Test your understanding of English grammar rules and sentence patterns with this exercise. Complete the following sentences with an appropriate word or phrase. Choose your answers from the given options.
1This is the first time I ............... a concert.
Wrong!
After "This is the first time," use the present perfect "have seen".
2This is ............... gift I have ever bought.
Wrong!
The superlative form before this noun phrase is "the most expensive".
3No one has seen him ............... January.
Wrong!
Use "since" with a starting point such as January.
4She succeeded at ............... very first attempt.
Wrong!
The fixed phrase is "at the very first attempt," so the correct option is "the".
5I injured ............... while playing football yesterday.
Wrong!
When the subject and object are the same person, use "myself".
6Be a responsible citizen and ............... your taxes.
Wrong!
Use "pay" directly before taxes, bills, and fees.
7I have ............... the drinks.
Wrong!
Use "paid for" before goods or services that you bought.
8He hadn't ............... his fee, so he could not write the exam.
Wrong!
Use "paid" directly before a fee, so the correct option is "paid".
9Who ............... the dinner?
Wrong!
For a meal, use "paid for" to mean covered the cost.
10If the rain ..............., I would take the dog out for a walk.
Wrong!
In this second conditional sentence, the if-clause uses the past simple "stopped" with "would" in the main clause.
11If I knew who did it, I ............... his leg.
Wrong!
In this second conditional sentence, the main clause uses "would break".
12He ran as ............... as he could.
Wrong!
The verb "ran" needs the adverb "quickly".
Answers
- This is the first time I have seen a concert.
- This is the most expensive gift I have ever bought.
- No one has seen him since January.
- She succeeded at the very first attempt.
- I injured myself while playing football yesterday.
- Be a responsible citizen and pay your taxes.
- I have paid for the drinks.
- He hadn’t paid his fee, so he could not write the exam.
- Who paid for the dinner?
- If the rain stopped, I would take the dog out for a walk.
- If I knew who did it, I would break his leg.
- He ran as quickly as he could.