Complete the missing words

1 2
   Share on Facebook  
Clive  #563212  Sat, 06 Sep 08 07:09 PM
Hi,
5. What we'll do is __ a note for Mum to tell her we won't be back till late. ( to write)
8.He __ earlier,but the answer machine was broke. (left the message)

5. What we'll do is __ a note for Mum to tell her we won't be back till late. (
to write)

I wouldn't say using 'to' is wrong, but it is usually omitted.

8.He __ earlier,but the answer machine was broken. (left the message)would have left (ie he didn't)

'He left the message' states a fact. ie He recorded a message on the machine.
But he didn't, because the machine was broken. 'He would have' indicates that what is being said is hypothetical, or you might call it conditional.
ie If the machine had been working, he would have left the message.

On the other hand, perhaps you mean that he really did leave a message, but the machine did not record it. If that was the meaning you intended, your answer was correct. However, that's not how I interpreted the sentence.  In such a case, I would say 'He tried to leave a message, but  . . . '

Best wishes, Clive
  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member (22,259)
ModeratorTeachers
El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
Anex  #563520  Sun, 07 Sep 08 08:52 PM
It is better for me when you explain me the sentences, thank you very much!
Yes, I thought that he really leave the message.
These sentences were on my exam so I wanted to check them before I get the results. I'm afraid that the sentences would be wrong for my professor.Sad
  
Not Ranked
Joined on Sun, Aug 31 2008
Montenegro
New Member (12)
1 2
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL General English Grammar Questions
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service