Q1. I ..... tennis every Sunday morning.

playing
play
am playing
am play

Q2. Don't make so much noise. Noriko ..... to study for her ESL test!
try
tries
tried
is trying

Q3. Jun-Sik ..... his teeth before breakfast every morning.

will cleaned
is cleaning
cleans
clean

Q4. Sorry, she can't come to the phone. She ..... a bath!
is having
having
have
has

Q5. ..... many times every winter in Frankfurt.

It snows
It snowed
It is snowing
It is snow
Q6. How many students in your class ..... from Korea?
comes
come
came
are coming

Q7. Weather report: "It's seven o'clock in Frankfurt and ..... ."
there is snow
it`s snowing
it snows
it snowed

Q8. Babies ..... when they are hungry.

cry
cries
cried
are crying

Q9. Jane: "What ..... in the evenings?"

Mary: "Usually I watch TV or read a book."
you doing
you do
do you do
are you doing

Q10. Jane: "What ..... ?"

Mary: "I'm trying to fix my calculator."
 you doing
you do
do you do
are you doing

Q11. Jane ..... her blue jeans today, but usually she wears a skirt or a dress.
wears
wearing
wear
is wearing

Q12. I think I ..... a new calculator. This one does not work properly any more.
needs
needed
need
am needing

Q13. Sorry, you can't borrow my pencil. I ..... it myself.

was using
using
use
am using

Q14. At a school dance:

Jane: " ..... yourself?"
Mary: "Yes, I'm having a great time!"
You enjoying
Enjoy you
Do you enjoy
 Are you enjoying

Q15. I've just finished reading a story called Dangerous Game. It's about a man
who ..... his wife because he doesn't want to lose her.
kills
killed
kill
is killing

Q16. What time .....

the train leaves?
leaves the train?
is the train leaving?
does the train leave?

Q17. Jane: "Are you going to the dance on Friday?"

Mary: "No, I'm not. I ..... school dances; they're loud, hot and crowded!"
not enjoy
don`t enjoy
doesn`t enjoy
am not enjoying

Q18. I ..... for my pen. Have you seen it?

will look
looking
look
am looking
Q19. You can keep my iPod if you like. I ..... it any more.
don`t use
doesn`t use
didn`t use
am not using

Q20. The phone ...... Can you answer it, please?

rings
ring
rang
is ringing

1. I ... Jenny when I was going to the supermarket.

A. ? saw

B. ? was seeing

C. ? see

D. ? were seing

2. What ... you doing at ten o'clock last night ?

A. ? was

B. ? were

C. ? are

D. ? did

3. Why ... me last night ?

 A. ? weren't you calling

B. ? you called

C. ? didn't you call

D. ? don't you call

4. The sun ... and the sky was blue.

A. ? was shining

B. ? were shining

C. ? shone

D. ? shines

5. When I ... up, it was a lovely day.

A. ? wake

B. ? woke

C. ? was waking

D. ? were waking

6. He ... very fast when the police stopped him.

A. ? drove

B. ? drives

C. ? is driving

D. ? was driving
7. A funny thing ... while I was going to work yesterday.

A. ? happens

B. ? happened

C. ? was happening

D. ? were happening

8. We ... hard for the exam but we still found it difficult.

A. ? studied

B. ? were studying

C. ? was studying

D. ? study

9. When ... she born ?

A. ? were

B. ? is

C. ? was

D. ? did

10. Why did you leave so early ? I ... a good time.

A. ? didn't have

B. ? hadn't

C. ? weren't having
 D. ? wasn't having

11. Why are you so hungry ? I got up late and ... time for breakfast.

A. ? hadn't

B. ? didn't have

C. ? don't have

D. ? wasn't having

12. I want ... in a hot country

A. ? live

B. ? to live

C. ? living

D. ? lived

13. We like ... to Italy for our holidays.

A. ? go

B. ? to go

C. ? goes

D. ? going

14. She ... go home early tonight.

A. ? can

B. ? wants
 C. ? likes

D. ? thinks

15. Gerry would like ... a pilot when he grows up.

A. ? be

B. ? being

C. ? to be

D. ? do

16. We look forward ... from you soon.

A. ? hear

B. ? hearing

C. ? to hear

D. ? to hearing

17. I was thinking ... you when I got your e-mail.

A. ? of phoning

B. ? phone

C. ? to phone

D. ? phoning

18. I don't enjoy ... very much.

A. ? to dance
 B. ? dancing

C. ? to dancing

D. ? dance

19. My parents would ... to meet you.

A. ? to love

B. ? loving

C. ? love

D. ? to loving

20. We are hoping ... skiing next weekend.

A. ? to go

B. ? go

C. ? to going

D. ? going

21. When I grow up, I'm going ... an astronaut.

A. ? be

B. ? being

C. ? to being

D. ? to be

22. I will ... home a bit late tonight.

 A. ? get

B. ? to get

C. ? getting

D. ? to getting

23. We decided ... early

A. ? leave

B. ? to leave

C. ? leaving

D. ? to leaving

24. I hate ... to people talk about things they know nothing about.

A. ? to listening

B. ? listen

C. ? to listen

D. ? listening

25. They promised ... better next time.

A. ? to do

B. ? to doing

C. ? do

D. ? doing
26. Caroline told her guests ... half an hour early.

A. ? arrive

B. ? to arrive

C. ? arriving

D. ? to arriving

27. If you can't sleep, it sometimes helps ... sheep in your head.

A. ? to count

B. ? counting

C. ? to counting

D. ? count

28. My father promised ... my bike.

A. ? to mend

B. ? mending

C. ? mend

29. She asked her son ... his music

A. ? turning down

B. ? to turn down

C. ? turn down
30. I can't stand ... on long walks.

A. ? to go

B. ? go

C. ? going

31. We need ... shopping

A. ? going

B. ? go

C. ? to go

32. She wanted ... the cooking.

A. ? me do

B. ? me to do

C. ? me doing

33. I gave up ... for the bank 20 years ago.

A. ? working

B. ? work

C. ? to work

34. Can you ... this word to me?

A. ? explain
 B. ? to explain

C. ? explaining

35. I thank everyone for ... me.

A. ? help

B. ? helping

C. ? to help

36. I like ... to music while I'm working.

A. ? listen

B. ? to listen

C. ? listening

37. I would like ... to music more often.

A. ? listening

B. ? to listen

C. ? listen

38. If you've decided ... that sandwich, can I have it.

A. ? don't eat

B. ? not to eat

C. ? not eat
1. How long ... this been going on?

A. ? has

B. ? have

C. ? does

D. ? do

2. ... you ever been to Ireland?

