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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Education

Take the English Grammar Diagnostic Test

Assess Your Grammar Skills with Diagnostic Questions

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
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Looking to assess your mastery of English grammar? Our English Grammar Practice Quiz doubles as a thorough Diagnostic Assessment Quiz designed for students and educators alike. By taking this English Grammar Diagnostic Test, individuals can identify strengths, uncover areas for improvement, and build confidence before exams or writing tasks. This quiz is perfect for learners aiming to sharpen grammar skills and can be freely tailored in our editor to suit any study plan. Explore more quizzes to continue honing your language abilities.

Which sentence shows correct subject-verb agreement?
The team of players are ready.
The group of friends were happy.
The list of items are on the table.
The box of chocolates is empty.
The subject "box" is singular, so it requires the singular verb "is." The other options mismatch singular and plural forms.
Which sentence uses proper capitalization?
I went to New york last summer.
I Went to New York last Summer.
i went to new york last summer.
I went to New York last summer.
Proper nouns like "New York" and the first word of a sentence are capitalized. The correct option follows these rules.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
I like tea and, I like coffee.
I like tea, and I like coffee.
I like tea and I like coffee.
I like tea; and I like coffee.
Two independent clauses joined by the conjunction "and" require a comma before the conjunction. The correct choice places the comma properly.
What part of speech is the word "quickly" in the sentence: "She runs quickly to the store."?
Noun
Adverb
Adjective
Verb
"Quickly" modifies the verb "runs," which makes it an adverb. Adverbs describe how actions are performed.
Which sentence uses the past tense correctly?
He went to the market yesterday.
He goed to the market yesterday.
He is going to the market yesterday.
He goes to the market yesterday.
"Went" is the correct irregular past tense of "go". The other options either misuse tense or form of the verb.
Identify the sentence with a misplaced modifier.
Running quickly improves health.
She almost drove her kids to school every day.
She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates.
I saw a man on the hill with a telescope.
The phrase "on paper plates" incorrectly modifies "children," implying the children are on plates. It should follow "sandwiches."
Choose the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon.
I have a big test tomorrow, I can't go out tonight.
I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
I have a big test tomorrow: I can't go out tonight.
I have a big test tomorrow; and I can't go out tonight.
A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a conjunction. The correct option links the two related statements properly.
Which sentence is free of grammatical errors?
Neither the dogs nor the cat are outside.
Neither the dogs nor cat is outside.
Neither the dogs nor the cat were outside.
Neither the dogs nor the cat is outside.
With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearest subject "cat," which is singular, so "is" is correct.
Identify the adverb in the sentence: "He spoke quite softly during the meeting."
during
spoke
softly
quite
"Softly" modifies the verb "spoke," indicating how he spoke. That makes it an adverb.
Choose the correct question form.
Where going you are?
Where are you going?
Going where are you?
Where you are going?
English questions invert the subject and auxiliary verb: "Where are you going?" is the proper form.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate tense: "By the time she arrived, we ___ dinner."
have eaten
had eaten
were eating
ate
The past perfect "had eaten" expresses an action completed before another past action. It fits the sequence described.
Select the sentence with correct pronoun-antecedent agreement.
Someone left their umbrella.
Every person must bring his or her ID.
Each student must submit their homework.
Neither of the options fit their needs.
"Every person" is singular, so the pronoun must be singular: "his or her." The other sentences mismatch singular and plural pronouns.
Identify the sentence that correctly maintains tense.
She entered the room and is sitting down.
She entered the room and sits down.
She enters the room and sat down.
She entered the room and sat down.
Both verbs "entered" and "sat" are in the simple past, keeping the tense consistent within the sentence.
Choose the sentence with correct use of gerunds and infinitives.
She enjoys to swim in the lake.
She enjoys swimming to swim in the lake.
She enjoys swim in the lake.
She enjoys swimming in the lake.
The verb "enjoy" is followed by a gerund, not an infinitive. Hence "enjoys swimming" is correct.
Which sentence shows parallel structure?
He likes hiking, swimming, and to bike.
He likes hiking, to swim, and biking.
