English grammar test 02: find the correct sentence
Choose the one correct sentence in each of 10 questions on articles, reported speech and agreement, with explanations at the end.
In this lesson
This English grammar quiz checks whether you can recognise a correct sentence among three incorrect ones. The 10 questions test articles, uncountable nouns, reported speech, subject and verb agreement and the prepositions that follow common words. It is for intermediate learners (around B1) who know the basics and want to avoid typical mistakes.
How to take this test
- Read all four sentences in each question.
- Choose the one sentence that is completely correct. The other three each have a mistake.
- Take your time. One small word, such as a, an, to or than, can make a sentence wrong.
- At the end, open the review to see every correct answer with a short explanation.
What this test covers
- Articles and uncountable nouns: a necessity, a European, an hour, some information, many apples, much rice.
- Reported speech: say and tell, and tense changes such as he had been studying. Revise this tense in our lesson on the past perfect continuous tense.
- Agreement: either … or, a number of and the number of. See the lesson on singular and plural verbs.
- Past simple questions: Did they hold the meeting? Our simple past tense lesson explains why the verb stays in its base form after did.
- Prepositions: married to, superior to, prefer coffee to tea, hope of.
If you have not done it yet, try English grammar test 01, where you spot the incorrect sentence. For more rules and examples, read the Cambridge Dictionary guide to British grammar.
Tip
Remember: you tell someone, but you say something. She told me she was late. She said she was late. Never say “She said me”.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between “a number of” and “the number of”?
A number of means “many” and takes a plural verb: A number of students have entered. The number of means the total, so it takes a singular verb: The number of students was small.
Is “furniture” singular or plural?
Furniture is uncountable, so it takes a singular verb: All the furniture was destroyed. For one item, say “a piece of furniture”.
Why do we say “a European” and not “an European”?
We choose a or an by sound, not spelling. European begins with a “y” sound, like you, so we say a European. We say an hour because the h is silent.
Practise this lesson
10 questions