A. ? Did

B. ? Have

C. ? Were

D. ? Had

3. Jane ... to work yesterday.

A. ? doesn't go

B. ? hasn't gone

C. ? didn't go

D. ? wasn't

4. I ... breakfast when she arrived.

A. ? had

B. ? was having

C. ? am having
 D. ? had had

5. We ... here since 1998.

A. ? 've been living

B. ? 're living

C. ? lived

D. ? live

6. I ... thinking about what you said and I don't agree.

A. ? am

B. ? was

C. ? were

D. ? 've been

7. I ... for a newer flat and I think I've found one.

A. ? am looking

B. ? look

C. ? looked

D. ? 've been looking

8. What ... at me like that for?

A. ? do you look

B. ? look
 C. ? are you looking

D. ? were you looking

9. What ... about this question? What's your opinion?

A. ? are you thinking

B. ? have youthought

C. ? do you think

D. ? have you been thinking

10. What ... for breakfast yesterday?

A. ? had you

B. ? do you have

C. ? have you had

D. ? did you have

11. Where ... last night?

A. ? have you gone

B. ? do you go

C. ? did you go

D. ? have you been going

12. I'm hungry; I ... anything yet today.

A. ? don't eat
 B. ? didn't eat

C. ? haven't eaten

D. ? haven't been eating

13. We aren't tired. We ... to go to bed yet.

A. ? aren't wanting

B. ? don't want

C. ? didn't want

D. ? haven't wanted

1. I have ... something out of the freezer for dinner.

A. ? take

B. ? takes

C. ? took

D. ? taken

2. We ... really enjoy the film last night.

A. ? don't

B. ? didn't

C. ? doen't

D. ? not
3. I ... for the bank for twenty years. Then I gave it all up.

A. ? work

B. ? have worked

C. ? works

D. ? worked

4. ... you ever seen the Northern Lights?

A. ? Do

B. ? Did

C. ? Have

D. ? Has

5. When did you ... back from your holidays?

A. ? arrive

B. ? arrived

C. ? arriving

D. ? have arrived

6. I ... having a really good time tonight.

A. ? be

B. ? is

C. ? am
 D. ? are

7. Jim ... up at seven o'clock on school days.

A. ? wakes

B. ? were waking

C. ? does wake

D. ? is waking

8. John ... a red T-shirt today.

A. ? wears

B. ? is wearing

C. ? wore

D. ? was wearing

9. Frank ... in the same house since 1988.

A. ? lived

B. ? lives

C. ? is living

D. ? has lived

10. I was late for my train. When I arrived, it ... already ... .

A. ? was ... left

B. ? has ... left

 C. ? were ... leaving

D. ? had ... left

11. I ... to work on saturdays.

A. ? am not going

B. ? don't go

C. ? doesn't go

D. ? wasn't going

12. Erik ... in Oslo. He's Norwegian.

A. ? is living

B. ? live

C. ? lives

D. ? lived

13. What ... when the phone rang?

A. ? you were doing

B. ? did you

C. ? you did

D. ? were you doing

14. Erik ... with friends in London at the moment.

A. ? stays
 B. ? is staying

C. ? has stayed

D. ? was staying

15. The River Thames ... through London.

A. ? flows

B. ? are flowing

C. ? is flowing

D. ? has flowed

16. I bought my house last year and I ... a lot of work on it since then.

A. ? did

B. ? has done

C. ? have done

D. ? didn't

17. ... out last night?

A. ? Were you going

B. ? Did you go

C. ? You went

D. ? Have you gone

18. Jade ... a lot in the last year. She's getting bigger still.
 A. ? has grown

B. ? grows

C. ? grew

D. ? was growing

19. She ... the coffee before we arrived.

A. ? makes

B. ? has made

C. ? had made

D. ? were making

20. You ... very kind. Thank you very much.

A. ? is

B. ? were

C. ? are being

D. ? are

21. You ... very kind today. What do you want?

A. ? are being

B. ? are

C. ? is

D. ? were
1. Lend me your rubber. I a mistake and to rub it out. (MAKE, WANT)
2. When I him last he asleep in the chair. (SEE, SIT)
3. He two letters this morning. (ALREADY WRITE)
4. We tennis together since last May. (NOT PLAY)
5. She in. Please wait a few more minutes. (COME)
6. He his friend yesterday but when he on the door he realised that
nobody at home. (VISIT, KNOCK, BE)
7. I him tomorrow. (SEE)
8. I English for six years now. (STUDY)
9. He on the bus when it to move. (JUMP, START)
10. When the lady from her shopping trip she saw that burglars into her
house. (RETURN, BREAK)
11. I hundreds of students up to now, but I such a hopeless class.
(TEACH, NEVER MEET)
12. Do you hear the wind ? It very heavily tonight (BLOW)

1. If the weather is good tomorrow, we ... to the beach.

A. ? go

B. ? went

C. ? will go

D. ? are going

2. If I was offered the opportunity, I ... it.

A. ? take

B. ? will take

C. ? took
 D. ? would take

3. What ... if you won one million pounds?

A. ? will you do

B. ? would you do

C. ? do you do

D. ? did you do

4. If you give water to plants, they ... .

A. ? grows

B. ? grew

C. ? grow

D. ? are growing

5. I wonder what will happen, if I ... this red button.

A. ? press

B. ? will press

C. ? pressed

D. ? would press

6. I'm sure she ... if you explain to her.

A. ? understands

B. ? understood
 C. ? will understand

D. ? would understand

7. If we tell them the truth, they ... us.

A. ? won't believe

B. ? don't believe

C. ? not believe

D. ? didn't believe

8. Would he ... if I used his mobile phone?

A. ? minds

B. ? minding

C. ? to mind

D. ? mind

9. As soon as I find the answer, I'll let you ... .

A. ? knowing

B. ? to know

C. ? knew

D. ? know

10. If you went jogging, you ... fitter.

A. ? 'll feel
 B. ? 'd feel

C. ? 're feeling

D. ? feel

11. We'll be late if we ... the next train.

A. ? catch

B. ? caught

C. ? don't catch

D. ? won't catch

12. I ... marry him, if he was the last man on earth.

A. ? wouldn't

B. ? won't

C. ? 'll not

D. ? 'd not

13. ... you try, you'll never know what the result will be.

