he didn't finish his homework

Past Simple Tense: How to Use It, With Examples

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Simple past tense definition

The simple past tense is a verb tense that is used to describe completed actions or events that occurred in the past. The simple past tense is commonly used in storytelling and narration, as well as in conversations about past experiences. In this article, we will explain how to use the simple past and provide examples to help you understand it better.

When to use the simple past tense?

1. Actions That Occurred in the Past The simple past tense is commonly used to describe actions that happened in the past. For example:

• I walked to the store.
• They studied English last night.
• She ate pizza for dinner.

2. Completed Actions Completed ActionsThe simple past tense is used to describe actions that were completed in the past. For example:

• I finished my homework before dinner.
• They left for the airport at 5am.
• She visited her grandparents last weekend.

3. Sequences of Events in the Past The simple past tense can also be used to describe a sequence of events that occurred in the past. For example:

• I woke up, brushed my teeth, and ate breakfast.
• They arrived at the party, greeted their friends, and danced all night.
• She got dressed, packed her bags, and left for the airport.

4. Past Habits or States The simple past tense can be used to describe habits or states in the past. For example:

• I always drank coffee in the morning.
• They lived in New York City for ten years.
• She had curly hair when she was a child.

5. Specific point in the past To talk about a specific point in the past. For example:

• He finished his project last night at 10 pm.

How to form the simple past tense?

The simple past tense is formed using the past form of the main verb. The structure of a simple past form is as follows:

Subject + past form of the verb

The formation of the simple past tense depends on whether the verb is regular or irregular:

1. For regular verbs, simply add “-ed” to the base form of the verb to form the past simple tense. For example:

• walk (base form) -> walked (past simple)
• play (base form) -> played (past simple)
• watch (base form) -> watched (past simple)

2. For irregular verbs, the simple past form is different from the base form of the verb and must be learned individually. Some common irregular verbs and their past simple forms include:

• go (base form) -> went (past simple)
• eat (base form) -> ate (past simple)
• see (base form) -> saw (past simple)
• do (base form) -> did (past simple)

Note that there are some verbs that are both regular and irregular, depending on their meaning. For example:

• “learned” (regular) and “learnt” (irregular) are both used in different regions and contexts.

Also, it’s important to remember that the verb “be” has two different past simple forms: “was” (for the singular pronouns: I, he, she, it) and “were” (for the plural pronouns: we, you, they).

Here are some examples of the past simple tense in use:

• Regular verb: “She played tennis yesterday.”
• Irregular verb: “He went to the store last night.”
• Irregular verb: “I saw a movie last weekend.”
• Regular verb: “We walked to the park.”
• Irregular verb: “They did their homework before dinner.”

How to make a negative form?

To make a negative sentence in the past simple tense, you need to use the auxiliary verb “did” and the negative particle “not” (or “n’t”). The formula forming the simple past is:

Subject + did not (didn’t) + base form of the verb + object

For example:

• I did not (didn’t) go to the party last night.
• He did not (didn’t) finish his homework on time.
• They did not (didn’t) visit their grandparents over the weekend.

Note that the contracted form “didn’t” is more commonly used in spoken English.

Also, for regular verbs, the negative form is formed by adding “-not” (or “-n’t”) to the auxiliary verb “did” and using the base form of the verb. For example:

• I did not (didn’t) walk to the store.
• She did not (didn’t) play soccer last weekend.
• They did not (didn’t) watch a movie yesterday.

How to make a question form?

You can read more here about the  question form

Can I use the simple past tense to talk about ongoing actions in the past?

No, the past simple tense is not used to talk about ongoing actions in the past. It is used to describe a completed action or event that happened at a specific time in the past. If you want to talk about an action that was in progress in the past, you should use the past continuous tense.

For example, if you want to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, you could say “I was reading a book,” using the past continuous tense. If you were to use the past simple tense, it would imply that you had already finished reading the book, and would say “I read a book” use the simple past instead.

Can I use the simple past tense to talk about future events from a past perspective?

No, the simple past tense is not typically used to talk about future events, even from a past perspective. It is primarily used to describe completed actions or events that occurred at a specific point in the past.

If you want to talk about a future event from a past perspective, you would typically use the past perfect tense. For instance, “By the time I arrived at the party, the cake had already been cut,” suggests that the cake was cut before the speaker arrived at the party.

Alternatively, you could use the present perfect tense to describe a future event that has already been planned or arranged. For instance, “I have reserved a table at the restaurant for tomorrow night,” suggests that the reservation has already been made for a future event.

What are some common irregular verbs in the simple past tense?

In English, there are many irregular verbs, which means their past tense and past participle forms do not follow the rules of the regular -ed ending pattern. Here are some common irregular verbs in the simple past tense:

• have -> had
• say -> said
• make -> made
• come -> came
• take -> took

It is important to remember that irregular verbs do not follow a specific rule, so they need to be memorized.

Are there any exceptions or special cases when using the simple past tense?

Yes, there are a few exceptions and special cases when using the simple past tense in English:

• Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) do not have a past tense form. Instead, their past meaning is expressed through the use of the perfect infinitive (e.g. could have, should have, would have).
• The verb “to be” has two past tense forms: “was” for the singular subjects (I, he, she, it) and “were” for the plural subjects (we, you, they).
• Some verbs have the same past simple form as their base form. For instance, “cut” is the past simple form of “cut,” and “put” is the past simple form of “put.”
• The simple past tense is sometimes used in  conditional sentences  to express a hypothetical situation that is unlikely or impossible. For example, “If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.”
• In  reported speech , the simple past tense is often used to report a past action or event. For example, “She said she saw the movie yesterday.” Here, the original statement might have been “I saw the movie yesterday,” but in the reported speech, the simple past tense “saw” is changed to “said she saw.”

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"…didn't finish…yet" versus "…haven't finished…yet"

If I worked on something yesterday but it was not finished, which tense should I use?

