Not until June 15 (we/can/accept) can we accept applications for

.next year

Never before that day (she/have/witnessed) had she witnessed .2

.such violence

Hardly (the match/have/start) had the match started when the .3

.game was interrupted

Not only (the girl/be/hungry) was the girl hungry, she was also .4
.very tired

Little (I/do/imagine) did I imagine that it was the last time I would .5
.see him

Only later ((he/do/understand) did he understand why his wife .6

.was so upset

had he known it would take so long he would (He/have/know) .7

.not have started

No sooner (her name/be/announce) was her name announced .8

.than the crowd started to cheer

At no time (the salesman/do/say) did the salesman say that the .9

.price would increase

In no way (he/can/be/hold) can he be held responsible for the .10

.damage
Truck drivers who were protesting against excessive petrol (1
prices blocked the entrances to petroleum supply depots
.across the country
Truck drivers, who were protesting against excessive (2
petrol prices, blocked the entrances to the petroleum supply
.depots across the country

The truck drivers who were protesting against (Only)-1 (2

excessive petrol prices blocked the entrance to the
petroleum supply depots across the country. restrictive, only
.those blocked, the others went to work as usual

Truck drivers, who were protesting against excessive petrol -2

prices, blocked the entrance to the petroleum supply depots
across he country. non restrictive. All the truck drivers are
concerned. Your relative clause, between commas, is a detail
.that could be suppressed, it is just a detail

The girls who had seen the accident were questioned by the
police. restrictive, only those were questioned, not the
.others
The girls(, who were all from Germany,) were questioned by
.the police. non restrictive

A famous example where the comma makes all the

:difference
A priest who wanted to wear civilian clothes said to a
:reporter
I will wear no clothes which will distinguish me from my
:fellowmen
meaning: I refuse to wear clothes that would distinguish me
.from my fellowmen
Unfortunately, a comma crept through the text which became
:
I will wear no clothes, which will distinguish me from my
.fellowmen
Meaning : I will go naked, which will indeed distinguish me
.from my fellowmen fully dressed

The manager yelled at the workers, who had arrived late

The manager yelled at the workers who had arrived late.Without a
comma, it is limitative. The manager didn't yell at the workers who
had arrived on time. So , he only yelled at some of them, the
.latecomers
The manager yelled at the workers,(who had arrived late.)Here, he
yelled at all the workers .(Who had arrived late) is just a further
: piece of information, he might as well have written
The manager yelled at the workers, who were coming back from
their lunch-break and were pretty surprised. He yelled at all his
.team of workers

Fill in the gaps with who, which, whose, where, or when.

1- Sony is building a robot which can form an 'emotional

connection' with humans.
We use which for things and animals.
In this sentence we could also use that because it's a defining
relative clause.
In this sentence we can't omit which because it's followed by a
verb.
2- Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who died in October at the age
of 56, had a rare form of pancreatic cancer.
We use who for people.
In this sentence we can't use that or omit the relative pronoun
because it’s a non-defining relative clause (between commas).
3- Can you give me back the book which I lent you last year?
We use which for things and animals.
In this sentence we could also use that because it’s a defining
relative clause (without commas).
In this sentence we could also omit which because it’s followed by
subject + verb.
4- Is that the man whose house was destroyed by the
hurricane?
We use whose as the possessive form of who (whose daughter=
‘the daughter of whom’).
Whose can be used for people and things.
5- Do you remember the summer when Jack came home by
surprise.
We use when to refer to time (after words such as time, day, year,
winter, etc.).
6- A love affair quickly developed between Gala and Dalí, who
was about 10 years younger than her.
We use who for people.
In this sentence we can’t use that or omit the relative pronoun
because it’s a non-defining relative clause (between commas).
7- Why don't we book a room at the hotel where we stayed last
year?
We use where as a relative adverb to refer to places.
8- Is that the boy who insulted you?
We use who for people.
In this sentence we could also use that because it’s a defining
relative clause (without commas).
In this sentence we could also omit who because it’s followed by
subject + verb.
9- William Colgate, whose name is on toothpaste tubes all
around the world, left home because the family was very poor.
We use whose as the possessive form of who (whose daughter=
‘the daughter of whom’).
Whose can be used for people and things.
10- He took us into his house and gave us food, which was
really nice of him.
We use which to refer to a whole sentence. Which = He took us
into his house and gave us food.

choose the correct relative pronoun or adverb for the following

defining and non-defining relative clauses.

1- My sister, who is now living in New York, has just had a baby.
That can only be used in defining relative clauses (without comas).
We can only omit the relative pronoun (who, which, that) in
defining relative clauses (without comas).
2- Can you give me the number of the plumber which repaired
your shower?

