Fill in the blanks.
1. Moles have the habit …………………………. in the earth.
Habit is followed by of + ing form.
2. Working on the farm habituated him ……………………………… early.
Here the ‘to’ is a preposition. Prepositions are followed by ing forms.
3. They were accused ……………………………… him bodily harm.
Accused is followed by of + ing form.
4. What is the harm ………………………………. a little fun?
Harm is followed by in + -ing.
5. The old man’s hatred ……………………………… has made him a recluse.
Hatred is followed by of.
6. He humbugged me ………………………………. his story.
We use into + ing form after humbug + object.
7. Alaskans are accustomed ……………………………… in cold weather.
Accustomed is followed by to + noun/ing form.
8. My teacher dissuaded me …………………………….. accepting the job.
Dissuade is followed by from + ing form.
9. I hate to disillusion you but your chances …………………………….. are nil.
10. I forbid you …………………………………. out after midnight.
Forbid can be followed by a to-infinitive or from + ing form.
11. She does a lot of work for the poor but her modesty forbids her ……………………………….. talking about it.
12. I was forbidden ………………………………. to her.
Answers
1. Moles have the habit of burrowing in the earth.
2. Working on the farm habituated him to rising early.
3. They were accused of doing him bodily harm.
4. What is the harm in having a little fun?
5. The old man’s hatred of people has made him a recluse.
6. He humbugged me into believing his story.
7. Alaskans are accustomed to living in cold weather.
8. My teacher dissuaded me from accepting the job.
9. I hate to disillusion you but your chances of winning are nil.
10. I forbid you to stay / from staying out after midnight.
11. She does a lot of work for the poor but her modesty forbids her from talking about it. 12. I was forbidden to talk / from talking to her.