A. ? If

B. ? Unless

C. ? When

D. ? As soon as
 on this for long time. work
I on this when they came. work
Have you heard the news? Bob an arm yesterday. break
People seldom arms. break
Tom an email now. write
He always email in the evening. write
How many emails today? write
Not many, she . just begin
‘Enter the dragon’? you / see
No, I didn’t go when they it in our cinema. Play

1. John returned the money last night.

(a) The money was returned by John last night.

(b) The money was returning by John last night.

2. Mr. Smith manages the export division.

(a) The export division is managed by Mr. Smith.

(b) The export division has managed by Mr. Smith.

3. The movie disappointed us very much.

(a) We are very much disappoint by the movie.

(b) We were very much disappointed by the movie.

4. Many people attended the lecture.

(a) The lecture was attended by many people.

(b) The lecture were attended by many people.

5. The police easily captured the thief.

(a) The thief were easily captured by the police.

(b) The thief was easily captured by the police.

 6.The messenger has just left a box of flowers for you.

(a) The box of flowers has just being left for you by the messenger.

(b) The box of flowers has just been left for you by the messenger.

7.Ms. Smith will leave the tickets at the box office.

(a) The tickets be left at the box office by Ms. Smith.

(b) The tickets will be left at the box office by Ms. Smith.

8.Beatrice has finished the report.

(a) The report has been finished by Beatrice.

(b) The report has finish by Beatrice.

9. Pierre will eat the cake.

(a) The cake will be eat by Pierre.

(b) The cake will be eaten by Pierre.

10.Roberto took that book from the desk.

(a) The book was take from the desk by Roberto.

(b) The book was taken from the desk by Roberto.

1.Mr. Kamran saw an accident.

(a) An accident was seen by Mr. kamran.

(b) An accident was see by Mr. Kamran.

2.The mad dog bit the little boy.

(a) The little boy was bit by the mad dog.

(b) The little boy was bitten by the mad dog.

3.She had finished the report by noon.

(a) By noon the report had been finished by her.

(b) By noon the report had been finish by her.

 4.Imran buys books from that store.

(a) Books are bringed by Imran from that store.

(b) Books are bought by imranfrom that store.

5.The teacher returned our written work to us.

(a) Our written work was return to us by the teacher.

(b) Our written work was returned to us by the teacher.

6.Somebody has taken my book.

(a) My book has been taking by somebody.

(b) My book has been taken by somebody.

7.An economic crisis followed the war.

(a) The war was follow by an economic crisis.

(b) The war was followed by an economic crisis.

8.He has just finished the report.

(a) The report has just been finished by him.

(b) The report has just being finished by him.

9. Everybody will see this film soon.

(a) This film will soon be seen by everybody.

(b) This film will soon being seen by everybody.

10.He left the report on the desk.

(a) The report was left on the desk by him..

(b) The report being left on the desk by him..

The wind blows the fog away by midmorning.

(a) The fog is blow away by the wind by midmorning.

(b) The fog is blown away by the wind by midmorning.

 2. Lightning struck the house.

(a) The house was struck by lightning.

(b) The house was being been struck by lightning.

3.The doctor ordered him to take a long rest.

(a) He was ordered to take a long rest by the doctor.

(b) He was order to take a long rest by the doctor.

4.We heard the sound of music.

(a) The sound of music was hear by us.

(b) The sound of music was heard by us.

5.The neighborhood children discovered our club.

(a) Our club was discovered by the neighborhood children.

(b) Our club was discovering by the neighborhood children.

6.The police have arrested five suspects.

(a) Five suspects have been arrested by the police.

(b) Five suspects have been arrest by the police.

7.Tall telegraph poles lined the street.

(a) The street was lining by tall telegraph poles.

(b) The street was lined by tall telegraph poles.

8.The committee will choose you as its representative.

(a) You will be chosen by the committee as its representative.

(b) You will be choosen by the committee as its representative.

9.The newspapers reported the event immediately.

(a) The event was immediately report by the newspapers.

(b) The event was immediately reported by the newspapers.

10.The maid broke the plate and the glass.

(a) The plate and the glass were broken by the maid.

(b) The plate and the glass were broke by the maid.

1. He may pay the bill for us.

(a) The bill may be paid for us by him.

(b) The bill may be pay for us by him.

2. He has to pay the bill before the first of the month.

(a) The bill has to be paid by him before the first of the month.

(b) The bill have to being paid by him before the first of the month.

3. They may deliver the merchandise while we are out.

(a) The merchandise may be deliver by them while we are out.

(b) The merchandise may be delivered by them while we are out.

4. They cannot hold the meeting in that room.

(a) The meeting cannot be hold by them in that room.

(b) The meeting cannot be held by them in that room.

5. The citizens are defending the city bravely.

(a) The city is being defend bravely by the citizens.

(b) The city is being defended bravely by the citizens.

6. You ought to send the package by airmail.

(a) The package ought to be sent by you by airmail.

(b) The package ought be sent by you by airmail.

7. They may organize a new group next week.

(a) A new group maybe organized by them next week.

(b) A new group may be organized by them next week.

8. The police are holding him for further questioning.

(a) He is being helded for further questioning by the police.

(b) He is being held for further questioning by the police.

9. He has to finish it today.

(a) It has to be finished today by him.

