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PERT Writing practice questions

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Question 1Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb to complete the clause?

  1. Each of the runners were finishing the course.
  2. Each of the runners having finished the course.
  3. Each of the runners have finished the course.
  4. Each of the runners has finished the course. Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject of the sentence is 'Each,' which is singular, so it takes the singular verb 'has.' The phrase 'of the runners' is a prepositional modifier and does not change the number of the subject.

Question 2Grammar and Usage

Choose the sentence in which the pronoun reference is clear and correct.

  1. When the manager met with the interns, them explained the new policy.
  2. When the manager met with the interns, she explained the new policy. Correct answer.
  3. When the manager met with the interns, they explained the new policy to her.
  4. When the manager met with the interns, it explained the new policy.

Explanation

The pronoun 'she' clearly refers to the singular 'manager,' and the sentence is grammatically complete. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender and must refer to a single identifiable noun.

Question 3Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

  1. My sister, who lives in Denver, is a nurse. Correct answer.
  2. My sister who lives in Denver is, a nurse.
  3. My sister who lives in Denver, is a nurse.
  4. My sister, who lives in Denver is a nurse.

Explanation

A nonrestrictive clause, which adds extra information about an already identified noun, is set off by commas on both sides. Because 'my sister' is already specific, the clause 'who lives in Denver' is nonessential and requires the paired commas.

Question 4Grammar and Usage

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The committee issued ___ final report yesterday.'?

  1. it's
  2. there
  3. its Correct answer.
  4. their

Explanation

'Its' is the possessive form of 'it' and is needed before the noun 'report.' 'It's' is a contraction of 'it is,' and 'there' refers to a place.

Question 5Grammar and Usage

Which sentence is a complete sentence (not a fragment)?

  1. The passengers waited on the platform. Correct answer.
  2. Although the schedule had changed.
  3. Running through the crowded station.
  4. Because the train arrived late.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject and a finite verb that express a complete thought. 'The passengers waited on the platform' supplies both a subject and a main verb without a subordinating word.

Question 6Grammar and Usage

Choose the sentence that uses the correct comparative or superlative form.

  1. This is the most tallest building in the city.
  2. This is more tall than the other buildings.
  3. This is the tallest of the three buildings. Correct answer.
  4. This is the taller building in the city.

Explanation

For comparing three or more items, the superlative form 'tallest' is required. The definite article 'the' also correctly precedes a superlative.

Question 7Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct past tense of the irregular verb?

  1. She bringed her notes to class.
  2. She brung her notes to class.
  3. She brang her notes to class.
  4. She brought her notes to class. Correct answer.

Explanation

The past tense of the irregular verb 'bring' is 'brought.' Irregular verbs do not follow the regular '-ed' pattern and must be memorized.

Question 8Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct form of the pronoun after the preposition?

  1. Between you and we, the plan needs work.
  2. Between you and me, the plan needs work. Correct answer.
  3. Between you and myself, the plan needs work.
  4. Between you and I, the plan needs work.

Explanation

A pronoun following a preposition must be in the object case. 'Between' is a preposition, so 'me' is correct rather than the subject form 'I.'

Question 9Grammar and Usage

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon.

  1. The storm knocked out the power; because the backup generator started immediately.
  2. The storm knocked out the power; and the backup generator started immediately.
  3. The storm knocked out the power, the backup generator started immediately.
  4. The storm knocked out the power; the backup generator started immediately. Correct answer.

Explanation

A semicolon can join two independent clauses that are closely related without a coordinating conjunction. Both clauses in this sentence are complete and independent.

Question 10Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

  1. The three companies policies were revised.
  2. The three company's policies were revised.
  3. The three companys policies were revised.
  4. The three companies' policies were revised. Correct answer.

Explanation

A plural noun ending in -s forms the possessive by adding only an apostrophe after the s. 'Companies' is plural, so the possessive is 'companies'.'

Question 11Grammar and Usage

Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?

  1. Walking to the store, it started to rain heavily.
  2. Walking to the store, the umbrella was left at home.
  3. Walking to the store, the rain began to fall.
  4. Walking to the store, I felt the first drops of rain. Correct answer.