I didn't finish it yet or I haven't finished it yet

• present-perfect
• transatlantic-differences
• present-perfect-vs-simple-past

• 1 Per Difference between 'haven't …yet' and 'didn't… yet' , the presence of "yet" at the end of both these alternatives makes a huge difference to how "acceptable" they are. So unless you think it's somehow important to your question about didn't finish/haven't finished , you might consider editing the word out. –  FumbleFingers Commented Nov 2, 2012 at 22:46

3 Answers 3

If you worked on it yesterday, stopped yesterday before finishing then, and don't want to say anything else about whether you will or can continue or not, but more likely that you are done for good (like a one-time test), then:

I didn't finish it.

If you worked on it yesterday, stopped yesterday before finishing, and want to imply that you are still planning on working on it, then:

I haven't finished it.

or with a bit more emphasis on the expectation of continuing

I haven't finished it yet.

The sentence

*I didn't finish it yet.

sounds off, because "didn't" isn't particularly continuous, but "yet' implies an expectation or possibility, and so also a continuing act.

• This is a very clear and precise explanaton, Thanks Mitch. –  Sarawut Positwinyu Commented May 11, 2011 at 3:58
• 1 "I didn't finish it yet" is very odd in UK English. I have the impression that it is rather more normal in US English, but I don't know: can anybody comment on this? –  Colin Fine Commented May 11, 2011 at 11:27
• 1 In US (spoken) English, didn't is used much more frequently that havent't done . Also, in US English you almost always say I don't have rather than I haven't got . –  Phonon Commented May 11, 2011 at 16:28
• 2 @Colin Fine - Not normal in US English either (at least to this USAite.) –  MT_Head Commented Jun 9, 2011 at 0:20

The sentence "I did not finish it yet" is incorrect because of mismatched tense. The phrase did not finish is in the past tense, while the word yet indicates that the task is ongoing (present tense), which creates a contradiction.

The sentence "I have not finished it yet" is correct because the phrase have not finished is in the present tense and can be safely used with "yet". In fact, the word "yet" is not strictly necessary. "I have not finished" would carry the same meaning.

• I believe this explanation is slightly misleading. You can say I did not start it yet. It's not the past tense/present tense conflict that is wrong here, but the expectation that the task is not ongoing. –  Peter Shor Commented May 11, 2011 at 10:45
• Strictly speaking "I have not finished it" is in the Present Perfect tense: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Present_perfect . Present would be "I finish" or "I do not finish". –  Lunivore Commented May 11, 2011 at 10:46

“I haven't finished it yet” is definitely a much more natural-sounding version but “I didn't finish it yet” might also be acceptable (though a bit more awkward).

• It's certainly true your first version is more natural-sounding, but as @e.James indicates above, the second version is a bit worse than "awkward". Most native speakers would say it's just plain "wrong" - even if they couldn't explain exactly why as eloquently and succinctly as @e.James does. –  FumbleFingers Commented May 11, 2011 at 17:34
• Anecdotally, the second sounds completely natural to this native speaker. –  recursive Commented May 11, 2011 at 18:27

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged past-tense present-perfect transatlantic-differences present-perfect-vs-simple-past or ask your own question .

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Teaching Students About the Volkswagen Thing: An Unconventional Approach

Teaching students about the american renaissance, teaching students about the first flight to the moon, teaching students about if christians are catholic, teaching students about jean arthur: an enlightening journey through the life of a hollywood icon, teaching students about reefer madness: understanding the history and dispelling the myths, teaching students about the meaning of “culminated” in a sentence, teaching students about mug shots: a valuable lesson in civics and law enforcement, teaching students about family words list, 21 ways to support students who have trouble finishing homework tasks.

Are you looking for ways to support students who have trouble finishing homework tasks? If so, keep reading.

1. Urge the learner to create an understanding of the consequences of their behavior by writing down or talking through problems that may happen due to their failure to finish homework tasks (e.g., if they do not finish the homework task , their grade may drop, then they may not be able to take part in extracurricular learning activities ).

2. Give the learner a book bag, backpack, etc., to take homework tasks and learning materials to and from home.

3. Give a reinforcing learning experience at the beginning of the day/class period, contingent upon the conclusion and return of homework tasks .

4. Get the learner to organize tasks by dividing them into small segments. Get the learner to set deadlines and reward themselves after finishing each segment of the task.

5. Get the learner to create a chart to follow that will let them finish all tasks.

6. Create an environmental setting for the classroom that promotes optimal individual performance (e.g., quiet room, background music, fresh air, etc.).

7. Urge the parents to make positive remarks about school and the importance of finishing homework.

8. Give time at school for homework conclusion when the learner cannot be successful in performing tasks at home.

9. Indicate what is to be done for the conclusion of the homework task (e.g., indicate definite starting and stopping points, indicate the minimum requirements, etc.).

10. Get the learner to question any directions, explanations, or instructions not grasped.

11. Let logical consequences happen for failure to finish homework tasks (e.g., learners who do not finish their homework will not take part in more desirable learning activities ).

12. Give the learner written instructions for doing homework tasks .

13. Provide the parents with information appropriate for them to help the learner with homework (e.g., what the tasks are and Learning Interventions: Strategies to help with the tasks).

14. Urge the learner to reward themselves (e.g., a ten-minute break, speak briefly with a relative, telephone a friend, etc.) for concentrating on a task for a specific length of time.

15. Let the learner perform a highly desirable task when homework has been turned in to the teacher.

16. Get the learner to place notes in highly visible areas (e.g., refrigerator door, bathroom door, front door, etc.) to remind the learner to return homework tasks to school.

17. Let the learner perform alternative homework tasks . As the learner shows success, slowly present more components of the regular homework task until the tasks are routinely performed and returned to school.

18. Make sure the learner knows that homework tasks not finished and turned in to the teacher will have to be finished during other times (e.g., break time, leisure time, before/after school, etc.).

19. Complete a few problems of the homework task with the learner to serve as a model and start the learner on the task.

20. Get the learner to enlist the help of a relative, friend, etc., to remind them of homework tasks .

21. Consider using an education app to help the student sharpen their organizational skills. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend .

