Asked by: Curtis Rohan
Score: 4.2/5
(33 votes)
In grammar, pluperfect is the verb tense that you use to talk about something that was finished or completed in the past. … The word pluperfect comes from the Latin phrase plus quam perfectum, «more than perfect.» The Latin perfect tense refers to the past, while the pluperfect references «more than past.»
What is the most positive word?
Positive Words Vocabulary List
- absolutely. accepted. acclaimed. accomplish. …
- beaming. beautiful. believe. beneficial. …
- calm. celebrated. certain. champ. …
- dazzling. delight. delightful. distinguished. …
- earnest. easy. ecstatic. effective. …
- fabulous. fair. familiar. famous. …
- generous. genius. genuine. giving. …
- handsome. happy. harmonious. healing.
What is the word perfect?
Something that is perfect is complete and without defect or blemish. It might also be precisely accurate or exact. The word perfect can also be used as a verb meaning — you guessed it! … It originally comes from the Latin word perficere, which breaks down into per- («completely») and facere («do»).
What is the new word of proper?
Some common synonyms of proper are appropriate, apt, felicitous, fitting, fit, happy, meet, and suitable. While all these words mean «right with respect to some end, need, use, or circumstance,» proper suggests a suitability through essential nature or accordance with custom.
How do you describe a perfect person?
Closed. The perfect man would be smart, sensitive, caring, understanding and good looking. A provider and an achiever.
32 related questions found
What are 3 words to describe yourself?
Good Words to Describe Yourself (+ Example Answers)
- Diligent / Loyal / Reliable. I am always the first person my friends call because they know I am always there for them. …
- Creative / Innovative / Visionary. …
- Motivated / Ambitious / Leader. …
- Honest / Ethical / Conscientious. …
- Friendly / Personable / Extrovert.
How do you say someone is attractive?
attractive
- alluring,
- appealing,
- bewitching,
- captivating,
- charismatic,
- charming,
- elfin,
- enchanting,
Is proper a slang word?
This is British slang for “disgusting” or “gross.” “Proper” is used as an alternative to “very” or “extremely.” For example, “That’s proper good nosh, innit.” This is a British expression to mean stealing. As in “I nicked these sweets from the shop.”
What does Felicitousness mean?
1 : very well suited or expressed : apt a felicitous remark handled the delicate matter in a most felicitous manner.
What is another word for feeling safe?
1 protected, invulnerable, guarded. 4 sure, reliable. 5 wary, careful. 9 strongbox, coffer, chest, safe-deposit box.
What is the opposite of seen?
Opposite of able to be seen. invisible. sightless.
Does felicitous mean lucky?
felicitous Add to list Share. Felicitous describes something that’s pleasantly apt or fitting. Felicitous words you write on your friend’s birthday card are the ones that perfectly suit the occasion and make her happy when she reads them. Felicitous can mean «appropriate,» but it also describes something that’s lucky.
What does infelicitous mean in English?
: not felicitous: such as. a : not appropriate or well-timed an infelicitous remark. b : awkward, unfortunate an infelicitous moment.
What does stentorian mean in English?
: extremely loud spoke in stentorian tones.
Is Bloody a curse word?
Bloody is a common swear word that is considered to be milder and less offensive than other, more visceral alternatives. In 1994, it was the most commonly spoken swear word, accounting for around 650 of every million words said in the UK – 0.064 per cent.
What is the British slang for girl?
A You’re right: bint is British slang for a woman or girl, but it is always disparaging and offensive and signals the user as lower class and unrefined. It’s also now rather dated. The word is Arabic for a daughter, specifically one who has yet to bear a child.
What makes a woman attractive physically?
Generally, men prefer women with full breasts, lips, symmetrical face, big smile, wider waist-hip ratio, healthy hair, high-pitched voice, clear skin, and big eyes are the morphological features in female bodies that men find attractive.
How can I look attractive?
