CHAPTER 1 - TENSES (UNIT 1&2)

(Thì)

1. SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE (Thì hieän taïi ñôn)

Form ( Caáu truùc)

(V) : (Be):
KĐ: I, we, you, they, Ns + Vo I + am (not)
He, she, it, N + V(s/es) He, she, it, N + is (not)
PĐ: I, we, you, they, Ns + do not + V We, you, they, Ns + are (not)
He, she, it, N + does not + V Am, Is, Are + S………?
NV: Do/ does + S + Vo…?
Use (Caùch duøng)
- Dieãn taû moät chaân lyù, moät söï thaät hieån nhieân.
The sun rises in the East
- Dieãn taû moät thoùi quen, moät haønh ñoäng xaûy ra thöôøng xuyeân ôû hieän taïi.
Mary often goes to school by bicycle.
- Dieãn taû moät söï vieäc seõ xaûy ra theo thêi khãa biÓu hoaëc chöông trình
The train leaves at seven twenty-three tomorrow morning.
* Löu yù: Ta theâm “es” sau caùc ñoäng töø taän cuøng laø: o, s, x, ch, sh
Time expressions (Cuïm töø thôøi gian)
 Always, usually, sometimes, often, normally, generally, occasionally, as a rule, *never,
rarely, seldom, … (caùc traïng töï chæ söï thöôøng xuyeân naøy ñöùng sau “BE”, tröôùc
V thöôøng)
 Every: everyday, every morning, every Saturday…
 Three times a week, twice a month, from time to time…

2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE (Thì hieän taïi tieáp dieãn)

Form:
S + am/ is/ are +Ving
S + am/ is/ are + not +Ving
Am/ Is/ Are +S +Ving ?
Use:
- Diễn tả HĐ đang diễn ra và kéo dài 1 thời gian ở hiện tại.
It (rain) is raining now.
- Xuất hiện sau câu đề nghị, mệnh lệnh.
Listen! They (sing) are singing.
- Diễn tả HĐ sắp xảy ra ở tương lai gần ( với:go, arrive, come, leave,….)
I am leaving for New York tomorrow.
- *Diễn tả sự phàn nàn (với always)
You are always putting your dirty clothes everywhere,
Time expressions
 Now, right now, at present, at the moment, still
 Today, this week, these days, this term, this year, this summer, nowadays…
 Look! Be quiet! Don’t make noise! Listen! Watch out! Keep silent...
3. SIMPLE PAST TENSE (Thì quaù khöù ñôn)

Form:
(V) : S+V2/e d (Be): I, he, she, It, N + was (not)
S + did not +V we, you, they, Ns + were (not)
Did +S+ V……? Was / Were + S ………?

Use:
- Diễn tả HĐ (hoặc 1 chuỗi HĐ) đã xảy ra trong quá khứ, chấm dứt rồi và biết rõ thời gian.
Mr Pike (stay) stayed here last night
- Diễn tả thói quen ở quá khứ.
He (go) went/ used to go fishing with his father when he a child.

Time expressions
 Yesterday, yesterday morning, in the past, in 1985, when I was young, when I was a
child…
 Last: last night, last year, last month, last summer
 Ago: two days ago, three weeks ago, a month ago

4. PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE (Thì quaù khöù tieáp dieãn)

Form:
I, he, she, It, N + was (not) + V-ing
we, you, they, Ns + were (not) + V-ing

Use:
- Haønh ñoäng ñaõ dieãn ra vaø keùo daøi moät thôøi gian ôû quaù khöù.
Yesterday, Mr. John was working in the laboratory all the afternoon.
- Haønh ñoäng ñang xaûy ra vaøo moät thôøi ñieåm trong quaù khöù.
I was doing my homework at 6:00 last Sunday.
- Haønh ñoäng ñang dieãn ra trong quaù khöù thì coù moät haønh ñoäng khaùc xen vaøo
(haønh ñoäng naøo keùo daøi hôn ta duøng Past continuous, haønh ñoäng ngaén hôn duøng
Past simple)
When I came yesterday, he was sleeping.
- Diễn tả 2 hay nhiều hành động đang diễn ra đồng thời trong quá khứ. Haønh ñoäng naøy
thöôøng ñi vôùi lieân töø “While”.
My mother was cooking in the kitchen while my father was watching T.V.
Time expressions
 At 6:00 yesterday, at this time yesterday, at the time last week, at that time…

5. PRESENT PERFECT TENSE (Thì hieän taïi hoaøn thaønh)

Form:

KĐ : I, we, you, they, Ns + have (’ve) +V3ed

he, she, it , N + has (’s) + V3ed
P Đ : S + have not (haven’t) +V3ed
has not (hasn’t)
NV: Have /has +S + V3ed?
 Use:
- Dieãn taû moät haønh ñoäng, moät söï vieäc vöøa môùi xaûy ra.
I have just seen my sister in the park.
- Dieãn taû moät haønh ñoäng laäp ñi laäp laïi nhieàu laàn trong quaù khöù.
I have seen that film several times.
- Dieãn taû moät haønh ñoäng xaûy ra trong quaù khöù keùo daøi ñeán hieän taïi vaø coù
theå xaûy ra trong TL.
Mary has lived in this house for ten years / since 2000.
- Dieãn taû moät haønh ñoäng xaûy ra trong quaù khöù maø khoâng rõ thôøi gian.
Ex: I have lost my keys.