(b) It have to be finish today by him.

10. The mailman is delivering the mail now.

(a) The mail is being delivered now by the mailman.

(b) The mail is be delivered now by the mailman.

1. You should insure the package.

(a) The package should being insured by you.

(b) The package should be insured by you.

2. They are sending my aunt to Haiti on a special mission.

(a) My aunt is been sent to Haiti by them on a special mission.

(b) My aunt is being sent to Haiti by them on a special mission.

3. They couldn't sell the house at the price.

(a) The house couldn’t be sold by them at that price.

(b) The house couldn’t be selling by them at that price.

4. We must warn them of the danger.

(a) They must be warned by us of the danger.

(b) They must be warn by us of the danger.

5. The company is shipping the merchandise today.

(a) The merchandise is being shipped by the company today.

(b) The merchandise is being ship by the company today.

6. You ought to water the plant once a week.

 (a) The plant ought be water by you once a week.

(b) The plant ought to be watered by you once a week.

7. "For the time being, Sajid is teaching that group."

(a) "For the time been, that group is being teached by Sajid."

(b) "For the time being, that group is being taught by Sajid."

8. Congress is debating that question today.

(a) That question is being debated by Congress today.

(b) That question is been debated by Congress today.

9. They should send it to us at once.

(a) It should being sent to us at once by them.

(b) It should be sent to us at once by them.

10. The hunter killed the lion.

The lion was killed by the hunter

The lion was kill by the hunter

The first sentence is in the ACTIVE VOICE. Choose the most correct way of saying the same
thing in the PASSIVE VOICE:

1. They were interviewing her for the job.

She ________________ for the job.
was being interviewed
was interviewed
has been interviewed

2. Tom is writing the letter.

The letter ________________ by Tom.
was written
is being written
has been written

3. Everyone understands English.

English ________________ by everyone.
is understood
has been understood
was understood

4. The employees brought up this issue during the meeting.

This issue ________________ by the employees during the meeting.
has been brought up
is brought up
was brought up

5. The professor told him not to talk in class.

He ________________ by the professor not to talk in class.
has been told
was told
was being told

6. They say that women are smarter than men.

Women ________________ to be smarter than men.
were being said
were said
are said

7. The fire has destroyed the house.

The house ________________ by the fire.
has been destroyed
was being destroyed
is destroyed

8. She would have told you.

You ________________ by her.
would have been told
would be told
were being told

9. She would reject the offer.

The offer ________________ by her.
will have been rejected
would be rejected
will be rejected
10. This surprises me.
I ________________ by this.
would have been surprised
will be surprised
am surprised

______iron is a useful metal.

A, THE, AN, SOME, ANY, NONE
There is ______ vast scope for improvement.
A, THE, AN, SOME, ANY, NONE
_______ gold is yellow.
A, THE, AN, SOME, ANY, NONE
Your words are not worth ____ penny.
A, THE, AN, SOME, ANY, NONE
We should not make_______ noise.
A, THE, AN, SOME, ANY, NONE
We discussed _______ the matter.
Your, about, with, serious, up, none

I have ______ urgent business.

None, a, the an, some, so
I have ordered ______ his dismissal.
For, out, up, of, none.

Do you sell eggs by ________ kilo or by the dozen?

The, a, an, none, some
She entered _______ the room.
None, in, to, into, up
_______did not come.
Both, neither, either, everyone,
The child resembles _____its mother.
None, to, with, of, up,

Each of these girls ______ very well.

Sings, singing, sing, none

He is intelligent, but he lacks _______experience.

None, an, the, some, of

_________ went.
None of us, We all did not, We have, none

He opened the book at ________

Page six, sixth page, page sixth, none

What is the time ____ your watch?

By, in, to, of, on, none.

One should love _____country.

One’s, his, its, her, their, none.

We traveled _____train.
By, in, on, with, of, up.

Mistake: He asked a coffee. ('Coffee' is not a person)

Correct: He asked for a coffee. (He wanted a coffee)

Prepositions and 'Prevent'

Prevent cannot be followed by 'to'. It should be followed by 'from' and a verb '-ing' form.

Mistake: He was prevented to come.

Correct: He was prevented from coming.
Correct: The loud noise prevented me from sleeping.

Prepositions and 'Meet'

Meet normally means 'come face to face with somebody or something'. If it is used in this way,
it cannot be used with the preposition 'with'.

Mistake: I met with your friend.

Correct: I met your friend.
Meet with - meaning 'to experience'.

Mistake: He met misfortune.

Correct: He met with misfortune.

Prepositions and 'Insist'

Insist cannot be followed by to. It is followed by on + -ing form.

Mistake: She insisted to pay.

Correct: She insisted on paying.

Prepositions and 'Go'

Go is often used with a verb '–ing' form when we are talking about sporting and leisure activities.
No preposition is used in this structure.

Mistake: Let's go for riding.

Correct: Let's go riding.
The structure 'go for a / come for a' is used in a number of fixed expressions referring to sporting
and leisure activities.

Mistake: We went a walk.

Correct: We went for a walk.

Prepositions and time

To talk about time starting from a specified time in the past and continuing until the present, we
use 'since'.
Examples are: since last year, since Friday, since morning etc.

To talk about a period of time, in particular when we are describing the duration of a period of
time, we use 'For'.
Examples are: for two hours, for two months etc.

Mistake: This is the first time I have seen a movie since a long time.
Correct: I haven't seen a movie for a long time.
Correct: I haven't seen a movie in a long time. (American English)
Mistake: I am ill since two weeks.
Correct: I have been ill for two weeks.
Correct: I have been ill since January.
Mistake: It was the worst storm since ten years.
Correct: It was the worst storm in ten years.
Correct: It was the worst storm for ten years.
(In American English, 'In' can be used to talk about duration after negatives and superlative
adjectives.)
Prepositions and the comparative adjectives 'inferior', 'superior', 'senior', 'junior'.

The comparative adjectives inferior, superior, senior, junior, anterior and posterior are followed
by 'to' instead of 'than'.

