Fill in the blanks.
1. This material is inferior ............................... that.
After words like inferior and superior, we use 'to', not 'than'.
2. Do you prefer ................................ of chocolate?
The words kind, class, sort, type etc. are all singular and should be used with this or that to modify a singular noun. The words kinds, sorts etc. are used with these and those to modify a plural noun
3. The garden shears .................................... used to clip the hedge.
Nouns like tongs, shears, tweezers, scissors etc. are always plural and should be used with plural verbs, unless of course the singular aspect is indicated by using ‘a pair of’
4. Each of the students ....................................... asked to contribute their bit.
Each and every should be followed by a singular verb.
5. A strimmer is a machine .................................... grass and weeds.
We use 'for + ing form' to denote the purpose of an object.
6. To ..................................., he lost his job.
There are two words in no one. The possessive form of one is one's.
7. You ........................................... working hard.
When there are two auxiliaries, the adverb usually goes after the first.
8. That kind of ....................................... not give me any amusement.
The words kind, class, sort, type etc. are all singular and should be used with this or that to modify a singular noun. The words kinds, sorts etc. are used with these and those to modify a plural noun.
9. There is a slight ......................................... between the two shades.
Difference is a noun; different is an adjective. After an adjective (slight), we need a noun.
10. Few historians have written more .................................... than Gibbon.
Interesting is an adjective. Interestingly is an adverb. We need an adverb to modify the verb 'have written'.
11. Our army ............................................. the enemy.
The position of the object at the end clearly indicates that this sentence is in the active voice.
12. Helen of Troy was more beautiful than ...................................
The expressions all women and any woman include Helen as well. So, if you used those options, the sentence would mean that Helen was more beautiful than she herself.
Answers
1. This material is inferior to that.
2. Do you prefer this sort of chocolate?
3. The garden shears were used to clip the hedge.
4. Each of the students was asked to contribute their bit.
5. A strimmer is a machine for cutting grass and weeds.
6. To no one’s surprise, he lost his job.
7. You have definitely been working hard.
8. That kind of joke does not give me any amusement.
9. There is a slight difference between the two shades.
10. Few historians have written more interestingly than Gibbon.
11. Our army has defeated the enemy.
12. Helen of Troy was more beautiful than any other woman.