Correct answer: that

We can use who and that for people in defining relative clauses
(without comas).
We can omit the relative pronoun (who, which, that) in defining
relative clauses (without comas), but only when it’s followed by
subject + verb, not when it's followed by a subject.

3- I'd like to eat at the restaurant where we met.

We use where as a relative adverb to refer to places.
4- Thanks for the wine – you brought us.
We can omit the relative pronoun (who, which, that) in defining
relative clauses (without comas) when it’s followed by subject +
verb.
5- The car, which cost more than 20,000 dollars, was a present
from his family.
We can only use which or who (not that) in non-defining relative
clauses (between comas).
We can only omit the relative pronoun (who, which, that) in
defining relative clauses (without comas).
6-The company, whose workers are now being forced to stay
home, will probably go bankrupt.
We use whose as the possessive form of who (whose daughter=
‘the daughter of whom’).
Whose can be used for people and things.
7-This is the bar where I work.
We use where as a relative adverb to refer to places.
8- I'll always remember the day when we met.
We use when to refer to time (after words such as time, day, year,
winter, etc.).
9- Joe was carrying a gun, which was fortunate, because it
saved our lives.
We use which to refer to a whole sentence. Which = Joe was
carrying a gun.
10- You should write a thank you email to the lady who assisted
you the night of the accident.
We can’t leave out the relative pronoun (who, that, which) when it
is followed by a verb, we can only omit it when it is followed by
subject + verb in defining relative clauses.

Relative clauses questions

1-This is the place ______ I saw him the last time.
 a. where correct
 b. which
 c. that

We use where as a relative adverb to refer to a place.

2- That's the man ______ daughter has won the lottery.
 a. which
 b. who
 c. whose correct
We use whose as the possessive form of who (whose daughter=
'the daughter of whom').
Whose can be used for people and things.
3- Do you know the musician ______ is playing the guitar. Choose
TWO correct options
 a. who correct
 b. -
 c. that correct

We can use who and that for people in defining relative clauses
(without comas).
We can't leave out the relative pronoun (who, that, which) when it
is followed by a verb, we can only omit it when it is followed by
subject + verb in defining relative clauses.
4- The painting, ______ was finished in 1850, is one of the most
representative works of that time.
 a. which correct
 b. -
 c. that

That can only be used in defining relative clauses (without comas).

We can only omit the relative pronoun (who, which, that) in
defining relative clauses (without comas).
5- This is the person ______ I introduced you a few weeks ago.
Choose TWO correct options
 a. which
 b. that correct
 c. -correct
We can use who and that for people in defining relative clauses
(without comas).
We can omit the relative pronoun (who, which, that) in defining
relative clauses (without comas) when it's followed by subject +
verb.
6- I can't find the shop ______ I bought my computer two years
ago.
 a. where correct
 b. that
 c. which

We use where as a relative adverb to refer to a place.

7-What's the book ______ we must read this term?
 a. where
 b. who
 c. –correct

We can omit the relative pronoun (who, which, that) in defining

relative clauses (without comas) when it’s followed by subject +
verb.
In this sentence we could also use the pronouns which and that.
8-This is the girl ______ parents are getting divorced.
 a. who
 b. whose correct
 c. whom

We use whose as the possessive form of who (whose daughter=

‘the daughter of whom’).
Whose can be used for people and things.
9-The final decision, ______ not everybody is going to like, will be
announced at the next meeting.
 a. which correct
 b. that
 c. –

We can only use which or who (not that) in non-defining relative

clauses (between comas).
We can only omit the relative pronoun (who, which, that) in
defining relative clauses (without comas).
10-This phone is much better than the first phone ______ you
showed me. Choose TWO correct options
 a. whose
 b. that correct
 c. –correct

We can use which or that for things in defining relative clauses

(without comas).
We can omit the relative pronoun (who, which, that) in defining
relative clauses (without comas) when it’s followed by subject +
verb.

Relative clauses - defining or non-defining?

Study the situations and then decide whether the following relative
clauses are defining or non-defining.

defining – no commas
non-defining – commas
1. I have three brothers.

My brother who lives in Sidney came to see me last

month.

My brother, who lives in Sidney, came to see me last e

month.

I have more than one brother, I must define which brother, I am

talking about.

2. I have one sister. As I have only one sister, I need not which
sister I am talking about.

My sister who is 25 years old spent her holiday in France.

My sister, who is 25 years old, spent her holiday in

France.
3. Bob's mum has lost her keys.

Bob's mum who is a musician has lost her car keys.

Bob's mum, who is a musician, has lost her car keys.

4. My friend Jane moved to Canada. The person is defined by
her name, so I need not define who exactly I am talking
about.

My friend Jane whose husband is Canadian moved to

Canada last week.

My friend Jane, whose husband is Canadian, moved to

Canada last week.
5. I am a shoe fanatic. Being a shoe fanatic, I own lots of
shoes, so I need to define which pair of shoes I am talking
about.
 The shoes which I bought yesterday are very
comfortable.

