… (die) in a fire in Ellis Street, Oldport yesterday morning. They …… (be) Herbert and Molly Paynter, a couple in their seventies. The fire …… (start) at 3.20 a.m. A neighbour, Mr Aziz, …… (see) the flames and …… (call) the fire brigade. He also …… (try) to get into the house and rescue his neighbours, but the heat …… (be) too great. The fire brigade …… (arrive) in five minutes. Twenty fire-fighters ……(fight) the fire and finally …… (bring) it under control. Two fire-fighters …… (enter) the burning building but …… (find) the couple dead.

3.9 Put the verbs in brackets into the Past Simple:

A Lesley …… (buy) her house two months ago. It is a beautiful cottage in the countryside. However, when Lesley …… (decide) to buy it, it …… (need) a lot of work. First, she …… (decorate) all the rooms. Then, she …… (plant) lots of flowers in the garden. After that, she …… (make) new curtains for all the windows. When it was ready, she …… (move) in. That was last week. Now Lesley is very happy.

B Claude Monet …… (be) a famous artist. He …… (paint) lots of beautiful pictures in his lifetime. He often …… (take) his paints and a canvas into the countryside. He …… (love) to paint trees and rivers during the different seasons of the year. Monet …… (create) a new kind of art called Impressionism. He …… (die) in 1926, but many people still visit museums and galleries to look at the pictures.

3.10 Complete the conversation:

Claire: Did you have (you / have) a nice weekend in Paris?

Mark: Yes, thanks. It was good. We looked around and then we saw a show. …… (we / not / try) to do too much.

C.: What sights …… (you / see)?

M.: We had a look round the Louvre. …… (I / not / know) there was so much in there.

C.: And what show …… (you / go) to?

M.: Oh, a musical. I forget the name. …… (I / not / like) it.

C.: Oh, dear. And …… (Sarah / enjoy) it?

M.: No, not really. But we enjoyed the weekend. Sarah did some shopping, but …… (I / not / want) to go shopping.

3.11 Last week John went to Scotland on a business trip. Read his diary for last week. Then complete the report he wrote for his boss using the Past Simple.

6 March Thursday am            fly to Edinburgh have lunch with Scottish sales team pm         visit two factories discuss last series of adverts with marketing manager (not keen on them)

7 March Friday am         drive to Glasgow meet architect – look at new office plans pm        go to see new office building invite architect to dinner (not free) catch overnight train to London

Report: Visit to Scotland

Date: 6 & 7 March                              Name: John Hutchings

I flew to Edinburgh on Thursday morning and …… lunch with the Scottish sales team. Then I …… our two factories there and …… our last series of adverts with the marketing manager. He …… keen on them, unfortunately.

On Friday morning I …… to Glasgow and …… the architect. We …… at the new office plans and in the afternoon we …… to see the new office building. I …… the architect to dinner, but he …… free. I ……. the overnight train back to London.

3.12 Put the verbs in brackets into the Past Simple:

Ferdinand Magellan …… (be) a Portuguese sailor who …… (want) to sail around the world. Emperor Charles V of Spain …… (give) him five ships and two hundred and sixty-five Spanish sailors. They …… (leave) Spain on 20^th September 1519 and …… (begin) their long and dangerous journey.

On the journey, Magellan …… (discover) the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately, he and many of the sailors …… (die) in a battle on 27th April, 1521. After that, a Spanish sailor …… (take) control of the ships and …… (set off) to complete the voyage. Only one ship and sixteen men …… (survive) the journey. They …… (arrive) back in Spain on 6^th September, 1522. They …… (be) the first men to sail around the world.

3.13 Read the text in ex. 3.12 again and, in pairs, ask and answer questions as in the example:

1. Ferdinand Magellan / be / a Portuguese sailor?

A.: Was Ferdinand Magellan a Portuguese sailor?

B.: Yes, he was.

2. the Emperor of Spain / give him / fifteen ships?

3. they / leave / Spain / 1619?

4. the journey / be / long and dangerous?

