Phrasal verbs with call

Each sentence given below contains an incomplete phrasal verb. Complete the expression by supplying a suitable particle or preposition.

1. He is not in at the moment. I will ask him to call you ………………….. as soon as he arrives.

a) in
b) back
c) out

2. Jessica called …………………… yesterday when I was working in the garage.

a) back
b) in
c) for
d) out

3. If you are not feeling well, I will call ……………….. a doctor.

a) out
b) in
c) for

4. When the situation got out of hand, we had to call ……………………. the police.

a) for
b) in
c) back

5. They have called ……………………… the wedding.

a) for
b) off
c) in

6. I called ……………………. his name, but there was no answer.

a) in
b) out
c) for

7. Call me …………………. when you reach there.

a) in
b) up
c) out

Answers

1. He is not in at the moment. I will ask him to call you back as soon as he arrives.

2. Jessica called in yesterday when I was working in the garage. (To call in is to visit somebody.)

3. If you are not feeling well, I will call in a doctor.

4. When the situation got out of hand, we had to call in the police.

5. They have called off the wedding.

6. I called out his name, but there was no answer.

7. Call me up when you reach there. (To call somebody up is to telephone them.)

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When the verb has two objects

Many verbs can be followed by two objects – a direct object and an indirect object. Common verbs that can take two objects are: give, take, lent, buy, bring, fetch, get etc.

The indirect object usually refers to a person. The direct object usually refers to a thing.

Two patterns are possible.

1. Subject + verb + indirect object + direct object

This pattern is preferred when the indirect object is a pronoun or when it is shorter than the direct object.

Examples are given below.

I lent him (indirect object) my camera (direct object).
She brought me (indirect object) a cup of tea (direct object).
The teacher gave us (indirect object) some advice (direct object).
I have given him (indirect object) his money (direct object).
You must tell him (indirect object) the truth (direct object).
My father bought me (indirect object) a nice laptop (direct object).

Subject + verb + direct object + preposition + indirect object

Note that when the direct object comes before the indirect object, we have to use the preposition ‘to’ or ‘for’ between the direct object and the indirect object.

This pattern is preferred when the indirect object is longer than the direct object.

Examples are given below.

I lent my camera (direct object) to a friend of mine. (indirect object)
She made tea (direct object) for her guests (indirect object) .
The teacher gave some advice (direct object) to her students(indirect object).
I have given his money (direct object) to him (indirect object) .
You must tell the truth (direct object) to the police (indirect object) .
My father bought a nice laptop (direct object) for me (indirect object) .

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Verb patterns with to-infinitives

FEBRUARY 20, 2015 -

To-infinitives are used in several structures. Here is a quick overview of them.

To-infinitives can be used after adjectives expressing ideas such as desire or emotion.

We were happy to see him.
She is afraid to talk.
He is eager to join the army.
I will be happy to accept your invitation.
He was anxious to meet you.
They are impatient to leave.

It + be + adjective + of + noun/pronoun + to-infinitive

The adjectives that are commonly used in this pattern are: good, kind, generous, stupid, unwise, wrong, brave, politely, silly, wicked, cruel, foolish, wise, nice, careless etc.

It is kind of you to help us.
It was foolish of me to lend him money.

It was clever of you to solve this puzzle.
It is wicked of her to do such things.
It was careless of you to make that mistake.
It is unwise of him to drink too much.

To-infinitives are words like difficult, easy, hard, impossible etc.

This book is easy to understand.
This carpet is difficult to wash.
Your actions are impossible to justify.
This food is difficult to swallow.
This medicine is pleasant to taste.
His speech was difficult to understand.

It + be + adjective + to-infinitive

It is easy to learn English.
It is difficult to get a job.
It is cruel to treat animals in that way.
It was impossible to win.
It is hard to get noticed.

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Expressing wishes in English

The phrase I wish I had… is the most common structure used to talk about our wishes. Here are some common wishes people have.

I wish I had more money.
I wish I had more friends.
I wish I had a bigger house.
I wish I was taller.
I wish I was more beautiful.
I wish I had curly hair.
I wish I had blue eyes.
I wish I had a caring husband.
I wish I had a cute daughter.
I wish I had a better memory.