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Know your Auxiliary Verbs

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Auxiliary verbs are conjugated depending on the subject of a sentence. Here are a few examples of auxiliary verbs:

• Tom  has  lived in Boston for twenty years.
• They  didn't  come to the party last night.
• I  was  cooking dinner when you telephoned.
• What  are  you doing tomorrow afternoon?

Knowing correct auxiliary verb usage is key to tense usage. Every tense takes an auxiliary form of the verb. There are three exceptions to this rule:

• Simple present positive: She works at a bank.
• Simple past positive: He bought a new TV last week.
• Positive imperative statements: Hurry up!

There are also a number of short forms that take ONLY the auxiliary form of the verb:

Yes / No answer short forms:

• Do you live in England? - No, I don't.
• Has she been to Paris? - Yes, she has.

Question tags :

• They enjoy learning English, don't they?
• He won't agree with me, will he?

Positive agreement / inclusion:

• I went to the beach last weekend. - So did I.
• I'm working very hard at the moment. - So is she.

Negative agreement / inclusion:

• They haven't worked here long. - Neither have I.
• We won't be able to come next week. - Neither will I.

Overview of Auxiliary Verb Usage

Used simple present question and negative forms :

• What time does he get up?
• They don't drive to work. They take the bus.

Used in simple past question and negative forms:

• When did they arrive yesterday?
• He didn't finish his homework last week.

IS / ARE / AM

Used in present continuous and for the future with 'going to':

• They are working hard at the moment.
• She is going to study medicine at university.

Past continuous:

• I was watching TV when you arrived.
• What were they doing while you were cooking dinner?

Present perfect and present perfect continuous:

• How long have you lived here?
• I've been working since seven this morning.

Past perfect and past perfect continuous:

• He had eaten by the time I arrived.
• She had been studying for two hours when he finally telephoned.

WILL / WON'T

Future with 'will':

• What will the weather be like tomorrow?
• He won't understand.

If you don't understand all of these tenses, don't worry. This overview chart shows the positive, negative and interrogative (question) forms of all the principal tenses in English with a brief description of the principal usage. The timeline tenses chart provides a handy visual reference sheet to English tenses and their relationship to the past, present and future. Included you will find active, passive, simple and continuous forms positioned according to their occurrence in time.​

Test your Understanding of Auxiliary Verbs

In each of the following sentences, an auxiliary verb is missing. Write the missing auxiliary verbs on a piece of paper and then check the answers below.

• He _____ come to school yesterday because he was ill.
• She _____ been working in the garden since two this afternoon.
• He _____ finished his homework by the time arrived.
• I'm afraid I _____ be able to come to the party. I have to study.
• You've visited London, _____ you?
• They _____ going to attend a meeting in Chicago next week.
• Why _____ you buy that?! It's ugly!
• She _____ often go to the movies.
• He _____ watching TV. He's doing his homework at the moment.
• They _____ been playing tennis for two hours.
• I don't like country music. - Neither _____ I.
• They won't come to the party, _____ they?
• Mom _____ been working for two hours when I telephoned.
• I think they are fantastic! - So _____ she.
• What _____ they doing?
• Mary hasn't enjoyed herself so much for a long time. - Neither _____ I.
• Mike _____ go on vacation last summer. He was too busy.
• He's studying Russian this semester, _____ he?
• I _____ just been to the bank.
• How long _____ you been working for this company?

Answers: Auxiliary Verb Quiz

• He  didn't  come to school yesterday because he was ill.
• She  has  been working in the garden since two this afternoon.
• He  had  finished his homework by the time arrived.
• I'm afraid I  won't  be able to come to the party. I have to study.
• You've visited London,  haven't  you?
• They 're  going to attend a meeting in Chicago next week.
• Why  did  you buy that?! It's ugly!
• She  doesn't  often go to the movies.
• He  isn't  watching TV. He's doing his homework at the moment.
• They 've  been playing tennis for two hours.
• I don't like country music. - Neither  do  I.
• They won't come to the party,  will  they?
• Mom  had  been working for two hours when I telephoned.
• I think they are fantastic! - So  does  she.
• What  are  they doing?
• Mary hasn't enjoyed herself so much for a long time. - Neither  have  I.
• Mike  didn't  go on vacation last summer. He was too busy.
• He's studying Russian this semester,  isn't  he?
• I 've  just been to the bank.
• How long  have  you been working for this company?
• Passive Voice Usage and Examples
• English Grammar: Past Auxiliary Verbs
• Visual Explanations of Each English Tense
• How Many Verb Tenses Are There in English?
• Parts of Speech: What Are Verbs?
• English Verbs - Tense Resources
• English Contractions
• Present Continuous Worksheets
• Past Simple Worksheets
• Asking Questions Lesson Plan for Lower Level Students
• Subject and Object Questions in English
• Advanced English Grammar Review Quiz
• Future Tenses Review Quiz for ESL
• Modal Verbs Grammar
• Time Expressions and Tenses
• Example of the Verb 'Meet'

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How To Handle A Student Who Doesn’t Do Homework?

If you’ve been teaching for any length of time, you know that there are students who don’t do their homework.

This is not always a sign of laziness, apathy, or lack of interest in the subject matter. It may just be that they didn’t understand the assignment and/or were too busy to complete it.

Regardless of the reason, these students will need some extra attention and guidance if you want them to succeed academically.

A personal touch is usually the best approach. In other words, don’t hesitate to talk to your students face-to-face about their homework problems. They will appreciate your interest and show a willingness to improve because you care enough about them as an individual to find a solution.

I hope this article helps you manage your students who don’t do homework!

Why Some Students Don’t Do Their Homework?

1) what’s the point  .

Sometimes, students simply don’t see a point in doing their homework. This may be because the subject is boring, or monotonous – or it could be because it’s impossible to comprehend. Ensuring that students have a solid understanding of the material before moving on to the next topic will help eliminate this issue. In addition, if you find yourself instructing something that lacks value, it may be time to rethink your approach.

