• 82 questions

English Grammar Practice Test

Agreement, pronouns, verb tense, modifiers, punctuation and confused words, with the rule behind every answer.

Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The mayor, together with her aides, ___ arriving at noon."

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

Print covers the next 20 questions. Share this set copies a link to the same questions in the same order.

Exam mode: 20 questions, no time limit.

More options

Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with any school, exam board or test publisher. Bank checked October 9, 2026.

Next step Easier: basic grammar testGrammar in passages: ACT English practice

All 82 questions

Subject-verb agreement 14

  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "A pen or a pencil ___ fine for this form." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Each of the players ___ a locker." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Either the clerks or the manager ___ the door at night." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Either the manager or the clerks ___ the door at night." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Everybody in the two classes ___ the answer." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
Show all 82 questions (77 more)

Subject-verb agreement, continued

  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The box of old letters ___ in the attic." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The coach and the trainer ___ the schedule every Monday." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The committee ___ on the first Tuesday of each month." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The mayor, together with her aides, ___ arriving at noon." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The news from the islands ___ better today." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "There ___ three reasons for the delay." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "These scissors ___ too dull to cut cloth." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Twenty dollars ___ too much for a sandwich." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"
  • Which sentence uses doesn't or don't correctly? Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Making Subjects and Verbs Agree"

Pronouns 13

  • A writer is giving advice to one reader. Which sentence stays in the same person from start to finish? Common Core Language standard L.6.1.c (recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Using Pronouns Clearly"
  • In formal writing, which pronoun completes the comparison? "My brother is two years older than ___." Common Core Language standard L.6.1.a (ensure that pronouns are in the proper case); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "___ jacket is hanging by the door?" Common Core Language standard L.6.1.a (ensure that pronouns are in the proper case); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "The Apostrophe"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "___ volunteers meet at the gate at nine." Common Core Language standard L.6.1.a (ensure that pronouns are in the proper case); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Both of the dogs wagged ___ tails." Common Core Language standard L.3.1.f (ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Using Pronouns Clearly"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "That green umbrella is ___." Common Core Language standard L.6.1.a (ensure that pronouns are in the proper case); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "The Apostrophe"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The driver ___ found the wallet returned it." Common Core Language standard L.6.1.a (ensure that pronouns are in the proper case); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The guide handed maps to Dana and ___." Common Core Language standard L.6.1.a (ensure that pronouns are in the proper case); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "To ___ should I send the invoice?" Common Core Language standard L.6.1.a (ensure that pronouns are in the proper case); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case"
  • Which sentence makes clear whose phone rang? Common Core Language standard L.6.1.d (recognize and correct vague pronouns); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Using Pronouns Clearly"
  • Which sentence says clearly who made the rule? Common Core Language standard L.6.1.d (recognize and correct vague pronouns); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Using Pronouns Clearly"
  • Which sentence uses the right pronoun in a compound subject? Common Core Language standard L.6.1.a (ensure that pronouns are in the proper case); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case"
  • The writer means "as much as it bothered the writer". Which pronoun completes the sentence? "The delay bothered Leo as much as ___." Common Core Language standard L.6.1.a (ensure that pronouns are in the proper case); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Pronoun Case"

Verb tense and voice 10

  • In which sentence does the subject receive the action (the passive voice)? Common Core Language standard L.8.1.b (form and use verbs in the active and passive voice); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Active Versus Passive Voice"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "By next June, she ___ her training." Common Core Language standard L.5.1.b (form and use the perfect verb tenses); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Introduction to Verb Tenses"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "By the time the bus arrived, the rain ___." Common Core Language standard L.5.1.b (form and use the perfect verb tenses); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Introduction to Verb Tenses"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "If I ___ the map, I would have found the trail." Common Core Language standard L.5.1.c (use verb tense to convey various times, sequences, states and conditions); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Introduction to Verb Tenses"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Last night we ___ dinner and then watched a film." Common Core Language standard L.5.1.d (recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Verb Tense Consistency"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Mr. Ortiz ___ at this school since 2015, and he still does." Common Core Language standard L.5.1.b (form and use the perfect verb tenses); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Introduction to Verb Tenses"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Nora still wears the scarf that her aunt ___ two winters ago." Common Core Language standard L.5.1.c (use verb tense to convey various times, sequences, states and conditions); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Verb Tense Consistency"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The bell has ___ twice already." Common Core Language standard L.5.1.b (form and use the perfect verb tenses); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Introduction to Verb Tenses"
  • Which sentence is written in the active voice, with the subject doing the action? Common Core Language standard L.8.1.b (form and use verbs in the active and passive voice); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Active Versus Passive Voice"
  • Which sentence keeps one tense for events in the same time frame? Common Core Language standard L.5.1.d (recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Verb Tense Consistency"

