RULES OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR

Instructions: Read and study each rule and do the exercises for the rule. If you fail any of the exercises, you will fail the lesson. Simply restudy and redo the lessons to pass to the next lesson.

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Rules 1-10

. Rule 1:. lie and lay

Lie and lay have different forms:

A. Lie has the forms lie, lay, lying, and lain. Use these forms when you speak of sleeping or resting. These forms have nothing to receive the action in the sentence.

• All he wanted to do was lie down and go to sleep.

• He lay down a minute ago and now he is sleeping. (past tense)

• He is lying down because he needs the rest.

• He has lain in the same place for three hours.

Choose the correct answer:

1. All he wanted to do was (lie, lay) down and go to sleep.

2. He (lay, laid) down a minute ago and now he is sleeping. (past tense)

3. He is (lying, laying) down because he needs the rest.

4. He has (laid, lain) in the same place for three hours.

B. Lay has the forms lay, laying, and laid. These forms must have something that can be put down. Use these forms when you speak of putting or placing something.

• Lay the book on the table.

• I have been laying the books on the table every day.

• The book has lain on the table all day.

• Where have you laid my book?

• We will lay the bathroom tile tomorrow.

Choose the correct answer:

5. (Lay, Lie) the book on the table.

6.I have been (laying, lying) the book on the table every day this week.

7. The book has (laid, lain) on the table all day.

The form lay causes the most problems because it is the past tense of lie (resting) and the present tense of lay (putting something down):

(lay, present tense)

• Lay the book on the table.

• Put the book in the table.

• Lay the board down next to the house.

• Put the board down next to the house.

(lie, past tense)

• He lay down and went to sleep an hour ago.

• He has been sleeping for an hour.

• I lay down for only two minutes before the phone rang.

• I had been resting two minutes before the phone rang.

Choose the correct answer:

8. (Lay, Lie) the board down next to the house.

9. He (lay, laid) down and went to sleep an hour ago.

..Rule 2:. sit and set

Sit has the forms sit, sitting, and sat. Use these forms when you speak of someone or something resting in the upright position.

• Sit by the door.

• Who sat on the couch?

• The dog is sitting by the window.


Choose the correct answer:

10. (Sit, Sat) by the door.

11. Who (sat, set) on the couch?

12. The dog is (sitting, setting) by the window.

Set has the forms set and setting. Use these forms when you speak of putting or placing something. The form set needs something that can be put down.

• Set the pot on the stove. (pot is put down)

• Do not set a place at the table for me tonight. (place is set)

• Mom is setting the table now. (table is set)

• Please set it on the table next to the stove. (it is set)


Choose the correct answer:

13. (Set, Sit) the pot on the stove.

14. Do not (set, sit) a place at the table for me tonight.

15. Mom is (sitting, setting) the table now.

16. Please (sit, set) it on the table next to the stove.



..Rule 3:. Do not use helping verbs with the word ought.

• You ought to leave now.

• You ought not to go by yourself.


Choose the correct answer:

17. You (ought, had ought) to stay home.

18. You (had ought, ought) not to eat so much.

19. You (had ought, ought) to leave.

20. You (hadn’t ought, shouldn’t) go.



..Rule 4:. Avoid the confusion of the shifting tense.

• He scored three points and tied the game.



Choose the correct answer:

21. He scored three points and (tied, ties) the game.


..Rule 5:. Don’t use ain’t in a sentence.

• I’m not going to the gym today.

Choose the correct answer:

22. I (ain’t, am not) going to the mall today.


..Rule 6:. Don’t say “I says.”

• I said, “Put that down.”


Choose the correct answer:

23. I (says, said) put that down.


..Rule 7:. Use a single verb with a single subject. The single verb usually ends in s.

• The flower grows in the garden.

• The student lives here.


Choose the correct answer:

24. The flower (grow, grows) in the garden.

25. The teacher (live, lives) here.


..Rule 8:. Use a plural verb with a plural subject. The plural verb usually does not end in s.

• The flowers grow in the garden.

• The students live here.



Choose the correct answer:

26. The flowers (grow, grows) in the garden.

27. The teachers (live, lives) here.



..Rule 9:. Use are, were, have, and do with a plural subject. Use is, was, has, or does with a single subject.

• These shoes are old.

• My sisters were here.

• My brothers have new coats.

• The boys do well in football.

