BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

KEYS TO GRAMMAR EXERCISES

CHAPTER 1: PHRASES
C1, U1: PHRASES ACCORDING TO 4. (Otto), busily mixing the formula, didn’t
STRUCTURES notice the water in (the beaker) boiling dry.
PARTICIPIAL PHRASES 5. Running to catch a bus, (Doris) tripped and
sprained ankle.
Exercise 1: Underline the Participles of
Participial Phrases used as Adjectives and cross 6. Having got home, (he) went to sleep
out the Participles used as Verbs in the following immediately.
sentences.
7. (Alex), looking very unhappy, was leaning
1. The dancer, gyrating wildly, was discovered to against the fence, watching the game.
be insane.
8. Marching up to the counters, (the woman)
2. My brother, taking a calculus class, has pointed to through the stack o freshly folded
forgotten all his algebra. shirts.
3. The crazy dancer was taking a basket-weaving 9. Forest fires are often caused by smoldering
class instead of calculus. (embers) left by careless campers or
picnickers.
4. Pushing aside all his inhibitions, my brother
will dance while he is memorizing his 10. Blinded by the dazzling (snow), almost frozen
geometric formulae. after the long journey, (the explorer) had great
difficulty in finding and striking his matches.
5. Unfortunately, the Spanish class fulfilling my
language requirement includes my brother and
the dancer.
Exercise 3: Wherever possible, change the
6. Usually, a class harboring insane dancers and subordinate clauses into participial phrases.
incompetent brothers is a difficult learning
1. The tune that is being played is quite familiar
environment.
to me.
7. Rising out of the sea in front of us, the sun - The tune that is (being) played is quite
started to warm our faces. familiar to me.
8. Printed on the very first press, the document 2. When the work was done, they went home.
was extremely valuable. - When The work (being) done, they went
home.
9. Broken by a government whistle-blower, the
news is all over the media. 3. When I had done my work, I went home.
- Having done my work, I went home.
10. These days most people are using email
instead of writing letters. 4. They could not make the trip as they had no
money.
- Having no money, they could not make a trip.
5. The letter you sent to me arrived safely.
Exercise 2: Each of the following sentences - The letter you sent to me arrived safely.
contains one or more participles. Underline all
6. Do you know the lady who is just entering the
of these participles and then circle the word that
house?
each participle qualifies.
- Do you know the lady who is (just) entering
1. All broken test (tubes) must be replaced by the the house?
chemistry students.
7. As she was afraid, she did not want to go
2. Bill appeared on the stage, his (face) painted home alone.
beyond recognition. - Being afraid, she did not want to go home
alone.
3. I saw (him) leaning out the window, shouting
and waving at the passer-by. 8. Although he was badly hurt, he walked all the
way home.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

- (Being) badly hurt, he walked all the way 4. We weren’t particularly eager to appear in the
home. variety show. (Adverb modifies ‘eager’)
9. If the weather permits, we shall leave early. 5. Ann went to Canada to visit relatives for a
- The weather permitting, we shall leave early. week, and then decided to work there.
(Adverb modifies ‘went’, O of ‘decided’)
10. As I had broken my pen, I had to buy a new
one. 6. Don is sure to forget the key if you don’t
- Having broken my pen, I had to buy a new remind him. (Adverb modifies ‘sure’)
one.
7. To be successful doesn’t necessarily mean to
be wealthy. (Subject, Object/Complement)
GERUND PHRASES 8. Does Mr Theodore intend to come on Saturday
to play for the auditions? (O of ‘intend’;
Exercise 4: Underline the gerund phrases and
Adverb)
then tell their functions.
9. Sometimes it is hard to understand dad’s
1. Joining club is a good way of meeting new
mood. (Adverb modifies ‘hard’)
people. (S of V; O of Prep.)
10. She wants to know if anyone has an umbrella
2. Harold doesn’t like making speeches in front
to lend her. (O of ‘wants’, Adverb modifies
of the class. (O of V)
‘has’/Adjective modifies ‘umbrella’)
3. Standing next to Ed made Joan appear taller
than she is. (S of V)
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
4. All Bill’s friends have been worrying about his
quitting school in June. (O of prep) Exercise 6: Underline the Prepositional Phrases
and circle the Preposition in the following
5. We ended by going downtown and watching
sentences.
the parade. (O.s of Prep.s)
Example: The cat is hiding behind the door.
6. Without a doubt dancing helps in developing
grace, poise, and confidence. (S of V; O of 1. The teenager in the red jacket ran past the
Prep.) door.
7. After looking all over the house for the 2. Under the tree in the back of the lawn is a
missing copy of Hamlet, Helen stopped wrecked car.
searching and bought a new one. (O of Prep; O
3. Among young men, suits and ties are not the
of V)
fashion.
8. Without having stirred from his chair, Nero
4. I would love to dance in The Nutcracker like
Wolfe had succeeded in solving the mystery.
you.
(O of Prep; O of Prep)
5. Between you and me, I think this exercise is
9. The reporter’s constant worry is meeting a
too easy.
deadline. (Complement)
6. We will be back in a few days.
10. Larry’s first job, interviewing Mickey Mantle,
made him the envy of the staff. (Appositive) 7. We’ve got a new television with a thirty one
inch screen.
8. The lion was killed by the hunter.
9. Helen is the girl in the red dress.
INFINITIVE PHRASES
10. They drove to Glasgow.
Exercise 5: Underline the infinitive phrases in
the following sentences and tell their functions in
the sentence.
1. Doris’s only ambition is to become a great
Exercise 7: Underline the prepositional phrases
actress. (complement)
in the following sentences and tell whether the
2. Young people should learn to think for phrase is used as an Adjective or Adverb.
themselves. (Object of ‘learn’)
1. We scrambled over the fence and ran through
3. Bert’s summer job, clerking in a store, helped the orchard at break-neck speed.
(to) pay his college expenses. (O of ‘helped’) (Adverb, Adverb, Adverb)
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

2. The girl with black hair is Jerry’s cousin from 5. My hands were so cold I dropped the script
Washington D.C. (Adjective, Adjective) several times. S of V, O of V, modifier of V
3. By Friday the girls in the first tent were no 6. Our closest friends have just bought
longer speaking to each other. a new house in the village. S of V, O of V, O of
(Adverb, Adjective, Adverb) prep.
4. Martha piled Tommy’s toys behind Dad’s 7. Both of my younger brothers are married. S of
chair, flicked dust cloth over the tables, and V
smoothed the cushions on the sofa. (Adverb, Both of my younger brothers are married. O of
Adjective, Adjective) prep.
5. The sweet potatoes in the vegetable bin are 8. The eight-year-old boy attempted to rob a
green with mold. (Adjective, Adverb) sweet shop with a pistol. S of V, O of V, O of
prep.
6. The new tennis ball rolled off the table and
bounced down the porch stairs into a puddle of 9. That attractive young woman in the blue dress
water. (Adverb, Adverb, Adverb) sitting over there in the corner is my aunt. S of
V
7. He quickly stood up from an arm-chair and
That attractive young woman in the blue dress
stepped out of the room. (Adverb, Adverb)
sitting over there in the corner is my aunt. O of
8. In spite of his sarcasm I knew he was happy prep., O of prep., SC
about his job. (Adverb, Adverb)
10. Many buildings were destroyed in the
9. Ken was sitting between Alice and Sue in the earthquake. S of V, O of prep.
booth near the window. (Adv, Adv, Adv)
11. Akbar's son Prince Sultan Salim, later known
10. Because of her encouraging remarks, he has as Jehangir, wrote that nobody could make out
been working like a steam engine. that Akbar was an illiterate. S of V, SC
(Adverb, Adverb)
12. Akbar was a very hard-working King. SC
13. Birbal is surely one of the most popular figures
in Indian history equally regarded by adults
and children. SC
NOUN PHRASES BASED ON THEIR
Birbal is surely one of the most popular figures
STRUCTURES
in Indian history equally regarded by adults
Exercise 8: Underline the noun phrases based on and children. O of prep.
their structure in each sentence and tell their Birbal is surely one of the most popular figures
function. in Indian history equally regarded by adults
and children. O of prep.
1. As an actor, I had appeared in innumerable Birbal is surely one of the most popular figures
school broadcasts. O of prep., O of prep. in Indian history equally regarded by adults
2. It was a humorous programme, but sometimes and children. O of prep.
it also managed to raise controversial issues. 14. Birbal's duties in Akbar's court were mostly
SC, O of V administrative and military but he was a very
3. That week’s programme had a piece on the close friend of Akbar too, because Akbar
impossibility of avoiding any mention of the loved his wisdom, wit and subtle humor. S of
war. S of V, O of V V, SC, O of V
That week’s programme had a piece on the Birbal's duties in Akbar's court were mostly
impossibility of avoiding any mention of the administrative and military but he was a very
war. O of prep. close friend of Akbar too, because Akbar
That week’s programme had a piece on the loved his wisdom, wit and subtle humor. O of
impossibility of avoiding any mention of the prep.
war. O of V 15. He was a minister in the administration of
That week’s programme had a piece on the Mogul Emperor Akbar and one of the
impossibility of avoiding any mention of the members of inner council of nine advisors. SC
war. O of prep. He was a minister in the administration of
4. I was filming The Paras at the time, and my Mogul Emperor Akbar and one of the
manager had to come down to Wales with the members of inner council of nine advisors. O
script. O of V, O of prep., S of V, O of prep., O of prep., O of prep.
of prep. He was a minister in the administration of
Mogul Emperor Akbar and one of the
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

members of inner council of nine advisors. O 7. The dress was too small for her.
of prep., O of prep.
8. She's not old enough to get married.
He was a minister in the administration of
Mogul Emperor Akbar and one of the 9. You're too young to have grandchildren!
members of inner council of nine advisors. O
10. The teacher was rather nice.
of prep.
11. Why are you so angry about it?
16. He was a poet and an author too. SC
12. I was pleased with the present you gave me.
17. It is believed that he was a son of poor
Braahman of Trivikrampur on the banks of 13. I'm not ashamed of what I did.
River Yamuna. SC
It is believed that he was a son of poor 14. I'm not very good at repairing things.
Braahman of Trivikrampur on the banks of 15. Florence is famous for its art treasures.
River Yamuna. O of prep.
It is believed that he was a son of poor 16. Many courtiers were jealous with Birbal and
Braahman of Trivikrampur on the banks of often plotted for his downfall.
River Yamuna. O of prep. 17. There are a couple of other stories too which
It is believed that he was a son of poor are of the same time and type and are as
Braahman of Trivikrampur on the banks of interesting as Birbal's ones.
River Yamuna. O of prep.
It is believed that he was a son of poor 18. It was cold, bleak, biting weather.
Braahman of Trivikrampur on the banks of 19. The very small kitten jumped at the big dog.
River Yamuna. O of prep.
20. “Marge, you're as pretty as Princess
18. According to a popular legend, he died on an Leia and as smart as Yoda."
expedition to Afghanistan at the head of a
large military force due to treachery. O of
prep., O of prep. ADVERB PHRASES ACCORDING TO
According to a popular legend, he died on an STRUCTURES
expedition to Afghanistan at the head of a
large military force due to treachery. O of Exercise 10: Underline the adverb phrases in the
prep. following sentences and circle the head word of
According to a popular legend, he died on an the phrase.
expedition to Afghanistan at the head of a 1. He didn't work hard enough.
large military force due to treachery. O of
prep. 2. He works too hard.
19. It is also said that when Birbal died, Akbar 3. He worked very quickly.
mourned him for several months. O of prep. 4. The man drove really badly.
20. The exchanges between Akbar and Birbal have 5. I go to the movies quite frequently.
been recorded in many volumes. S of V, O of
prep. 6. Very slowly, we edged down the mountain.
The exchanges between Akbar and Birbal have 7. Somewhat reluctantly, she returned home a
been recorded in many volumes. O of prep. week early.
8. People view things totally differently from
ADJECTIVE PHRASES BASED ON THEIR each other.
STRUCTURES 9. The weather report is almost always right.
Exercise 9: Underline the adjective phrases in 10. He talks extremely fast.
the following sentences and circle the head word
of the phrase.
1. The water was extremely cold.
2. They are completely exhausted from the trip. VERB PHRASES
3. I am too tired to go out tonight. Exercise 11: Underline the verb phrase in each
following sentence.
4. Is your coffee hot enough?
1. Many sea otters do live off the coast of
5. This coffee is too hot. California.
6. She's not experienced enough for this job.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

2. Karen can almost always memorize anything. 13. My garden is dying, pesticides having been
applied by mistake.
3. Next month I will volunteer at Children's
Hospital. 14. As the parole board met to decide the fates of
several people, the prisoner was hoping for
4. By the end of Saturday's football game, our
parole.
quarterback had completed six touchdown
passes. 15. Legs quivering, our old dog Gizmo dreamed of
chasing squirrels.
5. Drew might audition for a part in the school
play. 16. Its leaves burned off by the fire, the dead tree
fell.
6. The swim team does not often practice for
more than an hour each morning. 17. We hurried to the game, our anticipation being
high.
7. My brother has forgotten his locker key again
this week. 18. She returned to her bench, her face showing all
the unhappiness that had suddenly overtaken
8. Sarah may be running in the relay race
her.
tomorrow.
19. The boy watched, his eyes bulging in the dark.
9. My family has not invited John to the party.
20. About the bones, ants were ebbing away, their
10. The Kansas City Royals did win the 1985
pincers full of meat.
World Series.

MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES ON
ABSOLUTE PHRASE
PHRASES BASED ON STRUCTURES
Exercise 12: Underline the absolute phrases in
Exercise 13: Write the name of the underline
the following sentences if any.
phrases and their functions on the lines.
1. The girl with brown eyes is my sister.
1. Her suspicions confirmed, the police officer Name: prep. Phrase
made the arrest. Function: Adj modifies ‘girl’....................
2. Backing out of the driveway, I hit the mailbox. 2. (a) For two years I worked (b) in Chicago.
a. Name: Prep. Phr.
3. They will take the daytime train, the landscape Function: Adv of sentence
inviting. b. Name: prep. Phr.
4. My doubts relieved, I gained confidence as the Function: Adv. Modifies the verb ‘worked’
game progressed. 3. The library located in the campus needs repair.
5. Peering through a microscope, the scientist Name: Past participial Phr.
identified several microbes. Function: Adj modifies the N ‘library’
6. His dogs panting with exertion, Hagos took a 4. Keeping a budget requires great patience.
break from his run. Name: Gerund Phr.
Function: Subject of V ‘requires’
7. Its shutters hanging limply in the wind, the
house looked abandoned and forlorn. 5. I am glad to see you.
Name: Inf. Phr.
8. The car rusted and worthless, I left it at the Function: Adv. modifies Adj ‘glad’
junkyard.
6. He entered the room through the door on the
9. Wearing a red plaid outfit, Lydia looked like a right.
character in a novel. Name: Prep. Phr.
10. Everything planned in advance, the party went Function: Adv. modifies the V ‘entered’..
like clockwork. Name: Prep. Phr.
Function: Adj. modifies the N ‘door’.......
11. We scrambled from the car, racing to the
amusement park gates. 7. Paying one’s bill is sometimes difficult.
Name: Gerund Phr. ................................
12. Moving quickly, the lion cut off the fleeing ..................................................................
zebra. Function: S of the V ‘is’ ..........................
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

8. John wanted to become an engineer. Exercise 2: For each sentence, underline the
Name: Inf. Phr. phrase(s) that function(s) as a Noun and tell
Function: O of the V ‘wanted’ their name based on structure and their
function in the sentence.
9. Playing handball is pleasant exercises.
Name: Gerund Phr. 1. Once upon a time, there was a peaceful
Function: S of the V ‘is’ kingdom.
- N.P – S.C
10. The boy flying the kite was envied by other
children. 2. The king heard rumors that barbarians were
Name: Present. Part. Phr. going to attack his castle soon.
Function: Adj. modifies the N ‘boy’......... - N.P – S of V; N.P – O of V
Name: Prep. Phr.
3. So he called his two favorite pets - the huge
Function: Adv modifies the V ‘envied’....
grey goose and gander.
- N.P – O of V; N.P - appositive
C1, U2: NOUN PHRASES BASED ON 4. Our kingdom is in danger.
FUNCTIONS - N.P – S of V; Prep.P – S.C
Exercise 1: For each sentence, underline the 5. “Take my daughter to a safe place on top of
phrase(s) that function(s) as a Noun and tell the tallest hill,” said the king.
their name based on structure and their my daughter: N.P – O of V; to a safe place …
function in the sentence. hill: Prep.P – O.C; a safe place: N.P – O of
prep.; top of the tallest hill: N.P – O of prep.;
1. Georgie Porgie was a cheeky little boy.
the tallest hill: N.P – O of prep.
N.P-S of V; N.P – S.C
6. So the grey goose and gander flew the
2. He liked to tease people especially little girls.
princess who sat in a red sheet to the top of
- Inf.P – O of V
the tallest hill. - the grey goose and gander:
3. One afternoon, he went to the park near his N.P – S of V; the princess … sheet: N.P – O
house. of V; a red sheet: N.P – O of prep.; to the top
- N.P – O of Prep. … hill: Prep.P – O.C; the top of the tallest
hill: N.P – O of prep.; the tallest hill: N.P – O
4. He found a little girl and tried to kiss her.
of prep.
- N.P – O of V; Inf.P – O of V
7. Six months had passed but the kingdom was
5. The girl cried and sobbed because she did not
not attacked.
like Georgie.
- N.P – S of V; N.P – S of V
- N.P – S of V
8. The king regretted his decision and told the
6. Then, some boys came to the park and saw
grey goose and gander to bring home his
Georgie chasing after the girl.
daughter.
- N.P – S of V; N.P – O of Prep.; Present
- N.P – S of V; N.P – O of V; N.P – O of V;
Part.P. – O.C
Inf.P – O.C
7. They shouted and laughed loudly at Georgie.
9. Then the king understood that he had to be
No NP based on function.
careful before taking actions based up the
8. Georgie stopped chasing the girl and ran away rumors which need not be true.
feeling embarrassed. - N.P – S of V; Gerund P – O of prep.; N.P –
- Gerund P – O of V O of prep.
9. Thereafter Georgie hesitated to play with his 10. The king was aware of his discretion before
friends taking any decision.
- Inf.P – O of V - N.P – S of V; N.P – O of prep.; Gerund P. –
because he remembered his embarrassment O of prep.
that he faced in front of his friends.
11. What is essential is to maintain a healthy diet.
- N.P – O of V; N.P – O of prep.
– Infinitive Phrase - SC
10. This incident prohibited him from chasing What is essential is to maintain a healthy diet.
girls thereafter. – NP – O of V
- N.P – S of V; Gerund P – O of Prep.
12. The decision was to extend the deadline by
three months. – NP – S of V
The decision was to extend the deadline by
three months. – Infinitive P – SC
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

The decision was to extend the deadline by its back. - Prep.P

three months. – NP – O of V The donkey felt very happy about the
The decision was to extend the deadline by reduction in the weight of the sack of salt on
three months. – NP – O of Prep. its back. - Prep.P
The donkey felt very happy about the
13. Being a student sometimes means spending
reduction in the weight of the sack of salt on
long hours in the library. – Gerund P –S of V
its back. - Prep.P
Being a student sometimes means spending
long hours in the library. – Gerund P – SC 9. From that day, it became a regular practice for
Being a student sometimes means spending the donkey to slip and fall in the pond
long hours in the library. – NP – O of V whenever they crossed the pond to the market.
Being a student sometimes means spending – Prep.P
long hours in the library. – NP – O of prep. From that day, it became a regular practice for
the donkey to slip and fall in the pond
14. Your only responsibility is to babysit your
whenever they crossed the pond to the market.
younger siblings. – NP – S of V
– Infinitive P
Your only responsibility is to babysit your
younger siblings. – Infinitive P – SC 10. That cruel snake eats all the eggs in the nest. –
Your only responsibility is to babysit your Prep.P
younger siblings. – NP - OC
15. My favorite hobby is gardening in the
Exercise 4: For each sentence, underline the
morning. – NP – S of V
phrase(s) that function(s) as an Adjective and
My favorite hobby is gardening in the
tell their name based on their structure.
morning. – Gerund P - SC
1. Watching this behind the tree, the swan and
the crab heaved a sigh of relief. – Present
ADJECTIVE PHRASES BASED ON Participial Phrase; Prep.P
FUNCTIONS
2. The next day, the mongoose, looking for more
Exercise 3: For each sentence, underline the fish, came upon the swan’s nest. - Present
phrase(s) that function(s) as an Adjective and Participial Phrase; NP
tell their name based on their structure.
3. Many years ago, the members of the jungle did
1. The lamp felt very proud of itself that it was not have any King. – Prep.P
the brightest object in the universe. - Adj. P
4. The nearby motel offers cheap but
The lamp felt very proud of itself that it was
comfortable rooms. – Adj.P
the brightest object in the universe. - Prep.P
5. These are unbelievably expensive shoes. –
2. I am not very expert in this task. - Adj.P
Adj.P
3. There was a small puppy lying on an old rug
6. Sarah was fairly bored with you. – Adj.P
which my mother had put outside the door.
- Present Participial P 7. The extremely tired lioness is losing patience
with her overly enthusiastic cub. – Adj.P
4. There were questions in my mind. - Prep.P
The extremely tired lioness is losing patience
5. Once, there lived a washer man named with her overly enthusiastic cub. – Prep.P
Bheema. - Past participial phrase The extremely tired lioness is losing patience
with her overly enthusiastic cub. Adj.P
6. One night, few thieves broke in the house of
that washer man. - Prep.P 8. The dog covered in mud looked pleased with
himself. – Past participial P
7. The sack of salt on the donkey’s back fell into
The dog covered in mud looked pleased with
the water. - Prep.P
himself. - Adj.P
The sack of salt on the donkey’s back fell into
the water. - Prep.P 9. The frames beautifully carved by monks are
worth more than the painting. – Past
8. The donkey felt very happy about the
participial Phrase
reduction in the weight of the sack of salt on
The frames beautifully carved by monks are
its back. - Adj.P
worth more than the painting. – Adj.P
The donkey felt very happy about the
reduction in the weight of the sack of salt on 10. The woman on the boat is my aunt Carol. –
its back. - Prep.P Prep.P
The donkey felt very happy about the
reduction in the weight of the sack of salt on
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

11. The fire has made the room much warmer. – The next day morning, everyone in the family
Adj.P came to know about the unusual guest. – Inf.P
12. The tour guides announced the most dangerous 7. He came to my room and sat near me. –
place to swim along the southern shore. –Adj.P Prep.P
He came to my room and sat near me. –
The tour guides announced the most dangerous Prep.P
place to swim along the southern shore. –
8. She quickly tied a bandage around his leg. –
Infinitive P
Prep.P
13. The reviewer named the most organized
9. After this incident my relation with Spotty
classrooms in the English building. –Adj.P
became more intense. – Prep.P
The reviewer named the most organized
classrooms in the English building. – Prep.P 10. One midnight we heard Spotty barking
breathlessly. – NP
14. I want you to leave now. – Inf.P
One midnight we heard Spotty barking
15. I found him somewhat recovered. – Past breathlessly. – Adv
participial P
11. In a dense forest, there was lake. – Prep.P
12. It takes place every day. NP
ADVERBIAL PHRASES BASED ON
13. I'll do it in a minute. – Prep.P
FUNCTIONS
14. You couldn't park anywhere near the place. –
Exercise 5: For each sentence, underline the
Adv.P
phrase(s) that function(s) as an Adverb and tell
You couldn't park anywhere near the place. –
their name based on their structure in the
Prep.P
sentence.
15. Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the
1. I am suffering very much with pains. – Adv.P
back and, instead of bleeding, he sings. –
I am suffering very much with pains. – Prep.P
Prep.P
2. It was raining very heavily on the day we Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the
shifted. – Adv.P back and, instead of bleeding, he sings. –
It was raining very heavily on the day we Prep.P
shifted. - Prep.P
16. He would always talk with a nationalistic tone.
3. In the midnight I heard a loud thud outside the – Prep.P
main door. – Prep.P
17. He sings in a low register. Prep.P
In the midnight I heard a loud thud outside the
main door. – Prep.P 18. People who say they sleep like a baby usually
don't have one. – Prep.P
4. It was difficult to see the little one. – Inf.P
19. Dad spoke softly to calm her fears. – Adv.P
5. He was trying to get inside the curved rug to
Dad spoke softly to calm her fears. – Inf.P
avoid the chilling air outside. - Inf.P
20. With much consideration, he made his
6. The next day morning, everyone in the family
decision. – Prep.P
came to know about the unusual guest. - NP

MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES ON PHRASES

Exercise 6: Identify the underlined phrase and write the answer on the line.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

