34th Day Topic 30th
TEAS English & Language Usage
Structure
Knowing the weight of each category helps you prioritize your study time.
Content Area | Number of Scored
Questions | Approximate Weight
Conventions of Standard English | 9 | 38%
Knowledge of Language | 9 | 38%
Vocabulary Acquisition | 6 | 24%
Note: There are 4 additional
unscored pretest items included in the section.
🔍 Tough Grammar Concepts You
Must Master
These are the "high-difficulty" topics that separate passing from
scoring high.
1.
Subject-Verb Agreement with Tricky Subjects
The Rule: The verb must agree in
number (singular/plural) with the subject, even when words come between them.
Pay special attention to indefinite pronouns and collective nouns.
Indefinite Pronouns (Always
Singular): Anyone, everyone, someone, no one,
each, either, neither.
Example: "Each of the students
is responsible." (Not "are")
Indefinite Pronouns (Always Plural): Several, few, both, many.
Example: "Several of the samples
were contaminated."
Collective Nouns (Usually Singular): Group, team, committee, family, audience.
Example: "The committee agrees
on the new policy." (Acting as a single unit)
2.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
The Rule: Pronouns must agree with
their antecedent (the noun they replace) in number and gender. This is
frequently tested with indefinite pronouns.
Correct: "Everyone must bring
his or her own lunch." (Everyone is singular, so "their" is
technically incorrect in formal English, though common colloquially).
Correct: "The board reached its
decision." (Board is singular; "its" is correct, not
"their").
3.
Homophones (Commonly Confused Words)
TEAS loves to test words that sound
alike but have different spellings and meanings.
Homophone Pair | Meaning &
Example
Accept / Except | Accept = to receive (I accept the offer). Except = to exclude
(Everyone came except John).
Affect / Effect | Affect = verb, to influence (The weather affects my mood).
Effect = noun, a result (The medication had side effects).
Principal / Principle | Principal = leader of a school or most important (The
principal spoke). Principle = a rule or standard (Moral principles).
Lie / Lay | Lie = to recline (no object needed; I lie down). Lay = to put/place
something (needs an object; Lay the book down).
Fewer / Less | Fewer = for countable items (fewer coins). Less = for
uncountable amounts (less money).
Who / Whom | Who = subject of a sentence (Who wrote this?). Whom = object of a
verb/preposition (To whom should I send this?).
4.
Complex Punctuation: Semicolons & Colons
Semicolon (;): Joins two independent clauses (complete sentences) that
are closely related without a conjunction.
Correct: "The sun is rising; it
is time to wake up."
Incorrect: Using a semicolon where
one side is not a complete sentence.
Colon (:): Introduces a list, explanation, or quote. What comes
before the colon must be a complete sentence.
Correct: "She needed three
things: a pencil, paper, and a book."
Incorrect: "The supplies are:
pencils, paper, and books." ("The supplies are" is not a
complete thought).
5.
Apostrophes: Possession vs. Contraction
Its / It's: This is the most common trap.
Its = Possessive form (belonging to
it). The dog wagged its tail.
It's = Contraction of "it
is" or "it has". It's a beautiful day.
Plural Possession: If a word is
plural and ends in "s", the apostrophe goes after the "s".
Correct: "The students' essays
were graded." (Many students, many essays).
Correct: "The student's essay
was excellent." (One student).
6.
Sentence Structure: Run-ons & Fragments
Run-on Sentence: Two independent clauses joined without punctuation or a
conjunction.
Incorrect: "He ran to the store
he bought milk." (Comma splice or missing period).
Correct: "He ran to the store.
He bought milk." or "He ran to the store, and he bought milk."
Sentence Fragment: A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a
subject, verb, or complete thought.
Incorrect: "Running through the
park." (No subject).
📝
Practice Questions (With Options, No Answers)
Subject-Verb
& Pronoun Agreement
1.
Neither of the job applicants ______
qualified for the position.