5. Magellan / discover / the Pacific Ocean?

6. Magellan / die / with soldiers / in battle?

7. a Spanish sailor / complete / voyage?

8. the remaining ship / reach / Spain / 1523?

3.14 Put the verbs in brackets into Present Simple, Present Continuous or Past Simple:

1. Tina is washing (wash) her car at the moment.

2. Alex …… (phone) me yesterday evening.

3. …… (you / watch) the football match on TV last night?

4. Father …… (read) his newspaper now. He always …… (read) it in the evening.

5. They often …… (go) to the beach last year.

6. We …… (not / go) to the cinema last night. We …… (stay) at home and …… (listen) to music.

7. Steve …… (wake up) at 8.30 yesterday morning. He ……. (have) a shower and then he ……. (eat) a big breakfast.

8. Diana …… (leave) school in 1989. She …… (study) French at university and she …… (become) a teacher four years ago.

9. Richard usually …… (leave) the office at 4 o’clock. It is 4.30 now and he …… (still / work) because he …… (come) to work late this morning.

10. Greg and Catherine …… (look) for a new flat at present.

11. Mr and Mrs Adams usually …… (visit) their daughter on Sundays.

12. The children are in the garden. They …… (play) with the dog.

13. Ben often …… (meet) his friends on Sunday mornings. Last Sunday they …… (drive) to the beach and …… (spend) all day there.

14. Where …… (be) Peter? – He …… (leave) for work a minute ago.

15. Tom usually …… (get up) late on Sunday mornings. He …… (wake up) early last Saturday because he …… (want) to go to the shops with my sister.

3.15 Put the verbs in brackets into Present Simple, Present Continuous or Past Simple:

Donna: Hello Mark! It’s Donna. How are you?

Mark: I’m fine. I …… (wake up) half an hour ago and I …… (have) breakfast at the moment.

D.: But, it’s lunchtime!

M.: Well, Ann and I …… (go) to Philip’s party last night and we …… (come) home very late.

D.: …… (you / enjoy) the party?

M.: I …… (have) a very good time but Ann …… (not / like) it.

D.: Oh, why?

M.: They only …… (play) rock music and Ann …… (hate) rock. She …… (not / dance) at all.

D.: …… (they / serve) any food?

M.: Yes, there …… (be) a lot of things.

3.16 Complete the sentences using the Past Simple Passive:

1. Mr. Samson’s jewelry …… (steal) last night.

2. Many houses …… (burn) during the Great Fire of London.

3. The roof of the building …… (damage) in a storm a few days ago.

4. St. Petersburg …… (found) in 1703.

5. I …… (ask) at the lesson yesterday.

6. Rome …… (not / build) in a day.

7. You …… (invite) to the wedding. Why didn’t you go?

8. I …… (give) a very interesting book at the library last Friday.

9. Originally the book …… (write) in Spanish, and a few years ago it …… (translate) into English.

10. Although we were driving quite fast, we …… (overtake) by a lot of cars.

3.17 Rewrite these sentences using the Past Simple Passive:

1. We often spoke of her. — She was often spoken of.

2. The senior students laughed at the freshman.

3. The group spoke to the headmistress yesterday.

4. Young mothers looked after their babies with great care.

5. Nobody lived in that old house.

6. They sent for Jim and told him to prepare a report on that subject.

7. We thought about our friend all the time.

8. The teacher sent for the pupil’s parents.

9. They looked for the newspaper everywhere.

10. Nobody slept in the bed.

11. The neighbour asked for the telegram.

12. Everybody listened to the lecturer with great attention.

3.18 Put the verb into the correct form, Past Simple Active or Passive:

1. The letter …… (post) a week ago and it …… (arrive) yesterday.

2. The boat hit a rock and …… (sink) quickly. Fortunately everybody …… (rescue).

3. Richard’s parents …… (die) when he was very young. He and his sister …… (bring up) by their grandparents.

4. I was born in London, but I …… (grow up) in Canada.

5. While I was on holiday, my camera …… (steal) from my hotel room.

6. While I was on holiday, my camera …… (disappear) from my hotel room.

7. Why …… (Sue / resign) from her job? Didn’t she enjoy it?

8. Why …… (Bill / sack) from his job? What did he do wrong?

9. I saw an accident last night. Somebody …… (call) an ambulance but nobody …… (injure), so the ambulance …… (not / need).