The shoes, which I bought yesterday, are very

comfortable.
6. Mr. Robinson is very famous. The person is identified by his
name ..

Mr. Robinson whom I met at the trade fair is a famous

inventor.

Mr. Robinson, whom I met at the trade fair, is a famous

inventor.
7. Tamara has two cats. Both of them are black. As she only
two cats I need not which cat I am talking about.

Tamara's two cats which can play outside are black.

Tamara's two cats, which can play outside, are black.

8. Kevin has four cats. Two of them are black. As he has four
cats I need to define which cats I am talking about.

Kevin's two cats which are black can play outside.

Kevin's two cats, which are black, can play outside.

9. We are on holiday. Yesterday we visited a church. As it could
be any church, I need to define which church I am talking
about.

The church which we visited yesterday is very old.

The church, which we visited yesterday, is very old.

10. We are on holiday. Yesterday we visited a church.

St. Mary's Church which we visited yesterday is very old.

The church is identified by its name, so I need not define
 which church I am talking about.

St. Mary's Church, which we visited yesterday, is very old.

Present perfect and past simple quiz 2

1- There ……an accident in the town centre and the road is closed
to traffic.
has been\ was
2- Oh no! I …..my phone. Have you seen it anywhere?
Lost \ have lost
3- 'How long …….in London?'
For two years - from 2000 - 2002.
did you live \ have you lived
I ………here since I left school.
Worked \ have worked

I …….to Australia when I was a student.

went \ have been
'………to Australia?'
'No, never.'
Did you ever go \ Have you ever been
I ……a cake. It's in the kitchen if you'd like a piece.

Made \ have made

…….lunch yet? We're going to the canteen if you'd like to join us.
Did you have \ Have you had
I've been to Europe once. It ……in 1995.
Was \ has been
We …..twenty years ago.
have married \ got married
Where …..this morning? I tried to call you but your phone was off.
were you \ have you been
I …….running twice this week.
have been \ went

regret and wishes exercise

1- I wish I didn't have to go to work on Saturday.

This refers to the future

This refers to the past

2- I wish I didn't have to go to work on Saturday.

You have to go to work on Saturday.

You don't have to go to work on Saturday.

You may have to go to work on Sunday.

3- I wish I hadn't bought those shoes.

This refers to the present.

This refers to the past.

This refers to the future.

4- I wish I hadn't bought those shoes.

You want to buy some shoes.

You bought some shoes but you don't like them.

You don't want to buy any shoes.

5- If only we'd listened to Mark!

You didn't listen to Mark and now you have a problem.

You listened to Mark and now you have a problem.

6- If only I had a map.

This refers to the present.

This refers to the past.

7- If only I had a map.

You have a map but you don't need one.

b- You don't have a map but you need one.

You had a map but you lost it.

8- I wish I'd known about the noise before I booked the hotel.

You're glad you booked the hotel.

You regret booking the hotel.

You want to find out whether the hotel is noisy.

 9- If she hadn't warned us beforehand, I don't know what would
have happened.

She didn't warn you and now you are worried.

She warned you and you avoided the danger.

She didn't warn you hand you had problems.

10- Had we taken the train, we would never have got there in time
for the wedding.

You took the train and you were on time.

You took the train and you were late.

You didn't take the train and you were on time.

You didn't take the train and you were late.

Expressing regrets
1- 'Are you coming to the party?'
'I can't. I told Tim and Kate I'd babysit for them. I …..to do it now.'

shouldn't agree

wish I didn't agree

wish I hadn't agreed

2- 'I'm starving! I didn't have time for breakfast this morning.'

'Here, have some chocolate.'
'Thanks. You've saved my life!'
'……….asked me earlier.'

You should have

I wish you

If only you asked

3- My head's killing me. I knew I ……have had that last glass of

wine.

couldn't
wouldn't

shouldn't

4- I bought these trousers yesterday but I don't like the colour. I

_______________ them now.

wish I hadn't bought

shouldn't have bought

wish I couldn't buy

5- 'Do you fancy going to the cinema this evening?'

'I wish I ……but I've got to work.'

Would \ Could \ should

6- 'I feel awful. I knew I was going to get flu when I got up this
morning.'
'Why did you come to work then? You …….at home.'

should stay

wish you stayed

should have stayed

7- 'We're going to be late.'

'I wish you ……saying that. It's driving me mad.'

hadn't have kept

hadn't kept

wouldn't keep

8- 'Have you seen this job ad? It looks perfect for you but they
want someone who can speak Japanese.'
'Yes I saw it. ……Japanese.'

I should've spoken

If only I could speak

I wish I'd spoken

9- What a terrible noise! I wish they ……that music down.

had turned \ will turn \ would turn
10- 'We're on the wrong road.'