A. are
B. is
C. were
D. have been
2.
Each of the team members must submit
______ report by Friday.
A. their
B. they're
C. his or her
D. our
3.
The flock of birds ______ flying
south for the winter.
A. were
B. are
C. is
D. have been
Homophones
& Commonly Confused Words
4.
The new advertising campaign will
______ the public's perception of the brand.
A. effect
B. affect
C. impact
D. result
5.
Please ______ the books on the top
shelf.
A. lay
B. lie
C. laid
D. lain
6.
The school ______ issued a statement
regarding the new policy.
A. principal
B. principle
C. formally
D. formerly
Punctuation
& Sentence Structure
7.
How should the underlined portion be
corrected?
The weather was beautiful however we decided to stay inside.
A. beautiful, however, we
B. beautiful; however, we
C. beautiful however we,
D. No correction needed
8.
Which sentence is punctuated
correctly?
A. She bought three items: apples,
oranges, and bananas.
B. She bought three items; apples, oranges, and bananas.
C. She bought three items, apples, oranges, and bananas.
D. She bought: apples, oranges, and bananas.
9.
Which of the following is a sentence
fragment?
A. Running quickly, she caught the
bus.
B. After the rain stopped, we went outside.
C. While walking to school in the morning.
D. The cake was baked fresh this morning.
Formal
& Informal Language (Knowledge of Language)
10. Which sentence is most appropriate for a formal academic
paper?
A. The researchers couldn't find any
link between the two variables.
B. The researchers were not able to find any link between the two variables.
C. The researchers didn't find no link between the two variables.
D. The researchers might not have found a link, you know.
11. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. Having finished the test, the
score was calculated by the teacher.
B. The teacher calculated the score after the student finished the test.
C. After finishing the test, the score was calculated.
D. The score was calculated by the teacher finishing the test.
Here are the answers with short
reasons:
Subject-Verb
& Pronoun Agreement
1. B. is
✔ “Neither” is singular → takes
singular verb.
2. C. his or her
✔ “Each” is singular → requires
singular possessive pronoun.
3. C. is
✔ “Flock” is a collective noun acting
as one unit.
Homophones
& Commonly Confused Words
4. B. affect
✔ Verb meaning “to influence.”
5. A. lay
✔ “Lay” needs an object (lay the
books).
6. A. principal
✔ “Principal” = head of school / main
authority.
Punctuation
& Sentence Structure
7. B. beautiful; however, we
✔ Semicolon joins two clauses;
“however” needs punctuation.
8. A. She bought three items:
apples, oranges, and bananas.
✔ Colon correctly introduces a list
after a complete sentence.
9. C. While walking to school in the
morning.
✔ Fragment (no main verb / complete
idea).
Formal
& Informal Language
10. B. The researchers were not able
to find any link between the two variables.
✔ Formal, clear, and academic tone.
11. B. The teacher calculated the
score after the student finished the test.
✔ Grammatically complete and
logically structured.
Final Pro-Tips for Success
Identify the Error Type First: Before looking at the answer choices, determine if the
sentence has an agreement error, a punctuation issue, or a misused word. This
narrows your focus.
Read the Sentence Aloud (Silently in
Your Head): For subject-verb agreement and
awkward phrasing, reading the sentence to yourself can make the error obvious.
Eliminate Obvious Wrong Answers: There are usually two clearly wrong choices. Cross them out
first to improve your odds of guessing correctly.
Know the "No Error"
Option: A correct answer may be "D. No
error." Don't change something that is already right.
50 TEAS English & Language Usage
practice questions (no answers), kept exactly in structure and difficulty
level:
Subject-Verb
& Pronoun Agreement (1–10)
1.
The box of chocolates ______ missing
from the kitchen counter.
A) were
B) are
C) is
D) have been
2.
Neither the teacher nor the students
______ satisfied with the test results.
A) was
B) is
C) were
D) has been
3.
