travel/travelling/travelled
cancel/cancelling/cancelled
For American spelling, see Appendix 7.
Note that:
we do not double the final consonant if the word ends in two consonants (~rt, ~1p, ~ng etc.): start/starting/started, help/helping/helped, long/longer/longest
we do not double the final consonant if there are two vowel letters before it (~oil, ~eed etc.): boil/boiling/boiled, need/needing/needed, explain/explaining/explained, cheap/cheaper/cheapest, loud/louder/loudest, quiet/quieter/quietest
we do not double y or w at the end of words. (At the end of words y and w are not consonants.)
stay/staying/stayed, grow/growing, new/newer/newest
APPENDIX 7
American English
There are a few grammatical differences between British English and American English:
UNIT 7A-B and 13A
BRITISH
The present perfect is used for an action in the past with a result now:
* I've lost my key. Have you seen it?
* Sally isn't here. She's gone out.
The present perfect is used with just, already and yet:
* A: What time is he leaving?
B: He has already left.
* Have you finished your work yet?
AMERICAN
The present perfect OR past simple can be used:
* I've lost my key. Have you seen it? or I lost my key. Did you see it?
* Sally isn't here. She's gone out. She went out.
The present perfect OR past simple can be used:
* I'm not hungry. I've just had lunch. I've just had lunch.
* A: What time is he leaving?
B: He has already left. He already left.
* Have you finished your work yet? or Did you finish your work yet?
UNIT 17B
BRITISH: have a bath/have a shower
AMERICAN: take a bath/take a shower
UNIT 22D
BRITISH
Will or shall can be used with I/we:
* I will/shall be late this evening. The questions shall I ...? and shall we ...? are used to ask for advice etc.:
* Which way shall we go?
AMERICAN
Shall is unusual:
* I will be late this evening. Should I ...? and should we ...? are used to ask for advice etc.:
* Which way should we go?
UNIT 32B
BRITISH
You can use needn't (do) or don't need to (do):
* We needn't hurry. or We don't need to hurry.
AMERICAN
Needn't is unusual. The usual form is don't need to:
* We don't need to hurry.
UNIT 34 A-B
BRITISH
After demand, insist etc. you can use should:
* I demanded that he should apologize.
* We insisted that something should be done about the problem.
AMERICAN:
The subjunctive is normally used. Should is unusual after demand, insist etc.:
* I demanded that he apologize.
* We insisted that something be done about the problem.
Many verbs ending in ~ise in British English (apologise/organise/specialise etc.) are spelt with ~ize (apologize/organize/specialize etc.) in American English.
@p283
APPENDIX 7
UNIT 73B
BRITISH
British speakers say 'to/in hospital' (without 'the'):
* Three people were injured and taken to hospital.
AMERICAN
American speakers say 'to/in the hospital':
* Three people were injured and taken to the hospital.
UNIT 78C
BRITISH
Nouns like government/team/family etc. can have a singular or plural verb:
* The team is/are playing well.
AMERICAN
These nouns normally take a singular verb in American English:
* The team is playing well.
UNIT 120B
BRITISH: at the weekend/at weekends:
* Will you be here at the weekend?
AMERICAN: on the weekend/on weekends:
* Will you be here on the weekend?
UNIT 123A
BRITISH: in a street:
* Do you live in this street?
AMERICAN: on a street:
* Do you live on this street?
UNIT 130C
BRITISH: different from or different to:
* It was different from (or to) what I'd expected.
AMERICAN: different from or different than:
* It was different from (or than) what I'd expected.
UNIT 131B
BRITISH: write to somebody:
* Please write to me soon.
AMERICAN: write (to) somebody (with or without 'to,):
* Please write (to) me soon.
APPENDIX 1.3
BRITISH
The verbs in this section (burn, spoil etc.) can be regular or irregular (burned or burnt, spoiled or spoilt etc.)
AMERICAN: The verbs in this section are normally regular (burned, spoiled etc.)