2) Too Many Homework Assignments  

This is often the most common issue students face. Teachers who fail to recognize that their students are carrying too much of a workload can create unbearable conditions that lead to laziness and failure.  If you’re finding yourself sending home a large amount of work every night, you should strongly consider revising your approach. It’s much better to focus on a small number of assignments and ensure they’re completed correctly, rather than overwhelming students with too many tasks.

3) Lack of Self-Motivation  

Many students don’t do their homework because they lack motivation and self-discipline. In situations such as these, it’s important to remember that you can’t force a student to complete their work – but there are ways for you to motivate them. The key is making the endeavor rewarding and worth their time – this could be through rewards or points systems.

4) Intellectual Disability  

5) lack of parental involvement  .

Sometimes, parents fail to support their child’s education. This lack of involvement can significantly affect the student, who may then find it difficult to complete homework tasks without parental guidance. You should give students enough space to do their work, but you should also be supportive in helping them when they need help.

6) Poor Planning   

7) illness   .

When students become ill, they may struggle to control their behavior and focus on homework. If your class falls victim to a bug, you should allow individuals to take the necessary time off without anxiety or pressure. The same goes for injuries – any situations where students are bedridden should be handled with appropriate care.

8) Bad Timing  

Sometimes, students don’t do their homework due to bad timing. This could be because they’ve only just returned home from school and haven’t had enough time to rest. It’s important that you give your students ample time to unwind before starting any work, so they can retain their focus.

9) Distractions at Home   

Modern homes contain a multitude of distractions that can affect the way students work. In addition to these, students may also have distracted siblings or relatives – making it hard for them to concentrate on tasks given by the teacher. You should always provide plenty of space and seclusion when working on academic tasks.

10) The Task is Too Challenging   

11) poorly organized  .

Similar to planning issues, poorly organized students can struggle when it comes to completing their homework. You should work closely with your students to ensure they have the best tools for completing assignments.

12) Disinterest  

How should handle students who don’t do their homework.

For a new teacher, handling a student who doesn’t do their homework can be a difficult task. It could throw off the rest of your lesson plans that you have been working on all day or week. You have to find a way to deal with it without showing favoritism and giving out punishments for those who don’t complete their work.

This can be a very delicate situation especially if several children don’t complete their homework.

1. Let them know the importance of doing their work

2. give them a warning.

Giving out a simple warning would be an ideal approach when handling students who have not completed their work. This means letting them know of any consequences or possible punishments that can be given if they do not complete their homework.

3. Let them know what your role is as a teacher

Another very effective way to deal with students who don’t do their work is by informing them of what the teacher’s role is in the classroom. By explaining this, you are letting them know that you are not responsible for their education. You are there to help them when needed and direct them in the right direction.

4. Give students who don’t do their work another opportunity

5. give consequences for students who don’t complete their work.

The most common consequence that you can give out when a student does not do their schoolwork is giving them detention or some other form of punishment. This can be a difficult thing to do because you have to find a way of disciplining students without jeopardizing your relationship with students or other teachers.

6. Have the parent call the student’s teacher

7. talk to the student after class or during lunch, 8. give student work to another classmate.

Another successful way of handling students who don’t do their work is to give them school work that is given to other students. For example, you can give out extra credit questions or assignments that are completed by other students if they do not complete their work.

9. Make an announcement about the homework policy

10. make sure homework is not repeatedly an issue, final thought.

It can be frustrating when students don’t do their homework. There are a variety of approaches for handling this issue, but the most important thing is to identify what will work best with your personality and teaching style. In this blog post, we’ve provided ten different ways you can address students who consistently turn in incomplete schoolwork or neglect it altogether. Don’t forget that it may take some time before you find out which approach works best for both you and your students! Check out more articles here.

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How to Make Up a Good Excuse for Your Homework Not Being Finished

Last Updated: April 10, 2024 Fact Checked

Choosing an Excuse

Delivering the excuse, potential consequences, moving forward, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 377,110 times. Learn more...

If you did not finish your homework, you may want to find an excuse to avoid being penalized. There are a variety of excuses, from blaming technology to your busy schedule, that sounds like a plausible reason for failing to complete an assignment. When you settle on an excuse, work on delivering the excuse in a believable fashion. However, try to be careful moving forward. You do not want to lie habitually, as this reflects poorly on you as a student. In the future, try to make sure your assignments are done on time.

• This is a great excuse if you had a paper you needed to type and print. It may also work if you have homework you had to do online. You could say you did the whole assignment, but then your internet cut out and you couldn't save anything.
• It might be a bad idea to claim your printer stopped working. Your teacher may request you e-mail him/her the assignment instead, which you won't be able to do if you never did it. Teachers may also suggest you should have printed an assignment at a local library or FedEx instead of coming in with nothing.

• If your parents are divorced, for example, you can claim you were at your mom's last night but left your textbook with your dad this weekend. Many teachers are sympathetic to children from divorced homes. Your teacher may take pity on you if you use an excuse like this. [2] X Research source
• Do you have any younger siblings? You could claim you had to babysit your little sister and she got sick, resulting in your being distracted from your homework. [3] X Research source

• You can try running around in the playground or hallways before class. This can help you look flushed and warm. If you look sick, your teacher will be more likely to believe you.
• However, keep in mind some teachers may require a note from your parents in the event of illness. If your teacher typically demands proof of sickness, you may want to avoid using this excuse.

• Avoid saying you left your homework at home. Your teacher may request you call your mom or dad to have it delivered to the school. This will reveal you are lying.
• Try not to use this excuse more than once or twice a term; otherwise, your teacher may see you as disorganized and be less sympathetic towards you if you need to make other excuses in the future.

• Be careful using this excuse if you're not busy. If you're usually late for classes and do not engage in many extracurricular activities, your teacher may catch onto the fact you're lying.

• Never lie you were absent on the day the homework was set. One glance of the register is all it takes for your teacher to see right through this excuse.

