Common Grammar Mistakes

I don't need ____ sugar from the shops.

• no

• any

• every

• some

Answer explanation

Avoid double negatives in your academic writing!

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.1.1D

I think she ___ completed the test.

• could of

• 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.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

It was an ___ change.

• inexpected

• unexpected

Answer explanation

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

Tags

CCSS.L.2.1E

CCSS.L.1.1F

CCSS.L.K.5B

The ___ toys were colorful.

• childrens

• childrens’s

• 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.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.2D

CCSS.L.1.1B

CCSS.L.2.2C

___ sister is the best player on the team.

• Jenny and Kevin’s

• Jenny's and Kevin’s

• Jenny and Kevins'

• Jennys' and Kevins'

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.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1A

CCSS.L.3.2D

CCSS.L.1.1B

What change should be made?

After I had a conversation with Zoe I knew she was motivated.

• no change

• conversation,

• Zoe,

• After,

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.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Which change should be made?

A panicky pale pessimistic student stared blankly at the test.

• no change

• panicky, pale pessimistic

• panicky, pale, pessimistic

• student,

Answer explanation

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

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Which change should be made?

My brother Carl helps me stay positive during difficult times.

• no change

• brother, Carl,

• Carl, helps

• me, stay

Answer explanation

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

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

One of my sisters _______ going on a trip.

• is
• are
• aren't

Answer explanation

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

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F

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

• debate
• debates

Answer explanation

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

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1F