Grammar in Context
What the domain tests
Grammar in Context checks whether you can choose forms that fit a sentence’s meaning. Typical areas are subject–verb agreement, tense and time markers, articles, prepositions, modals, active and passive voice, reported speech, conditionals, pronouns and connectors.
Core rules
- Agreement: find the head noun, not the nearest noun. The number of applicants is singular; a number of applicants is plural. Each, every, either, neither take singular verbs in formal usage.
- Tense: use the present perfect for a past action with present relevance (has submitted), the past perfect for the earlier of two past actions, and the correct conditional form (If she had studied, she would have passed).
- Articles: a/an for first mention or one of many; the for shared or unique reference; no article for generic plurals.
- Modals: one modal per verb phrase; must for obligation, can for ability, may for permission or possibility.
- Reported speech: backshift tense and adjust pronouns and time words when the reporting verb is past.
Worked example
The number of applicants who ___ (has/have) submitted the form ___ (is/are) still rising.
Reasoning: the subject of the main clause is the number, singular, so is is correct. The relative pronoun who refers to applicants, plural, so have is correct. Answer: have, is. This question tests two agreements in one sentence.
Traps that cost marks
- Proximity agreement: matching the verb to the noun just before it.
- Treating uncountables such as information, furniture, advice as plurals.
- Using since with a simple past when the action continues.
- Writing discuss about, explain me, married with instead of the correct preposition pattern.
- Dangling modifiers: Walking to school, the rain began wrongly suggests the rain was walking.