'I know. I told you an hour ago. ………'

If only you'd listened

If only you listen

I wish you listened

Tenses exercise
1. When I got to the party
everybody was drinking and dancing.
2. I was sunburned because
I had been sunbathing all day.
3. The film
had already started by the time I got to the cinema.
4. As soon as she closed the door
she realized she had left the keys inside.
5. Before he won the Mark Six
he had never thought he would be rich.
6. When the rescuers found them
they had been waiting for 8 hours and had eaten all their food.
7. Don't call at nine as
we'll be having dinner then.
8. Watch out!
Wayne's spilled his custard on the floor and Sally has already
trodden in it.
9. Your face is red
and you've forgotten your brief case. You've been drinking again!
10. Which is correct?
I've been working here for three years but I've only seen the boss
once.

Future in the past quiz

1- His boastful words ______________ come back to haunt him
later.

were to have

were going to

would

2- I was __________________ into the water when I saw the

shark warning.

to have dived

going to dive

on the verge of diving

3- We ______________ last week but we couldn't find time.

were supposed to meet

would meet
 were on the point of meeting

4- Originally the work _________________ completed in April,

but there were delays due to bad weather.

was to have been

was about to be

was on the verge of being

5- We _______________ call you, but someone said you were

away.

were going to

were supposed to

would

6- The party ______________ a surprise for Janet, but

unfortunately Tim told her.

was on the point of being

was meant to be

would be

7- She _____________ regret her rudeness later when Maria

was promoted above her.

was supposed to

would
 was about to

8- I ____________ leave the house when I 22ealized it was a

holiday and I didn't have to go to work.

Would

was meant to

was about to

9- I could never have guessed that my dream ____________

come true in the end.

would

was to have

was meant to

10- We ______________ on holiday together, but two people

cancelled at the last minute.

were to go

would go

were to have gone

look like \ as if
Are you OK? You look _____________ .
really pale \ like pale \ as if pale
Her eyes were red and she looked _____________.
(Two answers are possible.)
been crying

like she'd been crying \ as if she'd been crying

She didn't say anything but she looked _____________ .

as if furious as she was furious \ furious

When I told him I'd crashed his car, he looked…….

exploding with rage

like explode with rage.

as if he was going to explode with rage.

We thought …….honest, so we decided to buy the car.

he looked \ he looked like \ he looked as if

It's gone very dark outside. It looks ______________.

as if it's going to rain \ raining \ as if going to raining

What a beautiful dress! __________________ a princess.

You look like \ You look as if \ You look

With his sunburned face and rough hands ______________

worked in the open air.

he looked \ he looked like \ he looked as if he

You look ______________ with that silly hat on.

like a clown \ a clown \ as if a clown

Singular or plural.
 Singular or plural.

These words are plural, so they take a plural verb:

• My trousers are too long, (not 'is too long')

You can also use a pair of + these words:

• Those are nice jeans, or That's a nice pair of jeans, (not 'a nice
jeans')
• I need some new glasses, or I need a new pair of glasses.

B/ Some nouns end in -ics but are not usually plural. For example:
athletics/ gymnastics/ mathematics (or maths)/ physics/
electronics/ economics/ politics
• Gymnastics is my favourite sport.
News is not plural.
• What time is the news on television? (not 'are the news')

Some words ending in -s can be singular or plural. For example:

means ==> a means of transport ==> many means of transport
series ==> a television series ==> two television series
species ==> a species of bird ==> 200 species of bird

C/ Some singular nouns are often used with a plural verb. For
example:
government/ staff/ team/ family/ audience/ committee/ company/
firm

These nouns are all groups of people. We often think of them as a

number of people (= 'they'), not as one thing (= 'it'). So we often
use a plural verb:

• The government (= they) want to increase taxes.

• The staff at the school (= they) are not happy with their new
working conditions.

In the same way, we often use a plural verb after the name of a
sports team or a company:
• Scotland are playing France next week (in a football match).
• Shell have increased the price of petrol.

A singular verb (The government wants... / Shell has, etc.) is also

possible.
We always use a plural verb with police:
• The police have arrested a friend of mine, (not 'The police has')
• Do you think the police are well-paid?
Note that a person in the police is 'a policeman / a policewoman / a
police officer' (not 'a police').

D/ We do not often use the plural of person ('persons'). We

normally use people (a plural word):
• He's a nice person, but They are nice people.
• Many people don't have enough to eat. (not 'doesn't have')

E/ We think of a sum of money, a period of time, a distance etc. as

one thing. So we use a singular verb:
• Twenty thousand pounds (= it) was stolen in the robbery, (not
'were stolen')
• Three years (=it) is a long time to be without a job. (not 'Three
years are...)
• Six miles is a long way to walk every day