Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1The committee promised to publish the figures, but failed to ............... before the hearing.
Wrong!
Use "do so" to substitute for the whole verb phrase 'publish the figures' in formal written English; 'do it' would suggest performing a specific act or handling an object, not neatly replacing the verb phrase here.
2The bridge would withstand stronger winds than the temporary scaffolding ...............
Wrong!
In a reduced comparative clause, the auxiliary must match the modal in the main clause, so "would" stands for 'would withstand'.
3The rumours may be accurate; if ..............., several executives will have to resign.
Wrong!
After 'if', "so" can substitute for an affirmative clause such as 'the rumours are accurate'.
4The breach looks serious, though I hope ...............
Wrong!
After verbs such as 'hope', "not" substitutes for a negative clause: 'I hope it isn't as serious as it looks.'
5The auditors reached the same conclusion, and ............... did the board.
Wrong!
With inversion in the pattern 'so + auxiliary + subject', "so" means 'also/in the same way'.
6They deny having been warned, but they ............... — repeatedly.
Wrong!
Because the denial concerns the past simple verb 'warned', the emphatic elliptical reply uses "did".
7If the original proposal proves unworkable, we can draft a more pragmatic ...............
Wrong!
Use "one" to substitute for a singular count noun phrase: 'a proposal'.
8The responses from the control group were less consistent than those ............... the pilot group.
Wrong!
After "those", do not add 'ones'; "in" correctly begins the postmodifier identifying the omitted plural noun.
9Their estimate is more conservative than ...............
Wrong!
Use the independent possessive pronoun "ours" when the following noun is omitted.
10The consultants anticipated the delay earlier ...............
Wrong!
In an ordinary comparative clause without fronted negative or formal subject-auxiliary inversion, use "than we did".
11Will the chair object to a brief postponement? I think ...............
Wrong!
After 'think' in this kind of short answer, "not" substitutes for a negative clause: 'I think she won't object.'
12The vaccine may be approved by June; if ..............., the trial will be extended.
Wrong!
In 'if not', "not" substitutes for the negative of the preceding possibility: 'if the vaccine is not approved'.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- The committee promised to publish the figures, but failed to do so before the hearing.
- The bridge would withstand stronger winds than the temporary scaffolding would .
- The rumours may be accurate; if so, several executives will have to resign.
- The breach looks serious, though I hope not .
- The auditors reached the same conclusion, and so did the board.
- They deny having been warned, but they did — repeatedly.
- If the original proposal proves unworkable, we can draft a more pragmatic one .
- The responses from the control group were less consistent than those in the pilot group.
- Their estimate is more conservative than ours .
- The consultants anticipated the delay earlier than we did .
- Will the chair object to a brief postponement? I think not .
- The vaccine may be approved by June; if not, the trial will be extended.