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Sentence Completion (Verbs)

Description: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the verb.
Number of Questions: 25
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Tags: English MBA GRE Bank PO Tenses Structural Errors Letter I Antonyms Letter JKL Letter M Letter P Synonyms
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Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

Hostilities _________ after the truce.

  1. resumed

  2. were resumed

  3. had been resumed

  4. had resumed


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 Hostilities will not start on their own. Somebody will resume them. So, they were resumed. "Had been resumed' is the past perfect form. It cannot be correct as there is no reference to another incident / action happening after it.

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

Has the problem _________?

  1. been solved

  2. solved

  3. being solved

  4. solve


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 The problem will not solve itself. Somebody will solve it. Hence, it has been solved. 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

The accused ________ the verdict of the jury with anxiety.

  1. awaited

  2. was awaited

  3. had awaited

  4. have awaited


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 Verb in simple past tense

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

He _________ some of the samples presented to him.

  1. was selecting

  2. had been selecting

  3. selected

  4. is selecting


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The tense in the second part of the sentence is simple past. So, same tense will be used in the first part.

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

A widespread outbreak of influenza _______ in the year 1919.

  1. occur

  2. had occurred

  3. occurred

  4. was occurring


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

 Whenever there is a reference to a definite time in the past (in the year 1919), we use simple past tense. 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

I ________ some photos to be developed.

  1. had been left

  2. left

  3. was leaving

  4. was left


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 Simple past tense: left. For 'was left' to be correct, we have to use 'with'.

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

It must ______ to you that he was simply bluffing.

  1. have occurred

  2. occurred

  3. occur

  4. have occur


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 The use of 'must' necessitates use of first form of the verb or the third form in the present perfect tense 'must have occurred'. Here the first form cannot be used in view of the use of 'was bluffing' in the past tense. 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

They have all _______.

  1. told

  2. been told

  3. been telling

  4. will be told


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

'Tell' is a transitive verb, i.e. it should be followed by receiver of the action. In the pasive voice, 'been told' will be correct, because it means that somebody has told them.

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

He usually _______ much of his spare time with a friend.

  1. spend

  2. spends

  3. is spending

  4. has spent


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 'Usually' is indicative of a routine. In such cases, simple tense (present or past) will be applicable. 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

He was properly ________ by the authorities.

  1. dealt with

  2. deal with

  3. dealt at

  4. dealt after


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 'Was' is indicative of simple past tense in the passive voice. 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

He _________ ill for a week when his brother came.

  1. was

  2. had been

  3. has been

  4. is


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 There are two events in succession in the past. The later event is 'came'. The antecedent in time should be 'had been'

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

We ________ not hurry; we have got plenty of time.

  1. need

  2. ought

  3. must

  4. should


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 'We have got' is indicative of present tense.

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

I ________ visit my parents every Sunday; now I go twice a month.

  1. must

  2. used to

  3. should

  4. will


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 'Now I go twice a month' indicates that the preceding part is about what I did in the past. So, the appropriate use is 'used to'.

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

Candidates ________ not write their names on the answer-sheets.

  1. should

  2. must

  3. ought

  4. need


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 This is an imperative sentence (instructiuon). But here the candidates are being told not to write. So the modal used has to be 'must not'. 'Need not' would mean as if they could write if they wanted. 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

By this time next year, he _________ the construction of his house.

  1. will have completed

  2. would complete

  3. would have completed

  4. should have completed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 Some completion is expected in future. So' 'will have'

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

He said that he _______ from fever for three days.

  1. had been suffering

  2. was suffering

  3. suffered

  4. is suffering


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 The fever must have happened before 'he said'. 'For three days' indicates completion as well as continuation. So, 'had been suffering'

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

Children _______ respect their parents.

  1. need to

  2. ought to

  3. should

  4. must


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 The obligation is moral or social. There is no advisory or compulsion. In such cases the appropriate modal use is 'ought to'.

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

How _________ you call me a liar?

  1. dare

  2. must

  3. should

  4. would


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 'Call me a liar' with a question mark means that the person is protesting. The only verb that indicates challenge is 'dare'. How dare you...? 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

The sailors _______ to the broken mast, as the ship sank.

  1. clung

  2. were clinging

  3. cling

  4. was clinging


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 'As the ship sank' is in the simple past tense. At that time whatever the sailors did also has to be in the simple past tense. 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

Work hard lest you ________ fail.

  1. should

  2. could

  3. would

  4. might


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 Lest is followed by the usage of 'should'.

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

He does not ________ to go against the wishes of his father.

  1. dare

  2. need

  3. ought

  4. should


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 This means that he does not have the courage. Hence, 'dare'

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

The snake __________ round his hand, but he flung it away.

  1. wound

  2. wind

  3. was winding

  4. had wound


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 The snake's action and the man's action are concurrent. Hence, the same simple past tense (wound), Hence, 'wound' is correct.

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

In my youth I _________ exercise everyday.

  1. took

  2. had taken

  3. was taking

  4. take


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 'In my youth' is a reference to the past. The correct filler will be simple past 'took' or 'used to take'. 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

If he had not made a mistake, the teacher _________ punished him.

  1. would not have

  2. should not have

  3. could not have

  4. will not have


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

 'Had' is antecedent in time to 'would have'. 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb.

_______ you go to Delhi, do visit my brother there.

  1. Would

  2. Should

  3. Will

  4. Could


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

 'If' or 'should' you, convey the same sense.

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