HOW TO CHANGE THE TIME WHEN WE ARE EXPLAINING

Original idea Explanation

Today Yesterday
Today continuous action Yesterday continuous action
Yesterday Super super yesterday
Yesterday continuous action Super super yesterday continuous
Super yesterday Super super yesterday
Super yesterday continuous Super super yesterday continuous
Super super yesterday Super super yesterday
Can Could
Could Could
Will Would
Would Would
May Might
Might Might
Must (obligation) Had to
Should Should

EXAMPLES

Original idea Explanation

I’m hungry.
The team is playing greatly.
I didn’t study.
They were studying really hard.
He has invited me to go to the movies with
him.
I have been studying English for three
months.
The class had already started when I
arrived.
Can you turn off the lights please?
Could you drive when you were fifteen
years old?
I’ll give you a gift if you behave well.
We’d prefer to visit England.
You may go to the party tonight until She said I might go to the party until 11.00
11.00.
People might live on the moon by 2025.
You must study hard if you want to pass the She told us (that) we had to study hard if
exam.
You should arrive on time everyday.
He said (that) he was hungry.
He said (that) the team was playing
greatly.
He told us (that) he hadn’t studied.
She told us (that) they had been studying
really hard.
She said he had invited her to go to the
movies with him.
He said he had been studying English for
three months.
He said (that) the class had already
started when he arrived.*
He asked me if I could turn off the lights.
She asked us if we could drive when we
were fifteen years old.
I told her I would give her a gift if she
behaved well.*
They said they would prefer to visit
England.
that night.
I said (that) people might live on the moon
by 2025.
we wanted to pass the exam.*
She told us we should arrive on time
everyday.

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 EXERCISES

1. Change the following original ideas to explanations.

1. She said...

“I need a vacation.”……… ………… She said she needed a

vacation.
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“The students need more practice in speaking.”
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“These exercises are difficult for me.”
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“I don’t feel well.”
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“Nobody can do this work as well as you.”
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“I’ll be back soon.”
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“I may be a few minutes late.”
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“I have already seen that movie.”
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“At this time I’m extremely tired.”
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2. He asked me...

“When did you move here?”… He asked me when I had moved

here.

“Where does that girl live?”

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“How old are you?”
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“What time is it?”
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“How long have you been studying English?”
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“Where were you going yesterday night?”
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“Why do you like to study English?”
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3. I don’t know...

“When are we leaving?”………… I don’t know when we are

leaving.

“Where does she live?”

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“What is her first name?”
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“How long has he been working there?”
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“Does she speak English well?”
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“Might he like me tonight?”
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“Would he invite me to go out with him?”
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4. I told them...

“Don’t be afraid.”…………………………… I told them not to be

afraid.

“Wait outside for me please.”

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“Come back in an hour.”
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“Don’t mention this to anyone.”
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“Do me a favor and come back later.”
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“Do not go by bus.”
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“Look out the window but don’t open it.”
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“Stop talking to him that way.”
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“Be quiet while I’m talking.”
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“Pay more attention to what you do.”
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“Check your answers before delivering your exam.”

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5. Change the following original ideas into explanations.

1. The doctor said, “Suzy is seriously sick.”

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2. Joe said, “We will have to hurry.”
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3. Dan said, “I need more time to complete the project.”
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4. Ulysses asked, “Where is the meeting?”
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5. Isra’s doctor told him: “Take two aspirins and plenty of vitamin C.”
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6. Jane told George: “Don’t tell them the answers.”
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7. Bobby’s best friend asked him, “Why do you smoke?”
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8. Mike asked Solecito: “Did you like France?”
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9. Mario asked, “Is it going to take long?”
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10. Monica asked, “May I be absent for three days?”
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6. Read this short conversation between Bob and Debbie and then
describe it.

Bob: “I can’t come with you to the movies this evening.”

Debbie: “It’s a pity you didn’t tell me before. I already have tickets. I bought them

half and hour ago.”

Bob: “I am really very sorry, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ve just received a

phone call from Joe’s mother. He had an accident at home and he was taken to the

hospital. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I’m going to see him in the hospital

right away.”

Debbie: “That’s terrible news. I hope it’s nothing serious. I’ll come with you, if you

want me to.”

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Bob: “No, I don’t have time to wait for you. I’ll phone you as soon as I know what’s

happening. If not, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

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