Reporting Verbs Exercises PDFSet 5: Advanced Reporting Verbs: Subjunctive Patterns, Academic Verbs & Complex Structures
20 questions·15 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1.The chairperson insisted that every board member ___ present for the emergency vote on the proposed merger.
a) beb) isc) wasd) would be
2.The consultant suggested that the company ___ its marketing strategy before launching the new product line.
a) revisesb) revisedc) to revised) revise
3.The committee recommended that the director ___ a formal apology to the families affected by the data breach.
a) issuesb) issuec) to issued) issued
4.The trade union demanded that management ___ the workers' overtime pay with immediate effect.
a) restoresb) to restorec) restored) restored
5.In her keynote address, the minister proposed that a new regulatory framework ___ to address emerging cyber threats.
a) is establishedb) was establishedc) establishesd) be established
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.be
2.revise
3.issue
4.restore
5.be established
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."be"(a)
After 'insist that' in formal English, the subjunctive (base form of the verb) is required: 'insist that someone be'. This applies regardless of the tense of the main verb. 'Is' (present indicative) and 'was' (past indicative) are used in informal British English, but the formal/academic standard — and the pattern tested in exams like CAE — requires the subjunctive 'be'.
2."revise"(d)
After 'suggest that + subject', the subjunctive (base verb) is used in formal English: 'suggest that the company revise'. 'To revise' is a common error — 'suggest to do' is incorrect when a that-clause with a subject follows. 'Revises' (present indicative) is informal. Note: 'suggest + -ing' without a subject is also correct ('suggested revising'), but that is a different structure.
3."issue"(b)
After 'recommend that + subject', the subjunctive (base verb) is used: 'recommend that the director issue'. 'To issue' is incorrect in this structure — 'recommend' cannot take 'that + subject + to-infinitive'. 'Issues' (indicative) is acceptable in informal speech but not in formal writing. 'Issued' (past) would incorrectly suggest a completed past action.
4."restore"(c)
After 'demand that + subject', the subjunctive is required in formal English: 'demand that management restore'. This is especially common in legal and industrial relations language. 'To restore' is incorrect after 'demand that + subject'. 'Restores' (indicative) and 'restored' (past) do not follow the formal subjunctive pattern.
5."be established"(d)
'Propose that + subject + subjunctive' requires the base verb, even in the passive: 'propose that a framework be established'. The passive subjunctive uses 'be + past participle'. 'Is established' (present indicative) and 'was established' (past indicative) are informal alternatives. 'Establishes' is active voice and doesn't match the meaning — the framework doesn't establish itself.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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