Fill in the blanks.
1He has been a reliable friend ............... over twenty years.
Wrong!
Use "for" with a period of time such as "over twenty years".
2He had nothing left of his inheritance ............... his prodigal ways.
Wrong!
Use "because of" before a noun phrase such as "his prodigal ways".
3That restaurant has tolerable food, ............... I wouldn't take a gourmet friend there.
Wrong!
Use "but" to connect two contrasting ideas.
4Children get a better education today ............... at any time in the past.
Wrong!
Use "than" after a comparative adjective such as "better".
5My grandfather was a disciplinarian. He ............... never tolerate disobedience.
Wrong!
Use "could" for past ability or capacity.
6............... can authorize your leave.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"Only the supervisor" and "The supervisor alone" both mean that no one else has permission.
7He supplemented his earnings ............... a night job.
Wrong!
Use "by taking" to show the method he used to supplement his earnings.
8Our contract with the decorator stipulates the maximum amount he ............... charge us.
Wrong!
"Can" states the maximum amount the decorator is allowed to charge.
9Critics with different standards often ...............
Wrong!
Use "disagree" because the plural subject "Critics" needs a plural present simple verb.
10Even the small details should ............... thoroughly.
Wrong!
Use "be checked" after "should" to make a passive form.
11The salesman proclaimed that his tonic ............... cure all ills.
Wrong!
Use "would" for future-in-the-past after the past reporting verb "proclaimed".
12The prodigal went through money ............... it were water.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
"As if" and "as though" both introduce an unreal comparison here.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- He has been a reliable friend for over twenty years.
- He had nothing left of his inheritance because of his prodigal ways.
- That restaurant has tolerable food, but I wouldn’t take a gourmet friend there.
- Children get a better education today than at any time in the past.
- My grandfather was a disciplinarian. He could never tolerate disobedience.
- Only the supervisor / The supervisor alone can authorize your leave.
- He supplemented his earnings by taking a night job.
- Our contract with the decorator stipulates the maximum amount he can charge us.
- Critics with different standards often disagree.
- Even the small details should be checked thoroughly.
- The salesman proclaimed that his tonic would cure all ills.
- The prodigal went through money as if / as though it were water.