Be goes with -ing (continuous) and with the past participle (passive); have goes with the past participle (present perfect); do, does and did go with the base form (negatives and questions in the simple tenses).
A be + -ing
| Form | Tense | See |
|---|---|---|
| am, is, are + -ing | present continuous | Units 3, 4, 25 |
| was, were + -ing | past continuous | Unit 13 |
- Please be quiet. I'm working.
- It isn't raining at the moment.
- What are you doing tonight?
- I was working when she arrived.
- It wasn't raining, so we went for a walk.
- What were you doing at three o'clock?
B be + past participle
| Form | Tense | See |
|---|---|---|
| am, is, are + past participle | passive present simple | Unit 21 |
| was, were + past participle | passive past simple | Unit 21 |
- The room is cleaned every day.
- I'm never invited to parties.
- Bananas are imported into Britain.
- The room was cleaned yesterday.
- These houses were built a hundred years ago.
- How was the window broken?
- Where were you born?
C have + past participle
have, has + past participle is the present perfect (Units 15 to 18).
- I've tidied my room.
- Tom has lost his passport.
- Barbara hasn't been to Canada.
- Where have Paul and Linda gone?
D do, does, did + base form
| Form | Use | See |
|---|---|---|
| do, does + base form | present simple negatives and questions | Units 6, 7 |
| did + base form | past simple negatives and questions | Unit 12 |
- I like coffee, but I don't like tea.
- Chris doesn't go out very often.
- What do you normally do on Sunday mornings?
- Does Barbara live on her own?
- I didn't watch telly yesterday.
- It didn't rain last week.
- What time did Omar and Grace leave?
Exercises
23.1 Put in is, are, do or does.
Do you work in the evenings?
Do you work in the evenings?
Where they going?
Where are they going?
Why you looking at me?
Why are you looking at me?
Bill live near you?
Does Bill live near you?
you like cooking?
Do you like cooking?
the sun shining?
Is the sun shining?
What time the shops close?
What time do the shops close?
Ann working today?
Is Ann working today?
What this word mean?
What does this word mean?
you feeling all right?
Are you feeling all right?
23.2 Put in am not, isn't, aren't, don't or doesn't. All these sentences are negative.
Tom doesn't work in the evenings.
Tom doesn't work in the evenings.
I'm shattered. I want to go out tonight.
I'm shattered. I don't want to go out tonight.
I'm shattered. I going out tonight.
I'm shattered. I'm not going out tonight.
George working this week. He's on holiday.
George isn't working this week. He's on holiday.
My parents are usually at home. They go out much.
My parents are usually at home. They don't go out much.
Barbara has travelled a lot, but she speak any other languages.
Barbara has travelled a lot, but she doesn't speak any other languages.
You can switch the telly off. I watching it.
You can switch the telly off. I'm not watching it.
There's a party next week, but we going.
There's a party next week, but we aren't going.
23.3 Put in was, were, did, have or has.
Where were your boots made?
Where were your boots made?
you go out last night?
Did you go out last night?
What you doing at half ten?
What were you doing at half ten?
Where your mother born?
Where was your mother born?
Barbara gone home?
Has Barbara gone home?
What time she go?
What time did she go?
When these houses built?
When were these houses built?
Jim arrived yet?
Has Jim arrived yet?
Why you go home early?
Why did you go home early?
How long they been married?
How long have they been married?
23.4 Put in is, are, was, were, have or has.
Joe has lost his passport.
Joe has lost his passport.
This bridge built ten years ago.
This bridge was built ten years ago.
you finished your work yet?
Have you finished your work yet?
This town is always spotless. The streets cleaned every day.
This town is always spotless. The streets are cleaned every day.
Where you born?
Where were you born?
I just made some tea. Would you like a cup?
I've just made some tea. Would you like a cup?
Glass made from sand.
Glass is made from sand.
This is a very old photo. It taken a long time ago.
This is a very old photo. It was taken a long time ago.
Joe bought a new van.
Joe has bought a new van.
23.5 Complete the sentences with one of these verbs in the right form: damage, eat, enjoy, go, go away, listen, open, pronounce, rain, understand, use.
damageeatenjoygogo awaylistenopenpronouncerainunderstanduse
I'm taking an umbrella. It's raining.
I'm taking an umbrella. It's raining.
You look exhausted. Did you go to sleep late last night?
You look exhausted. Did you go to sleep late last night?
Where are the chocolates? Have you them all?
Where are the chocolates? Have you eaten them all?
How's the new job? Are you it?
How's the new job? Are you enjoying it?
My car was badly in the crash.
My car was badly damaged in the crash.
Kate isn't here. She's for a few days.
Kate isn't here. She's gone away for a few days.
I can't the instructions. They're in Japanese.
I can't understand the instructions. They're in Japanese.
How is this word ?
How is this word pronounced?
"Is this room much?" "No, hardly ever."
"Is this room used much?" "No, hardly ever."
I talked to him for ages, but he wasn't .
I talked to him for ages, but he wasn't listening.
The shop is every day except Christmas Day.
The shop is open every day except Christmas Day.