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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #109209: To be / to have: -ing forms...
    > Other English exercises on the same topics: BE, HAVE, DO, DID, WAS... | Speaking | -ing [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Vocabulary: greeting people - Questions : how to ask them - Vocabulary: on the phone - Adjectives-ing and ed - On the phone - Interacting with someone - Dialogue : What time...? - Conditional clauses
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    To be / to have: -ing forms...


     

    Mostly and most often, 'Be' and 'have' are  auxiliaries, which means they help to conjugate other verbs, in order to be able to express different nuances. 



    Sometimes, they also behave like  ordinary verbs needing auxiliaries to get and give a meaning.


    At other times,  'to have' doesn't even express a possession... 


    'Ordinary' verbs  no longer meaning 'identifying (to be) or possessing (to have)'!  This is the category of verbs we'll be interested in here.  




     


    A) TO BE : is not normally used in the -ing form.




    ex : Paul is really a fool. You mustn't follow his advice.  




    ex : I'm a teacher;  he's a doctor;  they are our cousins. 




    It is obvious that here, 'to be' can't be put in the  - ing form. Yet: 






    1) When 'to be' describes a present behaviour, it must be in the   - ing form.




    ex: Mary ? Are you being funny? 


     


    ex : Stop that immediately! You're being stupid!  






    2) In the passive form, 'to be' is the auxiliary used to build the passive BUT  may bear the - ing form.




    ex : A new motorway is being built next to his garden... (they're building it now...)




    ex : When she landed from that risky area she was being carefully looked after and examined by all the doctors of the airport for hours.  




                               




    B) TO HAVE : doesn't always express a possession.




    large number of expressions using 'have' express  different activities. 




    To have a wash; to have a shave; to have a shower/ a bath




    To have a meal ; to have a cup of coffeeto have a drink;




    To have a good time; to have a holidayto have a swim




    To have a good trip/ journey;




    To have a try to have a go




    To have a nervous breakdown;




    To have a look




    To have a dream




    ex : I'm sorry, you'll have to wait, she's having lunch. 


                                                      


    That lesson was easy, wasn't it?  Now, go for the exercise to get a 100%!  




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    English exercise "To be / to have: -ing forms..." created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from here4u]
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    1) I’m afraid nobody is available at the moment : the kids and my mom while the housework by Maria, our help.
    2) a good time? Oh yes, for 3 hours, the best fun in my life! a party with your friends and it was great! The room .
    3) We can leave, now … at the map while you breakfast. ready, now?
    4) with me? No! I beg your pardon? I think , really… I a dream, you know … and this dream by your cruelty now. You’re bad!
    5) Can here while your room ?









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