50 Genius Ways to Be Instantly More Attractive
- Wear Red. Who knew color could make such a big difference in your level of attractiveness? …
- Show Off Your Hips. …
- Make Yourself Look Taller. …
- Highlight the Left Side of Your Face. …
- Travel in Groups. …
- Fill in Your Eyebrows. …
- Put On Some Sunglasses. …
- Walk With a Swagger.
You are funny, Jerry! But, I do believe that ‘more perfect’ can be. If something is already perfect, at the maximum perfection it can be in a certain configuration at a certain time, with the change of configuration or time, it can be even more perfect.
Let’s say that Jenny, for example, was a perfect, perfect baby. She grew up a little and got even better as she became a child. So she was even a more perfect child that she had been a baby.
Some of us can’t quite accept the proscription against grading adjectives like perfect and unique.. However, Quirk* states this:
• ‘…the acceptability of the modifiers [more, very]with these intensifying adjectives also depends on the noun. If the noun is abstract and derived from a verb, it seems more acceptable to modify the adjective by more or very….
_______
In ‘a more perfect union,’ I think that the idea of ‘union’ is abstract enough. But even a concrete noun like ‘baby’ or ‘child’ seems to work in my example sentence.
The American Heritage Dictionary** has a usage note:
• USAGE NOTE Some people maintain that perfect is an absolute term like chief and prime, and therefore cannot be modified by more, quite, relatively, and other qualifiers of degree. But the qualification of perfect has many reputable precedents (most notably in the preamble to the U.S. Constitution in the phrase “in order to form a more perfect Union”). By the same token, perfect often means “ideal for the purposes,” as in There could be no more perfect spot for the picnic, where modification by degree makes perfect sense. See Usage Notes at absolute, equal, unique.
Examples from the New York Times:
• At which point Pup suddenly decided that it would be even more perfect if they up-anchored and moved across the way to a different cove. …
• And finally, the experience has made me realize how special life is and how to be humble. I could not have asked for a more perfect family or upbringing that I was and continue
to be blessed with having.
• At first glance, perhaps no line item in the nearly $900 billion stimulus program under consideration on Capitol Hill would seem to offer a more perfect way to jump-start the economy than the billions pegged to expand broadband Internet service to rural and underserved areas.
Examples from the BBC site:
• They are again produced for the BBC by Yellow Bird, Left Bank Pictures, …. nor could we hope for a more perfect leading man than Kenneth Branagh”, …
• The BBC today announced that Matt Smith has been cast in the role of … there is no one more perfect than him to be taking the TARDIS to …
• The goal of the programming, according to BBC officials, was to provide … Orwell’s position at the Tribune could not have been more perfect for him. …
_______
In summary, while very often adjectives like ‘perfect’ and ‘unique’ are used in a non-gradable or absolute sense, they all can, at times, be used as gradable adjectives, and be modified by words like ‘very.’
Here is an interesting thread on this topic from the Grammar Exchange: http://thegrammarexchange.info…021083382#3021083382
_______
* A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language, by Quirk et al. Longman 1985
** The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Lanugage, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company 2007
-
#1
President elect Barack Obama used the following slogan during his campaign :
‘united we progress toward a more perfect union’ .
I find the expression (or the wording) «more perfect» questionable, like «more delicious» or even «more better». Is this really correct ?
-
#2
Yes, it’s an abstract unit, perfection, but if you want to say: this is perfect, you cannot do annything to do it better, so you say: yes, this is perfect, but I’ll make it more perfect. Hope this help.
-
#3
I certainly hope it’s correct, because it is in the first sentence of the US Constitution (We the people of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union…).
To be honest I don’t exactly understand the grounds for your objection to the phrase. «More better» is incorrect simply because it is a badly formed comparative. «More delicious» is fine as long as we perceive «deliciousness» to be something subject to degrees. «More perfect» is fine as long as we perceive «perfection» as something subject to degrees. If someone is trying to achieve perfection by degrees, then there is nothing wrong with «more perfect.»