APPENDIX 1.4
BRITISH: The past participle of get is got:
* your English has got much better. (= has become much better)
Have got is also an alternative to have:
* I've got two brothers. (= I have two brothers.)
AMERICAN: The past participle of get is gotten:
* Your English has gotten much better.
Have got = have (as in British English):
* I've got two brothers.
APPENDIX 6.6
BRITISH: travel -> travelling/travelled, cancel -> cancelling/cancelled
AMERICAN: travel -> traveling/traveled, cancel -> canceling/canceled
ADDITIONAL EXERCISES
This section of exercises is divided into the following sections:
Present and past (Units 1-6): Exercise 1
Present and past (Units 1-14): Exercise 2-4
Present and past (Units 1-17): Exercise 5-8
Past continuous and used to (Units 6, 18): Exercise 9
The future (Units 19-25): Exercise 10-13
Modal verbs (Units 26-40): Exercise 14-15
Conditionals (Units 25, 37-39): Exercise 16-18
Wish (Units 38-40): Exercise 19
Passive (Units 41-44): Exercise 20-22
~ing and the infinitive (Units 52-65): Exercise 23-25
Articles (Units 68-77): Exercise 26
Conjunctions (Units 25, 37, 111-115): Exercise 27
Prepositions (time) (Units 12, 118-121): Exercise 28
Prepositions (place etc.) (Units 122-127): Exercise 29
Noun/adjective + preposition (Units 128-130): Exercise 30
Verb + preposition (Units 131-135): Exercise 31
Present and past
Units 1-6, Appendix 2
1. Put the verb into the correct form, present simple (I do), present continuous (I am doing), past simple (I did) or past continuous (I was doing).
1. We can go out now. It _isn't raining_ (not/rain) any more.
2. Ann _was waiting_ (wait) for me when I _arrived_ (arrive).
3. I --- (get) hungry. Let's go and have something to eat.
4. What --- (you/do) in your spare time? Have you got any hobbles?
5. What speed --- (the car/do) at the time of the accident?
6. Mary usually --- (phone) me on Fridays but she (not/phone) last Friday.
7. A: When I last saw you, you --- (think) of moving to a new flat.
B: That's right, but in the end I --- (decide) to stay where I was.
8. What's that noise? What --- (happen)?
9. It's usually dry here at this time of the year. It --- (not/rain) much.
10. Yesterday evening the phone --- (ring) three times while we --- (have) dinner.
11. Linda was busy when we --- (go) to see her yesterday. She (study) for an exam. We --- (not/want) to disturb her, so we --- (not/stay) very long.
12. When I first --- (tell) Tom the news, he --- (not/believe) me. He --- (think) that I --- (joke).
Present and past
Units 1-14, Appendix 2
2. Choose the right alternative.
1. Everything is going well. We _didn't have/haven't had_ any problems so far. (haven't had is right)
2. Margaret _didn't go/hasn't gone_ to work yesterday. She wasn't feeling well.
3. Look! That man over there _wears/is wearing_ the same sweater as you.
4. Your son is much taller than when I last saw him. He _grew I has grown_ a lot.
5. I still don't know what to do. I _didn't decide/haven't decided_ yet.
6. I wonder why Jim _is/is being_ so nice to me today. He isn't usually like that.
7. Jane had a book open in front of her but she _didn't read/wasn't reading_ it.
8. I wasn't very busy. I _didn't have/wasn't having_ much to do.
9. Mary wasn't happy in her new job at first but she _begins/is beginning_ to enjoy it now.
10. After leaving school, Tim _found/has found_ it very difficult to get a job.
11. When Sue heard the news, she _wasn't/hasn't been_ very pleased.
12. This is a nice restaurant, isn't it? Is this the first time _you are/you've been_ here?
13. I need a new job. _I'm doing/I've been doing_ the same job for too long.
14. 'Ann has gone out.' 'Oh, has she? What time _did she go/has she gone?_'
15. 'You look tired.' 'Yes, _I've played/I've been playing_ basketball.'