• If your teacher is particularly strict, be prepared to answer a lot of questions. A stricter teacher is likely to grill you, poking holes in your excuse. For example, say you claim you couldn't turn in your online math homework because your internet cut out. A strict teacher might respond with something like, "Then why didn't you go do your homework at a coffee shop?" Have a response ready. Try something like, "My mom was working and there was no one to drive me." [7] X Research source
• Do you know anything about your teacher's personal interests? This can help you gauge what excuse may work for this person. For example, you know your chemistry teacher is the oldest of 7 children. He may be more sympathetic to a story about how watching your younger siblings kept you from getting your work done. [8] X Research source

• Stick to only the important details. For example, say you're planning on claiming your piano recital got out late, and this is why you didn't finish your math homework. Do not go overboard with the details. Simply say, "A few students played their solos too long, so we didn't get done until 9:30 and it was a 45-minute drive home." Do not say, "Chester Mifflin spent 25 minutes on his routine when we were only given 10, and then Lisa Gregory was a little late getting up on stage..." The longer your lie, the more unbelievable it sounds. Most people would not remember this much detail.
• If your teacher presses you for specifics, you can improvise as needed but avoid excessive detail. For example, your teacher might ask, "How long did the recital run over?" Do not say, "It was supposed to run until 8:30 but it was 9:23 when we got out." Instead, say something somewhat vague, like, "I'd say about 45 minutes."

• Take a few deep breaths before going into the room to help yourself stay calm.
• Make eye contact with your teacher most of the time.
• Be conscious of what you're doing with your body. Try to avoid fidgeting excessively.

• Refer to the syllabus for that class. There may be a section about honesty that goes over the consequences of lying to a teacher.
• You should also look at your school's handbook if you have a copy. See if there are any sections about what happens if you breach academic honesty policies.
• Consequences can vary from teacher-to-teacher. In some cases, you may only get a strict talking to. However, some teachers may be required to report these kinds of behaviors to the principal and your parents. This could land you in more serious trouble both at home and at school.

• It may depend on the assignment. Late work may not be accepted, but if the assignment is only worth 10 points, is this really a big deal? However, if the assignment is worth 15% of your grade, it may be worth it to ask for an extension.
• Talk to other students who've had this teacher in the past. How has this teacher reacted to late or missing work? Some teachers may accept late work for lower points. Some teachers may allow you to turn in work late if it's your first time. If this is the case, it may be a good idea to simply admit you didn't do the assignment.

• You can make a pro and con list for each scenario. Write down the possible benefits and possible drawbacks of each option. For example, you can write on the top of a piece of paper "Lying To My Teacher" and then have two columns, one for "pro" and one for "con." Under "pro," you may write something like, "Assignment is worth a lot of points - an extension could help my overall grade." Under "con," you could write, "If Ms. Davies finds out I'm lying, she will report it to the principal and I'll get detention for a week."
• Weigh the pros and cons. If the pros outweigh the cons heavily for one option, this may be the right choice for you.

• Do your homework every day after school. Do not do anything else, like playing video games or playing outside, before finishing your work.
• Write down all the assignments you have to do. Make sure to write down an assignment after a teacher mentions it. This way, you won't forget.

• If you habitually struggle to get your homework done and have an overall inability to concentrate, this can be a symptom of Attention Deficit Disorder. Talk to your parents about getting tested for ADD.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://helpfulprofessor.com/homework-excuses/
• ↑ https://www.brighthubeducation.com/study-and-learning-tips/51072-10-best-homework-excuses/
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/extreme-fear/201005/top-ten-secrets-effective-liars

About This Article

While lying too often could reflect badly on you as a student, if you need a good excuse for your homework not being finished, say you lost it. Just don’t use this excuse often, since your teacher will think you’re unorganized. If the homework was on the computer, try blaming technology. Say your computer crashed or your internet was down. Alternatively, claim you were ill last night and had to rest. Only do this if you don’t think your teacher will call your parents to check or ask for a sick note. If you have a sibling that doesn’t go to your school, you can say they were ill and you had to look after them. Or, if you do a lot of things outside of school and have lots of homework to do, pretend you were too busy and ran out of time. For more tips, including how to make your excuse more convincing, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Conjunctions Exercises for Class 8 with Answers

A  conjunction  is a word that connects groups of words, phrases, clauses, and sentences. The conjunction is also named or called a  connector, joiner, or sentence linker . These conjunctions are:  as well as, and, not only, whereas, nevertheless, but also, else, both, yet, either, however, moreover, although/though, while, or, neither, nor, so, because, when, if, so that, whether, alternatively, as though, still

Conjunctions are words or groups of words that connect words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. They serve to link different parts of a sentence and show the relationship between those parts. Conjunctions are an essential part of the English language and help make sentences more coherent and meaningful.

There are three main types of conjunctions:

• I wanted pizza, but they only had burgers.
• She is neither tall nor short.
• He can swim, and he can dive.
• Because he studied hard, he passed the exam.
• After she finished her homework, she went to bed.
• Although it rained, we still had fun.
• Either…or: You can either have cake or ice cream.
• Neither…nor: Neither the cat nor the dog can climb that tree.
• Both…and: She is both intelligent and hardworking.
• Not only…but also: Not only did he bring flowers, but he also brought chocolates.

Conjunctions are essential for forming clear and well-structured sentences. They allow writers and speakers to express complex ideas and relationships between different parts of a sentence. Understanding the types of conjunctions and how to use them correctly is crucial for effective communication in English.

Conjunctions Exercises For CBSE Class 8 in PDF

Conjunctions Exercises for Class 8 CBSE With Answers

Conjunctions Worksheet for Class 8 with Answers

Conjunctions Worksheet CBSE Class 8

Conjunctions Exercises for CBSE Class 8

Conjunctions Exercises for Class 8 with answers

Exercise – 1

Fill in the blank (The most common conjunctions are: and, but, or)

Q: Fill in the blanks in the sentences below using one of the three common conjunctions: and, but, or

• The school marching band practiced hard ______they still did not sound very good.
• The two brothers went camping________swimming every summer.
• Would you like to play cards_________read a book?
• The race car rounded the track for the last lap___________ran out of gas before it made it to the finish line
• Our mother said we could have either pancakes_________waffles for breakfast on Saturday morning.
• The book was over 300 pages long________I read the whole thing.
• Maria is not allowed to watch television____________play outside until her homework is done.
• Sarah wants to learn how to knit___________she doesn’t have any yarn.
• The policeman catches criminals ___________ keeps everyone safe.
• Would you rather have a banana _________ an orange in your lunch today?