Everyone in the advanced training
program ______ to pass the final exam.
A) need
B) are needing
C) needs
D) have needed
4.
The committee ______ divided in
their opinions about the new policy.
A) is
B) are
C) was
D) has been
5.
Some of the water from the broken
pipe ______ leaked into the basement.
A) have
B) are
C) were
D) has
6.
Either the manager or the assistant
______ to approve the request.
A) have
B) are
C) is
D) were
7.
The orchestra ______ playing their
instruments beautifully before the conductor arrived.
A) was
B) were
C) is
D) has been
8.
Each of the candidates ______
submitted his or her application on time.
A) have
B) are
C) were
D) has
9.
A number of important issues ______
discussed at the meeting yesterday.
A) was
B) is
C) were
D) has been
10. The pair of shoes on the floor ______ to belong to my
roommate.
A) appear
B) appears
C) are appearing
D) have appeared
Homophones
& Commonly Confused Words (11–25)
11. The new software will ______ the way we process payroll.
A) effect
B) affect
C) defect
D) infect
12. Please ______ down and rest for a while.
A) lay
B) laid
C) lie
D) lain
13. Everyone attended the meeting ______ for James, who was ill.
A) accept
B) except
C) expect
D) aspect
14. The ______ of personal responsibility is important in
nursing.
A) principal
B) principle
C) primarily
D) principled
15. The dog wagged ______ tail when I walked through the door.
A) it's
B) its'
C) its
D) it is
16. We have ______ less time than we thought to complete the
project.
A) far
B) farther
C) further
D) more
17. She tried to ______ the fact that she had forgotten the
appointment.
A) infer
B) imply
C) refer
D) defer
18. The medication will ______ the progression of the disease.
A) effect
B) affect
C) inflict
D) perfect
19. I want to ______ this package to my sister in Chicago.
A) send
B) sent
C) scent
D) cent
20. The patient's condition was ______ than we initially
thought.
A) worse
B) worst
C) bad
D) more bad
21. ______ you please pass me the surgical scissors?
A) Could
B) May
C) Might
D) Would
22. The lab results were different from ______ we had predicted.
A) those
B) these
C) them
D) they
23. I will ______ the report to my supervisor by Friday.
A) forward
B) foreword
C) for word
D) forwards
24. The new nurse was ______ to the night shift.
A) assigned
B) signed
C) designed
D) resigned
25. Please do not ______ the wound while it is healing.
A) site
B) cite
C) sight
D) touch
Punctuation
(26–35)
26. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A) The nurse recorded the patient's vital signs: temperature, pulse, and blood
pressure.
B) The nurse recorded the patient's vital signs; temperature, pulse, and blood
pressure.
C) The nurse recorded: the patient's vital signs, temperature, pulse, and blood
pressure.
D) The nurse recorded the patient's vital signs temperature, pulse, and blood
pressure.
27. Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?
A) The surgery was successful; however, recovery will take several weeks.
B) The surgery was successful however; recovery will take several weeks.
C) The surgery was successful however recovery; will take several weeks.
D) The surgery; was successful however recovery will take several weeks.
28. How should the underlined portion be corrected?
The patient complained of headaches nausea and blurred vision.
A) headaches, nausea, and blurred vision
B) headaches nausea, and blurred vision
C) headaches, nausea and blurred vision
D) no correction needed
29. Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly?
A) The three patients prescriptions were filled at the pharmacy.
B) The three patient's prescriptions were filled at the pharmacy.
C) The three patients' prescriptions were filled at the pharmacy.
D) The three patients prescriptions' were filled at the pharmacy.
30. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
A) "I cant believe you said that" she whispered angrily.
B) "I can't believe you said that," she whispered angrily.
C) "I can't believe you said that" she whispered, angrily.
D) "I can't believe you said that" she whispered angrily.
31. Which sentence is correct?
A) The doctor asked, "Have you taken your medication today?"
B) The doctor asked, "Have you taken your medication today"?