Time expressions
 since, for, just, recently, lately, already, *never, ever, yet
 so far, until now, up to now, up to the present, how long, in the last few years
 twice, three times, many / several times ,it is the first/second/ third … time
Löu yù:
 Caùc traïng töø just, already, never, ever đứng sau HAVE, trước V3/ED
 Caùc traïng töø for, just, already, never chæ ñöôïc duøng keøm vôùi thì hieän taiï
hoaøn thaønh trong caùc caâu ñôn. Neáu caâu töø hai meänh ñeàø trôû leân thì ta phaûi
döïa vaøo ngöõ caûnh chöù khoâng chæ döïa vaøo caùc traïng töø ñoù.
Ex:
 Mr. Pike has worked here for six months. ( = he still works here now.)
 She worked as a secretary for five years and now she is a teacher.
 I had known Jean for a year when she invited him to her home.
 They’ve already seen that movie.
 By the time we got to the theatre, the play had already begun.
 The plane had just landed when I arrived at the airport.

 Trạng từ FOR + khoảng thời gian, SINCE + mốc thời gian.

two hours / days seven o’clock
many years / ages Tuesday, January 4th
For five weeks / months Since yesterday, last…,
2006
a long time / a while he left school

6. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE (hieän taïi hoaøn thaønh tieáp dieãn)
Form:
S + have / has (not) + been + V-ing
Have/ has + S + been + V-ing?
Use:
- Diễn tả haønh ñoäng bắt đầu trong quá khứ và kéo dài liên tục đến hiện tại
The phone has been ringing for two minutes. (It is ringing now)
I have been writing letters since 9.00 in the morning.
7. PAST PERFECT TENSE (Thì quá khứ hoaøn thaønh)
Form:
S+ had (not) + V3ed
Had + S + V3ed ?

Use:
- Diễn tả haønh ñoäng quá khứ xảy ra trước 1 thời điểm ở quá khứ hoặc trước 1 haønh
ñoäng quá khứ khác.
Before 1975, he (work) had worked in that factory.
When I (come) come, he (leave) had left.
After he had graduated, he went abroad.
We had finished our homework by the time they arrived.
Time expressions
 By + (the past time): by 2003, by last year
 By the time + clause: by the time we got there, by the time you went to bed…
 Trong các mệnh đề tg với: Before, after, when, already
Before / By the time + QKĐ, mđ chính QKHT
After + QKHT, mđ chính QKĐ

8. PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE (Thì quaù khöù hoaøn thaønh tieáp dieãn)
Form:
S + had (not) + been + V-ing
Had + S + been + V-ing?
Use: Diễn tả haønh ñoäng xảy ra liên tục trước 1 haønh ñoäng quá khứ khác.
I had been working hard all day, so I was very tired last night
When I saw him, he had been waiting for his friend over half an hour.
Last night, when Tom got up, his father had been working in his room for 1 hour.

9. SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE (Thì töông lai ñôn)

Form:
S + will/ shall +V
S + will/ shall + not +V
Will/ Shall + S + V ?
Notes : Will not = won’t Shall not = shan’t

Use:
- Diễn tả haønh ñoäng xảy ra ở tương lai
She (come) will come here next Monday.
- 1 suy nghĩ , giả thuyết về tương lai (sau think, hope,..)
I think I’ll stay at home tonight
- Yªu cÇu, ®Ò nghÞ ai ®ã lµm g×
 Will you shut the door?
- Høa hÑn lµm ®iÒu g×
I promise I’ll call you when I arrive

Time expressions:
 Next: next week, next month, next summer…
 Someday, soon, in 2050, in the future, in two weeks, in three days, tomorrow…
 I think, I am sure, I hope, I expect…
10. FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE (Thì töông lai tieáp dieãn)
Form:
S + will/ shall + be + V-ing
Will/ shall + S + V-ing?
Use:
- Dieãn taû moät haønh ñoäng ñang dieãn ra taïi moät thôøi ñieåm xác định trong
töông lai.
I will be watching T.V at 8p.m tonight.
(At)This time tomorrow, he will be flying to Hanoi.
- Dieãn taû moät haønh ñoäng döï ñònh seõ laøm ôû töông lai.
We shall be spending our holiday in England next week.
Time expressions: (At) this time + TG TL (tomorrow, next,…)

11. NEAR FUTURE (Thì töông lai gần)

Form:
S + am, is, are (not) going to + V0
Am, is, are + S + going to + V0?

