2 Beginning to Write
Sentence Completion
In Chapter 1 you manipulated the sentences provided for you by changing the
tense of the verb, changing the subject or object of the sentence, or adding
words, such as auxiliaries and modifiers. And you dealt with these things sep-
arately in categories: verbs, pronouns, adjectives, passive voice, and so on. Upon
completing that kind of practice, you are ready to write more creatively.
But before you begin to write original sentences, you should practice com-
pleting different kinds of sentences to test your skill with the things you prac-
ticed in Chapter 1. In this chapter’s exercises you need to decide what word or
phrase makes the most sense for completing each sentence. In each case you
want to be sure that the grammarand the meaning of the wordsare appropriate.
A variety of elements is missing from the sentences in these exercises. Some
require a subject, others a direct object or the object of a preposition. And still
others are missing a verb or a modifier. Look at each sentence carefully, and
decide what kind of element is missing and what meaning is required to make
a good sentence.
Exercise 2.1Write in the phrase that best completes each sentence.
- It to understand the problem.
a. can’t
b. can’t be able
c. isn’t difficult
d. won’t happen - I finally met the inventor, changed how our
company works.
a. when he invented
b. whose machine
c. the idea of
d. that concept
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