To-infinitive – English Grammar Exercises for A2
You are teaching your grandfather/grandmother how to use a new smartphone and play a game on it. Read the sentences carefully and choose the best option (A, B, or C) to complete your instructions and advice.
1 “Don’t worry, Grandpa! It is very easy ______ this new smartphone.”
(A) to use
(B) using
(C) use
2 “Look at the screen. It is not difficult ______ how to send a text message.”
(A) learn
(B) to learn
(C) learning
3 “First, it is necessary ______ the phone with your fingerprint.”
(A) to unlock
(B) unlock
(C) unlocking
4 “You want to read the news? It is simple ______ the web browser here.”
(A) opening
(B) open
(C) to open
5 “I know it is hard ______ the small text, so I will make the words bigger for you.”
(A) reading
(B) read
(C) to read
6 “It is completely safe ______ this app from the official store. It has no viruses.”
(A) to download
(B) downloading
(C) download
7 “Don’t be afraid to touch the screen. It is impossible ______ the phone just by tapping it.”
(A) break
(B) breaking
(C) to break
8 “This is a great puzzle game. It is fun ______ it when you have some free time.”
(A) playing
(B) to play
(C) play
9 “If the game is too fast for you, it is always possible ______ it and take a break.”
(A) to pause
(B) pausing
(C) pause
10 “To keep the battery healthy, it is helpful ______ the phone charged above 20%.”
(A) keep
(B) keeping
(C) to keep
11 “Look at this app! It is completely free ______ your friends using the Wi-Fi.”
(A) to call
(B) calling
(C) call
12 “Grandma, is it confusing ______ the settings menu? Let me show you again.”
(A) finding
(B) to find
(C) find
13 “Remember this rule: It is dangerous ______ your passwords with strangers on the internet.”
(A) share
(B) sharing
(C) to share
14 “If you want to take a picture, it is very fast ______ the camera from the home screen.”
(A) to open
(B) opening
(C) open
15 “It is so exciting ______ videos of the grandchildren on this big tablet screen!”
(A) watch
(B) to watch
(C) watching
16 “Please don’t worry. It is normal ______ a few mistakes when you first start using technology.”
(A) making
(B) make
(C) to make
17 “I know it is frustrating ______ on this small keyboard, but you will get used to it soon.”
(A) type
(B) to type
(C) typing
18 “If you don’t know what a button does, it is better ______ me for help before you press it.”
(A) to ask
(B) asking
(C) ask
19 “We need to connect to the internet first. It is essential ______ the Wi-Fi turned on.”
(A) have
(B) having
(C) to have
20 “You see? It is wonderful ______ face-to-face on a video call!”
(A) talking
(B) talk
(C) to talk
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (A) to use
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: The structure “It is + Adjective (easy) + to-infinitive” is used to describe an action.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “using” is a gerund, which is incorrect after the adjective in this specific “dummy subject” (It is…) structure. (C) “use” is a bare infinitive, lacking “to”.
2 (B) to learn
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is not difficult + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “learn” lacks “to”. (C) “learning” is the wrong form.
3 (A) to unlock
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is necessary + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “unlock” lacks “to”. (C) “unlocking” is a gerund error.
4 (C) to open
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is simple + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “opening” is a gerund. (B) “open” lacks “to”.
5 (C) to read
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is hard + to-infinitive” explains the difficulty of the action.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “reading” is incorrect in this structure. (B) “read” lacks “to”.
6 (A) to download
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is safe + to-infinitive” evaluates the risk of the action.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “downloading” is a gerund. (C) “download” lacks “to”.
7 (C) to break
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is impossible + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “break” lacks “to”. (B) “breaking” is a gerund error.
8 (B) to play
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is fun + to-infinitive” evaluates the entertainment value of the action.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “playing” is a common mistake. (C) “play” lacks “to”.
9 (A) to pause
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is possible + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “pausing” is a gerund. (C) “pause” lacks “to”.
10 (C) to keep
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is helpful + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “keep” lacks “to”. (B) “keeping” is a gerund error.
11 (A) to call
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is free + to-infinitive” evaluates the cost of the action.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “calling” is incorrect. (C) “call” lacks “to”.
12 (B) to find
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “Is it confusing + to-infinitive” forms a question evaluating the difficulty.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “finding” is a gerund. (C) “find” lacks “to”.
13 (C) to share
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is dangerous + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “share” lacks “to”. (B) “sharing” is a gerund error.
14 (A) to open
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is fast + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “opening” is incorrect here. (C) “open” lacks “to”.
15 (B) to watch
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is exciting + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “watch” lacks “to”. (C) “watching” is a gerund error.
16 (C) to make
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is normal + to-infinitive” reassures the person.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “making” is a gerund. (B) “make” lacks “to”.
17 (B) to type
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is frustrating + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “type” lacks “to”. (C) “typing” is a gerund error.
18 (A) to ask
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is better + to-infinitive” gives a strong recommendation.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “asking” is incorrect. (C) “ask” lacks “to”.
19 (C) to have
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is essential + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “have” lacks “to”. (B) “having” is a gerund.
20 (C) to talk
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is wonderful + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “talking” is a gerund. (B) “talk” lacks “to”.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- The Grammar Formula: Whenever you want to evaluate how hard, easy, or safe an action is, use the “Dummy Subject” pattern:
It is + Adjective + to + Verb (Infinitive). - Why do we use it? (The Function): – Instead of making the action the subject (e.g., Using this phone is easy), native speakers frequently use “It” as an empty subject to focus on the feeling or evaluation first (e.g., It is easy to use this phone).
- This is incredibly useful for Giving Instructions, Reassuring someone (It is normal to make mistakes), or Warning someone (It is dangerous to share passwords).
- Common Adjectives used here:
- Difficulty: easy, hard, difficult, simple, confusing, impossible.
- Safety/Rules: safe, dangerous, important, necessary.
- Feelings: fun, exciting, wonderful, frustrating.
- The Golden Rule to Remember: After “It is [Adjective]”, never use the V-ing form to describe the action. Always use the to-infinitive.