2.3. English proverbs with verbs in the Past Indefinite Tense

1. Memorize the following proverbs in which the Past Indefinite Tense is used. Point out the regular and irregular verbs giving three forms of the latter.

1. Care killed a cat. 2. Faint heart never won fair lady. 3. When 1 lent I had a friend; when I asked he was unkind. 4. The pot called the kettle black. 5. The golden age was never the present age. 6. A bad shearer never had a good sickle. 7. Too much curiosity lost Paradise. 8. Curiosity killed the cat. 9. He who pleased everybody died before he was born. 10. A little bird told me. 11. It just came and went. 12. Almost never killed a fly. 13. He who never climbed never fell. 14. If you want a pretence to whip a dog say that he ate a frying-pan. 15. Since Adam was a boy.

2. Give English equivalents of the following proverbs and sayings using the Past Indefinite Tense.

1. У плохого косаря всегда серп виноват. 2. Любопытство до добра не доводит. (Много будешь знать - скоро состаришься). 3. Робость мешает успеху. 4. Говорил горшку котелок: уж больно ты черен, дружок. (Сам-то ты хорош). 5. Повезло, как той корове, которая боднула себя своим рогом. 6. Слухом земля полнится. (Сорока на хвосте принесла. Мне об этом рассказали по секрету). 7. Что было, то сплыло. 8. Коли быть собаке битой, найдется и палка. (При жела­нии к каждому можно придраться). 9. Заботы и кошку уморят. 10. На всех не угодишь. 11. Не ошибается тот, кто ничего не делает. 12. Осторожность никогда немешает.

3. Express the idea of the following by using suitable proverbs, sayings or idiomatic phrases with the Past Indefinite Tense form of the verb. Consult the reference list below.

1 Old or growing old (the implication being that there is loss of vigour, good health or good looks). 2 We are back to where we started, we have seen, done, this before. 3 (informal) Smug, (self) satisfied, gloating. 4 Popular pompous remark justifying one's own or another efforts or criticizing idliness. 5 A timid or easily discouraged person won't get the best of anything in life. 6 It is usually used to warn someone who asks a question trying to find out too much about other people's affairs that he is likely to suffer injury or harm 7. A long time ago, long before the birth of the person who is being addressed or talked about. 8. Just what is needed, suitable, or what one enjoys in a particular situation. 9 The final thing that, when added to an unpleasant or bad situation, causes failure, ruin, etc. 10. It does not do to be too curious or inquisitive. The reference is to the story of Adam and Eve, who were expelled from the garden of Eden because they had tasted the forbidden fruit. 11. Good workmanship depends no more on the quality of the tools than it does on the way in which they are used. 12. Care is a great load on the mind. 13. This is usually used with reference to a person discouraged or fearful, sad, dissappointed. 14. The idiom is used to avoid saying how one knows something secret, it is usually used in answer to a question. The time being spoken about was a good or enjoyable time when compared with the present. (the last straw ... , too much curiosity lost paradise; curiosity killed the cat; a little bird told me; those were the days!; one's heart sank, when you were just a twinkle in your father's eye; care killed a cat; (just) what the doctor ordered, a bad shearer never had a good sickle; faint heart never won fair lady; this is where we came in; hard work never hurt etc anybody yet, not as/so young as one (once) was/used to be; like the cat that stole the cream)

Check your knowledge of English proverbs with verbs in the Past IndefiniteTense

Complete the following sentences by filling in the blank spaces with appropriate proverbs, sayings or idiomatic phrases. Consult the reference list below. Translate the sentences into Ukrainian.

(my heart sank; when you were just a twinkle in you father's eye; those were the days!; just what the doctor ordered; a little bird told me; a bad shearer never had a good sickle; the last straw that broke the camel's back; this is where we came in; not as/so young as she used to be/(once) was; like the cat that stole the cream; hard work never hurt anybody yet; faint heart never won fair lady)