Verbs Practice Test (Advanced): 45 Questions

Q1It is crucial that the report ___ submitted by the end of the day.

Answer: A. be

The mandative subjunctive — the base form used after words of necessity or demand — is required here because of the adjective 'crucial'. In formal English, the base form ('be') is used regardless of the subject. Using indicative forms like 'is' or 'was' makes the sentence less formal and implies a statement of fact rather than a requirement. 'Has been' is incorrect because it suggests the action is already completed, which contradicts the focus on future necessity.

Q2I would rather you ___ anyone about the confidential files yesterday.

Answer: A. hadn't told

When 'would rather' is followed by a new subject, it triggers a backshift to show a hypothetical preference. For a counterfactual preference about the past ('yesterday'), the past perfect ('hadn't told') is used. The base form 'not tell' would refer to a present or future choice. 'Not to tell' is grammatically incorrect because 'would rather' is never followed by a 'to' infinitive when there is a change of subject.

Q3If I ___ in your position, I would certainly accept the offer.

Answer: D. were

This is a second conditional sentence, which describes a hypothetical or imaginary present situation. The past subjunctive 'were' is used for all persons in formal English to signal this distance from reality. While 'was' is common in casual conversation, 'were' is the standard choice in professional writing. 'Am' and 'have been' are indicative forms that treat the situation as real or already completed, which contradicts the hypothetical 'would accept' in the main clause.

Q4The committee recommended that he ___ immediately to avoid a scandal.

Answer: B. resign

The verb 'recommend' triggers the mandative subjunctive — the base form used to express requests or suggestions. In this formal structure, the third-person '-s' found in the indicative 'resigns' is omitted. Using 'resigned' would change the meaning to a past fact rather than a present recommendation. The 'to' infinitive 'to resign' cannot follow the conjunction 'that' in this clause structure.

Q5He took notes lest he ___ the important details later.

Answer: D. forget

The formal conjunction 'lest' means 'to prevent the risk of' or 'for fear that'. It is traditionally followed by the subjunctive (the base form 'forget'). In British English, 'should forget' is also a standard alternative. The indicative forms 'forgets' and 'will forget' are avoided because 'lest' inherently expresses a hypothetical risk, not a certain future fact. 'Forgot' is a simple past form that does not fit this purpose-clause structure.

Q6It is essential that she ___ notified of the change in schedule.

Answer: A. be

The mandative subjunctive is used after adjectives of necessity like 'essential'. This requires the base form 'be' in the 'that' clause. This mood emphasizes that the action is a requirement rather than a reported fact. Indicative forms like 'is' or 'was' are considered less formal and technically incorrect in this specific prescriptive context. 'Has been' suggests the action is already complete, which clashes with the sense of requirement.

Q7God ___ you in your future endeavors.

Answer: B. bless

This is an example of the optative subjunctive — a fixed expression used to express a wish, hope, or prayer. It uses the base form 'bless' to perform the act of wishing. The indicative 'blesses' would make this a descriptive statement of fact about what God does regularly, while 'blessed' would refer to a completed past action. The infinitive 'to bless' cannot function as the main verb of this independent clause.

Q8I wish I ___ speak French fluently for my upcoming trip.

Answer: D. could

The verb 'wish' triggers a backshift to express a counterfactual desire (a wish for something that is not currently true). To express ability in this hypothetical present, the modal 'can' shifts to the past form 'could'. 'Am able to' and 'will be able to' are indicative forms that describe real possibilities or certainties, making them incompatible with the 'wish' structure.

Q9The physician suggested that he ___ for a week to recover.

Answer: B. rest

The verb 'suggest' is a mandative trigger, meaning the following 'that' clause requires the base form 'rest'. This subjunctive mood shows that the action is a recommendation. 'Rests' is the indicative form used for statements of fact, which is inappropriate here. The infinitive 'to rest' is incorrect because the word 'that' introduces a full clause with a subject ('he'), which must be followed by a finite verb, not an infinitive.

Q10It is vital that everyone ___ present at the board meeting.

Answer: D. be

The adjective 'vital' triggers the mandative subjunctive — the base form used to express necessity. The base form 'be' is used regardless of the subject. In formal contexts, indicative forms like 'is' are avoided because they present the attendance as a present fact rather than a requirement. 'Were' is a past subjunctive used for hypothetical scenarios, not for expressing a demand or necessity.

Q11Suppose you ___ offered the job, would you relocate?

