CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
No sooner ___ the speech than the questions began.
A. had she finished
B. she had finished
C. did she finished
D. she finished had
Correct Answer: A
'No sooner' at the beginning requires inverted past perfect.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Little ___ that the simple error would cause such confusion.
A. he realized
B. did he realize
C. he did realized
D. realized he
Correct Answer: B
Fronted negative 'Little' requires inversion.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Not until midnight ___ the negotiations end.
A. did
B. do
C. had
D. were
Correct Answer: A
Fronted 'Not until...' requires inversion: 'did the negotiations end'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Only after the announcement ___ the reason for the delay.
A. we learned
B. did we learn
C. we did learned
D. learned we
Correct Answer: B
A fronted 'Only after...' phrase triggers inversion.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Rarely ___ such cooperation between the departments.
A. we see
B. do we see
C. we do sees
D. see we
Correct Answer: B
Fronted 'Rarely' triggers subject-auxiliary inversion.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Never ___ such a difficult puzzle.
A. I solved
B. have I solved
C. I have solved
D. did I solved
Correct Answer: B
Fronted negative 'Never' requires inversion.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He talks as though he ___ everything about the case.
A. knows in a clearly factual meaning
B. knew
C. will know
D. has know
Correct Answer: B
For an unreal comparison, a past form is commonly used.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
I would rather you ___ the matter confidential.
A. keep
B. kept
C. will keep
D. to keep
Correct Answer: B
With a different subject, 'would rather' uses a past form for present/future preference.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
It is crucial that every page ___ numbered.
A. is
B. be
C. was
D. has been
Correct Answer: B
Formal subjunctive uses the base form after expressions of necessity.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The judge ordered that the document ___ produced immediately.
A. is
B. be
C. was
D. has been
Correct Answer: B
The mandative subjunctive uses the base form 'be'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If only we ___ more time now.
A. have
B. had
C. will have
D. had had yesterday
Correct Answer: B
'If only' for a present unreal situation uses a past form.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
I wish I ___ that email last night.
A. did not send
B. had not sent
C. would not send
D. do not send
Correct Answer: B
Past regret after 'wish' uses the past perfect.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
I wish I ___ more confident in interviews.
A. am
B. were
C. will be
D. have been tomorrow
Correct Answer: B
A present unreal wish takes a past form; 'were' is formal.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Should the system fail, please ___ technical support.
A. contact
B. contacted
C. would contact
D. contacting
Correct Answer: A
The main clause may be an imperative after formal 'Should...'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Were I responsible for the decision, I ___ it.
A. will reconsider
B. would reconsider
C. would have reconsidered yesterday
D. reconsidered tomorrow
Correct Answer: B
This is an inverted second conditional.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Had we known about the closure, we ___ another route.
A. would take
B. would have taken
C. will take
D. took tomorrow
Correct Answer: B
This is an inverted third conditional.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If she ___ before noon, ask her to wait.
A. will arrive
B. arrives
C. arrived
D. would arrive
Correct Answer: B
Future conditions use present simple after 'if'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If you press this button, the machine ___.
A. starts
B. will start always in zero conditional only
C. would start
D. started yesterday
Correct Answer: A
For a general operating fact, zero conditional can use present simple in both clauses.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If they had booked earlier, they ___ cheaper tickets.
A. would get
B. would have got
C. will get
D. got tomorrow
Correct Answer: B
Third conditional uses 'would have + past participle'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If I ___ the answer, I would tell you.
A. know
B. knew
C. will know
D. had known yesterday
Correct Answer: B
Second conditional uses a past form for a present unreal situation.