Use:
- Diễn tả haønh ñoäng töông lai coù keá hoïach töø tröôùc hay ñöôïc quyeát ñònh töø tröôùc
I (have) am going to have a birthday party next Sunday.
- DiÔn t¶ sù tiªn ®o¸n, sù kiÖn ch¾c ch¾n x¶y ra ë t¬ng lai v× cã dÊu hiÖu hay chøng cø ë
hiÖn t¹i .
Look at those black clouds. It’s going to rain.
Time expressions: Tomorrow, tonight, next…

12. FUTURE PERFECT TENSE (Thì töông lai hoaøn thaønh)

Form:
S + will/shall + have + V3ed
Will/ shall + S + have + V3ed ?
Use:
- Dieãn taû moät haønh ñoäng seõ ñöôïc hoaøn thaønh tröôùc moät thôøi ñieåm xaùc
ñònh ôû töông lai.
I will have finished my exams by June 1st / by next month.
- Dieãn taû moät haønh ñoäng seõ ñöôïc hoaøn thaønh tröôùc moät haønh ñoäng khaùc
trong töông lai.
She will have walked to school before you finish your breakfast.
The taxi will have arrived by the time you finish dressing.
Time expressions: By + t.gian ở TL (the end of this / next year)
By the time + S + HTĐ
 SOME NOTES ON THE USES OF VERB TENSES:

1. Moät soá ñoäng töø sau ñaây thöôøng khoâng duøng vôùi các thì tieáp dieãn.
- Nhöõng ñoäng töø chæ caûm xuùc nhö: like, dislike, love, hate, want, wish, desire, refuse,
forgive.
- Nhöõng ñoäng töø chæ giaùc quan nhö: see, hear, smell, sound, taste, recognize.
- Nhöõng ñoäng töø chæ lí trí nhö: understand, know, think, realize, suppose, believe,
remember, forget, mind, expect, recollect.
- Nhöõng ñoäng töø chæ sự sở hữu: have (coù), own, possess, contain, belong to,………

Notes: - I think (that) you should pay attention to your work.

- I’m thinking about you.
- I have a lot of time to study.
- I was having breakfast when I saw Tom.
- You look ill. What’s the matter with you?
- Why are you looking at me like that?

2. Moät soá ñoäng töø sau ñaây thöôøng được chia vôùi các thì tieáp dieãn (chỉ hành động
kéo dài):
sleep, study, work, cook, wash the dishes/clothes, play, listen, read, watch, wait, have
breakfast/ lunch/ dinner / meals / coffee / a bath / a walk / a good time / a party…
Ex: She was listening to the radio when he called her last night.

3. Thì trong mệnh đề tường thuật: (say, think, report,...)

- Khi động từ tường thuật ở HT thì mệnh đề sau nó thường được chia ở các thì HT hoặc TL.
People say that he is a detective.
They predict that the price of gasoline will go down.
- Khi động từ tường thuật ở QK thì mệnh đề sau nó thường được chia ở các thì QK.
I thought he had a happy life in London.
They said that they had come here 3 years before.

4. Thì trong mệnh đề thời gian: (mệnh đề bắt đầu bằng các liên từ như: when, whenever,
while, as, as soon as, after, before, until, till, by the time, since,…) Không dùng các thì
tương lai ở mệnh đề thời gian (cã thÓ thay b»ng th× hiÖn t¹i ñôn, hieän taïi hoaøn
thaønh).
Ex: I will give you a special gift when I see you tomorrow.
SEQUENCE OF TENSE IN ADVERBIAL CLAUSE OF TIME (UNIT
16)
(sự phối hợp thì trong mệnh đề trạng ngữ chỉ thời gian)

- Nếu động từ trong mệnh đề thời gian ở hiện tại thì động từ trong mệnh chính thường được
chia ở các thì hiên tại hoặc tương lai: (HTĐ, HTTD, TLĐ, TLHT, TLTD)
- Nếu động từ trong mệnh thời gian ở quá khứ (QKĐ, QKTD, QKHT) thì động từ trong mệnh
đề chính thường được chia ở các thì quá khứ (QKĐ, QKTD, QKHT):

1. When:
Mệnh đề When Mệnh đề chính
HTĐ TLĐ
QKĐ QKĐ: chỉ thói quen trong QK, (when I was a child, when
he was ten,…)
QKTD: chỉ hành động kéo dài (play football, watch TV,..)
QKHT: chỉ hành động xảy ra trước, thường đi với just,
already, before
QKTD: chỉ hành động kéo dài QKĐ

 When I (see)………see…………Mary tomorrow, I (invite)……will invite……her to our

party.
 He (talk) ………was talking.........on the phone when I (arrive)………arrived…….. last
night.
 When she called, he (already eat)…………had already eaten………………… lunch.
 My brother (start)…….....started…………. school when he (be)…………
was……………..six
 The boys (break) …………broke……a window when they (play) ……were
playing….football.

2. While, as:
Mệnh đề While Mệnh đề chính
HTTD HTĐ/HTTD
QKTD QKĐ: chỉ hành động ngắn, xảy ra đột ngột
QKTD: chỉ 2 hđ xảy ra cùng lúc, song song

 She began cooking while I (do)…………was doing…………my homework.

 Why don’t you listen while I (speak) ………am speaking……………to you?
 At 9 last night, Mrs. Smith (wash)…………was washing…………the dishes while her
children (study) ………were studying………….their lesson.
 As we (go) ………were going……shopping yesterday, we (see) ………saw………an
accident.

