Could You Pass a Basic English Grammar Test?
Let's See Your Grammar Skills
In a digital world full of hashtags and shortcuts, are you confident you could still pass a basic grammar test? Well, let's find out, check out your grammar skills with this quick quiz!We're going to cover all the basics of English grammar, from parts of speech, to punctuation, to capitalization — everything you need to properly construct a sentence.
Don't let the fun stop after you've passed with flying colors. Be sure to check out our free grammar games for all ages.
Ready, set, go!
What Is a Noun?
Nouns name a person, place, thing, action or quality. They’re needed for almost every sentence. Often, they serve as the all-important subject of the sentence and pair up with articles. For more information on nouns, check out Types of Nouns.Which of these words are nouns?
California, softball, they, state, milk, love
(Answers on bottom of next slide)
What Is a Verb?
Verbs express action or a state of being. They tend to have -ing, -ed and -s endings, depending on when they happen and who is doing them. They also follow the subjects of the sentences and appear next to adverbs. Have some fun with YourDictionary's Verb Games.Which of these words are verbs?
Is, must, taste, quickly, turn, go
(Answers for nouns: California, softball, state, milk, love)What Is an Adjective?
Adjectives describe nouns. Often, they're placed right before their counterpart, the noun. For more information on adjectives, see What Is an Adjective?
Which of these words are adjectives?Blue, quick, easy, less, alive, red, Latino
(Answers for verbs: Is, must, taste, turn and go)What Is an Adverb?
Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, phrases or sentences. Often, they end in -ly and answer questions such as how?, when?, and where? For more information on adverbs, see What Is an Adverb?Which of these words are adverbs?
Now, become, quickly, very, last, ran, yesterday
(Answers for adjectives: Blue, easy, less, alive and Latino)What Is a Pronoun?
Pronouns replace nouns. They assign people or things as the subject. So, instead of saying Thomas, you can also say he. Or, instead of saying the library over and over again, you can use it. For more information on pronouns, check out Types of Pronouns.Which of these words are pronouns?
I, yours, anybody, together, mine, another
(Answers for adverbs: Now, quickly, very, last, yesterday)What Is a Conjunction?
Conjunctions connect sentences, phrases, or clauses. Some of the most common conjunctions are "and," "yet," and "or." For more information on conjunctions, check out What Is a Conjunction?.Which of these words are conjunctions?
If, where, after, either, but, however
(Answers for pronouns: I, yours, anybody, mine, another)What is an Apostrophe?
Apostrophes are one of the most confusing punctuation marks but there are really only two times you need to use an apostrophe: to show possession or a contraction.Which is correct?
I accidentally scratched my brothers car. I hope he’s not mad.
I accidentally scratched my brother’s car. I hope he’s not mad.
(Answers for conjunctions: if, where, after, either, but, however)What is a Comma?
Commas are, arguably, the most important grammatical tool the English language has to offer. They provide rhythm, cohesion and unity in a sentence. For more information, check out 8 Times Commas Were Important here on YourDictionary.Which sentence is correct?
That's such a lovely glossy shade of lipstick and, it's so your color.
That's such a lovely, glossy shade of lipstick, and it’s so your color.
(Answers for punctuation: I accidentally scratched my brother’s car. I hope he’s not mad.)Subject/Verb Agreement
Even a simple sentence can make an impression if it’s well constructed. When discussing sentences, it's important to keep subject/verb agreement in mind. Remember that a singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb.Which sentence is correct?
I need to jot down these ideas for a speech, but both my pen and pencil are lost.
I need to jot down these ideas for a speech but both my pen and pencil is lost.
(Answer for commas: That's such a lovely, glossy shade of lipstick, and it's so your color.)Capitalization
Capitalization is important for keeping sentence neat and tidy and it helps us title documents with accuracy, highlighting the important words. For more information, check out 10 Rules of Capitalization.Which title is accurately capitalized?
Before we left for France, Aunt Emily told us her favorite things about Paris.
Before we left for france, aunt Emily told us her favorite things about paris.
(Answer for sentences: I need to jot down these ideas for a speech, but both my pen and pencil are lost.)Who or Whom
Who and whom are two words that are often confused. Do you know which word is used to refer to the subject of a sentence and which is used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition?Which sentence is correct?
She knew very little about the man whom she promised to travel to Italy with.
She knew very little about the man who she promised to travel to Italy with.
(Answer for capitalization: Before we left for France, Aunt Emily told us her favorite things about Paris.)You and Me
Here's another headscratcher: is it you and I or you and me? It helps to remember that I is a subject pronoun and me is an object pronoun.Which sentence is correct?
It's always been you and me against the world.
It's always been you and I against the world.
(Answer for who or whom: She knew very little about the man whom she promised to travel to Italy with.)Affect or Effect
Are you going to affect change or effect change? These two are tricky because they sound quite similar and have only slight differentials. The short of it is, affect is usually used as a verb to show influence, while effect, most often a noun, illustrates a result.Which sentence is correct?
I can't tell the affect this medicine is having on me.
I can't tell the effect this medicine is having on me.
(Answer for you and me: It's always been you and me against the world.)How'd You Do?
So, how'd you do?Excellent: 11-13 questions right
Good job: 6-10 questions right
You need to study: 0-5 questions right
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Come and join the fun! If you feel you're ready for a deeper dive into the world of punctuation, click here. If capitalization caught your eye, click here.
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(Answer for affect or effect: I can't tell the effect this medicine is having on me.)
