VERB COMPLEMENTATION EXERCISES

Exercise 1Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words in parentheses.1. In the fairy tale, the wolf threatened (eat) ______ a girl named Little Red Riding Hood.2. I avoided (tell) ______Mary the truth because I knew she would be angry.3. Mr. Kwan broke the antique vase. I’m sure he didn’t mean (do) ______ it.4. I urged Omar (return) __to____ to school and (finish) ______ his education.5. Mrs. Freeman can’t help (worry) ______ about her children.6. Children, I forbid you (play) ______ in the street. There’s too much traffic.7. My little cousin is a blabbermouth! He can’t resist (tell) ______ everyone my secrets!8. Olga finally admitted (be) ______ responsible for the problem.9. Margaret challenged me (race) ______ her across the pool.10. Oscar keeps (hope) ______ and (pray) ______ that things will get better.11. I finally managed (persuade) ______ Yoko (stay) ______ in school and (finish) ______ her

degree.12. I can’t imagine (lose) ______ to someone like him!13. You wouldn’t consider (marry) ______ a man for his money, then?14. I can’t afford (buy) ______ a new car.15. I think Sam deserves (have) ______ another chance.16. After a brief interruption, the professor continued (lecture) ______17. I can’t remember (be) ______ very proud and happy when I graduated.18. Did you remember (give) ______ Jake my message?19. I remember (play) ______ with dolls when I was a child.20. What do you remember (do) ______ before you leave for class every day?21. Don’t forget (do) ______ your homework tonight!

22. I regret (inform) ______ you that your loan application has not been approved.23. I regret (not listen) ______ to my father’s advice. He was right.24. When a student asks a question, the teacher always tries (explain) ______ the problem as

clearly as possible.25. I tried everything, but the baby still wouldn’t stop crying. I tried (hold) ______ him, but that

didn’t help. I tried (feed) ______26. I don’t mind (wait) ______ for you. Go ahead and finish (do) ______ your work.27. Did Carol agree (go) ______ (camp) ______ with you?28. Ann advised her sister (catch) ______ the plane instead of driving to Oregon.29. Ann advised (catch) the plane instead of driving to Oregon.30. Paul intends (write) ______ his friend a letter.31. Residents are not allowed (have) ______ pets in my apartment building.32. Stop (smoke) ______ or you will die soon.33. We stopped (get) ______ some petrol.34. I heard her (sing) ______ very beautifully in the garden last night.35. Billy watched Joey (pass) ______ by his house.36. The burglar was seen (break) ______ into Peter’s house yesterday.37. The children are made (do) ______ all the household chores.38. He bitterly resents (treat) ______ like a child.39. She couldn’t stand (listen) ______ to the noise from the stag party in the neighborhood last

night.40. I arranged (meet) ______ my doctor at 4 p.m.

Exercise 2

A. Use an infinitive phrase to create active sentence (AS) and passive sentence (PS) using the given ideas and the verbs in parentheses.41. The teacher said to me, “You may leave early.” (permit)

AS:.............................................................................................................................

PS:..............................................................................................................................42. The secretary said to me, “Please give this note to Sue.” (ask)

AS:.............................................................................................................................

PS:..............................................................................................................................43. My advisor said to me, “You should take Biology 109.” (advise)

AS:.............................................................................................................................

PS:..............................................................................................................................44. When I went to traffic court, the judge said to me, “You must pay a fine.” (order)

AS:.............................................................................................................................

PS:..............................................................................................................................45. During the test, the teacher said to Greg, “Keep your eyes on your own paper.” (warn)

AS:.............................................................................................................................

PS:..............................................................................................................................46. At the meeting, the head of the department said to the faculty, “Don’t forget to turn in your

grade reports by the 15th.” (remind)

AS..............................................................................................................................

PS...............................................................................................................................

B. Complete each second sentence so that he meaning is similar to the first sentence. 47. My father said I could use his car.My father allowed......................................................................................................48. I was surprised that it rained.I didn’t expect............................................................................................................49. Tim looks older when he wears glasses.Tim’s glasses make....................................................................................................50. I think you should know the truth.I want.........................................................................................................................51. At first I didn’t want to apply for the job, but Sarah persuaded me.Sarah persuaded.........................................................................................................52. My lawyer said I shouldn’t say anything to the police.

My lawyer advised.....................................................................................................53. I was told that I shouldn’t believe everything he says.I was warned..............................................................................................................54. We couldn’t drive because of the fog.

The fog prevented......................................................................................................55. After fighting the fire for twelve hours the firemen succeeded in putting it out.

The firemen managed ...............................................................................................56. “You stole my best cassette, Amanda!” said William.

William accused.........................................................................................................57. He was sorry he hadn’t said goodbye to her at the airport.

