Category: SEC

1. It is easy
2. It is very easy
3. It is hard
4. It is not difficult
5. It is dangerous
6. It is sensible
7. It is stupid
8. It is impossible
9. It is certain
10. It is likely
11. It is necessary

He asked her where he lives.
I want to know what the time is.
I’ll ask them why Ali is absent.
I don’t know where the chalk is.
I don’t want to know.
He asked me
Please ask him
I’ll find out
I’ll tell you.
Can you see.
I wonder

decide
    on (a matter)

differ
    from (a feature)
    with (a person)

engage
    in (a conversation)

find fault
    with (others)

insist
    on (rights)

live
    at (at address)
    in (a flat)
    on (an item of food)
    with (somebody)

object
    to (a remark)

quarrel
    with (somebody)

rely
    on (a person)

resort
    to (a drastic measure)

subscribe
    to (a magazine)

subsists
    on (an item)

agree
    to (a proposal)
    with (somebody)

believe
    in (a religion)
    to (a club)

centre
    on (a topic)

comply
    with (rules)

conform
    to (rules)

confide
    in (a person)

consist
    of (different parts)

conversant
    with (a topic)

depend
    on (somebody)

Combinations:

People living near the sea can usually swim.

Boys living outstation can go home now.

Girls not wearing a badge will get into trouble.

Cyclists not showing a light at night may be killed.

Shoes needing repair must be handed in today.

Exer

Knowing that I was late, I ran all the way.

Hoping to frighten the dog, he threw a stone at it.

Feeling rather ill yesterday, I decided to stay at home.

Thinking that the tin was empty, she threw it away.

(Note: In this type of structure, the present participle comes before the word to which it refers. Do not use this pattern unless it is clear that the participle expression refers to the subject of the following clause.

He is in Perth, studying medicine.

The boys are outside the cinema, looking at the posters.

Raman is in the office, waiting to see Mr. Chong.

The cat is hiding in that bush, hoping to catch a bird.

Exercises:
1. The boys are by that tree, reading …
2. The injured man is at home, recovering from …
3. Ali is at the railway station, waiting for…
4. The beggar held out his bowl, hoping…
5. The farmer looked at the dry ground and then stared up at the sky, hoping…
6. I hesitated for a moment, wondering …
7. There is Ali, sitting …
8. The smoke came in the window, making …
9. The monkey is sitting at the top of the tree, throwing down …
10. We are going to Singapore next week, visiting …