Auxiliary verbs: couldn't have done

B: He couldn't have seen her. She wasn't there.

B: He couldn't have escaped through the window. It's barred.

The words 'But B knows that ...' will be omitted.

1. 
   had an argument with Tom at the party. (Tom wasn't there.)
   
2. 
   bolted the door. (It has no bolt.)
   
3. 
   used the Emergency Exit. (There isn't one.)
   
4. 
   came up by the lift. (The lift wasn't working.)
   
5. 
   slept in room 13. (There is no room 13.)
   
6. 
   bought it in Harrods on Sunday. (Harrods doesn't open on Sunday.)
   
7. 
   hired a sailing boat in St. James Park. (there are no boats for hire in St. James's Park.)
   
8. 
   drove across Hungerford Bridge. (It is for trains and pedestrians only.)
   
9. 
   took the Piccadilly Line to High Street Kensington. (The Piccadilly Line doesn't pass through High Street Kensington.)
   
10. 
    carried it himself. (It weighs a ton.)
    
11. 
    dined in a restaurant on top of Nelson's Column. (There is no restaurant there.)
    
12. 
    waded across the Thames at Westminster Bridge. (It is too deep.)
    
13. 
    watched Westminster Bridge lifting up to let a ship through. (This bridge doesn't lift up.)
    
14. 
    saw the Queen standing in a queue. (The Queen doesn't stand in queues.)
    
15. 
    was attacked by wolves when crossing Hampstead Heath. (There are no wolves there.)
    
16. 
    walked from Chelsea to Kew in half an hour. (It is too far.)
    
17. 
    got sunburnt in Hyde Park in November. (The sun isn't strong enough.)
    
18. 
    swam across the Irish Sea. (It is too wide.)
    
19. 
    heard your clock strike. (My clock doesn't strike.)
    
20. 
    went there by train. (The railway line is closed.)
    

B: No, I washed them myself.

C: You needn't have washed them yourself. You could have sent them to the laundry.

1. 
   You went by taxi, I suppose? (take a bus)
   
2. 
   You went by bus, I suppose? (walk)
   
3. 
   You took the lift, I suppose? (walk up the stairs)
   
4. 
   You phoned him, I suppose? (write)
   
5. 
   You got the tube tickets from a machine, I suppose? (stand in a queue)
   
6. 
   You borrowed the books, I suppose? (buy)
   
7. 
   You asked the shop to send the parcels home, I suppose? (carry there)
   
8. 
   You painted the car yourself, I suppose? (have it sprayed)
   
9. 
   You sewed it by hand, I suppose? (use the machine)
   
10. 
    You walked up the ski-slope, I suppose? (take the ski-lift)
    
11. 
    You paid by cheque, I suppose? (pay by cash)
    
12. 
    You dialled the Paris number direct, I suppose? (ask the exchange to get)
    
13. 
    You replaced the bulb yourself, I suppose? (send for the electrician)
    
14. 
    When the curtain caught fire you put it out yourself, I suppose? (ring for the Fire Brigade)
    
15. 
    You covered the grand piano with a sheet before you painted the ceiling, I suppose? (moved it out of the room)
    
16. 
    A button fell off your coat so you sewed it on, I suppose? )throw the coat away)
    
17. 
    You went second class, I suppose? (go first class)
    
18. 
    A fuse blew so you put in a new fuse, I suppose? (sit in the dark)
    
19. 
    You left your heavy case at the station, I suppose? (take it with me)
    
20. 
    As you needed a copy you used a carbon, I suppose? (type it twice)
    

B: But you needn't have had it repaired; you could have repaired it yourself.

1. 
   the house painted
   
2. 
   the curtains dyed.
   
3. 
   the carpet cleaned.
   
4. 
   the dead tree cut down. (Note order with pronoun object: cut it down.)
   
5. 
   double-glazing put in. (Note order with pronoun object: put it in.)
   
6. 
   central heating installed.
   
7. 
   my refrigerator repaired.
   
8. 
   my roof mended.
   
9. 
   the roses pruned.
   
