Grammar Diagnostic

GRAMMAR DIAGNOSTIC

Pronoun Case (5)

On the line to the left of each pair of sentences, write the letter corresponding to the sentence which is correct.

____ 1. (a) It’s up to us geologists to warn people of impending volcanic activity.

(b) It’s up to we geologists to warn people of impending volcanic activity.

____ 2. (a) The only two students left in the library at closing time were Jason and I.

(b) The only two students left in the library at closing time were Jason and me.

____ 3. (a) I don’t want anybody but she working here.

(b) I don’t want anybody but her working here.

____ 4. (a) I really don’t appreciate your walking late into class every morning.

(b) I really don’t appreciate you walking late into class every morning.

____ 5. (a) Mr. Jacobs and me are designing a specific computer program for this course.

(b) Mr. Jacobs and I are designing a specific computer program for this course.

Subject-Verb Agreement (10)

On the line to the left of each pair of sentences, write the letter corresponding to the sentence which is correct.

____ 6. (a) A winning smile and a hearty appetite make a good impression at Pop’s Diner.

(b) A winning smile and a hearty appetite makes a good impression at Pop’s Diner.

____ 7. (a) Each of the finalists is encouraged to seek advice from their lawyer.

(b) Each of the finalists are encouraged to seek advice from their lawyer.

____ 8. (a) One of the women who is on the jury need assistance.

(b) One of the women who are on the jury needs assistance.

____ 9. (a) Either the physicians in this hospital or the chief administrator is going to have to make a decision soon.

(b) Either the physicians in this hospital or the chief administrator are going to have to make a decision soon.

____10. (a) Cara Bradford, together with her teammates, presents a formidable opponent on the basketball court.

(b) Cara Bradford, together with her teammates, present a formidable opponent on the basketball court. ____11. (a) There have to be some people left in that town after yesterday’s flood.

(b) There has to be some people left in that town after yesterday’s flood.

____12. (a) Some of the votes seem to have been miscounted again.

(b) Some of the votes seems to have been miscounted again.

____13. (a) A high percentage of the population is voting for the new school.

(b) A high percentage of the population are voting for the new school.

____14. (a) Three-quarters of the students is against the tuition hike.

(b) Three-quarters of the students are against the tuition hike.

____15. (a) Everyone selected for this jury have to be willing to give up a lot of time.

(b) Everyone selected for this jury has to be willing to give up a lot of time.

Major Sentence Errors (10)

Correctly identify the following sentences as:

a) complete sentence b) fragment c) run-on, comma splice or fused sentence

____ 16. The storm that frightened my dog and cat late yesterday afternoon.

____ 17. Our family rescued the abandoned puppy from the storm drain.

____ 18. The student became stressed her daily schedule was hectic.

____ 19. Dr. Miller is my dentist; he is a very pleasant person.

____ 20. Just as I closed and locked the back door and the back fence gate.

____ 21. The pitcher threw the ball to home plate however the runner was safe.

____ 22. Jake’s new DVD player, which is second hand.

____ 23. Because John had sprained his ankle going up the ladder.

____ 24. If Alvin and Allan would only stop talking, I could get my work done on time.

____ 25. I thought I was wrong, I was obviously mistaken.

The Apostrophe (5)

Write T (TRUE) if the apostrophe is used correctly in the sentence OR F (FALSE) if it is not used correctly.

____ 26. The girls hat’s are more colorful than yours.

____ 27. Our neighbors’ houses are much more modern than our’s.

____ 28. Harry’s basketball rolled under Uncle Shane’s van.

____ 29. The childrens’ knowledge of the apostrophe was better than anyone else’s, including the teacher’s.

____ 30. After years of happiness, Justine and Robert’s marriage is on the rocks.

Punctuation (25)

(This section tests your knowledge of three marks of punctuation only: the apostrophe, the comma, and the semi-colon.)

Write T (TRUE) if the sentence is punctuated correctly and F (FALSE) if it is not punctuated correctly.

____ 31. He noticed that the children's shoes were covered with mud.

____ 32. Mrs. Jackson, who is in her fifties is a tireless volunteer.

____ 33. The teacher received two dozen red roses' from a former student of hers.

____ 34. The team was exhausted from the bus trip, the coach ordered most of the members to rest.

____ 35. The couple planned to visit a number of cities while on their honeymoon; such as Boston, Princeton, and Miami.

____ 36. Johnson City, Texas is the birthplace of former president Lyndon Johnson.

____ 37. His advisers signature is required for the history course.

____ 38. Imagine, if you will, it's effects on the grading system if plagiarism is allowed to go unchecked.

____ 39. His favorite aunt's purse was stolen from the shopping cart.

____ 40. Although, he majored in biology in college he is considering a career as a librarian.

____ 41. The new rug which matches the colors in the sofa, only cost $30.

____ 42. For the teens, the program was entertaining, for the adults, it was boring.

____ 43. Did you meet the principal who is to head the new school?

____ 44. She's the sort of person who won't listen to anybodys problems.

____ 45. Upon graduating from college he worked in a pizza parlor, a community theater and a gas station.

____ 46. After attending the lecture on the environment Leslie was determined to start a recycling program.

____ 47. One of a high school athletes greatest dreams is to win a college scholarship.

_____ 48. James adjusted his tie, which was slightly askew; combed his hair, which was windblown; and welcomed all the visitors, many of whom were upset with the delay, to the art gallery.