If it is the comparative/superlative + absolute problem that interests you, there was an interesting thread recently about «most definitely.» You can read it here.
-
#4
(This post answers post # 2)
Thank you for that explanation, but the problem, to me is that if something is perfect, how can it be (or become) more perfect. Perfection being, per se , the ultimate state.
It’s like the old joke about washing «whiter than white»…
-
#5
Yes is like the darkness of Edgar Allan Poe, that is ten times dark.
-
#6
I certainly hope it’s correct, because it is in the first sentence of the US Constitution (We the people of the United States of America, in order to form a more perfect union…).
Well, if it’s written in the US Constitution I guess that ends up the debate.
For «most definitely», I would take it as a given idiomatic expression .
-
#7
I’m back at it again.
More perfect may be written in the preamble of the US Constitution (and used by pdt elect B. Obama) but I went asking four of my native English speaking colleagues (professors), and for some funny reason they all said at first that «more perfect» was wrong.
I told them what we know, and they were surprised …
-
#8
You have the same problem that I often do, Aoyama — you want logic to coincide with how we use the language and often it doesn’t. I agree with you that «more» perfect is a logical impossibility and I would never use the phrase «more perfect» myself but if someone wants to emphasize a better perfection, «more» has to be used.
-
#9
I follow you perfectly here Dimcl. The point is (if it is a point) here to know if that is an idiom of AE or if even the Brits would use it.
Going back to post #3 :
«More better» is incorrect simply because it is a badly formed comparative. «More delicious» is fine as long as we perceive «deliciousness» to be something subject to degrees. «More perfect» is fine as long as we perceive «perfection» as something subject to degrees.
you will find that this is not so simple or clear-cut :
-«more better» (or «mo betta») is used (wrongly, but used)
— «more delicious» is criticized by most natives I’ve asked (like «very delicious», which is also used but is wrong)
You are saying yourself, as a [well-read] native speaker :
I would never use the phrase «more perfect» myself , than, how come the writers of the US Constitution (of all people) and pdt elect Obama didn’t see anything wrong in using that combination (turn) of words ?
-
#10
The British National Corpus and the Corpus of Contemporary American English show that more perfect is used in both AE and BE. Not surprisingly, given its appearance in the US constitution, it is used more often in AE than in BE.
I wonder if those who dislike it feel equal dislike for its use in negative constructions. For example, do you object to «She couldn’t be more perfect.»
-
#11
You are saying yourself, as a [well-read] native speaker :
I would never use the phrase «more perfect» myself , than, how come the writers of the US Constitution (of all people) and pdt elect Obama didn’t see anything wrong in using that combination (turn) of words ?
I doubt that, when those distinguished gentlemen were writing the Constitution, they were all that concerned with the fine points of logic in their words. I’m also fairly certain that Mr. Obama used that phrase because it’s in the Constitution. Many highly educated people aren’t ace grammarians so we just have to learn to live with it (much as I hate to!).
-
#12
For example, do you object to «She couldn’t be more perfect.»
No.
I wonder if that justifies «more perfect», but you’re right, this expression, which sounds idiosyncratical, is perfectly acceptable, but when you come to think of it, I dare think it is different from «more perfect».
I doubt that, when those distinguished gentlemen were writing the Constitution, they were all that concerned with the fine points of logic in their words. I’m also fairly certain that Mr. Obama used that phrase because it’s in the Constitution. Many highly educated people aren’t ace grammarians so we just have to learn to live with it (much as I hate to!).
Of course, evidently Obama got his inspired slogan from the Constitution (though this must have been missed, somewhere). For the rest, I have no quarrel with the English of the Founding Fathers. Ace grammarians or not, no doubt B. Franklin or G. Washington could write English.
But apparently, no one questioned that part (more perfect).