3. Before:
Mệnh đề Before Mệnh đề chính
HTĐ TLĐ
 QKĐ QKHT

 We will finish before he (arrive)………arrives…………

 She (leave)……had left………before I telephoned.

4. After:
Mệnh đề After Mệnh đề chính
HTĐ TLĐ
QKHT QKĐ

 We will finish after he (come)………comes…………………..

 She ate after I (leave)…………had left……………………

5. By the time:
Mệnh đề By the time Mệnh đề chính
HTĐ TLHT
QKĐ QKHT

 By the time he finished, I (cook)…………had cooked…………….dinner.

 We (finish)…………will finish………………our homework by the time they arrive.

6. Since:
Mệnh đề Since Mệnh đề chính
QKĐ HTHT

 I (play)…………have played…………… tennis since I (be)………was…………. a

young boy.
 They (work)…………have worked…………. here since 1987.

7. Until, till:
Mệnh đề Until Mệnh đề chính
HTĐ/HTHT TLĐ
QKĐ QKHT

 I'll wait until / till you (finish)………have finished/ finish……………

 The party (not end) ……will not end………………until she came.

8. As soon as / Once:

Mệnh đề AS soon as Mệnh đề chính

HTĐ/HTHT TLĐ
QKĐ/QKHT QKĐ

 He will let us know as soon as he (decide)…………………………..

 As soon as I (finish)………………………….., I’ll give you a call.
  Once I have a chance, I will throw you an ice ball.

9. Whenever, every time: 2 mđ thường được chia cùng thì

Whenever he (come) ……comes………………, we go to have lunch at "Dick's".
 SUMMARY OF TENSES (TÓM TẮT)

TENSES FORMS ADVERBS

(V): ▪ often
1. SIMPLE S +V(s/es) ▪ usually
PRESENT S + do/ does + not + V ▪ sometimes
Do/ does +S+V…? ▪ always
(Be): ▪ normally
S + am, is, are (not) ▪ frequently
Am, Is, Are+ S……? ▪ constantly
▪ seldom
Notes: ▪ rarely
I, we, you, they, Ns + VO ▪ occasionally
He, She, It, N số ít + Vs/es ▪ now and then
(V-es: sau o, s, sh, ch, x) ▪ everyday/ week/month/ year…
▪ three times a week / twice a
month
▪ from time to time…

S + am/ is/ are ( not) +Ving ▪ Now / right now

2. PRESENT Notes: V tận cùng là một phụ âm , trước ▪ at the moment, at present
CONTINUOUS phụ âm là một nguyên âm thì gấp đôi phụ ▪ Look! Be quiet!
âm rồi mới thêm ing ▪ Câu mệnh lệnh:VO / Don’t +VO
Keep silent.
Don’t make noise.
▪ Just
▪ ever, never
3. PRESENT KĐ : ▪ already
PERFECT I, we, you, they, Ns + have (’ve) +V3ed ▪ before
he, she, it , N + has (’s) + V3ed ▪ yet
▪ lately = recently
PĐ: ▪ since, for
S + have not (haven’t) +V3ed ▪ so far = until now = up to now =
has not (hasn’t) up to the present : cho ®Õn nay,
cho ®Õn tËn b©y giê ...
NV: Have /has +S + V3ed? ▪ in the last few years
▪ it’s the first / second /third time
▪ twice
▪ three/many/several times
 have/has + been +V ing
4. PRESENT Since , for
PERFECT All day…
CONTINUOUS

(V) : S +V2/e d
S + did not + V
5. SIMPLE PAST Did + S + V……? ▪ Last ….
(Be) : ▪ ago
I, he, she, It, N + was ▪ yesterday
we, you, they, Ns + were ▪ in 1990
Was / Were + S ……?
Notes: When, as (hđ ngắn)
Gấp đôi phụ âm nếu trước nó là một
nguyên âm (stop-stopped)

▪At this time yesterday

6. PAST was/ were + V-ing ▪At 9 o’clock yesterday
CONTINUOUS ▪ last….

when, while
▪ already
7. PAST PERFECT Had (not)+ V3ed ▪ Up to then
By the time + S + QKĐ
Before , after,
when, as, as soon as,…

8. PAST PERFECT had + been +V ing

CONTINUOUS

▪ tomorrow
▪ tonight
9. SIMPLE will / shall + V0 ▪ soon
FUTURE ▪ again
(will not = won’t ▪ someday :mét ngµy nµo ®ã.
shall not = shan’t) ▪ next …..
▪ in the future
▪ in + năm TL
will / shall + be+ V-ing At this time + TG TL (tomorrow,
10. FUTURE next,…)
CONTINUOUS
 am, is, are going to +V0
Tomorrow, tonight, next…
11. NEAR
FUTURE

will + have + V3ed By + t.gian ở TL (the end of this

12. FUTURE /next year)
PERFECT By the time + S + HTĐ
 EXERCISES

Exercise 1 – Put the verbs in brackets in the correct verb tense form.

