This grammar exercise tests your understanding of rules regarding the use of verbs in English.
1. He appears to be very ……………………… today.
Appear is a copular verb. We use adjectives, not adverbs, to modify copular verbs.
2. She doesn’t want to continue her studies. It ……………………. a pity.
Seem can be used to talk about subjective impressions and feelings. Appear is mainly used to talk about objective facts.
3. She seems ………………………… an attitude problem.
We use a to-infinitive after seem.
4. I hope …………………………. a good job soon.
We use a to-infinitive after hope.
5. It is not easy ………………………… smoking.
We use a to-infinitive after easy.
6. I suggest ……………………………. a lawyer.
Suggest can be followed by an ing form or a that-clause. It cannot be followed by a to-infinitive.
7. The doctor recommended …………………………… down on my sugar intake.
After recommend you can write an ing form or a that-clause. You cannot write a to-infinitive.
8. The doctor recommended …………………….. a long break.
After recommend you can write an ing form or a that-clause. You cannot write a to-infinitive.
9. The boy insisted ………………………….. nothing wrong.
We use a that-clause after insist.
10. Now that I am getting older, I tend ………………………. things.
We use a to-infinitive after tend.
11. Let’s cut it ………………………..
Here short is the complement of the object it. Object complements are usually adjectives or nouns.
12. I find her attitude …………………………
Here strange is the complement of the object attitude. Object complements are usually adjectives or nouns.
Answers
1. He appears to be very angry today.
2. She doesn’t want to continue her studies. It seems a pity.
3. She seems to have an attitude problem.
4. I hope to get a good job soon.
5. It is not easy to stop smoking.
6. I suggest seeing / that you see a lawyer.
7. The doctor recommended that I cut down on my sugar intake.
8. The doctor recommended taking / that I take a long break.
9. The boy insisted that he did nothing wrong.
10. Now that I am getting older, I tend to forget things.
11. Let’s cut it short.
12. I find her attitude strange.
