*Been a while; let’s play the grammar game*
1. The entire system of road and rail communications __ to be closely coordinated.(appear, appears).
2. Tales from Shakespeare __ written by Charles and Mary Lamb. (was, were).
3. It is one of the finest tributes that __ been paid to any man.(has, have)
4. We have received two reports from our surveyor neither of which __ encouraging. (seem, seems)
5. Everyone, as all are aware, __ the answer. (know, knows)
6. A large crowd of men, women and children __ is gathered in the square. (is, are)
7. The chairman, with the directors, __ the report circulated. (deny, denies)
8. Your car, and mine too, __ overhauling. (need, needs)
9. Economics __ nowadays included as a subject in most professional exams. (is, are)
10. A large number of applications __ been received. (has, have)
*GAB*
*Grammar: Mind a test?*
1. Waiter: Sir, would you like some coffee? Guest: __ a. No, thanks b. I prefer beverage c. At all.
2. Kabiru says the carburettor is __ a. overfloating b. doing overfloating c. flooding
3. __ are too large for my face; I need to replace __ a. This frame/it b. These frames/ it c. These frames/ them
4. I promise to repay the loan __ a. small small b. in instalments c. jnstalmentally
5. You’d best stay with your husband and forget that neighbour. As they say __ a. the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t b. choose the devil you know and not the angel c. better the devil you know than the devil you don’t
6. __ last week, I was in Lagos. a. sometimes b. sometime c. some times
7. __, do you think I should leave? a. Between I and you b. Between you and I c. Between you and me
8. She’s determined to have a car this year __ a. by hook or crook b. by hook or by crook c. by hook and crooks
9. Now she knows she’s __ than she can chew a. bite more b. bitten more c. bitten off more
10. I need someone who can recite the national anthem __ a. offhead b. offheart c. by heart.
*GAB*
*Grammar test*
Explain the different meanings intended by the following sentences and, where necessary, insert articles and plural markers to make the intended meanings clear:
1a. The Chairman and Managing Director has resigned.
1b. The Chairman and Managing Director have resigned.
2a. The whisky and soda was on the side-board.
2b. The whisky and soda were on the side-board.
3a. The red and blue flag floats high on the tower.
3b. The red and blue flag float high on the tower.
4a. The youth fellowship have agreed to provide the bread and butter.
4b. The youth fellowship have agreed to provide the bread and the butter.
5a. The fourth and last paragraph is proving to be the most difficult.
5b. The fourth and last paragraph are proving to be the most difficult.
*GAB*
*Language has rules, so put yourself to test*
1. It’s time to __ a. leave b. left c. leaves
2. I would rather you __ before leaving. a. eat b. ate c. eats
3. You had better __ early today a. finished b. finishes c. finish
4. I wish he __ here a. were b. was c. is
5. It’s time we __ this whole thing a. ends b. ended c. end
6. If I __ you … a. was b. am c. were
7. I pray he __ me a. recommend b. recommends c. recommended
*GAB*
So are you saying …
1. I __ down in two hours. a. taxied b. taxid c. taxyed.
2. __ at night is dangerous a. taxiing b. taxing c. taxeing.
3. I __ left before she came a. had b. have c. has.
4. The news was __ yesterday a. broadcast b. broadcasted c. broadcasting.
5. I have __ my clothes a. hang b. hung c. hanged.
6. The robber was __ to death a. hang b. hung c. hanged.
7. We need __ pepper a. grind b. ground c. grounded.
8. Titi can’t come with us; she’s been __ by her mum a. grind b. ground c. grounded.
9. I could __ a mountain then a. grind b. ground c. grounded.
10. I know a prof. He’s so __ in grammar. a. grind b. ground c. grounded.
GAB