C) The doctor asked "Have you taken your medication today?"
D) The doctor asked, "Have you taken your medication today"?
32. Which sentence is punctuated correctly for a formal email?
A) Dear Dr. Smith: I am writing to request a letter of recommendation.
B) Dear Dr. Smith, I am writing to request a letter of recommendation.
C) Dear Dr. Smith; I am writing to request a letter of recommendation.
D) Dear Dr. Smith. I am writing to request a letter of recommendation.
33. How should the underlined portion be corrected?
Before the procedure the nurse explained everything to the patient.
A) Before the procedure, the nurse explained everything to the patient.
B) Before, the procedure the nurse explained everything to the patient.
C) Before the procedure the nurse, explained everything to the patient.
D) No correction needed
34. Which sentence uses the colon correctly?
A) The study included: three hospitals, two clinics, and a long-term care
facility.
B) The study included three hospitals, two clinics, and: a long-term care
facility.
C) The study included three hospitals: two clinics, and a long-term care
facility.
D) The study included three main sites: a hospital, a clinic, and a nursing
home.
35. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A) The patient who arrived late was still seen by the doctor.
B) The patient, who arrived late, was still seen by the doctor.
C) The patient who arrived late, was still seen by the doctor.
D) The patient, who arrived late was still seen by the doctor.
Sentence
Structure & Grammar (36–45)
36. Which sentence is a run-on?
A) The nurse checked the blood pressure it was slightly elevated.
B) The nurse checked the blood pressure, and it was slightly elevated.
C) The nurse checked the blood pressure; it was slightly elevated.
D) Because the nurse checked the blood pressure, it was slightly elevated.
37. Which sentence is a fragment?
A) After the surgery, the patient rested comfortably.
B) The patient rested comfortably after the surgery.
C) After the surgery was completed.
D) Having completed the surgery, the surgeon spoke to the family.
38. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A) Walking to the pharmacy, the prescription was forgotten.
B) Walking to the pharmacy, I forgot the prescription.
C) Walking to the pharmacy, the prescription forgot me.
D) Walking to the pharmacy, it was forgotten.
39. Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?
A) She enjoys reading, to run, and watching movies.
B) She enjoys reading, running, and to watch movies.
C) She enjoys reading, running, and watching movies.
D) She enjoys to read, running, and watch movies.
40. Which sentence is correct?
A) The reason is because the medication was not taken.
B) The reason is that the medication was not taken.
C) The reason is due to the fact that the medication was not taken.
D) The reason is for the medication was not taken.
41. Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?
A) Having finished the assessment, the patient's chart was updated.
B) Having finished the assessment, the nurse updated the patient's chart.
C) Having finished the assessment, the chart was updated by the nurse.
D) Having finished the assessment, updating the patient's chart.
42. Which sentence uses the correct verb tense?
A) The patient was lying in bed for three hours before the doctor arrived.
B) The patient laid in bed for three hours before the doctor arrived.
C) The patient had laid in bed for three hours before the doctor arrived.
D) The patient had been laying in bed for three hours before the doctor
arrived.
43. Which sentence is most concise?
A) In the event that the patient experiences pain, medication should be
administered.
B) If the patient experiences pain, medication should be administered.
C) In the case that the patient has pain, then medication should be given to
them.
D) In the situation where the patient is experiencing pain, the administration
of medication is indicated.
44. Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?
A) If I was the charge nurse, I would change the schedule.
B) If I were the charge nurse, I would change the schedule.
C) If I am the charge nurse, I would change the schedule.
D) If I be the charge nurse, I would change the schedule.
45. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A) Between you and I, this policy needs revision.
B) Between you and me, this policy needs revision.
C) Between you and myself, this policy needs revision.
D) Between us, I and you, this policy needs revision.
Formal
vs. Informal Language & Word Choice (46–50)
46. Which sentence is most appropriate for a formal research
paper?
