English - Grammar Rules and Common Pitfalls
MCQS
A. She don't like pizza.
B. She doesn't like pizza.
C. She not likes pizza.
D. She isn't like pizza.
The correct form is "She doesn't like pizza," using the contraction for "does not."
A. The team are playing well.
B. The team am playing well.
C. The team is playing well.
D. The team be playing well.
The correct form is "The team is playing well," where the singular subject "team" agrees with the singular verb "is."
A. I love hiking but, I hate camping.
B. I love hiking but; I hate camping.
C. I love hiking, but I hate camping.
D. I love hiking but I hate camping.
The correct punctuation is to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction "but" to separate independent clauses.
A. The dogs toys are scattered.
B. The dog's toys are scattered.
C. The dogs' toys are scattered.
D. The dogs toys' are scattered.
The correct form is "The dog's toys are scattered," indicating possession by a singular dog.
A. She is more taller than her sister.
B. She is tallest in her family.
C. She is more tall than her sister.
D. She is taller than her sister.
The correct form is "She is taller than her sister," using the comparative form "taller" for two items.
A. Him and I went to the store.
B. He and me went to the store.
C. Him and me went to the store.
D. He and I went to the store.
The correct form is "He and I went to the store," using subject pronouns before the verb.
A. Neither of the boys is coming to the party.
B. Neither of the boys am coming to the party.
C. Neither of the boys be coming to the party.
D. Neither of the boys are coming to the parties.
The correct form is "Neither of the boys is coming to the party," indicating singular agreement.
A. She enjoyed the movie however, she found it too long.
B. She enjoyed the movie, however, she found it too long.
C. She enjoyed the movie; however, she found it too long.
D. She enjoyed the movie, however; she found it too long.
The correct form is "She enjoyed the movie; however, she found it too long," using a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb.
A. Each of the students has completed their assignments.
B. Each of the students have completed their assignments.
C. Each of the students are completed their assignments.
D. Each of the students has completed his assignments.
The correct form is "Each of the students has completed their assignments," using singular agreement with "has."
A. She enjoys hiking, swimming, and to bike.
B. She enjoys hiking, swimming, and biking.
C. She enjoys to hike, swim, and bike.
D. She enjoys hiking, swim, and biking.
The correct form is "She enjoys hiking, swimming, and biking," maintaining parallel structure with gerunds.
A. She bought a beautiful red dress.
B. She bought a red, beautiful dress.
C. She bought a dress beautiful red.
D. She bought a red dress beautiful.
The correct form is "She bought a beautiful red dress," placing the opinion adjective before the color adjective.
A. The reasons are: lack of time, lack of resources and lack of interest.
B. The reasons are: lack of time, lack of resources, and lack of interest.
C. The reasons are lack of time, lack of resources, and lack of interest.
D. The reasons are; lack of time, lack of resources, and lack of interest.
The correct form is "The reasons are: lack of time, lack of resources, and lack of interest," using a colon to introduce a list.
A. The cat lied on the couch all day.
B. The cat lay on the couch all day.
C. The cat laid on the couch all day.
D. The cat layed on the couch all day.
The correct form is "The cat lay on the couch all day," using the past tense of the verb "to lie."
A. The childrens' toys are everywhere.
B. The childrens's toys are everywhere.
C. The children's toys are everywhere.
D. The childrens toys are everywhere.
The correct form is "The children's toys are everywhere," indicating possession by plural children.
A. After she finished her homework she went to bed.
B. After, she finished her homework, she went to bed.
C. After she finished, her homework she went to bed.
D. After she finished her homework, she went to bed.
The correct form is "After she finished her homework, she went to bed," using a comma to separate clauses.
A. Less people attended the event than expected.
B. Less people attended the event then expected.
C. Fewer people attended the event then expected.
D. Fewer people attended the event than expected.
The correct form is "Fewer people attended the event than expected," using "fewer" for countable items.
A. The number of applicants are increasing.
B. The number of applicants is increasing.
C. The number of applicants be increasing.
D. The number of applicants am increasing.
The correct form is "The number of applicants is increasing," where "number" takes a singular verb.
