General Grammar Exercise

Test your understanding of basic grammar rules and sentence patterns with this grammar
exercise.

Complete the following sentences with an appropriate word or phrase. Choose your answers
from the given options. Some questions may have more than one correct answer.

1. I would be surprised if he ........................

wins
won
had won

In the second conditional, we use a simple past tense in the if-clause and would + infinitive
in the main clause.

2. If I had known, I ......................... you straightaway.

will tell
would tell
would have told

In the third conditional, we use a past perfect tense in the if-clause and would have + past
participle in the main clause.

3. Rarely ................................ such a good film.

I have seen
Have I seen

When the sentence begins with expressions like rarely, hardly or only, the auxiliary verb
goes before the subject.

4. My father often ........................ a nap in the afternoon.

take
is taking
takes

Source: www.englishgrammar.org
 General Grammar Exercise

We use the simple present tense to talk about facts, routines and habits.

5. If you don't want to go, you ...........................

mustn't
needn't

We use 'need not' to show the lack of obligation.

6. You don't need ........................... on Saturdays.

work
to work

When need is used as an ordinary verb, it is followed by an infinitive with to.

7. You ..................................... on Saturdays.

need not work

need not to work

When need is used as a modal auxiliary, it is followed by an infinitive without to.

8. If I ............................. you, I would accept this offer.

am
were
was
had been

Both 'was' and 'were' are possible here; however, 'were' is preferred.

9. You ............................... mend your ways.

have better
had better

Source: www.englishgrammar.org
 General Grammar Exercise

should better

We use 'had better' to give strong advice.

10. She .............................. that she would come.

told
told me
Either could be used here

After 'tell' we use a personal object.

11. I sent ....................... a letter yesterday.

him
to him
Either could be used here

'Sent' is one of those verbs that can be followed by two objects - a direct object and an
indirect object. When the indirect object goes first, there is no preposition.

12. I sent flowers ..........................

her
to her
Either could be used here

'Sent' is one of those verbs that can be followed by two objects - a direct object and an
indirect object. When the direct object goes first, we use the preposition 'to' or 'for' before
the indirect object.

PLAY AGAIN !

Answers

1. I would be surprised if he won.

2. If I had known, I would have told you straightaway.

Source: www.englishgrammar.org
 General Grammar Exercise

3. Rarely have I seen such a good film.

4. My father often takes a nap in the afternoon.
5. If you dont want to go, you neednt.
6. You dont need to work on Saturdays.
7. You need not work on Saturdays.
8. If I were you, I would accept this offer.
9. You had better mend your ways.
10. She told me that she would come.
11. I sent him a letter yesterday.
12. I sent flowers to her.

Source: www.englishgrammar.org