Note the use of past tense verbs in this structure.

In the phrase I wish I had… ‘had’ is the simple past form of the verb ‘have’. Instead of had, you can use the simple past form of other verbs as well.

I wish I spoke French.
I wish I knew Italian.
I wish I looked smarter.
I wish I drove a Ferrari.
I wish I lived in Shanghai.
I wish I had a golden voice.
I wish I knew more people.
I wish I played the piano.

Although we use past tense forms in this structure, we are not referring to the past in these sentences. Instead, we are merely expressing our wishes in the present.

To talk about past wishes, we can use the structure I wish I had had… Note that the second had in this structure is the past participle form of have. Past participle forms of other verbs are also possible in this case.

I wish I had had more money.
I wish I had worked harder. (= I didn’t work harder, but now I regret it.)
I wish I had had more time on my business trip last week.
I wish I hadn’t trusted him.
I wish I had listened to his advice.

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Grammar Quiz – Tenses

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of the verb.

1. We ………………………. waiting here since morning.

a) have been
b) has been
c) are
d) were

2. We ……………………… them yesterday.

a) visited
b) have visited
c) had visited
d) was visiting

3. He …………………….. from Jamaica yesterday.

a) has returned
b) have returned
c) had returned
d) returned

4. See that you ………………………… for the meeting on time.

a) will come
b) come
c) would come
d) came

5. She will come if we ……………………. her.

a) invite
b) will invite
c) invited
d) would invite

6. I …………………….. to Singapore recently.

a) had been
b) went
c) have been
d) was

7. The doctor concluded that the man ……………………….. ten hours ago.

a) had died
b) was dead
c) has been died
d) is dead

8. I ……………………….. waiting for your reply for several weeks.

a) have been
b) has been
c) had been
d) was

9. The train ………………………. by the time we reach the station.

a) will leave
b) will have left
c) left
d) would

10. Every morning, I …………………….. the newspaper.

a) will read
b) am reading
c) read
d) was reading

Answers

1. We have been waiting here since morning.

2. We visited them yesterday.

3. He returned from Jamaica yesterday.

4. See that you come for the meeting on time.

5. She will come if we invite her.

6. I went to Singapore recently.

7. The doctor concluded that the man had died ten hours ago.

8. I have been waiting for your reply for several weeks.

9. The train will have left by the time we reach the station.

10. Every morning, I read the newspaper.

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Prepositions exercise

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate preposition. Each question is followed by four suggested answers. Choose the most appropriate one.

1. He was deaf ………………….. our requests.

a) at
b) to
c) with
d) on

2. Regular exercise is beneficial ………………….. physical and mental health.

a) with
b) for
c) to
d) of

3. Are you conscious …………………….. your responsibilities?

a) about
b) of
c) after
d) on

4. We regret that we cannot comply …………………… your request.

a) to
b) with
c) at
d) on

5. The honor was conferred ……………………… him at the convocation.

a) at
b) with
c) on
d) for

6. He congratulated her ……………………. her success.

a) at
b) for
c) on
d) with

7. He is thoroughly conversant ………………………. the problem.

a) about
b) with
c) of
d) around

8. The principal has called ……………………. an explanation from the students who boycotted their classes.

a) on
b) for
c) at
d) out

9. I don’t care …………………….. your objections: I have decided to do it.

a) of
b) for
c) after
d) with

10. He fell ………………………. the displeasure of authorities.

a) off
b) after
c) from
d) under

Answers

1. He was deaf to our requests.

2. Regular exercise is beneficial to physical and mental health.

3. Are you conscious of your responsibilities?

4. We regret that we cannot comply with your request.

5. The honor was conferred on him at the convocation.

6. He congratulated her on her success.

7. He is thoroughly conversant with the problem.

8. The principal has called for an explanation from the students who boycotted their classes.

9. I don’t care for your objections: I have decided to do it.

10. He fell under the displeasure of authorities.

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Tenses Review Exercise

Complete the following sentences using an appropriate verb form.

