Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1I thought the meeting ............... quick, but it dragged on for three hours.
Wrong!
Use "would be" for a past expectation about a later state.
2She ............... when she realised she had left her passport at home.
Wrong!
Use "was about to leave" for an action that was going to happen very soon in the past.
3He promised that by the time I got back on Friday, he ............... the report, so I stopped chasing him.
Wrong!
Use "would have finished" for something expected to be complete before a future time seen from the past.
4We were told the new software ............... automatically overnight, but nothing happened.
Wrong!
Use "would update" for an expected future action reported from a past viewpoint.
5I was sure the CEO ............... the deal, yet she walked away at the last minute.
Wrong!
Use "would sign" for a past expectation about a later decision.
6They were due to ............... at noon, so the venue staff started setting up early.
Wrong!
After "were due to", use the base verb "arrive" for a scheduled future event in the past.
7I didn’t realise at the time that this small mistake ............... me my job.
Wrong!
Use "would cost" for a later consequence seen from a past moment.
8She was on the verge of ............... the truth, but her phone rang.
Wrong!
After "on the verge of", use the gerund "telling" for something almost happening.
9We were to ............... the client at 6, but the train strike ruined the plan.
Wrong!
After "were to", use the base verb "meet" for an arranged future event in the past.
10I knew the moment I hit send that the email ............... trouble.
Wrong!
Use "would cause" for a later result predicted from a past moment.
11He said he ............... call me, but he never did.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "was going to" and "would" can report a future intention from a past viewpoint.
12I assumed the flight ............... delayed, so I didn’t rush to the airport.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "would be" and "was going to be" can express a past assumption about a later state.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- I thought the meeting would be quick, but it dragged on for three hours.
- She was about to leave when she realised she had left her passport at home.
- He promised that by the time I got back on Friday, he would have finished the report, so I stopped chasing him.
- We were told the new software would update automatically overnight, but nothing happened.
- I was sure the CEO would sign the deal, yet she walked away at the last minute.
- They were due to arrive at noon, so the venue staff started setting up early.
- I didn’t realise at the time that this small mistake would cost me my job.
- She was on the verge of telling the truth, but her phone rang.
- We were to meet the client at 6, but the train strike ruined the plan.
- I knew the moment I hit send that the email would cause trouble.
- He said he was going to / would call me, but he never did.
- I assumed the flight would be / was going to be delayed, so I didn’t rush to the airport.