Test your understanding of basic grammar rules and sentence patterns with this exercise. Complete each of the following sentences with an appropriate word or phrase.
1The meeting will start at six o’clock ...............
Wrong!
After an exact time, "sharp" means precisely or punctually.
2You shouldn’t have spoken to her rather ...............
Wrong!
The adverb "sharply" describes speaking in a harsh or severe way.
3Under no circumstances ............... allowed in the pub.
Wrong!
After negative fronting with "Under no circumstances", use inversion: "are kids".
4He launched his own business after ............... from the US.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "after", both "returning" and "having returned" can describe the earlier action.
5She is ............... as her husband.
Wrong!
The comparison uses the phrase "the same age" before "as".
6She ............... a few minutes ago.
Wrong!
With "a few minutes ago", use the simple past "arrived".
7............... was there.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "Hardly anybody" and "Almost nobody" mean that very few people were there.
8They were quarreling all ............... the journey.
Wrong!
For an action continuing for the whole journey, use "through".
9You could go by train, or ............... you could hire a taxi.
Wrong!
To introduce another possible choice, use the adverb "alternatively".
10We have been living ............... this street for ten years.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
With street names, both "in" and "on" are acceptable: "in" in British English and "on" in American English.
11You look ............... with a beard.
Wrong!
After the linking verb "look", use the adjective "different".
12Why don’t you do something for ...............?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
After "for", both "other people" and "others" are natural plural object choices here.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- The meeting will start at six o’clock sharp
- You shouldn’t have spoken to her rather sharply
- Under no circumstances are kids allowed in the pub.
- He launched his own business after returning / having returned from the US.
- She is the same age as her husband.
- She arrived a few minutes ago.
- Hardly anybody / Almost nobody was there.
- They were quarreling all through the journey.
- You could go by train, or alternatively you could hire a taxi.
- We have been living in / on this street for ten years.
- You look different with a beard.
- Why don’t you do something for other people / others?