1. We …………………. the railway station before the train came.

a) had reached
b) has reached
c) reached
d) was reached

2. His parents do not ………………………. with him.

a) live
b) lives
c) living
d) lived

3. I ……………………… working at this company for 25 years by next Christmas.

a) will be
b) will have been
c) am
d) would be

4. Peter …………………… 87 runs before rain interrupted the match.

a) scored
b) has scored
c) had scored
d) have scored

5. I ……………………… him twice before he left for New York.

a) saw
b) have seen
c) had seen
d) seen

6. When I visited her she …………………… bed-ridden for six months.

a) was
b) has been
c) had been
d) were

7. I ………………………. school last year.

a) left
b) had left
c) leaved
d) was leaving

8. There ……………………… a famine in Bengal in 1982.

a) was
b) has been
c) were
d) had been

9. John has ………………………. home.

a) went

b) go
c) gone
d) going

Answers

1. We had reached the railway station before the train came.

2. His parents do not live with him.

3. I will have been working at this company for 25 years by next Christmas.

4. Peter had scored 87 runs before rain interrupted the match.

5. I had seen him twice before he left for New York.

6. When I visited her she had been bed-ridden for six months.

7. I left school last year.

8. There was a famine in Bengal in 1982.

9. John has gone home.

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Tenses review exercise

Complete the following sentences using an appropriate verb form.

1. We …………………. the railway station before the train came.

a) had reached
b) has reached
c) reached
d) was reached

2. His parents do not ………………………. with him.

a) live
b) lives
c) living
d) lived

3. I ……………………… working at this company for 25 years by next Christmas.

a) will be
b) will have been
c) am
d) would be

4. Peter …………………… 87 runs before rain interrupted the match.

a) scored
b) has scored
c) had scored
d) have scored

5. I ……………………… him twice before he left for New York.

a) saw
b) have seen
c) had seen
d) seen

6. When I visited her she …………………… bed-ridden for six months.

a) was
b) has been
c) had been
d) were

7. I ………………………. school last year.

a) left
b) had left
c) leaved
d) was leaving

8. There ……………………… a famine in Bengal in 1982.

a) was
b) has been
c) were
d) had been

9. John has ………………………. home.

a) went

b) go
c) gone
d) going

Answers

1. We had reached the railway station before the train came.

2. His parents do not live with him.

3. I will have been working at this company for 25 years by next Christmas.

4. Peter had scored 87 runs before rain interrupted the match.

5. I had seen him twice before he left for New York.

6. When I visited her she had been bed-ridden for six months.

7. I left school last year.

8. There was a famine in Bengal in 1982.

9. John has gone home.

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General grammar exercise

This exercise tests your understanding of basic grammar rules.

1. One day man will ……………….. colonize Mars.

a) can
b) be able to
c) been able to
d) have been able to

2. What have you …………………….. to find out?

a) been able
b) able
c) were able
d) had been

3. I am very much interested in …………………… to paint.

a) to learn
b) learning
c) to learning
d) learn

4. You don’t look happy ……………………… me.

a) to see
b) to seeing
c) in seeing
d) at seeing

5. That dress is new, ……………………..?

a) isn’t it?
b) aren’t they
c) doesn’t it
d) won’t it

6. It was ……………………… that I didn’t go out.

a) so warm a day
b) a so warm day
c) so warm day
d) none of these

7. They were …………………….. in love with each other, so everybody was surprised when they decided to part ways.

a) mad
b) madly
c) badly
d) madden

8. She was ……………………… injured in the crash.

a) fatally
b) fatal
c) deadly
d) deathly

9. Feel ……………….. to speak. I won’t tell anyone what you say.

a) free
b) freely
c) with freedom
d) none of these

10. I very much enjoy ………………………..

a) reading
b) to read
c) read

d) to reading

Answers

1. One day man will be able to colonize Mars.

2. What have you been able to find out?

3. I am very much interested in learning to paint.

4. You don’t look happy to see me.

5. That dress is new, isn’t it?

6. It was so warm a day that I didn’t go out.

7. They were madly in love with each other, so everybody was surprised when they decided to part ways.

8. She was fatally injured in the crash.

9. Feel free to speak. I won’t tell anyone what you say.

10. I very much enjoy reading.

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General grammar exercise

Complete the following sentences.

