Problem with Past Participle or Present Participle after be (Skill 17)

Previous Problem : Problem with Past Participle after Have

The verb be in any of its forms (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being) can be followed by another verb. This verb should be in either the present participle or the past participle form.

They are turn* on all the lamps.

The office door is lock* in the evening.

In the first example, turn on should be turning on because it is after are. In the second example, lock should be locked because it is after is.

The following chart outlines the use of verb forms after be.

EXERCISE 17:

Each of the following sentences contains a verb formed with be. Underline the verbs twice. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1. She was study the textbooks all night long. (I)

    Analysis:

• study should be studying because after be should present participle (-ing)

2. The pie was cut into six equal pieces. (C)

    Analysis:

•  " was cut" is correct because after was should be past participle.

3. Today the teacher is allow the students to leave class a few minutes early. (I)

    Analysis:

• allow should be allowing because after is should be present participle.

4. The class is teach every other semester. (I)

• teach should taught because after is should be past participle.

5. Tom is bringing some drinks to the party. (C)

    Analysis:

•  "is bringing" is correct because after is should be "present participle (bringing)".

6. The sick child was taken to see a doctor. (correct)

    Analysis:

•  "was taken" is correct because after was should be past participle (taken).

7. The children are swim in the backyard pool. (I)

    Analysis:

• swim should be swimming because after are should be present participle.
  

8. The diamond jewelry is always keep in a safe place. (I)

   Analysis:

• keep should be kept because after is should be past participle.

9. The teacher is preparing a difficult exam for the students. (C)

    Analysis:

• "is preparing" is correct because after is should be present participle.

10. Dinner is served from 6:00 to 8:00.
   
      Analysis:

• "is served" is correct because after is should be past participle.

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