He likes to hike, swimming, and biking.
He likes hiking, swimming, and biking.
All items in the list are gerunds: hiking, swimming, and biking. This uniform structure is parallel.
Which sentence correctly places the comma in a complex sentence?
If you finish your work, we can go out for dinner.
If you finish your work we can go out for dinner.
If you finish your work, we can go out, for dinner.
If you finish, your work we can go out for dinner.
A comma is required after the introductory subordinate clause "If you finish your work." The other options omit or misplace the comma.
Choose the sentence that correctly uses the third conditional.
If I knew, I would have helped you.
If I had known, I would help you.
If I had known, I would have helped you.
If I would have known, I would help you.
The third conditional requires past perfect (had known) and conditional perfect (would have helped).
Identify the sentence with a dangling modifier.
While reading the book, the lights went out.
Running in the park, my shoes got muddy.
Driving home, the rain started.
After finishing the assignment, she took a break.
"Driving home" incorrectly modifies "the rain," creating a dangling modifier. The rain cannot drive home.
Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive mood?
I wish I was taller.
I wish I will be taller.
I wish I were taller.
I wish I am taller.
The subjunctive mood uses "were" for hypothetical or wished-for situations. "I wish I were taller" is correct.
Identify and correct the comma splice.
Although she loves painting, she goes to art class every week.
She loves painting, she goes to art class every week.
She loves painting she goes to art class every week.
She loves painting; she goes to art class every week.
A semicolon correctly separates the two independent clauses without creating a splice. The comma splice is fixed by using a semicolon.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify common grammar errors in sentences.
  2. Apply correct punctuation and capitalization rules.
  3. Analyze sentence structure for subject-verb agreement.
  4. Evaluate proper use of verb tenses.
  5. Demonstrate mastery of parts of speech.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master Subject-Verb Agreement - Think of your sentence as a dance: a singular subject must pair with a singular verb, and plurals groove with plural verbs. When "The dog barks" and "The dogs bark" align perfectly, your writing stays fluid and clear. TAMU Writing Center: Common Grammar Errors
  2. Avoid Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences - Joining two independent clauses with just a comma is like trying to drive a car with only one wheel - it just won't work. Instead, grab a semicolon, period, or a coordinating conjunction to keep your writing cruising smoothly. WLU Writing Support: Common Grammar Errors
  3. Use Apostrophes Correctly - Apostrophes are tiny but mighty: use them for possession ("the cat's toy") or contractions ("it's" = "it is"), but never to make plurals. Misplaced apostrophes are like speed bumps in your text - they slow the reader down. GrammarBank: Punctuation & Capitalization
  4. Capitalize Proper Nouns and Titles - Give proper names and titles their spotlight by capitalizing them ("Professor Smith," "Paris," "Microsoft"). But don't overdo it - common nouns and titles that follow a name stay lowercase. GrammarBook: Capitalization Rules
  5. Maintain Consistent Verb Tenses - Jumping from past to present without warning is like time-traveling without a map - it confuses everyone. Keep your verbs in the same tense within a thought to guide readers on a smooth journey. TAMU Writing Center: Consistent Tense Tips
  6. Recognize and Correct Sentence Fragments - A sentence fragment is an incomplete thought - it's like a puzzle missing a piece. Make sure each sentence has both a subject and a verb so your ideas stand tall and clear. TAMU Writing Center: Fixing Fragments
  7. Use Commas to Separate Items in a Series - Commas between list items keep things tidy ("apples, oranges, and bananas"). That final comma before "and" (the Oxford comma) is your best friend for preventing mix-ups. GrammarBank: Lists & Commas
  8. Differentiate Between "That" and "Which" - Use "that" for essential clauses (no commas) and "which" for extra info (with commas). It's like choosing the right tool: "The book that I borrowed was excellent" versus "The book, which I borrowed, was excellent." TAMU Writing Center: That vs. Which
  9. Correct Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers - Modifiers should hang out next to the word they describe to avoid funny or confusing images. "Exhausted, the team trudged off the field" makes sense - "Trudged, the field was exhausted" does not! TAMU Writing Center: Modifier Placement
  10. Understand Homonyms to Prevent Errors - Homonyms like "their," "there," and "they're" are sneaky twins - they sound the same but wear different hats. Choose the right one to keep your reader nodding in understanding. TAMU Writing Center: Homonym Help
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