-
#13
I’ve always read «more perfect» as «closer to perfect».
-
#14
Close to perfection is one thing, closer to perfection another thing (according to context), «more perfect» still another thing again.
Couldn’t she be more perfect ? = isn’t she (really) close to perfection ?
But still , perfect/perfection are limits .
-
#15
You have the same problem that I often do, Aoyama — you want logic to coincide with how we use the language and often it doesn’t. I agree with you that «more» perfect is a logical impossibility and I would never use the phrase «more perfect» myself but if someone wants to emphasize a better perfection, «more» has to be used.
![:)]( "Smile :)")
Indeed. The logical inconsistencies of English that have invaded common usage, e.g. «totally destroyed» as well as «more perfect», drive editors to distraction, longing for the days when one could rap the knuckles of errant journalists.
Just because Obama used it (and he may or may not have crafted it since politicians depend heavily on speechwriters) doesn’t make it any better. He is a gifted and highly educated person, but I cringed when I listened to his press conference a couple of days ago in which he said «President Bush invited my wife and I to the White House.»
Additionally, the use of language in a 221-year old document, even one as venerable as the U.S. Constitution scarcely should be used as a guide to modern English. Noah Webster didn’t even publish his dictionary until 1828.
Logic, however, has never been sufficient to excise some expressions from common usage and the pedantic among us will continue to suffer.
-
#16
I don’t think that ‘more perfect’ is a logical impossibility any more than ‘perfection’ itself. Perfection is rather a ‘Platonic Ideal’, something we believe is ‘out there’ but something we never actually find in reality (except as a pale reflection). What we can content ourselves with is a search for perfection, in the hope of coming ever closer to the ideal. Each step is more perfect, but less than perfection itself. (Well it was either Plato or Homer Simpson)
-
#17
I’ve always read «more perfect» as «closer to perfect».
My reading is similar, with «nearly» as an understood word in the sentence:
Towards a more [nearly] perfect union…
-
#18
But we also have the often heard:
«The meal, it couldn’t have been more perfect. Can I have your recipe?»
GF..
People use it, common usage defines the language structures, eventually…
Last edited: Nov 11, 2008
-
#19
exists in other languages (notably in French = totalement détruit), it is a kind of «redundant pleonasm» which serves to insist on the «destruction».
For
«The meal, it couldn’t have been more perfect. Can I have your recipe?»
this is «more perfect» used with a negation (or more precisely with an interro-negation), in the same manner as
«She couldn’t be more perfect.»
.
This usage is different from the plain affirmative «more perfect».
Last (and least, somewhat here) :
I cringed when I listened (…) : «President Bush invited my wife and I to the White House.»
that is here what grammarians called «hypercorrection» (trying to be/sound «more correct» than what is simply required -note the «more correct», a twin brother to «more perfect»).
You may prefer «»President Bush invited my wife and myself to the White House.» But well …
Last edited: Nov 12, 2008
-
#20
You may prefer «»President Bush invited my wife and myself to the White House.» But well …
Actually, it’s «my wife and me»…
-
#21
Really ? Me is colloquial for I …
-
#22
<< Moderator note.
Actually, it’s «my wife and me»…
Really ? Me is colloquial for I …
Please do not continue the I/me and me/myself discussion. It is off-topic in this thread.
There are many other relevant threads. They can be found in the dictionary entries for I me and me myself.
To reiterate the standard position: Obama should have said invited my wife and me; only I can invite myself.
End of moderator note. >>
-
#23
Thematically, I like the idea that the U.S. will never be perfect in the sense that it will forever strive to improve. And, yes, there’s some room for improvement. The U.S. Constitution has survived to become one of the world’s oldest constitutions still in effect in part because its architects accepted the need for flexibility rather than believing that their work was flawless.
