This grammar exercise tests your understanding of basic grammar rules. Complete the following sentences using an appropriate word or phrase.
1We went out ............... the rain.
Wrong!
Use the preposition phrase "in spite of" before a noun phrase.
2There is a school ............... my house.
Wrong!
Use "opposite" to mean on the other side of the road or facing something; "across" would need "from" (across from).
3If it ............... for his wife's money, he would never be a film producer.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "wasn't" and "weren't" are acceptable in this unreal conditional sentence.
4............... I realized what you intended, I wouldn't have permitted this.
Wrong!
Use "Had" to begin an inverted third conditional clause without if.
5Had we not cancelled our tickets, we ............... in the accident.
Wrong!
Use "would have been killed" for the passive result in a third conditional sentence.
6There is little ............... good evidence for flying saucers.
Wrong!
The phrase "if any" means that there may be none at all.
7I would have been in bad trouble if you ............... me.
Wrong!
Use "hadn't helped" in the if-clause of a third conditional sentence.
8You ............... better turn that music down before your dad gets angry.
Wrong!
The fixed expression is "had" better for strong advice.
9Take your coat and pass me ...............
Wrong!
Use the possessive pronoun "mine" when there is no noun after it.
10This house ............... in 1972.
Wrong!
Use "was built" for a completed passive action in the past.
Answers
- We went out in spite of the rain.
- There is a school opposite my house.
- If it wasn’t / weren’t for his wife’s money, he would never be a film producer.
- Had I realized what you intended, I wouldn’t have permitted this.
- Had we not cancelled our tickets, we would have been killed in the accident.
- There is little if any good evidence for flying saucers.
- I would have been in bad trouble if you hadn’t helped me.
- You had better turn that music down before your dad gets angry.
- Take your coat and pass me mine.
- This house was built in 1972.