Q 2: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate conjunctions (and, but, or, so, because).

• I wanted to go to the park, _____ it started raining. Answer : but
• She loves to read books _____ watch movies. Answer : and
• He couldn’t attend the party _____ he was feeling unwell. Answer : because
• Would you like tea _____ coffee? Answer : or
• He studied hard, _____ he scored well in the exam. Answer : so
• She was tired _____ she decided to take a nap. Answer : so
• He likes to play basketball _____ soccer. Answer : and
• I couldn’t go to the party _____ I had to study for the exam. Answer : because
• He wanted to go to the movies, _____ his friends were busy. Answer : but
• He likes to swim _____ he doesn’t like to dive. Answer : but
• She wants to go to the park _____ play video games. Answer : or
• I couldn’t find my keys _____ I was late for work. Answer : so
• Would you like pizza _____ pasta? Answer : or
• He wanted to go to the party, _____ he had to finish his homework. Answer : but

Exercise 2:

Q 1. Combine the following sentences using the given conjunctions.

• She is tired. She wants to go to bed. Conjunction: so Answer : She is tired, so she wants to go to bed.
• He likes to play football. He doesn’t like to swim. Conjunction: but Answer : He likes to play football, but he doesn’t like to swim.
• I will study for the test. I will also revise my notes. Conjunction: and Answer : I will study for the test and revise my notes.
• She can choose the red dress. She can choose the blue dress. Conjunction: or Answer : She can choose the red dress or the blue dress.
• He didn’t finish his homework. He went to play outside. Conjunction: because Answer : He didn’t finish his homework because he went to play outside.
• She loves to dance. She loves to sing. Conjunction: and Answer : She loves to dance and sing.
• He studied hard. He scored well in the test. Conjunction: so Answer : He studied hard, so he scored well in the test.
• I want to eat pizza. I want to eat pasta. Conjunction: or Answer : I want to eat pizza or pasta.
• She is tired. She wants to go to bed. Conjunction: but Answer : She is tired, but she wants to go to bed.
• He didn’t have money. He couldn’t buy the book. Conjunction: because Answer : He didn’t have money because he couldn’t buy the book.
• She is tired. She wants to sleep. Conjunction: so Answer : She is tired, so she wants to sleep.
• He likes to read books. He likes to watch movies. Conjunction: and Answer : He likes to read books and watch movies.
• I will study for the test. I will also review my notes. Conjunction: and Answer : I will study for the test and review my notes.

Exercise 3 : Identify the Conjunctions

Q. Identify the conjunctions in the following sentences:

• She wanted to go to the movies, but her brother preferred staying home.
• Neither the dog nor the cat likes to swim.
• I will either choose the red dress or the blue one.
• He can play soccer as well as basketball.
• Whether it rains or shines, we’ll have a great time.
• The sun was shining, but the wind was cold.
• He neither studied nor completed his homework.
• I like both pizza and pasta.
• She is tired, yet she continues to work.
• I want to go to the party, but I have to finish my homework.
• whether, or
• neither…nor

Exercise 4: Combine Sentences using Conjunctions

Q. Combine the following sentences using appropriate conjunctions:

• Sarah likes to read books. She also enjoys painting.
• It rained heavily last night. The streets were flooded.
• He studied hard for the test. He still couldn’t pass it.
• She loves pizza. She hates burgers.
• He wanted to visit the museum. He also wanted to go to the zoo.
• She is talented. She is humble.
• We can watch a movie. We can go for a walk.
• I like both reading books. I enjoy watching movies.
• They worked hard. They still lost the game.
• Sarah likes to read books, and she also enjoys painting.
• It rained heavily last night, and the streets were flooded.
• He studied hard for the test, but he still couldn’t pass it.
• She loves pizza, but she hates burgers.
• He wanted to visit the museum and go to the zoo.
• She is talented yet humble.
• We can watch a movie or go for a walk.
• I like both reading books and watching movies.
• They worked hard, but they still lost the game.

Exercise 5: Fill in the Blanks with Suitable Conjunctions

Q. Fill in the blanks with suitable conjunctions (and, but, or, so, yet, for):

• I wanted to go to the park, _____ it started raining.
• She was tired, _____ she stayed up late to finish her homework.
• I can either choose the blue shirt _____ the green one.
• He wanted to go out to play, _____ he had to finish his chores first.
• I like both chocolate _____ vanilla ice cream.
• She was tired, _____ she continued to dance.
• I wanted to buy ice cream, _____ they were out of my favorite flavor.
• He studied hard _____ he could pass the exam.
• We can go to the beach, _____ we can visit the museum.
• It was raining, _____ they decided to stay indoors.

Exercise 6:

Q.1 Identify whether the conjunction in each sentence is a single conjunction, compound conjunction, or correlative conjunction.

• She wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.
• Neither the cat nor the dog can climb that tree.
• He is both intelligent and hardworking.
• She was tired, yet she didn’t want to sleep.
• Compound conjunction (but)
• Correlative conjunction (neither…nor)
• Correlative conjunction (either…or)
• Correlative conjunction (both…and)
• Single conjunction (yet)

Q.2 Fill in the blanks with suitable conjunctions (single, compound, or correlative):

• I want to visit the museum _____ the zoo.
• She likes both chocolate _____ vanilla ice cream.
• He is talented _____ hardworking.
• She neither sings _____ dances.
• I am not feeling well, _____ I need to go to school.
• and (compound conjunction)
• and (correlative conjunction – both…and)
• nor (correlative conjunction – neither…nor)
• but (single conjunction)

Exercise 7 :

Q.1 Combine the following sentences using appropriate conjunctions (single, compound, or correlative):

• He wanted to go to the park. He also wanted to go to the beach.
• She likes to swim. She doesn’t like to sunbathe.
• I can either choose the red shirt. I can choose the blue one.
• She is neither happy. She is sad.
• It’s raining. We can play board games indoors.
• He wanted to go to the park and the beach.
• She likes to swim but doesn’t like to sunbathe.
• I can either choose the red shirt or the blue one.
• She is neither happy nor sad.
• It’s raining, so we can play board games indoors.