Mistake: Our company's performance is inferior than theirs.

Correct: Our company's performance is inferior to theirs.
Mistake: He is senior than me.
Correct: He is senior to me.
Mistake: He is superior than you in strength.
Correct: He is superior to you in strength.

Prepositions and movement

The prepositions 'at', 'on' and 'in' are used for position; the preposition 'to' is used for movement
or direction.
No preposition is used with verbs of movement and the noun 'home'.

Mistake: Send this letter on my new address.

Correct: Send this letter to my new address.
Mistake: He goes in the school.
Correct: He goes to the school.
Mistake: He goes on his work.
Correct: He goes to his work.
Mistake: I am going to home. / I'm going at home.
Correct: I am going home.
ncorrect: He loves with me.
Correct: He loves me.
Incorrect: We discussed about the matter.
Correct: We discussed the matter.
Incorrect: We reached at the airport at 9 pm.
Correct: We reached the airport at 9 pm.
Incorrect: I have ordered for his dismissal.
Correct: I have ordered his dismissal.
Incorrect: He married with his friend’s sister.
Correct: He married his friend’s sister.
Incorrect: She entered into the room.
Correct: She entered the room.
Incorrect: The child resembles to its mother.
Correct: The child resembles its mother.
Incorrect: He is intelligence, but he lacks of experience.
Correct: He is intelligence but he lacks experience
Incorrect: What is the time in your watch?
Correct: What is the time by your watch?
Incorrect: We traveled in train.
Correct: We traveled by train.
Incorrect: He is angry upon me.
Correct: He is angry with me.
Incorrect: I am pleased at you.
Correct: I am pleased with you.
Incorrect: He was trembling in rage.
Correct: He was trembling with rage.
Incorrect: Who is in the phone? It is John.
Correct: Who is on the phone? It is John.
Incorrect: There was an interesting show at TV.
Correct: There was an interesting show on TV.
Incorrect: She washed her face in water.
Correct: She washed her face with water.
Incorrect: The snake was killed by a stone.
Correct: The snake was killed with a stone.
Incorrect: I go to school by foot.
Correct: I go to school on foot.
Incorrect: I congratulated her for her success.
Correct: I congratulated her on her success.

MISTAKE #1
Is there a soccer game tomorrow?
It depends of the weather.
It depends on the weather.
MISTAKE #2
We discussed about the issue.
I’m considering about joining a club.
We talked about the issue.
I’m thinking about joining a club.
MISTAKE #3
I like to exercise in the night.
I like to exercise at night.
 in the morning
 in the afternoon
 in the evening
 at night

MISTAKE #4
Let’s meet on next Monday.
I got a promotion in last June.
Normally we use on for days and in for months:
 Let’s meet on Monday.
 I got a promotion in June.
EXCEPT with last/next:
 Let’s meet next Monday.
 I got a promotion last June.

MISTAKE #5
He’s married with a journalist.
He’s married to a journalist.
My sister is divorced with her husband.
My sister is divorced from her husband.
MISTAKE #6
The team lacks of organization.
(Lack as a verb does not use “of”)
Lack as a noun:
 I hate the lack of organization.
 The project failed thanks to our lack of organization.
MISTAKE #7
I spend a lot of money in clothes.
I spend a lot of money on clothes.
But: spend time + -ING
 I spend a lot of time reading.

MISTAKE #8
Are you angry of/to/for me?
Are you angry at/with me?
 Angry ABOUT a topic
 Angry AT/WITH a person

MISTAKE #9
I’m going in Italy soon.
I’m going to Italy soon.
Use “in” for BEING in a city or country. But after “go/come,” always use “to.”
 I live in Italy.
 I’m in Rome right now.
 When are you coming to Italy?
 They went to Rome last week.

MISTAKE #10
I graduated at/of university in 2005.
I graduated from university in 2005.
Helen goes out in the morning.
Tim goes out in the afternoon.
Shirley goes out in the evening.
Bob goes out at night.
She arrived in Tasmania just after lunch.
He arrived at the restaurant five minutes late.
The party starts at 9pm.
For a specific day or date, meanwhile, we use ‘on’:
The party is on Saturday.
And for a month or year, the correct preposition is ‘in’:
We’re having a party in April.
Incorrect: Although he is clever, he lacks of experience.
Correct: Although he is clever, he lacks experience.
Incorrect: The train is now approaching to Boston.
Correct: The train is now approaching Boston.
Incorrect: We were not allowed to enter into the house.
Correct: We were not allowed to enter the house.
Incorrect: See you on next Friday.
Correct: See you next Friday.
Incorrect: I will never forget meeting her on that afternoon.
Correct: I will never forget meeting her that afternoon.
Incorrect: Of what color are her eyes?
Correct: What color are her eyes?
Incorrect: He is of just the right height to be a good soldier.
Correct: He is just the right height to be a good soldier.
Incorrect: I am going to home.
Correct: I am going home.
Incorrect: To where shall I send it?
Correct: Where shall I send it to?
Incorrect: Who is the girl you were speaking with?
Correct: Who is the girl you were speaking to?
Incorrect: This is the house I was born on.
Correct: This is the house I was born in.
Incorrect: What are you looking in?
Correct: What are you looking at?
To look at something is to gaze in a specified direction.
Incorrect: The manager has promised to look at the matter.
Correct: To manager has promised to look into the matter.
To look into something is to investigate it.
Incorrect: It has been raining from Monday.
Correct: It has been raining since Monday.
Use from to show the starting point only when the end point is also mentioned. In other cases,
use since.
Incorrect: I have been waiting from two hours.
Correct: I have been waiting for two hours.
Use for to indicate duration.
Incorrect: I will be attending the classes regularly since Monday.
Correct: I will be attending the classes regularly from Monday.
Incorrect: Divide the food between the children.
Correct: Divide the food among the children.
Between is used when only two parties are involved. Among is used when more than two parties
are involved.
Incorrect: We went to school by foot.
Correct: We went to school on foot.
Use ‘on’ with foot.
Incorrect: He doesn’t know how to ride on a bicycle.
Correct: He doesn’t know how to ride a bicycle.

