Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1............... , the consultant never explained how the new system would protect confidential data.
Wrong!
Use "The thing is" before a comma to introduce the main point or problem in the following clause.
2The thing is ............... the figures were collected before the policy changed.
Wrong!
After "The thing is" in this formal version, use "that" to introduce the complete clause: "that".
3............... , even a generous budget will not solve a shortage of trained staff.
Wrong!
In a statement that introduces the real obstacle, use "The thing is", not question word order.
4The thing is ............... she promised delivery by Friday, but the contract says only "within ten working days".
Wrong!
When "The thing is" is used as a separate focusing comment before a full clause, a comma is natural: ",".
5............... , the witness remembered the logo but not the driver.
Wrong!
Use the fixed expression "The thing is" to focus on the key point; "A thing is" is not used this way.
6The ............... is, our department can approve the design but not the extra funding.
Wrong!
The idiomatic focusing expression here is "thing": "The thing is".
7The ............... is, we have permission to film inside the museum only before it opens.
Wrong!
The fixed focusing phrase is singular: "thing".
8The thing ............... , the software works offline but synchronises only when the user logs in again.
Wrong!
In the fixed expression "The thing is", "thing" is singular, so the verb is "is".
9............... , I can recommend the candidate's research, not her management experience.
Wrong!
Use the fixed singular expression "The thing is" to introduce the key reservation.
10............... , the board wants evidence of demand before it releases the remaining funds.
Wrong!
Use "The thing is" to introduce the central problem; "because" would leave the sentence as a dependent fragment.
11The thing is ............... which assumption failed before we redesign the whole model.
Wrong!
When "The thing is" means "the important task is", an infinitive can state the aim: "to identify".
12............... , the archive is complete, but most of the files are still unindexed.
Wrong!
To flag the crucial reservation before a complete clause, use "The thing is".
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- The thing is , the consultant never explained how the new system would protect confidential data.
- The thing is that the figures were collected before the policy changed.
- The thing is , even a generous budget will not solve a shortage of trained staff.
- The thing is, she promised delivery by Friday, but the contract says only “within ten working days”.
- The thing is , the witness remembered the logo but not the driver.
- The thing is, our department can approve the design but not the extra funding.
- The thing is, we have permission to film inside the museum only before it opens.
- The thing is , the software works offline but synchronises only when the user logs in again.
- The thing is , I can recommend the candidate’s research, not her management experience.
- The thing is , the board wants evidence of demand before it releases the remaining funds.
- The thing is to identify which assumption failed before we redesign the whole model.
- The thing is , the archive is complete, but most of the files are still unindexed.