16. Where _are you coming/do you come_ from? Are you American?
17. I'd like to see Tina again. It's a long time _since I saw her/that I didn't see her._
18. Bob and Alice have been married _since 20 years/for 20 years._
3. Complete the questions using a suitable verb.
1 A: I'm looking for Paul. _Have you seen_ him?
B: Yes, he was here a moment ago.
2 A: Why _did you go_ to bed so early last night?
B: Because I was feeling very tired.
3. A: Where ---?
B: Just to the post box. I want to post these letters. I'll be back in a few minutes.
4. A: --- television every evening?
B: No, only if there's a good programme on.
5. A: Your house is very beautiful. How long --- here?
B: Nearly ten years.
6. A: How was your holiday? --- a nice time?
B: Yes, thanks. It was great.
7. A: --- Julie recently?
B: Yes, I met her a few days ago.
8. A: Can you describe the woman you saw? What ---?
B: A red sweater and black leans.
9. A: I'm sorry to keep you waiting --- long?
B: No, only about ten minutes.
10. A: How long --- you to get to work in the morning?
B: Usually about 45 minutes. It depends on the traffic.
11. A: --- with that newspaper yet?
B: No, I'm still reading it. I won't be long.
12. A: --- to the United States?
B: No, never, but I went to Canada a few years ago.
4. Use your own ideas to complete B's sentences.
1. A: What's the new restaurant like? Is it good?
B: I've no idea _I've never been_ there.
2. A: How well do you know Bill?
B: Very well. We --- since we were children.
3. A: Did you enjoy your holiday?
B: Yes, it was really good. It's the best holiday ---.
4. A: Is Jack still here?
B: No, I'm afraid he isn't --- bout ten minutes ago.
5. A: I like your suit. I haven't seen it before.
B: It's new. It's the first time ---.
6. A: How did you cut your knee?
B: I slipped and fell when --- tennis.
7. A: Do you ever go swimming?
B: Not these days. I haven't --- a long time,
8. A: How often do you go to the cinema?
B: Very rarely. It's nearly a year --- to the cinema.
9. A: I've bought some new shoes. Do you like them?
B: Yes, they're very nice. Where --- them?
Present and past
Units 1-17, 109, Appendix 2
5. Put the verb in the correct form, past simple (I did), past continuous (I was doing), past perfect (I had done) or past perfect continuous (I had been doing).
1. Yesterday afternoon Sharon _went_ (go) to the station to meet Paul. When she --- (get) there, Paul --- (already/wait) for her. His train --- (arrive) early.
2. When I got home, Bill --- (lie) on the sofa. The television was on but he --- (not/watch) it. He --- (fall) asleep and --- (snore) loudly. I --- (turn) the television off --- (wake) up.
3. Last night I --- (just/go) to bed and --- (read) a book when suddenly I --- (hear) a noise. I --- (get) up to see what it was but I --- (not/see) anything, so I --- (go) back to bed.
4. Mary had to go to New York last week, but she almost --- (miss) the plane. She --- (stand) in the queue at the check-in desk when she suddenly --- (realise) that she --- (leave) her passport at home. Fortunately, she doesn't live very far from the airport, so she --- (have) time to take a taxi home to get it. She --- (get) back to the airport Just in time for her flight.
5. I --- (meet) George and Linda yesterday as I --- (walk) through the park. They --- (be) to the Sports Centre where they .I --- (play) tennis. They --- (go) to a cafe for a drink and --- (invite) me to join them but I --- (arrange) to meet a friend and --- (not/have) time.
6. Make sentences from the words in brackets. Put the verb in the correct form, present perfect (I have done), present perfect continuous (I have been doing), Past perfect J had done) or past perfect continuous (I had been doing).