We can argue «logic» until we’re blue in the face, but show me the man who isn’t a bit hesitant to answer «I’m doing well» when asked «How are you doing.» We should start, I suppose, by rapping the knuckles of anyone who has ever heard the phrase «110 percent» without soundly denouncing and traducing the offending speaker.
-
#24
perfect
In a state of complete excellence; free from any imperfection or defect of quality; that cannot be improved upon; flawless, faultless. Also occasionally: nearly approaching such a state.
OED definition 1b:
I think that accommodates both points of view.
-
#25
The above definition is a bit paradoxical :
In a state of complete excellence; free from any imperfection or defect of quality; that cannot be improved upon; flawless, faultless.
Absolutely right.
The second part is a surprise :
Also occasionally: nearly approaching such a state. That is to say «capable of being improved», which is not what the first part suggests …
To reiterate the standard position: Obama should have said invited my wife and me; only I can invite myself.
Without entering another discussion (rightly off-topic), one comment : the above is true (contrarily to what I had thought) simply because here «me» is a complement (not a subject).
It still illustrates my point about «hypercorrection» (post#19).
Last edited: Nov 13, 2008
-
#26
President elect Barack Obama used the following slogan during his campaign :
‘united we progress toward a more perfect union’ .
I find the expression (or the wording) «more perfect» questionable, like «more delicious» or even «more better». Is this really correct ?
Obama quoted the Constitution’s text but it is incorrect gramatically. The writers of the Constitution were not liguists, they were lawyers or business people. Perfect is the superlativ and there is no degree of superlativ, perfect is the highest.
Now, it is very often used since the president used it thus perpetuating the fault even more…he should have explained that it was not his idea, making the Americans to speak and write incorrectly.
-
#27
Obama quoted the Constitution’s text but it is incorrect gramatically. The writers of the Constitution were not liguists, they were lawyers or business people. Perfect is the superlativ and there is no degree of superlativ, perfect is the highest.
Now, it is very often used since the president used it thus perpetuating the fault even more…he should have explained that it was not his idea, making the Americans to speak and write incorrectly.
It would work if they said, “…a more perfectly created union…”.
Since I am not familiar with the grammar of that era, I would not be willing to criticize it until I did more research.
A little online research shows that “perfect” originally also meant “completed”.
And while I am uncomfortable with “more perfect” I am fine with “most perfect”.
It was a most perfect coincidence…
Last edited: Mar 9, 2019
-
#28
exists in other languages (notably in French = totalement détruit), it is a kind of «redundant pleonasm» which serves to insist on the «destruction».
For
this is «more perfect» used with a negation (or more precisely with an interro-negation), in the same manner as .
This usage is different from the plain affirmative «more perfect».
Last (and least, somewhat here) :that is here what grammarians called «hypercorrection» (trying to be/sound «more correct» than what is simply required -note the «more correct», a twin brother to «more perfect»).
You may prefer «»President Bush invited my wife and myself to the White House.» But well …
“Redundant pleonasm” is in itself a redundancy since pleonasm=redundant!
A thing can be partially destroyed thus can be also totally destroyed.
It would work if they said, “…a more perfectly created union…”.
Since I am not familiar with the grammar of that era, I would not be willing to criticize it until I did more research.
Whatever was the grammar at that time, we should not repeat it since today it is a mistake. For sure the grammar evoluated and language is a live organism that changes every day.
“… a better union…” would be better! The “more” is always a problem wherever we want it…
Last edited by a moderator: Mar 9, 2019
-
#29
Whatever was the grammat at that time, we should not repeat it since today it is a mistake. For sure the grammar evoluated since and language is a live organism that changes every day.
I added “most perfect” to my earlier post. What is your opinion on that?
-
#30
I added “most perfect” to my earlier post. What is your opinion on that?
Also wrong, the same argument: perfect is superlativ. There is no higher degree, superlativ is the limit. “Most” makes it selective between many “perfect unions” but not right either. Most is the superlativ of more!