Q.2 Fill in the blanks with suitable conjunctions. 1. They spent the night here ________ it was too late for them to go home. 2. I cannot afford to buy this watch ________ I like it very much. 3. She said that she can’t come ________ she has a lot of work to do. 4. You must shut all the windows ________ the rain will not come in. 5. I returned the book to him ________ came back at once. 6. The front door was locked, ________ I went round the house to the back. 7. I could not sleep at all ________ the neighbor’s cat was mewing the whole night long. 8. ________ I had dressed as quickly as I could, I missed the bus. 9. He was very wealthy, ________ he was also one of the most miserly men I had ever known. 10. You can ________ use my bicycle ________ you can walk up the hill. 11. They have stopped the game ________ it has started raining rather heavily. 12. I have not seen your purse anywhere, ________ have I taken it. 13. I read through the whole book, ________ I could not get the information I wanted. 14. ________ he was very busy, he offered to help me ________ I did not know anything about the subject. 15. I went to his house yesterday, ________ he was not in; ________ I left him a message to come to my house as soon as possible.

• They spent the night here because it was too late for them to go home.
• I cannot afford to buy this watch although I like it very much.
• She said that she can’t come because she has a lot of work to do.
• You must shut all the windows so that the rain will not come in.
• I returned the book to him and came back at once.
• The front door was locked, so I went round the house to the back.
• I could not sleep at all because the neighbor’s cat was mewing the whole night long.
• Although I had dressed as quickly as I could, I missed the bus.
• He was very wealthy, but he was also one of the most miserly men I had ever known.
• You can either use my bicycle or you can walk up the hill.
• They have stopped the game as it has started raining rather heavily.
• I have not seen your purse anywhere, nor have I taken it.
• I read through the whole book, but I could not get the information I wanted.
• Although he was very busy, he offered to help me even though I did not know anything about the subject.
• I went to his house yesterday, but he was not in; so I left him a message to come to my house as soon as possible.

In the following sentences point out the conjunctions and state their kind – single, compound or correlative.

• Although Aasifa was well versed in Urdu, she wrote very little. ________________________________________________________________
• The man asked him to wait till he completed his work. ________________________________________________________________
• No sooner had I begun writing the last answer than the bell rang. ________________________________________________________________
• As long as Shahdab lived in the city, his friends suffered no problem. ________________________________________________________________
• After Samadrita’s father passed away, her mother felt very lonely. ________________________________________________________________
• In order to keep the family under control, the father maintained a strict code of conduct. ________________________________________________________________
• The dress that we got for Adrija was both pretty and comfortable. ________________________________________________________________
• I am lending you my book provided that you take care of it while reading. ________________________________________________________________
• I freaked out because I was in a bad mood. ________________________________________________________________
• Niti was not only a good painter but also a great dancer. ________________________________________________________________
• Conjunction: Although
• Type: Subordinating Conjunction (introduces an adverbial clause)
• Conjunction: till
• Type: Single Conjunction (subordinating conjunction)
• Conjunction: than
• Conjunction: As long as
• Type: Compound Conjunction
• Conjunction: After
• Conjunction: In order to
• Conjunction: both…and
• Type: Correlative Conjunction
• Conjunction: provided that
• Conjunction: because
• Type: Subordinating Conjunction (introduces a reason)
• Conjunction: not only…but also

He ___ his homework before dinner.

B. finished

C. finishing

D. finishes

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"Was he not doing his homework" vs " Wasn't he doing his homework"

What is the difference between them.It is in a test so I have no context.

Was he not doing his homework Wasn't he doing his homework

6 Answers 6

To me it sounds that the question

Was he not doing his homework?

is asking whether "he" was slacking off , ignoring his responsibility to do his homework. When spoken, the " not " would be emphasized.

The question

Wasn't he doing his homework?

is intended to express doubt or request a confirmation. The speaker supposes the " he " (the subject of the question) was in fact " doing his homework ", but something in the conversation prior to this question presented a contrary view.

Most often, the two sentences can be used interchangeably. They mean the same thing essentially, except the first sentence has no contraction and so is more formal.

The only reason the word order is different is due to the contraction "wasn't" (was not). It's a common and handy word that is used frequently, even in places where its un-contracted meaning "was not" would sound strange.

Nobody ever says "Was not he doing his homework?" but because of custom and habit, English speakers freely say "Wasn't he doing his homework?". It's a quirk of the language.

This is not to say that the other answers are wrong, only that in everyday usage the speaker or writer is most likely not being that precise.

I'll go out on a limb and take a different stance from other answers (that were posted before mine).

The only two differences between Was he not doing his homework? and Wasn't he doing his homework? are: a) the former is an uncontracted negative question (and the latter is a contracted negative question); and thus b) the former ( Was he not ...? ) would sound more formal.

Both alternatives can have either of these two meanings:

[i] Is it true that he wasn't doing his homework ? [ii] It's true that he was doing his homework , isn't it?

The ambiguity is normally not a problem because it'd be clear in context.

In my humble opinion, there isn't any difference in meaning between the two written sentences out of context. We simply cannot assign a specific meaning to each alternative out of context.

The first sentence is asking if he was not doing his homework.

The second one refers to if he was doing his homework at the time.

Quite opposite to each other!

