Modal verbs
Defining and non-defining relative clauses
Types of sentences
Idioms
100
She never misses a meeting. She ______ be stuck in traffic.
must
Logical certainty based on known behavior/evidence.
100
The company's CEO, _____ we met yesterday, announced a major restructuring.
(Possible answers: who / whom)
whom
Non-defining relative clauses add extra, non-essential information and are separated by commas. The choice of pronoun depends on its function within the relative clause.
100
The entire operation depends on this single shipment arriving on time.
Simple
One independent clause (one subject-verb set).
100
I'm what you do when you spend lots of money on fun things like parties, fancy dinners, and shows. You enjoy life to the fullest!
What idiom am I?
💚 TO LIVE IT UP!
200
His phone goes straight to voicemail; the battery ______ have died.
must
Strong deduction about a past event based on present evidence.
200
The complex regulations _____ compliance* is mandatory often pose a significant challenge for startups.
(Possible answers: with which / to which)
*compliance- соответствие
with which
When a preposition is needed before the relative pronoun in formal or written English, we use "which" (for things) or "whom" (for people). The preposition is placed before the pronoun.
200
The initial results were highly encouraging, so the researchers immediately applied for additional funding.
Compound
Two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction ("so").
200
I don't follow the crowd or the usual path. I seek places where few have left their footprints. What am I doing?
💚 Go off the beaten track
300
With the main witness now refusing to testify, the case against the CEO* ______ completely collapse.
*CEO- исполнительный директор
might
Speculation about a future possibility; "may" is also possible but "might" is preferred for a less likely or more tentative outcome.
300
The proposal _____ he submitted last week was surprisingly radical.
(Possible answers: that / - )
that or (no pronoun)
In defining relative clauses (where the information is essential to identify the noun), we can use "that" for things/people, or we can omit the pronoun entirely if it is the object of the clause. "Which" is also possible but less common in this defining context in everyday English. "That" or omission is never used in non-defining clauses (which use commas).
300
Although the merger* was finalized last quarter, full integration will take years.
*merger- слияние
Complex
One independent clause ("full integration will take years") and one dependent clause starting with "Although."
300
I'm not in a hurry. I'm slowly looking at all the famous buildings, views, and monuments, wanting to remember them. What am I doing?
💚 Taking in the sights
400
Given the encrypted nature of the communication and the single-use devices, they ______ well have been aware of the surveillance*.
*surveillance- наблюдение
might
"Might well have + past participle" is a fixed phrase for a strong but unconfirmed past possibility.
400
The negotiations collapsed at the final hour, _____ prompted a sharp decline in investor confidence.
(Possible answer: which)
which
In non-defining relative clauses, "which" can refer back to the entire idea of the preceding main clause, not just a single noun. This is a formal and precise construction. "That" cannot be used in this way.
400
Because the market is so volatile*, we must diversify our assets*, and we should also increase our cash reserves.
*volatile- летучий
*assets- активы
Compound-Complex
At least two independent clauses ("we must diversify..." and "we should also increase...") and at least one dependent clause ("Because the market is so volatile").
400
I didn't get a good deal. In fact, I paid much more than something was worth, feeling cheated and lighter in my wallet. What happened to me?
💚 Be ripped off