Grammar is a broad umbrella that encompasses all the rules of language. The PERT will test your knowledge of these rules and your ability to apply them to sentences and passages. Below, we’ll cover the most commonly tested grammar rules and common mistakes writers make regarding them.
Grammar Rules
Grammar and usage questions assess your knowledge of standard English grammar rules. This category is very broad and covers the following key areas:
Subject-Verb Agreement
- This involves ensuring that the subject of a sentence matches its verb in number. For example, in the sentence “The dogs runs fast”, the verb is “run”, not “runs”, because the subject “dogs” is plural.
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
- Pronouns must agree with the nouns they replace in both number and gender. For example, in the sentence “The children must bring its books,” “its” is incorrect because “children” is plural (and human – “it” is a pronoun used for inanimate objects). The correct version would be “The children must bring their books.”
Verb Tenses
- You must use the appropriate tense depending on the context of the sentence. For instance, “I will went to the store tomorrow” is incorrect because “went” is in the past tense, and the sentence is referring to the future. The sentence should be “I will go to the store tomorrow.”
Pronoun Case
- This refers to using the correct form of a pronoun depending on its function in the sentence. For example, “Her and I went to the store” should be “She and I went to the store,” as “she” is a subject pronoun and “her” is an object pronoun. Since the pronoun refers to the person completing the action of the sentence (and therefore the subject), we must use a pronoun in subjective case.
Comparatives and Superlatives
- These are used to compare two things (“larger”) or more than two things (“largest”). You’ll need to know when to use -er and -est or words like “more” and “most.”
Deep Dive: Varying Verb Tenses
Consistency in verb tense is crucial for clarity and coherence in writing. Switching tenses without clear reason can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of the narrative. Here are some guidelines to ensure tense consistency:
Maintain the Same Tense for Related Actions
- If you start a narrative in the past tense, keep all related actions in the past tense unless there is a compelling reason to change.
- Example: “She walked to the park and saw her friend.” (Consistent past tense)
Use Shifts in Tense Sparingly
- When changing tenses, ensure the transition is clear and logical. It’s acceptable to shift tenses to indicate a change in time or to emphasize a point.
- Example: “Last week, she walked to the park. Today, she is walking to school.” (Clear time shift)
Consider Context:
- Certain contexts or genres may require specific tenses. For example, narratives typically use past tense, while instructional texts often use present tense for general truths or instructions.
- Example: “To begin using your remote, insert two AA batteries.” (Present tense for instructions/commands)
Common Mistakes with Verb Tenses
- Inconsistent tenses: Writers may inadvertently shift tenses, confusing the timeline of events. Always review writing for tense consistency.
- Incorrect tense form: Using the wrong form of the verb can alter the intended meaning. For instance, confusing “was walking” with “walked” are both past tense, but choosing one over the other can change the action’s nature.
- Overusing future tense: Relying too heavily on future tense can weaken writing, especially in narratives. Balance future statements with present or past tenses and clear transitions to create a more dynamic text.
Key Tip: Always find the subject of the sentence and match the verb to it, ignoring any intervening words.