Sentence Correction & Grammar
Mental model
Grammar rules act like syntax in programming; look for subject-verb agreement and parallel structure first.
Sentence correction isn't about what 'sounds right'—it's about systematically verifying structural constraints like tense consistency, subject-verb matching, and modifier placement.
Method
- Identify the subject and the main verb of the sentence.
- Check subject-verb agreement (singular subject needs a singular verb).
- Verify that the verb tense is consistent throughout the sentence unless a time shift is explicitly stated.
- Check for parallel structure in lists or comparisons (e.g., 'running, jumping, and swimming').
- Eliminate options that violate these hard grammatical rules.
Worked example
Problem: Select the correct version: 'Neither the manager nor the employees was aware of the new policy.'
- Identify the subjects: 'manager' and 'employees' connected by 'Neither... nor'.
- Apply the proximity rule for correlative conjunctions: the verb must agree with the subject closest to it.
- The closest subject is 'employees' (plural).
- Change the verb 'was' (singular) to 'were' (plural).
Answer: 'Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the new policy.'
Shortcuts
- Phrases like 'as well as', 'along with', or 'in addition to' do not make a singular subject plural. Ignore them when checking verb agreement.
- In 'Either/Or' and 'Neither/Nor' constructs, match the verb to the noun physically closest to it.
Common mistakes
- Relying on the 'ear test': Choosing an answer because it 'sounds good' in conversational English, which often ignores strict grammar rules.
- Misidentifying the subject: Matching the verb to a noun in a prepositional phrase rather than the actual subject of the sentence.
Glossary
- syntax
- The rules for how words must be put together to form correct sentences.
- consistent
- Staying the same throughout, without changing back and forth.
- proximity
- Being physically close to something else in a sentence.
Recall questions
- What are the first two components you should identify in any sentence correction problem?
- When using 'Neither... nor', how do you determine if the verb should be singular or plural?
- Do phrases like 'along with' change a singular subject to a plural one?
Questions & answers
Correct the sentence: 'The list of items are on the desk.'
'The list of items is on the desk.'
Approach: Identify the true subject ('list', singular) and ignore the prepositional phrase ('of items'). Use singular verb 'is'.
Correct the sentence: 'She likes hiking, to swim, and bicycling.'
'She likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.'
Approach: Apply the parallel structure rule to ensure all items in the list use the '-ing' gerund form.
Continue learning
Next: Error Spotting