Answer: D. were

The conjunction 'suppose' introduces a hypothetical scenario (an imaginary condition). This requires the past subjunctive 'were' to signal that the situation is being imagined rather than being a likely reality. 'Are' is too direct and suggests the offer is currently being made. 'Was' is common in informal speech but is less precise than 'were' for this type of rhetorical question involving the conditional 'would'.

Q12The board requested that the policy ___ reviewed annually.

Answer: A. be

The mandative subjunctive is required after the verb 'request'. In a passive construction, this means using the base form 'be' followed by the past participle ('reviewed'). This mood conveys the idea of an official demand or instruction. Using 'is', 'was', or 'has been' would turn the request into a factual description, which fails to capture the authoritative tone of the board's instruction.

Q13I would rather ___ here for a few more minutes.

Answer: D. stay

When 'would rather' has the same subject as the following verb, it acts like a modal verb and is followed by a bare infinitive (the verb without 'to'). Therefore, 'stay' is correct. The 'to' infinitive 'to stay' is never used with 'rather'. 'Stayed' and 'have stayed' are only used when there is a change of subject (e.g., 'I would rather you stayed') to indicate a preference for someone else's behavior.

Q14He insisted that she ___ to the event, despite her protests.

Answer: A. go

The verb 'insist' (when it means to demand) triggers the mandative subjunctive in the 'that' clause, requiring the base form 'go'. The third-person '-s' in 'goes' is dropped in this formal mood. Using the past form 'went' would imply that the speaker is asserting a fact about a past trip she took, rather than describing a demand that she attend the event.

Q15Long ___ the queen, for her wisdom is legendary.

Answer: A. live

This is a formulaic subjunctive — a fixed expression used to express a formal wish. It uses an inverted structure where the base form 'live' comes before the subject. The indicative 'lives' would be a simple statement of fact ('The queen lives for a long time'), whereas 'live' functions as a performative wish or a cheer. 'Lived' and 'has lived' are past forms that do not fit this ceremonial context.

Q16I had my hair ___ at the salon yesterday afternoon.

Answer: D. cut

This is a passive causative construction using 'have'. The pattern is 'have + object + past participle'. It indicates that the subject arranged for someone else to perform a service. Since 'cut' is the same in its base form and its past participle, 'cut' is the correct participle here. 'Cutting' would imply the hair itself was doing the action, and 'to cut' is not used in this specific causative structure.

Q17She got the plumber ___ the leak in the kitchen.

Answer: B. to fix

The verb 'get' used as an active causative (meaning to persuade or arrange for someone to do something) requires the pattern 'get + person + to-infinitive'. Therefore, 'to fix' is correct. This differs from 'have' or 'make', which would use the bare infinitive 'fix'. Using the past participle 'fixed' would result in a passive causative ('got the leak fixed'), which doesn't fit the 'plumber' agent in this sentence.

Q18The students were made ___ the building by the security guard.

Answer: A. to leave

In the active voice, the verb 'make' is followed by a bare infinitive ('The guard made them leave'). However, when 'make' is used in the passive voice, the 'to' of the infinitive must be restored. This is a standard rule for verbs of compulsion in the passive. 'Left' is a past tense form that cannot follow 'made' in this structure, and 'leaving' suggests a continuous action that doesn't fit the causative meaning.

Q19I let him ___ my car for the weekend trip.

Answer: C. borrow

The verb 'let' is a causative/permissive verb followed by an object and a bare infinitive (the verb without 'to'). Unlike 'allow' or 'permit', which require a 'to' infinitive ('allowed him to borrow'), 'let' must be followed by 'borrow'. 'Borrowing' and 'borrowed' are grammatically incorrect in this causative pattern.

Q20I had the technician ___ the software on my laptop.

Answer: D. install

This is an active causative construction using 'have'. The pattern 'have + agent + bare infinitive' is used when someone is instructed or tasked with an action. 'Install' is the bare infinitive required here. 'To install' would be the correct choice if the verb 'get' had been used. 'Installed' is a past participle used in passive causative structures where the focus is on the object ('had the software installed').

Q21She got the report ___ by the secretary before the meeting.

Answer: D. typed

This is a passive causative construction with 'get'. The pattern 'get + object + past participle' is used to show that an action is performed on the object. In this case, the 'report' is the object being acted upon, so the past participle 'typed' is required. 'To type' would only be used if the agent (the secretary) followed the verb 'got' directly ('got the secretary to type').

Q22They made us ___ for hours in the waiting room.