Past Continuous

2.2.1. Например, вчера вечером, предварительно сделав уроки, вы сели смотреть телевизор. Смотрели вы его с 22.00 до 23.00. Чтобы по-английски ответить на вопрос, что вы делали вчера в 22.30, вам придется употребить Past Сontinuous, поскольку речь идет о длительном действии, которое к тому времени уже началось, но еще не закончилось. Вы скажете: I was watching TV at that time.

По названию этого времени вы уже поняли, как оно образуется. Если это Continuous, значит, смысловой глагол стоит в IV-й форме (ing -форма), а вспомогательным является to be. Поскольку это Past, to be ставится в прошедшее время, то есть имеет 2 формы – was для ед. числа и were для мн. числа. Например: I was sitting. We were playing.

Отрицательная и вопросительная формы образуются по аналогии с Present Continuous: I wasn’t reading. We weren’t writing. Was he waiting? Were you working?

NB: Не забывайте, что не все глаголы могут иметь форму Continuous!

Теперь об употреблении. В целом Past Continuous используется для обозначения действий, имеющих те же особенности, что и в Present Continuous. Они длительны, представляют собой процесс, ни начало, ни конец которого не обозначены. Разница только в том, что все эти действия совершались в прошлом. Но есть одна существенная деталь, на которую нужно сразу обратить внимание. Когда вы употребляете Present Continuous, вы можете не использовать слова, указывающие на момент действия. Например, нет нужды говорить: «I’m reading now, at this moment», поскольку и так понятно (благодаря самому времени), что действие происходит именно now. Но если вы говорите «I was reading», то понятно только то, что действие происходило в прошлом, но когда именно – не понятно. Поэтому, употребляя Past Continuous, вам совершенно необходимо указать каким-либо способом на момент совершения действия. Таких способов четыре:

а) обстоятельство времени;

б) другое прошедшее действие в Past Indefinite;

в) другое одновременное действие в Past Continuous;

г) контекст или ситуация.

Давайте с ними разберемся.

Итак, указание времени совершения действия может быть выражено:

а) обстоятельством времени, например: at noon в полдень, at that moment в тот (этот) момент, at five o’clock в пять часов, at 5.50 p.m. yesterday вчера в 5.50 вечера и т. д.:

This time last year I was living in Brazil. В прошлом году в это время я жил в Бразилии.

What were you doing at 10 o’clock last night? Что вы делали вчера вечером в 10 часов?

Just think. Two days ago at this time I was lying on the beach in the sun.    Только подумай: два дня назад в это же самое время я лежал на пляже под солнцем.

It was raining at noon. В полдень шел дождь.

б) другим прошедшим действием, выраженным глаголом в Past Indefinite:

When I came, my parents were having tea. Когда я пришел, мои родители пили чай.

I waved to Jane, but she wasn’t looking. Я помахал Джейн, но она не смотрела.

He was doing his homework when I entered the room. Он делал домашнее задание, когда я вошел в комнату.

Форма Continuous и сама может употребляться в придаточном предложении, когда длительное действие служит лишь фоном для главного события:

While we were driving from Rome to Milan, our bus broke down. Когда мы ехали из Рима в Милан, наш автобус сломался.

As I was coming here I met your brother. Когда я шел сюда, я встретил твоего брата.

Кстати, в этих примерах хорошо видна разница между Past Simple и Past Continuous. Обычное повторявшееся действие или факт в прошлом – Past Simple. Длительное действие, совершавшееся в определенный момент в прошлом – Past Continuous:

He wrote letters to his mother every week. Он писал письма своей матери каждую неделю.

He was writing a letter when I entered the room. Он писал письмо, когда я вошел в комнату.

Kate was watching television when we arrived. Кэйт смотрела телевизор, когда мы пришли.