• I am not sure I got it, can you explain it in some scenarios please if possible –  Amanda21 Commented Oct 8, 2015 at 18:00

What Nihilist_frost says is true to an extent, but depending on the context the first first version could be a somewhat stuffy version of the second IMO.

Was he not doing his homework at the time?

This sentence sounds grammatically fine to me and leaves me in little doubt whoever is asking believe "he" was doing his homework at the time.

I agree with most of the answers posted by the users.

"Was he not doing his homework?" and "Wasn't he doing his homework?" are syntactically similar, as "wasn't" (from the second sentence) is merely a contraction of "was not" (from the first sentence).

However, if we decipher the similarities and/or differences in the light of Semantics, the two statements have varying meanings.

First, the statement "Was he not doing his homework?" stresses on the "not doing" verb phrase of the sentence. Thus, this would mean that a person is asking another if "he" is "not doing" "his homework". We could paraphrase this as (although there is a difference in form) "He is not doing his homework, is he?"

Second, the statement "Wasn't he doing his homework?" emphasizes on "doing" or (could be) on "doing his homework". Therefore, this could mean that a person is asking another if "he" is currently working or not on "his homework". Another interpretation would be asking if "he" is (currently) working on his own homework. Since it is in the past tense, we could say that he was currently working on the homework mentioned.

I know that my explanation is somewhat confusing, but I hope this could give you more ideas regarding this topic.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for browse other questions tagged negation ..

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"They have finished their homework" vs "They finished their homework"

How does the meaning of the two sentences differ, if it all. And is one more correct than the other?

Quality Point(s)

• English (UK)
• English (US)

What is the difference between He couldn't finish homework by the deadline. and He couldn't get homework done by the deadline. ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.

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“He couldn’t finish his homework by the deadline” sounds like he has done part of his homework (or most of it), while “he couldn’t get his homework done by the deadline” sounds like he might not have started it. “I didn’t finish it” some progress has been made but you have yet to complete it “I didn’t do it” no progress made Basically, whenever you use the word “finish” it implies something has “started” (eg “the race starts, the race finishes”, “the race starts, the race ends”) Hope that helps!

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He can/could finish his homework by today.

• Thread starter mikeotori
• Start date Dec 11, 2016
• Dec 11, 2016

Hi, I'm confused about the difference between can and could. For example,if you want to say it is possible for him to finish him homewor by today, How should I say？ ・He can finish his homework by today. or ・He could finish his homework by today.  

Thomas Tompion

Member emeritus.

How can it be possible for him to finish his homework by today? If he hasn't finished it by today, it's not possible for him to finish it by today. If he has finished it now, it makes no sense to talk of its being possible for him to finish it by today. We'd use the expression 'by today' most obviously to talk of an arrangement made in the past - he told me he would do it by today . Let's hope someone more imaginative than I am can help you with this, Mikeotori. I think another example would be easier to work with.  

Now I realized it didn't make sense.So could you replace today with tomorrow?  

Moderator Emeritus

mikeotori said: Now I realized it didn't make sense.So could you replace today with tomorrow? Click to expand...

Thanks. And I ve heard that sometimes "can" and "could" are not interchangeable. for example, you can say "The rumors could be true." but you can't say "The rumors can be true." If yes,why?  

mikeotori said: for example, you can say "The rumors could be true." but you can't say "The rumors can be true." If yes,why? Click to expand...

Got it. Is there any examples that can is preferred？  

mikeotori said: Is there any examples that can is preferred？ Click to expand...

Senior Member

I can answer your question. = a definite statement of my ability. This implies that I intend to answer it. I could answer your question. = I have the ability but I might not do it. Modals are notoriously difficult to grasp and often the emphasis put in a sentence is as important as the word itself. Making "rules" sometimes makes them even harder, so looking out for examples and asking about them is essential.  

suzi br said: I can answer your question. = a definite statement of my ability. This implies that I intend to answer it. I could answer your question. = I have the ability but I might not do it. Modals are notoriously difficult to grasp and often the emphasis put in a sentence is as important as the word itself. Making "rules" sometimes makes them even harder, so looking out for examples and asking about them is essential. Click to expand...

He can finish his homework by tomorrow - this sounds like a schoolmaster granting a pupil permission, probably to have what my students used to call an extension - allowing them to hand in work later than previously agreed. or He could finish his homework by tomorrow - it would be possible for him to do so. This might be used to suggest that the pupil, in the circumstances under discussion, would be able to have his homework finished by tomorrow. While I've suggested circumstances in which these things might be said, to give an idea of one possibly appropriate context, I'm not saying that these are the only circumstances in which people might say or write these things.  

Hmm... I don't know how to explain this. So I'll write down the entire sentences of this scene. -------- Mouse took the cookies from the cookie jar! Who,me? Couldn't be! Please don't tease , I eat cheese. -------  

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• nguyenthinguyet0 - 19:29:51 09/06/2021

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33. Though he didn't finish his homework, he went to bed early. (dịch: Mặc dù anh ấy đã ko hoàn thành bài tập, anh ấy vẫn ngủ sớm, lưu ý cấu trúc  Although/Though/Even though ko có  but )

34.  Unless Linda studies hard, she will fail the exam. (dịch: Trừ khi Linda học hành chăm chỉ, cô ấy sẽ trượt bài thi, lưu ý vế có từ  unless ko bao giờ dùng những động từ mang tính phủ định, tức ko có  not )

35.  The taxi driver who took me to the airport was friendly. (dịch: Tài xế tắc xi mà đã chở tôi đến sân bay rất thân thiện) 

36.  It's such a difficult exercise that he can't do it.  (dịch: Thật là một bài tập khó khiến anh ấy ko thể làm được, cấu trúc  It's + such + (a/an) + N + that + S + V )

Hãy giúp mọi người biết câu trả lời này thế nào?

Camon bạn nhaaaa

You're welcome

33. Though he didn't finish his homework, he went to bed early. 

34. Unless Linda studies hard, she will fail the exam. 

35. The taxi driver who took me to the airport was friendly. 

36. It's such a difficult exercise that he can't do it. 

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