• 78 questions

Basic Grammar Test

The first rules of English grammar, one question at a time, with the rule after every answer.

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Which word is the noun in this sentence? "The puppy slept quietly."

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with any school, exam board or test publisher. Bank checked October 7, 2026.

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All 78 questions with answers

Parts of speech 9

  • In the sentence "The soup is hot," what does the word hot describe? Answer: The soup. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parts of Speech Overview"
  • Which word is an abstract noun? Answer: courage. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.c; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parts of Speech Overview"
  • Which word is the adjective in this sentence? "We found a tiny shell." Answer: tiny. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parts of Speech Overview"
  • Which word is the adverb in this sentence? "The band played loudly." Answer: loudly. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parts of Speech Overview"
  • Which word is the conjunction in this sentence? "I wanted to swim, but the pool was closed." Answer: but. Source: Common Core Language standard L.5.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parts of Speech Overview"
  • Which word is the noun in this sentence? "The puppy slept quietly." Answer: puppy. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parts of Speech Overview"
  • Which word is the preposition in this sentence? "The cat hid under the porch." Answer: under. Source: Common Core Language standard L.5.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parts of Speech Overview"
  • Which word is the pronoun in this sentence? "Ben waved when he saw the bus." Answer: he. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parts of Speech Overview"
  • Which word is the verb in this sentence? "Maria paints bright pictures." Answer: paints. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parts of Speech Overview"
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Plural nouns 8

  • A person stands on one foot or on two ___. Answer: feet. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.b; word form checked in the American Heritage Dictionary, entry "foot"
  • What is the plural of baby? Answer: babies. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.b; word form checked in the American Heritage Dictionary, entry "baby"
  • What is the plural of child? Answer: children. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.b; word form checked in the American Heritage Dictionary, entry "child"
  • What is the plural of sheep? Answer: sheep. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.b; word form checked in the American Heritage Dictionary, entry "sheep"
  • What is the plural of tooth? Answer: teeth. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.b; word form checked in the American Heritage Dictionary, entry "tooth"
  • What is the plural of woman? Answer: women. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.b; word form checked in the American Heritage Dictionary, entry "woman"
  • Which of these is a noncount noun, one that normally has no plural form? Answer: water. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.b; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Count and Noncount Nouns: Basic Rules"
  • Which sentence spells the plural of leaf correctly? Answer: The leaves fell from the tree. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.b; word form checked in the American Heritage Dictionary, entry "leaf"

Verbs and tenses 10

  • Choose the correct verb. "Last night I ___ two tacos." Answer: ate. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.d; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Irregular Verbs"
  • Choose the correct verb. "Last Saturday we ___ to the farm." Answer: went. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.d; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Irregular Verbs"
  • Choose the correct verb. "She has ___ three letters this week." Answer: written. Source: Common Core Language standard L.5.1.b; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Irregular Verbs"
  • Choose the correct verb. "The bird ___ over the lake an hour ago." Answer: flew. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.d; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Irregular Verbs"
  • Which is the simple past tense of the verb jump? Answer: jumped. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.e; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Introduction to Verb Tenses"
  • Which sentence is in the future tense? Answer: We will plant the seeds tomorrow. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.e; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Active Verb Tenses"
  • Which sentence is in the present progressive tense? Answer: I am reading a book. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.b; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Active Verb Tenses"
  • Which sentence stays in the past tense from start to finish? Answer: Dad cooked dinner and washed the dishes. Source: Common Core Language standard L.5.1.d; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Verb Tense Consistency"
  • Which sentence uses the helping verb can correctly? Answer: She can swim across the pool. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.c; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Verb with Helpers"
  • Which sentence uses the present perfect tense? Answer: They have finished the puzzle. Source: Common Core Language standard L.5.1.b; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Introduction to Verb Tenses"