Kate watched television a lot when she was ill last year. Кэйт часто смотрела телевизор, когда болела в прошлом году.

Изменив время, вы можете совершенно изменить смысл фразы. Сравните:

When Mark arrived, we were having dinner. Когда пришел Марк, мы ужинали.

When Mark arrived, we had dinner. Когда пришел Марк, мы сели ужинать.

Если вам нужно сказать о нескольких последовавших друг за другом действиях, употребляйте Past Simple:

I was working along the road when I saw Dave. So I stopped, and we had a chat. Я шел по улице, когда увидел Дэйва. Я остановился и мы поболтали.

в) другим длительным одновременным действием, протекавшим в прошлом в течение одинакового промежутка времени и выраженным также в Past Continuous:

While he was speaking to the teacher I was waiting for him. Пока он разговаривал с учителем, я ждал его.

г) ясно из контекста или ситуации:

Little Mary came in. She was eating an ice-cream. Вошла маленькая Мэри. Она ела мороженое.

It was evening. I was writing a letter. Suddenly the door opened, and my brother came in. Был вечер. Я писал письмо. Вдруг дверь открылась, и вошел мой брат.

2.2.2. Past Continuous употребляется также для выражения длительного действия, протекавшего в определенный период времени в прошлом, но не обязательно непрерывно в течение всего этого периода. Время действия обычно поясняется обстоятельственными словами: all day (long) весь день, all summer все лето, all the time все время, the whole evening весь вечер, from five till eight с пяти до восьми, on Monday last week в понедельник на прошлой неделе, during the war во время войны и т.д. Например:

I was reading from 7 till 9 o’clock. Я читал с 7 до 9 часов.

Sam was working in the garden all day. Сэм работал в саду весь день.

At the end of June I was preparing for my examination. В конце июня я готовился к экзамену.

Оборот to be going to в Past Continuous

Употребляется для выражения имевшегося в прошлом намерения совершить действие. Образуется глаголом to go в форме Past Continuous (was/were going – здесь имеет значение собирался, намеревался) и инфинитивом смыслового глагола с частицей to.

I was going to say it yesterday. Я собирался сказать это вчера.

What were you going to do at 10 o’clock last night? Чем вы собирались заняться вчера вечером в 10 часов?

2.2.3 Страдательный залог Past Continuous образуется по формуле to be (Past Cont.) + V 3. Например:

I was being asked a question when you called me. Когда ты мне позвонил, мне как раз задавали вопрос.

When I last visited my native town, a new bridge was being built across the river. Когда я в последний раз был в родном городе, там строился новый мост через реку.

The room was being cleaned when I arrived. Когда я приехал, в комнате как раз убирали.

Вопросительная и отрицательная формы образуются по общим правилам:

Were you being troubled the whole evening yesterday? Вас вчера беспокоили весь вечер?

I wasn’t being troubled the whole evening yesterday. Вчера меня весь вечер не беспокоили.

Exercises

4.1 Put the verbs in brackets into the Past Continuous:

A.: What …… (happen) at the time of the robbery?

B.: Well, I …… (sit) in my office. I …… (talk) to an employee. Some of the staff …… (put) food onto the shelves. Several customers …… (do) their shopping and a cashier …… (stand) behind the till.

A.: Can you tell me anything about the robbers?

B.: Yes. They …… (wear) black masks and they …… (hold) guns. They …… (shout).

A.: How did they get away?

B.: They drove off in a car which …… (wait) outside.

4.2 Complete the conversation. Put in the Past Continuous forms:

Melanie: I rang at about three yesterday after noon, but you weren’t in. I didn’t know where you were.

David: Oh, I …… (help) Mike. We …… (repair) his car. It took ages. We …… (work) on it all afternoon.

M.: It …… (rain). I hope …… (you / not / do) it outside.

D.: No, we were in the garage. So I didn’t get wet. But I’m afraid I got oil all over my new trousers.

M.: Why …… (you / wear) your new trousers to repair a car?

D.: I don’t know. I forgot I had them on.

