BBC Learning English

Grammar Challenge
Agreements with auxiliary verbs
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Practice activities: Agreements with auxiliaries

Exercise 1:
Match the sentences to their responses to make agreements.

1. That was a brilliant film! a. No, we mustn't.

2. I'm really bad at singing. b. Yes, it is.

3. This coat is really beautiful. c. You're quite right, they do.

4. We mustn't be late for the party. d. I know, he wouldn't.

5. They always leave early. e. No, she didn't

6. He wouldn't stop talking all night! f. I know you are.

7. We're not allowed to smoke in the g. Yes, it was.

office.
8. She never went abroad until she was h. No, we're not.
in her seventies.

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Grammar Challenge bbclearningenglish.com BBC Learning English 2007

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Exercise 2:
Read the statements and choose the most appropriate agreements.

1. Children get too much pocket money these days.

a. Yes, they did.
b. Yes, he does.
c. Yes, they do.

2. We should try to get 8 hours' sleep every night.

a. Yes, we should.
b. Yes, you can.
c. Yes, we have.

3. Those oranges weren't very good.

a. No, they weren't.
b. No, you weren't.
c. Yes, they are.

4. It's getting late. The restaurant might be closing soon.

a. Yes, it mightn't.
b. Yes, it might.
c. Yes, it can.

5. This won't take too long.

a. No, it doesn't.
b. Yes, it does.
c. No, it won't.

6. I've always been good at cooking.

a. Yes, you've.
b. Yes, I have.
c. Yes, you have.

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Grammar Challenge bbclearningenglish.com BBC Learning English 2007

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Practice activities: Agreements with auxiliaries
Answers

Exercise 1:
Match the beginnings of the sentences to the responses, to make agreements.

1. That was a brilliant film! g. Yes, it was.

2. I'm really bad at singing. f. I know you are.

3. This coat is really beautiful. b. Yes, it is.

4. We mustn't be late for the party. a. No, we mustn't.

5. They always leave early. c. You're quite right, they do.

6. He wouldn't stop talking all night! d. I know, he wouldn't.

7. We're not allowed to smoke in the h. No, we're not.

office.
8. She never went abroad until she was e. No, she didn't.
in her seventies.

Exercise 2:
Read the statements and choose the most appropriate agreements.

1. Children get too much pocket money these days.

a. Yes, they did. Wrong the auxiliary is in the wrong tense
b. Yes, he does. Wrong the subject is wrong
c. Yes, they do. Correct!

2. We should try to get 8 hours' sleep every night.

a. Yes, we should. Correct!
b. Yes, you can. Wrong the pronoun and the auxiliary are both wrong
c. Yes, we have. Wrong the auxiliary is wrong

3. Those oranges weren't very good.

a. No, they weren't. Correct!
b. No, you weren't. Wrong the pronoun is wrong
c. Yes, they are. Wrong the auxiliary is in the wrong tense, and the statement is negative but the
agreement signal here is positive

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Grammar Challenge bbclearningenglish.com BBC Learning English 2007

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4. It's getting late. The restaurant might be closing soon.
a. Yes, it mightn't. Wrong the auxiliary is negative but the statement is positive
b. Yes, it might. Correct!
c. Yes, it can. Wrong the auxiliary is wrong

5. This won't take too long.

a. No, it doesn't. Wrong the auxiliary is wrong
b. Yes, it does. Wrong the statement is negative but the agreement here is positive, and the
auxiliary is wrong
c. No, it won't. Correct!

6. I've always been good at cooking.

a. Yes, you've. Wrong we don't usually use short forms in short answers.
b. Yes, I have. Wrong the pronoun is wrong
c. Yes, you have. Correct!

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Grammar Challenge bbclearningenglish.com BBC Learning English 2007

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