____ 49. His favorite actor Sean Connery, is currently playing on Broadway.

____ 50. Its not often that the family gets together, but when it does, members talk lovingly about it's effect on them.

____ 51. Having learned that the meeting was postponed; Natalie returned to her office.

____ 52. Sherrie was born on August 3, 1980 in Plano, Texas, and today she is eagerly anticipating her graduation from college.

____ 53. They could not go to the Majestic Theater which has recently undergone extensive restoration because they could not afford the price of the tickets.

____ 54. If he's able to leave work early, it’s certain that he will help his friend to repair the wrecked car.

____ 55. They could not attend the theater on opening night; however, they planned to buy tickets for another performance.

Fixing Run-On Sentences (10)

Each of the following is a run-on sentence. From the group of the three sentences that follows, select the group of words that corrects the run-ons.

____ 56. Our solar system has nine major planets only one is known to have intelligent life.

(a) Our solar system has nine major planets, only one is known to have intelligent life.

(b) Our solar system has nine major planets only one, is known to have intelligent life.

____ 57. Most asteroids are small and far away therefore they are dim and hard to see.

(a) Most asteroids are small and far away, therefore they are dim and hard to see.

(b) Most asteroids are small and far away therefore, they are dim and hard to see.

_____ 58. Look through Angelo's telescope you can see Saturn's rings.

(a) If you look through Angelo's telescope, you can see Saturn's rings.

(b) Look through Angelo's telescope, you can see Saturn's rings.

____ 59. Please check the position of that star cluster I can't find it.

(a) Please check the position of that star cluster; I can't find it.

(b) Please check the position of that star cluster, I can't find it.

____ 60. The Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky it is actually a huge galaxy containing millions of stars.

(a) The Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky, it is actually a huge galaxy containing millions of stars.

(b) The cloud-like Milky Way stretching across the night sky is actually a huge galaxy containing millions of stars.

(c) Although the Milky Way looks like a dim cloud stretching across the night sky. It is actually a huge galaxy containing millions of stars.

_____ 61. Marie is never interested in star gazing during the winter however on warm summer nights she often goes to the college observatory.

(a) Marie is never interested in star gazing during the winter, however, on warm summer nights she often goes to the college observatory.

(b) Marie is never interested in star gazing during the winter. However, on warm summer nights she often goes to the college observatory.

(c) Marie is never interested in star gazing during the winter however, on warm summer nights she often goes to the college observatory.

_____ 62. When Julie went to Paris, she visited the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, she also visited

the Champs-Elysees.

(a) When Julie went to Paris, she visited the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower; she also visited the Champs-Elysees.

(b) When Julie went to Paris, she visited the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower. She also visited the Champs-Elysees.

_____ 63. Some club members were late for the meeting for example Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.

(a) Some club members were late for the meeting, for example Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.

(b) Some club members were late for the meeting, for example, Tanya and Scott came in at 9:30.

_____ 64. Jack pretended to be interested in his wife’s performance at the local theatre he secretly wished he stayed home because she gave a bad performance.

(a) Jack pretended to be interested in his wife’s performance at the local theatre, he secretly wished he stayed home because she is a terrible actress.

(b) Jack pretended to be interested in his wife’s performance at the local theatre, but he secretly wished he stayed home because she is a terrible actress.

(c) Jack pretended to be interested in his wife’s performance, at the local theatre, he secretly wished he stayed home because she a terrible actress.

_____ 65. Watch the sky closely for the next several minutes you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.

(a) Watch the sky closely for the next several minutes, you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.

(b) Watch the sky closely for the next several minutes; you are likely to see an artificial satellite pass over.

Sentence Fragments (5)

Which of the following is NOT a sentence fragment?

____ 66. (a) Finding a parking space there is usually easy during the week.

(b) Mrs. Blanco always driving to visit her mother at the hospital each morning.

____ 67. (a) To apply for a job at the new store in the mall.

(b) Asking the interviewer how often he would have to work on weekends.

____ 68. (a) By the time Frances found out how expensive the wallpapering job would be.

(b) After getting estimates from five contractors, she decided to do the work

herself.

____ 69. (a) Who borrowed Stefanie's car Saturday night.

(b) The nineteen-year-old car looked out of place next to the new models.

____ 70. (a) While waiting for her neighbor to move the car that blocked the driveway.

(b) To avoid hitting the other car, Michael had to back across the corner of the lawn.

Sentence Body Parts (5)

Identify the body part as requested.

____ 71. There are four possible answers to this question.

Choose the word that is the simple subject in this sentence.

(a) There

(b) question

(d) answers

____ 72. Running through the park after dark can be very dangerous.

What is the subject of this sentence?

(a) Running through the park