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. In the correct sentence, 'I' is the one walking to the store, so the modifier attaches logically.

Question 12Grammar and Usage

Choose the sentence that maintains parallel structure.

  1. The job requires typing, to file, and answering phones.
  2. The job requires to type, filing, and answering phones.
  3. The job requires typing, filing, and answering phones. Correct answer.
  4. The job requires typing, filing, and to answer phones.

Explanation

Items in a series should share the same grammatical form. Here all three items are gerunds: 'typing,' 'filing,' and 'answering.'

Question 13Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses 'who' or 'whom'?

  1. The candidate whomever won the election gave a speech.
  2. The candidate whom won the election gave a speech.
  3. The candidate who won the election gave a speech. Correct answer.
  4. The candidate which won the election gave a speech.

Explanation

'Who' is the subject form and is required when the pronoun serves as the subject of its clause. Here 'who' is the subject of 'won.'

Question 14Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct verb form in a conditional statement?

  1. If I was taller, I would join the team.
  2. If I am taller, I would join the team.
  3. If I be taller, I would join the team.
  4. If I were taller, I would join the team. Correct answer.

Explanation

In a contrary-to-fact conditional, the subjunctive 'were' is used for all subjects. The hypothetical nature of the statement signals the subjunctive mood.

Question 15Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct word: 'affect' or 'effect'?

  1. The new policy will effect all employees next month.
  2. The new policy will affective all employees next month.
  3. The new policy will have an affect on all employees.
  4. The new policy will affect all employees next month. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is usually a noun meaning a result. In this sentence the verb meaning 'to influence' is needed.

Question 16Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly punctuates a list that contains internal commas?

  1. The panel included Dr. Lee, a surgeon, Ms. Ortiz, a lawyer, and Mr. Park, an engineer.
  2. The panel included Dr. Lee; a surgeon; Ms. Ortiz; a lawyer; and Mr. Park; an engineer.
  3. The panel included Dr. Lee, a surgeon; Ms. Ortiz, a lawyer; and Mr. Park, an engineer. Correct answer.
  4. The panel included Dr. Lee a surgeon, Ms. Ortiz a lawyer, and Mr. Park an engineer.

Explanation

When items in a series contain internal commas, semicolons separate the main items to prevent confusion. The commas within each item stay, and semicolons divide the items.

Question 17Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly forms the past perfect tense?

  1. By the time we arrived, the movie had already started. Correct answer.
  2. By the time we arrived, the movie has already started.
  3. By the time we arrived, the movie already starts.
  4. By the time we arrived, the movie was already start.

Explanation

The past perfect ('had started') expresses an action completed before another past action. The arrival is the later past event, so the earlier event takes the past perfect.

Question 18Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

  1. She packed three items, a map, a compass, and a flashlight.
  2. She packed three items: a map, a compass, and a flashlight. Correct answer.
  3. She packed three items; a map, a compass, and a flashlight.
  4. She packed: three items, a map, a compass, and a flashlight.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list after an independent clause. The clause before the colon ('She packed three items') is complete, so the colon is appropriate.

Question 19Grammar and Usage

Which sentence avoids a shift in tense?

  1. She opened the letter and reads the news slowly.
  2. She opens the letter and read the news slowly.
  3. She opened the letter and is reading the news slowly.
  4. She opened the letter and read the news slowly. Correct answer.

Explanation

Compound predicates should keep a consistent tense unless a time shift is intended. Both verbs here describe the same past moment, so both should be in the past tense.

Question 20Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses 'fewer' or 'less'?

  1. There are less students in class today.
  2. There are fewer students in class today. Correct answer.
  3. There are lesser students in class today.
  4. There are few students in class today than yesterday.

Explanation

'Fewer' is used with countable nouns such as 'students,' while 'less' is used with uncountable quantities. Because students can be counted, 'fewer' is correct.

Question 21Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct form of the modifier in a comparison?

  1. Of the two proposals, the second is the most practical.
  2. Of the two proposals, the second is more practicaler.
  3. Of the two proposals, the second is practicalest.
  4. Of the two proposals, the second is the more practical. Correct answer.