Modifiers and parallel structure 12

  • What is wrong with this sentence? "After reviewing the report, the errors were obvious." Common Core Language standard L.7.1.c (place phrases and clauses within a sentence, correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Dangling Modifiers and How To Correct Them"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Pack these items: a flashlight, a blanket, and ___." Common Core Language standard L.9-10.1.a (use parallel structure); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parallel Structure"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "She plans to save money, to buy a car, and ___." Common Core Language standard L.9-10.1.a (use parallel structure); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parallel Structure"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The notice says that the pool is closed, that the gym is open, and ___." Common Core Language standard L.9-10.1.a (use parallel structure); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parallel Structure"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The nurse spoke slowly, calmly, and ___." Common Core Language standard L.9-10.1.a (use parallel structure); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parallel Structure"
  • Which main clause correctly follows the opening phrase "Having missed the train, ___"? Common Core Language standard L.7.1.c (place phrases and clauses within a sentence, correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Dangling Modifiers and How To Correct Them"
  • Which main clause correctly follows the opening phrase "To earn a refund, ___"? Common Core Language standard L.7.1.c (place phrases and clauses within a sentence, correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Dangling Modifiers and How To Correct Them"
  • Which revision fixes the dangling modifier in "While cooking dinner, the smoke alarm went off"? Common Core Language standard L.7.1.c (place phrases and clauses within a sentence, correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Dangling Modifiers and How To Correct Them"
  • Which sentence has no dangling modifier? Common Core Language standard L.7.1.c (place phrases and clauses within a sentence, correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Dangling Modifiers and How To Correct Them"
  • Which sentence has parallel structure? Common Core Language standard L.9-10.1.a (use parallel structure); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parallel Structure"
  • Which sentence keeps all three verbs parallel? Common Core Language standard L.9-10.1.a (use parallel structure); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Parallel Structure"
  • Which sentence makes clear that the pilot was the one smiling? Common Core Language standard L.7.1.c (place phrases and clauses within a sentence, correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Extended Rules for Using Commas"

Fragments, run-ons and comma splices 9

  • What is a dependent clause? Common Core Language standard L.4.1.f (produce complete sentences, correcting fragments and run-ons); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses"
  • Which is a correct way to fix this comma splice? "The elevator was broken, we took the stairs." Common Core Language standard L.4.1.f (produce complete sentences, correcting fragments and run-ons); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses"
  • Which of these is a fused sentence, also called a run-on? Common Core Language standard L.4.1.f (produce complete sentences, correcting fragments and run-ons); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses"
  • Which of these is a sentence fragment? Common Core Language standard L.4.1.f (produce complete sentences, correcting fragments and run-ons); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses"
  • Which of these word groups can stand alone as a complete sentence? Common Core Language standard L.4.1.f (produce complete sentences, correcting fragments and run-ons); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses"
  • Which sentence joins two complete thoughts with only a comma (a comma splice)? Common Core Language standard L.4.1.f (produce complete sentences, correcting fragments and run-ons); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses"
  • Which sentence punctuates "however" correctly between two independent clauses? Common Core Language standard L.9-10.2.a (use a semicolon to link closely related independent clauses); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses"
  • Which sentence uses the comma correctly after an opening dependent clause? Common Core Language standard L.5.2.b (use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses"
  • Which word, placed in front of "the rain stopped", turns it into a dependent clause? Common Core Language standard L.4.1.f (produce complete sentences, correcting fragments and run-ons); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses"