Subject and verb agreement 10

  • Choose the correct verb. "A pen or a pencil ___ fine for this quiz." Answer: is. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Choose the correct verb. "Everyone in the class ___ a library card." Answer: has. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Choose the correct verb. "Mathematics ___ my favorite subject." Answer: is. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Choose the correct verb. "My sister ___ the piano." Answer: plays. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Choose the correct verb. "The box of crayons ___ on the shelf." Answer: is. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Choose the correct verb. "The scissors ___ in the top drawer." Answer: are. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Choose the correct verb. "The team ___ every Tuesday." Answer: practices. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Choose the correct verb. "There ___ three birds on the fence." Answer: are. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Choose the correct verb. "Tom and Maya ___ on the same team." Answer: are. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Choose the correct word. "He ___ like broccoli." Answer: doesn't. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"

Pronouns 7

  • Choose the correct pronoun. "Maya and ___ built a fort." Answer: I. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case"
  • Choose the correct pronoun. "The coach passed the ball to Sam and ___." Answer: me. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case"
  • Choose the correct pronoun. "The players packed ___ own bags." Answer: their. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Using Pronouns Clearly"
  • Choose the correct pronoun. "The tree lost ___ leaves in the storm." Answer: its. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Using Pronouns Clearly"
  • Choose the correct relative pronoun. "The teacher ___ coaches the chess club is Mr. Diaz." Answer: who. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Relative Pronouns: Introduction to Defining Clauses"
  • Choose the correct relative pronoun. "This is the kite ___ I made." Answer: that. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Relative Pronouns: Introduction to Defining Clauses"
  • Choose the correct word. "That backpack is ___." Answer: hers. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.2.d; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Apostrophe Introduction"

Adjectives and adverbs 5

  • Choose the correct word. "A horse is ___ than a dog." Answer: bigger. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.g; word form checked in the American Heritage Dictionary, entry "big"
  • Choose the correct word. "My cold is ___ today than it was yesterday." Answer: worse. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.g; word form checked in the American Heritage Dictionary, entry "bad"
  • Choose the correct word. "Of the three boxes, this one is the ___." Answer: heaviest. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.g; word form checked in the American Heritage Dictionary, entry "heavy"
  • Choose the correct word. "Our team played ___ today." Answer: well. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.g; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Adjective or Adverb: Avoiding Common Errors"
  • Choose the correct word. "She ran ___ to catch the bus." Answer: quickly. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.g; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Adjectives and Adverbs"

Complete sentences 5

  • Only one of these can stand alone as a sentence. Which one? Answer: The bus arrived late. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Sentence Fragments"
  • Which is a compound sentence: two complete sentences joined by a comma and a conjunction? Answer: The sun came out, and the snow melted. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.i; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Sentence Punctuation Patterns"
  • Which of these is a fragment, not a whole sentence? Answer: After the game ended. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Sentence Fragments"
  • Which of these is a run-on sentence? Answer: I like soccer my brother likes chess. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.f; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Run On Sentences"
  • Which word best joins the two ideas? "We stayed inside ___ it was raining." Answer: because. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.1.h; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Independent and Dependent Clauses"

Capital letters 7

  • Choose the correct form. "We sailed across the ___." Answer: Pacific Ocean. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.2.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "A Little Help with Capitals"
  • Which book title is capitalized correctly? Answer: The Secret of the Old Lighthouse. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.2.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "A Little Help with Capitals"
  • Which of these words is NOT capitalized in the middle of an ordinary sentence? Answer: summer. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.2.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "A Little Help with Capitals"
  • Which sentence capitalizes the day and the month correctly? Answer: School starts on the first Monday in September. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.2.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "A Little Help with Capitals"
  • Which sentence capitalizes the family word correctly? Answer: We visited Uncle Ray on Sunday. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.2.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "A Little Help with Capitals"
  • Which sentence capitalizes the first word and the pronoun I correctly? Answer: My friend and I rode to the lake. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.2.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "A Little Help with Capitals"
  • Which sentence capitalizes the names of languages correctly? Answer: My aunt speaks Spanish and Italian. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.2.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "A Little Help with Capitals"

