Verbals

Complete the sentence with the correct gerund phrase as the subject: _____ all night for the test is a bad idea.

• Cramming

• To cram

• Having crammed

• Crams

Answer explanation

This question tests identifying a gerund as a subject. 'Cramming' is a gerund (an -ing verb form used as a noun) and functions as the subject of the verb 'is'.

In the sentence, 'The smiling child waved to her friends,' which word is the participle?

• smiling

• child

• waved

• friends

Answer explanation

This question tests identifying a present participle. 'Smiling' is a present participle, which is a verb form ending in -ing used as an adjective to describe the noun 'child'.

Which of the following is the complete infinitive phrase in the sentence: 'She wants to learn how to play the guitar.'?

• to learn how to play the guitar

• wants to learn

• to play the guitar

• how to play

Answer explanation

This question tests identifying a complete infinitive phrase. The phrase begins with the infinitive 'to learn' and includes all the words that complete its meaning, which in this case is the rest of the sentence.

True or False: In the sentence 'The team was excited for the game,' the word 'excited' is a past participle used as an adjective.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This statement is true. 'Excited' is the past participle of the verb 'excite' and is used here as a predicate adjective to describe the subject 'team'.

In which sentence is the word 'running' used as a participle (an adjective), not a gerund (a noun) or part of a progressive verb?

• The running water from the faucet was cold.

• Running is my favorite form of exercise.

• He was running late for his appointment.

• I will be running in the marathon next month.

Answer explanation

This question tests the ability to distinguish participles from gerunds and progressive verbs. In the correct answer, 'running' is a participle modifying 'water'. In the other options, it is a gerund (subject) or part of a verb phrase.

My little brother is practicing _____ his name in cursive.

• writing

• to write

• written

• write

Answer explanation

This question assesses the use of a gerund as a direct object. The verb 'practicing' is commonly followed by a gerund, so 'writing' is the correct form to complete the sentence.

In which sentence does 'to' function as part of an infinitive, rather than as a preposition?

• My goal is to finish the project by Friday.

• I walked to the store to buy some milk.

• Please give the book to your teacher.

• We are going to the movies tonight.

Answer explanation

This question tests the ability to distinguish infinitives from prepositional phrases. An infinitive is 'to' plus a base verb ('to finish'), while a prepositional phrase is 'to' plus a noun or pronoun ('to the store', 'to your teacher').

Complete the sentence using an infinitive as an adjective: 'That was a difficult decision _____.'

• to make

• making

• for making

• made

Answer explanation

This question assesses using an infinitive as an adjective. The infinitive 'to make' modifies the noun 'decision,' describing what kind of decision it was.

Which option correctly uses an irregular past participle to complete the sentence: 'The _____ window pane was finally replaced.'?

• broken

• broke

• breaked

• breaking

Answer explanation

This question tests the use of an irregular past participle as an adjective. 'Broken' is the correct past participle of the irregular verb 'break' and modifies the noun 'pane'.

Which sentence correctly uses a participial phrase?

• The boy chasing the ball tripped over his own feet.

• Chasing the ball, the ball was tripped over by the boy.

• The boy, he was chasing the ball, tripped over his own feet.

• Tripped over his own feet, the boy chasing the ball.

Answer explanation

This question assesses the correct structure of a participial phrase. 'Chasing the ball' is an essential participial phrase that correctly modifies 'the boy' without any punctuation because it is necessary to identify which boy.