This quiz works best with JavaScript enabled.
Home
>
English Grammar
>
Grammar
>
Editing And Proofreading
>
Editing Common Grammatical Errors – Quiz 1
Editing Common Grammatical Errors Quiz 1 (17 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates the ability to recognize and use the present perfect continuous tense correctly, subject-verb agreement in simple present tense, and other essential grammatical concepts such as active voice vs. passive voice, article selection based on sound, and correct verb form in English grammar.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
"The difficult level has kept me stuck!" explained John while playing the game.
A) Difficulties.
B) Difficulty.
C) Difficults.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The difficult level has kept me stuck!" contains a singular noun "difficult level," which requires the use of the singular form "difficulty." Therefore, option B) Difficulty is correct as it matches the singular subject and maintains grammatical agreement.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Difficulties - Incorrect because "difficulties" would require a plural verb or noun.
Option B:
Difficulty - Correct, maintaining singular agreement with the subject "level."
Option C:
Difficults - Not a valid English word and thus incorrect.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect as option B is correct.
2.
Tamara has draw a beautiful scenery of sunset.
A) Draws.
B) Drawn.
C) Drone.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Tamara has draw a beautiful scenery of sunset" contains an error in verb tense and spelling. The correct form should be "drawn," indicating the completion of the action, which matches Option B.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; uses incorrect verb form.
Option B:
Correct; uses proper past participle form.
Option C:
Irrelevant; unrelated to the sentence structure or spelling error.
Option D:
Incorrect; there is a correct answer among the options provided.
3.
The chair is missing one of ..... legs.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) Its'.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
A) Its.
The word "Its" is a possessive pronoun, which fits the context of the sentence where the chair's leg is missing. In this case, "its" refers to the chair's possession.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Its" is a possessive pronoun that properly completes the sentence.
Option B:
Incorrect. "It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has," which does not fit grammatically in this context.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Its'" is redundant and incorrect as "its" already indicates possession.
Option D:
Incorrect. All other options are correct, so this option is not applicable.
4.
The girls jogs in the park every morning.
A) Jogged.
B) Jog.
C) Jog.
D) Jogging.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The girls jog in the park every morning" is a simple present tense statement describing an ongoing habit. The correct form to use here is the base verb "jog," as it agrees with the plural subject "girls." Option B, "Jog," is therefore the correct answer.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; past tense does not fit the context of a habitual action.
Option B:
Correct; base form verb fits the simple present tense and subject-verb agreement.
Option C:
Incorrect; same as Option B, this is the correct answer.
Option D:
Incorrect; gerund does not fit the context of a statement about an action.
5.
The postman deliver the letters to our homes every afternoon.
A) Delivered.
B) Delivering.
C) Delivers.
D) Deliver.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The postman deliver the letters to our homes every afternoon" is in the simple present tense, which is used for habitual actions. The subject "the postman" requires a singular verb form, so "Delivers" (Option C) is correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect - Past tense does not fit the context of a habitual action.
Option B:
Incorrect - Present participle does not function as a main verb in this sentence structure.
Option C:
Correct - Simple present tense with singular subject "the postman."
Option D:
Incorrect - Base form of the verb without 's' is not appropriate for the subject "the postman."
6.
There was many students who sneaked out from the class yesterday.
A) Are.
B) Is.
C) Were.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The subject of the sentence is "students," which is a plural noun. Therefore, the verb must also be in its plural form to agree with the subject. The correct verb form for "were" matches this requirement.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Are - Incorrect as it does not match the plural subject.
Option B:
Is - Incorrect as it does not match the plural subject.
Option C:
Were - Correct as it matches the plural subject "students."
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect as "were" is the correct answer.
7.
Spot the grammatical error. I have been living in this neighbourhood since the day I were born.
A) Living.
B) Have been.
C) Were.
D) Born.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
C) Were.
The error lies in the verb tense agreement. Since the sentence uses "have been living" (present perfect continuous), which indicates an action that started in the past and continues up to now, the verb "were born" should also be in its plural form "were." However, "born" is a past participle and does not change for number or person.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Living" refers to the present continuous tense and is correct in context.
Option B:
"Have been" correctly forms the present perfect continuous tense with "living."
Option C:
"Were" is incorrect because "born" does not change for number or person.
Option D:
"Born" is correct as it is a past participle and matches the context of the sentence.
8.
Everybody ..... busy studying for the examination next week.
A) Was.
B) Were.
C) Are.
D) Is.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The subject of the sentence is "Everybody," which refers to a singular entity. Therefore, the verb should also be in its singular form. The correct answer is
D) Is.
This maintains subject-verb agreement.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Was - Incorrect as it does not agree with the singular subject "Everybody."
Option B:
Were - Incorrect as it does not agree with the singular subject "Everybody."
Option C:
Are - Incorrect as it does not agree with the singular subject "Everybody."
Option D:
Is - Correct as it agrees with the singular subject "Everybody."
9.
Spot the grammatical error. We should all stand at attention while the flag raising ceremony.
A) Raising.
B) All stand.
C) At.
D) While.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
D) While.
The phrase "while the flag raising ceremony" should be changed to "during the flag-raising ceremony." This change ensures that the sentence uses appropriate prepositions and verb forms, making it grammatically correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Raising is a gerund but does not require a specific preposition in this context.
Option B:
"All stand" is the main clause and is correctly formed. No error here.
Option C:
"At" is used incorrectly with ceremonies; it should be "during."
Option D:
Corrected to "during," this improves the sentence structure.
10.
I was writing a letter now. Do not disturb me.
A) Am.
B) Is.
C) Are.
D) Were.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "I was writing a letter now" is incorrect because it uses the past continuous tense incorrectly. The correct form should be in the present continuous tense to indicate an action happening at the moment of speaking, which would be "I am writing a letter now." Therefore, the claimed correct answer "Am" is accurate.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Indicates present continuous tense.
