GRAMMAR DIAGNOSTIC
I. Choose the correct word choice in each of the sentences below.
1. He can (except/accept) a compliment fairly well.
2. She loves every dance (except/accept) the polka
3. The (affect/effect) of the drug was apparent immediately.
4. The drug could (affect/effect) her breathing.
5. I could (of/have) died.
6.You should (of/have) seen it.
7. Will you tell me when (its/it's) midnight?
8.The statue fell off (its/it's) base.
9. (They're/Their) hearts were heavy.
10. Put the pizza over (there/their).
11. I wonder how (there/they're) planning on getting here.
12. (Who's/Whose) afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?
13. (Your/You're) becoming increasingly difficult.
14. (You're/Your) salad is perfect.
15. The school's (principle/principal) is new.
16. She believes in the (principle/principal) of fair play.
17. (Who’s/Whose) jacket is this?
II. Pronouns - Select the correct pronoun:
18. I doubt he's smarter than (I/me).
19. When my mother-in-law and (I/me) get together, we have a wonderful time.
20. The Joneses and (us/we) used to live right next door to each other.
21. Every one of the men took off (his/their) hat.
22. It's important to Charlene and (I/me).
23. One of the puppies lost (its/their) collar.
24. Both of the boys brought (his/their) book.
III. Sentence structure – Identify complete sentences, fix fragments, run-ons and comma splices.
25. Turning the corner on two wheels without tipping over.
26. Determined to win his approval.
27. I like to watch all the soap operas it’s so stimulating.
28. She grabbed a fly swatter.
29. By carrying away waste products efficiently and effectively.
30. To study harder than ever before.
31. She married him, when Percival heard the news, he fainted.
32. We had planned an all-day picnic in a pasture near the river.
33. Where are Riff and Raff those cats won't come when I call them.
IV. Label any sentence containing a dangling or misplaced modifier with a “D” and draw an arrow or add words to fix the sentence. If the sentence is correct, mark with a “C.”
34. Walking to school this morning, the wisteria vines were blooming
35. After scratching his fleas for a while, Fido took a nap.
36. Encouraged by the coach, the team won the game.
37. To gain weight quickly, doughnuts are a good bedtime snack.
38. Just after eating my lunch, the telephone rang.
39. After having a serious heart attack, the mayor was concerned.
40. Louise yearned to see the Mississippi River while in Arizona.
41. I read about the kidnappers who were found in this morning's paper.
42. The thief was arrested after the store had been robbed by the police.
V. Correctly punctuate the following sentences; leave them alone if they are correct:
43. The best months of the year are September, May and June.
44. In the morning the phone rings several times regardless of how early it is
46. I have three hobbies sewing, cooking, and painting.
47. Hank made a touchdown during the last quarter we won by a score of 6 to 0.
49. "I believe, said Nell, "that you can save this dress.
50. I like roses however, impatiens require less care.
51. "Out of my way! John yelled.
52. Yesterday morning I washed the dishes and swept the kitchen then I went to the grocery store.
53. We visited the following states Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maine, and New Hampshire.
VI. Parallel Structure - Mark “I” for Incorrect parallel structure, and “P” for correct parallel structure in the sentences below. Fix any sentences that are incorrectly structured:
54. When it comes to basketball, Chicago's Michael Jordan does almost everything well: runs, shoots, gets rebounds, and can pass.
55. There's something special about people who are interested in the printed word. They are learned, kind, knowledgeable, and humane.
56. Baseball is like chamber music, a comparison can be made between football and a symphony, and jazz is the music that most closely resembles basketball.
57. Runners should warm up properly, following a safe route, to vary their speed, and a soft surface like grass or sand is preferable to the pavement.
VII. Subject-Verb Agreement - Select the correct verb.
58. The topic of gender differences (is/are) always controversial.
59. The patterns of performance in math (has/have) a longer history.
60. In fact, the effects of birth order (have/has) been studied.
61. Both birth order and its impact (is/are) important in his study.
62. Everybody (has/have) the right to succeed.
63. Each of the boys (gave/give) the right answer.
64. (Have/Has) any of the new members arrived yet?
65. Some of the books (need/needs) to be mended.
66. She (has/have) good voice control.
VIII. Apostrophes - Select the correct word in each of the sentences below.
67. Two (girls girls' girl's) coats are hanging in the hall.
68. (Its Its' It's) been a long day for everyone.
69. The (athletes athletes' athlete's) meetings will be held in the assembly. (athletes is plural)
70. After (schools school's schools') out we go to the store.
71. The canary didn't know (its its' it's) name.
72. (It's Its Its') still learning.
73. The (sheeps sheep's sheeps') wool is warm.
74.The (babies babies') toys were in the attic.
'75. The (students student's students') absences are mounting. (students is singular)
76. (Its It's Its') easy to forget (its it's its') purpose.