Explanation

When comparing exactly two items, the comparative form 'more practical' is used rather than the superlative. The superlative is reserved for three or more items.

Question 22Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly handles subject-verb agreement with an inverted structure?

  1. Along the hallway hangs several portraits of former deans.
  2. Along the hallway hang several portraits of former deans. Correct answer.
  3. Along the hallway hanging several portraits of former deans.
  4. Along the hallway is hang several portraits of former deans.

Explanation

In sentences beginning with a prepositional phrase, the true subject comes after the verb. The plural subject 'portraits' requires the plural verb 'hang.'

Question 23Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive in a 'that' clause after a demand?

  1. The board insisted that the report be submitted by Friday. Correct answer.
  2. The board insisted that the report will submitted by Friday.
  3. The board insisted that the report being submitted by Friday.
  4. The board insisted that the report is submitted by Friday.

Explanation

After verbs of demand, request, or insistence, formal English uses the subjunctive 'be' in the dependent clause. The base form appears regardless of the subject.

Question 24Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses punctuation correctly to avoid ambiguity?

  1. The professor said the student, who missed the exam would need to retake it.
  2. The professor said, the student who missed the exam would need to retake it.
  3. The professor said the student who missed the exam would need to retake it. Correct answer.
  4. The professor, said the student, who missed the exam would need to retake it.

Explanation

A restrictive clause that identifies which student is meant takes no commas. Here 'who missed the exam' specifies the particular student, so the sentence flows correctly without internal punctuation.

Question 25Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses a gerund phrase as the subject with proper agreement?

  1. Collect antique coins requires patience and research.
  2. Collecting antique coins requires patience and research. Correct answer.
  3. To collecting antique coins requires patience and research.
  4. Collecting antique coins require patience and research.

Explanation

A gerund phrase functioning as the subject is treated as singular, so it takes the singular verb 'requires.' The phrase 'Collecting antique coins' is the complete subject.

Question 26Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct form of the pronoun in a compound subject?

  1. She and I are presenting the findings tomorrow. Correct answer.
  2. Her and I are presenting the findings tomorrow.
  3. Her and me are presenting the findings tomorrow.
  4. She and me are presenting the findings tomorrow.

Explanation

A pronoun in the subject position of a sentence must take the subjective case, so both 'she' and 'I' are required. Compound subjects keep the same case each pronoun would take alone.

Question 27Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses 'its' or 'it's'?

  1. The company revised its policy last quarter. Correct answer.
  2. The committee announced it's final decision.
  3. Its raining heavily outside the venue.
  4. The dog wagged it's tail excitedly.

Explanation

'Its' is the possessive form, while 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has.' Only the possessive belongs before a noun like 'policy.'

Question 28Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct preposition to express the intended meaning?

  1. The team argued to the merits of the proposal.
  2. The team argued about the merits of the proposal. Correct answer.
  3. The team argued at the merits of the proposal.
  4. The team argued on the merits of the proposal.

Explanation

The verb 'argue' takes 'about' or 'over' when referring to a topic under discussion. The preposition must match the idiomatic construction of the verb.

Question 29Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly forms a plural with an irregular noun?

  1. Several criterias must be met before approval.
  2. The technicians replaced two broken motherboards. Correct answer.
  3. Three childs were waiting in the lobby.
  4. Both phenomonons puzzled the researchers.

Explanation

Regular nouns like 'motherboard' simply add -s to form the plural. Irregular nouns such as 'child,' 'criterion,' and 'phenomenon' follow their own plural patterns.

Question 30Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct relative pronoun to refer to a place?

  1. The city who she was born is on the coast.
  2. The city what she was born is on the coast.
  3. The city where she was born is on the coast. Correct answer.
  4. The city which she was born is on the coast.

Explanation

'Where' serves as a relative adverb for location and replaces 'in which' in constructions about place. Using 'which' alone would leave the preposition missing.

Question 31Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct adverb form to modify an adjective?

  1. The engineer spoke remarkably calm during the crisis.
  2. The engineer spoke remarkable calm during the crisis.
  3. The engineer spoke calm remarkably during the crisis.
  4. The engineer spoke with remarkable calm during the crisis. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Remarkable' is an adjective and needs a noun to modify, which is why 'with remarkable calm' works. Adverbs modify adjectives, but the placement here would distort the meaning.

