Grammar and Usage
Grammar and Usage
Grammar and Usage tests whether you can control sentence structure and word forms in context. Items typically cover subject–verb agreement, tense and aspect, pronouns, articles, prepositions, conjunctions, direct and indirect speech, and punctuation. The exam usually asks you to choose the correct form or edit a sentence, so read the whole sentence before deciding.
Core rules and concepts
- Subject–verb agreement: find the real subject, not the noun nearest the verb. "The box of pencils is on the desk." "Each of the players has a number."
- Indefinite pronouns: everyone, somebody, each, neither are singular. "Neither of the answers is correct."
- Tense: use past perfect for the earlier of two past actions. "She had finished before the bell rang."
- Pronouns must agree in number and person and have a clear antecedent. "The dog chased its tail", not "their tail".
- Articles: a before consonant sounds, an before vowel sounds; the for specific or already mentioned nouns.
- Direct to indirect speech: shift tense back and change time/place words. "I am tired," she said → She said she was tired.
Worked example
Choose: "Neither the teacher nor the students (was/were) ready." Reasoning: with neither...nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject. "Students" is plural and nearer, so "were" is correct. If the order were reversed, "was" would be correct. The trap is assuming "neither" always makes the verb singular.
Traps that cost marks
- Letting a phrase between subject and verb change agreement.
- Using "would of" for "would have".
- Misplaced modifiers: "Running to the bus, my bag fell" suggests the bag was running.
- Mixing direct and indirect speech punctuation.