1. Mr. Pike (have) _______ has __________ coffee for breakfast every day.
2. My mother sometimes (buy) _______ buys ____________ vegetable at this market.
3. The sun (set) _________ sets __________ in the West.
4. They (have) _________ are having __________ lunch in the cafeteria now.
5. Please don’t make so much noise. I (study) _______ am studying ____________.
6. Look! It __________________ (snow) now. is snowing
7. He usually (drink) ______ drinks coffee but today he (drink) _________ is drinking tea.
8. I (watch) ________ watched ___________ that film with my sister last week.
9. He (win) ___________ won ________ the gold medal in 2009.
10. The man got out of the car, (walk) ______ walked _____ round to the back and opened the
boots.
11. What (do) ________ were you doing ___________ at this time yesterday ?
12. When I (be) was a boy, I often (go) ______ went _________ fishing with my teacher.
13. When I (leave) left ________ my office last night, it (still, rain) was still raining ____very
hard.
14. While Diana (watch) was watching her favourite TV programme, there (be) was a power
cut.
15. While Mai (cook) was cooking the meal, her brother (clean) was cleaning the house.
16. We (know) have known _______each other for more than ten years now.
17. George (work) has worked ________ at the university so far.
18. You (receive) Have you received _____________ any letter from your parents yet?
19. Jim sends his love. I (just, see) have just seen ________ him in the high street.
20. I can't go out because I (not finish) haven’t finished ________my work.
21. My father (not smoke) hasn’t smoked ______for 5 years.
22. I (not play) haven’t played _______ football since last Monday.
23. Up to the present, we (write) have written ________ almost every lesson in the book.
24. We (not see) have not seen _______ her since she (leave) left _______ school.
25. It is the second time I (ever, hear) have ever heard ________ this song.
26. It was the first time he (ever, see) has ever seen ________such a beautiful girl.
27. He said that he (never, meet) had never met _________that man before.
28. He (type) had typed ________ ten letters by lunchtime yesterday.
29. I thought they (wait) _______ had been waiting __________ for us for half an hour.
30. After my sister (wash) had washed__________her clothes, she (begin) began ________to
study.
31. Mary (not go) didn’t go to the film with us yesterday evening. She (see) had seen it
before.
32. By the time he used the machine, he (finish) _____ had finished ___________ repairing it.
33. When I arrived the students (already, go) ________ had already gone _____________
into class.
34. All of you (take) _______ will take _________ the graduation examination in two
months’ time.
 35. I hope it (not rain) will not rain when we (start) start early tomorrow.
36. This time next week, we (live) ______ will be living ___________ in Da Lat.
37. What do you think the children (do) will be doing when we (get) get home tomorrow?
38. By the end of this year, I (work) _______ will have worked __________ here for 18
years.
39. By this time next month I (save) ______ will have saved ___________ 500 dollars.
40. By the time Sheila get back, Chris (finish) Will have finished college.

