Common Grammar Mistakes

I don't need ____ sugar from the shops.

• no

• any

• every

• some

Answer explanation

Avoid double negatives in your academic writing!

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

I think she ___ completed the test.

• could of

• could've

Answer explanation

Would of, could of, and should of are never correct!

While it might sound that way when we speak, in our writing, the correct way to provide a shortened form of would have, could have, and should have is with would've, could've, and should've.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

It was an ___ change.

• inexpected

• unexpected

Answer explanation

Someone can be inexperienced, but not inexpected. It's simply not correct!

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2

CCSS.L.9-10.2C

The ___ toys were colorful.

• childrens

• childrens’s

• children’s

Answer explanation

To show that the toys belong to all of the children, you would make it possesive by adding 's to the end of the word.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

___ sister is the best player on the team.

• Jenny and Kevin’s

• Jenny's and Kevin’s

• Jenny and Kevins'

• Jennys' and Kevins'

Answer explanation

When you have a compound subject (Jenny and Kevin), you make it possesive by adding 's to the end of only the last noun.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

What change should be made?

After I had a conversation with Zoe I knew she was motivated.

• no change

• conversation,

• Zoe,

• After,

Answer explanation

The phrase "After I had a conversation with Zoe" is an introductory phrase, because it can't stand by itself as a sentence, and it helps give context for the rest of the sentence that comes afterward.

In general, you should always place a comma after an introductory phrase.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

CCSS.L.9-10.2

Which change should be made?

A panicky pale pessimistic student stared blankly at the test.

• no change

• panicky, pale pessimistic

• panicky, pale, pessimistic

• student,

Answer explanation

When you have a list of adjectives within a sentence, each one should be set off by a comma.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2

Which change should be made?

My brother Carl helps me stay positive during difficult times.

• no change

• brother, Carl,

• Carl, helps

• me, stay

Answer explanation

When you are renaming your subject, always set off the second name with commas.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

CCSS.L.9-10.2

One of my sisters _______ going on a trip.

• is
• are
• aren't

Answer explanation

Who's going on the trip? Only one of the sisters. So, to maintain agreement, you would use is.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1

The committee ________ this situation carefully, lest the situation spiral out of control.

• debate
• debates

Answer explanation

If the noun in a sentence is singular (the committee), then it is followed by a singular verb (debates).

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.1