Completing Dense Clause Patterns

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

C1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Fill in the blank (text)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use realise: Only later did we ___ (realise) how serious the fault was.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   realise / realize

   Inverted did takes a base verb.

2. Question 2 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use be: Not until the evidence was examined ___ the error obvious. Use a past form of BE.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   was

   Fronted not until triggers inversion, was the error.

3. Question 3 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: No sooner had the lecture begun ___ the alarm sounded.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   than

   No sooner pairs with than.

4. Question 4 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: Hardly had we sat down ___ the lights went out.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   when / before

   Hardly had pairs with when; before is also grammatical in this immediate-sequence construction.

5. Question 5 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use know: Had I ___ (know) the risks, I would have objected.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   known

   Inverted had takes a past participle for a counterfactual condition.

6. Question 6 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: So complex was the task ___ even experts needed help.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   that

   So...that introduces a result; fronted so complex triggers inversion.

7. Question 7 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: It was not the cost ___ concerned us, but the uncertainty.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   that

   The cleft construction uses it was...that.

8. Question 8 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: Little ___ they realise how much work remained. Use past DO.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   did

   Fronted negative little triggers auxiliary inversion.

9. Question 9 · Fill in the blank (text)

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use one word: Rarely ___ such a clear explanation been offered. Use HAVE with singular subject.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   has / had

   Rarely at the front requires auxiliary-subject inversion. Has fits a present-perfect reading; had is also grammatical for a past-perfect reading.

10. Question 10 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use one word: Were the situation ___ change, we would reconsider.

    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    to

    Inverted were...to introduces a hypothetical future condition.

11. Question 11 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use one word: Such was the demand ___ extra sessions were arranged.

    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    that

    Such...that introduces the result.

12. Question 12 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use an auxiliary from DO: Under no circumstances ___ the technician remove the safety cover during yesterday's inspection.

    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    did

    The fronted negative phrase triggers auxiliary-subject inversion. Yesterday places the event in the past, so use did before the subject and base-form remove.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.