The British National Corpus and the Corpus of Contemporary American English show that more perfect is used in both AE and BE. Not surprisingly, given its appearance in the US constitution, it is used more often in AE than in BE.
I wonder if those who dislike it feel equal dislike for its use in negative constructions. For example, do you object to «She couldn’t be more perfect.»
It is wrong both ways. It takes two to tango, it can take only one to tangle!
Last edited by a moderator: Mar 9, 2019
-
#31
Also wrong, the same argument: perfect is superlativ. There is no higher degree, superlativ is the limit.
It’s an intensifier. I think it is fine in less formal writing and in conversation.
-
#32
Yeah, for sure it is here…
-
#34
Your avatar is perfect, you cannot find one “more perfect”! Sean Connery looks great!
-
#35
Also wrong, the same argument: perfect is superlativ. There is no higher degree, superlativ is the limit. “Most” makes it selective between many “perfect unions” but not right either. Most is the superlativ of more!
It is wrong both ways.
Also wrong, the same argument: perfect is superlativ. There is no higher degree, superlativ is the limit. “Most” makes it selective between many “perfect unions” but not right either. Most is the superlativ of more!
It is wrong both ways. “She could not be more, she’s perfect,”
…and… It takes two to tango, it can take only one to tangle!
-
#36
Yeah, for sure it is here…
I just fount in Webster dictionary online, “more complete”! Do you find it correct? What is higher than complete? To me it sounds redundant, complete is superlative. Any suggestions?
A. Circle the correct word or phrase.
1 I saw / was seeing Maria for the first time at Ray’s birthday party.
2 Richard watched / was watching TV when the phone rang.
3 When we were on holiday, we went / were going to the café almost every day.
4 Denise practised / was practising the song every day until she could sing it perfectly.
5 The phone was engaged when I called. Who did you talk / were you talking to?
6 Mr Connors owned / was owning two houses and a villa in the south of France.
7 I did / was doing my homework as soon as I got home from school.
8 A car came round the corner and I jumped / was jumping out of the way.
9 When my dad met my mum, he worked / was working as a bus driver.
10 I got / was getting up at six o’clock every morning last week!
11 My cousin and I played / were playing on the computer when there was a power cut.
12 No, that’s not right. I did pass / was passing the test. I got a B.
Answer
1 saw 2 was watching 3 went 4 practised
5 were you talking 6 owned 7 did 8 jumped
9 was working 10 got 11 were playing 12 did pass
B. Complete using the correct form of the verb in brackets.
1 Where ………………………… (you / do) when I saw you on the bus last night?
2 ………………………… (you / enjoy) the film?
3 When we shared a room, Zoe ………………………… (always / take) my things. It was so annoying!
4 When I went to get the tickets, I realised I ………………………… (not / have) any money.
5 When I was young, we ………………………… (go) to France every year on holiday.
6 Elvis ………………………… (become) famous for the song Blue Suede Shoes.
7 When you rang last night, I ………………………… (work) in the garden so I didn’t hear the phone.
8 I ………………………… (hear) from Davina last night. She says hello.
9 The old man ………………………… (appear) to be very tired and he slowly sat down.
10 We ………………………… (throw) a surprise party for my brother last Saturday.
Answer
1 were you going 2 Did you enjoy
3 was always taking 4 did not/didn’t have
5 went 6 became 7 was working
8 heard 9 appeared 10 threw
C. Circle the correct word or phrase.
Dear Lisa,
Thanks for your letter. I (1) just left / had just left for school when I saw the postman and he (2) gave / had given it to me. It was really funny! I (3) read / had read it during maths and it (4) made / had made me laugh. I almost (5) got / had got in trouble!
Anyway, I’m excited because I (6) had / had had my first judo lesson yesterday. I (7) was / had been late for the lesson because when I (8) got / had got there, I suddenly realised I (9) left / had left my judo suit at home! So I (10) went / had gone all the way home and when I (11) got / had got back, the lesson (12) already began / had already begun. The instructor was really nice, though, and I (13) learned / had learned how to do some basic throws. Can’t wait till next time!