(i) Name according to its structure (ii) Name according to its (iii) Function
a. Infinitive phrase function a. Subject of Verb
b. Present participial phrase a. Noun phrase b. Object of Verb
c. Past participial phrase b. Adjective phrase c. Object of preposition
d. Gerund phrase c. Adverb phrase d. Subjective Complement
e. Prepositional phrase e. Objective complement
f. Noun phrase f. Appositive
g. Adjective phrase g. Modifier of Noun
h. Adverb phrase h. Modifier of Verb
i. Modifier of Adverb
j. Modifier of Adjective
k. Modifier of the whole sentence
1. Steven's book, which made Oprah's Book 9. The dog that Sam chose from the litter seems
Club this month, is not in any stores. to be healthy.
- Name according to structure: Prep.P - Name according to structure: Prep.P
- Name according to function: NP - Name according to function: Adv.P
Function: Subjective Complement Function: Modifier of the verb ‘chose’
2. While preparing for the speech, Joe couldn't 10. Sam Smith, who recently spoke to the youth
help but worry about his entrance. group, excels at motivating young people.
- Name according to structure: Present - Name according to structure: Gerund P
Participial P - Name according to function: N.P
- Name according to function: Adj.P Function: Object of the Prep. ‘at’
Function: Modifier of the S ‘Joe’
11. Pushed beyond endurance, the runner
3. Ahmad wants to visit Quebec, but he will dropped the baton.
need to wait for his next vacation. - Name according to structure: Past Par.P
- Name according to structure: Inf.P - Name according to function: Adj.P
- Name according to function: N.P Function: Modifier of the S ‘the runner’
Function: Object of the V ‘wants’
12. The shoes he saw in the catalogue are
4. Hoping for a miracle, the doctors continued available down the street.
the surgery. - Name according to structure: Prep.P
- Name according to structure: Present Par.P - Name according to function: Adv.P
- Name according to function: Adj.P Function: modifier of the Adj ‘available’
Function: modifier of the S ‘the doctors’
13. The reporter crouched* behind that tree got
5. Our boss supports donating time to charity. the best picture of the arrest. (Núp,né)
- Name according to structure: Gerund P - Name according to structure: Past Par.P
- Name according to function: N.P - Name according to function: Adj.P
Function: Object of the verb ‘supports’ Function: modifier of the N ‘reporter’
6. Melanie hoped to find a cure for the disease, 14. Keith tried supporting both teams, but his
but she tried to be realistic. heart was with Oregon.
- Name according to structure: Inf.P - Name according to structure: Gerund P
- Name according to function: N.P - Name according to function: N.P
Function: Object of the verb ‘hoped’ Function: Object of the verb ‘tried’
7. After the banquet*, the cooks will take a 15. Katrina, who resented being left at home,
well-deserved break. (Bữa tiệc lớn) drew on the walls with her crayons.
- Name according to structure: Prep.P - Name according to structure: Prep.P
- Name according to function: Adverb P - Name according to function: Adv.P
Function: modifier of the whole sent. Function: modifier of the verb ‘drew’
8. Joey is hoping for a chance to play pool*
with his uncle. (bida 16 viên)
- Name according to structure: Inf.P
- Name according to function: Adj.P
Function: modifier of the noun ‘chance’
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Exercise 7: Identify the underlined phrase and write the answer on the line.
(i) Name according to its structure (ii) Name according to its (iii) Function
i. Infinitive phrase function l. Subject of Verb
j. Present participial phrase d. Noun phrase m. Object of Verb
k. Past participial phrase e. Adjective phrase n. Object of preposition
l. Gerund phrase f. Adverb phrase o. Subjective Complement
m. Prepositional phrase p. Objective complement
n. Noun phrase q. Appositive
o. Adjective phrase r. Modifier of Noun
p. Adverb phrase s. Modifier of Verb
t. Modifier of Adverb
u. Modifier of Adjective
v. Modifier of the whole sentence
1. Arnold hoped to find an answer to the 8. He used his computer to make party
funding shortfall. invitations.
- Name according to structure: Inf.P - Name according to structure: Inf.P
- Name according to function: N.P - Name according to function: Adv.P
Function: Object of the verb ‘hoped’ Function: modifier of V
2. Pressed for time, the agent ran the red light. 9. A boy on the roof is singing a song.
- Name according to structure: Past Par.P - Name according to structure: Prep.P
- Name according to function: Adj.P - Name according to function: Adj.P
Function: modifier of the S ‘the agent’ Function: modifier of N
3. His uncle thinks that working for the 10. She is shouting in a loud voice.
government is the key to stability. - Name according to structure: Prep.P
- Name according to structure: Prep.P - Name according to function: Adv.P
- Name according to function: Adv.P Function: modifier of V
Function: modifier of ‘working’
11. He sat in a corner of the room.
4. Richard's chance to make his point slipped - Name according to structure: Prep.P
away. - Name according to function: Adv.P
- Name according to structure: Inf.P Function: modifier of V
- Name according to function: Adj.P
12. He sat in a corner of the room.
Function: modifier of ‘chance’
- Name according to structure: Prep.P
5. Is it possible that Joshua will compete* - Name according to function: Adj.P
against that man? (Intransitive Verb) Function: modifier of N
- Name according to structure: Prep.P
13. He likes to read books.
- Name according to function: Adv.P
- Name according to structure: Inf.P
Function: modifier of the verb ‘compete’
- Name according to function: NP
6. Disneyland and Hollywood are popular places Function: O of V
to visit in California.
14. He made a plan to buy a car.
- Name according to structure: Infinitive P.
- Name according to structure: Inf.P
- Name according to function: Adj. P
- Name according to function: Adj.P
Function: modifier of N ‘place’
Function: modifier of N
7. When buses are delayed, students are usually
15. She started thinking about the problem.
late for school.
- Name according to structure: Gerund P
- Name according to structure: Adj. P
- Name according to function: N.P
- Name according to function: N.P
Function: O of V
Function: Subjective Complement
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Exercise 8: Identify the underlined phrase and write the answer on the line.
(i) Name according to its structure (ii) Name according to its (iii) Function
q. Infinitive phrase function w. Subject of Verb
r. Present participial phrase g. Noun phrase x. Object of Verb
s. Past participial phrase h. Adjective phrase y. Object of preposition
t. Gerund phrase i. Adverb phrase z. Subjective Complement
u. Prepositional phrase aa. Objective complement
v. Noun phrase bb. Appositive
w. Adjective phrase cc. Modifier of Noun
x. Adverb phrase dd. Modifier of Verb
ee. Modifier of Adverb
ff. Modifier of Adjective
gg. Modifier of the whole sentence
1. Sleeping late in night is not a good habit. - Name according to structure: Inf.P
- Name according to structure: Gerund P - Name according to function: Adj.P
- Name according to function: N.P Function: modifier of N
Function: S of V
9. Her plan to subsidize child care won wide
2. I received a letter mentioning about my exam. acceptance among urban politicians.
- Name according to structure: Present - Name according to structure: N.P
Participial P - Name according to function: N.P
- Name according to function: Adj.P Function: O of V
Function: modifier of N
10. Her plan to subsidize child care won wide
3. The crazy old lady in the park feeds the acceptance among urban politicians.
pigeons every day. - Name according to structure: NP
- Name according to structure: N.P - Name according to function: NP
- Name according to function: N.P Function: O of prep.........................................
Function: S of V
11. Her plan to subsidize child care won wide
4. The crazy old lady in the park feeds the acceptance among urban politicians.
pigeons every day. - Name according to structure: Prep.P
- Name according to structure: N.P - Name according to function: Adj.P
- Name according to function: Adv.P Function: modifier of N
Function: modifier of V
12. Her plan to subsidize child care won wide
5. Tashonda's goal in life, to become an acceptance among urban politicians.
occupational therapist, is within her grasp this - Name according to structure: N.P
year, at last. - Name according to function: NP
- Name according to structure: Inf.P Function: S of V
- Name according to function: N.P
13. To know her is to love her.
Function: appositive
- Name according to structure: Inf.P
6. Tashonda's goal in life, to become an - Name according to function: NP
occupational therapist, is within her grasp this Function: SC
year, at last.
14. The best exercise, walking briskly, is also the
- Name according to structure: Prep.P
least expensive,
- Name according to function: N.P
- Name according to structure: Gerund P
Function: Subjective complement
- Name according to function: NP
7. Tashonda's goal in life, to become an Function: appositive
occupational therapist, is within her grasp this
15. Working around the clock, the firefighters
year, at last.
finally put out the last of the California brush
- Name according to structure: N.P
fires.
- Name according to function: N.P
- Name according to structure: Present
Function: S of V
Part.P
8. Her plan to subsidize child care won wide - Name according to function: Adj.P
acceptance among urban politicians. Function: modifier of N

CHAPTER 2: CLAUSES
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

C2, U1: NOUN CLAUSES 10. __________________W who is he?

Exercise 1: Find out the noun clauses in the 11. __________________W when will he arrive?
following sentences and tell their function.
12. _________I don’t know when he will arrive.
1. The king ordered that the traitor should be put
13. __________________W who is he talking to?
to death. O of V
14. _________I don’t know which one he bought.
2. He said that he would not go. O of V
15. _________I don’t know what his name is.
3. That he is not interested in the offer is known
to us. S of V
4. He said that he was not feeling well. O of V Exercise 3: Finish the second sentence with a
noun clause based on the preceding direct
5. I cannot rely on what he says. O of Prep
question.
6. I don’t know where he has gone. O of V
Example: How do you say this?
7. He asked whether the servant had polished his
- Can you tell me how you say this?
shoes. O of V
1. How much did it cost?
8. The news that he is alive has been confirmed.
- He doesn’t remember how much it cost .
Appositive to the N ‘news’
2. How much does it cost?
9. The belief that the soul is immortal is almost
- Ask the manager how much it costs .
universal. Appositive to the N ‘belief’
3. Which do you prefer?
10. It is certain that we will have to admit defeat.
- Please tell the clerk which you prefer .
Real subject
4. What cities did you visit?
11. It was fortunate that he was present. Real
- Please tell us what cities you visited .
subject
5. What country is he from?
12. The report that only ten persons were killed in
- Let’s ask Bill what country he is from .
the riots is not true. Appositive to ‘report’
6. Whose book did he use?
13. That he believes his own story is remarkable. S
- I wonder whose book he used .
of V
7. Whom should I speak to?
14. He knows all about art, but he doesn't
- I would like to know whom I should speak
know what he likes. O of V
to .
15. My one regret in life is that I am not someone
8. Who wrote this paper?
else. SC
- Can you tell me who wrote this paper ?
9. Why did you buy it?
Exercise 2: If the given words are questions, - Please tell me why you bought it .
insert a capital letter and a question mark. If the
10. When are they leaving?
given words are a noun clause, write ‘I don’t
- Let’s ask them when they are leaving .
know’ and a final period.
11. Where does Mr Nam live?
Example: _____________W where is he?
- Do you remember where Mr Nam live ?
I don’t know_where he is.
12. Who is that man?
1. _________I don’t know what he did. - I don’t know who that man is .
2. __________________W what did he do? 13. Why did she leave?
- Do you know why she left .
3. __________________H how old is he?
14. Where will he be?
4. _________I don’t know how old he is.
- Let’s ask him where he will be .
5. __________________W where did he go?
15. When did Tom return?
6. _________I don’t know where he went. - Please tell me when Tom returned .
7. _________I don’t know why he said that.
8. __________________W why did he say that? Exercise 4: Make a question from the given
sentence. The words in parentheses should be
9. _________I don’t know who he is.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

the answer to the question you make. Then B: I have no ideas. Why don’t I just ask him?
change the question to a noun clause. John? What are you looking for ? (you, look
for)
1. That man is (Mr. Robertson).
Question: Who is that man? 2. A: Oops! I made a mistake. Where is my
Noun clause: I want to know who that man is. eraser ? Didn’t I lend it to you? (my eraser,
be)
2. George lives in (Los Angeles).
B: I don’t have it. Ask Sally where it is . I
Question: [Where does he live?]
think I saw her using it. (it, be)
Noun clause: I want to know [where he lives].
3. A: I heard that Sam changed his mind about
3. Ann bought (a new dictionary).
going on the picnic. Why did he decide to
Question: [What did Ann buy?]
stay home? Is something wrong? (he, decide)
Noun clause: Do you know [what Ann
B: I don’t know. Maybe Jane can tell us why
bought].
he decided not to come with us. Let’s ask her.
4. It is (350 miles) to Denver from here. I hope he’s okay. (he, decide)
Question: [How far is it to Denver from here?]
4. A: Whose book is this ? (this, be)
Noun clause: I need to know [how far it is to
B: It’s not mine. I don’t know whose book it
Denver from here].
is . (it, be)
5. Jack was late to class (because he missed the
5. A: Did Jack get enough food when he went to
bus).
the market? How much fish did he buy ? It
Question: [Why was Jack late to class?]
takes a lot of fish to feed 12 people. (he, buy)
Noun clause: The teacher wants to know [why
B: Just relax. I don’t know exactly how much
Jack was late to class].
fish he bought , but I’m sure there’ll be
6. That is (Ann’s) pen. enough for dinner for all of us. (he, buy)
Question: [Whose pen is that?]
6. A: The door isn’t locked! Why didn’t Fred
Noun clause: Tom wants to know [whose pen
lock it before he left? (Fred, lock, not)
that is].
B: Why ask me? How am I supposed to know
7. Alex saw (Ms. Frost) at the meeting. why he didn’t lock it? Maybe he just forgot.
Question: [Who did Alex see at the meeting?] (he, lock, not)
Noun clause: I don’t know [who Alex saw at
7. A: The Lee family are recent immigrant, aren’t
the meeting].
they? How long have they been in this
8. (Jack) saw Ms. Frost at the meeting. country? (they be)
Question: [Who saw Ms Frost at the meeting?] B: I have no idea. Would you like me to ask
Noun clause: I don’t know [who saw Ms Frost Mr. Lee how long he and his family have
at the meeting]. lived here? I’ll be seeing him this afternoon.
(he and his family, live)
9. Alice likes (this) book best, (not that one).
Question: [Which book does Alice like best?] 8. A: I need a math tutor. Do you know who
Noun clause: I want to know [which book John’s tutor is ? (John’s tutor, be)
Alice likes best]. B: No. Let me ask Phil. Excuse me, Phil? Who
is John’s tutor ? Do you know? (John’a tutor,
10. The plane is supposed to land (at 7:14 p.m.).
be)
Question: [What time is the plane supposed to
land?] 9. A: You’re a student here? I’m a student here,
Noun clause: Could you tell me [what time the too. Tell me what classes you are taking
plane is supposed to land]. this term. Maybe we’re in some of the same
classes. (you, take)
Exercise 5: Use the words in parentheses to
B: Math 4, English 2, History 6, and
complete the sentences. Use any appropriate
Chesmistry 101. What classes are you taking
verb tense. Some of the completions contain
? (you, take)
noun clauses and some contain questions.
10. A: Lucy, why didn’t you study for the
Example:
exam? You could have done much better if
A: Where did Ruth go ? She’s not in her room. you’ve been prepared. (you, study, not)
(Ruth, go) B: Well, Professor Morris, why I didn’t study
B: I don’t know. Ask Tina. She might know where for the exam is a long story. I intended to, but
Ruth went . (Ruth, go) … (I, study, not)
1. A: John is searching every drawer. Do you
know what he is looking for ? (he, look for)
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Exercise 6: Circle the best choice. Exercise 10: The original version of this
paragraph included the ten words listed here
Example: He asked me where [B].
introducing noun clauses. Put them back in
A.did I live B. I lived C. do you live D .that I lived
appropriate places in the paragraph.
1. B 2. C 3. B 4. D 5. A
how that (x5) what where
6. A 7. D 8. D 9. A 10. B whether why
11. B 12. A 13. D 14. D 15. D I had a strange experience when I got a summer job
as a temporary office assistant in a big company.
16. B 17. C 18. C 19. A 20. B
On my first day, I didn’t know what I was supposed
to do and nobody seemed to care whether I was
doing anything or not. Since I didn’t understand
Exercise 7: Circle the letter of the correct how anything worked in the office, I just sat down
answer. at an empty desk and waited. When the office
1. A 2. C 3. A 4. D 5. C manager walked in, she stared at me and asked why
I was sitting on her chair. I remember that I felt
6. B 7. C 8. D 9. C 10. C really embarrassed and tried to explain that nobody
had told me where I should sit. She announced
quite loudly that I wasn’t being paid to sit around
Exercise 8: Write THAT or WHAT in the and that I should go and find some work to do. So I
blank. tried to act as if I was busy and started cleaning out
1. WHAT 2. THAT all the wastebaskets. I only discovered later in the
3. WHAT 4. THAT morning that I had gone to the wrong office.
5. WHAT 6. THAT
7. WHAT 8. WHAT
9. THAT 10 WHAT Exercise 11: Rewrite these sentences, beginning
with It.
Exercise 9: Using a dictionary if necessary, 1. It wasn’t my fault that the weather wasn’t very
complete each definition with a noun and that or nice.
what. Put brackets round (that) where it could 2. It is absolutely disgraceful that nobody
be left out. stopped to help the old woman after the
conception confession condidence accident.
confirmation confusion contempt 3. It can be hard to work out two months in
Example: Confidence is believing (that) you can advance what you’re going to need on a trip.
be successful, or feeling (that) you are certain OR It can be hard to work out what you’re
about something. going to need on a trip two months in advance._
1. Confirmation is a statement or letter telling 4. It remains a mystery to everyone how Adrian
you (that) something is correct, or that an became so rich so fast.
arrangement is definite. 5. It doesn’t bother me whether he eats the fish
2. Confession is a statement made by or not, but he should eat something.
someone admitting (that) they are guilty of
a crime, or that they are ashamed of
something. Exercise 12: Add it and that where appropriate
to these sentences.
3. Contempt is feeling that somebody or
something is without value and deserves no 1. They concluded in their report that it didn’t
respect, or showing no concern for what make any difference if the vehicles had air
might be against the rules or dangerous. bags or not.
4. Conception is the process of forming an 2. If you say (that) it is important that I should
idea or an understanding of what attend the meeting, I can assure you (that) I’ll
something is, or what something should be. be there.
5. Confusion is a state of uncertainty about 3. They notified everyone living near the
what is happening, or what something riverthat it was possible (that) the water was
means. contaminated.
4. None of the staff likes it now that every
Thursday is a late night. OR
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