10. 
    the windows washed.
    
11. 
    the car resprayed.
    
12. 
    the hall repapered.
    
13. 
    fruit trees planted.
    
14. 
    the garage built.
    
15. 
    the new path made.
    
16. 
    the picture framed.
    
17. 
    the car polished.
    
18. 
    the new lock fitted.
    
19. 
    the apples picked.
    
20. 
    the piano tuned.
    

B: Couldn't you have got there before? (= Wouldn't this have been possible?)

1. 
   I posted it on Tuesday.
   
2. 
   They paid me on Tuesday.
   
3. 
   She started on Tuesday.
   
4. 
   He brought it back on Tuesday.
   
5. 
   He sent in his application on Tuesday.
   
6. 
   I phoned him on Tuesday.
   
7. 
   They moved out on Tuesday.
   
8. 
   We left on Tuesday.
   
9. 
   She wrote on Tuesday.
   
10. 
    He applied on Tuesday.
    
11. 
    He booked the tickets on Tuesday.
    
12. 
    They reported it to the police station on Tuesday.
    
13. 
    We re-addressed the letters on Tuesday.
    
14. 
    I got back on Tuesday.
    
15. 
    I made the arrangements on Tuesday.
    
16. 
    I cancelled the tickets on Tuesday.
    
17. 
    I answered his letter on Tuesday.
    
18. 
    I gave her the message on Tuesday.
    
19. 
    We invited him on Tuesday.
    
20. 
    I told them about it on Tuesday.
    

B: No, he mends his own socks.

1. 
   iron his shirt?
   
2. 
   wash his sheets?
   
3. 
   make her bed?
   
4. 
   tie his tie (for him)?
   
5. 
   brush his hair?
   
6. 
   choose his clothes?
   
7. 
   sew on his buttons?
   
8. 
   clean his shoes?
   
9. 
   get his breakfast?
   
10. 
    do her shopping?
    
11. 
    cook his meals?
    
12. 
    polish her furniture?
    
13. 
    check his brakes?
    
14. 
    pump up his tyres?
    
15. 
    do his washing up?
    
16. 
    clean his flat for him?
    
17. 
    cut her hair?
    
18. 
    get his tickets for him?
    
19. 
    type his letters?
    
20. 
    pay his bills?
    

B: Tom gets up early too.

1. 
   I work in London.
   
2. 
   I live in Hampstead.
   
3. 
   I get up early.
   
4. 
   I go for a walk before breakfast.
   
5. 
   I have a cold bath every morning.
   
6. 
   I run all the way to the station.
   
7. 
   I come to work by tube.
   
8. 
   I usually catch the 8.20 train.
   
9. 
   I usually get a ticket from the machine.
   
10. 
    I read the paper in the train.
    
11. 
    I get out at Piccadilly.
    
12. 
    I start work at 9.00.
    
13. 
    I lunch in the canteen.
    
14. 
    I finish work at 5.30.
    
15. 
    I go home by bus.
    
16. 
    I stand in a long queue every night.
    
17. 
    I sit upstairs.
    
18. 
    I buy an evening paper.
    
19. 
    I arrive home about 6.30.
    
20. 
    I say, 'Hello!'
    

B: Yes, I have bacon and eggs. What do you have? (stress on you)

1. 
   Where do you eat? In the canteen?
   
2. 
   What time do you start? Nine?
   
3. 
   What time do you finish? Six?
   
4. 
   How much do you weigh? Ten stone?
   
5. 
   How tall are you? Six foot?
   
6. 
   What time do you get up? Seven?
   
7. 
   What animal do you like best? Dogs?
   
8. 
   How do you come to the office? By bus?
   
9. 
   What do you do in the evening? Watch television?
   
10. 
    Where do you go for your holidays? Scotland?
    
11. 
    How many weeks' holiday do you have? Three?
    
12. 
    Where do you keep your money? Under the mattress?
    
13. 
    Where do you buy your clothes? Paris?
    
14. 
    When do you do your homework? Just before the lesson?
    
15. 
    How often do you write home? Every week?
    
16. 
    How do you like coffee? Strong?
    
17. 
    When do you cook on? Gas?
    
18. 
    What game do you play best? Tennis?
    
19. 
    Where do you swim? In the swimming baths?
    
20. 
    What do you drink? Gin?
    

i.e. Any answer is acceptable provided it begins with a 3^rd person

singular subject + verb in the simple tense (affirmative), and

contrasts with A's statement.