What about you and your taekwondo? The last time I (14) spoke / had spoken to you, you (15) talked / had talked about giving it up. What (16) did you decide / had you decided? I think that’s all for now. My mum and I are going shopping shortly, so I’d better post this.
Speak to you soon.
Love,
Charlotte
Answer
1 had just left 2 gave 3 read 4 made
5 got 6 had 7 was 8 got 9 had left
10 went 11 got 12 had already begun
13 learned 14 spoke 15 talked 16 did you decide
D. Complete using the past perfect simple or past perfect continuous of the verbs in the box. You may need to use a negative form.
eat • stay • wait • know • write • see • listen • get • have • run
1 By the time he died, Beethoven …………………… nine symphonies.
2 We chose the Hotel Rio because we …………………… there before.
3 We …………………… for over an hour when the train finally arrived.
4 I was completely out of breath because I …………………… .
5 I …………………… the film before, so I knew how it ended.
6 When he got married, I …………………… Chris for about two years.
7 Johnson …………………… ready for the race for six months and finally the big moment came.
8 Vivian …………………… computer lessons for very long so she wasn’t sure how to use the Internet.
9 Holly …………………… oysters before, so she wasn’t sure what to do with them.
10 I …………………… to my new CD for a few minutes when the CD player started making a funny noise.
Answer
1 had written 2 had stayed 3 had been waiting
4 had been running 5 had seen 6 had known
7 had been getting 8 hadn’t been having
9 hadn’t eaten 10 had been listening
E. Choose the correct answer.
1 My brother and I …………… swimming almost every day last summer.
A went
B had been going
C were going
D had gone
2 We …………… when someone knocked at the door.
A talked
B had talked
C were talking
D were talked
3 When the robbery happened, the security guard ……………!
A slept
B was sleeping
C had slept
D was slept
4 Jack …………… chess before so I showed him what to do.
A hadn’t been playing
B didn’t play
C wasn’t playing
D hadn’t played
5 I wasn’t sure how Belinda would react because I …………… her long.
A didn’t know
B wasn’t knowing
C hadn’t been knowing
D hadn’t known
6 Ian …………… at the factory long when he was made a manager.
A hadn’t been working
B wasn’t working
C didn’t work
D wasn’t worked
7 I wanted to say goodbye to Jerry, but he …………… .
A was already left
B already left
C had already been leaving
D had already left
8 When we got to the airport, I realised I …………… my passport at home!
A was left
B had left
C left
D had been leaving
Answer
1 A 2 C 3 B 4 D 5 D 6 A 7 D 8 B
F. Circle the incorrect words or phrases and rewrite them correctly.
1 I had paint on my shoes because I’d painted my bedroom all morning.
…………………………………..
2 I missed the start of the film because I buy popcorn.
…………………………………..
3 It was obvious that Bill has worked because he was very tired when I saw him.
…………………………………..
4 We had been tidying the garden for hours and I was needing a rest.
…………………………………..
5 When the bus was arriving, we missed it because we were talking.
…………………………………..
6 During the Christmas holiday, I was eating too much and watching too much TV!
…………………………………..
7 Julian was learning all about computer games by the time he was six.
…………………………………..
8 My grandfather was owning a hotel by the beach until he sold it last year.
…………………………………..