Answer: C. wait

In the active voice, the causative verb 'make' (expressing compulsion) is followed by an object and a bare infinitive. Thus, 'wait' is the correct form. The 'to' infinitive ('to wait') is only used when 'make' is in the passive voice (e.g., 'We were made to wait'). 'Waiting' is a gerund that does not follow the causative 'make', and 'waited' is a past form that is grammatically incompatible here.

Q23He had his car ___ while he was at the cinema.

Answer: B. stolen

The construction 'have + object + past participle' is used for services arranged by the subject, but it can also describe an involuntary or negative experience. Here, 'stolen' is the past participle needed to show that something happened to the subject's car. Using the base form 'steal' would imply the subject instructed the car to steal something, which is nonsensical.

Q24I need to get my essay ___ by the professor.

Answer: C. checked

This is a passive causative construction. The pattern 'get + object + past participle' describes an action performed on that object by someone else. 'Checked' is the past participle describing the state of the essay. 'To check' would only be used if the agent (the professor) were the direct object of 'get', and 'checking' is a gerund that doesn't fit this causative structure.

Q25She helped him ___ the kitchen after the dinner party.

Answer: D. clean

The verb 'help' is a verb that links directly to another verb (a verb that can be followed by another verb) that allows either a bare infinitive ('clean') or a 'to' infinitive ('to clean') with no change in meaning. Among the options provided, only the bare infinitive 'clean' is grammatically correct. 'Cleaning' (gerund) and 'cleaned' (past participle) are not used after 'help' in this context.

Q26He had the porter ___ his bags to the hotel room.

Answer: A. carry

This is an active causative structure using 'have'. When the agent (the person doing the work, 'the porter') follows the verb, we use the bare infinitive 'carry'. This implies the subject gave an instruction. 'To carry' would be used with the verb 'get' instead of 'had'. 'Carried' is the past participle used for passive causatives ('had his bags carried').

Q27I will have my assistant ___ you regarding the appointment.

Answer: C. call

Using 'have' as an active causative requires the bare infinitive ('call') after the agent ('my assistant'). This structure indicates a professional instruction or arrangement. 'To call' is incorrect because it follows 'get', not 'have'. 'Called' would be used in a passive causative where the object ('you') comes before the verb ('will have you called').

Q28She got her brother ___ her move into the new apartment.

Answer: D. to help

The causative verb 'get' requires a 'to' infinitive when used in an active sense (meaning to persuade someone to do something). The structure is 'get + agent + to-infinitive'. Therefore, 'to help' is correct. The bare infinitive 'help' would only be used if the causative verb were 'have' or 'make'. 'Helped' and 'helping' do not fit this active causative pattern.

Q29The manager made the staff ___ on the weekends to finish.

Answer: A. work

In an active causative sentence, 'make' is followed by an object and a bare infinitive ('work'). This structure expresses compulsion or a strong requirement. The 'to' infinitive 'to work' is only used when the sentence is flipped into the passive voice (e.g., 'The staff were made to work'). 'Worked' and 'working' are not used in this causative construction.

Q30I got the mechanic ___ the brakes before the long drive.

Answer: D. to repair

The active causative 'get' follows the pattern 'get + person + to-infinitive'. It implies that the subject arranged for the mechanic to perform the service. 'To repair' is the correct form here. 'Repair' (bare infinitive) would be used if the verb were 'have'. 'Repaired' (past participle) would be used in a passive causative structure where the focus is on the object ('I got the brakes repaired').

Q31He stopped ___ because he wanted to improve his health.

Answer: D. smoking

The verb 'stop' takes a gerund ('smoking') to indicate that an ongoing action or habit has ended. In this context, he quit the habit to improve his health. If the 'to' infinitive ('to smoke') were used, it would mean he interrupted another activity specifically so that he could start smoking, which contradicts the goal of improving his health.

Q32I remember ___ the door when I left the house.

Answer: A. locking

When 'remember' is followed by a gerund ('locking'), it refers to a memory of a past action that has already been performed. The speaker is recalling the moment they locked the door. In contrast, 'to lock' (the 'to' infinitive) would refer to a duty or task that needs to be done in the future. 'Locked' and 'lock' are not standard linking verb forms for 'remember'.

Q33Please remember ___ the door before you leave tonight.

Answer: C. to lock

In this context, 'remember' refers to a future obligation or a task that needs to be completed. This requires the 'to' infinitive ('to lock'). Using the gerund 'locking' would imply that the speaker is asking the person to recall a past event, which doesn't make sense as an instruction for 'tonight'. 'Lock' and 'locked' are grammatically incorrect in this position.

