Grammar & Sentence Structure Flashcards

Identify the error in the following sentence: 'Neither the students nor the professor were prepared for the power outage.'

Answer: The verb 'were' should be 'was' because it agrees with the nearest subject 'professor'

The 'proximity rule' applies with neither/nor and either/or: the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. Since 'professor' (singular) is nearest, the verb should be 'was.'

Which sentence correctly uses an adverbial clause of concession?

Answer: Although the results were promising, the sample size was too small.

'Although the results were promising, the sample size was too small' is correct — 'although' already signals the contrast, so 'but' would be redundant.

What does 'dangling modifier' mean in grammar?

Answer: A modifier whose intended noun is absent or misplaced in the sentence

A dangling modifier occurs when the modifying phrase does not logically connect to the subject of the main clause — the noun it is meant to modify is missing or in the wrong position.

In which sentence is the apostrophe used correctly?

Answer: The university's policy on plagiarism is strictly enforced.

'The university's policy' correctly uses apostrophe + s to show singular possession — the policy belongs to one university.

Which sentence best demonstrates correct use of an infinitive versus a gerund?

Answer: She avoided making eye contact during the interview.

'Avoid' is followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive, making 'avoided making' correct. 'Decide' is followed by an infinitive: 'decided to study.'

Which sentence correctly uses a noun clause as the subject?

Answer: That he had failed the exam was difficult to accept.

'That he had failed the exam was difficult to accept' correctly uses a 'that' noun clause as the subject, without the redundant pronoun 'it' that appears in the incorrect options.