4.3 Complete the conversation. Put in the Past Continuous forms:

Jessica: …… (I / look) for you, Vicky. I’m afraid I’ve broken this dish.

Vicky: Oh no! What …… (you / do)?

J.: …… (I / take) it into the kitchen. I bumped into Emma. …… (she / come) out just as …… (I / go) in.

V.: I expect it was your fault. …… (you / not / look) where …… (you / go).

J.: Sorry. I’ll buy you another one as soon as I have some money.

4.4 Match column A with column B:

A	B
1. While I was driving home, 2. We were watching the children 3. He cut his finger 4. At eight o’clock yesterday morning 5. As she was crossing the street, 6. While they were talking,	a. as he was chopping wood. b. he was sleeping in his bed. c. while they were playing. d. she slipped and fell. e. I ran out of petrol. f. the doorbell rang.

4.5 Join the sentences using as, when or while, as in the example:

1. Tina was cooking. She burnt herself.

As / When / While Tina was cooking, she burnt herself.

Tina was cooking when she burnt herself.

2. Laura was making some tea. She dropped the kettle.

3. Mrs Jason was sitting in the garden. It started raining.

4. Peter was driving his car. He got a flat tire.

5. She was walking in the park. A dog attacked her.

4.6 Put the verbs in brackets into the Past Continuous:

A Yesterday I went for a walk in the park. While I was there, I saw lots of children who …… (play). There was a man who …… (walk) his dogs. He …… (throw) sticks and the dogs …… (run) to catch them. A gardener …… (plant) some flowers and some old ladies …… (sit) on a park bench enjoying the warm sunshine. It was lovely.

B Harriet and Liam got married last weekend. It was a beautiful wedding. The bridesmaids …… (wear) pink dresses and they …… (all / carry) small bouquets of pink and white flowers. The photographs and the bride’s mother …… (cry) because she was so happy. The sun …… (shine) and the couple …… (smile) at everyone.

4.7 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form, Past Continuous or Past Simple:

A reporter is interviewing Mike and Harriet.

Reporter: Mike and Harriet, tell me what you saw.

Harriet: Well, when we …… (drive) home last night, we …… (see) a strange object in the sky.

Mike: As we …… (come) down the hill into town, it just suddenly …… (appear) in front of us. We …… (stop) the car and …… (get) out.

H.: It …… (be) a very clear night. The stars …… (twinkle).

M.: It was a spaceship. It …… (seem) quite big. It …… (have) some strange writing on the side. And a light …… (flash) on the top.

H.: As we …… (watch) it, it suddenly …… (fly) away and …… (disappear).

4.8 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form, Past Continuous or Past Simple:

1. We …… (go) swimming every week when we were young.

2. Simon …… (dance) when he fell and hurt his leg.

3. Why …… (you / laugh) all through your history lesson yesterday?

4. I …… (drink) a glass of milk every day when I was a child.

5. Todd often …… (ride) horses when he was a boy.

6 Bill …… (write) a letter when his mother came home.

7. It …… (rain) while I was waiting for the bus.

8. I …… (play) the guitar when I was young, but I don’t any more.

9. Debbie …… (sing) in the school choir many years ago.

10. Liz …… (clean) the windows when I saw her.

4.9 Find the second part of each sentence. Put each verb into the correct form:

1. Vicky (have) a beautiful dream 2. When Andrew (see) the question, 3. The train (wait) 4. I (read) a library book 5. Sarah (have) an electric shock 6. When the doors (open), 7. When the Campers (wake),

when she (touch) the wire. when I (find) a £10 note in it. when the alarm clock (ring). the crowd (rush) in. he (know) the answer immediately. they (see) that the sun (shine). when we (arrive) at the station.

4.10 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form, Past Continuous or Past Simple:

A Steve …… (have) an accident yesterday. He …… (drive) his car when a bird …… (fly) into the windscreen. He …… (try) to stop quickly but he …… (crash) into the wall. Luckily, he …… (not / be) hurt.