A. The meeting was long and tedious... everyone was exhausted.
B. The meeting was long and tedious, everyone was exhausted.
C. The meeting was long and tedious... everyone was exhausted...
D. The meeting was long and tedious everyone was exhausted.
The correct form is "The meeting was long and tedious... everyone was exhausted," using an ellipsis to indicate a trailing off or omission.
A. The report was writing by the team.
B. The report was written by the team.
C. The report was wrote by the team.
D. The report was write by the team.
The correct form is "The report was written by the team," using the past participle form of the verb "to write."
A. The well known author published a new book.
B. The well-known author published a new book.
C. The well known-author published a new book.
D. The well-known-author published a new book.
The correct form is "The well-known author published a new book," using a hyphen to connect the compound adjective "well-known."
A. The cat's and dog's are playing together.
B. The cats and dogs are playing together.
C. The cat's and dogs are playing together.
D. The cats' and dogs' are playing together.
The correct form is "The cats and dogs are playing together," indicating plural possession.
A. She ran quickly to catch the bus.
B. She quickly to catch the bus ran.
C. She ran to catch the bus quickly.
D. Quickly she ran to catch the bus.
The correct form is "She quickly ran to catch the bus," placing the adverb before the verb.
A. Although it was cold they decided to go for a hike.
B. Although, it was cold, they decided to go for a hike.
C. Although it was cold they, decided to go for a hike.
D. Although it was cold, they decided to go for a hike.
The correct form is "Although it was cold, they decided to go for a hike," using a comma to separate clauses.
A. The ingredients for the recipe include: flour, sugar, and eggs.
B. The ingredients for the recipe include: flour sugar and eggs.
C. The ingredients for the recipe include, flour, sugar, and eggs.
D. The ingredients for the recipe include: flour, sugar, and eggs,
The correct form is "The ingredients for the recipe include: flour, sugar, and eggs," using a colon before a list.
A. The sun set over the horizon.
B. The sun setting over the horizon.
C. The sun setted over the horizon.
D. The sun set over the horizon.
The correct form is "The sun set over the horizon," using the past tense of the verb "to set."
A. They're playing football in the field.
B. Their playing football in the field.
C. There playing football in the field.
D. Theyre playing football in the field.
The correct form is "They're playing football in the field," using the contraction for "they are."
A. Before she left, she double-checked her luggage.
B. Before, she left, she double-checked her luggage.
C. Before she left she, double-checked her luggage.
D. Before she left she double-checked her luggage.
The correct form is "Before she left, she double-checked her luggage," using a comma to separate clauses.
A. She shouted with joy: her team had won.
B. She shouted with joy, her team had won.
C. She shouted with joy; her team had won.
D. She shouted with joy her team had won.
The correct punctuation is to use a semicolon to indicate a relationship between the two independent clauses.
A. The variety of flowers were breathtaking.
B. The variety of flowers is breathtaking.
C. The variety of flowers am breathtaking.
D. The variety of flowers be breathtaking.
The correct form is "The variety of flowers is breathtaking," indicating singular agreement.
A. The students' notebooks are on the desk.
B. The students notebooks are on the desk.
C. The students' notebook's are on the desk.
D. The student's notebooks are on the desk.
The correct form is "The students' notebooks are on the desk," indicating possession by plural students.
A. I have fewer friends than my sister.
B. I have less friends then my sister.
C. I have fewer friends then my sister.
D. I have less friends than my sister.
The correct form is "I have fewer friends than my sister," using "fewer" for countable items.
A. She has a two-year old cat.
B. She has a two year-old cat.
C. She has a two-year-old cat.
D. She has a two year old cat.
The correct form is "She has a two-year-old cat," using a hyphen in the compound adjective "two-year-old."
A. He said, "I'm not sure... maybe later."
B. He said, "I'm not sure, maybe later."
C. He said "I'm not sure... maybe later."
D. He said, "I'm not sure maybe later."
The correct form is "He said, 'I'm not sure... maybe later,'" using an ellipsis to indicate a trailing off or omission.