1. She ordered for cook’s dismissal.

ans : She ordered the cook’s dismissal. Answer

2. This girl resembles to my sister.

ans : This girl resembles my sister. Answer

3. He will inform to your brother.

ans : He will inform your brother. Answer

4. This lesson has benefited to me much.

ans : This lesson has benefited me much. Answer

5. Has he disposed the application?.

ans : Has he disposed of the application? Answer

6. He must compensate this loss.

ans : He must compensate me for this loss. Answer

7. Don’t boast your success.

ans : Don’t boast of your success. Answer

8. Don’t violate against the rules.

ans : Don’t violate the rules. Answer

9. Don’t sign on the contract.

ans : Don’t sign the contract. Answer

10. She dispensed my services.

ans : She dispensed with my services. Answer
11. Please assist to him in this matter.
ans : Please assist him in this matter. Answer

12. They will not listen your request.

ans : They will not listen to your request. Answer

13. Don’t muse your losses

ans : Don’t muse on your losses Answer

14. He is not fit to manage for this job..

ans : He is not fit to manage this job.. Answer

15. Don’t discourage her to learn French..

ans : Don’t discourage her against learning French. Answer

16. She has a passion for studying.

ans : She has a passion for academics. Answer

17. Don’t despair to succeed.

ans : Don’t despair as succeed. Answer

18. He is confident of win.

ans : He is confident of winning. Answer

19. Don’t resign yourself to fail.

ans : Don’t resign yourself to failure. Answer

20. I insist on you to go.

ans : I insist on your going. Answer

21. Insist to have your fee paid.

ans : Insist on have your fee paid. Answer
22. Don’t check me to borrow money.
ans : Don’t check me from borrowing money. Answer

23. Presist to do this.

ans : Presist in doing this. Answer

24. Work in accordance to rule.

ans : Work in accordance with rule. Answer

25. He did it according with your orders.

ans : He did it according to your orders. Answer

26. I am concerned about your health.

ans : I am concerned for your health. Answer

27. I am concerned on this business.

ans : I am concerned in this business. Answer

28. She is engaged with David.

ans : She is engaged to David.

 Incorrect: I recommend you to take a long vacation.

 Correct: I recommend that you take a long vacation.
 Incorrect: Come to here.
 Correct: Come here.
 Incorrect: The sun rises from the East.
 Correct: The sun rises in the East.
 Incorrect: The thief got in from the window.
 Correct: The thief got in through the window.
 Incorrect: Let’s begin from page 10.
 Correct: Let’s begin at ( on ) page 10.
 Incorrect: Are you home tomorrow.
 Correct: Are you at home tomorrow.
 Incorrect: There is a limit in my patience.
 Correct: There is a limit to my patience.
 Incorrect: Is your house insured for fire ?
 Correct: Is your house insured against fire ?
 Incorrect: Keep the right.
 Correct: Keep to the right.
 Incorrect: What a dirty face ! Look at the mirror.
 Correct: What a dirty face ! Look in the mirror.
 Incorrect: This is the key of my room.
 Correct: This is the key to my room.
 Incorrect: It’s a novel of three volumes.
 Correct: It’s a novel in three volumes.
 Incorrect: He is a student of Harvard University.
 Correct: He is a student at Harvard University.
 Incorrect: He had a child of his former wife.
 Correct: He had a child by his former wife.
 Incorrect: I saw it on the newspapers.
 Correct: I read ( saw ) it in the newspapers.
 Incorrect: Shall we sit in that sofa ?
 Correct: Shall we sit on that sofa ?
 Incorrect: I bought this book with 50 dollars.
 Correct: I bought this book for 50 dollars.
 Incorrect: My father is busy in his business.
 Correct: My father is busy with his business.
 Incorrect: You shouldn’t worry of getting married.
  Correct: You shouldn’t worry about getting married.
Incorrect: His principles may land him in the gallows.
Correct : His principles may land him on the gallows.
Incorrect: The running man nearly collided into the old woman.
Correct : The running man nearly collided with the old woman.
Incorrect: She emerged out of the bath.
Correct : She emerged from the bath.
Incorrect: The marchers circled around the fountain.
Correct : The marchers circled the fountain.

My mother is a honest woman.

Correct: My mother is an honest woman.
She is an United States senator.
Correct: She is a United States senator.
Eliza will bring a small gift to Sophie’s party.
Correct: I heard an interesting story yesterday.
Correct: Please give me a bottle of water.
Please give me an ice.
Correct: Please give me an ice cube.
Correct: Please give me some ice .
 a fact = OK
(singular)
 a facts = INCORRECT
(plural)

 an information = INCORRECT
(uncountable)
 an advice = INCORRECT
(uncountable)
 a piece of advice = OK
(“piece” is countable)
  a pants / a glasses / a scissors = INCORRECT
(plural)
 a pair of pants/glasses/scissors = OK
(“pair” is countable)

 a rice = INCORRECT
(uncountable)
 a grain of rice = OK
(“grain” is countable)
 a work = INCORRECT
(uncountable)

 a job / a task / a project = OK

(countable)
Click here to review countable and uncountable nouns

#2 – A/An Follows The SOUND, Not The LETTER

 a university
(pronounced like you – ni – ver – si – ty)
 an umbrella
(pronounced like um – brel – la)
 a hat
(h is not silent)
 an hour
(h is silent)

 an X-ray
(pronounced like ex – ray)
 an NGO
(pronounced like en – gee – oh)
 a non-governmental organization
(when we say the full words, they start with the N sound)

#3 – Do NOT Use A/An Without A Noun Following It

 I am a Japanese. = INCORRECT

(“Japanese” is an adjective, not a noun)

 I am Japanese. = OK
  He is an intelligent. = INCORRECT
(“intelligent” is an adjective, not a noun)

