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open to dispute; obscure; vague
frequent
unconventional
modest
ambiguous
full quiz correct answer
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A waste of time + gerund



 
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Idiom: a bird brain | Modal verb can + infinitive
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A waste of time + gerund #1 (permalink) Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:55 am   A waste of time + gerund		  
Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #86 "Verbal Communication Skills", question 3

It's a complete waste of time ......... over who was to blame, the main thing we have to do is decide what to do next.

(a) arguing
(b) discussing
(c) repeating
(d) considering

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #86 "Verbal Communication Skills", answer 3

It's a complete waste of time arguing over who was to blame, the main thing we have to do is decide what to do next.

Correct answer: (a) arguing

Your answer was: correct
_________________________

Dear Sirs/Madams
Q. why not "have to do is TO deside"?
beata
Guest
Argue #2 (permalink) Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:16 am   Argue		  
Hi,

In this sentence you have to consider two things:
Quote:
It's a complete waste of time ......... over who was to blame, the main thing we have to do is decide what to do next.


1) a verb that conveys the idea of a dispute

and

2) a verb that will fit with the preposition over

and the only possibility is arguing.

Alan
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To-infinitive vs. bare infinitive #3 (permalink) Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:23 am   To-infinitive vs. bare infinitive		  
Quote:
Dear Sirs/Madams
Q. why not "have to do is TO decide"?


To + infinitive is also possible in this sentence. Whether you use to + infinitive or bare infinitive, there is no difference in meaning here:

The main thing we have to do is to decide what to do next.

or:

The main thing we have to do is decide what to do next.
Conchita
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Idiom: a bird brain | Modal verb can + infinitive
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