Mastering English Grammar: Tenses, Conditionals, and Modals

Posted on Apr 3, 2025 in Administration and Management

Verb Tenses

a. This time next year, I will be studying at university.

b. While he was working in the music shop, he got used to classical music.

c. When Alfred arrived at the party, Tim had already left. They didn’t meet.

d. Excuse me, are you using that computer at the moment?

e. I met Claire for the first time 10 years ago.

f. Have you ever tried surfing? No, never.

h. What did you do last weekend?

i. She hasn’t been on holiday since her 18th birthday.

Conditionals

1. He would probably understand if your English were better.
2. I will make an appointment with the lawyer if I get all the papers.
3. You would have got a place in the University of Medicine if you had made a bigger effort in the final exams.
4. Students would not need to get a grant if their family had more money.
5. He would have helped me if he had had enough time, but he was too busy at the time.
6. If you want to buy that new laptop, save more money.
7. She won’t be able to finish the dinner unless you help her.
8. If they offered him a post as a babysitter, would he accept it?

Present Perfect Simple vs. Past Simple

1. I saw a great film yesterday.
2. Have you ever bought anything from that shop?
3. My parents have visited Paris three times.
4. My uncle drove to London last week.
5. They played bingo on Wednesday afternoon.
6. He has already taken the bus to get there.
7. Last week my rabbit ran away.
8. We did a lot last Sunday.

Modal Verbs: Rewriting Sentences

1. It isn’t necessary for you to take a jacket.
   You don’t have to take a jacket.
2. I advise you to see a dentist.
   You should see a dentist.
3. You aren’t allowed to talk during the exam.
   You mustn’t talk during the exam.
4. It’s forbidden to park here.
   You mustn’t park here.
5. I advise you to study harder.
   You should/ought to study harder.
6. He is obliged to go to the police station twice a week.
   He must/has to go to the police station twice a week.
7. Tom knows how to speak Spanish.
   Tom can speak Spanish.
8. He had permission to go to the party.
   He is allowed to go to the party / He can go to the party.
9. It isn’t possible that that is our plane.
   That can’t be our plane.
10. It isn’t necessary to take a thick coat.
    You don’t have to take a thick coat.

Modal Verbs: Sentence Completion

1. That must be his brother. They look the same!
2. After a long wait, the candidate could speak to the director.
3. I’m afraid you can’t see the doctor now. She’s fully booked.
4. In my opinion, you should buy that jacket. It really suits you and it is very appropriate for your job interview.
5. You don’t have to pay me now. I have enough money to finish the month.
6. I will be able to speak German fluently in two months when I finish the course I am taking.
7. That can’t be the real price! It’s usually much cheaper. I cannot afford to pay that.
8. May I use your phone, sir? I need to make an urgent call.

You must tie your hair back / you mustn’t leave your hair untied. Debes atar tu cabello hacia atrás / no debes dejar el cabello desatado.

You must be supervised by your instructor. Usted debe ser supervisado por su instructor.