To-infinitive – English Grammar Exercises for A2
You are a team leader or a teacher reminding your group about the important rules. Read the sentences carefully and choose the best option (A, B, or C) to complete each rule.
1 “Good morning, everyone. First, it is very important ______ on time for the 9:00 AM meeting.”
(A) to be
(B) be
(C) being
2 “When you are in the library, it is necessary ______ quiet so others can study.”
(A) keeping
(B) to keep
(C) keep
3 “For your own safety, it is essential ______ a helmet when you visit the construction site.”
(A) to wear
(B) wear
(C) wearing
4 “It is a strict rule here. It is important ______ your hands before you touch the food.”
(A) wash
(B) washing
(C) to wash
5 “Before you leave the office, it is necessary ______ all the computers and lights.”
(A) to turn off
(B) turn off
(C) turning off
6 “It is a good idea ______ notes during the training session so you don’t forget anything.”
(A) take
(B) to take
(C) taking
7 “When talking to customers, it is important ______ politely and patiently.”
(A) speaking
(B) speak
(C) to speak
8 “It is not necessary ______ a tie on ‘Casual Fridays’, but please wear a clean shirt.”
(A) wear
(B) to wear
(C) wearing
9 “If you don’t understand the task, it is always helpful ______ the manager for help.”
(A) to ask
(B) asking
(C) ask
10 “Please look at the manual. It is necessary ______ the instructions carefully before using the machine.”
(A) read
(B) reading
(C) to read
11 “It is very important ______ the speed limit when you are driving in the company parking lot.”
(A) to follow
(B) follow
(C) following
12 “For security reasons, it is necessary ______ your password every three months.”
(A) change
(B) to change
(C) changing
13 “It is best ______ your desk clean and organized at the end of the day.”
(A) leaving
(B) leave
(C) to leave
14 “It is highly recommended ______ a bottle of water with you during the summer field trip.”
(A) to bring
(B) bring
(C) bringing
15 “It is important ______ the fire doors closed at all times. Do not block them.”
(A) to keep
(B) keeping
(C) keep
16 “As a team, it is necessary ______ each other with respect.”
(A) treating
(B) to treat
(C) treat
17 “It is a company policy. It is important ______ your ID badge around your neck.”
(A) displaying
(B) display
(C) to display
18 “If you feel sick, it is necessary ______ the boss before 8:00 AM.”
(A) to call
(B) call
(C) calling
19 “It is a good rule ______ your computer screen when you go to the restroom.”
(A) lock
(B) locking
(C) to lock
20 “To pass this class, it is important ______ all your homework on time.”
(A) to submit
(B) submitting
(C) submit
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (A) to be
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: The structure “It is + Adjective (important) + to-infinitive” is used to state a rule objectively.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “be” is a base verb, missing “to”. (C) “being” is a gerund, which is grammatically incorrect after the adjective in this dummy subject structure.
2 (B) to keep
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is necessary + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “keeping” is the -ing form. (C) “keep” lacks “to”.
3 (A) to wear
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is essential + to-infinitive” highlights a strong requirement.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “wear” lacks “to”. (C) “wearing” is a gerund.
4 (C) to wash
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is important + to-infinitive” expresses a strong health and safety rule.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “wash” lacks “to”. (B) “washing” is incorrect.
5 (A) to turn off
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is necessary + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “turn off” is missing “to”. (C) “turning off” is a gerund error.
6 (B) to take
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is a good idea + to-infinitive” is a strong recommendation.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “take” lacks “to”. (C) “taking” is incorrect.
7 (C) to speak
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is important + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “speaking” is a gerund. (B) “speak” is a base verb.
8 (B) to wear
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: Even in the negative form (“It is not necessary”), the adjective is still followed by the to-infinitive.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “wear” lacks “to”. (C) “wearing” is incorrect.
9 (A) to ask
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is helpful + to-infinitive” points out a good practice.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “asking” is incorrect here. (C) “ask” lacks “to”.
10 (C) to read
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is necessary + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “read” lacks “to”. (B) “reading” is a gerund.
11 (A) to follow
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is very important + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “follow” lacks “to”. (C) “following” is incorrect.
12 (B) to change
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is necessary + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “change” lacks “to”. (C) “changing” is a gerund error.
13 (C) to leave
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is best + to-infinitive” gives strong advice.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “leaving” is a gerund. (B) “leave” lacks “to”.
14 (A) to bring
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is highly recommended + to-infinitive”. (Note: recommended can act as an adjective in this structure).
- Why others are wrong: (B) “bring” lacks “to”. (C) “bringing” is incorrect.
15 (A) to keep
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is important + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “keeping” is a gerund. (C) “keep” lacks “to”.
16 (B) to treat
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is necessary + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “treating” is a gerund. (C) “treat” lacks “to”.
17 (C) to display
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is important + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “displaying” is a gerund. (B) “display” lacks “to”.
18 (A) to call
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is necessary + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “call” lacks “to”. (C) “calling” is incorrect.
19 (C) to lock
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is a good rule + to-infinitive” states a standard expectation.
- Why others are wrong: (A) “lock” lacks “to”. (B) “locking” is a gerund.
20 (A) to submit
Explanation: – Why it’s correct: “It is important + to-infinitive”.
- Why others are wrong: (B) “submitting” is a gerund. (C) “submit” lacks “to”.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- The “Dummy Subject” Rule: In English, we often use the word “It” as an empty subject to introduce an opinion, rule, or fact. The grammar structure is:
It is + Adjective + to + Verb (Infinitive). - Why do we use this? (The Function): – Instead of saying “You must be on time” (which can sound bossy or rude), a manager or teacher will say “It is important to be on time.”
- This makes the rule sound objective, professional, and polite. It feels like a rule for everyone, not just an attack on one person.
- Common Adjectives for Rules:
- It is important to…
- It is necessary to…
- It is essential to… (very necessary)
- It is a good idea to…
- It is best to…
- The Common Mistake: Never use the -ing form immediately after the adjective in this specific structure.
- Wrong: It is necessary keeping quiet.
- Right: It is necessary to keep quiet.