Worked example 1
Formal letter I should be grateful if you could ___ (extend) the deadline by one week.
Remember: Look at the word just before the blank: "could". What must follow it?
- "could" is followed by the plain verb.
- The answer is "extend".
Use the right verb form after suggest, recommend and ought
Questions in this subject are always in English
The text is what is being learned, so translating it would change the exercise. Explanations still follow your chosen language.
Follow this one with me, a step at a time. Try to guess each step first.
Common mistakes
- Could and other modal verbs are followed by the plain verb.
- After ought, use to with the plain verb.
- Used an -ing form after that. A clause after that needs a subject and a full verb.
One at a time. A wrong answer gets a second try, so have a go.
Question 1
Proposal The report recommends ___ (provide) quiet rooms for students who need them.
Question 2
Essay Every visitor ought ___ (wear) a mask in a crowded clinic.
Question 3
Formal letter We would be grateful if you could ___ (consider) our request at the next meeting.
Topic quiz
Five questions on this topic, marked at the end. No hints and no answers along the way — that is what makes the result mean something.
Take the topic quiz