 He is intelligent. = OK
 He is an intelligent man. = OK
(now it’s OK because we have the noun “man” after “an intelligent”)
#4 – THE Can Be Used For Singular/Plural, And For Countable/Uncountable Nouns,
When Talking About Something Specific (Not General)
 I love pasta.
(general)
 I love the pasta at that restaurant.
(specific)
 That store sells furniture.
(general)
 The furniture in my living room is all new.
(specific)
 Vegetables are good for you.
(general)
 The vegetables at the market are always fresh.
(specific)
 I need advice.
(general)
 The advice you gave me was very helpful.
(specific)

#5 – Do NOT Use THE For Proper Nouns:

NAMES OF CONTINENTS/COUNTRIES*/STATES/CITIES/STREETS:
 We’re traveling around Asia for three months.
 I’d like to visit Russia.
 Paris is my favorite city in Europe.
 Have you ever been to California?
 They live on Rosewood Avenue.
*Exceptions: the United States (the U.S.), the United Kingdom (the U.K.), the Philippines, the
Czech Republic, the Central African Republic, the Marshall Islands
COMPANIES & UNIVERSITIES*
 My uncle works at Samsung.
 Microsoft reported high profits this quarter.
 She graduated from Harvard.
 New York University is very large.
*Exceptions: If the university’s name BEGINS with “university,” then use “the”:
the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Miami
LANGUAGES & HOLIDAYS
 I’m studying Spanish.
 He speaks Italian.
 My whole family gets together at Christmas.
 The office will be closed on New Year’s Day.

#6 – With Other Places, THE Is Sometimes Used:

DO NOT USE THE WITH INDIVIDUAL LAKES OR MOUNTAINS:
 Mount Everest is the highest mountain the world.
 We went sailing on Lake Ontario.
USE THE WITH OCEANS, RIVERS, VALLEYS, DESERTS, MOUNTAIN RANGES,
POINTS ON GLOBE:
 the Pacific Ocean
 the Amazon River
 the San Fernando Valley
 the Sahara Desert
 the Swiss Alps, the Rocky Mountains
 the North/South Pole, the Equator

DO NOT USE THE WITH THE FOLLOWING PLACES:

 I’m going home.
 She’s at work.
 He’s in jail.
  We attend church.
 My kids went to bed.
 My brother’s in high school.
 My sister’s in college.

USE THE WITH THE FOLLOWING PLACES:

 I went to the bank.
 Let’s go to the movies.
 He gets home from the office around 7.
 My grandfather’s in the hospital.
 I’ll stop by the post office after lunch.
 I caught a taxi to the airport.
 I’ll pick you up at the train station.
 We’re waiting at the bus stop.
 We took my son to the doctor.
 I’m going to the dentist this afternoon.
(in this case, “the doctor” and “the dentist” are short for “the doctor’s office” and “the
dentist’s office”)
 Incorrect: We live in village.
Correct: We live in a village. OR We live in the village.
 Incorrect: She works in pub.
Correct: She works in a pub. OR She works in the pub.
 A singular common noun (e.g. boy, girl, tree, country, teacher, village etc.) must have an
article. A plural common noun can be used with or without an article.
 Incorrect: He is best player in the team.
Correct: He is the best player in the team.
 Incorrect: She is fastest runner.
Correct: She is the fastest runner.
 The definite article the must be used with superlative adjectives.
 Incorrect: The Paris is big city.
Correct: Paris is a big city.
 Incorrect: I live in the Mumbai.
Correct: I live in Mumbai.
 If the noun is proper it will take no article. Note that a proper noun is the name of a
particular person, place or thing. Examples are: Sam, Mary, India, Paris, London etc.
  Incorrect: The iron is a useful metal.
Correct: Iron is a useful metal.
 Incorrect: The gold is yellow.
Correct: Gold is yellow.
 Articles are not used with material nouns. Examples are: gold, silver, iron, wheat, rice
etc.
 Incorrect: We should not make noise.
Correct: We should not make a noise.
 Incorrect: I have an urgent business.
Correct: I have urgent business. OR I have some urgent business.
 Note these fixed expressions.
 Incorrect: Do you sell eggs by kilo or by dozen?
Correct: Do you sell eggs by the kilo or by the dozen?
 The is used in measuring expressions beginning with by.



Names of countries have no articles (if singular)

 France borders Switzerland.
 The BBC is not permitted in Zimbabwe.
 But: (plural country names) I’m visiting the United States next week after
touring the Netherlands and the British Isles.
 Exceptions: I have never been to the Ukraine, the Gambia, nor theUnited Kingdom
(or the UK).
There is no article used with with the names of languages.
 Swedish was not much use in Argentina.
 English has a vast vocabulary.
 Mahatma Gandhi corresponded in Gujarati.
There is no article before the names of meals.
 Breakfast was revolting.
 We had lunch with a dispeptic Croat.
 Dinner lasted until midnight.
There is no article with proper names (if singular).
  Rupert dropped the eggplant on the Persian carpet.
 Geoffrey bent his spanner.
 But: (plural) the Morgans have revolting table manners (plural proper noun).
 Exceptions: The Fonz, the Cisco Kid, the Scarlet Pimpernel.
There is no article with titles and names:
 Prince Charles has big ears.
 President Fillmore is the one nobody remembers.
 Dr. House insulted the patient.
 But: the Prince of Wales, the Bishop of Canterbury, and the Dalai Lama walked into a
bar.
There is no article with professions and fields of study.
 Statistics is sometimes useful for proving things that aren’t true.
 Music should not be studied by the deaf.
 He wants to work for NASA.
 He’ll probably end up in food service or law enforcement.
 Exceptions: He’ll probably end up in the military|the navy|the army.
There is no article with mass (uncountable) nouns:
 Water is in short supply.
 Coffee can be used to disrupt a concert.
 Research is lacking in the field of invertebrate alcoholism
There is no article with singular islands, mountains and lakes.
 More people know that Loch Ness has a monster than know it is in Scotland.
 Kauai is mostly coastline.
 Mount Fuji is the most photographed mountain in the world.
 Moussorgsky didn’t name it “Pandemonium on Bald Mountain”.
 But: The elephants traversed the Alps|the Pennines|the Adirondacks (plural).
 Exceptions: They climbed The Matterhorn. They went boating on The Serpentine. The
dragon flew over The Lonely Mountain. The Hebredes is off the West coast of Scotland.
No article is used with most names of towns, streets, stations and airports.
 Charing Cross station is some distance from Piccadilly|Big Ben|Hyde Park Corner|St.
Paul’s Cathedral — but it’s not close to: the Marble Arch|the Embankment|the London
Eye|the Serpentine.
 Can you direct me to Curson Street?
 She found joy in Sienna.
 They depart from LAX on the 14th.
No article is used with some destinations:
 He went to school unwillingly. (He is in school.)
 She didn’t go to work today. (She is at work.)
 They never went to college. (She is at college.)
 He might have gone to prison. (He is in prison.)
 They never go to church. (They are in church.)
 It’s too early to go to bed. (He is in bed.)
 That’s in skid row.
 They told us we were going to heaven or hell.
 She had to go to hospital (UK). But: she had to go to the hospital (USA).
Some nouns may be used with or without an article, but have very different meanings depending
upon whether an article is used.
 She loves to walk in nature (the natural world). But, it is not the nature of cats to follow
the herd (not characteristic of cats)
The article is absent in modes of transport and some expressions. Note significant differences
between USA and UK usages.
We went:
 by car.
 by train.
 by air.
 on foot.
 on holiday (UK) on vacation (USA).
  on air (in broadcasting)(UK) But: on the air (USA).

