Use Grammar/Mechanics for Clarity - AP English Language and Composition

1. Choose the correct conjunction: 'I want to go, ____ I have to finish my work.'

   but. 'But' shows contrast between wanting to go and having work.

2. Find and correct the double negative: 'I don't need no help.'

   Correct: 'I don't need any help.'. Double negatives create positive meaning; use single negative.

3. What is the correct form: 'Neither of the books ____ interesting.'?

   is. 'Neither' is singular and requires a singular verb.

4. Identify correct parallel structure: 'To run, swimming, and biking are fun.'

   Correct: 'Running, swimming, and biking are fun.'. All three subjects use parallel gerund forms.

5. What is the correct punctuation for the sentence: 'She said I will go tomorrow.'?

   Correct: 'She said, "I will go tomorrow."'. Direct quotes require quotation marks and proper comma placement.

6. What is the error in: 'Each of the students have a book.'?

   Correct: 'Each of the students has a book.'. 'Each' is always singular and takes singular verbs.

7. Find and correct the sentence fragment: 'Because she was late.'

   Correct: 'She was late because she missed the bus.'. Fragments need an independent clause to complete the thought.

8. What is the correct possessive form: 'James book is on the table.'?

   Correct: 'James's book is on the table.'. Names ending in 's' add apostrophe-s for possession.

9. Find and correct the pronoun error: 'Somebody left their umbrella.'

   Correct: 'Somebody left his or her umbrella.'. 'Somebody' is singular and requires singular pronoun forms.

10. Identify the error: 'It's a dog that loves its bone.'

    No error. 'It's' (it is) and 'its' (possessive) are used correctly.

11. What is the error in: 'Both John and his brother has arrived.'?

    Correct: 'Both John and his brother have arrived.'. 'Both...and' creates a plural subject requiring plural verb.

12. Which option correctly uses parallel structure: 'She likes to swim, biking, and run.'?

    Correct: 'She likes swimming, biking, and running.'. All items in a series must have the same grammatical structure.

13. Which sentence uses correct parallelism: 'He likes reading, to swim, and biking.'?

    Correct: 'He likes reading, swimming, and biking.'. All three activities use the same grammatical form (gerunds).

14. What is the error in: 'There is many reasons to celebrate.'?

    Correct: 'There are many reasons to celebrate.'. 'There are' is plural to agree with plural subject 'reasons'.

15. Correct the pronoun error: 'If anyone calls, tell them I am busy.'

    Correct: 'If anyone calls, tell him or her I am busy.'. 'Anyone' is singular and needs singular pronoun reference.

16. Identify the run-on sentence error: 'She loves music she listens daily.'

    Correct: 'She loves music; she listens daily.'. Two independent clauses require punctuation or conjunction to separate them.

17. Which option correctly uses a colon: 'She bought: apples, oranges, and bananas.'?

    Correct: 'She bought the following: apples, oranges, and bananas.'. Colons introduce lists when preceded by an independent clause.

18. Find and correct the misplaced modifier: 'Running quickly, the finish line was soon in sight.'

    Correct: 'Running quickly, she soon saw the finish line.'. Modifiers must clearly modify the intended subject (she, not finish line).

19. Identify the pronoun agreement error in: 'Everyone should do their best.'

    Correct: 'Everyone should do his or her best.'. 'Everyone' is singular and requires singular pronouns.

20. Which transition signals addition: 'Furthermore' or 'However'?

    Furthermore. 'Furthermore' adds information; 'However' shows contrast.

21. Identify the error: 'He is the taller of the two brothers.'

    No error. Comparative form 'taller' is correct when comparing two items.

22. Which transition best signals contrast: 'Similarly' or 'However'?

    However. 'However' indicates contrast; 'Similarly' shows comparison.

23. Identify the incorrect pronoun shift: 'If one studies hard, you will succeed.'

    Correct: 'If one studies hard, one will succeed.'. Maintain consistent pronoun person throughout the sentence.

24. What is the error in: 'She and him went to the store.'?

    Correct: 'She and he went to the store.'. Subject pronouns 'he' and 'she' are needed for compound subjects.

25. What is the correct form: 'Either my sister or my parents ____ coming.'?

    are. With 'or', verb agrees with closest subject (parents - plural).

26. What is the error in: 'The number of applicants are overwhelming.'?

    Correct: 'The number of applicants is overwhelming.'. 'The number' is singular; 'a number' would be plural.

27. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon: 'I have a test tomorrow I can't go out.'?

    Correct: 'I have a test tomorrow; I can't go out.'. Semicolons connect two independent clauses without a conjunction.

28. Correct the error: 'Each of the dogs barks loudly.'

    No error. 'Each' is singular, so 'barks' (singular verb) is correct.

29. Which word correctly completes: 'Each student must bring ____ own lunch.'?

    his or her. 'Each' is singular and requires singular pronouns.

30. What is the subject-verb agreement error in: 'The list of items are on the desk.'?

    Correct: 'The list of items is on the desk.'. Subject 'list' is singular, not the plural object 'items'.

31. What is the error in: 'The team win their games often.'?

    Correct: 'The team wins its games often.'. 'Team' is singular and takes singular verbs and pronouns.

32. What is the error in: 'The committee have reached a decision.'?

    Correct: 'The committee has reached a decision.'. 'Committee' as a unit takes singular verbs in American English.

33. What is the correct punctuation: 'I can't believe it's already noon!'?

    Correct as is. Contractions and punctuation are already used correctly.

34. Find and correct the dangling modifier: 'Walking to the store, the rain began to fall.'

    Correct: 'Walking to the store, she noticed the rain began to fall.'. The modifier must logically modify the subject performing the action.

35. Choose the correct pronoun: 'Whom/Who did you see at the party?'

    Whom. 'Whom' is the object form used after verbs and prepositions.

36. Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'Neither the manager nor the employees ____ responsible.'?

    are. With 'or' constructions, verb agrees with the closest subject (employees).

37. Choose the correct verb: 'The committee ____ meeting today.'?

    is. 'Committee' as a single unit takes singular verbs.

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