1. The state of affairs …………………. sure to cause him anxiety.

a) is b) are c) were d) has

2. An advocate and a doctor …………………….. on this street.

a) live b) lives c) is living d) are living

3. The introduction of radical reforms ……………………. opposed by the aristocracy.

a) was b) were c) have been d) are being

4. Slow and steady ………………….. the race.

a) win b) wins c) has won d) would win

5. He …………………. hardly sat down when someone knocked at the door.

a) was b) had c) did d) would

6. She has been working here ……………….. six years now.

a) since b) for c) from d) before

7. I saw him six months ……………………….

a) ago b) before c) for d) since

8. Were you foolish ……………….. to trust him?

a) enough b) too c) also d) as well

9. I wish you …………………. stop complaining like this.

a) should b) would c) might d) must

10. ………………….. you obey my instructions, you will be killed.

a) if b) unless c) but d) though

Answers

1. The state of affairs is sure to cause him anxiety.

2. An advocate and a doctor live on this street.

3. The introduction of radical reforms was opposed by the aristocracy.

4. Slow and steady wins the race.

5. He had hardly sat down when someone knocked at the door.

6. She has been working here for six years now.

7. I saw him six months ago.

8. Were you foolish enough to trust him?

9. I wish you would stop complaining like this.

10. Unless you obey my instructions, you will be killed.

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What is meant by the case

Case shows how a noun or a pronoun is related to another word in a sentence. A noun or pronoun can be in the following cases:

1) Nominative case

2) Objective (or accusative) case

3) Dative case

4) Vocative case

5) Case in apposition

6) Possessive case

Nominative and Objective Case

Study the example given below.

The cat drank the milk.

Here the noun ‘cat’ is the subject of the verb ‘drank’. When a noun or a pronoun is used as the subject of a verb, it is said to be in the nominative case.

Now read the sentence given below.

The boy killed the spider.

Here the noun ‘the spider’ is the object of the verb ‘killed’. When a noun or pronoun is used as the object of a verb, it is said to be in the objective case. A noun which comes after a preposition is also said to be in the objective case. In this case, the noun acts as the object of the preposition.

She sat between them.

(Here the pronoun them is the object of the preposition between. It is therefore in the objective case.)

Dative and Vocative Case

Some verbs take two objects: a direct object and an indirect object.

I bought him a dress.

Here the pronoun ‘him’ is the indirect object of the verb ‘bought’ whereas the noun ‘dress’ is the direct object. A noun used as the direct object of the verb is said to be in the objective case, whereas a noun used as the indirect object of the verb is said to be in thedative case.

Vocative case

Read the following sentences.

Peter, sit down.

Here the noun Peter is used for addressing a person or thing. A noun used to address a person or thing is said to be in the vocative case.

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Some useful spelling rules

When the word ends in a consonant

If the accent falls on the last syllable, the consonant is doubled to form the past tense.

So we have

Occur –> occurred

Transfer –> transferred

When the word ends in a short vowel + consonant, the final consonant is not usually doubled to form the past tense.

Therefore

Offer –> offered (NOT Offerred)

Budget –> budgeted

Short monosyllabic words always double their final consonant.

Examples are:

Shop –> shopping

Let –> letting

Cut –> cutting

‘ie’ and ‘ei’

The general rule is ‘i’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’

Examples are:

Siege, believe, friends

But

Receive, deceive, ceiling (after ‘c’, we use ‘e’ before ‘I’)

There are however several exceptions to this rule. Examples are:reign, heir, seize, weird. As you can see, in all of these words, the letter ‘e’ goes before the letter ‘i’.

Dis and mis

Never double the ‘s’ of these prefixes. In some words, you may notice a second ‘s’, but remember that it is the first letter of the next syllable.

