Ready to conquer the ParaPro Writing test? This guide breaks down grammar errors with confidence, setting you up to shine as a teaching assistant!
What Are Grammar Errors?
This section of our ParaPro Writing Study Guide explores grammar errors, focusing on how paraprofessionals identify and correct mistakes in student writing. Common errors include subject-verb agreement, punctuation misuse, run-on sentences, and tense consistency. Mastering these skills prepares you to support students and excel on exam questions testing writing proficiency.
Understanding grammar errors enhances your ability to guide students and meet assessment standards.
Why Grammar Errors Matter
About 10-15 of the 90 questions, focusing on application, assess your ability to spot and fix grammar errors in writing scenarios. This skill is crucial for helping students improve their work and is a daily task for teaching assistants, directly impacting classroom success and exam performance.
Types of Grammar Errors
Identifying Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
Subject-verb agreement ensures the subject and verb match in number (singular or plural). Errors occur when they don’t align (e.g., “The team are winning” should be “The team is winning”). Look for singular subjects with plural verbs or vice versa, especially with compound subjects or intervening phrases. Additional errors include agreement with indefinite pronouns (e.g., “everyone” is singular) and collective nouns (e.g., “group” can be singular or plural based on context).
Example 1
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“The list of items are on the table.”
- A) No error
- B) “list” should be plural
- C) “are” should be “is”
- D) “on” should be “over”
Answer: C) “are” should be “is”
Explanation: “List” is singular, so “is” matches. Test tip: Check subject number first!
Example 2
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“Everyone in the class have finished their work.”
- A) No error
- B) “Everyone” should be plural
- C) “have” should be “has”
- D) “their” should be “his”
Answer: C) “have” should be “has”
Explanation: “Everyone” is singular, requiring “has.” Test tip: Watch indefinite pronouns!
Example 3
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“The committee are meeting today to decide.”
- A) No error
- B) “are” should be “is”
- C) “meeting” should be “meet”
- D) “decide” should be “decision”
Answer: B) “are” should be “is”
Explanation: “Committee” is singular here, so “is” fits. Test tip: Consider collective noun context!
Correcting Punctuation Misuse
Punctuation errors involve incorrect use of commas, apostrophes, or periods (e.g., “Its a beautiful day” needs “It’s”). Watch for missing commas in compound sentences, misplaced apostrophes in possessives, and run-on sentences lacking proper breaks. Additional errors include semicolon misuse (e.g., joining unrelated clauses) and quotation mark errors (e.g., missing punctuation inside quotes).
Example 1
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“Lets go to the park its a nice day.”
- A) No error
- B) “Lets” should be “Let’s”
- C) “its” should be “it’s”
- D) Both B and C
Answer: D) Both B and C
Explanation: “Let’s” needs an apostrophe, and “it’s” is the correct contraction. Test tip: Check apostrophes carefully!
Example 2
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“She wanted to join, but he said no.”
- A) No error
- B) Comma should be a semicolon
- C) “but” should be “and”
- D) Add a period after “join”
Answer: A) No error
Explanation: The comma is correct in this compound sentence. Test tip: Verify comma use in compounds!
Example 3
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“The books cover is torn.”
- A) No error
- B) “books” should be “book’s”
- C) “is” should be “are”
- D) Add a comma after “books”
Answer: B) “books” should be “book’s”
Explanation: “Book’s” shows possession. Test tip: Look for missing apostrophes!
Fixing Run-On Sentences and Fragments
Run-on sentences join independent clauses without proper punctuation (e.g., “I ran she fell”), while fragments lack a subject or verb (e.g., “Running to the store”). Correct run-ons with periods, semicolons, or conjunctions, and complete fragments by adding missing elements. Additional issues include comma splices (e.g., “I came, she left”) and overly long sentences needing division.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“I wanted to go he stayed home.”
- A) No error
- B) Add a comma after “go”
- C) Add a period after “go”
- D) Change “he” to “him”
Answer: C) Add a period after “go”
Explanation: This is a run-on; a period separates the clauses. Test tip: Break run-ons with punctuation!
Example 2
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“Because she was late.”
- A) No error
- B) Add a subject
- C) Complete with a main clause
- D) Change “was” to “is”
Answer: C) Complete with a main clause
Explanation: This is a fragment; add “She missed the bus” for completeness. Test tip: Ensure every sentence has a subject and verb!
Example 3
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“We played, they won the game.”
- A) No error
- B) Comma should be a period
- C) “won” should be “win”
- D) Add “and” after “played”
Answer: B) Comma should be a period
Explanation: This is a comma splice; a period is needed. Test tip: Avoid comma splices!
Ensuring Tense Consistency
Tense consistency maintains the same verb tense unless the timeline changes (e.g., “She runs and then fell” should be “She runs and then falls”). Errors occur with shifts between past, present, and future without reason. Watch for mixed tenses in narratives or instructions, and correct by aligning verbs to the intended time frame. Additional issues include inconsistent use in compound sentences or dialogues.