Option B:
Incorrect. Indicates present simple tense.
Option C:
Incorrect. Indicates plural subject with present simple tense.
Option D:
Incorrect. Indicates past continuous tense, not suitable here.
11.
Correct the following sentence:Carla will be mad if we loose the game!
A) Carla, will be mad if we loose the game.
B) Carla will be mad if we loose the game.
C) Carla will be mad if we lose the game!.
D) Carla, will be made if we lose the game.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option C is correct because it uses the proper verb tense "lose" in its base form, which is necessary for the conditional clause "if we lose the game." The other options contain errors: Option A incorrectly separates the subject with a comma; Option B uses an incorrect verb form "loose"; and Option D changes the meaning by using "made" instead of "be mad."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect due to improper sentence structure.
Option B:
Incorrect because it uses the wrong verb form "loose."
Option C:
Correct for using proper verb tense and structure.
Option D:
Incorrect as it changes the meaning of the sentence.
12.
David makes sure his son eats a apple a day.
A) An.
B) In.
C) The.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
An
. In this sentence, "apple" starts with a vowel sound ("a"), so the indefinite article should be "an" to properly match the pronunciation and grammar rules in English.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "An" is used before words that start with a vowel sound.
Option B:
Incorrect. "In" is not an article and does not fit the sentence structure.
Option C:
Incorrect. "The" is a definite article, which is not appropriate here as we are referring to any apple, not a specific one.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
13.
Maria has been mixes new flavours for her cakes since this morning.
A) Mix.
B) Mixed.
C) Mixing.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Maria has been mixes new flavours for her cakes since this morning." requires the present perfect continuous tense, which is formed with "has/have been + verb+ing". The correct form here is "Mixing".
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Mix. Incorrect as it's not in the -ing form required for the present perfect continuous.
Option B:
Mixed. Incorrect as it's in the past participle form, which is used with auxiliary verbs like "has/have" but not in this context.
Option C:
Mixing. Correct as it matches the required present perfect continuous tense.
Option D:
None of the above. Incorrect as Option C is correct.
14.
The three child chooses to join Drawing Club.
A) Children ; choose.
B) Childs ; choice.
C) Childs ; choosing.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option A is correct because it uses the plural subject "Children" and the verb "choose," which agrees in number, making the sentence grammatically correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses plural subject-verb agreement.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Childs" is not a word; should be singular or plural "Children." Also, the verb "choice" is incorrect and should be "choose."
Option C:
Incorrect. "Childs" is not a word; should be singular or plural "Children." The verb form "choosing" does not match with "Children."
Option D:
Incorrect. None of the options are correct.
15.
The students assembled in the hall every Friday.
A) Assembling.
B) Assembles.
C) Assembled.
D) Assemble.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The students assembled in the hall every Friday." is a statement about a habitual action, which requires the base form of the verb "assemble" without an auxiliary verb. Therefore, option D) Assemble is correct as it matches the grammatical structure needed for this context.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Assembling" is a gerund and would imply that assembling is ongoing or continuous, which does not fit the habitual nature of the sentence.
Option B:
"Assembles" uses the third-person singular form, which is incorrect for a general statement about students as a group.
Option C:
"Assembled" is in the past tense and would indicate a one-time or completed action, not a habitual occurrence.
Option D:
"Assemble" correctly represents the base form of the verb for a general statement about a repeated action.
16.
The girls are counting ..... money.
A) Their.
B) There.
C) They're.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
A) Their.
The girls are the possessors of the money, so "Their" should be used to indicate possession.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Indicates possession by the girls.
Option B:
Incorrect. "There" refers to a place or existence and does not show possession.
Option C:
Incorrect. "They're" is a contraction for "they are," which does not fit in this context as it would change the sentence structure.
Option D:
Incorrect. At least one correct option exists (A).
17.
My sister is busy writes a letter in her room.
A) Wrote.
B) Remain 'writes'.
C) Writing.
D) Write.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "My sister is busy writes a letter in her room" contains an error in verb form. The correct form to use with the phrase "is busy" should be a gerund (verb + -ing). Therefore, "writes" needs to be changed to "writing."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it uses past tense which does not fit the context of an ongoing action.
Option B:
Incorrect as it remains in present tense, which is not appropriate for this sentence structure.
Option C:
Correct as "writing" functions as a gerund and fits the sentence's meaning of an ongoing action.
Option D:
Incorrect as it uses base form of the verb without -ing, which is not suitable here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is subject-verb agreement?
Subject-verb agreement refers to the matching of a sentence's subject with its verb in terms of number (singular or plural). For example, "The cat sleeps" correctly uses a singular subject ("cat") and a singular verb ("sleeps").
How do gerunds differ from infinitives?
A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing and functions as a noun, such as "running" or "swimming." An infinitive is a verb form preceded by "to," like "to run" or "to swim." Gerunds can be used as subjects, objects, or complements, while infinitives often function as adjectives, adverbs, or complements.
What is the difference between simple present and present perfect continuous tenses?
The simple present tense describes actions that are habitual or general truths, such as "I eat breakfast every morning." The present perfect continuous tense indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present, like "She has been studying for hours."
When should I use a singular or plural noun?
Use a singular noun with a singular subject and a plural noun with a plural subject. For example, "The book is on the table" uses a singular noun ("book") with a singular subject ("is"), while "The books are on the shelves" uses a plural noun ("books") with a plural subject ("are").
What is the role of grammatical prepositions in sentences?
Grammatical prepositions link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of the sentence. They show relationships such as time ("at three o'clock"), place ("in the room"), or manner ("with a smile"). Prepositions are crucial for clear and precise communication.