A, An, The
Subject Verb Agreement
Paired Conjuntions
Parallel Structure
Listing Comma
100
I want to buy ......... laptop computer next week. (a) a (b) an (c) the
C
100
Your friend (talk-talks) too much.
talks
100
_____________ Alex _____________ Carlos tried out for the school play. a. Whether . . . or b. Both . . . and
B
100
Read the sentence below. Then decide whether or not it contains an error in parallel structure. Monica brewed espresso, steamed milk, and told jokes as she prepared Mike’s latte.
No! This sentence is error free! Monica brewed espresso, steamed milk, and told jokes as she prepared Mike’s latte. When you list actions, you must use parallel structure. Here, brewed, steamed, and told are all simple past tense verbs, so the list is parallel. Well done!
100
True or False It is optional to place a comma before and when using a listing comma.
True
200
I borrowed ____ pencil from your pile of pencils and pens. (a) a (b) an (c) the
a
200
That red-haired lady in the fur hat (live-lives) across the street.
lives
200
_____________ you clean your room _____________ you will stay home this weekend. a. Either . . . or b. Neither . . . nor
A
200
Read the sentence below. Then decide whether or not it contains an error in parallel structure. Natasha tried holding her breath, chewing a piece of gum, and poking her belly, but she could not quiet her empty stomach, which rumbled during the chemistry exam.
No! This sentence is error free! Natasha tried holding her breath, chewing a piece of gum, and poking her belly, but she could not quiet her empty stomach, which rumbled during the chemistry exam. When you list grammatical items, you must use parallel structure. Here, holding, chewing, and poking all begin gerund phrases, so the list is parallel. Good job!
200
True or False You can use both methods (comma before and as well as no comma before and) in one essay.
False
300
I bought ____ umbrella to go out in the rain. (a) a (b) an (c) the
b
300
The football players (run-runs) five miles every day.
run
300
Fill in the blank using a paired conjunction _____ my brother ____ my sister live in China.
Both..and
300
Read the sentence below. Then decide whether or not it contains an error in parallel structure. In the restroom, Tishena was brushing her hair, freshened her lip-gloss, and took deep breaths, trying to work up the courage to walk to her first speech class.
Yes! This sentence has an error! In the restroom, Tishena was brushing her hair, freshened her lip-gloss, and took deep breaths, trying to work up the courage to walk to her first speech class. When you list actions, you must use parallel structure. Here, freshened and took are both simple past tense verbs, but was brushing is past progressive, wrecking the parallelism.
300
True or False When using a listing comma, you are allowed to list sentences with this comma.
False
400
One of the students said, "____ professor is late today." (a) a (b) an (c) the
c
400
The weather on the coast (appear-appears) to be good this weekend.
appears
400
Combine the following sentences using the paired conjunction given. He never listens to or advises his friends when they have a problem. (neither...nor)
He neither listens to nor advises his friends when they have a problem.
400
Read the sentence below. Then decide whether or not it contains an error in parallel structure. Celine looked behind the toilet, in the laundry basket, and checked under the bed, but she could not find Squeeze, her nine-foot albino python.
Yes! This sentence has an error! Celine looked behind the toilet, in the laundry basket, and checked under the bed, but she could not find Squeeze, her nine-foot albino python. When you list grammatical items, you must use parallel structure. Here, behind the toilet and in the laundry basket are both prepositional phrases, but checked under the bed begins with a simple past tense verb, wrecking the parallelism. Excellent choice! To fix the sentence, change checked under the bed to under the bed.
400
Please correct the following sentence. Oranges strawberries and broccoli are high in vitamin C.
Oranges, strawberries(,) and broccoli are high in vitamin C.
500
After ______ dinner, I usually wash______ dishes. My wife hates doing it. I waste a lot of______ water when I do it. That’s bad for______ environment, I think.
-----, the, ------, the
500
The boys (walk-walks) to school every day.
walk
500
Combine the following sentences using the paired conjunction given. I've betrayed your trust. I've betrayed your love for me. (not only...but also)
I've betrayed not only your trust but also your love for me.
500
Read the sentence below. Then decide whether or not it contains an error in parallel structure. Not only did Dennis apply an extra layer of deodorant to his armpits, but he also polished each tooth with special care. He did not want to offend Malinda with any unpleasant odors.
No! This sentence is error free! Not only did Dennis apply an extra layer of deodorant to his armpits, but he also polished each tooth with special care. He did not want to offend Malinda with any unpleasant odors. When you use not only ... but also, you must maintain parallel structure. Since Dennis did apply ..., a main clause, follows not only, a main clause must also follow but also. He polished ... qualifies, so the sentence is parallel. Well done!
500
Cobine the following sentences using a listing comma. Linda is kind. Linda is generous. Linda is trustworthy.
Linda is kind, generous(,) and trustworthy.
M
e
n
u