Common Grammar Mistakes

Front

I don't need ____ sugar from the shops.

Back

any

Answer explanation

Avoid double negatives in your academic writing!

Front

Complete the sentence: I think she ___ completed the test.

Back

could've

Answer explanation

Would of, could of, and should of are never correct!

While it might sound that way when we speak, in our writing, the correct way to provide a shortened form of would have, could have, and should have is with would've, could've, and should've.

Front

It was an ___ change.

Back

unexpected

Answer explanation

Someone can be inexperienced, but not inexpected. It's simply not correct!

Front

The ___ toys were colorful.

Back

children’s

Answer explanation

To show that the toys belong to all of the children, you would make it possesive by adding 's to the end of the word.

Front

___ sister is the best player on the team. Options: Jenny and Kevin’s, Jenny's and Kevin’s, Jenny and Kevins', Jennys' and Kevins'

Back

Jenny and Kevin’s

Answer explanation

When you have a compound subject (Jenny and Kevin), you make it possesive by adding 's to the end of only the last noun.

Front

What change should be made in the sentence: "After I had a conversation with Zoe I knew she was motivated."? Options: no change, conversation, Zoe, After.

Back

Zoe,

Answer explanation

The phrase "After I had a conversation with Zoe" is an introductory phrase, because it can't stand by itself as a sentence, and it helps give context for the rest of the sentence that comes afterward.

In general, you should always place a comma after an introductory phrase.

Front

Which change should be made to the sentence: "A panicky pale pessimistic student stared blankly at the test."?

Back

panicky, pale, pessimistic

Answer explanation

When you have a list of adjectives within a sentence, each one should be set off by a comma.

Front

Which change should be made? My brother Carl helps me stay positive during difficult times.

Back

brother, Carl,

Answer explanation

When you are renaming your subject, always set off the second name with commas.

Front

Complete the sentence: One of my sisters _______ going on a trip.

Back

is

Answer explanation

Who's going on the trip? Only one of the sisters. So, to maintain agreement, you would use is.

Front

The committee ________ this situation carefully, lest the situation spiral out of control.

Back

debates

Answer explanation

If the noun in a sentence is singular (the committee), then it is followed by a singular verb (debates).