Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the verb given in the brackets.
1The man complained that he ...............
Wrong!
In reported speech after a past reporting verb, use the past perfect passive "had been robbed" for an earlier completed action.
2She asked me if she ............... use my laptop.
Wrong!
In reported speech after "asked", the past form "could" reports a request for permission.
3I want to know why you ............... to me.
Wrong!
With the subject "you" in a present simple negative clause, use "don't talk".
4I waited for hours, but she ...............
Wrong!
After "didn't", use the base form of the verb, so the correct phrase is "didn't turn up".
5If you ............... a little faster, you could overtake her.
Wrong!
In a second conditional if-clause, use the past simple form "ran".
6It is time you ............... blaming others for your failures.
Wrong!
After "It is time", use the past simple form "stopped" with a present meaning.
7I wish I ............... fly.
Wrong!
For an unreal present wish about ability, use "could".
8What will you do if you ............... that job?
Wrong!
In a first conditional if-clause, use the present simple form "don't get".
9By next September, I ............... in this college for twenty years.
Wrong!
Use the future perfect "will have taught" for something completed by a future time.
10I asked her what she ............... there.
Wrong!
In reported speech after "asked", use the past continuous form "was doing" for an action in progress then.
11We ............... the job by next Monday.
Wrong!
Use the future perfect "will have finished" for an action completed by a future deadline.
12He ............... ill for two months before he died.
Wrong!
Use the past perfect "had been" for a state that continued before another past event.
Answers
- The man complained that he had been robbed.
- She asked me if she could use my laptop.
- I want to know why you don’t talk to me.
- I waited for hours, but she didn’t turn up.
- If you ran a little faster, you could overtake her.
- It is time you stopped blaming others for your failures.
- I wish I could fly.
- What will you do if you don’t get that job?
- By next September, I will have taught in this college for twenty years.
- I asked her what she was doing there.
- We will have finished the job by next Monday.
- He had been ill for two months before he died.