None of the staff likes it that now every They concluded that the child’s death was
Thursday is a late night. an accident. It made a lot of people angry.
- Their conclusion that the child’s death was
5. That she delivered a marvelous
an accident made a lot of people angry.
performance pleased her parents.
1. Manfred’s explanation that a friend’s dog had
eaten his homework wasn’t very convincing.
Exercise 13: Rewrite each sentence with a
2. Their expectation that everyone will just go
meaning similar to the one above it.
along with their plans is unrealistic.
1. The boys considered it an honour that they’ve 3. Her sudden realization that she was drifting
been chosen to play for their country. out to sea caused her to panic.
2. People used to think it outrageous that women 4. Our discussion of how we might solve the
were smoking in public. OR proble went on for over three hours.
People used to think that it was outrageous
that women were smoking in public. 5. The belief that there are aliens from outer
space living among us. It’s quite widespread.
3. Won’t they see it as a sign of weakness that we Exercise 16: Using a dictionary if necessary,
didn’t fight back? complete each definition with a noun and that or
4. No one regarded it at the time as an indication what plus a preposition where necessary.
that anything was wrong. OR belief example fear
No one regarded it as an indication that knowledge statement
anything was wrong at the time.
1. If you do something with apprehension, you
5. Many people regarded it as a bad idea that the have a fear that something bad may
police have started carrying guns happen.
2. Oblivion is an unconscious state in which you
Exercise 14: Correct the ten mistakes in these have no knowledge of what is happening
sentences. around you.
1. That the audience stood up and applauded our 3. When you say or do something with
performance convinced us that we had a conviction, you have a strong belief that
successful show. you are right.
2. Whether you want to take one class or twenty 4. A precedent is an earlier action or decision
makes it no difference because you have to used as a good example of what should be
register first and the university doesn’t like it done in other similar situation.
that people have been attending classes 5. An estimate is an appropriate idea or
without being registered. statement of/about what something will
3. Mr. Trotter was trying to show how the cost.
equipment should be used, but they weren’t Exercise 17: Correct the ten mistakes in these
listening. sentences.
4. Didn’t you think it strange that nobody told 1. They discussed the fact that people were
his car lights were left on all night? getting into the country illegally and the issue
5. I tried to warn them that the trail was of whether those people would be able to
dangerous, but it didn’t surprise me that they become legal citizens./ Or They discussed
went hiking anyway. people who were …./ Or They discussed how
people were ….
2. His theory is that cutting down the trees
causes more flooding due to the fact
Noun with noun clauses that/because there is nothing left on the hills
to hold the soil in place and absorb the rain.
Exercise 15: Rewrite each pair of sentences as a
single sentence using a noun derived from the 3. Alfred tried to explain away the fact that/ how
verb in the sentence above it, plus other he had missed several meetings, but he had
appropriate changes. nothing to say on the question of what had
happened to his quarterly report.
Example:
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

4. It seems to be that they didn’t have a lot of

applicants so they overlooked the fact that I
didn’t have much experience and offered me
the job.
5. The German research team’s discovery, which
that the addition of milk to a cup of tea
reduces its health benefits, seems to have been
based on the assumption which that the only
benefit of hot tea is an improvement in the
flow of blood which goes to the heart because
that is all they measured.

Adjective with noun clauses

Exercise 18: Rewrite each pair of sentences as a
single sentence containing a noun clause.
1. It’s rather surprising that so many young
people don’t know how to swim nowadays.
2. It seemed very strange that all the lights
were on, but nobody seemed to be at home.
3. You were lucky (that) nobody complained
about all the noise you were making.
4. My friend will be disappointed that she has
to work and can’t go to the concert.
5. I was angry (that) he made such a mess.

Exercise 19: Complete each sentence with an

adjective and that or what, with prepositions
where necessary.
Confident happy (x2) not sure
sorry (x2) worried surprised
Example: My parents are happy that I do well at
school.
1. I’m not sure what ‘savoire faire’ means.
2. We’re happy that none of the children got
hurt in the accident.
3. I made you cry. I’m sorry about/for what
I said. I’m really sorry that I spoke that
way.
4. Aren’t you worried that you’ll fail the test
or are you really confident that you’re
ready?
5. I’m sorry that he didn’t come.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Exercise 20: Complete each sentence using Subjunctive in noun clauses

appropriate forms of one pair of words and
Exercise 23: Choose an ending (a-d) for each
noun clauses.
beginning (1-4) and appropriate forms of these
Afraid/have amazed/win words, using the subjunctive or should where
essential/wear certain/have appropriate.
fortunate/not be
Demand propose vital
Example: Were you frightened by the muggers? – wish be become
Yes, I was afraid that they had knives. resign stay
1. Isn’t it astonishing that Rick finished first? – 1. At some point every a. that local clinics
Yes, I’m amazed that he won the race. individual wishes (should) stay opens.
2. Are you sure that Stella took the car keys? – (b)
b. that he or she
Yes, I’m certain (that) she has them. 2. The planners have were/was richer.
3. You’re lucky that you weren’t hurt. – Yes, it’s already proposed
c. that the prime
fortunate (that) I wasn’t near the front of the (d)
minister (should)
bus. 3. It’s vital (a) for resign
4. jacob doesn’t think safety glasses are rural comminities
d. that part of the town
necessary. – Well, it is essential that he 4. The protest leaders centre (should)
(should) wear them. are demanding (c) become a pedestrian
area.

Exercise 21: Add that in five appropriate places

in this paragraph. Exercise 24: Complete the sentence, using the
The philosopher David Hume’s argument that idea of the words in parentheses.
people cannot be certain about anything not directly Example: (You should organize a camping trip.)
taken in through their senses was destined to lead The girls proposed that their scout
him to the idea that we cannot be certain about leader organize a camping trip.
God. Hume also argued that our expectation that
the future will be like the past (e.g. that the sun will 1. Ms. Hanson recommended that our class be
rise tomorrow morning) had no basis in reason. divided into two sections.
2. Dan’s parents insisted that he call home
every week.
Exercise 22: Complete each paragraph with one
set of words (not necessarily in this order). 3. It is essential that she be told the truth about
her illness.
if/that/that how/that/the fact that
how/that/where 4. The customs official demanded that all
passengers open their suitcases.
1. The claim that where you live can
determine how healthy you feel seems 5. The counselor recommended that Ann take
rather obvious, doesn’t it? some art courses.
2. Are you one of those people who leave the 6. It is vital that all parts of the motor be in
house and can’t remember if they proper working order.
switched off the oven, or walk away from their 7. The director requests that all packages be
parked car with the suspecion that they mailed at the central office.
didn’t put the handbrake on, or even leave the
supermarket just hoping that they didn’t 8. It is imperative that soldiers obey their
forget to pick up all their bags? officers.
3. More people are taking pills containing 9. It is important that the babysitter be given
glucosamine for pain in their knees. the fact phone numbers to call in case of emergency.
that no one is quite sure how this 10. Don recommended that I join the party.
‘medicine’ works doesn’t mean that we
should ignore its reputation for relieving pain
and increasing mobility.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Noun clauses as subjects and objects 5. The prosecutor showed the jury how the crime
could have been committed by Feldman, but
Exercise 25: Rewrite these sentences in a less
he didn’t convince them/the jury that Feldman
formal style beginning with it.
was guilty.
1. It doesn’t surprise me at all that they don’t
Wish’ sentences
have any money left.
Exercise 28: Cloe is on holiday in a foreign city.
She was so busy admiring the sights that she has
2. It just astonishes me that children would
got lost. What does she wish? Write sentences
rather sit watching TV instead of playing
with ‘I wish’.
outside.
1. I wish I had a map.
3. It has never been explained why the
government didn’t act immediately to stop the 2. I wish the streets didn’t all look the same.
movement of all animals.
3. I wish I’d brought my mobile phone.
4. It wasn’t clear whether Nicole’s father had
4. I wish I could speak the language.
been for or against her marriage, but he did
participate in the wedding ceremony. 5. I wish I’d bought a phrase book.
5. It really helped us that the other team played 6. I wish I wasn’t/weren’t hot and thirsty./ I wish
badly. I had a drink.
7. I wish I hadn’t come here alone./ I wish I’d
Exercise 26: Add one set of words to each come here with someone else.
paragraph (not necessarily in this order).
8. I wish someone would help me.
It/that/that it/that/what that/where/whether
9. I wish I hadn’t come here.
A. He wanted to know (1) what we were doing,
10. I wish I was/were back in my hotel.
but (2) it was obvious (3) that he didn’t
really seem very interested in our answer.
B. Sometimes one of them will say (4) that Reported speech
he or she actually prefers (5) it (6) that
the other has separate interests. Exercise 29: Complete each sentence, using
indirect speech, with a meaning similar to the
C. (7) Whether Robert’s new schedule will be an one above it.
improvement remains to be seen, but no one
liked it (8) that he just decided (9) where Example: ‘It’s a strange story.’
the changes would be made without consulting - They said that it was a strange story.
anyone. 1. He just blurted out that he was in love with
Exercise 27: Correct the mistakes in these my sister and he wanted me to tell her.
sentences. 2. One of them asked us where we were going
1. That Mr Baker complained about the noise next and how we planned to get there.
was predictable, but we assured him (that) it 3. The old woman said that she had lived/lived
wouldn’t happen again. OR there before any of the old houses had/had
- It was predictable that Mr Baker complained had electricity or indoor plumbing.
about the noise, but we assured him (that) it
wouldn’t happen again. 4. Darren told me on Monday that he couldn’t
do the work then, or even the next day/ the
2. The headmaster warned us during our meeting following day, but he would try to do it later
that some teachers wouldn’t like it that/the in the week.
fact that their classrooms had suddenly been
changed. 5. Carolyn said (that) she was sorry. (OR
Carolyn apologized.) She had been rather
3. They told me about what Geoff had said in the obsessed with herself and her own problems
meeting, but I thought it strange (that) he recently. OR Carolyn apologized for
hadn’t mentioned money. being/having been rather obsessed with
4. The police regarded it as suspicious that the herself and her own problems recently.
dead woman’s husband had recently taken out 6. Peter told Elizabeth (that) he would give her
a life insurance policy in her name. £50 after he got paid
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

7. Jackie says (that) Emile is from Montreal and 2. He asked to borrow my pencil./ OR He asked
speaks French. me to lend him a pencil.
8. Celine asked me what she should wear if she 3. He He demanded to know my decision soon.
was invited to dinner?
4. He reminded me to go to the supermarket after
9. Fraser mentioned to Simon that he was work.
looking for a cheaper flat.
5. He asked me to give him a lift to the station.
10. Mark assured Bridget (that) he would look OR He asked to get a lift to the station.
after her.
6. He warned me to stay away from him.
11. Malcolm invited Fiona to stay at his place.
7. He volunteered to drive me to the airport (if I
12. Andrew’s mother ordered him to take off his couldn’t find anyone else).
dirty boots.
13. She warned me not to go there after dark.
Exercise 32: Underline the correct verb. If either
OR me that I should not go there after dark.
is possible, underline them both.
14. Jason refused to pay for the tickets.
1. promised
15. Melvin suggested buying a railpass. OR
2. suggested
(that) I should buy a rail pass.
3. promised/volunteered
4. demanded
Exercise 30: Complete this text with appropriate
forms of one pair of verbs in each space. 5. agreed
ask/become be/remind 6. agreed
encourage/give join/persuade
7. advised/proposed
promise/provide volunteer/work
8. expected
A charity is an organization that helps people in
need such as the poor, the homeless, children and 9. requested
refugees. Some people volunteer to work for a
charity while others (1) promise to provide/promise 10. promised
that they will provide_ support with money or other Exercise 33: Write C (correct) or I (incorrect) on
gifts. Many charities (2)_ask_ well-known people, the line before each sentence.
such as film stars, to become a representative for 1. C
their organization in the hope that they will (3)
persuade others to join/ that they should join the 2. I (missing S-I should…)
organization or (4) encourage them to give 3. I
money to the charity. Charities not only help
people, they also (5) remind those who have a 4. C
comfortable life to be/that they should be 5. I (missing V – it is going…)
generous to those who have much less.
6. C
7. I
Exercise 31: Complete the sentences to report
what was said using one of the verbs below and a 8. I (missing S)
to-infinitive phrase. You may need to use a verb 9. C
more than once. If necessary, add an
appropriate object after the verb. 10. I

Ask demand invite 11. C

remind threaten volunteer warn 12. I (extra S – omit it)
Example: 13. C
‘Would you like to come on a picnic with us?’ 14. I (missing V – who was )
- He invited me/us to come on a picnic with them.
15. I
1. He threatened to resign (if I/we didn’t give him
a pay rise). 16. C
17. C
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