Question 32Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses a reflexive pronoun correctly?

  1. Please send the file to John and myself.
  2. The report was written by myself.
  3. Maya and myself prepared the agenda.
  4. The manager himself reviewed the budget. Correct answer.

Explanation

A reflexive pronoun is correct when it refers back to a noun already named in the sentence, as in 'the manager himself.' It should not stand in for a plain subject or object pronoun.

Question 33Grammar and Usage

Which sentence places the adverb so that it clearly modifies the intended verb?

  1. She nearly drove the car to the station.
  2. She drove nearly the car to the station.
  3. Nearly she drove the car to the station.
  4. She drove the car nearly to the station. Correct answer.

Explanation

An adverb like 'nearly' should be placed next to the word it modifies; here it modifies the distance to the station. Misplacement changes the meaning of the sentence.

Question 34Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct verb to agree with a collective noun acting as a single unit?

  1. The jury were reaching its verdict soon.
  2. The jury are reaching its verdict soon.
  3. The jury have reached its verdict soon.
  4. The jury is reaching its verdict soon. Correct answer.

Explanation

When a collective noun acts as one unit, it takes a singular verb and a singular pronoun. 'The jury is reaching its verdict' treats the group as a single body.

Question 35Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct form of the pronoun after a linking verb?

  1. It was herself who answered the phone.
  2. It was her who answered the phone.
  3. It was she who answered the phone. Correct answer.
  4. It was hers who answered the phone.

Explanation

A pronoun following a linking verb is a subject complement and takes the subjective case, so 'she' is correct. 'It was she' matches the subject on both sides of the verb.

Question 36Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses an infinitive phrase as the direct object?

  1. She decided to postpone the meeting until Friday. Correct answer.
  2. She decided postponing the meeting until Friday.
  3. She decided the postponing of the meeting until Friday.
  4. She decided for postponing the meeting until Friday.

Explanation

The verb 'decide' takes an infinitive phrase as its object, so 'to postpone' is the correct complement. Other verb patterns require different complements.

Question 37Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb after 'neither...nor'?

  1. Neither the manager nor the employees is informed.
  2. Neither the manager nor the employees were informed. Correct answer.
  3. Neither the manager nor the employees was informed.
  4. Neither the manager nor the employees has been informed.

Explanation

With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it, which is the plural 'employees.' That requires the plural verb 'were.'

Question 38Grammar and Usage

Which sentence correctly uses a participle phrase to modify the intended noun?

  1. Walking through the gallery, the paintings were impressive to the visitors.
  2. Walking through the gallery, the paintings impressed the visitors.
  3. Walking through the gallery, the visitors were impressed by the paintings. Correct answer.
  4. Walking through the gallery, it impressed the visitors, the paintings.

Explanation

A participial phrase at the start of a sentence must modify the subject that follows it. Only 'the visitors' can logically walk through the gallery.

Question 39Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct case for a pronoun in an elliptical clause?

  1. My brother is taller than me.
  2. My brother is taller than I. Correct answer.
  3. My brother is taller than myself.
  4. My brother is taller than mine.

Explanation

In a formal elliptical comparison, the pronoun takes the case it would have in the completed clause 'than I am.' That makes the subjective 'I' correct.

Question 40Grammar and Usage

Which sentence uses the correct verb form after 'had better'?

  1. You had better finishes the report by noon.
  2. You had better finishing the report by noon.
  3. You had better to finish the report by noon.
  4. You had better finish the report by noon. Correct answer.

Explanation

The idiom 'had better' is followed by the base form of the verb, without 'to' and without inflection. 'Had better finish' is the standard construction.

Question 41Sentence Structure

Which sentence is a complete sentence rather than a fragment?

  1. Knocking out the power during the storm.
  2. After the storm knocked out the power.
  3. The storm knocked out the power. Correct answer.
  4. Because the storm knocked out the power.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject and a finite verb that express a complete thought. 'The storm knocked out the power' supplies both. The other options are dependent clauses or phrases that leave the thought unfinished.

