Fill in the blanks with an infinitive or a gerund.
1They held an elaborate ceremony ............... the demons.
Wrong!
Use the infinitive of purpose, so the correct answer is "to exorcise".
2The senator denied ever ............... such a statement.
Wrong!
After "deny," use a gerund, so the correct answer is "making".
3The men were asked ............... their grievances.
Wrong!
After the passive form "were asked," use an infinitive, so the correct answer is "to detail".
4His diffidence keeps him ............... friends.
Wrong!
The pattern is "keep someone from doing something," so the correct answer is "from making".
5Some foods are hard ............... .
Wrong!
After an adjective like "hard," use an infinitive, so the correct answer is "to digest".
6She is too dignified ............... anything silly.
Wrong!
The pattern is "too + adjective + to + verb," so the correct answer is "to do".
7Let me digress for a moment ............... you a little story.
Wrong!
Use the infinitive to show purpose, so the correct answer is "to tell".
8The medicine will dilate the blood vessels and prevent ............... .
Wrong!
After "prevent," use a gerund, so the correct answer is "clotting".
9His inheritance allows him ............... expensive hobbies.
Wrong!
The pattern is "allow someone to do something," so the correct answer is "to buy".
10The room was too dim for me ............... .
Wrong!
The pattern is "too + adjective + for someone + to + verb," so the correct answer is "to read".
11We need a diplomat ............... with this situation.
Wrong!
Use the infinitive after a noun to show purpose, so the correct answer is "to deal".
12I was directed ............... the budget.
Wrong!
After the passive form "was directed," use an infinitive, so the correct answer is "to cut".
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- They held an elaborate ceremony to exorcise the demons.
- The senator denied ever making such a statement.
- The men were asked to detail their grievances.
- His diffidence keeps him from making friends.
- Some foods are hard to digest.
- She is too dignified to do anything silly.
- Let me digress for a moment to tell you a little story.
- The medicine will dilate the blood vessels and prevent clotting.
- His inheritance allows him to buy expensive hobbies.
- The room was too dim for me to read.
- We need a diplomat to deal with this situation.
- I was directed to cut the budget.
