Test your knowledge with these interactive exercises
Practice: Choose the Correct Expression
Read each sentence carefully and select the most appropriate word or expression to complete it. Focus on using 'develop' correctly across different contexts.
Question 1business presentation
The company is _____ a new software application for mobile devices.
💡 Explanation: Use 'developing' for professional software creation. 'Develop' implies a process of design, testing, and refinement over time, whereas 'make' is too simple and 'creating' doesn't capture the technical process involved in software production.
Question 2business meeting
Our team is _____ a new marketing strategy this quarter.
💡 Explanation: After 'is', use the verb form 'developing' (present continuous). 'Development' is a noun and cannot follow 'is' in this construction. The pattern is: subject + is/are + developing + object.
Question 3educational discussion
Children _____ since they were born.
💡 Explanation: Use present perfect continuous 'have been developing' with 'since' to show an action that started in the past and continues to the present. Simple present continuous 'are developing' cannot be used with 'since' for actions starting at a specific past time.
Question 4academic progress report
She _____ her language skills very quickly last year.
💡 Explanation: Use 'developed' when referring to building skills through practice and effort over time. While 'improved' suggests making something better, 'developed' emphasizes the active process of building and expanding abilities from a foundation.
Question 5real estate discussion
The land _____ by the construction company in 2015.
💡 Explanation: Use passive voice 'was developed' when the land receives the action. The construction company performed the action, so the land was acted upon. Pattern: subject + was/were + developed + by + agent.
Question 6urban planning meeting
They plan to develop this site _____ a shopping center.
💡 Explanation: Use 'develop something into something' to show transformation. The preposition 'into' indicates the result of the development process. Never use 'develop to' – the correct pattern is always 'develop into'.
Question 7medical report
The patient _____ a high fever during the night.
💡 Explanation: Use 'developed' for medical symptoms and conditions that emerge. 'Develop' is the technical medical term for symptoms appearing, while 'made' is incorrect and 'got' is too informal for medical contexts.
Question 8mechanic consultation
My car _____ a strange noise in the engine yesterday.
💡 Explanation: Use 'developed' when mechanical problems emerge over time. This verb indicates that the problem appeared gradually, not suddenly. 'Got' is too informal and 'made' implies the car intentionally produced the noise.
Question 9personal conversation
Over time, I developed _____ interest in classical music.
💡 Explanation: Use the indefinite article 'an' before 'interest' when talking about developing interests. The pattern is: develop + an + interest/passion/love + in + something. The article is required in English even though it may not be in other languages.
Question 10personal narrative
They _____ a strong friendship during their university years.
💡 Explanation: Use 'developed' for relationships that grow gradually over time. 'Develop a friendship' emphasizes the natural, gradual process of becoming close. 'Created' suggests something artificial or instant, while 'made' is too simple for this emotional context.
Question 11news report
The political crisis _____ since last month and getting worse.
💡 Explanation: Use present perfect continuous 'has been developing' with 'since' to show an ongoing situation that started at a specific past time and continues now. Simple present continuous 'is developing' cannot be used with 'since' in this way.
Question 12business crisis meeting
The situation is _____ very rapidly and we must act now.
💡 Explanation: Use 'developing' for situations that are changing or unfolding. 'Evoluting' is not a real English verb. While 'evolving' exists, 'developing' is more common for situations requiring immediate response, emphasizing active change rather than gradual evolution.
Question 13academic feedback
You need to develop this argument _____ with more examples.
💡 Explanation: Use 'develop something further' to mean expand or elaborate on an idea. Never use 'develop on' – the correct pattern is 'develop' + object + 'further'. The adverb 'further' shows extension or elaboration.
Question 14academic writing feedback
Could you _____ your main argument further in the essay?
💡 Explanation: In academic writing, use formal 'develop' rather than colloquial expressions like 'say more stuff about'. Academic register requires precise, professional vocabulary. 'Develop your argument' is the standard academic phrase.