1. Ann is sitting on the ground. She's out of breath. (she/run) _She has been running._
2. Where's my bag? I left it under this chair. (somebody/take/it) ---.
3. We were all surprised when jenny and Andy got married last year. (they/only/know/each other/a few weeks) ---.
4. It's still raining. I wish it would stop. (it/rain/all day) ---.
5. Suddenly I woke up. I was confused and didn't know where I was. (I/dream) ---.
6. I wasn't hungry at lunchtime so I didn't have anything to eat. (I/have/a big breakfast) ---.
7. Every year Bob and Alice spend a few days at the same hotel by the sea. (they/go/t ere r years) ---.
8. I've got a headache. (I/have/it/since I got up) ---.
9. Next week Gerry is going to run in a marathon. (he/train/very hard for it) ---.
7. Put the verbs into the correct form.
Julia and Kevin are old friends. They meet by chance at a station.
JULIA: Hello, Kevin. (1) ---. (I/not/see) you for ages. How are you?
KEVIN: I'm fine. How about you? (2) --- (you/look) well.
JULIA: Yes, I'm very well thanks.
So, (3) --- (you/go) somewhere or (4) --- (you/meet) somebody off a train?
KEVIN: (5) --- (I/go) to London for a business meeting.
JULIA: Oh. (6) --- (you/often/go) away on business?
KEVIN: Quite often, yes. And you? Where (7) ---. (You/go)?
JULIA: Nowhere. (8) --- (I/meet) a friend. Unfortunately, her train (9) --- (be) delayed - (10) --- (I/wait) here for nearly an hour.
KEVIN: How are your children?
JULIA: They're all fine, thanks. The youngest (11) --- (just/start) school.
KEVIN: How (12) --- (she/get) on? (13) --- (she/like) it?
JULIA: Yes, (14) --- (she/think) it's great.
KEVIN: (15) --- (you/work) at the moment? When I last (16) --- (speak) to you, (17) --- (you/work) in a travel agency.
JULIA: That's right. Unfortunately, the firm (18) --- (go) out of business a couple of months after (19) --- (I/start) work there, so (20) --- (I/lose) my job.
KEVIN: And (21) --- (you/not/have) a job since then?
JULIA: Not a permanent job. (22) --- (I/have) a few temporary jobs. By the way, (23) --- (you/see) Joe recently?
KEVIN: Joe? He's in Canada.
JULIA: Really? How long (24) --- (he/be) in Canada?
KEVIN: About a year now. (25) --- (I/see) him a few days before (26) --- (he/go). (27) --- (he/be) unemployed for months, so (28) --- (he/decide) to try his luck somewhere else. (29) --- (he/really/look forward) to going.
JULIA: So, what (30) --- (he/do) there?
KEVIN: I've no idea. (31) --- (I/not/hear) from him since (32) --- (he/leave). Anyway, I must go and catch my train. It was really nice to see you again.
JULIA: You too. Bye. Have a good journey.
KEVIN: Thanks. Bye.
8. Put the verb into the most suitable form.
1. Who --- (invent) the bicycle?
2. 'Do you still have a headache?' 'No --- (it/go). I'm all right now.'
3. I was the last to leave the office. Everybody else --- (go) home.
4. What --- (you/do) last weekend? --- (you/go) away?
5. I like your car. How long --- (you/have) it?
6. We decided not to go out because --- (it/rain) quite hard.
7. Jill is an experienced teacher --- (she/teach) for 15 years.
8. (I/buy) a new jacket last week but --- (1/not/wear) it yet.
9. A few days ago --- (I/see) a man at a party whose face --- (be) very familiar. At first I couldn't think where --- (1/see) him before. Then suddenly --- (I/remember) who (it/be).
10. --- (you/hear) of Agatha Christie? --- (she/be) a writer who --- (die) in 1976. --- (she/write) more than 70 detective novels --- (you/read) any of them?
11. A: What --- (this word/mean)?
B: I've no idea --- (1/never/see) it before. Look it up in the dictionary.
12. A: --- (you/arrive) at the theatre in time for the play last night?
B: No, we were late. By the time we got there --- (it/already/begin).
13. I went to John's room and --- (knock) on the door but there --- (be) no answer. Either --- (he/go) out or --- (he/not/want) to see anyone.