Focus on Words

<strong>Focus</strong> on Grammar
MIXED TENSES
1. Choose the right verb form.
Today’s children (1) ... tomorrow’s civilization. Bringing a child into the world is
a little bit like dropping one into a tiger’s cage. Children can’t handle their environment,
they have no real resources. They (2) ... love and help to make it.
There are almost as many theories on how to raise a child or not raise him as there
are parents. Some try to raise children the way they ((3) ... themselves, others attempt
to do exactly the opposite., many (4) ... to an idea that children should just be let grow
on their own.
A child is a little just a blank slate. If you write the wrong things on it,, it (5) ... the
wrong things. But, unlike a slate, a child can begin to do the writing; the child (6) ... to
write what (7) ... already.
1. a. have become b. had become c. would become d. will become
2. a. are needing b. have needed c. need d. needed
3. a. had been raised b. had raised c. raised d. were raised
4. a. were held b. hold c. held d. are held
5. a. will say b. would say c. is saying d. said
6. a. has tended b. tends c. would tend d. tended
7. a. has been written b. is written c. had been written d. was written
2. Match each sentence on the left with its meaning on the right.
1. We tried to push the car.
2. We tried pushing the car.
3. I mean to be punctual.
4. It means being punctual.
5. I’ve forgotten to buy the ring.
6. I’ve forgotten buying the ring.
7. Do you remember going?
8. Did you remember to go?
9. I regret to say, ‘I do’.
10. I regret saying, ‘I do’.
a. We pushed it, but it wouldn’t start.
b. We tried, but we couldn’t move it.
a. That would mean I have to be in time.
b. I’m sorry. I intend to be in time.
a. I can’t remember the event at all.
b. Oh, no! I HAVEN”T BOUGHT IT!
a. Have you forgotten the event?
b. Did you go?
a. I wish I hadn’t said it.
b. I don’t really want to say it, but ...
3. Choose the right completion.
Young Canadian writers often came to the famous humorist Stephen Leacock to
ask him to tell them the secret of his success, so that they (1) ... become famous too.
(2) ... most of these young people had little or no talent, but all of them had high hopes.
(3) ... answer to their question, Leacock (4) ... - tell them: “It isn’t at all difficult to
write funny stories. All you need is a pen and paper; you sit down and write whatever
comes into your head.”
And when the future author agreed (5) ... him, he continued, “Yes, it isn’t difficult
to write. (6) ... only difficulty is to make something come into your head.”
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