Commas, quotes and apostrophes 10

  • Which phrase shows that the bike belongs to one girl? Answer: the girl's bike. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.2.d; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Apostrophe Introduction"
  • Which phrase shows that the nest belongs to two birds? Answer: the birds' nest. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.2.d; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Apostrophe Introduction"
  • Which phrase shows that the toys belong to the children? Answer: the children's toys. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.2.d; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Apostrophe Introduction"
  • Which sentence punctuates the speaker's exact words correctly? Answer: Dad said, "Dinner is ready.". Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.2.b; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Using Quotation Marks"
  • Which sentence puts the comma in the right place after its opening clause? Answer: After the rain stopped, we went outside. Source: Common Core Language standard L.5.2.b; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Commas: Quick Rules"
  • Which sentence puts the comma in the right place after the word yes? Answer: Yes, I finished my homework. Source: Common Core Language standard L.5.2.c; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Extended Rules for Commas"
  • Which sentence puts the comma in the right place before the word but? Answer: I wanted to play outside, but it started to rain. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.2.c; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Commas: Quick Rules"
  • Which sentence puts the commas in the right places in a list of three things? Answer: We packed apples, cheese, and crackers. Source: Common Core Language standard L.5.2.a; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Commas: Quick Rules"
  • Which sentence uses commas correctly in an address? Answer: Send the card to 14 Maple Street, Dayton, Ohio. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.2.b; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Extended Rules for Commas"
  • Which sentence uses commas correctly with a city and a state? Answer: We moved to Austin, Texas, last year. Source: Common Core Language standard L.3.2.b; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Extended Rules for Commas"

Words that sound alike 7

  • Choose the correct word. "___ going to the zoo tomorrow." Answer: They're. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Choose the correct word. "I ate ___ much popcorn." Answer: too. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Choose the correct word. "Is this ___ pencil?" Answer: your. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Choose the correct word. "My sister is taller ___ I am." Answer: than. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Choose the correct word. "Put the books over ___." Answer: there. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Choose the correct word. "The kids left ___ coats on the bus." Answer: their. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Choose the correct word. "The puppy wagged ___ tail." Answer: its. Source: Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g; rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"

How this list was compiled: Our own questions and sentences. The rule list is the Conventions of Standard English in the Common Core Language standards for grades 3, 4 and 5, https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/L/3/ and the grade 4 and grade 5 pages beside it, read 2026-10-07. Each rule was checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/, and each irregular word form in the American Heritage Dictionary, https://www.ahdictionary.com/, both read 2026-10-07. Licence: Questions, sentences, choices and explanations are original work of this site.

How it works

This basic grammar test is unofficial practice: 78 original questions on the first rules of English, from nouns and verbs to commas and apostrophes. No exam is named, so no pass mark is implied.

Read the full guide

One rule per question

Every question tests one rule and nothing else, so a miss tells you which rule to review. Take one rule area at a time, or leave the areas mixed for a basic grammar quiz.

Where the rules come from

The rule list follows the Common Core Language standards for grades 3 to 5, read October 7, 2026. Each rule was checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, and each irregular word form in the American Heritage Dictionary. The page used is linked under every question.

  • To choose between I and me, drop the other person: "me built a fort" is plainly wrong.
  • For its and it's, try "it is" in the sentence. If it fits, write the apostrophe.

Questions and answers

Is this a beginner grammar test?

Yes. It holds only the first rules of school grammar, the ones set for grades 3 to 5. Students and adult learners reviewing the basics can both use it.

What is on a basic grammar test?

Each school or program sets its own. This one covers parts of speech, plurals, verb tenses, subject and verb agreement, pronouns, capital letters, commas, apostrophes and words that sound alike, such as their and there.

Does the basic grammar test show the answers?

Yes. In practice mode the right answer and its rule appear as soon as you choose. Exam mode holds the answers until the end, then reviews what you missed.

Can I print this grammar test?

Yes. After a round, the questions print as a paper test, with an answer key if you tick it. Choose Save as PDF in the print window to keep a copy.

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