Choose the correct answer:

28. These shoes (are, is) old.

29. My sisters (was, were) here.

30. My brothers (have, has) new coats.

31. The boys (do, does) well in football.

• The car is black.

• The boy was here.

• My brother has a backpack.

• That student does well in school.

Choose the correct answer:

32. The car (is, are) black.

33. The boy (was, were) here.

34. My brother (have, has) a backpack.

34. That student (do, does) well in school.


..Rule 10:. Use the contractions isn’t, wasn’t, hasn’t, and doesn’t with singular subjects. Use aren’t, weren’t, haven’t, and don’t with plural subjects.

• That book isn’t mine.

• The grapes weren’t very sweet.

• The players haven’t left the field.

• These cookies don’t go very well with soda.

Choose the correct answer:

36. The grapes (wasn’t, weren’t) very sweet.

37. The players (hasn’t, haven’t) left the field.

38. These cookies (don’t, doesn’t) go very well with soda.

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Instructions: Read and study each rule and do the exercises for the rule. If you fail any of the exercises, you will fail the lesson. Simply restudy and redo the lessons to pass to the next lesson.

Rules 11-20

..Rule 11:. Make the verb in a question agree with its subject. To check for correctness, turn the sentence into a statement. If the statement is correct, then the sentence is correct.

Example: Are your shoes new? Your shoes are new.

• Are you going to the party?

• Are your parents coming to pick you up?

• Are the twins coming with you?

• Where have the flowers gone?

• Why haven’t they called?

• Doesn’t he care anymore?

Choose the correct answer:

39. (Is, Are) you going to the party?

40. (Are, Is) your parent coming to pick you up?

41. (Is, Are) the twins coming with you?

42. Where (has, have) the flowers gone?

43. Why (hasn’t, haven’t) they called?

44. (Don’t, Doesn’t) he care anymore?

..Rule 12:. If a sentence begins with there, or the contraction there’s, do not mistake there for the subject. Find the real subject and make the verb agree with it.

• There are three eggs in the bowl.

• There’s a child in the store.

Choose the correct answer:

45. There (is, are) three eggs in the bowl. (eggs are)

46. There (is, are) a child in the store. (child is)

..Rule 13:. Use a verb that agrees with the subject rather than with some other word that comes between the subject and verb.

Example: The box of oranges is on the table. (“Oranges” is not the subject). To find the subject ask yourself, “what is?”

Choose the correct answer:

47. The box of oranges (are, is) on the table.

48. The group of girls (was, were) laughing.

..Rule 14:. Use a plural verb with compound subjects joined by and.

• The girl and boy were walking together.

• Apples and oranges are in the fruit bowl.

Choose the correct answer:

49. The girl and boy (was, were) walking together.

50. Apples and oranges (is, are) in the fruit bowl.

..Rule 15:. Use a plural verb with scissors, shears, trousers, slacks, pliers, and similar words.

• These shears are heavy.

• Those tweezers look like Mom’s.

Choose the correct answer:

51. These shears (is, are) heavy.

52. Those tweezers (look, looks) like Mom’s.

53. The trousers (were, was) dry.

54. The slacks (has, have) been pressed.

55. The pliers (haven’t, hasn’t) left his hand since he started work.

..Rule 16:. Compound subjects with or, nor, either-or, neither-nor.

A. If both subjects are singular, use a singular verb.

• Soda or juice is her regular drink.

• The winner is either Sue or Mary.

Choose the correct answer:

56. Soda or juice (are, is) her regular drink.

57. The winner (is, are) either Sue or Mary.

B. If both subjects are plural, use a plural verb.

• Neither the teachers nor the students are in the cafeteria.

Choose the correct answer:

58. Neither the teachers nor the students (is, are) in the cafeteria.

C. If one subject is singular and the other is plural, make the verb agree with the subject that is closest to the verb.

• Neither the girls nor their brother was at home.

• Are either the teachers or the principal in the office?

Choose the correct answer:

59. Neither the girls nor their brother (was, were) at home.

60. (Are, Is) either the teachers or the principal in the office?

..Rule 17:. beat and its forms

Always use a helping verb with beaten:

• Today I beat. Yesterday I beat. Often I have beaten.

Choose the correct answer:

61. Today I (beat, beaten) my brother to the bus stop.

62. Yesterday he (beaten, beat) me to the bus stop.

63. Often I have (beat, beaten) him to the dinner table.

..Rule 18:. become and it forms

Use a helping verb with become; never use one with became.

• Today I become

• Yesterday I became.