Answer
1 I’d painted/I’d been painting
2 I buy/I was buying/I had been buying
3 has worked/had been working
4 was needing/needed
5 was arriving/arrived
6 was eating/watching/ate/watched
7 was learning/had learnt/learned
8 was owning/owned
G. Circle the correct word or phrase.
1 When she was a girl, my mum would / used to live in a village.
2 I really can’t be / get used to having a new baby brother.
3 People would / are used to die of diseases in the past that we can cure today.
4 There would / used to be a cinema on this corner, but they knocked it down.
5 It was strange at first, but I’m used to play / playing the bagpipes now.
6 Didn’t you use to / be used to have blonde hair?
7 Christopher was being / getting used to the idea of joining the army.
8 People never would / used to be so worried about crime in this area.
Answer
1 used to 2 get 3 would 4 used to
5 playing 6 use to 7 getting 8 used to
H. Complete each second sentence using the word given, so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Write between two and five words in each gap.
1 People walked more fifty years ago than they do now. would
Fifty years ago, …………………………………… than they do now.
2 My parents wouldn’t let me stay out late when I was young. used
My parents …………………………………… let me stay out late when I was young.
3 Did you know that Carol played basketball for her country? to
Did you know that Carol …………………………………… basketball for her country?
4 Sending messages around the world instantly is no longer unusual. got
We …………………………………… messages around the world instantly.
5 When he was a teacher, my dad often used to get home quite late. would
When he was a teacher, my dad …………………………………… quite late.
6 Do you think you could learn to live without your mobile phone? used
Do you think you could …………………………………… without your mobile phone?
7 In the past, people wouldn’t go as far away on holiday as they do today. use
In the past, people …………………………………… as far away on holiday as they do today.
8 This town has a lot more cinemas than it had in the past. used
This town …………………………………… so many cinemas.
Answer
1 people would walk more
2 never used to/used not to
3 used to play
4 have got used to sending
5 would often get home
6 get used to living
7 did not/didn’t use to go
8 never used to have/used not to have
I. Find the extra word.
Childhood
(1) Childhood would used to be quite different from what it is today. Young (2) people didn’t use not to have so much leisure time. Today’s children may (3) complain about their schoolwork, but our great-grandparents would to go (4) out to work at a very young age. They had often been left school by (5) the time they were fourteen and were found a job. This meant that they (6) have had little free time for hobbies or leisure activities, especially when (7) they had been working hard all day. Of course, they got themselves used (8) to working long hours eventually, but it would meant that they had to (9) grow up very quickly. Today, we are got used to having some free time to (10) do things we enjoy, a luxury people in the past rarely were had.
Answer
1 would 2 not 3 to 4 been 5 were
6 have 7 themselves 8 would 9 got 10 were
J. Write one word in each gap.
The night before
Jane lay awake. She had (1) …………………… preparing for the next day (2) …………………… a long time and now she couldn’t sleep. Her team (3) …………………… playing the local champions at water polo in the final and Jane was the captain. She (4) …………………… feeling the pressure.
She turned over and remembered how she (5) …………………… learned to swim. Her father had taught her. They (6) …………………… go to the local pool every day after school and her father (7) …………………… to show her what to do. She hadn’t liked the water at first, but she soon (8) …………………… used to it. She learned quickly and joined the water polo team. She had (9) …………………… their youngest member!
She quickly got used to scoring goals and (10) …………………… under pressure, but tomorrow was different. It was the biggest match of her life. She closed her eyes again and tried to get to sleep. ‘I (11) …………………… used to have problems sleeping,’ she thought to herself. ‘But then again, I didn’t (12) …………………… to be the captain of the team.’ She watched the clock change slowly and knew that it was going to be a long night.
Answer
1 been 2 for 3 was/were 4 was
5 had 6 would 7 used 8 got 9 been
10 being/swimming 11 never 12 use
Related Posts
- English Grammar Exercises for B1 B2 – Linking words 2: reason, purpose and result
- English Grammar Exercises for B1 B2 – Linking words 1
- English Grammar Exercises for B1 B2 – It and there
- English Grammar Exercises for B1 B2 – Word formation 2: nouns (affixes)
- English Grammar Exercises for B1 B2 – Word formation 1: verbs and adjectives (affixes)
- English Grammar Exercises for B1 B2 – Non-defining relative clauses