Complementation with Fine Meaning Differences

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

C2. 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 question: We cannot but ___ (question) the reliability of the account.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   question

   Cannot but takes a bare infinitive meaning cannot avoid doing.

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

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use conclude: The evidence permits us ___ (conclude) only that the outcome is possible.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to conclude

   Permit an object takes a to-infinitive.

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

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use repeat: The argument scarcely bears ___ (repeat); its weakness is already obvious.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   repeating / repetition

   Bear repeating or repetition means be worth repeating; scarcely limits that judgement.

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

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use concede: She was loath ___ (concede) a point she regarded as unproven.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to concede

   Loath takes a to-infinitive and means reluctant.

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

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use admit: The wording is capable of ___ (admit) more than one interpretation.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   admitting

   Of is a preposition and takes an ing form.

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

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use overlook: The difference is too consequential ___ (overlook).

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to overlook / to be overlooked

   Both too consequential to overlook and too consequential to be overlooked express that the difference should not be ignored.

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

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use entail: The agreement cannot reasonably be construed as ___ (entail) unconditional consent.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   entailing

   As takes the ing complement after construed.

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

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use contest: There is no gainsaying that the result is difficult ___ (contest).

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to contest

   Difficult takes a to-infinitive in this construction.

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

   Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

   Use comply: His refusal ___ (comply) was mistaken for inability.

   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   to comply

   Refusal takes a to-infinitive naming the rejected action.

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

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use assume: We took the liberty of ___ (assume) the meeting would proceed.

    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    assuming

    Of requires an ing form.

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

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use waive: Nothing in the letter amounts to ___ (waive) your rights.

    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    waiving

    To in amount to is a preposition and takes ing.

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

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use disclose: The ruling precludes us from ___ (disclose) the documents.

    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    disclosing

    Preclude someone from takes an ing form.

13. Question 13 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use interpret: The text leaves little room for ___ (interpret) the exception broadly.

    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    interpreting

    For takes an ing form; interpret retains its object the exception.

14. Question 14 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use revise: Far from ___ (revise) the claim, the author repeated it unchanged.

    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    revising

    Far from takes an ing form and rejects the described action.

15. Question 15 · Fill in the blank (text)

    Complete each blank with the missing word or phrase.

    Use warrant: The finding is not such as ___ (warrant) immediate intervention.

    Check answers and explanations

    Blank 1

    to warrant

    Such as to uses a to-infinitive expressing the consequence warranted by a degree or nature.

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.