1. 
   I smoke cigars.
   
2. 
   I live on the top floor.
   
3. 
   I spend very little.
   
4. 
   I walk to work.
   
5. 
   I work on Saturdays.
   
6. 
   I usually travel by air.
   
7. 
   I write with my left hand.
   
8. 
   I eat with chopsticks.
   
9. 
   I drink wine with my meals.
   
10. 
    I watch football on television.
    
11. 
    I usually go away for weekends.
    
12. 
    I do my own electrical repairs.
    
13. 
    I sleep with the windows open.
    
14. 
    I dictate my letters to a secretary.
    
15. 
    I write my essays in ordinary handwriting.
    
16. 
    I speak English at meals.
    
17. 
    I disagree with him.
    
18. 
    I think an electric typewriter is an unnecessary luxury.
    
19. 
    I wear my hair short.
    
20. 
    I make a lot of mistakes.
    

B: How much does your brother earn? (stress on brother)

B: Where does your brother live? (stress on brother)

1. 
   I live in Tunbridge Wells.
   
2. 
   I smoke twenty cigarettes a day.
   
3. 
   I have toast and coffee for breakfast.
   
4. 
   I read detective stories.
   
5. 
   I go to York for my holidays.
   
6. 
   I spend $2 a week on fares.
   
7. 
   I drive a Mini.
   
8. 
   I wear rubber boots.
   
9. 
   I employ twenty men.
   
10. 
    I bank at Barclays.
    
11. 
    I pay by cheque.
    
12. 
    I like comedies best.
    
13. 
    I clean my flat at weekends. (Use his for my, and stress it slightly.)
    
14. 
    I keep my bicycle in the hall. (See above.)
    
15. 
    I sing folk-songs.
    
16. 
    I play the bagpipes.
    
17. 
    I phone home every week.
    
18. 
    I always sit at the back of the class.
    
19. 
    I collect coins.
    
20. 
    I write sentimental novels.
    

B: He doesn't usually make mistakes. (stress on usually)

1. 
   Tom's answering the telephone!
   
2. 
   He's taking the children to school!
   
3. 
   He's helping his wife!
   
4. 
   He's looking after the baby!
   
5. 
   He's walking the dog!
   
6. 
   He's carrying his wife's basket!
   
7. 
   He's cleaning the windows!
   
8. 
   He's moving the lawn!
   
9. 
   He's weeding the garden!
   
10. 
    He's hanging out the washing!
    
11. 
    They're spending their holidays at home!
    
12. 
    I'm doing a crossword puzzle! (Use puzzles in answer.)
    
13. 
    They're working late!
    
14. 
    I'm knocking off early!
    
15. 
    She's cooking it in butter!
    
16. 
    She's baking bread!
    
17. 
    He's looking miserable!
    
18. 
    The dog is sleeping on your bed!
    
19. 
    She's driving her husband's car!
    
20. 
    She's stopping at the traffic lights!
    

B: Doesn't his sister spend the winters in the Bahamas as well?

B: Isn't his sister going on a cruise this spring as well?

are in the simple present tense.

1. 
   John goes skiing at Christmas.
   
2. 
   John drives an Alfa Romeo.
   
3. 
   John lives in a penthouse in Park Lane.
   
4. 
   John is learning to fly a helicopter.
   
5. 
   John loses a lot of money gambling.
   
6. 
   John is planning to buy a Greek island.
   
7. 
   John drinks champagne for breakfast.
   
8. 
   John gives marvellous parties.
   
9. 
   John knows a lot of important people.
   
10. 
    John plays polo.
    
11. 
    John employs a private bodyguard.
    
12. 
    John is building a second swimming pool.
    
13. 
    John is buying an enormous yacht.
    
14. 
    John collects Old Masters.
    
15. 
    John is starting a private zoo.
    
16. 
    John spends a fortnight in a health resort every year.
    
17. 
    John eats off gold plates.
    
18. 
    John is terrified of being kidnapped.
    
19. 
    John is always grumbling about high taxation.
    
20. 
    John is thinking of moving to a tax-haven.
    

B: But today he is smoking French cigarettes.

