7.12: Overview of English Grammar (Exercises)

1. Each sentence contains an error in subject-verb agreement, irregular verb form, or consistent verb tense. Identify the type of error. Then, on your own sheet of paper, rewrite the sentence correctly.
   1. Maria and Thien meets me at the community center for cooking classes on Tuesdays.
   2. John’s ability to laugh at almost anything amaze me.
   3. Samantha and I were walking near the lake when the large, colorful bird appears.
   4. I builded my own telescope using materials I bought at the hardware store.
   5. My mother freezed the remaining tomatoes from her garden so that she could use them during the winter.
   6. Jankiben asked the stranger sitting next to him for the time, and she says it was past midnight.
   7. My mother and brother wears glasses, but my father and sister do not.
   8. We held our noses as the skunk runs away.
   9. Neither Sorana nor Ana are excited about the early morning swim meet.
   10. My hands hurted at the thought of transcribing all those notes.
   11. The police questioned the suspect for hours but she gives them no useful information.
   12. Terry takes short weekend trips because her job as a therapist was very emotionally draining.
   13. She criticize delicately, making sure not to hurt anyone’s feelings.
   14. Manisa winded the old clock and set it atop her nightstand.
   15. Cherie losed four poker hands in a row before realizing that she was playing against professionals.
   16. James and Juan describes their trip to the Amazon in vivid detail.
   17. You should decides for yourself whether or not to reduce the amount of processed foods in your diet.
   18. The oil rig exploded and spills millions of gallons of oil into the ocean.
   19. The handsome vampire appeared out of nowhere and smiles at the smitten woman.
   20. The batter swinged at the ball several times but never hit it.
2. On a separate sheet of paper, create questions from the following sentences.
   1. My daughter will have to think about her college options.
   2. Otto is waiting in the car for his girlfriend.
   3. The article talks about conserving energy.
   4. We need to reduce our needs.
   5. Rusha is always complaining about her work.
3. Underline the prepositional phrase in each of the following sentences.
   1. Monica told us about her trip.
   2. I hope we have sunshine throughout the summer.
   3. The panther climbed up the tree.
   4. The little boy was standing behind his mother’s legs.
   5. We stayed awake until dawn.
4. Place the following sets of adjectives in the correct order before the noun.
   1. eyes: black, mesmerizing
   2. jacket: vintage, orange, suede
   3. pineapple: ripe, yellow, sweet
   4. vacation: fun, skiing
   5. movie: hilarious, independent
5. On a separate sheet of paper, rewrite the positive sentences as negative sentences. Be sure to keep the sentences in the present tense.
   1. Sometimes I work on Saturdays.
   2. The garden attracts butterflies and bees.
   3. He breathes loudly at night.
   4. I chew on blades of grass in the summer time.
   5. I communicate well with my husband.
6. On a separate sheet of paper, rewrite the following paragraph by correcting the double negatives.

   That morning it was so hot Forrest felt like he couldn’t hardly breathe. Ain’t nothing would get him out the door into that scorching heat. Then he remembered his dog, Zeus, who started whining right then. Zeus was whining and barking so much that Forrest didn’t have no choice but to get off the couch and face the day. That dog didn’t do nothing but sniff around the bushes and try to stay in the shade while Forrest was sweating in the sun holding the leash. He couldn’t not wait for winter to come.