• Often I have become.

Choose the correct answer:

64. Today I (become, became) serious about school.

65. Yesterday I (became, become) serious about football.

66. Often I have (become, became) serious about English grammar.

..Rule 19:. catch and its forms



Use the same form for the past and past participle. Never used catched.

• Today I catch.

• Yesterday I caught.

• Often I have caught.

Choose the correct answer:

67. Today I (catch, caught) the train in the morning.

68. Yesterday I (caught, catched) the train at noon.

69. Often I have (caught, catched) the train before lunch.



..Rule 20:. Use the subjective pronoun as part of a compound subject, (I, he, she, we, they, and who).

• He and I left the park together.

• She and he played ball together.

• They and we left home early.

• John and who else came late?

Choose the correct answer:

70. He and (I, me) left the park together.

71. She and (him, he) played ball together.

72. We and (them, they) left home early.

73. John and (who, whom) else came late?

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Instructions: Read and study each rule and do the exercises for the rule. If you fail any of the exercises, you will fail the lesson. Simply restudy and redo the lessons to pass to the next lesson.

Rules 21-30

..Rule 21:. Use an objective pronoun (me, him, her, us, them, and whom) after a preposition such as too, of, for, at, by, with, form, between, and so on.

• He looked at Larry and me.

• I will wait for Minnie and her.

• The winners were Jerry and he.

• The larger donations came from them and us.

• This package is from Gwen and whom?

Choose the correct answer:

74. He looked at Larry and (I, me).

75. The winners were Jerry and (he, him).

..Rule 22:. It or you can be used in both cases, as part of a compound subject and after a preposition.

• He and you left the park together.

• The bird and it were sold together.

• She and it came to the party together.

• I never spoke to her or it.

Choose the correct answer:

76. (He, Him) and you left the park together.

77. The bird and it (was, were) sold together.

78. (She, Her) and it came to the party together.

79. I never spoke to (she, her) or it.

..Rule 23:. As a matter of politeness, name yourself last in a compound sentence, and name second person pronouns before third. (Write you before he)

• Frank and I played together.

• You and he are welcome to come.

Choose the correct answer:

80. (Me and Frank, Frank and I) played together.

81. (He and you, You and he) are welcome to come.

..Rule 24:. Use we as a subject or predicate nominative before a noun; use us in the object position. To check for correctness drop the noun.

• We boys were there.

• They come before us

Choose the correct answer:

82. (We, Us) boys were there.

83. They come before (we, us).

..Rule 25:. Don’t use double subjects.

• Nette is a hard worker.

• George left this morning.

Choose the correct answer:

84. Nette (she is, is) a hard worker.

85. George (he left, left) this morning.

..Rule 26:. Don’t use his self and their selves.

• He did it himself.

• They did it themselves.

Choose the correct answer:

86. He did it (his self, himself).

87. They did it (their selves, themselves).

..Rule 27:. Do not confuse the possessive pronouns its, their, and your, with the following words and their contractions.

Contractions: (it is=it’s) (they are=they’re) (you are=you’re)

• It’s snowing now.

• They’re already home.

• You’re early again.

• It’s been a long day.

Possessive pronouns:

• The baby lost its toy.

• Your shirt is blue.

Choose the correct answer:

88. (Its, It’s) snowing now.

89. (Their, They’re) already home.

90. (Your, You’re) early again.

..Rule 28:. Do not put apostrophes in ours, yours, or theirs.

• I think this book is yours.

• This is our favorite movie.

• This doesn’t belong to us, it’s theirs.

Choose the correct answer:

91. I think this book is (yours, your’s).

92. This is (ours, our) favorite movie.

93. This doesn’t belong to us, it’s (theirs, their’s).

..Rule 29:. Use who as a subject; and use whom as an object.

• Who went in? (subject)

• Whom did you call? (object)

Omit such expressions as “did you say”, “do you feel”, or “do you think” so that you can choose between who and whom.

Example: (Who, Whom) did you say moved to Missouri?

Who moved to Missouri? (subject is who)

Example: (Whom Who) did you say lives next door?

Who lives next door? (subject is who)

• This book belongs to whom?

• Who did you say brought the cookies?

• To whom does this pencil belong?

Choose the correct answer:

94. (Whom, Who) did you say lives next door?

95. This book belongs to (whom, who)?

96. (Who, Whom) did you say brought the cookies.

