Verb tenses and forms
He ___ driving even though he had a flat tyre.
Variants: A) used to, B) would, C) kept on, D) ’s constantly
kept on
Daniel ___ on his own right now if we’d left on time.
Variants: A) didn't wait, B) hadn't waited, C) wouldn't wait, D) wouldn't be waiting
wouldn't be waiting
Never ___ such a sound coming from the garden.
Variants: A) before had we heard, B) had we heard before, C) we had heard before, D) before we had heard
had we heard before
___ she may not seem very creative, she’s actually a very good artist.
Variants: A) Admittedly, B) Even, C) However, D) While
While
The lost puppy ___ now. It was returned to its owner yesterday.
Variants: A) has found, B) has been found, C) had found, D) had been found
has been found
When we want to refer to the past, or a completed action at a future time, we use a perfect infinitive. It is formed with to have been + past participle. The to is omitted after modal verbs such as may, might, will.
I might have been sent the wrong item.
My birthday seems to have been forgotten by my brother.
They ___ hard for hours so we suggested taking a break.
Variants: A) have worked, B) have been working, C) had worked, D) had been working
had been working
If you ___ so stubborn, we might have reached a compromise earlier.
Variants: A) aren't, B) weren't, C) hadn't been, D) wouldn't have been
weren't
Under ___ cross the line before the whistle blows.
Variants: A) not at all anyone should, B) not at all should anyone, C) no circumstances anyone should, D) no circumstances should anyone
no circumstances should anyone
I really enjoyed the book. _____, the movie adaptation was disappointing." Which word best fills in the blank?
Varians: A) Although, B) Even though, C) However, D) Admittedly
However ("However" is used to start a new sentence and introduce a contrasting point of view, which is the counterargument here. "Although" and "Even though" would need to combine the two ideas into one sentence.)
He smiled at me ___ it didn’t matter that I’d made a mistake.
Variants: A) as if to say, B) as if saying, C) as though say, D) as though saying
as if to say
We might follow as if and as though with an infinitive or prepositional phrase.
Tom moved his lips slightly as if to smile.
I screamed as if in pain, but really I was just frustrated.
I just called Michael, but he seemed ___ He said he’d call me back later.
Variants: A) to be driving, B) to be driven, C) was driving, D) was driven
to be driving
___ me how the dishwasher worked, I wouldn’t still be struggling to use it.
Variants: A) you'd show, B) would you show, C) you'd shown, D) had you shown
Had you shown
Not ___ the day we went to the beach, but she also remembers what we had for lunch.
Variants: A) only she does remember, B) only does she remember, C) before she does remember, D) before does she remember
only does she remember?
________ dystopian novels can be dark, they often contain a message of hope.
Varinats: A) That said, B) However, C) Admittedly, D) While
While ("While" is specifically mentioned as an adverbial that forms a concession clause, perfectly fitting this sentence structure. "Admittedly" would typically be followed by "but" in this context.)
The shopkeeper ___ the children stealing those sweets.
Variants: A) incredibly was annoyed about, B) was annoyed about incredibly, C) was incredibly annoyed about, D) was annoyed incredibly about
was incredibly annoyed about
By this October, she ___ to judo for five years.
Variants: A) goes, B) ’ll go, C) ’ll have gone, D) ’ll have been going
‘ll have been going
I doubt that we ___ non-renewable energy to heat our home in ten years' time.
Variants: A) It have used, B) 'll be using, C) 'll have been using, D) 're using
'll be using
No matter how ___ it, we need to fix it before your grandmother sees it.
Variants: A) do you break, B) did you break, C) you broke, D) you break
did you break
_______, there have been some excellent sci-fi stories, but I prefer romance.
Variants: A) admittedly, B)That said, C) However, D) Although
Admittedly (followed by "but")
By this October, she ___ to judo for five years.
Variants: A) goes, B) ’ll go, C) ’ll have gone, D) ’ll have been going
’ll have been going
I don't mind ___ for my contact details.
Variants: A) have asked, B) been asking, C) having been asked, D) been having asked
having been asked
The oceans ___ so badly by the end of the century that no marine life remains.
Variants: A) could have polluted, B) could have been polluted, C) could pollute, D) could be polluting
could have been polluted
___ I would like you to have a go at answering the question.
Variants: A) It may be as difficult, B) May it be as difficult, C) Difficult though it may be, D) It may be difficult though
Difficult though it may be
Tired ______ I am, I'm going to finish this report tonight.
Variants: A)although, B) though, C)however, D) that said
though
We can use the structure adjective + though/as to make a concession, e.g. True though that is, True though that may be, Interesting as that seems, Clever though he may be, Horrible as that is, Brilliant as she may seem.
Taxi drivers ___ their customers too much can be punished by the local authorities.
Variants: A) charged, B) are charged, C) charging, D) are charging
charging
Present participles (-ing forms)
We use a present participle in the reduced relative clause when the verb in the original clause has an active meaning and the noun before the participle is the subject of the verb.
I recognised the man sitting in the cafe.
(... the man who was sitting in the cafe.)