Grammar: Sentence Structure, Agreement, and Punctuation
What the questions test
Grammar items check subject–verb agreement, pronoun agreement and case, verb tense consistency, punctuation (commas, semicolons, apostrophes), and recognition of fragments and run-ons.
Concepts to master
- Subject–verb agreement: find the true subject, ignoring interrupting phrases. "The box of files is on the desk."
- Pronoun agreement: a pronoun must match its antecedent in number. "Each officer must file his or her report."
- Comma rules: use commas to separate items in a series, after introductory phrases, and around nonessential clauses. Do not join two complete sentences with only a comma (comma splice).
- Semicolons: join two closely related independent clauses, or separate items in a complex list.
- Apostrophes: possession (the officer's report) vs. plural (the officers); its = possessive, it's = it is.
- Fragments and run-ons: every sentence needs a subject and a verb and must express a complete thought.
Traps to watch
- A prepositional phrase between subject and verb that hides the real subject.
- "Between you and I" - object case is me.
- Using a semicolon where a colon or comma belongs.
- Missing apostrophes in possessives.
Worked example
"The list of approved vendors, which was updated last week, were distributed to all departments."
The subject is list (singular), not vendors. The verb should be was. The phrase between commas is nonessential and does not change the subject.
Rule of thumb: cross out interrupting phrases, then check that subject and verb still agree.