Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1Despite the late start, we managed to finish the report ............... the deadline.
Wrong!
Use the fixed expression 'in time for' to mean before it is too late.
2Neither the manager nor the assistants ............... willing to take responsibility for the error.
Wrong!
With 'neither...nor', the verb usually agrees with the noun closest to it, here 'assistants' (plural).
3I’d rather you ............... me about the change before telling the whole team.
Wrong!
After 'I’d rather you', use the past simple to talk about a present preference.
4Hardly ............... the meeting started when the fire alarm went off.
Wrong!
After 'hardly', use inversion: 'Hardly had' plus past participle.
5She’s one of the few people who ............... calm when everyone else panics.
Wrong!
The verb refers to 'people' (plural), so use a plural verb.
6If I ............... you, I’d ask for the terms in writing before agreeing.
Wrong!
In hypothetical advice, use 'If I were you'.
7This is the first time I ............... such a convincing argument for that policy.
Wrong!
With 'This is the first time', use the present perfect.
8The more carefully you read the contract, the ............... likely you are to miss hidden fees.
Wrong!
The correct comparative structure is 'the less likely'.
9He insisted on paying for dinner, ............... I offered to split the bill twice.
Wrong!
Use 'even though' to show contrast despite the offers.
10She’s ............... honest person, but she can be blunt in meetings.
Wrong!
Use 'an' before a vowel sound, and 'honest' starts with a vowel sound.
11I have ............... finished the draft, so please don’t send it to the client yet.
Wrong!
Use 'not yet' to mean it is still unfinished up to now.
12No sooner ............... I sat down than my phone started ringing again.
Wrong!
After 'no sooner', use inversion: 'No sooner had' plus past participle.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- Despite the late start, we managed to finish the report in time for the deadline.
- Neither the manager nor the assistants were willing to take responsibility for the error.
- I’d rather you told me about the change before telling the whole team.
- Hardly had the meeting started when the fire alarm went off.
- She’s one of the few people who remain calm when everyone else panics.
- If I were you, I’d ask for the terms in writing before agreeing.
- This is the first time I have heard such a convincing argument for that policy.
- The more carefully you read the contract, the less likely you are to miss hidden fees.
- He insisted on paying for dinner, even though I offered to split the bill twice.
- She’s an honest person, but she can be blunt in meetings.
- I have not yet finished the draft, so please don’t send it to the client yet.
- No sooner had I sat down than my phone started ringing again.
