Nine things you should know about English verbs: follow-up noughts and crosses	

1	When I was a child I had been to primary school in Kowloon. 	Correct or incorrect?	
2	I take / I am taking an English course at HKU SPACE. 	Choose the correct form.	
3	I’ve known / been knowing my classmates since last week.	Choose the correct form.	
4	She cut her finger while she cooked dinner.	Correct or incorrect?	
5	I’ve done / do my present job for three years. Before that I had worked / worked in a bank.	Choose the correct form.	
6	I lost / have lost / had lost my glasses. I can’t see anything.	Choose the correct form.	
7	We were half an hour late. When we got to the cinema, the film started / was starting / had started.	Choose the correct form.	
8	I used to have long hair.  
I’ve always had long hair.	Explain the difference in meaning.	
9	If I had more time I would travel more often.	Why is the past tense used here?	

Answers	

1	When I was a child I went to primary school in Kowloon.  (Past state.)	Correct or incorrect?	
2	I am taking an English course at HKU SPACE.  (Temporary state.)	Choose the correct form.	
3	I’ve known my classmates since last week. (Stative verb.)	Choose the correct form.	
4	She cut her finger while she was cooking dinner. (Interrupted past.)	Correct or incorrect?	
5	I’ve done my present job for three years. Before that I worked in a bank. ( Have done – up until now; worked – completed state.)	Choose the correct form.	
6	I have lost my glasses. I can’t see anything. (Past action with present result or importance)	Choose the correct form.	
7	We were half an hour late. When we got to the cinema, the film had started. (The second action mentioned – start – happens before the first – get.)	Choose the correct form.	
8	I used to have long hair.   (I no longer have long hair.)
I’ve always had long hair. (I had long hair in the past and I still have long hair now.)	Explain the difference in meaning.	
9	If I had more time I would travel more often. (Past tense shows an unreal or imaginary situation.)	Why is the past tense used here?