USE OF
ARTICLES

Incorre I have a good news for you.

Correct I have good news for you

Incorrect The men are national beings.

Correct Men are national beings.

The boys leave the school at four

Incorrect
o'clock.
Correct The boys leave school at four o'clock.

He sent a word that he would come

Incorrect
soon.
Correct He sent word that he would come soon.

I have read the

Incorrect
Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Correct I have read Shakespeare's Macbeth

Incorrect You cannot set a foot in this house.

Correct You cannot set foot in this house.

Incorrect The envy is an evil passion.

Correct Envy is an evil passion.

Incorrect He has not yet gone to the bed.

Correct He has not yet gone to bed.

Incorrect He is Daniel in judgment.

Correct He is a Daniel in judgment.

Incorrect He made very wise decision.

Correct He made a very wise decision.

Incorrect Fire broke out in our village.

Correct A fire broke out in our village.

Incorrect Andamans are a group of islands.

Correct The Andamans are a group of islands.

The correct use of the articles is one of the most difficult points in English grammar. Here are
some rules regarding the correct usage of the definite and indefinite articles.
When you talk about a person or thing for the first time, use the indefinite articles (a and an)
with them.
 I saw a girl. (NOT I saw the girl.)
Use the in subsequent references to that person or thing.
 The girl was very beautiful. (NOT A girl was very beautiful.)
Use the indefinite article to talk about a person or thing not known to the speaker or the
listener.
 She is going out with a French guy. (NOT She is going out with the French guy.)
We can use the in subsequent references to that person or thing.
 The French guy she is going out with is an architect. (NOT A French guy she is going
out with is an architect.)
Plural countable nouns can be used without articles, especially when we are talking about
things in general.
 Spiders have eight legs.
 Computers are useful machines.
 Apples are red.
A singular uncountable noun is used without an article.
 Milk is nutritious. (NOT The milk is nutritious.)
 Gold is precious. (NOT The gold is precious.)

Choose the correct article: a, an, the or x (no article)

1. Are you coming to the party next Saturday?

2. I bought a new TV set yesterday.

3. I think the man over there is very ill. He can't stand on his feet.

4. I watched the video you had sent me.

5. She was wearing an ugly dress when she met him.

6. I am crazy about reading x history books.

7. She is a nice girl.

8. Do you want to go to the restaurant where we first met?

9. He is an engineer.

10. He thinks that x love is what will save us all.

Choose the correct definite or indefinite article: "the", "a", "an" or "x" (zero article) .

1. I bought a pair of shoes.

2. I saw a movie last night.

3. They are staying at a hotel.

4. Look at the woman over there! She is a famous actress.

5. I do not like X basketball.

6. That is the girl I told you about.

7. The night is quiet. Let's take a walk!

8. The price of gas keeps rising.

9. John traveled to X Mexico.

10. Juan is X Spanish.

11. I read an amazing story yesterday.

12. My brother does not eat X chicken.

13. X love is such a beautiful thing.

14. I live in an apartment. The apartment is new.

15. I would like a piece of cake.

16. I was in a Japanese restaurant. The restaurant served good food.

17. Sara can play the guitar.

Choose the correct definite or indefinite article: "the", "a", "an" or "x" (zero article) .

1. I bought a pair of shoes.

2. I saw a movie last night.

3. They are staying at a hotel.

4. Look at the woman over there! She is a famous actress.

5. I do not like X basketball.

6. That is the girl I told you about.

7. The night is quiet. Let's take a walk!

8. The price of gas keeps rising.

9. John traveled to X Mexico.

10. Juan is X Spanish.

11. I read an amazing story yesterday.

12. My brother does not eat X chicken.

13. X love is such a beautiful thing.

14. I live in an apartment. The apartment is new.

15. I would like a piece of cake.

16. I was in a Japanese restaurant. The restaurant served good food.

17. Sara can play the guitar.

Choose the correct (and most natural-sounding) response to complete each sentence:

1. ________ Swedish is a difficult language to learn.

NO ARTICLE
The
A

2. ________ general's army attacked the city at night.

NO ARTICLE
The
A

3. I like to play ________ basketball.

NO ARTICLE
the
a

4. My parents gave me ________ basketball for my birthday.

NO ARTICLE
the
a

5. She is ________ prettiest girl in the school.

NO ARTICLE
 the
a

6. I have ________ idea! Let's go bowling.

NO ARTICLE
the
an

7. I have borrowed ________ money from her before.

NO ARTICLE
the
a

8. My first apartment was on ________ Orange Street.

NO ARTICLE
the
an

9. ________ dress she is wearing is blue.

NO ARTICLE
The
A

10. He is ________ real gentleman.

NO ARTICLE
the
a