Exercise 2 – Choose the option that best completes each of the following sentences.
1. When I last saw him, he ...... in London.
A. has lived B. is living C. was living D. has been living
2. We ....... Dorothy since last Saturday.
A. don’t see B. haven’t seen C. didn’t see D. hadn’t seen
3. He has been selling motorbike ......
A. ten years ago B. since ten years C. for ten years ago D. for ten years
now
4. He fell down when he ...... towards the church.
A. run B. runs C. was running D. had run
5. I ...... in the room right now.
A. is being B. was being C. have been being D. am
6. I ...... to New York three times this year.
A. have been B. was C. were D. had been
7. The little girl asked what ...... to her friend.
A. has happened B. happened C. had happened D. is happening
8. I have been waiting for you ......
A. since early morningB. this morning C. since two hours D. for early
morning
9. ....... I was walking around the supermarket, I saw a friend of mine.
A. As soon as B. As C. Until D. Since
10. The first time I noticed something wrong was ...... I got home.
A. after B. when C. since D. until
11. Christopher Columbus ...... America more than 500 years ago.
A. discovered B. has discovered C. had discovered D. had been discovering
12. They ...... there when their father died.
A. still lived B. lived still C. was still living D. were still living
13. By next Christmas, I ...... for Mr. Smith for six years.
A. shall have been working B. shall work
C. have been working D. shall be working
14. Almost everyone ...... for home by the time we arrived.
A. leave B. left C. leaves D. had left
15. While her husband was in the army, Mary ...... to him twice a week.
A. was writing B. wrote C. was written D. had written
16. I have never played badminton before. This is the first time I ...... to play.
A. try B. tried C. have tried D. am trying
17. Since he ......, I have heard nothing from him.
A. had left B. left C. has left D. leaves
18. I ...... in Hanoi before I moved to Ho Chi Minh City.
A. have been living B. have lived C. had lived D. had been living
19. He will take the dog out for a walk as soon as he ...... dinner.
A. finish B. finishes C. will finish D. will have
finished
20. The children are still ill but they ...... better gradually.
A. get B. got C. have got D. are getting
21. After Jessica …… her degree, she intends to work in her father’s company.
A. will finish B. will have finished C. finishes D. is finishing
22. By the time I go to bed tonight, I …… my work for the day.
A. will finish B. have finished C. will have finished D. finish
23. When my parents …… for a visit tomorrow, they will see our new baby for the first time.
A. will arrive B. arrived C. will have arrived D. arrive
24. Fatemah looked down to discover a snake at her feet. When she saw it, she ……
A. was screaming B. had screamed C. screamed D. screams
25. By the time Alfonso finally graduated from high school, he …… seven different schools
because his parents moved frequently.
A. attended B. was attending C. had attended D. had been
attending
26. Until you learn to relax more, you …… your ability to speak English.
A. haven’t improved B. aren’t improving C. don’t improve D. won’t improve
27. I borrowed four books on gardening the last time I …… to the library.
A. go B. went C. had gone D. have gone
28. Before I started the car, all of the passengers …… their seat belts.
A. will buckle B. had buckled C. buckle D. have buckled
29. It seems that whenever I travel abroad I …… to take something I need.
A. forgot B. am forgetting C. forget D. had forgotten
30. When I see the doctor this afternoon, I …… him to look at my throat.
A. will ask B. asked C. will have asked D. ask
31. After ancient Greek athletes won a race in the Olympics, they ….… a simple crown of olive
leaves.
A. received B. had received C. were receiving D. have received
32. After the race ……, the celebration began.
A. had been won B. is won C. will be won D. has been won
33. I’ll return Bob’s pen to him the next time I …… him.
A. see B. will see C. will have seen D. have seen
34. I …… all of the questions correctly since I began this grammar exercise on verb tenses.
A. am answering B. answer C. have answered D. answered
35. A small stone struck the windshield while we …… down the gravel road.
A. drive B. were driving C. had driven D. had been driving
36. Don’t answer the door until I ...... back.
A. come B. came C. will come D. had come
37. “Have you been abroad recently?” – “I last ...... abroad in 2004”.
A. go B. went C. have gone D. was going
38. “Why are your hands so dirty?” “Because I ...... on my car.’
A. had been working B. have been working C. have worked D. had worked
39. I haven’t had a Chinese meal ......
A. since ages B. for 2002 C. since two years D. since last year
40. “When did you arrive?” - “......”
A. Tomorrow B. Yesterday C. For 2 days D. Once again
41. I couldn’t answer the phone immediately, because I ...... to finish some work.
A. try B. am trying C. was trying D. have tried
42. Once you ...... used to the job, it won’t seem so bad.
A. get B. got C. will get D. had got
43. Paula ...... her new dress, isn’t she?
A. wears B. wore C. is wearing D. has been wearing
44. As soon as he finishes his work, he ……..home.
A. go B. goes C. would go D. will go
45. When I see Tom tomorrow, I ……..him of that.
A. remind B. reminded C. will remind D. would remind
46. By the time he retired from work, all his daughters……..married.
A. got B. have got C. would get D. had got
47. By the time I go to bed tonight, I …… my work for the day.
A. will finish B. have finished C. will have finished D. had finished
48. I will see him when he……..here tomorrow
A. comes B. will come C. has come D. had come
49. My daughter often says that she won’t get married until she……..25 years old.
A. is B. will be C. will have been D. has been
50. We didn’t use to get up late when we……..in the countryside.
A. live B. lived C. are living D. were living

Exercise 3 – Identify the one underlined word or phrase that must be changed in order to
make the sentence correct.

1. When he was a boy, Tom often plays tennis.

A B C D
2. I have gone as soon as you come back.
A B C D
3. After Mrs. Wang had returned to her house from work, she was cooking dinner.
A B C D
4. The police arrested the man while he is having dinner in a restaurant.
A B C D
5. I haven’t had any news of John for 2003.
A B C D
6. Some people are believing there is life on other planets.
A B C D
7. I was working really hard in my office yesterday when the electricity is out.
A B C D
8. For the past two years I did a lot of things.
A B C D
9. Debbie, whose father is an excellent tennis player, has been playing tennis since ten years.
A B C D
10. Mary was making a dress when she cuts her finger.
A B C D
11. Don’t get off the bus until it stopped.
A B C D
12. The mother will wait outside the school until her son will finish his exam.
A B C D
13. Mary never went to bed before she has finished her homework.
A B C D
14. The last time I have seen him was in 1999.
A B C D
15. Mr. Pike likes traveling. By the time he will be 60, he will have visited 15 countries and
capitals.
A B C D
16. I will tell John about it when I will see him this afternoon.
A B C D
17. I was listening to the radio when the doorbell was ringing.
A B C D
18. Last week, when the police came there, the thief went away.
A B C D
19. Human had struggled against weeds since the beginning of agriculture.
A B C D
20. Peter and Wendy first met in 2006, and they are married for three years now.
A B C D
TENSE TRANSFORMATION
(biến đổi câu về thì)
1.
S + began/ started + V-ing / To V … in + time (May, 1990,…)
time (two years, ten months,...) + ago
 S + have/has + Ved/3…………….. since (May, 1990,…)
have/has + been + V-ing……. for (two years, ten months,...)
Ex: She began playing the piano 4 years ago / in 2006.
 She has played/ has been playing the piano for 4 years. / since 2006.
2.
S + have/ has + (not) + Ved/3…… for + time (two years, ten months,...)
 It’s + time + since + S + (last) + Ved/2
Ex: She has lived here for many years.
 It’s many years since she lived here.