18. I (omit it) had done/did nothing the day before/the previous
day.
19. C
=> I asked him (2) who broke/had broken the
20. I (missing V – what was)
window
21. I (it is doubtful) and he mumbled (3) that he didn’t know.
22. I (omit he) => When my sister told Paul during dinner last
night (4) that she had/has ten cats
23. C
his only comment was (5) that he
24. I preferred/prefers dogs.
25. I => They wanted Stan’s wife to tell them (6) where
she thought he hid/had hiddens/hides his money
26. C but her response was (7) that she didn’t think he
27. I (which was) had/has any.
28. I (that she) => Mrs Hawkins asked (8) how I felt
and I had to tell her (9) (that) I was angry.
29. C
=> She wanted to know (10) why I hadn’t
30. C said/didn’t say anything earlier
I explained to her (11) that she hadn’t
allowed/didn’t allow anyone else to speak.
Exercise 34: Circle the best choice.
1. C => Then she apologized and asked (12) if/whether
2. C I could tell her what was/is wrong
3. A I told her (13) (that) she was ignoring a
4. B dangerous situation.
5. D => I then asked her (14) if/whether she had read
6. C my report or not. OR whether or not she had read
7. D my report. Her reply was (15) that she hadn’t had
8. B time.
9. C
10. B => Jessica’s mother always tells (16) her not to
forget her umbrella./that she mustn’t forget her
Exercise 35: Correct the mistakes in these umbrella.
sentences.
=> The traffic warden insisted (17) that I/we (had
Example: If you disagreed with what I was to) move my our car.
proposing, why didn’t you say me earlier that you
didn’t like it? … why didn’t you say/say to me/tell => Sebastian pleaded (18) pleaded with Beatrice
me earlier … not to leave him.
1. At first he argued (with me) that his answer => I asked (19) Jenny if I might/could borrow
was correct, but then I convinced him that.. borrow Jenny’s calculator.
2. … reminded me that … she urged me not to
give up Exercise 37: Correct the eight mistakes in this
3. He offered to pay …, but I suggested splitting text.
it/suggested (that) we should split it On our way up the mountain we got lost and so we
4. … recommended taking/recommended (that) asked an old man to tell us/if he could tell us the
I should take … way to the waterfall. He was really nice. He didn’t
recommend driving/(that) we (should) drive any
5. complaining about his problems/complaining further on that road. He told us to go/that we had
that he had problems to/must go back about a mile to a bridge. He
6. … deny being responsible/deny that they suggested parking/(that) we (should) park just past
were responsible the bridge and to walk up the trail on the left. He
warned to be/(that) we must/had to/should be
careful crossing the streams and he advised us not
Exercise 36: Complete each sentence in indirect to/us (that) we (should) not drink/us against
speech. drinking the water. That’s how we found the
=> Corinne was complaining that she had too much waterfall. I thought (that) it was was really
work to do until her mother pointed out (1) that she beautiful.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Exercise 38: Correct the errors in the following 11. A 12. D 13. C 14. C 15. A
sentences. 16. C 17. D 18. D 19. B 20. B
1. What the government official is going to say
in his speech tonight will affect all of us.
Exercise 2: Circle the best choice.
2. I asked Paul to help me move the table to the
1. D 2. B 3. B 4. A 5. B
other side of the room.
6. D 7. D 8. A 9. A 10. D
3. My friend asked me what I was going to do 11. C 12. D 13. D 14. A 15. A
Saturday. I replied (that) it depended on the 16. D 17. B 18. B 19. D 20. A
weather.
4. What my friend and I did it was our secret. We
Exercise 3: Circle the best choice.
didn’t even tell our parents what we did.
The doctor asked if/whether I felt okay. I told him 1. C 2. B 3. A 4. A 5. C
that I din’t feel well. 6. B 7. D 8. D 9. B 10. C
11. D 12. B 13. C 14. B 15. A
5. It is clear that the ability to use a computer it
16. C 17. D 18. C 19. A 20. B
is an important skill in the modern world.
6. They asked us if we would be sure to turn out
the lights when we leave/left. Exercise 4: Circle the letter of all the correct
They asked us to be sure to turn out the lights answers.
when we leave/left.
Example: The check ____ I gave to Oliver was for
7. ‘Is it true you almost drowned?’ my friend work he’d done for me.
asked me. A. who B. whom C. which D. that E. Ø
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I’m really glad to be alive. It
was really frightening.’
1. A, B, C, D
8. The fact that I almost drowned makes me very 2. A, C
careful about water safety whenever I go 3. C, D, E
swimming. 4. E
5. A, B, C, D
9. I didn’t know where I supposed to get off the
6. A, C
bus, so I asked the driver where the science
7. E
museum was. She told me the name of the
8. B
street. She said she would tell me when I
9. B, C
should get off the bus.
10. B, C
10. Studying psychology last year made me realize 11. A, C
that what kind of career I wanted to have. 12. B, C
13. B, C
11. My mother said, ‘Don’t forget your family
14. A, C
when you’re far away from home.’
15. B, C, D
12. When I asked the taxi driver to drive faster he
said, ‘I will drive faster if you pay me more.’
At that time I didn’t care how much it would Exercise 5: Circle the letter of all the correct
cost, so I told him to go as fast as he could. answers.
1. A, C
13. My mother did not live with us. When other 2. B, C, D
children asked me where my mother was, I 3. C, D
told them she is going to come to visit me very 4. B
soon. 5. D
14. I asked him what kind of movies he likes/liked, 6. B, C
he said to me, ‘I like romantic movies.’ 7. A
8. C, D
9. B, C, D
10. B
11. A
C2, U2: ADJECTIVE CLAUSES 12. A
Exercise 1: Circle the best choice. 13. A
1. B 2. C 3. A 4. C 5. B 14. C
6. A 7. C 8. C 9. A 10. D 15. A
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

16. B 7. [Yes] The new supervisor was not happy with

17. A his work crew[,] none of whom seemed
18. B interested in doing quality work.
19. D
8. [Yes] My oldest brother[,] in whose house I
20. C
lived for six months when I was ten[,] has
Exercise 6: Circle the letter of all the correct been a father to me in many ways.
answers.
9. [Yes] Tom is always interrupting me[,] which
1. A
makes me mad.
2. A, D
3. C 10. [Yes] To express the uselessness of worrying,
4. A Mark Twain once said, ‘I’ve had a lot of
5. A,B,D,E problems in my life[,] most of which never
6. B happened.’
7. A
8. C
9. A, D Exercise 10: Write YES if the adjective clause
10. A requires commas and add the commas in the
appropriate places. Write No if the adjective
clause does not require commas.
Exercise 7: Circle the best choice.
Examples:
1. D 2. A 3. B 4. D 5. B
6. A 7. C 8. D 9. C 10. A _No_ The newspaper article was about a man who
11. C 12. B 13. C 14. D 15. D died two years ago of a rare tropical disease.
16. B 17. D 18. B 19. A 20. C
Yes_ Paull O’Grady, who died two years ago,
was a kind and loving man.
Exercise 8: Circle the correct explanation of the 1. No I made an appointment with a doctor
meaning of each sentence. who is considered an expert on eye disorders.
1. A 2. B 3. A 4. B 5. B
6. A 7. B 8. A 9. A 10. B 2. Yes I made an appointment with Dr.
Raven, who is considered an expert on eye
disorders.
Exercise 9: Write Yes if the Adj. clause requires 3. No The car that Al bought had had three
commas and add the commas in the appropriate previous owners, but it was in excellent
places. Write No if the Adj. Clause does not condition.
require commas.
4. No We thoroughly enjoyed the music
1. [Yes] Thirty people[,] two of whom were which we heard at the concert last Sunday.
members of the crew[,] were killed in the ferry
accident. 5. Yes Bogota, which is the capital of
Colombia, is a cosmopolitan city.
2. [No] I’m trying to convince my mother to buy
a small car which has front-wheel drive 6. Yes They climbed Mount Rainier, which
instead of a large car with rear-wheel drive. is in the State of Washington twice last year.

3. [Yes] Over 500 students took the entrance 7. Yes Emeralds, which are valuable
exam[,] the results of which will be posted in gemstones, are mined in Colombia.
the administration building at the end of the 8. Yes The company offered the position to
month. John, whose department performed best this
4. [No] The newspapers carried the story of an year.
accident in which four pedestrians were 9. Yes On our trip to Africa, we visited
injured. Nairobi, which is near several fascinating
5. [No] The newly married couple that lives next game reserves, and then traveled to Egypt to
door just moved here from California. see the pyramids.

6. [Yes] The Caspian Sea[,] which is bounded by 10. No I think the waiter who took our order
the Soviet Union and Iran[,] is fed by eight used to work at Captain Bob’s Restaurant.
rivers. 11. No Someone who understands physics
better than I do is going to have to help you.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

12. Yes Larry was very close to his only 8. We sent a package to our relatives who/that
brother, who was a famous social historian. live in Iowa.
13. No Violent tropical storms that occur in 9. The woman who/that sits next to me in class
western Asia are called typhoon. works as a cashier.
14. No Similar storms that occur on the 10. We bought some trees which/that our
Atlantic side of the Americas are called neighbor told us were on sale.
hurricanes rather than typhoons.
15. Yes A typhoon, which is a violent tropical
Exercise 13: Combine these sentences, using
storm, can cause great destruction.
whose in the adjective clause.
Examples:
Exercise 11: Underline the correct verb.
The man’s wife had been admitted to the
Examples: hospital. I spoke to him.
=> I spoke to the man whose wife had been
- There are three students in my class who
admitted to the hospital.
speeks/speak French.
I read about the child. Her life was saved by
- There is one student in my class who
her pet dog.
speaks/speak Greek.
=> I read about the child whose life was saved
1. are/ don’t by her pet dog.
2. offers/are 1. The students whose names were called raised
their hands.
3. measures/ walks
2. Jack knows a man whose name is William
4. suffer
Blueheart Duckbill, Jr.
5. were
3. The police came to question the woman whose
6. have purse was stolen outside the supermarket.
7. have 4. We live in a small town whose inhabitants are
almost invariably friendly and helpful.
8. work
5. The day care center was established to take
9. are care of children whose parents work during
10. state /wish the day.
6. We couldn’t find the person whose car was
blocking our driveway.
Exercise 12: Combine these sentences, using (b)
as an adjective clause. 7. Tobacco is a plant whose large leaves are
used for smoking or chewing.
Example: (a) Louis knows the woman. (b) The
woman is meeting us at the airport. 8. The professor told the three students whose
=> Louis knows the woman who/that is reports were turned in late that he would
meeting us at the airport. accept the late papers this time but never
again.
1. The chair which/that/X Sally inherited from
her grandmother is an antique. 9. My grandfather whose wife died three years
ago is a very optimistic man.
2. The bench which/that/X I sat on was wet.
10. Alice, whose handbag was stolen in Oxford
3. The man who/whom/that/X I hired to paint my Street, went to the police station yesterday.
house finished the job in five days.
Exercise 14: Combine the sentences by using
4. I miss seeing the old woman who/that used to either where or when to introduce an adjective
sell flowers on that street corner. clause.
5. The architect who/whom/that/X Mario works Examples:
with is brilliant.
That is the place. The accident occurred there.
6. Mary tutors students who/that need extra help => That is the place where the accident
in geometry. occurred.
7. I took a picture of the rainbow which/that
appeared in the sky after the shower.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

There was a time. Movies cost a dime then. 2. I still remember the man who he taught me to
=> There was a time when movies cost a dime. play the violin when I was a boy.
1. A café is a small restaurant where people can 3. I showed my father a picture of the car I am
get a light meal there. going to buy it as soon as I save enough
money.
2. Every neighbourhood in Brussels has small
cafes where customers drink coffee and eat 4. The woman about who I was talking about
pastries. suddenly walked into the room. I hope she
didn’t hear me.
3. There was a time when dinosaurs dominated
the earth. 5. Almost all of the people who appear on
television wear makeup.
4. The house where I was born and grew up was
destroyed in an earthquake ten years ago. 6. My grandfather was a community leader
whom everyone in our town admired him very
5. Summer is the time of year when the weather
much.
is the hottest.
7. I don’t like to spend time with people who
6. The miser hid his money in a place where it
losses their tempers easily.
was safe from robbers.
8. I sit next to a person whose name is Ahmed.
7. There came a time when the miser had to
spend his money. 9. In one corner of the marketplace, an old man
who was playing a violin.
8. His new shirt didn’t fit, so Dan took it back to
the store where he’d bought it. 10. A cafeteria is a kind of restaurant where you
choose your food and take it to a table
9. I remember the day when my mom told me we
yourself.
were moving.
10. We pulled into the driveway of the house
where my mum had grown up. Exercise 18: Correct the ten mistakes in the use
of relative clauses in these sentences.
Exercise 15: Choose the correct sentence from
each pair. 1. The strawberries that we use to make our pies
are grown in rich organic soil.
Example: A. Do you remember the name of
the place in that the crime was committed? 2. I can’t remember the name of the woman in
B. Do you remember the name of the office (whom) I talked to/to whom I talk
the place where the crime was committed? X last week, but she said she still had some
1. B 2. B 3. A 4. A 5. B tickets I could buy them.
Exercise 16: Write C (correct) or I (incorrect) on 3. A detective story is one in which there is a
the line before each sentence. murder or other crime in it and a detective he
1. C 2. I 3. I 4. C 5. I who tries to identify the person committed the
6. I 7. C 8. I 9. I 10. C crime.
11. C 12. I 13. I 14. C 15. I
4. We need a group of people who will work
16. I 17. C 18. I 19. I 20. C
together as a team which is capable of winning
21. I 22. C 23. C 24. I 25. I
the prize.
26. C 27. I 28. C 29. I 30. I
5. The people I work with them are all crazy
about a singer called Silk (who/whom/that) I
Exercise 17: All of the following sentences really don’t like him at all.
contain errors in adjective clause structures.
Correct the errors.
Exercise 19: Circle the best choice.
Example:
1. B 2. D 3. A 4. B 5. C
In our village there were many people didn’t
6. A 7. D 8. B 9. D 10. A
have much money.
- In our village there were many people
who/that didn’t have much money.
OR In our village many people didn’t have
much money. C1, U3: ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
1. I enjoyed the book that you told me to read it. ADVERBIAL CLAUSES OF TIME
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Exercise 1: Underline the correct answer. 1. He’s started walking to work so as not to get
1. When more exercise.
2. while
2. The government are going to increase taxes in
3. until/ before
ordr to raise more money.
4. until
5. as soon as 3. We took a map with us on the journey so as
6. just as not to get lost.
7. when
4. They stopped work at 1 o’clock in order to
8. when
have lunch.
9. before
10. when 5. He switched on the light so that he could see
what he was doing.
6. I turned down the music so that I wouldn’t
Exercise 2: Circle the best choice.
disturb the neighbours.
1. C 2. C 3. D 4. C 5. C
6. D 7. B 8. B 9. C 10. A 7. She repeated everything so that we would
11. A 12. A 13. A 14. C 15. B remember it.
8. She’s saving money so that she can buy a new
car.
Exercise 3: Circle the best choice.
1. B 2. D 3. C 4. D 5. D 9. She got up early so that she wouldn’t be late
6. A 7. B 8. C 9. B 10. B for work.
11. B 2. A 13. D 14. B 15. A
10. We waited a few munites until the rain stopped
so that we wouldn’t get wet.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES OF MANNER
Exercise 4: Complete each sentence with as or as ADVERBIAL CLAUSES OF REASON
though plus one of these phrases.
Exercise 7: Complete the sentences in A using
know-all know-how because or because of and an idea from B.
in the know no knowing
A B
1. It seemed as though some of the committee
were in favour of the plan early on, but there’s Example: He phoned a. his bad leg
no knowing what they will decide in the end. the police because (d)
b. I thought it might
2. I can do some of the repairs myself, but I rally 1. I didn’t have any rain
can’t do as much as someone with more lunch because (c)
technical know-how . c. I wasn’t hungry
2. Our plane was
3. Rebeca is such a know-all and always delayed because of d. he’d lost his wallet
behaves as though she’s the teacher and (e)
e. the fog
we’re her students. 3. He went to Paris
because (f) f. he wanted to learn
4. According to those in the know , this year’s
French
profit won’t be so impressive as last year’s 4. I took an umbrella
outstanding results. because (b)
5. He couldn’t run
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES OF PURPOSE very fast because
of (a)
Exercise 5: Circle the best choice.
1. A 2. A 3. B 4. A 5. C
6. C 7. B 8. B 9. A 10. B ADVERBIAL CLAUSES OF CONTRAST
Exercise 6: Join these ideas, using the words in Exercise 8: Complete the following sentences
brackets. with but, even though, or nevertheless.
Example: I wrote down the number. I didn’t 1. Nevertheless
want to forget it. (so as not to) 2. but
- I wrote down the number so as not 3. even though
to forget it. 4. but
5. Nevertheless
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