Question 42Sentence Structure

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'Each of the students ___ responsible for bringing a draft.'

  1. is Correct answer.
  2. are
  3. were
  4. have been

Explanation

The subject is 'Each,' an indefinite pronoun that is always singular, so it takes a singular verb. The plural noun in the prepositional phrase 'of the students' does not change the subject. 'Is' is the only singular present-tense option.

Question 43Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses a comma splice?

  1. The team practiced daily; they improved quickly.
  2. The team practiced daily, and they improved quickly.
  3. Because the team practiced daily, they improved quickly.
  4. The team practiced daily, they improved quickly. Correct answer.

Explanation

A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma. 'The team practiced daily' and 'they improved quickly' are both independent, so a comma alone cannot link them. A semicolon, a coordinating conjunction, or a period is required.

Question 44Sentence Structure

Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

  1. The list of supplies were on the desk.
  2. The list of supplies are on the desk.
  3. The list of supplies is on the desk. Correct answer.
  4. The list of supplies have been on the desk.

Explanation

The subject is 'list,' which is singular; 'of supplies' is a prepositional phrase that does not affect agreement. The singular verb 'is' matches the singular subject. The other options use plural verbs.

Question 45Sentence Structure

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. We visited three cities: Denver, Colorado; Austin, Texas; and Boise, Idaho. Correct answer.
  2. We visited three cities, Denver, Colorado, Austin, Texas, and Boise, Idaho.
  3. We visited three cities Denver, Colorado; Austin, Texas; and Boise, Idaho.
  4. We visited three cities; Denver, Colorado, Austin, Texas, and Boise, Idaho.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list after an independent clause, and semicolons separate items that already contain internal commas. This option uses both marks correctly. The other options either misuse commas or omit required punctuation.

Question 46Sentence Structure

Which sentence has a correctly formed compound sentence?

  1. The rain stopped; and we went outside.
  2. The rain stopped so we went outside quickly.
  3. The rain stopped, so we went outside. Correct answer.
  4. The rain stopped, we went outside.

Explanation

A compound sentence joins two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. 'So' is a coordinating conjunction, and the comma before it is correct. The other options either use a comma alone or misplace the conjunction and semicolon.

Question 47Sentence Structure

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

  1. I wanted to attend the lecture; the room was full. Correct answer.
  2. I wanted to attend the lecture; because the room was full.
  3. I wanted to attend; the lecture, but the room was full.
  4. I wanted to attend the lecture; but the room was full.

Explanation

A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction. Both 'I wanted to attend the lecture' and 'the room was full' are independent, so the semicolon is correct. The other options misuse the semicolon with a conjunction or a dependent clause.

Question 48Sentence Structure

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

  1. The visitors, walking through the museum, admired the paintings.
  2. Walking through the museum, the visitors admired the paintings.
  3. Walking through the museum, the paintings impressed the visitors. Correct answer.
  4. While walking through the museum, the visitors admired the paintings.

Explanation

A dangling modifier has no logical subject in the main clause. In the first option, 'walking through the museum' seems to describe 'the paintings,' which cannot walk. The other options attach the modifier to 'the visitors,' the logical actor.

Question 49Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses parallel structure?

  1. She enjoys hiking, swimming, and riding bikes. Correct answer.
  2. She enjoys to hike, swimming, and riding bikes.
  3. She enjoys hiking, to swim, and ride bikes.
  4. She enjoys hiking, swimming, and to ride bikes.

Explanation

Items in a series should share the same grammatical form. Using the -ing form for all three items (hiking, swimming, riding) creates parallelism. The other options mix gerunds with infinitives.

Question 50Sentence Structure

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a colon.

  1. The recipe calls for three ingredients, flour, sugar, and butter.
  2. The recipe calls for: flour, sugar, and butter.
  3. The recipe calls for three ingredients: flour, sugar, and butter. Correct answer.
  4. The recipe calls for three ingredients; flour, sugar, and butter.

Explanation

A colon must follow an independent clause and introduce what comes next. 'The recipe calls for three ingredients' is a complete clause, so the colon is correct. A colon should not separate a verb from its object, and commas or semicolons cannot introduce a list this way.