My father hasn’t visited me for ten months.

 It’s ten months since my father last visited me.
3.
 S + have/ has + not + Ved/3……… since / for + time
 a. The last time + S + Ved/2……was + in + time(May, 1990,…)
time(years,month,..) + ago
b. S + last + Ved/2 …… in + time
time + ago

Ex: I haven’t gone to the cinema for six months / since October.
 The last time I went to the cinema was six months ago/ in October.
 I last went to the cinema six months ago/ in October.
4.
S + have/ has + (not) + Ved/3 ….+ since + S + Ved/2
 S + (last) Ved/2 + when + S + Ved/2
Ex: She hasn’t seen her mother since she left for Pairs.
 She last saw her mother when she left for Pairs.
5.
S + have/ has + not / never + Ved/3………before
 It/this/that is the first time + S + have/ has + Ved/3

Ex: She hasn’t spoken Japanese before.

It is the first time she has spoken Japanese.
6.
How long is it since + S + Ved/2…..?
have/ has + S + Ved/3…..?
 When did + S + V0…….?
Ex: How long is it since you built this house / How long have you built this house?
 When did you build this house?
7.
S + have/ has + never + Ved/3 + such (a/ an) + Adj + N
a + Adj-er / more + Adj
 It/this/that is the + Adj (superlative) + S + have/ has + ever + Ved/3
Ex: I’ve never met such a beautiful girl / a more beautiful girl.
 This is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met.
 EXERCISES

Exercise 1 – Rewrite each of the following sentences in such a way that it has a similar
meaning to the original one.

Model 1:
1. Tom began playing football two weeks ago.
Tom has played/ has been playing football for two weeks.

2. John started practising the organ in May.

John has practised/ has been practising the organ since May.

3. My father has been working in that firm since 1990.

My father started/ began working in that firm in 1990.

4. He has taught at this university for 15 years.

He started teaching at this university 15 years ago.

Model 2:
5. We have come here for a long time.
 It’s a long time since we came here.

6. I haven’t gone shopping for many months.

 It’s many months since I last went shopping.

7. She hasn’t watched any movie for three months.

 It’s three months since she last watched a movie.

8. It’s two years since she last saw him.

 She hasn’t seen him for two years.

Model 3:
9. I haven’t gone to see them for a year.
The last time I went to see them was a year ago.
I last went to see them a year ago.

10. He has not had his hair cut for ages.

It’s ages since he last had his hair cut.
The last time he had his hair cut was ages/ years ago.

11. He hasn’t seen her since 2006.

He last saw her in 2006.
The last time he saw her was in 2006.

12. I last came here in 2001.

 I have not come here since 2001.
The last time I came came here was in 2001.

Model 4:
13. He hasn’t seen her since he left school.
He last saw her when he left school.

14. I last saw her when she returned to her home town.
I haven’t seen her since she returned to her home town.

Model 5:
15. She has never met this man before.
It’s the first time she has met this man.

16. Minh hasn’t driven a car before.

It’s the first time Minh has driven a car.

17. This is the first time she has smoked.

She has not / never smoked before.

18. This is the first time I have drunk beer.

I have not/ never drunk beer before.

Model 6:
19. When did you know them?
How long is it since you knew them/ have you known them?

20. How long is it since you bought this computer?

When did you buy this computer?

Model 7:
21. I have never read such an interesting novel.
This is the most interesting novel I have ever read.

22. I have not eaten such a bad meal.

This is the worst meal I have ever eaten.

23. I have never read such a good novel .

This is the best novel I have ever read.

24. This is the most wonderful trip we have ever had.

We have never had such a wonderful trip.

25. This is the tallest girl he has ever met.

He has never met such a tall girl.
Exercise 2 – Rewrite each of the following sentences in such a way that it has a similar
meaning to the original one.
1. Mary started playing the piano three years ago.
Mary has been playing / has played the piano for three years

2. I haven’t seen my father for two months.

It’s two months since I last saw my father
The last time I saw my father was two months ago

3. I have never read such an interesting novel before.

This is the most interesting novel I’ve ever read

4. It’s four years since I wrote her.

I haven’t written to her for four years
5. When did Helen and John get married ?
How long did Helen and John get married ? (get/got married)
How long have Helen and John been married ? (have/has been married; NOT: have got
married)
6. How long have you sold your old house?
When did you sell your old house?

7. I haven’t smoked before.

It’s the first time I have smoked

8. This is the first time she has lived in a big city.

She has not/never lived in a big city before.

9. I last played volleyball in 2000.

I haven’t played volleyball since 2000.
The last time I played volleyball was in 2000.

10. My aunt has been teaching English for 40 years.

My aunt began / started teaching English for 40 years.

11. I have studied Japanese for ages.

It’s ages since I have studied Japanese.

12. They haven’t come there for a long time.

It’s a long time since they came there.
The last time they came there was a long time ago.

13. He hasn’t seen her since she graduated from college.

He last saw her when she graduated from college.

