3.3.2. English proverbs with verbs in the Continious and Perfect Tenses

1. Memorize the following proverbs and sayings paying attention to the use of the Continuous Tenses. Give their Russian/Ukrainian equivalents.

1. Know where one is going. 2. One's left hand does not know what one's right hand is doing. 3. Don't cut the bough you are standing on. 4. He that has a long (great) nose thinks everybody is speaking of it. 5. The tortoise wins the race while the hare is sleeping. 6 Fiddle while Rome is burning. 7. Fools (every fool) will be meddling.

 

2. Give English equivalents of the following proverbs and sayings, concentrating on the use of the Continuous Tenses. Use (1) as a key

1. Черепаха выигрывает бег, пока заяц спит.  2. Не руби сук, на котором сидишь. 3. Левая рука не знает, что делает правая. 4. Пир во время чумы (развлекаться во время народного бедствия). 5. Дураки любят во все вмешиваться. 6. Знать, чего хочешь (быть себе на уме). 7. На воре шапка горит (тот, у кого большой нос, думает, что все говорят только об этом).

 

3. Comment on the use of the Present Perfect Tense in the following proverbs and sayings. Memorize them. Give their Russian/Ukrainian equivalents.

1. It is too late to lock the stable (door) after/when the horse has bolted. 2. When children stand quiet they have done something ill. 3. Don't sell the bear's skin before you have caught the bear. 4. Every oak has been an acorn. 5. Drink as you have brewed. 6. The cow knows not what her tail is worth until she has lost it. 7. Bacchus has drowned more men than Neptune. (Wine has drowned more men than the sea). 8. The mountain has brought forth a mouse. 9. A thief passes for a gentleman when stealing has made him rich. 10. He knows best what good is that has endured evil. (Who has never tasted bitter knows not what is sweet). 11. One has made one's bed and one must lie on it. 12. A lot of/much water has run under the bridge. (There have been many a peck of salt eaten since). 13. We know not what is good until we have lost it.

 

4. Give English equivalents of the following proverbs and sayings. Take care to use the Present Perfect Tense where necessary.

1. Сам заварил кашу, сам и расхлебывай. 2. Если дети притихли, значит, они набедокурили. 3. Гора родила мышь. 4. Не убив медведя, шкуры не продавай. 5. Поздно запирать конюшню после того, как лошадь украли. (Задним умом крепок). 6 Много воды утекло с чех пор. 7 Вор сойдет за джентльмена, когда становится богатым. 8. Большое вырастает из малого. (Каждый дуб был когда-то желудем). 9. Не отведав горького, не узнаешь и сладкого. 10. Вино погубило больше людей, чем море. 11. Что имеем—не храним, потерявши—плачем. 12. Как постелешь, так и поспишь.

 

Check your knowledge of English proverbs with verbs in the Continious and Perfect Tenses

Complete the following proverbs by filling in the blank spaces with appropriate words. Give their Ukrainian equivalents.

Variant 1

1. Know where one… . 2. One's left hand … one's right hand is doing. 3. Don't cut the bough you… . 4. He that has a long (great) nose thinks everybody… . 5. The tortoise wins the race while… . 6 Fiddle while Rome is burning. 7. It is too late to lock the stable (door)… . 8. When children stand quiet they… . 9. Don't sell the bear's skin before you have caught the bear. 10. Every oak has been… .

Variant 2

1. Drink as you… . 2. The cow knows not what her tail is worth until… . 3. Bacchus has drowned more men… . (Wine has drowned more men… ). 4. The mountain has brought forth… . 5. A thief passes for a gentleman when… . 6. He knows best what good is that… . (Who has never tasted bitter knows…). 7. One has made one's bed and one… . 8. A lot of/much water has run… . (There have been many a peck of salt… ). 9. We know not what is good until we… . 10. Fools (every fool) will… .