6. Even though 6. so
7. even though 7. so
8. but 8. so
9. Nevertheless 9. such
10. Nevertheless 10. so
11. so
12. So
Exercise 9: Complete the following sentences 13. so
with yet, although, or however. 14. such
1. However 15. so
2. yet
3. Although
4. yet Exercise 12: Join each pair of sentences using
5. Although so/such … (that).
6. However
Example: He’s got a very good memory. He
7. although
never needs to write anything down.
8. yet
- He’s got such a good memory (that)
9. However
he never needs to write anything down.
10. However
1. It was such a warm evening (that) we had
dinner outside in the garden.
Exercise 10: Underline the correct completions.
2. He was so nervous (that) he couldn’t eat
1. a. Even though/ Despite anything.
b. Even though/ Despite
3. Our neighbour’s party was so noisy (that) we
c. Even though/ Despite
couldn’t sleep.
d. Even though/ Despite
e. Even though/ Despite 4. The restaurant was so crowded (that) they
couldn’t find anywhere to sit down.
2. a. Although/ In spite of
b. Although/ In spite of 5. We were all having such a good time (that)
c. Although/ In spite of we didn’t want to stop.
d. Although/ In spite of
e. Although/ In spite of
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES OF CONDITION
3. a. Although/ Despite
b. Although/ Despite Exercise 13: Complete the sentences using in
c. Although/ Despite case. Decide if it goes in the first or the second
d. Although/ Despite blank. Add necessary punctuation and
e. Although/ Despite capitalization.
4. a. Even though/ In spite of Example: In case you need to get in touch with
b. Even though/ In spite of me , I’ll be in my office until late
c. even though/ in spite of this evening.
d. even though/ in spite of
e. even though/ in spite of 1. W we’ll be at the Swan Hotel in case you
f. even though/ in spite of need to call us.
g. even though/ in spite of 2. ____Y_ you’d be better take your raincoat
h. even though/ in spite of with you in case the weather changes. It
could rain before you get home again.

ADVERBIAL CLAUSES OF RESULTS 3. Mary is willing to work with you on your

design project. In case you find that you
Exercise 11: Add such or so to the following need help with it , she’ll be back in town next
sentences. Monday and can meet with you then.
Example: The wind was so strong that it blew 4. M my boss has to stay near a phone all
my hat off my head. weekend in case the company wants him to
1. such go to London to close the deal they’ve been
2. so working on all month.
3. so
4. such 5. In case I’m not back in time to make dinner
5. such , I put the phone number for carry-out
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Chinese food on the refrigerator. You can call Exercise 17: Complete the following sentences
and order the food for yourself. with the correct tenses of the verb in
parentheses.
1. will be
Exercise 14: Complete the sentences using in the 2. succeed
event that. 3. told/ tells
4. are/ will
Example: In the event that Janet is late for work
5. does
again tomorrow , she will be fire.
6. said
1. Are you sure you’re taking enough money 7. had said/ took
with you? Y you’d better take a credit card 8. would try
with you in the event that you run out of 9. will have
cash. 10. finish
11. had told
2. The political situation is getting more unstable 12. had explained
and dangerous. M my family plans to leave 13. would have gone
the country in the event that there is a civil 14. had known
war. 15. will send
3. Just to be on the safe side, X I always take a
change of clothes in my carry-on bag in the
event that the airline loses my luggage. Exercise 18: Add IF or UNLESS to each of the
following sentences.
4. The cheapest way to get from an airport to a 1. if
hotel is to take an airport bus, but I’m not sure 2. unless
if River City has one. in the event that there 3. if
is not airport bus , you can always take a 4. unless
taxi. 5. If
5. Ann is one of five people nominated for an 6. unless
award to be given at the banquet this evening. 7. If
S she has already prepared an acceptance 8. unless
speech in the event that she wins it tonight. 9. If
10. If
11. if
Exercise 15: Circle the correct answer. 12. If
13. if
Example: Most people you meet will be polite to 14. If
you ___ you are polite to them. 15. if
A. unless B. if
1. A 2. A 3. B 4. B 5. A
6. A 7. B 8. B 9. A 10. A MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES ON
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
Exercise 16: Choose the correct words so that Contrast & Reason
the sentences make sense. Exercise 19: Complete the sentences with even
Example: I’m going to go/ not going to go to the though or because.
park unless the weather is nice. Examples: - I put on my sunglasses even
1. rains though it was a dark, clougy day.
2. pass - I put on my sunglasses because
3. only if the sun was bright.
4. always eat 1. Even though
5. even if 2. Because
6. gets 3. even though
7. won’t 4. because
8. don’t wake. 5. Even though
9. if 6. because
10. Don’t borrow 7. even though
8. Even though / because
9. even though
10. even though/ because
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Exercise 20: Circle all the correct completions 6. Since

for each sentence. 7. Consequently
8. Since
Example: _B,D_ the post office was closed,
9. Due to/. Consequently,
I couldn’t mail my packages.
10. due to
A. Therefore B. Because C. For D. Since
1. A, B
2. B
Exercise 24: Circle the best choice.
3. A, D
4. B Example: We stopped at the baker’s ___ we could
5. C buy some bread.
6. A,B,C,D A. that B. to C. so that D. because
7. B,C 1. D 2. B 3. D 4. A 5. B
8. C 6. A 7. A 8. C 9. B 10. D
9. A, D 11. A 12. B 13. C 14. D 15. A
10. B

Exercise 25: Complete each sentence with a

Reasons & Results meaning similar to the ones given.
Exercise 21: Underline the correct answers. Example: The weekend was beautiful and sunny.
The weather forecast had predicted it would be.
Example: I haven’t got much money as/so I can’t
- Just as the weather forecast had predicted it
afford a new car.
would be, the weekend was beautiful and sunny.
1. As/As a result
2. because/so 1. Because he never has any money, he always
3. As a result/Since wants me to buy his ticket.
4. as a result/because
2. While we’re at the street market, we should
5. so/as
look for some cheap sandals.
6. as a result/because
7. so/therefore 3. Since I was in a car crash two years ago, I’ve
8. so/because had a constant pain in my neck.
9. so/since
10. because/as a result 4. Now that their children have grown up, they
can go on more trips abroad.
Exercise 22: Complete the sentences with
because, because of, or therefore. 5. As his phone wasn’t on, I left him a message.

1. Because Exercise 26: Circle all the correct completions

for each sentences. There may be more than one
2. Therefore correct completion.
3. because of Example: A,C,D I was tired, I went to bed.
A. because B. for C. since D. due to the fact that
4. Therefore
1. A
5. because of 2. A, D
3. C
6. Because
4. A, B, D
7. because of 5. B
6. A
8. because
7. C
9. therefore 8. D
9. A, C
10. because of
10. B
11. B
12. C
Exercise 23: Complete the sentences with due to, 13. A, B, D
since, or consequently. Add any necessary 14. B
punctuation and capitalization. 15. B, C, D
1. Due to
2. Since Exercise 27: Circle the best choice.
3. Consequently
4. Consequently
5. due to
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Example: ____ I get angry and upset, I try to take 11. yet/however
ten deep breaths.
12. afterwards/since
A. Until B. Whenever C. Therefore D. For
1. B 2. A 3. B 4. D 5. C 13. Even so/Even though
6. D 7. A 8. C 9. B 10. A
14. meanwhile/while
11. B 12. C 13. A 14. A 15. B
16. D 17. A 18. C 19. C 20. C 15. After/After that
Exercise 28: Complete the sentences. Place the Exercise 32: Circle the best choice.
letter of the completion in the blank space. Use
each completion only one time. Example: The sky was gray and cloudy. ___, we
1. B 2. E 3. J 4. F 5. C went to the beach.
6. H 7. A 8. G 9. I 10. D A. Consequently B. Nevertheless
C. Even though D. In spite of
Exercise 29: Circle the best choice. 1. D 2. D 3. A 4. C 5. B
6. B 7. C 8. B 9. A 10. C
Example: It was cold and wet. D , Bob put on his
11. D 12. A 13. D 14. B 15. C
swimming suit and went to the beach.
16. D 17. A 18. D 19. B 20. D
A. Therefore B. Despite
C. Although D. Nevertheless Exercise 33: Fill in the blank with the missing
1. B 2. A 3. B 4. B 5. D connective word.
6. C 7. B 8. B 9. A 10. C
Example: Could you tell me where Mary was
Exercise 30: Show the relationship between when the lights went out?
ideas by adding any of the following expressions, 1. when
as appropriate: 2. where
3. when/ when/ when.
Example: It was still hot in the room even
4. until
though/ although I had turned on the
5. When
air conditioner.
6. until
1. due to/ because of
7. when/for
2. even though/ although
8. because/but/and
3. Nevertheless/However
9. While/because/but/because
4. Even though/ Although
10. as
5. In spite of/ Despite
11. that
6. Therefore
12. such
7. however,
13. so
8. because of/ due to
14. because
9. Although/Even though
15. before/so that/when
10. because/ since
11. Although/ Even though Exercise 34: Complete the following sentences
12. due to by putting conjunctions in the blank. At the end
13. Nevertheless/ However of the sentence, say what kind of adverb clause is
14. Although/ Even though employed in it.
15. Because
Example: Because John has poor eyesight, he has
Exercise 31: Underline the correct choice. to sit in the front row. (reason)
1. because [reason]
1. So that/Consequently
2. When [time]
2. while/at the same time 3. where [place]
4. when [time]
3. Even so/Even though
5. before [time]
4. so/in consequence 6. until [time]
7. because [reason]
5. Though/Instead
8. because [reason]
6. However,/Although 9. so that [purpose]
10. so that [purpose]
7. Even so,/Even though
11. Whatever [contrast]
8. before that/since 12. (al)though [contrast]
13. as [contrast]
9. Even though/Nevertheless 14. Although/though [contrast]
10. as/meanwhile 15. as [comparison]
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

16. Seeing [reason] 8. Use the paint-brush as I showed you yesterday.

Provided [condition] [manner]
17. as [manner]
9. Everywhere I looked there were dirty
18. If [condition]
footmarks. [place]
19. as [manner]
20. where [place] 10. Our friends has arrived when we got home.
[time]
11. I need a hammer and nails because I am going
Exercise 35: Write C (correct) or I (incorrect) on
to repair the shed. [reason]
the line before each sentence.
1. ___ C 12. We couldn’t play the match, because the fog
2. ___ I missing V(were) was too thick. [reason]
3. ___ I missing connector (Although this
13. We shall come and see you if we have a
type…)
holiday. [condition]
4. ___ C
5. ___ I missing S (whether it is …) 14. Although it was rather foggy, we played the
6. ___ I extra connector (omit while) match. [contrast]
7. ___ C
8. ___ I missing commas (desert, many plants) 15. We shall play the match, even though it is
9. ___ C rather foggy. [contrast]
10. ___ I missing S (you will have…) 16. We had to cancel the match, because it was so
11. ___ C foggy. [reason]
12. ___ I extra connector
13. ___ I missing connector, could be Because the 17. Mrs Brown locked the cupboard so that
report needed… Richard could not take the cakes. [purpose]
14. ___ C 18. I will tell you the secret if you won’t tell it to
15. ___ I missing verb anyone else. [condition]
16. ___ C
17. ___ I missing V, was leaving 19. They went swimming, although the sea was
18. ___ I missing very rough. [contrast]
19. ___ I missing commas 20. He told me the secret so that I should help
20. ___ C him. [purpose]

Exercise 36: Circle the best choice Exercise 38: Pick out the subordinate clauses in
1. D 2. B 3. B 4. C 5. C the following sentences and identify each as an
6. A 7. C 8. D 9. C 10. A Adjective, Adverb or Noun clause.
1. He was a man who never found happiness.
Exercise 37: Underline the adverb clauses in the [Restrictive Adj Cl]
following sentences and say what type of adverb 2. When the fire started, I grabbed a bucket
clause each one is. (thùng, xô). [Adv Cl of Time]
1. When we arrived at the football field, the 3. The apples that make the best pies are the sour
game had started. [Time] ones. [Restrictive Adj Cl]
2. Richard left dirty footmarks wherever he went. 4. What you want is hard to obtain. [Subject Noun
[place] Cl]
3. Kick the ball hard, as Richard did. [manner] 5. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
4. Don’t handle those cups and saucers as if they [Adv Cl of Condition]
were made of iron. [manner] 6. I read the books which he recommended.
5. I am standing where I can see the game. [Restrictive Adj Cl]
[place] 7. Hawkeye knew that he was being watched.
6. You can’t come into this room while we are [Object Noun Cl]
having a lesson. [time] 8. I was alarmed by what he said. [Object Noun
7. As soon as the boy came into the room, the Cl]
noise started. [time] 9. He enrolled in college because he wanted to be
a lawyer. [Adv Cl of Reason]
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