He regretted................................................................................................................58. “I’m sorry I have you the wrong number,” said Paul to Susan.

Paul apologized..........................................................................................................59. Sarah wore dark glasses so that no one would recognize her. (avoid)

Sarah..........................................................................................................................60. He hates it when people always treat him like a kid.

He objects...................................................................................................................

Exercise 3 Fill in each blank with an appropriate preposition.

61. I don’t approve ______ hunting animals for sports.62. John’s illness prevent him ______ attending the competition.63. He concentrated mainly ______ the flying and spoke very little.64. She confessed ______ murdering her husband.65. Peter hasn’t got used ______ living abroad.66. I look forward ______ hearing from you soon.67. Whatever happens, he never resorts ______ violence.68. An injury was hindering him ______ playing his best.69. Tom insists ______ being called Tommy.70. We have to adapt quickly ______ the new system.71. I am counting ______ you!

Exercise 4

Choose the best answer.

72. In the security video the burglars ______ the bank through a window.

A. are seen to enter B. are seen entering C. have seen entering D. was seen to enter

73. We objected to ______ up our garden.A. their cat dig B. their cat to dig C. their cat digging D. their cat’s which dug

74. An increase in the price of petrol would discourage ______ my car.using B. me to use C. from using D. me from using

75. The lizard is amazingly well adapted ______ in very dry and windy conditions.A. to live B. living C. for living D. to living

76. Johnson was arrested when he failed ______ in court.A. to appear B. him to appear C. his appearing D. appearing

77. If you have any problems with the computer, contact Simon. It’s best if you let him ______.A. deal with B. to deal with C. deal with it D. to deal with it

78. Although Patricia is a doctor herself, it doesn’t ______ to special treatment, and she will have to join the waiting list like everyone else.

A. entitle B. entitle her C. entitle for her D. entitle to her

79. The software enables ______ the Internet in seconds.A. to access B. accessing C. you to access D. you accessing

80. Karen is so small that she often has to resort ______.A. to children’s clothes B. children’s clothesC. to wear children’s clothes D. wearing children’s clothes

81. I’d advise ______ your tickets well in advance if you want to travel in August.A. buy B. to buy C. buying D. you buying

82. We don’t want ______ any mistakes in his composition.A. him to make B. his making C. that he makes D. he will make

83. Try to persuade ______.A. coming B. him came C. him to come D. him coming

84. We insisted ______ by the manager.A. to be seen B. to see C. on being seen D. on seeing

85. I can’t afford ______ you any more money.A. borrowing B. to borrow C. to lend D. my lending

86. I can hear a cat ______ at the window.A. scratching B. scratches C. to scratch D. was scratching

87. Peter apologized ______ Jimmy ______ having hurt him.A. x/x B. x/for C. to/for D. at/x

88. We’ve been advised ______ in these conditions.A. to risk travelling B. that us risk travellingC. not to risk to travel D. not to risk travelling

89. He denies ______ his wife.A. attempting to murder B. attempting of murderingC. to attempt murdering D. to attempt to murder

90. I’ll never forget ______ Maradona.A. have met B. meeting C. to meet D. that meet

Ready for the Entrance Exam – Verb Complementation 1. Long ago, women were ______ to vote in political elections. (D1 – 2013)A. prevented B. stopped C. forbidden D. banned

2. No one can avoid ______ by advertisements. (A1 – 2013)A. to be influenced B. having influenced C. influencing D. being influenced

3. No matter how angry he was, he would never ______ to violence. (A1 – 2012)A. resort B. resist C. refuse D. resolve

4. My teacher reminded me ______ my essay carefully before handing it in. (CD – 2012)A. checked B. checking C. to have checked D. to check

5. I’ve warned you many times ______ the front door unlocked. (D1 – 2010)A. not leaving B. won’t leave C. not to leave D. don’t leave

6. The manager ______ him for a minor mistake. (CD – 2010)A. accused B. charged C. complained D. blamed

7. I’m really looking forward ______ to university. (CD – 2010)A. to going B. go C. to go D. going

8. Susan’s doctor insists ______ for a few days. (D1 – 2009)A. that she is resting B. her resting C. that she rest D. her to rest

9. “How many times have I told you ______ football in the street?” (D1 – 2009)A. not playing B. do not play C. not to play D. not to have played

10. My father used to giving me some good advice whenever I had a problem. (CD – 2009)11. I am considering ______ my job. Can you recommend a good company? (D1 – 2008)A. to move B. moving C. to change D. changing

12. I’m not accustomed ______ up so early. (D1 – 2004)A. to getting B. to get C. by getting D. get

13. Lack of funds prevented him ______ with his studies. (D1 – 2003)A. to continue B. with continuing C. continue D. from continuing