14. The last time I went swimming was years ago.

I haven’t gone swimming for years.
 It’s years since I last went swimming.
15. I haven’t seen her since she returned to her home town.
I last saw her when she returned to her home town
16. It is two weeks since it last rained.
It has not rained for two weeks.
17. Jane started keeping a diary five years ago.
Jane has been keeping a diary for five years
18. I last went swimming in 2001.
I have not gone swimming since 2001.
The last time I went swimming was in 2001
19. I started to study English when I was 10 years old.
I’ve studied English since I was 10 years old
20. When did you collect stamps?
How long have you collected stamps?
21. She has never been to the ballet dancing before.
This is the first time she has been to the ballet dancing.
22. My father is reading a newspaper. He started 2 hours ago.
My father has been reading a newspaper for 2 hours.
23. I haven’t practised the piano for many years.
The last time I practised the piano was many years ago.
It’s many years since I last practised the piano
24. I went over my lesson and then went to school.
After I had gone/ went over my lesson , I went to school
Before I went to school, I had gone/ went over my lesson, I went to school
25. During my dinner, the phone rang.
While While I was having dinner, the phone rang.
Exercise 3 – Choose the best sentence that has the same meaning as the one given
1. It is seven years since we___________.
A. last talked to Daisy B. have talked to Daisy C. last talked Daisy D. talk to
Daisy
2. It’s two years ___________ Joe
A. that I don’t see B. that I haven’t seen C. since I didn’t see D. since I saw
3. By the time I arrived at the station, ___________.
A. my friend has left. B. my friend has been leaving.
C. my friend leaves. D. my friend had left.
4. She hasn’t written to me ___________.
A. since she left school B. after she had left school
C. when she left school D. before she left school
5. ___________was when we were in Spain
A. The last time I had gone swimming B. The last time I went swimming

C. The last time I didn’t go swimming D. The last time I was going
swimming
6. It is a long time since they last met.
A. They haven’t met since a long time. B. They haven’t met for a long
time.
 C. They didn’t meet for a long time. D. They have met for a long time.
7. I haven’t stayed in a hotel for years.
A. It’s years since I stayed in a hotel. B. It’s years when I stayed in a hotel.
C. It’s years since I stay in a hotel. D. I haven’t stayed in a hotel years
ago.
8. I have never read such a good book before.
A. This is the first time I read a good book . B. This is the best book I have ever
read.
C. This book is the best I have never read. D. This book is the best I read.
9. She started learning English ten years ago.
A. She has not learnt English before. B. She has learnt English since ten years.
C. She has started learning English for ten years. D. She has learnt English for ten
years
10. She began to play the piano three years ago.
A. She has played the piano since three years.
B. She has played the piano for three years.
C. She doesn’t play the piano now.
D. She has begun to play the piano for three years.

Exercise 4 – Circle the underlined word or phrase that must be changed for the sentence to be
correct.
1. The last time I saw him was since 1999.
A B C D
2. The last time she played the piano was for five years ago.
A B C D
3. It is three months since he has come here.
A B C D
4. It’s the first time I’ve never drunk beer.
A B C D
5. We last visited her for many years ago.
A B C D
6. I haven’t gone to the cinema two months ago.
A B C D
7. My father began working for that company for 2 years.
A B C D
8. I have ever seen such an interesting film before.
A B C D
9. We started to write each other since three years ago.
A B C D
10. I haven't come back to London for my father last visited me.
A B C D

Choose the sentence that is CLOSEST in meaning to each of the following

questions.
1. She hasn’t seen her mother since she left for Pairs.
A. This is the first time she has seen her mother.
B. Since she left for Pairs, she has seen her mother.
C. The last time she saw her mother was last year.
D. She last saw her mother when she left for Pairs.
2. He has never traveled by plane before.
A. It is the second time he has traveled by plane.
B. The last time he traveled by plane was three years ago.
C. It is the first time he has traveled by plane.
D. He has traveled by plane many times before.
3. She hasn’t seen her form teacher since she graduated from school.
A. This is the first time she has seen her form teacher.
B. Since she graduated from school, she has seen her form teacher.
C. The last time she saw her form teacher was last year.
D. She last saw her form teacher when she graduated from school.
4. Tom began playing football two weeks ago.
A. Tom has played football for two weeks.
B. Tom has never played football before.
C. This is the first time Tom has played football.
D. It is football that Tom has played.
5. It is a long time since they last met.
A. They haven’t met since a long time.
B. They haven’t met for a long time.
C. They didn’t meet for a long time.
D. They have met for a long time.
6. I haven’t stayed in a hotel for years.
A. It’s years since I stayed in a hotel.
B. It’s years when I stayed in a hotel.
C. It’s years since I stay in a hotel.
D. I haven’t stayed in a hotel years ago.
7. I have never read that book before.
A. This is the first time I have read that book .
B. This is the best book I have ever read.
C. This book is the best I have never read.
D. This book is the best I read.
8. She started learning English ten years ago.
A. She has not learnt English before.
B. She has learnt English since ten years.
C. She has started learning English for ten years.
D. She has learnt English for ten years
9.She began to play the piano three years ago.
A. She has played the piano since three years.
B. She has played the piano for three years.
C. She doesn’t play the piano now.
D. She has begun to play the piano for three years.