GRAMMAR

Exercise 1A -ing Participles

Notice how the ing participles is used in these sentences.
Growing up in Hoxton, I saw a lot of young people get into trouble.
Leaving school at 18, she immediately joined the local police.
This form is mainly used in formal or written English.
Make two sentences into one, as in these examples.
Example 1: She grew up in Santa Marta. Elena spent a lot of time at the beach.
Growing up in Santa Marta, Elena spent a lot of time at the beach.
Example 2: I didnt want to go to university. I got a job with the local police.
Not wanting to go to university, I got a job with the local police.
1. She was very popular. Elena was invited to a lot of parties.
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2. She looked out of the window. Elena saw someone stealing a car.
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3. She dindt want to stay in Santa Marta. Elena tried for a job in Bogota.
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4. She saw the driver go through a red light. Elena arrested him.
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5.
6.
7.
8.

She didnt want to be a junior officer for long. Elena worked very hard.
She was very good at her job. Elena was quickly noticed by her bosses.
She was a woman. She found it difficult to get a better job with the police.
He tought she was the best person for the job. The president made her the
Commissioner of Police.

Exercise 1B Present Countinuous Passive

Use the Present Continuous Passive to talk about things happening now or things
that are planned for the future.
Elena is being interviewed for a TV program.
An interviewer is interviewing Elena for a TV program.

She is being taken to the place to meet the president.

Somebody is taking her to the place to meet the president.
In these examples, the passive form is used to omit the agent because it is
unnecessary or unknown.
Complete the sentences below. Use words from the box below.
it / fit
interview

it / clean

he / send

it / pull down

Example:

they / bring in

it / show

it / repair

he /

we / meet

A: Why dont you wear that dress tonight?

B: I cant. Its being cleaned.

1. A: Wheres your car?

B: ____________________________ with new tires.
2. A: Whats happened to that old clock?
B: ____________________________.
3. A: Did John get that job?
B: I dont konw. __________________________ right now.
4. A: Why is Carlos so happy?
B: ___________________________ to the Carribean for three months.
5. A: How are the drugs coming into the country?
B: ___________________________ by bussinessmen.
6. A: Whats happening to the old building in the corner?
B: ___________________________ so they can build a library.
7. A: Has that new TV program started yet?
B: Yes, ___________________________ every evening this week at 7:30.
8. A: How do we get from the airport to the town?
B: ___________________________ by someone from the travel company.

Exercie 1C For + -ing

For + -ing is often used to indicate a cause or to give an explanation.
A lot of young people got into trouble for stealing cars.
Best kown for arresting drug salesman, Enrique Tapia grew up in the northern
Columbian city of Santa Marta.
Complete these sentences. Use for and the correct form of the verbs in
the box below.
cut steal improve
bring
up
come sell

break into help

Example: Id just like to thank you for coming to listen to me speak.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Im arresting you ____________________ groceries from that supermarket.

Im going to be famous ____________________ crime in Washington.
We need a reason _____________________ his appartment.
Washington is a great pace _______________________ children.
Im leading the fight _______________________ public services.
Heres a present ______________________ me get ready for the TV interview.
The boys got into trouble _______________________ drugs.

Exercise 1D Before and After + -ing

With before and after, you can use an ing form orn subject + verb.
I joined the police immediately after leaving school.
I joined the police immediately after I left school.
Before leaving Santa Marta, Elena said goodbye to all her friends and family.
Before she left Santa Marta, Elena said goodbye to all her friends and family.
Rewrite these sentences using the ing form, as in the examples.
Example: Before he married Susan, Harry never thought about having children.
Before marrying Susan, Harry never thought about having children.
1. Before he leaves for work, Harry kisses his children goodbye.
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2. After he gets to the office, Harry always has a cup of coffee.
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3. Before he became Deputy Commissioner, Harry never really enjoyed his
work.
4. After he leaves the office in the evening, Harry goes to a flower shop.
5. Before he goes home to his family, he buys Susan some flowers.