• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Home of English Grammar
  • Home
  • Course
  • Exercises
  • Grammar Rules
  • Matches
  • Posts
  • Tools
    • Grammar Checker
    • Very Replacer
    • Word Counter
  • Vocabulary Lists
  • Archives
    • Social Media Posts
    • Writing Guides
  • Sign in
  • Join free

Sentence Correction: Unnecessary Words after Despite and Tell Exercise

November 4, 2017 B1pdf

In each of the following sentences you have to remove a word to make them grammatically correct. Identify that word which needs to be removed.

Progress 0 of 12 answered
1He went to work despite of his illness.
Wrong!
Remove "of" because "despite" is used without "of" before a noun phrase.
2Raju, who he is my best friend, is a writer.
Wrong!
Remove "he" because the relative pronoun "who" already acts as the subject of the clause.
3No matter what that I do, I can't make her happy.
Wrong!
Remove "that" because "no matter what" is not followed by "that" in this structure.
4She is busy at the work and won't be home before 10:30.
Wrong!
Remove "the" because the fixed expression is "at work".
5I have decided to quit my job a week ago.
Wrong!
Remove "have" because the present perfect is not used with a finished past-time expression such as "a week ago".
6You should complain of if you are not happy with the service you receive.
Wrong!
Remove "of" because "complain" is used without it before an if-clause.
7You had better not to wake him up when you get home.
Wrong!
Remove "to" because "had better" is followed by the base form of the verb.
8You should tell to me exactly what happened there.
Wrong!
Remove "to" because "tell" is followed directly by the person told.
9He is clever, but he lacks of experience.
Wrong!
Remove "of" because "lack" takes a direct object without a preposition.
10She does not resemble to either of her parents.
Wrong!
Remove "to" because "resemble" takes a direct object without a preposition.
11I have written to every my friend I have.
Wrong!
Remove "my" because "every" is not used before a possessive adjective in this noun phrase.
12I don't speak of either French or German.
Wrong!
Remove "of" because "speak" takes language names directly in this meaning.

Exercise complete

0/ out of 12 correct answers
Challenge a friend
More Exercises →

Answers

  1. He went to work despite of his illness. — of
  2. Raju, who he is my best friend, is a writer. — he
  3. No matter what that I do, I can’t make her happy. — that
  4. She is busy at the work and won’t be home before 10:30. — the
  5. I have decided to quit my job a week ago. — have
  6. You should complain of if you are not happy with the service you receive. — of
  7. You had better not to wake him up when you get home. — to
  8. You should tell to me exactly what happened there. — to
  9. He is clever, but he lacks of experience. — of
  10. She does not resemble to either of her parents. — to
  11. I have written to every my friend I have. — my
  12. I don’t speak of either French or German. — of

Improve your English grammar, vocabulary and writing

We take you step by step from beginner to advanced, even if you struggled with English at school or have always had trouble remembering the rules.

  • 11 modules, 124 lessons and 812 questions
  • Just log in and learn anytime and anywhere
  • Your progress is saved in your account
  • Download the 2027 Grammar Guide (PDF)

Related lesson in the course Contrast and time: although, despite, however, while Module 08: Clauses and reporting · Lesson 8

Join free

Already have an account? Sign in

See what’s in the course

Primary Sidebar

2.4M760.9K165.9K

Free 2027 Grammar Guide

  • Download Grammar Guide (PDF)
  • Online grammar course, A1 to C2
  • Weekly exercises and vocabulary
  • Join over 3 million English learners

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

Already have an account? Sign in

Grammar Checker - Try Now

Matches Rankings

    No results yet. Be the first to finish today’s Daily.

      No results yet. Be the first to finish today’s Daily.

        No results yet. Be the first to finish today’s Daily.

          No results yet. Be the first to finish today’s Daily.

          Play Matches

          Latest Posts

          • What “mytacism” means: excessive or faulty use of the m sound November 9, 2026
          • 100 Best Synonyms for “Self Control” November 9, 2026
          • 100 Best Synonyms for “Obsession” November 9, 2026
          • 100 Best Synonyms for “Essence” November 9, 2026
          • 100 Best Synonyms for “Self Consciousness” November 9, 2026
          • Unstated, unspoken, implied, implicit, tacit and understood: How to choose November 9, 2026
          • 100 Best Synonyms for “Eliminate” November 9, 2026
          • 100 Words Every Microsoft Word User Should Know November 9, 2026
          • 100 Best Synonyms for “Nuance” November 9, 2026
          • 100 Best Synonyms for “Self Conscious” November 9, 2026
          Home of English Grammar

          Free exercises, a step-by-step grammar course, rules and vocabulary lists, with new exercises every week. Join the leading English grammar site with over 3 million followers.

          Join free

          Learn

          • Exercises
          • Grammar course
          • Level test
          • Matches
          • Grammar rules
          • Vocabulary lists
          • Writing guides
          • Online tools

          More

          • Top social media posts
          • Various posts
          • Contact

          Account

          • Join free
          • Free grammar guide (PDF)

          Copyright © 2026 EnglishGrammar.org

          • Disclaimer
          • Privacy policy
          • Terms
          • Sitemap