Mastering Advanced English Tenses and Sentence Transformations

Advanced English Grammar Practice Exercises

Selecting the Correct Option

Choose the correct option for the following sentences:

• My mum has got... (Answers: 1c, 2c, 3b, 4a, 5c, 6a, 7b)

Completing Sentences with Verb Forms

Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verb:

• My friends told me... (Possible forms: was coming, haven't spoken, will have, will be sleeping, will look for, wouldn't have been, should have called, hadn't had)

Sentence Transformation: Maintaining Meaning (Set 1)

Complete the sentences without changing the original meaning (Reported Speech, Modals, Conditionals, Causative):

• The zookeeper said... told us not to feed the animals.
• (They) must have arrived safely.
• If I had enough money, I would travel this summer.
• (They) shouldn't have given us so much work.
• It might snow tonight.
• It can't be John.
• If he had enjoyed the performance...
• (Forests) are being destroyed in South America.
• If Carol weren't so bossy, people would like her.
• I am having my computer repaired.

Dialogue Completion Practice

Complete the dialogue using the appropriate forms:

• I can't find the books. (Clues: Have, seen / must have taken)
• (Clues: Did, cancel / to stay)
• (Clues: Are, going / won't be able to)
• (Clues: Will, be delivered / will have received)

Text Completion: Historical Context (1989)

Complete the text about 1989 using the correct verb forms:

• Possible forms: were allowed, must have been, collapsed, were trying, were not given, didn't survive, would not have happened.

Rewriting Sentences (Transformation Set 2)

Rewrite the following sentences without changing the meaning:

• Perhaps Julia missed... Julia might have missed the bus.
• After I had seen the film, I decided to read the novel. (or) I decided to read the novel after I had seen the film.
• At 6 o'clock, we'll be playing football.
• If I were you, I would leave on time.
• The table broke while it was being delivered.
• Paul wanted to know what was happening.
• That story can't be true.
• I wouldn't take her to an Indian restaurant if she didn't like spicy food.
• You shouldn't have left without helping us.
• Kevin must be at home.

Further Sentence Rewriting Practice

• Where is Tom's car?
• He is getting it repaired at the garage today.
• She warned us not to move.
• I have never heard anything so ridiculous.
• He was still doing his homework.
• I think it has been stolen.

Selecting the Correct Tense in Context

Choose the correct tense for the text concerning events on 24 April 2005:

• Possible forms: was pulled, had happened, hadn't returned, passed, had been lost, were being treated, they had survived, had lived, have given, is considering.

Transformation Set 3: Advanced Structures

• The party began at 9 o'clock. When I arrived, the party had begun.
• If you don't work harder, you won't pass your exam.
• (She asked) if he would like to come to her party.
• We were swimming in the river when it was raining.
• The children will have arrived home.
• (You need) to work harder.
• Has (the suspect) been arrested yet?
• (You) don't have to bring food.
• (They) must have heard the news.
• Get your hair cut.

Completing Sentences (Set 4)

Complete the sentences with the correct form:

• The problem... (Possible forms: will be discussed, not to cheat, had watched, were, arrive, were booked)

Text Completion: Conditionals and Future Forms

Complete the text starting "If I hadn't seen it with..."

• Possible forms: wouldn't have believed, had been, will be grown, will include, didn't stop, would have, will begin, would have to, didn't think, meant.

Transformation Set 4: Mixed Grammar

• (She asked) when dad was going to pick them up from the station.
• (The work) must be completed by next Thursday.
• If it hadn't been so cold, we would have gone swimming.
• (She told) her never to talk to me again.
• (Nothing) has been touched while you've been away.
• If I see him, I'll invite him.
• If I were you, I'd invite Mark to the party.
• (They) must have forgotten about our meeting.
• (People would) like Carol if she weren't so bossy.

Completing Sentences (Set 5)

Andrew wanted to know... (Complete with the correct form):

• Possible forms: had already been ordered, had walked, haven't spoken, will have visited, would have gone, eating.

Text Completion: The MTV Europe Awards

Complete the text about the MTV Europe Awards using the correct forms (Passive/Active):

• Possible forms: WERE SET UP, CONSIDERED, IS REGARDED, TAKES PLACE, HAS BEEN HELD, ARE PRESENTED, IS SAID, HAVE INCLUDED, WERE HOSTED, WERE BROADCAST, HOLDS.

Final Rewriting Challenges

• If she had had time, she would have visited us.
• He never tells the truth.
• She said that she knew who had taken Pam's bag.
• Would you like to go to the beach at the weekend?
• The design, which wasn't very original, won first place in the competition.
• I won't go out until you come home.
• We are having our house painted.
• He used to live in the city before he moved to the village.