B Last week, I …… (go) to a talk by a famous writer. He …… (talk) about his new book when I …… (arrive). He …… (give) such an interesting talk that I …… (be) disappointed when it …… (end).

C Julie …… (tidy) her bedroom last weekend. While she …… (tidy) it, she …… (find) some of the toys she …… (have) when she was a child. She …… (not / want) to throw them away, so she …… (put) them in a box and …… (store) them in the attic.

4.11 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form, Past Continuous or Past Simple:

Dear Rick,

I’m writing to you from my hotel in Switzerland.

I’m having a lovely time here but you can’t imagine what …… (happen) to me yesterday. I …… (be) on the mountain with my friends and we …… (have) a lovely time because the snow …… (be) perfect for skiing. Unfortunately the sun …… (shine) on the snow, so it …… (be) difficult to see. Suddenly, I …… (hit) a rock and I …… (fall) over. Luckily I …… (not / be) seriously hurt – I just …… (get) a few bruises. Now I’m trying to be more careful!

I’ll see you when I get back. Best wishes,

Kevin

4.12 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form, Past Continuous or Past Simple:

It …… (be) a beautiful spring morning when Emma and her father …… (decide) to visit Seaton Castle. The sun …… (shine) and the birds …… (sing). Emma …… (feel) very excited. The castle …… (be) very old and made of stone. They …… (climb) the steps to the top of the tower. While they …… (admire) the view, they …… (hear) some noises. They …… (look) around but they …… (not / see) anybody. ‘That’s funny,’ said Emma. ‘I …… (think) I …… (see) someone standing over there.’ After a while they …… (decide) to visit the cellar of the castle. Emma …… (examine) an old barrel when she …… (hear) the door of the cellar close behind them. ‘Dad,’ she …… (say), ‘don’t close the door!’ ‘But, I …… (not / close) it, dear,’ her father said. Emma …… (turn) around and …… (see) a shadow on the wall. She...... (know) then that the ghost of the Castle …… (watch) them!

4.13 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form, Past Continuous or Past Simple:

My sister Naomi …… (meet) her husband when she …… (travel) round New Zealand. She and some friends …… (tour) the South Ireland when they …… (stop) in Christchurch for a few days. While her friends …… (shop), she …… (go) to look round an art gallery. She …… (look) at a sculpture when a young man put it into his rucksack. She …… (call) the security guard because she …… (think) the young man …… (try) to steal it. She ….. (be) very embarrassed to discover that the sculpture …… (belong) to the young man. However, while he …… (pack) it away, they …… (chat) and then he …… (ask) her to have a coffee with him. They …… (get married) three months later.

4.14 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form, Past Continuous or Past Simple:

Edison, Thomas Alva (1847–1931)

US inventor

Thomas Edison …… (start) work on the railway when he was twelve, selling newspapers and snacks. There were long periods with nothing for him to do, so he …… (build) himself a little laboratory in the luggage van. He could carry out experiments there when he …… (not / sell) things to passengers. He also …… (join) a library and …… (read) every single book in it.

One day, when he …… (wait) at a station, he …… (notice) a small boy. The boy …… (play) by the track, unaware that a train …… (approach). Edison …… (run) out and …… (grab) the child just in time. The child’s father was so grateful that he …… (offer) to teach Edison to be a telegraph operator. Edison accepted the offer and soon he …… (have) regular lessons. After a year, he was good enough to get a job in the telegraph office. He continued to read and experiment whenever he …… (have) time. At twenty-one he …… (leave) the telegraph office to devote all his time to being an inventor. He …… (go) on to invent the electric light bulb, the phonograph and the movie camera.

4.15 Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form, Past Continuous or Past Simple:

1. Jenny …… (wait) for me when I …… (arrive).

2. What …… (you / do) at this time yesterday? – I was asleep.

3. …… (you / go) out last night? – No, I was too tired.

4. How fast …… (you / drive) when the accident …… (happen)?

5. Sam …… (take) a photograph of me while I …… (not / look).

6. I haven’t seen Alan for ages. When I last …… (see) him, he …… (try) to find a job.

7. I …… (walk) along the street when suddenly I …… (hear) footsteps behind me: somebody …… (follow me). I was scared and I …… (start) to run.

