Grammar

Front

What is the correct verb form to use with plural subjects?

Back

The correct verb form to use with plural subjects is 'are'. For example, 'Popular music and acting are fields in which few manage to succeed.'

Front

Identify the non-parallel part of the following sentence: 'Some students choose to study such careers as how to cook, nursing, and hairdressing.'

Back

The non-parallel part of the sentence is 'how to cook'. It should be in the same form as 'nursing' and 'hairdressing', such as 'cooking'.

Front

What pronoun should be used to refer to a singular student in a gender-neutral way?

Back

The pronoun 'his/her' should be used to refer to a singular student in a gender-neutral way, as in 'Every student in the class remembered his/her homework.'

Front

What pronoun is used with 'Neither...nor' constructions?

Back

The pronoun used with 'Neither...nor' constructions should agree with the nearest noun. In the example, 'Neither Dee nor Ashanti uses her calculator very often,' 'her' refers to Ashanti.

Front

How should commas be used in a sentence?

Back

Commas should be used to separate elements in a list, after introductory phrases, and to set off non-essential information. For example, 'Well, I'm sure that there is an easier way.'

Front

What is parallel structure in writing?

Back

Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. For example, 'I like swimming, biking, and running' is parallel.

Front

What is the rule for subject-verb agreement with collective nouns?

Back

Collective nouns can take either singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group acts as a single unit or as individuals. For example, 'The team wins' (singular) vs. 'The team are arguing' (plural).

Front

What is the difference between 'who' and 'whom'?

Back

'Who' is used as a subject, while 'whom' is used as an object in a sentence. For example, 'Who is coming to dinner?' vs. 'To whom should I address the letter?'

Front

What is the purpose of using apostrophes in contractions?

Back

Apostrophes are used in contractions to indicate omitted letters. For example, 'don't' is a contraction of 'do not'.

Front

What is the function of a semicolon in a sentence?

Back

A semicolon is used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list. For example, 'I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.'