B: But today he is reading a French paper.

for the adjective of nationality or the language mentioned.

1. 
   drives a German car.
   
2. 
   rides an English horse.
   
3. 
   sings German songs.
   
4. 
   plays Italian music.
   
5. 
   drinks English beer.
   
6. 
   dances with a Greek girl.
   
7. 
   uses an English dictionary.
   
8. 
   has lunch in a Japanese restaurant.
   
9. 
   listens to the news in English.
   
10. 
    writes in Spanish.
    
11. 
    goes to Indian films. (Use a French film in the answer.)
    
12. 
    talks English.
    
13. 
    corrects the Spanish essays.
    
14. 
    explains in English.
    
15. 
    lectures in Spanish.
    
16. 
    broadcasts in Spanish.
    
17. 
    addresses students in English.
    
18. 
    cooks a Spanish meal for us.
    
19. 
    travels by an Italian airline.
    
20. 
    swears in Italian.
    

B: Doesn't he usually drink beer? (stress on usually)

1. 
   Peter is going second class!
   
2. 
   Ann is smoking a cigar!
   
3. 
   Mary is doing football pools!
   
4. 
   Mrs Smith is wearing a wig!
   
5. 
   George is washing up!
   
6. 
   Andrew is buying roses for his wife!
   
7. 
   Paul is telling lies!
   
8. 
   The boss is having lunch in the canteen!
   
9. 
   Andrew is cooking the breakfast!
   
10. 
    Peter is making his bed!
    
11. 
    Mr Jones is typing his own letters.
    
12. 
    The boss is standing in a queue.
    
13. 
    Tom is sitting beside Margaret!
    
14. 
    Bill is dancing with Alice!
    
15. 
    Mrs Jones is playing roulette!
    
16. 
    George is listening to our conversation!
    
17. 
    Sara is going abroad for her holiday!
    
18. 
    His business is making a profit!
    
19. 
    Peter is going on strike with the others!
    
20. 
    He is getting Christmas Day off!
    

B: Then why are they wearing sandals today?

1. 
   Mr Jones doesn't usually grumble.
   
2. 
   The canteen staff don't usually complain.
   
3. 
   The boss doesn't usually swear.
   
4. 
   They don't usually pay us in dollars.
   
5. 
   He doesn't usually write with his left hand.
   
6. 
   They don't usually walk to work.
   
7. 
   He doesn't usually lunch alone.
   
8. 
   She doesn't usually stand by the window.
   
9. 
   He doesn't usually sit with his feet on the desk.
   
10. 
    The boss doesn't usually use a calculator.
    
11. 
    She doesn't usually criticize us.
    
12. 
    He doesn't usually make a fuss about nothing.
    
13. 
    She doesn't usually bring the tea round.
    
14. 
    The boss doesn't usually smile at us.
    
15. 
    They don't usually leave early.
    
16. 
    He doesn't usually lock the filing cabinets.
    
17. 
    He doesn't type his own letters. (Omit own.)
    
18. 
    He doesn't usually empty the wastepaper baskets himself. (Omit himself.)
    
19. 
    He doesn't usually take papers home.
    
20. 
    He doesn't usually watch the clock.
    

B (interrupting): Oh, are you thinking of going by bus?

A: What did you say?

B: I asked if you were thinking of going by bus.

B (interrupting): Oh, are you thinking of ringing Peter?

A: What did you say?

B: I asked if you were thinking of ringing Peter.