97. To (who, whom) does this pencil belong?

..Rule 30:. Never use them as a demonstrative pronoun; say those. Use them only as an object. Never use it to point something out.

• Those are my gloves.

• Here are my skates. I bought them yesterday.

Choose the correct answer:

98. (Them, Those) are my gloves.

99. I would like to have some of (those, them) grapes.

100. Yes, you can play with (them, those) toys.

101. (Them, Those) children are playing too rough.

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Instructions: Read and study each rule and do the exercises for the rule. If you fail any of the exercises, you will fail the lesson. Simply restudy and redo the lessons to pass to the next lesson.

Rules 31-40

..Rule 31:. Learn the pronoun patterns.

A. he, she, and it act as singular pronouns.

• He (does, doesn’t, has, hasn’t, is, isn’t, was, wasn’t).

• She (does, doesn’t, has, hasn’t, is, isn’t, was, wasn’t).

• It (does, doesn’t, has, hasn’t, is, isn’t, was, wasn’t).

Choose the correct answer:

1. He (do, does) what ever he wants to.

2. She (don’t, doesn’t) live here now.

3. It (has, have) happened before.

B. you, we, and they act as plural pronouns

Example: You (have, haven’t, do, don’t, are, aren’t, were, weren’t).

Example: We (have, haven’t, do, don’t, are, aren’t, were, weren’t).

Example: They (have, haven’t, do, don’t, are, aren’t, were, weren’t).

Choose the correct answer:

4. You (isn’t, aren’t) ready yet.

5. We (wasn’t, weren’t) in a hurry.

6. They (was, were) late again.

C. I can act as both singular and plural.

Example: I (was, wasn’t, am, have, haven’t, do, don’t)

Use “I were” in situations that are contrary to fact.

Examples: If I were you…If I were the principal…If I were in his shoes…

• If I were you I would run the race.

• I was having a good time at the party.

Choose the correct answer:

7. If I (were, was) you I would run the race.

8. I (were, was) having a good time at the party.

..Rule 32:. Use plural verbs such as walk with I, you, we, and they. (see, cry, stand)

• I walk. You walk. We walk. They walk.

Use single verbs such as walks with he, she, it. (sees, cries, stands)

• He walks. She walks. It walks.

Choose the correct answer:

9. I (walk, walks) every day at five p.m.

10. You (walk, walks) by the door.

11. We (see, sees) you standing there.

12. They (cry, cries) when they become sad.

13. He (walks, walk) every day at five p.m.

14. She (stands, stand) by the door.

15. It (see, sees) you standing there.

..Rule 33:. The following pronouns are all used with single verbs.

anyone everyone one no one

someone anybody nobody somebody

each other everybody

Choose the correct answer:

16. Everyone (is, are) here.

17. Someone (hasn’t, haven’t) paid for his or her lunch.

18. Each of the boys (play, plays) well.

19. Nobody in the class (were, was) late.

20. Every class of students (was, were) in assembly.

..Rule 34:. Use a plural verb with scissors, shears, trousers, slacks, pliers, and similar words.

• The scissors are on the table.

• We don’t know where the shears are located.

• The trousers are in the laundry.

• The slacks are pressed and ready to go.

• The pliers are handy for holding the wire.

Choose the correct answer:

21. The scissors (are, is) on the table.

22. We don’t know where the shears (is, are) located.

23. The trousers (are, is) in the laundry.

24. The slacks (is, are) pressed and ready to go.

25. The pliers (is, are) better for holding the wire.

Use a plural verb with compound subjects joined by and.

• They and we are staying home tonight.

• He and she are friends.

• You and I are friends.

Choose the correct answer:

26. They and we (is, are) staying home tonight.

27. He and she (are, is) friends. You and I (is, are) friends.

Use a singular verb with compound subjects joined by or or nor.

• Either he or she does the work.

• Neither they nor he sings well.

• Neither he nor they sing well.

Examples:

• Either you or I (am, have, was, do).

• Either he or I (am, have, was, do).

• Either she or I (am, was, do).

• Either they or I (am, was, do).

• Either we or I (am, was, do).

• Either you or he (is, was, has, does).

• Either you or she (is, was, has, does).

• Has he or they left yet?

• Have they or he left yet?

Choose the correct answer:

28. Either he or she (do, does) the work.

29. Neither they nor he (sing, sings) well.

30. Either you or I (am, are) in trouble.

31. Either you or I (have, has) too much time.

32. Either you or I (was, were) selected first.

33. (Have, Has) he or they left yet?

