Verb complements
I'm tired. I really need _____ a nap.
a) take
b) to take
c) taking
b) to take
Certain verbs are followed by infinitive (to+verb) as their complement (i.e. need, hope, promise).
I wish I _____ (to be) more patient.
[I'm not a patient person.]
I wish1 I was/were2 more patient.
Use a verb in the past for a wish about a present or future situation.
1Same as If only.
2Differently from Past Simple, were is correct regardless of the subject, but it's more formal.
I usually _____ my friends at a park when it is sunny.
a) meet
b) will meet
c) met
d) meeting
a) I usually meet* my friends at a park when it is* sunny.
Zero Conditional: If/When + Present Simple* [Condition], Present Simple* [Result].
Used to talk about facts or generalizations.
You shouldn't drink _____ coffee after 6pm – otherwise you won't sleep!
a) very
b) many
c) much
d) a
c) much
Coffee is an uncountable noun, so use much instead of many. Very is an intensifier (i.e. very interesting) and a/an are indefinite pronouns, which are used with countable1 nouns (i.e. a cup1 of coffee, an orange cake1).
I hate _____ movie with this actor.
[I don't like any of them!]
I hate every movie1 with this actor.
The same as all the movies, but with a singular1 noun.
My parents are thinking about _____ to Sweden in December.
a) travel
b) to travel
c) travelling
c) travelling
Verbs are followed by gerund (verb+ing) after a preposition (i.e. of, about).
I _____ to the mall. It's very far. We can call an Uber.
[I prefer not to walk.]
I1'd rather2 not3 walk4 to the mall. It's very far. We can call an Uber.
Subject1 + would rather2 + not3 + verb4 (base form): subject's preference about their own actions.
*In negative sentences, don't use than afterwards.
If it rains this weekend, I _____ home and watch series.
a) stay
b) will stay
c) stayed
d) staying
a) If it rains1 this weekend, I will stay2 home and watch2 series.
First Conditional: If/When + Present Simple1 [Condition], Future Simple2 [Result].
Used to talk about a possibility in the future.
If you need _____ information on this topic, I can suggest an amazing article that I've read recently.
a) a few
b) a little
c) very
d) many
b) a little
Information is an uncountable noun, so use a little instead of a few. Very is an intensifier (i.e. very cool) and many is used with countable1 nouns (i.e. many ideas1).
I've already read _____ of the books that you recommended.
[I've read all of them.]
I've already read each of the books that you recommended.
Same as all of the books or every one of the books*.
*Don't say every of the books.
That meme really made me _____!
a) laugh
b) to laugh
c) laughing
a) laugh
Certain verbs are followed by bare infinitive (base form) after an object1/object pronoun2 (i.e. the class1, me2).
My mom wishes I _____ (not/to speak) so loudly in the morning.
[It makes her mad.]
My mom1 wishes I2 wouldn't speak so loudly in the morning.
To talk about somebody's2 actions that annoy the subject1, use would/wouldn't + verb (base form).
_____ you _____ (to come) to my party if you _____ (not/to have) to study?
[I know that you have to study.]
Would you come2 to my party if you didn't have1 to study?
Second Conditional: If + Past Simple1 [Condition], would+verb (base form)2 [Result].
Used to talk about a hypothetical situation – either an unlikely situation or about something which is not the case in the present or future.
I just need to finish _____ things and then I can go home.
a) a few
b) few
c) a little
d) little
a) a few
Thing is a countable noun*, so use few or (a) few. The difference between few and a few is that the first implies a small quantity whereas the second means an unspecified quantity (same as some).
*That is to say you can use a plural form.
_____ you do as I say _____ you'll be in trouble!
[You have two alternatives: do as I say, be in trouble. Choose one!]
Either you do as I say or you'll be in trouble!
Use this form to present affirmative alternatives.
*For negative alternatives, use Neither... nor... (i.e. Neither my dog nor my cat wanted1 to play with me.).
1In this case, the verb is affirmative.
Can you imagine _____ the lottery?
a) win
b) to win
c) winning
c) winning
Certain verbs are followed by gerund as their complement (i.e. imagine, deny, avoid).
This is so hard! If only I _____ (to pay) more attention!
[But you didn't pay much attention.]
This is so hard! If only1 I had paid more attention!
Use a verb in Past Perfect for a wish about a past situation.
1Same as I wish.
If I _____ (not/to eat) that last slice of pizza, I _____ (not/to get) sick!
[But you ate it and got sick.]
If I hadn't eaten1 that last slice of pizza, I wouldn't have gotten2 sick!
Third Conditional: If + Past Perfect1 [Condition], would+have+verb (past participle)2 [Result].
Used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past – when we imagine that something had happened differently.
I can't go to the movies with you because I bought new clothes last week and I've got _____ money left.
a) a few
b) a little
c) few
d) little
d) little
Money* is an uncountable noun, so use much or (a) little. The difference between little and a little is that the first implies a small amount whereas the second means an unspecified amount (same as some).
*Remember that you can't use a plural form like moneys.
My parents were busy, so _____ could attend the meeting.
[My dad couldn't attend the meeting and my mother couldn't attend it either* because they were busy.]
My parents were busy, so neither could attend the meeting.
Use neither without nor when you want to say "not one or the other".
*Remember to use either instead of too in negative sentences.
I wanted _____ (to travel) with my friends on our next vacations. My best friend suggested _____ (to go) to the USA, but I'm not keen on _____ (to visit) popular places. I think I'll do some research: it may help me _____ (to choose) a better destination.
I wanted to travel with my friends on our next vacations. My best friend suggested going to the USA, but I'm not keen on visiting popular places. I think I'll do some research: it may help me choose* a better destination.
*This verb can also be followed by infinitive (to choose).
My brother doesn't want to watch anime with me. He _____ a horror film _____ a "silly cartoon".
[He _____ prefers to watch a horror film.]
My brother doesn't want to watch anime with me. He1 would rather2 watch3 a horror film than* a "silly cartoon"!
Subject1 + would rather2 + verb3 (base form): subject's preference about their own actions.
*Use than when the alternative is stated.
We _____ (to win) the match if you _____ (to score) that goal!
[We didn't win. It was possible, but you didn't score that goal!]
We could/might have won2 the match if you had scored1 that goal!
Third Conditional: If + Past Perfect1 [Condition], could/might*+have+verb (past participle)2 [Result].
*Use these modals instead of would to talk about possibilities.
I'm not _____ worried about the project. I mean... I'm just _____ nervous about presenting it in front of the whole class. I hate speaking in public!
I'm not very worried* about the project. I mean... I'm just a little nervous* about presenting it in front of the whole class. I hate speaking in public!
*These are adjectives, not nouns!
I don't prefer the winter to the summer. I think _____ one has their own qualities.
[I think both seasons have their own qualities.]
a) both
b) every
c) each
d) all the
I don't prefer the winter to the summer. I think each one1 has their own qualities.
Use each followed by a singular noun/pronoun1 to talk about the two alternatives.
Both is followed by a plural2 verb – as in I think both have2 their own qualities.
Every is usually followed by of+noun/pronoun (plural)3 to refer to all the people/things in a group – as in Every one of the students3 did a great job today!
All the is not followed by a pronoun (i.e. one, her, that).