Grammar Practice –  Past Tenses.

1.	Underline the most suitable verb form in each sentence.

a)	I suddenly remembered that I forgot / had forgotten my keys.
b)	While Diana watched / was watching her favourite television programme,    
    there was a power-cut.
c)	Tom used to live / would live in the house at the end of the street.
d)	Who was driving/drove the car at the time of the accident?
e)	By the time Sheila got back, Chris went / had gone.
f)	David ate / had eaten Japanese food before, so he knew what to order.
g)	I did / was doing some shopping yesterday, when I saw that Dutch friend    
                              of  yours.
h) I used to like / was liking sweets much more than I do now.
i)  What exactly were you doing / did you do when I came into your office yesterday?
j)  Laura missed the party because no-one was telling / had told her about it.
k) Tanya  would / used to be a doctor.
2. Put each verb in brackets into a suitable past verb form. 
a)  While I (try)………............. to get my car started, a passing car    
    (stop)……………... and the driver (offer) …........................... to help me.

b) The police (pay) ................................... no attention to Clare's complaint  because 
    she (phone)     ................................. them so many times before.

c)   Mary (not wear) ........................................... her glasses at the time, so she (not 
      notice) ...................... what kind of car the man (drive) ............................... 

d)  Nick (lie) ................................... down on the grass for a while, next to some   
      tourists who (feed)  ................................................................... the ducks.

e)  Tony (admit) ................................... that he (hit) …................................... the  
     other car, but said that he      (not damage) ................................................. it.

f) Sorry, I (not listen) .................................. to you. I (think) ................................... 
   about something else.

g) Helen (feel) ................................... very tired, and when she (finish)    
   ................................... her work, she   (fall) ................................... asleep.

h) The police (get) ................................... to Clare's house as fast as they could, but the burglars (disappear)     ...................................

i)  I (phone) ............................ you last night but you (not answer)  ....................... 
   What (you  do) ................................... ?

j)  We (not go) ................................... out yesterday because it…………. (rain)

3.  Decide whether the verb form in italics is suitable or unsuitable.

a)	While I had a bath, someone knocked on the door……………………………
b)	Sally didn't go to a boxing match before ....................................................
c)	Harry tried to repair the car, but he didn't really know what he was doing…………
d)	What did you wear to the Ponsonby's party?	………
e)	Were you eating spaghetti every day when you lived in Italy?	
f)	I didn't know you had bought a new car	…………..
g)	They all wanted to believe her, but suspected she was lying	
h) As Peggy walked home, she tried to remember what happened	
i)  'What a terrible day!' thought Lucy. Everything had gone wrong!..........................	
j) Although it rained a lot, I was enjoying my holiday last year	

4. Rewrite each sentence beginning as shown. Use a participle clause.
a)	Norman collected the parcel, but then he realised it was the wrong one.
After……………………………………………………………………………
b)	Sue left the house but first she checked that she had her keys.
Before……………………………………………………………………………………
c)	Mark was parking his car when he noticed the wing-mirror was broken.
While…………………………………………………………………………………
d)	Julia cleaned the house, but then she fell asleep on the sofa.
After……………………………………………………………………………………
e)	Brian bought a new television, but first he checked all the prices.
Before…………………………………………………………………………………
f)	Alan was skiing in Switzerland and met his old friend, Ken.
While…………………………………………………………………………………
g)	Kate took two aspirins, and then she felt a lot better.
    After……………………………………………………………………………
h)	Sheila went out for the evening, but first she washed her hair.          Before…………………………………………………………………………………