So we have

Dismiss (NOT Dissmiss)

Misplace

Misunderstand

Dispel

Se and Ce

Se and sy are usually verb endings and ce and cy are usually noun endings. So the following words are verbs: license, practise, advise, prophesy

And the following words are nouns: licence, practice, prophecy, advice

The word promise is an exception to this rule. Although it ends in –se, it is a noun.

Note that this rule does not hold good when verb and noun are not spelt alike.

Us and ous

Nouns end in ‘us’. Adjectives end in ‘ous’.

So we have:

Nouns: census, phosphorus, genius

Adjectives: jealous, unanimous, tremendous

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General grammar exercise

Complete the following sentences.

1. The state of affairs …………………. sure to cause him anxiety.

a) is b) are c) were d) has

2. An advocate and a doctor …………………….. on this street.

a) live b) lives c) is living d) are living

3. The introduction of radical reforms ……………………. opposed by the aristocracy.

a) was b) were c) have been d) are being

4. Slow and steady ………………….. the race.

a) win b) wins c) has won d) would win

5. He …………………. hardly sat down when someone knocked at the door.

a) was b) had c) did d) would

6. She has been working here ……………….. six years now.

a) since b) for c) from d) before

7. I saw him six months ……………………….

a) ago b) before c) for d) since

8. Were you foolish ……………….. to trust him?

a) enough b) too c) also d) as well

9. I wish you …………………. stop complaining like this.

a) should b) would c) might d) must

10. ………………….. you obey my instructions, you will be killed.

a) if b) unless c) but d) though

Answers

1. The state of affairs is sure to cause him anxiety.

2. An advocate and a doctor live on this street.

3. The introduction of radical reforms was opposed by the aristocracy.

4. Slow and steady wins the race.

5. He had hardly sat down when someone knocked at the door.

6. She has been working here for six years now.

7. I saw him six months ago.

8. Were you foolish enough to trust him?

9. I wish you would stop complaining like this.

10. Unless you obey my instructions, you will be killed.

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Sentence completion exercise

Complete the following sentences using an appropriate word or phrase.

1. You had better ……………………. a specialist.

a) consult to
b) consult
c) consult with
d) consult by

2. You must not leave books near the open fire. They …………………. easily.

a) catch fire
b) catch with fire
c) catch to fire
d) catch on fire

3. When will the meeting ……………………..?

a) be held
b) be hold
c) hold place
d) take hold

4. Let’s ………………… this weekend. It is snowing.

a) go ski
b) go skiing
c) go to ski
d) skiing

5. I have had …………………… for a bit. I am going home.

a) enough Rome
b) enough of Rome
c) Rom enough
d) enough Rome of

6. He is trying to make a machine that would ………………….. people in wheelchairs to get up stairs.

a) enable
b) able
c) unable
d) capable

7. I really ………………………. when I went skiing last month.

a) enjoyed
b) enjoyed with
c) enjoyed myself
d) enjoyed myself with

8. I felt like ……………………….

a) crying
b) to cry
c) to crying
d) cry

9. I …………………….. for hours, and I was getting tired.

a) had been running
b) have been running
c) was running
d) is running

10. ……………………, he went on working.

a) As he was tired
b) Tired he was
c) Tired though he was
d) None of these

Answers

1. You had better consult a specialist.

2. You must not leave books near the open fire. They catch fire easily.

3. When will the meeting be held?

4. Let’s go skiing this weekend. It is snowing.

5. I have had enough of Rome for a bit. I am going home.

6. He is trying to make a machine that would enable people in wheelchairs to get up stairs.

7. I really enjoyed myself when I went skiing last month.

8. I felt like crying.

9. I had been running for hours, and I was getting tired.

10. Tired though he was, he went on working.

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Answers

1. Subject + verb + indirect object + direct object

Subject + verb + direct object + preposition + indirect object

It + be + adjective + of + noun/pronoun + to-infinitive

To-infinitives are words like difficult, easy, hard, impossible etc.

It + be + adjective + to-infinitive

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Dative and Vocative Case

Vocative case

When the word ends in a consonant

‘ie’ and ‘ei’

Dis and mis

Se and Ce

Us and ous

Answers

Answers

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