Mastering English Grammar and Usage: A Comprehensive Resource

Brenda: Relationships and Descriptions

Brenda is…

• the friend with whom I went on holiday.
• the friend whose son Bill plays in our team.
• the author whose book, which was published last year, became a best seller.
• the person from whom we borrowed the money.
• the person who I told you about is at the door.
• the person whose car had broken down had to take a bus.

Modal Verbs: Certainty, Obligation, and Advice

I think you…

• had better give up.
• should be.
• I have to bring.
• must be.
• have to have.
• are unable to.
• can’t be.
• is bound to be.
• are to report.
• ought to know.

Expressing Certainty and Possibility

I’m sure that…

• Helen must feel really lonely.
• you can’t park here.
• Harry should take a holiday.
• Brenda can’t be over thirty.
• Do I have to have a different driving license for a motorbike?
• What do you think I should do?
• Mary can stand on her head.
• You don’t have to come with me if you don’t want to.
• Anybody can break into this house!
• The dentist will see you soon. He won’t be long.

Hypothetical Situations in the Past

It wasn’t necessary…

• needn’t have gone out.
• was to have become.
• shouldn’t have bought.
• can’t have enjoyed.
• may have seen.
• must have been.
• might not have meant.
• could have left.
• shouldn’t have sold your.
• had to.

Relative Clauses: Defining and Non-Defining

I bought my car…

• That is the man from whom I bought my car.
• That’s the boy whose sister sits behind me at school.
• Bill, whose computer had broken, has to use a pencil.
• The girls, who were hungry, decided to have a meal.
• I live in Croydon, which is near London.
• Is this the book that I lent you?
• This is Brenda, who lives upstairs.
• The present which you gave me is very useful.
• The car, which was in good condition, wasn’t expensive.
• The person who found the money was given a reward.

Quantifiers: Expressing Quantity

There’s a bit of soup…

• There isn’t much soup in the fridge.
• We’ve got plenty of time to get there.
• Only a few people I know recycle plastic.
• I’m a bit too tired to go out tonight.
• Oliver has got hardly any teeth, but he’s only six months old.
• Loads of children recycle things at school.
• There’s only a little olive oil in the cupboard.
• There’s no time left.

Present Perfect Tense: Actions and Experiences

• Underground drivers have gone on strike again.
• The reports haven’t been published yet.
• I’ve never taken part in a demonstration.
• The offer has just been rejected by the government.
• The unions have already called off the strike.
• The government hasn’t met last year’s targets yet.
• Four surveys have been carried out so far.
• Have they already taken him to hospital?

Giving Advice and Making Recommendations

I believe you…

• It’s a good idea to take plenty of water. If I were you, I’d get bottled water.
• You’d better see a dentist soon. Is it a good idea to book ahead?
• Whatever you do, don’t feed the animals. Don’t leave any valuables in your car.

News Headlines: Using the Present Perfect

A missing teenager…

• has not been found.
• have had.
• hasn’t been seen.
• has been.
• has published.
• have shocked.
• have been charged.
• has been released.
• haven’t given.
• has suffered.
• has been.
• has been seen.
• has been finished.
• has been released.
• has received.

More News Headlines

Over ten thousand…

• have taken part.
• have been arrested.
• has been taken.
• has been called off.
• has accepted.
• have found.
• have been discovered.
• has just arrived.
• has already sold.

Present Continuous vs. Simple Present

This flower…

• This flower smells wonderful.
• I think you are being very silly.
• She is having a baby in the summer.
• Nancy is thinking of moving to Scotland.
• Don’t go in. They are having a meeting.
• I am seeing Janet this evening actually.
• Good clothes cost more and more.
• I am tasting the soup to see if it needs more salt.
• Helen is having a bath at the moment.
• I feel that you would be happier in another job.

Reported Speech: Indirect Questions and Statements

Sue, can you…

• asked Sue to buy some bread.
• wondered if it will snow tomorrow.
• apologized for not phoning me earlier.
• suggested to share the bill with Dave.
• agreed to work on Sunday.
• suggested going out to the cafe for lunch.
• denied ever having been arrested.
• offered to help Bob do the decorating.
• promised the children that he would take them to the park on Sunday.

Conditional Sentences: Expressing Possibilities

I didn’t have an umbrella…

• I wouldn’t have got wet if I’d had an umbrella with me.
• If you don’t leave me alone, I’ll call the police.
• If it’s snowing, we don’t go to school.
• If Jack hadn’t helped me, I wouldn’t have been able to move the table.
• If you see Peter, tell him to be here at 8.00.
• If you were to ask me to marry you, I wouldn’t accept.