Q34He tried ___ the jar, but the lid was stuck tight.

Answer: D. to open

The verb 'try' followed by a 'to' infinitive indicates making an effort to do something difficult, often implying that the attempt might fail. Here, the focus is on the physical struggle to open the lid. If the gerund 'opening' were used, it would suggest an experiment (e.g., 'try opening the window to see if the room gets cooler'), which doesn't fit the context of a stuck jar.

Q35Have you tried ___ an aspirin for your headache?

Answer: C. taking

When 'try' is followed by a gerund ('taking'), it means to experiment with a method to see if it solves a problem (in this case, the headache). The 'to' infinitive ('try to take') would suggest that the act of swallowing the aspirin itself was physically difficult or a struggle to accomplish, which is unlikely in this context.

Q36I regret ___ you that the flight has been cancelled.

Answer: A. to inform

The verb 'regret' followed by a 'to' infinitive is a formal way to introduce bad news. It functions as a polite speech act. If the gerund 'informing' were used, it would mean the speaker feels remorse for the past action of telling you the news. 'Inform' and 'informed' are not valid forms to follow 'regret' in this type of introductory phrase.

Q37He regrets ___ that to his mother during the argument.

Answer: C. saying

When 'regret' is followed by a gerund ('saying'), it expresses remorse or sadness regarding a past action. Here, the subject feels bad about what he said during an argument. Using 'to say' (the 'to' infinitive) would be used to introduce bad news the speaker is about to deliver now, which does not fit a past event.

Q38After the introduction, he went on ___ about the project.

Answer: A. to talk

The phrase 'go on' followed by a 'to' infinitive indicates a transition to a new task or a different stage of a process. It means he finished the introduction and then started the next part of his presentation. In contrast, 'talking' (the gerund) would mean he continued doing the same thing he was already doing without any change in stage.

Q39He went on ___ for hours, ignoring the audience's boredom.

Answer: D. talking

The phrase 'go on' followed by a gerund ('talking') means to continue an action without stopping. This fits the context of someone ignoring the audience's boredom and persisting in the same activity. 'To talk' (the 'to' infinitive) would imply that he finished one activity and then moved on to the act of talking, which doesn't fit the sense of persistence described.

Q40The company is said ___ a great deal of money recently.

Answer: D. to have lost

This is a passive reporting structure. Because the action (losing money) happened before the current time of reporting ('is said'), we must use the perfect infinitive ('to have lost') to show this earlier time reference. 'To lose' would imply a present or future state. 'Losing' and 'to be lost' do not fit the grammatical requirements of this passive pattern.

Q41The suspect is believed ___ the country late last night.

Answer: A. to have left

In this passive reporting construction, the perfect infinitive ('to have left') is used because the action occurred at a specific time in the past ('last night'), which is before the current state of belief. Using the simple infinitive 'to leave' would incorrectly imply that the suspect is believed to be leaving now or in the future. 'Leaving' is not used in this specific passive structure.

Q42I meant ___ you, but I simply ran out of time.

Answer: D. to call

The verb 'mean' followed by a 'to' infinitive expresses an intention or a plan. 'I meant to call' signifies a past intention that the speaker failed to carry out. In contrast, using the gerund 'calling' would mean 'entail' or 'result in' (e.g., 'Success means working hard'), which does not make sense when talking about a personal phone call.

Q43Working in this position means ___ a lot for business.

Answer: A. traveling

When 'mean' signifies entailment, necessity, or a consequence, it is followed by a gerund ('traveling'). This describes what the job involves. This is different from 'mean + to-infinitive', which describes a person's intention or purpose. 'Traveled' and 'travel' are not grammatically possible as direct objects of 'means' in this context.

Q44He stopped ___ at the scenery during his morning run.

Answer: C. to look

The verb 'stop' followed by a 'to' infinitive expresses the purpose for halting the previous action (his run). He interrupted his run specifically so that he could look at the scenery. If 'looking' (the gerund) were used, it would mean he was already looking at the scenery and then chose to end that activity, which contradicts the 'morning run' context.

Q45He stopped ___ at the scenery because it was too dark.

Answer: B. looking

The gerund 'looking' is used here because the context describes the end of an action. He was looking at the scenery, but he stopped doing so because the darkness made it impossible to see. Using 'to look' (the 'to' infinitive) would mean he interrupted another action in order to start looking, which doesn't make sense if it was 'too dark' to see anything.

Verbs Practice Test — Advanced

What this test covers

All 45 questions with answers