Catenative Verbs Quiz

You can do this quiz online or print it on paper. It tests some of the material covered on the Catenative Verbs page in our grammar section.

1. Catenative verbs _______ with other verbs to form a chain of two or more verbs.

compete
combine
collide
a) compete b) combine c) collide

2. Which of these sentences has a catenative construction?

It's time for dinner
The meal is cooking
I want to eat something
a) It's time for dinner b) The train is leaving c) I want to eat something

3. Which kind of verb can act as a catenative verb?

a main verb
a modal verb
an auxiliary verb
a) a main verb b) a modal verb c) an auxiliary verb

4. In which sentence is a catenative verb followed by a bare infinitive?

Kim will help wash up
Kim likes to cook
Kim is a great cook
a) Kim will help wash up b) Kim likes to cook c) Kim is a great cook

5. "Who wants to see the new Bond movie?" Which is the to-infinitive verb?

want to
to see
want to see
a) want to b) to see c) want to see

6. Which ending can be added to certain verbs that follow a catenative verb?

-ing
-ive
-est
a) -ing b) -ive c) -est

7. Which sentence is truly catenative?

We stopped to chat
We stopped chatting
We stopped for a chat
a) We stopped to chat b) We stopped chatting c) We stopped for a chat

8. What is the catenative verb in this sentence: "He promised to help her"?

promised
help
her
a) promised b) help c) her

9. Choose the correct sentence with a catenative verb.

We decided taking the bus
We planned to take the bus
We saw taking the bus
a) We decided taking the bus b) We planned to take the bus c) We saw taking the bus

10. In which sentence is the verb + past participle construction used?

I just paid him
I just got my pay
I just got paid
a) I just paid him b) I just got my pay c) I just got paid

Your score is:

Correct answers:

Matt Errey Contributor: Matt Errey. Matt is the author of several books including 1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context and Common English Idioms for learners, and Matt's ESL Games and Quizzes for teachers.