1. 
   sell the car –
   
2. 
   leave tomorrow –
   
3. 
   give up my job –
   
4. 
   ask Jack –
   
5. 
   emigrate to Australia –
   
6. 
   buy a dog –
   
7. 
   hire a car –
   
8. 
   sleep in a tent –
   
9. 
   go to Morocco –
   
10. 
    send a telegram –
    
11. 
    have him followed –
    
12. 
    complain to the manager –
    
13. 
    threaten him –
    
14. 
    offer him a bribe –
    
15. 
    rob a bank –
    
16. 
    paint the house myself –
    
17. 
    hitch-hike –
    
18. 
    report it to the police –
    
19. 
    apply for the job –
    
20. 
    throw a brick through his window –
    

B: No, he isn't. He's reading the Telegraph.

B: No, he wasn't. He was waiting for a taxi.

another suitable noun.

but the second one will carry the normal weak stress.

1. 
   She's buying bananas.
   
2. 
   They're going to Rome.
   
3. 
   He was eating fish and chips.
   
4. 
   She's ordering chops.
   
5. 
   They were living in England.
   
6. 
   He's writing a novel.
   
7. 
   They're drinking gin.
   
8. 
   He's playing the trumpet.
   
9. 
   She's dancing with Jack.
   
10. 
    She's working for a stockbroker.
    
11. 
    He was working beside Ann.
    
12. 
    She's smoking a cigarette.
    
13. 
    They're speaking Italian.
    
14. 
    She's complaining about the food.
    
15. 
    They were listening to the news.
    
16. 
    They're coming back on Monday.
    
17. 
    They're arriving at six.
    
18. 
    She was picking apples.
    
19. 
    He was looking for his sister.
    
20. 
    She was lying on the floor.
    

Later, say at 10 a.m., Jack mentions his call to Mary.

JACK: Hello Tom! Are you in bed?

TOM: No. I'm polishing my shoes.

JACK: Do you always polish your shoes at 5 a.m.?

JACK: I rang Tom at 5 this morning.

MARY: Poor Tom. Was he in bed?

JACK: No. He was polishing his shoes.

MARY: What funny time to polish shoes!

1. 
   Tune the piano.
   
2. 
   Cook breakfast.
   
3. 
   Listen to the radio.
   
4. 
   Take photographs.
   
5. 
   Paint the ceiling.
   
6. 
   Write poetry.
   
7. 
   Practise the piano.
   
8. 
   Do exercises.
   
9. 
   Play cards.
   
10. 
    Brush the dog.
    
11. 
    Clean the windows.
    
12. 
    Do my accounts. (Use your in the answer.)
    
13. 
    Sew in my buttons. (Use your in the answer.)
    
14. 
    Plan my next holiday. (Use your in the answer.)
    
15. 
    Make jam.
    
16. 
    Bake a cake.
    
17. 
    Clean my room. (Use your in the answer.)
    
18. 
    Peel potatoes.
    
19. 
    Do a crossword puzzle. (Use puzzles in the answer.)
    
20. 
    Repair my motorbike. (Use your in the answer.)
    

and simple past

B: No, we don't finish till seven.

B: No, she didn't get home till Tuesday.

B: No, we aren't starting till August.

or a week or a month later as appropriate.

1. 
   Did you start at eight?
   
2. 
   Did you arrive on the third?
   
3. 
   Does the lesson begin at nine?
   
4. 
   Do the shops shut at five?
   
5. 
   Does he get up at seven?
   
6. 
   Are you going on Wednesday?
   
7. 
   Did he call you at six?
   
8. 
   Is he leaving on Friday?
   
9. 
   Did he pay you at the end of the first week?
   
10. 
    Did he get there on the twenty-fourth?
    
11. 
    Are they coming in July?
    
12. 
    Do you expect to be ready by April?
    
13. 
    Is the play being produced in May?
    
14. 
    Does the post come at eight?
    
15. 
    Are you starting your new job this week?
    
16. 
    Are you seeing the solicitor on Thursday?
    
17. 
    Did they report it on the first?
    
18. 
    Was he arrested that day?
    
19. 
    Did they operate on the fourth?
    
20. 
    Are they releasing him today?