Example 1
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“She walks to school and then sat down.”
- A) No error
- B) “walks” should be “walked”
- C) “sat” should be “sits”
- D) “then” should be “after”
Answer: C) “sat” should be “sits”
Explanation: Both verbs should be present tense. Test tip: Keep tenses consistent!
Example 2
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“They will play, but he runs away.”
- A) No error
- B) “will play” should be “played”
- C) “runs” should be “ran”
- D) “but” should be “and”
Answer: C) “runs” should be “ran”
Explanation: Both should be future tense (“will run”). Test tip: Match future tense verbs!
Example 3
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“He wrote the letter and will mail it.”
- A) No error
- B) “wrote” should be “writes”
- C) “will mail” should be “mailed”
- D) “and” should be “then”
Answer: A) No error
Explanation: The shift from past to future is intentional. Test tip: Allow tense shifts for timeline changes!
Addressing Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Pronoun-antecedent agreement ensures pronouns match their antecedents in number and gender (e.g., “The team lost its game” not “their game”). Errors occur with singular antecedents paired with plural pronouns or gender mismatches. Watch for indefinite pronouns (e.g., “someone” takes “he/she”) and collective nouns. Additional issues include vague antecedents or shifts in person (e.g., “one” to “you”).
Example 1
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“Each student must bring their books.”
- A) No error
- B) “Each” should be “All”
- C) “their” should be “his or her”
- D) “books” should be “book”
Answer: C) “their” should be “his or her”
Explanation: “Each” is singular, requiring “his or her.” Test tip: Match pronoun to singular antecedent!
Example 2
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“The group submitted their report late.”
- A) No error
- B) “group” should be “groups”
- C) “their” should be “its”
- D) “late” should be “lately”
Answer: C) “their” should be “its”
Explanation: “Group” is singular, so “its” fits. Test tip: Check collective nouns!
Example 3
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“One should do your best.”
- A) No error
- B) “One” should be “You”
- C) “your” should be “one’s”
- D) “do” should be “did”
Answer: C) “your” should be “one’s”
Explanation: “One” requires “one’s” for consistency. Test tip: Avoid person shifts!
Correcting Misplaced Modifiers
Misplaced modifiers confuse meaning by being placed away from the word they describe (e.g., “She almost drove her kids to school every day” should be “She drove her kids to school almost every day”). Identify the intended subject and reposition the modifier. Additional errors include dangling modifiers (e.g., “Walking to school, the rain started”) and split infinitives (e.g., “to quickly run” should be “to run quickly”).
Example 1
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“Running down the street, the bus passed me.”
- A) No error
- B) “Running” should be “Ran”
- C) Add “while” before “running”
- D) Rephrase to “While I ran…”
Answer: D) Rephrase to “While I ran…”
Explanation: “Running” dangles; clarify the subject. Test tip: Fix dangling modifiers!
Example 2
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“He only ate the cake with chocolate frosting.”
- A) No error
- B) “only” should be “just”
- C) Move “only” after “ate”
- D) “with” should be “having”
Answer: C) Move “only” after “ate”
Explanation: “Only” should modify “ate” for clarity. Test tip: Place modifiers near their words!
Example 3
Directions: Identify the error in the sentence below.
“To boldly go where no one has gone before.”
- A) No error
- B) “boldly” should be “bold”
- C) Split infinitive; move “boldly”
- D) “go” should be “went”
Answer: C) Split infinitive; move “boldly”
Explanation: “To go boldly” avoids the split. Test tip: Watch infinitive splits!
Reading and Analyzing Grammar Errors
On the exam, you’ll analyze sentences to identify grammar errors. Underline key words (e.g., verbs, pronouns) and match them to error types. Cross-check with context to ensure corrections fit. This mirrors classroom support, helping you refine student writing effectively.
Easy Steps to Master Grammar Errors
Here’s how to master grammar errors:
- Read the sentence carefully for subject-verb issues.
- Check punctuation and tense consistency.
- Look for pronoun and modifier errors.
- Apply fixes and re-read for clarity.
- Practice with varied examples.
Test tip: Break down sentences step by step!
Quiz for Topic
Ready to test your skills? Try our grammar errors quiz below to practice more!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I spot grammar errors?
Look for subject-verb mismatches or punctuation issues. Tip: Read aloud!
Are these questions hard?
Not with practice! Focus on patterns. Tip: Review examples!
How many writing questions are there?
About 10-15 out of 90 questions. Tip: Try our free quizzes!
Will this improve my teaching?
Yes! It enhances student writing support. Tip: Practice with students!
Where can I practice more?
Our site offers free ParaPro writing tests. Try grammar scenarios! Tip: Practice daily!