A practical english grammar - Vyssaja skola 1978
Exercises
Sound symbols
Exercise 1. Emphatic verb phrases. In the sentences below, make the verb form emphatic. Write the sentences and underline the word that makes the verb phrase emphatic. Then read the sentences aloud, putting the loudest stress on the word you have underlined.
Examples:
He always arrives on time.
He always does arrive on time.
I can do it.
I can do it.
He’s here.
He is here.
1. That train never arrives on time.
2. We saw it.
3. I’d like to go.
4. I’ve met her.
5. She knows me.
6. They were here.
7. We simply must finish on time.
8. He did his best.
9. He’s been here every day.
10. She practices English all the time.
Exercise 2. Negation of LET'S + base form of verb. Make the sentences below negative by using Let’s not. Change other words in the sentence if necessary.
Example:
Let’s keep it a secret.
Let’s not keep it a secret.
1. Let’s go tomorrow.
2. Let’s tell him about it.
3. Let’s go on the plane.
4. Let’s wait for them.
5. Let’s make some noise.
6. Let’s get some coffee now.
7. Let’s watch television tonight.
8. Let’s buy something.
9. Let’s think about it.
10. Let’s tell somebody what happened.
Exercise 3. Exclamatory sentences. Make these sentences exclamatory by beginning the sentence with how, what, or what a, as appropriate.
Example:
She sings beautifully.
How beautifully she sings!
1. He has red hair.
2. Those are pretty pictures.
3. She is graceful.
4. That’s a fast plane.
5. He works carefully.
6. Those are tall buildings.
7. This is an interesting book.
8. We might have had a long wait.
9. This is fragrant tea.
10. This tea is fragrant.
Exercise 4. Indefinite YOU. Rewrite the sentences below using the indefinite you. Begin each sentence with a clause such as if you want to, if you need to, if you hope to, etc. There are no “correct” answers. Any combination that makes sense is acceptible.
Example: To learn a foreign language, it is necessary to practice speaking.
If you want to learn a foreign language, you have to practice speaking.
1. To learn shorthand, it is necessary to practice.
2. To be a good doctor, it is necessary to study for many years.
3. In order to fly a plane, it is necessary to take lessons.
4. To stop smoking, it is necessary to have will power.
5. To be a successful surgeon, it is necessary to have skill.
6. In order to be a concert pianist, it is necessary to practice many hours every day.
Exercise 5. Constructions using question word + INFINITIVE. Restate these sentences, changing the clause in italics to a construction with a question word and an infinitive.
Example:
He asked me how he should open the box. He asked me how to open the box.
1. The children didn’t know what they should do next.
2. I wondered where I should look for it.
3. She couldn’t decide which dress was the one she should wear.
4. The foreman tells us when we may quit for lunch.
5. Did you find out which way we must go?
6. The customer asked the salesman how she should operate the machine.
7. I know just what I am going to say if the professor calls on me.
8. She finally made up her mind which of the coats she should buy.
Exercise 6. Negative words at the beginning of sentences. Put the italicized word first in the sentence and make any other changes necessary.
Example:
He could not say a single word.
Not a single word could he say.
1. We had never seen a more exciting show.
2. He did not spill a drop.
3. We had hardly left the nursery when the baby began to cry.
4. They little realized the harm they had done.
5. I have seldom heard the piece played so well.
6. One rarely sees an ocelot on the street.
7. We stop to reflect too seldom.
8. He is not only an accomplished singer; he is also a fine actor.
Exercise 7. Using the dummy IT. Make sentences out of the expressions below using dummy it.
Example:
we thought
his leaving so early
odd
We thought it odd that he left so early.
1. to go to the station by bus takes 20 minutes
2. that he forgot his books is of no importance
3. please make that I do not intend to be a candidate perfectly clear
4. I wish to make that I am resigning my post as of July 1 known
5. I want that my orders are to be obeyed understood
6. from here to their house is about five miles
7. to start studying medicine in middle age is most unusual
8. to spend less than you earn is wise