A. She has a white old big cat.
B. She has an old big white cat.
C. She has a big old white cat.
D. She has a big white old cat.
The correct form is "She has a big white old cat," maintaining the order of opinion, size, and age adjectives.
A. The childrens toys are everywhere.
B. The childrens's toys are everywhere.
C. The children's toys are everywhere.
D. The childrens toys' are everywhere.
The correct form is "The children's toys are everywhere," indicating possession by plural children.
A. Us girls went to the beach.
B. We girls went to the beach.
C. We girls' went to the beach.
D. Our girls went to the beach.
The correct form is "We girls went to the beach," using subject pronouns before the verb.
A. He was lain on the bed all day.
B. He was lying on the bed all day.
C. He was laid on the bed all day.
D. He was lay on the bed all day.
The correct form is "He was lying on the bed all day," using the past participle form of the verb "to lie."
A. In the morning they went for a run.
B. In the morning, they went for a run.
C. In the morning they, went for a run.
D. In the morning they went for a run.
The correct form is "In the morning, they went for a run," using a comma to separate clauses.
A. There are three colors I love: blue, green and red.
B. There are three colors I love: blue green and red.
C. There are three colors I love; blue, green, and red.
D. There are three colors I love, blue, green, and red.
The correct form is "There are three colors I love: blue, green, and red," using a colon before a list.
A. Suddenly, she realized, she forgot her keys.
B. Suddenly she realized she forgot her keys.
C. Suddenly; she realized she forgot her keys.
D. Suddenly she realized, she forgot her keys.
The correct punctuation is "Suddenly she realized she forgot her keys," using commas appropriately to separate clauses.
A. This is a well known fact.
B. This is a well-known fact.
C. This is a well known-fact.
D. This is a well-known-fact.
The correct form is "This is a well-known fact," using a hyphen in the compound adjective "well-known."
A. The cats' food is on the counter.
B. The cats food is on the counter.
C. The cat's food is on the counter.
D. The cat food is on the counter.
The correct form is "The cat's food is on the counter," indicating possession by a singular cat.
A. The movie was good; nevertheless, it was too long.
B. The movie was good, nevertheless it was too long.
C. The movie was good; nevertheless it was too long.
D. The movie was good; nevertheless, it was too long.
The correct form is "The movie was good; nevertheless, it was too long," using a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb.
A. Despite the weather they went for a hike.
B. Despite, the weather, they went for a hike.
C. Despite the weather, they went for a hike.
D. Despite the weather they went for a hike.
The correct form is "Despite the weather, they went for a hike," using a comma to separate clauses.
A. She said, "I don't know... maybe tomorrow."
B. She said, "I don't know, maybe tomorrow."
C. She said, "I don't know maybe tomorrow."
D. She said, "I don't know... maybe tomorrow...
The correct form is "She said, 'I don't know... maybe tomorrow,'" using an ellipsis to indicate a trailing off or omission.
A. The news is on at 6 PM.
B. The news am on at 6 PM.
C. The news be on at 6 PM.
D. The news are on at 6 PM.
The correct form is "The news is on at 6 PM," treating "news" as a singular noun.
A. She bought three colors: blue, green and red.
B. She bought three colors: blue green and red.
C. She bought three colors, blue, green, and red.
D. She bought three colors: blue, green, and red.
The correct form is "She bought three colors: blue, green, and red," using a colon before a list.
A. The girls' dresses are in the closet.
B. The girls dresses are in the closet.
C. The girls' dress's are in the closet.
D. The girl's dresses are in the closet.
The correct form is "The girls' dresses are in the closet," indicating possession by plural girls.
A. She finished her project almost yesterday.
B. She yesterday almost finished her project.
C. She finished her almost project yesterday.
D. She almost finished her project yesterday.
The correct form is "She almost finished her project yesterday," placing the adverb before the verb.
A. Him and me went to the store.
B. He and I went to the store.
C. Him and I went to the store.
D. He and me went to the store.
The correct form is "He and I went to the store," using subject pronouns before the verb.