A) The researchers found a bunch of errors in the data.
B) The researchers found several errors in the data.
C) The researchers found a lot of errors in the data.
D) The researchers found tons of errors in the data.
47. Which word is most appropriate for a nursing progress note?
A) The patient seems kinda tired.
B) The patient appears somewhat fatigued.
C) The patient looks beat.
D) The patient is totally wiped out.
48. Which sentence avoids cliché and informal language?
A) The new protocol is a game changer for patient safety.
B) The new protocol is a total win-win situation.
C) The new protocol significantly improves patient safety.
D) The new protocol is a no-brainer for the unit.
49. Which sentence is grammatically correct and professionally
appropriate?
A) Irregardless of the patient's age, the treatment is the same.
B) Regardless of the patient's age, the treatment is the same.
C) Regardless of the patient's age the treatment is the same.
D) Regardless of the patients age the treatment is the same.
50. Which sentence uses the most precise and formal language?
A) The results of the study imply that further research is needed.
B) The results of the study suggest that further research is needed.
C) The results of the study kinda show that more research is needed.
D) The results of the study hint that more research might be needed.
Here are the answers with short
reasons:
Subject-Verb
& Pronoun Agreement (1–10)
1. C) is
✔ “Box” is singular → singular verb.
2. C) were
✔ “Neither/nor” → verb agrees with
nearest plural subject (“students”).
3. C) needs
✔ “Everyone” is singular.
4. B) are
✔ “Committee” + plural meaning
(“opinions”) → plural verb.
5. D) has
✔ “Some of the water” is uncountable
→ singular.
6. C) is
✔ “Either/or” → verb agrees with
nearer subject (“assistant”).
7. B) were
✔ “Orchestra” used as members →
plural sense.
8. D) has
✔ “Each” is singular.
9. C) were
✔ “A number of issues” = plural.
10. B) appears
✔ “Pair” is singular collective noun.
Homophones
& Commonly Confused Words (11–25)
11. B) affect
✔ Verb = influence.
12. C) lie
✔ “Lie” = recline (no object).
13. B) except
✔ Means “excluding.”
14. B) principle
✔ Means rule or belief.
15. C) its
✔ Possessive (no apostrophe).
16. A) far
✔ “Far less time” correct usage.
17. B) imply
✔ Speaker implies, listener infers.
18. B) affect
✔ Verb = influence change.
19. A) send
✔ Base verb needed.
20. A) worse
✔ Comparative form.
21. A) Could
✔ Polite request.
22. A) those
✔ Refers to plural noun “results.”
23. A) forward
✔ Correct verb.
24. A) assigned
✔ Correct meaning.
25. D) touch
✔ Only correct option.
Punctuation
(26–35)
26. A
✔ Correct colon before list.
27. A
✔ Correct semicolon + transition
word.
28. A
✔ Comma-separated list (Oxford
comma).
29. C
✔ Plural possessive.
30. B
✔ Correct quote + comma.
31. A
✔ Question inside quotation marks.
32. B
✔ Correct formal email comma.
33. A
✔ Introductory phrase needs comma.
34. D
✔ Correct colon introduces list.
35. B
✔ Non-essential clause correctly
punctuated.
Sentence
Structure & Grammar (36–45)
36. A
✔ Run-on sentence.
37. C
✔ Fragment (no main clause).
38. B
✔ Correct subject (“I”).
39. C
✔ Parallel structure consistent.
40. B
✔ Correct formal grammar.
41. B
✔ Clear subject doing action.
42. A
✔ Correct past continuous usage.
43. B
✔ Most concise and correct.
44. B
✔ Subjunctive “were.”
45. B
✔ Correct pronoun “me.”
Formal
vs Informal (46–50)
46. B
✔ Formal academic tone.
47. B
✔ Professional clinical language.
48. C
✔ Clear, formal, precise.
49. B
✔ Grammatically correct standard
form.
50. A
✔ Most formal and precise wording.
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