Grammar Practice 2

1 Report the following sentences using the more suitable verb in brackets.
1 'If I were you, Teresa, I'd make sure I got some qualifications before leaving school.'
Teresa's father
. (insisted / advised)
2 'I'm afraid I really can't afford to buy you any new trainers.'
Ian's mother
. (explained / wondered)
3 'These two essays are almost identical. You must have copied each other.'
The teacher
. (advised / accused)
4 'My boss? He's the man sitting at the next table.'
Jane
(wondered / whispered)
5 'Is there anything I can do to help?'
My neighbour
. (asked / suggested)
6 'Don't you understand? I don't want to have dinner
with Sam.'
Sue . (insisted / asked)
7 'You never listen when I'm talking to you.'
John's girlfriend
. (complained / wondered)
8. 'Take one tablet three times a day after meals.'
His doctor . (told / suggested)
9 'Would it be rude to ask her for a lift, do you think?'
Charlie . (suggested / wondered)
10 'Thank you. I'd love a cup of coffee.'
Mrs Williams
. (explained / replied)

2 Error correction (Grammar+spelling)

Read the sentences and correct any errors. Tick any sentences that are error-free.
11 The journalist asked the policeman, 'Do you
believe there is sufficient evidence to say there is a direct connection between poverty and crime?'
12 You could never accuse Madonna of being shy; she is a very demonstrable person.
13 The couple were having a terrific arguement so they didn't hear me when I walked in.
14 The psychiatrist suggested against allowing Mavis to live with her family.
15 'I don't think there is anything wrong with people begging on the streets, Mrs Blake asserted.
16 Many family breakdowns are due in part to our stressful lifestyles.
17 It's a very small village and there's a great sense of commune.
18 There is no point in trying to win the lottery; it's a hopeful task.
19 Clare suggested to go to the council meeting the following day.
20 The old lady seemed confused and unaware of her suroundings.
21 If only that you had said you were unhappy - we could have offered you something different.
22 I wish John didn't smoke as heavily as what he does.
23 If sales staff had worn white coats, they would have looked more professional.

24 Unless you didn't give up eating so much meat, you will continue to feel tired.
3 Complete the following sentences using an appropriate tense of one of the verbs in brackets.
25 That's the doorbell again - I
26 Gareth never
27 I do

people wouldn't call round at this time of night. (miss / wish)

his decision to give up music lessons (regret/wish)

having Jenny around - when is she coming back? (miss / wish)

28 John will be sadly _. _

by all who knew him.

(regret / miss)
29 I
that the department will not be able to support your claim. (regret / wish)
30 There isn't enough room here! I really
31 Jackie soon
32 I really

_moving to a smaller house. (miss / regret)

her regular routine and wanted to go back to how things had been. (miss / regret)

I hadn't told him how I felt. It only made matters worse. (wish / regret)

33 We

to have to inform you that there has been an error regarding your account. (regret J wish)

34 Jayne's card says she

us all but she's enjoying herself just the same! (miss / regret)

4 Complete the sentences below using appropriate conditional forms.

35 If you ____ she wasn't going to come tomorrow, you ___ that. (know / buy)
36 If Victoria ____

the correct treatment, she would have recovered sooner. (give)

37 If nuclear power ___ by more natural sources in years to come then the world ___a better place. (replace /be)
38 If motorists____enough incentives in the last budget, they___to cut down on their fuel
consumption.

(offer /try)

39 If farmers___ on planting so much wheat last winter, there_____such an enormous surplus now. (insist / be)
40 Supposing that sufficient funds were available, ____ your degree? (finish)
41 If Margaret ____ me she was growing her own vegetables, I ____ from her instead. (tell I buy)
42 If we

____ the problem, we wouldn't have asked for help. (understand)

43 Supposing Dickens ____a happy childhood, he____ his novels. (have /write)
44 If the face cream ____ in the cupboard, I would____ it. (be / see)