BASIC ENGLISH STRUCTURES

Modal + infinitive (basic verb form)

(Eg: would / can / must + GO)
(Eg: would / can / must + HAVE (gone))

TO + infinitive (basic verb form)

(Eg: TO + GO)
(Eg: would like TO + HAVE (gone))

HAVE + Past Participle (3rd column in the list of irregular verb forms)
(Perfect Structures)
(Eg: have / has / had + GONE)
(Eg: must have + GONE)

BE +Present Participle (basic verb form + ing)

(Continuous Structures)
(Eg: is / was /will be + GOING)
(Eg: has been + GOING)
(Eg: must be + GOING)

BE +Past Participle (3rd column in the list of irregular verb forms)

(Passive Structures)
(Eg: is / was /must be + GIVEN sth)
(Eg: has been + GIVEN sth)

PREPOSITION + Gerund (basic verb form + ing)

(Eg: tired OF + WORKING)
(Eg: worried ABOUT + HAVING done sth wrong )
 TALKING ABOUT THE PAST

Read each sentence below and think of a suitable (content / action) verb that collocates with
the word after the blanks and you can use in it. What time is it referring to? Present? Past?
Then complete the sentences using an appropriate verb form.

1) The phone rang just as we _____________ _____________ the house.

2) It was the first time I _____________ _____________ abroad.

3) (After) ____________ _____________ his ambition, he promised to spend more time with his family.

4) Since I’ve known him he _____________ _____________ that suit twice.

5) He was to _____________ _____________ in the final, but he was injured in a league match.

6) It’s years since I _____________ _____________ out to dinner by my partner.

7) When we were little, my dad _____________ often _____________ us a story at bedtime.

8) I’d have liked to have _____________ _____________ a second chance, but it wasn’t possible.

9) I wasn’t allowed to see the film, but they _____________ _____________ me read the book.