Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word or phrase.
1. I earn ………………………. money than my wife.
We use less with uncountable nouns and fewer with countable nouns.
2. I have got ………………………… problems than I used to have.
We use fewer with plural nouns.
3. Choose the ………………………… of the two evils.
Lesser can mean smaller in a rather formal style.
4. The government must take immediate action, lest the problem ……………………….. worse.
Lest can be followed by should + infinitive or a subjunctive verb.
5. Let’s take a short break, ………………………?
Shall we is used as a question tag after let’s.
6. ‘Let’s go for a walk, shall we?’ Yes, ………………………’
Let’s is used in short answers.
7. I don’t let the children …………………………. up late.
Let is followed by an infinitive without to.
8. He worked ………………………….. a driver for five years.
As is used to say what function or role a person or thing has.
9. ……………………….. people can learn a foreign language perfectly.
Only a few means the same as few. It is more common in an informal style.
10. Cactuses need ……………………….. water.
Only a little means the same as little.
11. The play was …………………………. interesting.
We cannot use little to modify other adjectives and adverbs.
12. I waited ……………………………… but he didn’t come.
We do not normally use long in affirmative clauses.
Answers
1. I earn less money than my wife.
2. I have got fewer problems than I used to have.
3. Choose the lesser of the two evils.
4. The government must take immediate action, lest the problem get / should get worse.
5. Let’s take a short break, shall we?
6. ‘Let’s go for a walk, shall we?’ ‘Yes, let’s.’
7. I don’t let the children stay up late.
8. He worked as a driver for five years.
9. Few / only a few people can learn a foreign language perfectly.
10. Cactuses need little / only a little water.
11. The play was not very interesting.
12. I waited for a long time but he didn’t come.