Punctuation 16

  • Sam and Priya share one car. Which phrase is written correctly? Common Core Language standard L.3.2.d (form and use possessives); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "The Apostrophe"
  • Which number is written correctly in words? Common Core Language standard L.11-12.2.a (observe hyphenation conventions); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Hyphen Use"
  • Which phrase is written correctly? Common Core Language standard L.11-12.2.a (observe hyphenation conventions); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Hyphen Use"
  • Which phrase shows that the tools belong to my sister-in-law? Common Core Language standard L.3.2.d (form and use possessives); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "The Apostrophe"
  • Which sentence best sets off an inserted list that already contains commas? Common Core Language standard L.6.2.a (use commas, parentheses and dashes to set off nonrestrictive elements); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Brief Overview of Punctuation"
  • Which sentence introduces a list with a colon correctly? Common Core Language standard L.9-10.2.b (use a colon to introduce a list or quotation); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Brief Overview of Punctuation"
  • Which sentence is right about commas with the adjectives "small" and "leather"? Common Core Language standard L.7.2.a (use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Extended Rules for Using Commas"
  • Which sentence punctuates a series whose items already contain commas? Common Core Language standard L.5.2.a (use punctuation to separate items in a series); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Brief Overview of Punctuation"
  • Which sentence punctuates the essential "that" clause correctly? Common Core Language standard L.6.2.a (use commas, parentheses and dashes to set off nonrestrictive elements); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Extended Rules for Using Commas"
  • Which sentence punctuates the extra, nonessential information correctly? Common Core Language standard L.6.2.a (use commas, parentheses and dashes to set off nonrestrictive elements); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Extended Rules for Using Commas"
  • Which sentence puts the comma in the right place between "long" and "tiring"? Common Core Language standard L.7.2.a (use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Extended Rules for Using Commas"
  • Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly between two complete thoughts? Common Core Language standard L.9-10.2.a (use a semicolon to link closely related independent clauses); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Commas vs. Semicolons in Compound Sentences"
  • Which sentence uses commas correctly in a series? Common Core Language standard L.5.2.a (use punctuation to separate items in a series); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Extended Rules for Using Commas"
  • Which sentence uses the comma correctly after an introductory clause? Common Core Language standard L.5.2.b (use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Extended Rules for Using Commas"
  • Which sentence uses the comma correctly to join two independent clauses? Common Core Language standard L.4.2.c (use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Extended Rules for Using Commas"
  • Which sentence uses the hyphen correctly? Common Core Language standard L.11-12.2.a (observe hyphenation conventions); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Hyphen Use"

Commonly confused words 8

  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Can you give me some ___ about the route?" Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g (correctly use frequently confused words); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Everyone ___ Marta signed the card." Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g (correctly use frequently confused words); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Her ___ told her to return the extra change." Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g (correctly use frequently confused words); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The cold weather did not ___ the mood of the crowd." Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g (correctly use frequently confused words); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The lawyer will ___ you to wait." Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g (correctly use frequently confused words); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The new schedule had no ___ on sales." Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g (correctly use frequently confused words); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "The team will ___ the award on Friday." Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g (correctly use frequently confused words); rule checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, "Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike"
  • Which choice completes the sentence correctly? "Yesterday the guide ___ us across the bridge." Common Core Language standard L.4.1.g (correctly use frequently confused words); 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 topic list is the Conventions of Standard English in the Common Core Language standards, https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/L/, mostly the skills its Language Progressive Skills page marks as needing continued attention in higher grades, https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/L/language-progressive-skills/, both read 2026-10-09. Each rule was checked on the Purdue Online Writing Lab page linked under its question, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/, read 2026-10-09. Licence: Questions, sentences, choices and explanations are original work of this site. No example sentence is taken from the pages the rules were checked on.

How it works

This English grammar practice test is an unofficial quiz: 82 questions of our own on the rules that keep needing attention after grade school, from agreement to semicolons. It follows no exam, so no pass mark is implied.

Read the full guide

Seven topics, one rule per question

Subject-verb agreement, pronouns, verb tense and voice, modifiers and parallel structure, fragments and run-ons, punctuation, and commonly confused words. Each question turns on one rule, so a miss names the rule to review.

Where the rules come from

The topic list follows the Common Core Language standards, read October 9, 2026, mostly the skills they mark as needing continued attention in higher grades. Each rule was checked at the Purdue Online Writing Lab, on the page linked under its question. Where usage is contested, such as singular they, no question turns on it.

  • To test a pronoun in a pair, drop the other person: "handed maps to I" is plainly wrong.
  • Find the true subject before you choose the verb. In "the box of letters", the subject is box.
  • A comma alone cannot join two sentences. Use a period, a semicolon, or a comma with and, but or so.

Questions and answers

What is on an English grammar test?

Each school, employer or exam writes its own. This one covers agreement, pronoun case and reference, verb tense and voice, dangling modifiers, parallel structure, fragments, run-ons, commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, hyphens and words such as affect and effect.

Is this an English grammar practice test with answers?

Yes. Practice mode marks each choice at once and gives the rule. Exam mode keeps the answers back until the last question, then goes through the ones you missed.

Is this English grammar test for beginners?

It starts above the first rules. Parts of speech, plurals and capital letters are on the basic grammar test; this page begins at agreement and goes on to modifiers, parallel structure and semicolons.

Can I print this English grammar test?

Yes. After a round, the questions print as a paper test, and one tick adds the answer key. Choose Save as PDF in the print window to keep a copy.

Are these questions from a real exam?

No. Every question and sentence was written for this site. None is copied or reworded from a real test, a workbook or the example sentences on the pages the rules were checked on.

More tests

Show 8 more

Browse Civics and Law