10. What annoyed me was the clerk’s indifference. Exercise 40: Underline the subordinate clause(s)
[Subject Noun Cl] in each sentence. Then, indicate the type and
function of the subordinate clause by writing the
11. You are the man I am looking for. [Restrictive
letter of the phrase in the table on the line.
Adj Cl]
1. [G] All things are difficult before they are
12. He went swimming on a day when the sun was
easy.
bright. [Restrictive Adj Cl]
2. [A] The size of a man can be measured by the
13. While she was gossiping, the supper burned on
size of the thing that makes him angry.
the stove. [Adv Cl of Time]
3. [C] Man lives by habit indeed, but what he
14. His suggestion was that we should stay home.
lives for is thrill and excitements.
[Complement Noun Cl]
4. [A] Tolerance of differeing opinion is the only
15. We left before the concert was finished. [Adv
attitude that makes possible a free press.
Cl of Time]
5. [G] An error doesn’t become a mistake until
Exercise 39: Indicate the type and function of
you refuse to correct it.
the subordinate clause in each following
sentence. Write the letter of the phrase in the 6. [L] Humanity is not so adult that it can do
table on the line. without hero- worship.
1. [A] He was wearing the jacket I gave him. 7. [C] Whoever has an idea has a bargaining tool.
2. [A] This is the town where the film was shot. 8. [A] Sometimes one pays most for the things
one gets for nothing.
3. [C] Whoever believes in me will have
everlasting life. 9. [G],[D] When we have not what we like, we
must like what we have. [D]
4. [D] You can give that away to whoever you
like. 10. [N] Opinions cannot survive if one has no
chance to fight for them.
5. [B] My dad prefers tennis, which he still plays.
11. [D] Very frequently a fight for what is right
6. [A] The farmer whose land we use often gives
degenerates into a quarrel for what is left.[D]
us apples.
12. [H] One learns to itch where one can scratch.
7. [B] My mother, who milked the cows, made
butter and cheese. 13. [A] Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of
results. I know several thousand things that
8. [M] Although I like insects, I do not wish to
won’t work.
study entomology.
14. [D] I wish he would explain his explanation.
9. [O] That spider was more colorful than the
others in the shed (were). 15. [K] Facts do not cease to exist because they
are ignored.
10. [H] We were fishing where the smugglers used
to land. 16. [A][E] All I know is what I read in the papers.
11. [K] We had to rush home as a storm was 17. [A] These are two kinds of people in one’s life
coming. – people whom one keeps waiting – and the
people for whom one waits.
12. [G] We wanted to get back before it got dark.
18. [C],[G] The word ‘prejudice’ means
13. [O] We had caught a fish as big as the one Dad
‘prejudgment’. Learning facts after judgment
caught last Sunday.
has been passed does astonishingly little to
14. [L] My brother is so little that I carried his change the judgment.
bucket for him.
19. [A],[A] The only people who never fail are
15. [J] We cleaned the fish quickly so that we those who never try.
could grill it for dinner.
20. [F],[A] The problem, what man will do with
16. [C] Where he hid the money is still a mystery. the enormous power which science has put
into his hands, is probably the most vital and
17. [D] They now know who the thief was.
alarming problem of modern times.
18. [C] That they were up to no good was obvious.
Exercise 41: Underline the subordinate clause(s)
19. [G] We were relieved when they arrived. in each sentence. Then, indicate the type and
20. [E] That is exactly what happened.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

function of the subordinate clause by writing the 25. In chipping their flint weapons men must have
letter of the phrase in the table on the line. seen that fire occasionally flashed out. [D]
1. ‘Know yourself’ was the advice given to us by 26. It is quite evident rain will fall today. [C]
a Greek sage. [C]
27. It is quite evident you have made a mistake.
2. A river is joined at places by tributaries that [C]
swell its waters. [A]
28. It will be easily understood how useful even
3. All that glitters is not gold. [A] the simplest weapons were to the first dwellers
on the earth. [C]
4. Common sense soon taught him that fire could be
produced by rubbing two sticks together. [D] 29. It’s an ill wind that blows no one any good.
[A]
5. Even a feather shows which way the wind is
blowing. [D] 30. Let us go to bed as it is now late. [K]
6. Ever since we left the house, it has not ceased Exercise 42: Underline the subordinate clause(s)
raining. [G] in each sentence. Then, indicate the type and
function of the subordinate clause by writing the
7. Fortune selects him for her lord, who reflects
letter of the phrase in the table on the line.
before acting. [B]
1. Man has the power of making instruments,
8. He did not know that his father had been shot.
which bring into view stars, whose light has
[D]
taken a thousand years to reach the earth. [B],
9. He likes you as much as I do. [O] [B]
10. He made his living by the presents he received 2. Men engage in some work so that they may
from the men he served. [A],[A] earn a living. [J]
11. He preserved so steadily that he succeeded at 3. Murder, though it has no tongue, will yet
last. [L] speak. [M]
12. He returned home after he had finished the 4. No one knows when he will come, or whether
work. [G] he will come at all or whether he is even alive.
[D]
13. He threatened to beat him unless he confessed.
[N] 5. Of what use is a knowledge of books to him
who fails to practice virtue. [A]
14. He travelled home by the way his father
showed him. [A] 6. Prove a friend before you trust him. [G]
15. He tried for a long time before he succeeded. 7. Springs are fed by rain, which was percolated
[G] through the rocks or soil. [B]
16. He walked with care lest he should stumble. 8. Surely the story you are telling me is not true.
[J] [A]
17. He was always honest though he was poor. 9. The equator shows where days and nights are
[M] of equal length. [D]
18. He will succeed because he has worked hard. 10. The exact time when the theft was committed
[K] was never found out. [A]
19. How this came to pass is not known to anyone. 11. The fact that you have now signed your name
[C] to a letter shows that you lack moral courage.
[F],[D]
20. I agree to this, provided you sign you name.
[N] 12. The first thing that man needed was some
sharp – edged tool. [A]
21. I have seen the house where Shakespeare was
born. [A] 13. The fool has said in his heart: ‘There is no
good.’ [D]
22. I think I shall never clearly understand this.
[D] 14. The house we lived in has fallen down. [A]
23. I will let off this man because he has been 15. The man by whom the theft was committed
punished already. [K] has been caught. [A]
24. I would be glad to lend you that money if I had 16. The name ‘Valcano’ indicate the belief of the
much in my own pocket. [N] Ancient Greeks that the burning hills of the
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Mediterranean were the work-shops of the 25. We heard the school would open in ten day’s
divine blacksmith, Vulcan. [F] time. [D]
17. The plan you acted on has answered well. [A] 26. We learn from travellers that savages can
produce fire in a few seconds. [D]
18. The question first occuring to the mind of a
savage is how is fire to be made. [E] 27. What is one man’s meat is another man’s
poison. [C]
19. They accepted every plan we proposed. [A]
28. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the
20. This is not the book that I should have chosen.
gander. [C]
[A]
29. Whatever difficulty man has is improved by
21. This is not true as far as I can tell. [I]/[O]
use. [C]
22. This is the same story that I heard ten years
30. You must know that the air is never quite at
ago. [A]
rest. [D]
23. Unless you leave the house at once, I will send
for a policeman. [O]
24. We cannot rely on what he says. [D]

CHAPTER 3: SENTENCES ACCORDING TO STRUCTURES

Exercise 1: Indicate whether each of the 11. CX
following sentences is Simple (S), Compound 12. S
(C), Complex (CX) or Compound-complex (C- 13. C
CX). 14. CX
1. CX 15. C
2. S 16. C-CX
3. S 17. CX
4. CX 18. S
5. C-CX 19. C
6. C 20. C
7. CX
8. CX
9. C-CX Exercise 3: Indicate whether each of the
10. CX following sentences is Simple (S), Compound
11. C (C), Complex (CX) or Compound-complex (C-
12. C CX).
13. CX 1. CX
14. S 2. CX
15. C-CX 3. S
16. S 4. C
17. CX 5. C-CX
18. S 6. CX
19. S 7. C
20. CX 8. CX
9. S
Exercise 2: Indicate whether each of the
10. CX
following sentences is Simple (S), Compound
11. CX
(C), Complex (CX) or Compound-complex (C-
12. C-CX
CX).
13. S
1. S
14. S
2. C
15. CX
3. S
16. C
4. CX
17. S
5. C
18. C-CX
6. S
19. S
7. CX
20. CX
8. C-CX
9. S
10. S
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Exercise 4: Indicate whether each of the 4. S

following sentences is Simple (S), Compound 5. C-CX
(C), Complex (CX) or Compound-complex (C- 6. S
CX). 7. CX
1. CX 8. C
2. S 9. CX
3. CX 10. S

CHAPTER 4: COMMON MISTAKES IN SENTENCES

C4, U1: NON-PARALLEL CONSTRUCTIONS 9. I want a teammate who is skillful, reliable and
tireless.
Exercise 1: Read each pair of sentences. Circle
the letter of the sentence that contains parallel 10. Is it our ideas or our writing that matters for
structure. our grades?
1. B 2. A 3. B 4. A 5. B
C4, U2: DANGLING SENTENCES
6. A 7. A 8. B 9. A 10. B
Exercise 1: Put a check mark (√) next to the
sentence with a dangling modifier.
Exercise 2: Write P (parallel) or N (not parallel)
1. _____ Watching the Super Bowl, I ate a whole
on the line.
bag of chips and a carton of dip.
1. P 2. N 3. N 4. N 5. P
6. N 7. P 8. N 9. P 10. P 2. ___ Looking through a telescope, the moon
clearly was not made of cheese!
3. _____ Grasping the paw firmly, the veterinarian
Exercise 3: Write P (parallel) or N (not parallel)
cut the dog’s toenails.
on the line.
1. N 1. P 3. P 4. P 5. P 4. ___ With a victory shout, the soccer ball went
6. N 7. P 8. N 9. N 10. N into the goal.
11. P 12. N 13. P 14. P 15. P
5. ___ Wearing tuxedoes and long gowns, the
party was an elegant affair.
Exercise 4: Circle the option that maintains 6. ___ Scrubbing the tile grout with bleach and
parallel structure in the sentence. an old toothbrush, the mildew stains began to fade.
1. A 2. C 3. C 4. B 5. C (As Michael scrubbed the tile grout with bleach and
6. A 7. C 8. C 9. A 10. A an old toothbrush, the mildew stains began to fade.)
11. B 12. B 13. C 14. A 15. B
7. ___ To finish by the 3 p.m. deadline, the
16. C 17. C 18. B 19. B 20. A
computer keyboard sang with Sylvia's flying
fingers. (To finish by the 3 p.m. deadline, Sylvia
made the keyboard sing with her flying fingers.)
Exercise 5: Rewrite each sentence, making the
structure parallel. 8. _____ Sheila watched Desmond stuff his mouth
with a cupcake frosted with vanilla icing.
1. The Young, the Bold, and the Daring is Carla’s
favorite daytime TV show. 9. ___ Rapping the pencil on the edge of the desk,
the fourth cause of the French Revolution would
2. When introducing yourself, tell your name,
not come to mind. (Rapping the pencil on the edge
your age, and your occupation.
of the desk, Rodney could not remember the fourth
3. In the hot weather the babies cried, the cause of the French Revolution.)
children whined, and the adults argued.
10. ___ Slathering the popcorn with melted
4. Look for the puppy in the basement, under the butter, the calorie count skyrocketed. (When Aida
deck, and at the neighbor’s house. decided to slather the popcorn with melted butter,
the calorie count skyrocketed.)
5. On Saturdays I enjoy sleeping late, eating a
big breakfast, and going for a long walk.
6. I love the sun, the sand and the water. Exercise 2: Put a check mark () next to each
sentence with a misplaced modifier.
7. Writing is easy; writing well is difficult.
1. ___ Smothered with cheese and tomato sauce, I
8. The teacher explains the problem, the method
greedily gobbled the pizza.
and the solution.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

2. _____ I greedily gobbled the pizza smothered D. Giving an important speech, the chairman
with cheese and tomato sauce. began to shake uncontrollably.
3. _____ Swimming underwater, the divers saw 3. A. Exploding in bright colours, the crowd
buried treasure. loved the fireworks. 
4. ___ The divers saw buried treasure swimming B. Exploding in bright colours, the rockets
underwater. looked beautiful.
C. Exploding in bright colours, eveyone
5. ___ I usually travel on a plane with a good cheered as the fireworks went off. 
book. D. Exploding in bright colours, the fireworks lit
6. _____ On a plane, I usually travel with a good up the night.
book. 4. A. Fumbling dò dẫm, lần mò over his words, we
7. ___ Emma Sue was delighted when Mr. laughed at Tim's mistakes. 
Nguyen returned her perfect calculus test with an B. Fumbling over his words, Tim looked
ear-to-ear grin. riduculous.
C. Fumbling over his words, Tim's supporters
8. _____ Perched on the curtain rod, the parakeet both looked shocked. 
watched Rocky the cat slink behind the living room D. Fumbling over his words, Tim's speech was
sofa. a disaster. 
9. ___ Attached to the email, Charlotte sent her
5. A. With every limb aching, the runner crossed
boyfriend Byron another photographic self-portrait
the line.
with eerie red eyes. (Charlotte emailed her
B. With every limb aching, he finished the race
boyfriend Byron another photographic self-portrait
just ahead of his rival.
with eerie red eyes.)
C. With every limb aching, the crowd roared
10. ___ Hungry for dinner, the surface is where him towards the finish line. 
Gert the goldfish waited in anticipation of food D. With every limb aching, the spectators
flakes. (Hungry for dinner, Gert the goldfish waited cheered as he crossed the line. 
at the surface in anticipation of food flakes.)
Exercise 5: Circle the option that has no
misplaced or dangling modifier.
1. A 2. C 3. B 4. B 5. C
Exercise 3: Write ‘I’ if the sentence is incorrect.
6. B 7. A 8. A 9. C 10. C
Write ‘C’ if the sentence is correct.
11. A 12. C 13. C 14. A 15. C
1. I 2. C 3. I 4. C 5. I
16. B 17. B 18. A 19. A 20. C
6. I 7. I 8. C 9. I 10. C
11. I 12. I 13. I 14. I 15. C
Exercise 6: Rewrite each sentence so that it
makes better sense. Ask yourself what word the
Exercise 4: In this exercise you will be presented
“-ing ” phrase describes.
with a number of sentences, some of which
contain dangling participles. Put a tick by the 1. Hoping to mow the grass quickly, I used a
sentences that contain dangling participles. power mower.
1. A. Sizzling on the barbecue, I waited to eat the 2. Sitting on the roof, I could clearly see the city
sausages.  lights.
B. Sizzling on the barbecue, the sausages 3. After pushing button number 15, I felt the
looked delicious. elevator begin to rise.
C. Sizzling on the barbecue, we watched the
sausages cooking.  4. Hoping for a better life, the pioneers moved
D. Sizzling on the barbecue, my uncle smelled westward in their covered wagons.
the delicious sausages.  5. Having cooked all day, the family ate dinner in
2. A. Giving an important speech, the chairman just twenty minutes.
made a number of grammatical errors.
B. Giving an important speech, we couldn't
help laughing at the chairman's grammatical Exercise 7: Rewrite each sentence to make it
errors.  more sensible. Place each misplaced modifier
C. Giving an important speech, the building closer to the word it describes.
was full of the chairman's supporters.  Example: The swimmer approached the diving
board wearing swim fins.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

