Grammar Quiz

A dynamic verb is...

• An action that has a start and end (e.g. to speak)

• An action that is internal (e.g. to love)

• A phrase containing two or more verbs

• When the verb comes before the adverb

Answer explanation

Dynamic verbs will have a start and end, be an external action, or is intentional. For example, 'to run', 'to write', 'to eat'.

Give an example of a superlative adjective

Answer explanation

Superlatives compare to the highest degree. They usually end in 'est' or go with 'most'.

Give an example of a comparative adjective.

Answer explanation

Comparatives compare two things. They usually end in '-er' or go with 'more'.

Which of these is not a real grammatical term

• Abstract noun

• Stative verb

• Post-modifying conjunction

• Adverbial phrase

Answer explanation

Conjunctions are words like 'and', 'but', 'so', 'although', etc - they connect clauses. There's no such thing as a post-modifying one!

If a dynamic verb is an action that has a start and end, etc., then what is the other kind of verb?

(a)  

Answer explanation

Stative verbs are states of being - they are usually internal, they are continuous, and they are often involuntary. For example 'to hate', 'to be', 'to consist of', etc.

Write an example of a compound sentence.

Answer explanation

A compound sentence uses a coordinating conjunction to link together two (or more) independent clauses - both parts could exist on their own and still make sense.

How many clauses will a simple sentence have?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

Just one independent clause in a simple sentence.

In the phrase 'The big bad wolf', why does 'big' come before 'bad' (usually, opinion would come before size).

(a)  

Answer explanation

Extrinsic adjectives trump intrinsic ones. So even though opinion usually goes before size ('the lovely red dress'), here the wolf's bigness is extrinsic (on the outside), while its badness is intrinsic (on the inside).

'The lesson was boring' is an example of...

• Pre-modification

• Honesty

• An adverbial phrase

• Post-modification

Answer explanation

If the adjective comes after the noun, it's post-modification.

'To run', 'to say', 'to think', 'to write', etc. are all examples of verbs in what form?

• Definitive

• Infinitive

• Indicative

• Conjugative

Answer explanation

An infinitive is the root form of the verb, which you'd find in the dictionary. In English it's always 'to [verb]'.