Question 15photography discussion
I need to _____ these photos at the photo shop tomorrow.
💡 Explanation: Use 'develop' for the chemical process of processing photographic film. 'Print' refers to making physical copies from already-developed film or digital files. 'Develop' is the technical term for the initial film processing.
Question 16photography shop
Can you develop this _____ for me?
💡 Explanation: Use 'develop film' because only photographic film requires chemical development. Digital photos don't need developing – they're already processed. The technical term 'develop' applies specifically to film processing, not digital images.
📝 Connected Practice Passages
Passage 1
Dear Team, I’m writing to update you on our new project. Our department is an innovative mobile application that will help customers track their orders. The project since January and we expect to launch in June. We need to develop this a comprehensive testing strategy before the release.
Gap 1: After 'is', use the verb form 'developing' (present continuous), not the noun 'development'. The correct pattern for ongoing actions is: subject + is/are + verb-ing.
Gap 2: Use present perfect continuous 'has been developing' with 'since' to show an action that started at a specific past time (January) and continues to now. Simple present continuous doesn't work with 'since'.
Gap 3: The correct pattern is 'develop something into something' to show transformation. Never use 'develop to' – always use 'into' to indicate the result of development.
🔑 Key Learning: In business contexts: use 'developing' not 'development' after 'is', use present perfect continuous with 'since', and remember 'develop into' not 'develop to'.
Passage 2
The patient serious complications following the surgery. She a high fever since yesterday morning. Her condition is rapidly and requires immediate attention. We recommend close monitoring as symptoms continue to appear.
Gap 4: Use 'developed' for medical complications that emerge. This is the standard medical terminology. 'Made' is grammatically incorrect here, and 'got' is too informal for medical reports.
Gap 5: Use present perfect 'has had' for a condition that started in the past and continues now. While 'developing' works for emerging symptoms, once a fever exists, use 'has had' with 'since'.
Gap 6: Use 'developing' for medical situations that are changing or worsening. In medical contexts, 'developing' emphasizes active change requiring intervention, making it more urgent than 'evolving'.
🔑 Key Learning: Medical contexts require 'developed' for complications that emerged, and 'developing' for conditions actively changing. Use formal medical vocabulary consistently.
Passage 3
This prime location by Premium Developers in 2018. The area into a thriving residential neighborhood with excellent infrastructure. The company plans to develop the adjacent site additional commercial properties next year.
Gap 7: Use passive voice 'was developed' because the location received the action. The developers performed the action on the land. Pattern: was/were + developed + by + agent.
Gap 8: Use present perfect 'has developed' to show transformation from past to present. The area changed over time and the result exists now. This shows completed development with present relevance.
Gap 9: Use 'develop something into something' to show transformation. The preposition 'into' indicates what the site will become. Never use 'develop to' in this pattern.
🔑 Key Learning: Real estate contexts: use passive 'was developed' for completed projects, present perfect for transformations with current results, and always 'develop into' not 'develop to'.
Passage 4
Your introduction is strong, but you need to develop your main argument in paragraph three. The theme you present is interesting, but it enough throughout the essay. your main argument further? This would make your analysis more convincing.
Gap 10: Use 'develop something further' to mean elaborate or expand. Never use 'develop on' – the correct pattern is develop + object + further. The adverb 'further' shows extension.
Gap 11: Use 'isn't developed' (passive voice) to describe insufficient elaboration. The theme should receive development, so passive voice is appropriate. This shows the theme needs more work done to it.
Gap 12: In academic feedback, use formal 'Could you develop' rather than colloquial expressions. Academic register requires professional, precise language. 'Develop your argument' is standard academic phrasing.
🔑 Key Learning: Academic contexts require formal register throughout: use 'develop further' not 'develop on', passive voice for insufficient elaboration, and avoid colloquial expressions like 'say more stuff'.
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