8. When I was young, I …… (want) to be a pilot.

9. Last night I …… (drop) a plate when I …… (do) the washing up. Fortunately it …… (not / break).

4.16 Correct the mistakes:

1. Philip was washing the car while the fire started.

2. Neil was studying when his sister was listening to music.

3. Harriet was opening the door and walked into the house.

4. We were having lunch at a lovely restaurant every day when we were on holiday.

5. Brian drank tea at five o’clock yesterday afternoon.

6. Dad was repairing the TV while Mum cooked dinner.

7. I was going to the cinema last Sunday.

8. I was buying a new dress for my party yesterday.

9. While Jeff built the garden shed, he hurt himself.

10. While the teacher were speaking, the students were listening to him.

4.17 Choose the correct answer:

1. The earth …… round the sun.

A moved B moves C is moving

2. Sarah …… a new car last week.

A is buying B buy C bought

3. I …… when suddenly the dog began to bark.

A study B studied C wasstudying

4. They …… hard at the moment.

A areworking B wereworking C worked

5. I …… home from work when it began to snow.

A amwalking B walk C waswalking

6. Jane …… the receiver and dialed the number.

A lifts B waslifting C lifted

7. Walt Disney …… Mickey Mouse.

A wascreating B creates C created

8. We …… for a new house at the moment.

A arelooking B look C looked

9. Ted …… his father in the garden every Sunday.

A washelping B helps C ishelping

10. The ferry to Calais …… at 3 o’clock every day.

A leave B leaves   C wasleaving

11. You …… your music too loud! I can’t stand it!

A werealwaysplaying B alwaysplay  C arealwaysplaying

4.18 Correct the mistakes:

1. The hotel were very quiet.

2. It was peaceful, and the birds were sing.

3. I washed my hair when the phone rang.

4. You came not to the club last night.

5. It taked ages to get home.

6. We tried to keep quiet because baby sleeping.

7. As I was watching him, the man was suddenly running away.

8. We pass a petrol station two minutes ago.

9. Everything was seeming OK.

10. Where bought you that bag?

4.19 Put the verbs into the correct form:

Adam: Hello, Mike. What …… (do) in this part of London?

Mike: Well, actually, I …… (look) at flats round here.

A.: Flats? …… (want) to move?

M.: Yes. In fact, believe it or not, Mandy and I …… (get married).

A.: That’s great! Congratulations. When …… (decide)?

M.: Only last week. It was while we …… (stay) with her family in Scotland. Now we …… (try) to find a suitable flat.

A.: It’ll be great to have you as neighbours. I hope you manage to buy one soon.

M.: Oh, we …… (not / look) for one to buy. We …… (not / have) enough money yet. We …… (want) to find somewhere to rent.

A.: Yes, of course. That’s what Anna and I …… (do) for six months. After that, my brother …… (lend) us some money. That’s how we …… (manage) to buy ours.

M.: Really? Perhaps I’ll talk to my family before …… (choose) a flat.

A.: That’s not a bad idea. My family …… (give) us quite a lot of helpful advice. Now, have you got time for a coffee? There’s a good place just round the corner.

M.: Yes, in fact I …… (look) for somewhere to have a snack when I bumped into you. Let’s go.

4.20 Put the verbs into the correct form:

1. I remember the day you got your exam results. We …… (watch) a film in the sitting-room when you rushed in and told us.

2. What have you put in that? It …… (taste) absolutely disgusting.

3. I tried to explain the situation to my parents, but they just …… (not / understand) what I was talking about.

4. Peter always claimed that he was innocent, but for many years no one …… (believe) him.

5. It’s a great jacket, I know, but unfortunately it …… (not / belong) to me. I’m just borrowing it for the party this evening.

6. Why …… (you / wear) that thin dress? You’ll freeze to death in this cold wind!

7. While I was admiring the view, someone stole the bag which …… (contain) all my travel