- The swimmer wearing swim fins Exercise 2: Circle the letter of the part which is
approached the diving board. fragmented in each following passage.
1. C 2. A 3. B 4. B 5. C
1. King Arthur saw a sword stuck firmly in a
6. B 7. B 8. A 9. C 10. A
solid rock.
11. B 12. C 13. B 14. C 15. C
2. In a closet upstairs, I found a candlestick 16. A 17. C 18. A 19. B 20. C
made by an ancient craftsman.
Exercise 3: Find and fix the fragments in the
3. While doing my homework, I like to listen to passage below.
soothing music.
(1) Marina, the beautiful mermaid, wanted some
4. I watched as my balloon broke with a loud tuna salad. (2) But had a small problem since she
pop. was allergic to celery. (3) At Sammy’s Sub Shop,
Marina hoped to find tuna salad free of this
5. The dog with the spiked collar was chasing the
dangerous vegetable. (4) Flopping across the tiled
boy.
floor to the counter. (5) Marina placed her order
and then checked her sandwich for celery. (6) Not
noticing, however, the spoiled mayonnaise. (7) At
Exercise 8: Rewrite the sentences that contain a five o'clock that evening, Marina became violently
dangling phrase. ill with food poisoning. (8) When a lifeguard at the
1. To be sure of a good seat, you should buy your beach discovered the problem, he called 911. (9)
tickets in advance. Even though the mermaid had fishy breath. (10) A
handsome paramedic gave her mouth-to-mouth
2. When I was at age of ten, my father took me resuscitation. (11) Wailing like a sick dog, the
up for my first airplane ride. ambulance sped off to the hospital. (12) Where the
3. While Mike was working for a jeweler, a doctor on call refused to treat a sea creature with a
watch disappeared, and Mike was accused of scaly tail. (13) A kind nurse, however, had more
taking it. sympathy. (14) After she found some Pepto-
Bismol. (15) Marina drank the entire bottle of pink
4. correct liquid, feeling an immediate improvement. (16) The
5. Having spent all afternoon at the football mermaid told the rude doctor never to swim in the
game, I have a sore throat. or ocean. (17) For she would order hungry sharks to
- After I had spent all afternoon at the football bite off the doctor's legs. (18) While sharp-clawed
game, my throat was sore. crabs plucked out his eyes. (19) Tossing her long
hair, Marina thanked the nurse for the Pepto-
6. Before we reached Crown Point, Mount Hood Bismol. (20) And took a mint from David, the
could be seen towering in the distance. handsome paramedic.
7. Last June, after I graduated from high school, Exercise 4: Circle the letter of the option that
my uncle gave me a job in his factory. correctly identifies each word group.
8. While I was running to my first-period class, 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. B 5. A
my jacket caught on a nail and ripped. 6. C 7. B 8. C 9. A 10. B
11. A 12. C 13. C 14. A 15. A
9. If we want to play golf well, a combination of 16. B 17. C 18. C 19. B 20. A
mental concentration and physical relaxation is
essential.
C4, U4: RUN-ON SENTENCES
10. If children are left alone with nothing to do,
parents can’t expect children to keep out of Exercise 1: Label the run-on sentences (r-o) and
mischief. the correct sentences (ok).
1. r-o
2. r-o
C4, U3: SENTENCE FRAGMENTS 3. ok
Exercise 1: If the following is a sentence, 4. r-o
underline the independent clause and label it S 5. r-o
(sentence). If the following is missing a subject 6. ok
or predicate or is a dependent clause, label it F 7. ok
(fragment). 8. r-o
1. F 2. S 3. S 4. S 5. F 9. r-o
6. S 7. F 8. F 9. S 10. S 10. ok
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

Exercise 2: Correct each of the following run- the two sentences. (Note: Put a comma before
ons. the conjunction that joins two sentences.)
1. I came; I saw; I conquered. 1. You could sleep late, and you could rise early.
2. My heart pounded, but still I waited patiently. 2. Ellis took the quick route, but Clay went the
long way.
3. I fear the future, because I don’t know how I
will support myself. 3. The cookie holds a paper fortune, but I don’t
believe it will come true.
4. After I graduate from high school, I will start a
software company. Hence I will become an 4. A camper was careless, so many acres of
instant millionaire. forestland burned.
5. I am very good at dealing with financial 5. The snow is falling heavily now, so get out that
matters except balancing my checkbook. shovel!
Somehow my totals never seem to add up.

MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES OF
6. Unlike many high school students, I am very
CHAPTER 4
responsible financially. Usually, I spend
within my budget. Exercise 1: Correct the punctuation in the
following sentences.
7. I wouldn’t like to have to pay for all my own
expenses, however, because living on my 1. After the ball game, we’ll stop for burgers and
salary wouldn’t be much fun. fries.
8. Mr. Nguyen has sent his four children to ivy- 2. correct
league colleges. However, he has sacrificed
3. Because we stuff ourselves with junck food at
his health working day and night in that dusty
the game, we rarely are hungry when we get
bakery.
home.
9. Judy leads a charmed life; she never seems to
4. correct
have a serious accident.
5. When we get home, we often have work to do,
10. The show begins at 7:30. Make sure you're
but we don’t have the energy to do it.
there before 7:15.
6. We lie down; we watch television and nap.
7. correct
Exercise 3: Correct the run-on sentences by
writing two complete sentences. 8. If you consider all the pain involved in losing
weight, it probably is better to eat vegetables,
1. The spaceship landed an oddly shaped alien
fruits, and whole grain products instead of
stepped out.
cotton candy, hot dogs, and ice cream, but it
The spaceship landed. An oddly shaped alien
certainly isn’t as much fun.
stepped out.
9. The airport is about to shut down because of
2. Brace yourself we are about to crash!
the snow, and if the plane doesn't land soon it
Brace yourself. We are about to crash!
will have to go on to Boston.
3. Fill the cup at the water cooler cold water
10. Marcellino always knew his way around the
tastes better.
woods; this is something he could always
Fill the cup at the water cooler. Cold water
depend on.
tastes better.
4. Five pizzas won’t be enough, you’d better buy
six. Exercise 2: Punctuate the following sentences by
Five pizzas won’t be enough. You’d better buy adding periods (.) or commas (,) as necessary. Do
six. not add any words. Capitalize letters where
necessary. Some sentences may require no
5. Gracie stood in line for six hours, she was
changes.
determined to get tickets.
Gracie stood in line for six hours. She was Examples:
determined to get tickets.
I like French cooking my wife prefers Italian
Exercise 4: Correct the run-on sentences. Use cooking.
the conjunctions or, and, so, or but to connect - I like French cooking. My wife prefers Italian
cooking.
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

I like French cooking but my wife prefers 20. The head of state and the religious leader were
Italian cooking. often the same person; all power rested in one
- I like French cooking, but my wife prefers ruler.
Italian cooking.
1. I’ve read that book. It’s very good.
Exercise 3: Identify each of the following as a
2. I’ve read that book, but I didn’t like it. run-on (r-o), a fragment (F), or a correct
sentence (C).
3. add no punctuation
1. C 2. r-o 3. r-o 4. F 5. r-o
4. I opened the door. My sister answered the
phone.
Exercise 4: Karla wrote the following report for
5. I opened the door, and my sister answered the
science class. She included valuable information,
phone.
but she made sentence errors. Rewrite Karla’s
6. Minerals are common materials. They are report. Correct all fragments and run-on
found in rocks and soil. sentences.
7. The most common solid materials on earth are THE PYTHON
minerals. They are found in rocks, soil, and
“Step right up, Ladies and gentlemen! See the
water.
monster snake. This giant python can squeeze the
8. You can travel to England by plane, or you life out of you!”
can go by ship if you prefer.
Snakes called pythons or constrictors are huge
9. add no punctuation reptiles. They were once commonly displayed in
circuses and carnivals. While pythons do squeeze
10. Jason was going to study all night, so he
their prey to death, their usual victims are small
declined our invitation to dinner.
mammals, not human beings.
11. Jason declined our invitation to dinner. He
The anaconda, one type of python, is the largest of
needed to stay home and study.
all snakes. It lives in southeastern Asia. It grows to
12. The wind howling outside, yet it was warm and be more than 30 feet long. The python spends most
comfortable indoors. of its time in trees. There it suns itself and waits for
its food. When an unlucky mammal happens along,
13. I hurried to answer the phone, for I didn’t the python strikes. Its prey usually weighs between
want the children to wake up. 15 and 30 pounds. The python coils around the
- or add no punctuation animal, stopping its breathing.
14. Last weekend we went camping. It rained the Pythons are primitive snakes, closely related to
entire time. lizards. They have plump, muscular bodies. They
15. The highway was under construction, so we are very strong. They are usually found near water.
had to take a different route to work. They hide in foliage or hang from tree branches.
The royal python that lives in equatorial Africa. can
16. No one thought we would win the curl into a ball and be rolled on the ground.
championship, yet our team won by a large
margin. The name “python” comes from a Greek myth. It
was the name of a serpent that lived in dark flood
17. We arrived at the theatre late, but the play had waters. It attacked people and animals. The Greek
not yet begun. We were quite surprised. god Apollo killed Python. with his arrows.
18. A central heating system provides heat for an
entire building from one central place. Most
central heating systems service only one Exercise 5: Proofread this beginning of a student
building, but some systems heat a group of essay. As you read, look for faulty grammar that
buildings, such as those at a military base, a needs repairing. When you finish reading this
campus, or an apartment complex. section of the essay, answer the multiple-choice
questions.
19. Having prepared himself well for the realtor
exams and having exhausted everyone in the PART 1 - Jim Abbott Meets the Challenge
family with his requests that someone help him Each following item presents a sentence from the
with the true-and-false drills, Jeffrey, who had essay above. If you think the sentence is correct as
never been a particularly good student in high written, circle choice a. If you think choice a is
school, knew he was ready to take on the faulty, circle b or c to show the correct choice.
greatest challenge of his life. 1. a 2. c 3. b
BASIC ENGLISH GRAMMAR 2 Keys to Grammar Exercises

4. c 5. c 6. b game a black weather balloon with ‘MIT’

emblazoned on it emerged in a puff of smoke,
inflated to full size, and floated away. The actual
Exercise 6: Proofread Part 2 of this student weather balloon now resides in a museum dedicated
essay. Continue looking for faulty grammar that entirely to MIT’s technological pranks.
needs repairing. When you finish the passage,
answer the multiple-choice questions.
Exercise 10: Correct the mistakes in the
PART 2 - Jim Abbott Meets the Challenge
sentences below. There are eight mistakes.
Each item presents a sentence from the essay
‘Children should be seen but not heard’ is an old
above. If you think the sentence is correct as
saying propounded by an earlier generation. In
written, circle choice a. If you think choice a is
Victorian England, mothers used opium to make
faulty, circle b or c to show the correct choice.
their offspring behave as like mannerly children
1. b 2. b 3. c
should. Opium solutions like ‘Mother’s Helper,’
4. b 5. a 6. c
‘Soothing Syrup,’ and ‘Infant’s Quietness’ were
sold in large jugs. Children drank it greedily
because it was often mixed with sweet syrup. Since
Exercise 7: Proofread the following student
opium is not readily water soluble, it tended to
essay. Look for faulty grammar that needs
become concentrated in the bottom of the jug. Thus
repairing. When you finish reading the essay,
the child who got the last dose became totally
answer the multiple-choice questions.
Intoxicated. Women of the upper classes as well as
Call the BBB the poor sought the relief from their fractious
offspring by sedating them. If a child was
Each item presents a sentence from the essay inconvenient to her social life or if she couldn’t
above. If you think the sentence is correct as afford to come home from her sweatshop job to
written, circle choice a. If you think choice a is nurse her baby. Mom could quiet him with a dollop
faulty, circle b or c to show the correct choice. of syrup. Imagine the long-term effects of drug
1. b 2. c 3. c dependency on a whole generation of children who
4. c 5. a 6. b were ‘seen but not heard.

Exercise 8: Proofread the following paragraph.

Look for faulty grammar that needs repairing.
When you finish reading the paragraph, answer
the multiple-choice questions.
A Call to Arms
Each item presents a sentence from the essay
above. If you think the sentence is correct as
written, circle choice a. If you think choice a is
faulty, circle b or c to show the correct choice.
1. c 2. c 3. a 4. c
5. a 6. b 7. c 8. b

Exercise 9: Correct the mistakes in the sentences

below. There are five mistakes.
Pranks that require great engineering skill but cause
no damage are legendary at Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT). One of the most famous
occurred during a Harvard-Yale football game in
1982. Since MIT is located right down the street
from Harvard, the rivalry between the two schools
is fierce. Thus Harvard’s big game was the perfect
site for an MIT caper. The night before the big
game, students smuggled a weather balloon into the
stadium and burried it on the 46-yard line. A device
to inflate the balloon was attached and wires were
run out to undergraduate whom the students had
chosen to trigger the spectacle. In the middle of the