34. (Have, Has) they or he left yet?

..Rule 35:. Unless you know that an antecedent is plural, use a singular third person pronoun in referring to it.

Example: Neither of the boys helped himself first.

• Everyone should hand in his or her test.

• Has either of the schools closed its doors?

Choose the correct answer:

35. Neither of the boys helped (himself, their self) first.

36. Everyone should hand in (their, his or her) test.

37. Has either of the schools closed (its, their) doors?

Do not be fooled by the presence of you or us.

• Each of you must go by yourself.

• Neither of us used his or her reasoning.

Choose the correct answer:

38. Each of you must go (by yourself, themselves).

39. Neither of us used (his or her, our) reasoning.

..Rule 36:. Use he, his, himself, she, or her except when referring to both sexes. When referring to both sexes, use (he or she) or (or him or her). Use it for things other than people.

• Nobody brought his or her keys

• Each of the girls wore her gloves.

• Everyone should help himself or herself.

• One of the girls went by herself.

Choose the correct answer:

40. Nobody brought (his or her, their) keys.

41. Each of the girls wore (their, her) gloves.

42. Everyone should help (himself or herself, their self).

..Rule 37:. sink and its forms

Never use a helping verb with sink.

• Today I sink. Yesterday I sank. Often I have sunk.

Choose the correct answer:

43. Today I will (sink, sank) a hole-in-one.

44. Yesterday I (sunk, sank) a fifteen-foot putt.

45. I have often (sank, sunk) three-foot putts.

..Rule 38:. spring and its forms

Never use a helping verb with sprang.

• Today I spring. Yesterday I sprang. Often I have sprung.

Choose the correct answer:

46. Today I (spring, sprang) into action.

47. Yesterday I (sprung, sprang) into action early.

48. Often I have (sprung, sprang) into action before noon.

..Rule 39:. swear and its forms

Always use a helping verb with sworn; never use one with swore.

• Today I swear. Yesterday I swore. Often I have sworn.

Choose the correct answer:

49. Today I (swear, sworn) to tell the truth.

50. Yesterday I (sworn, swore) to do the right thing.

51. Often I have (sworn, swore) to tell the truth.

..Rule 40:. Do not use the possessive whose for the contraction who’s (who is or who has).

• Whose turn is it?

• Who’s standing on the porch?

Choose the correct answer:

52. (Who’s, Whose) turn is it?

53. (Whose, Who’s) standing on the porch?

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Instructions: Read and study each rule and do the exercises for the rule. If you fail any of the exercises, you will fail the lesson. Simply restudy and redo the lessons to pass to the next lesson.

Rules 41-50

..Rule 41:. Never use their to refer to an antecedent that is modified by, each, every, either, or neither. Use her, his, or its.

• Each girl made her own hat.

• Neither horse won its race.

• Every man knows his place.

Choose the correct answer:

54. Each girl made (their, her) own hat.

55. Neither horse won (its, their) race.

56. Every man knows (their, his) place.

..Rule 42:. Use this or that to modify kind or sort. Don’t use these kind, those kind, these sort, or those sort.

• I like that kind of socks

• That sort of behavior is considered bad.

Choose the correct answer:

57. I like (that, those) kind of socks.

58. (Those, That) sort of behavior is considered bad.

59. I like (this, these) kind of vegetables.

60. (This, These) sort of vegetable is good for making a stew.

..Rule 43:. Do not use them as an adjective.

• I want those slacks.

• Pass me those scissors.

Choose the correct answer:

61. I want (them, those) slacks.

62. Pass me (them, those) scissors.

..Rule 44:. Using an and a.

Use an before words beginning with a vowel or a vowel sound. A word that begins with “x” has a vowel sound. (an x-ray)

Examples: an apple, an egg, an icicle, an hour.

Use a before words beginning with a consonant sound.

Examples: a house, a man, a cat, a fire, a sprinkle.

63. We saw (a, an) man and (an, a) boy in the road.

64. He was eating (a, an) apple.

65. We saw (an, a) old tire in the yard.

65a. He went to the lab to pick up (a, an) x-ray.

..Rule 45:. Use comparative degrees in speaking of two or more things.

• He is the tallest of the three brothers.

Choose the correct answer:

66. He is the (taller, tallest) of the three brothers.

Lesson 4

..Rule 46:. Don’t use double comparison.

• My work is harder now.

• This is the safest place I know.

Choose the correct answer:

67. My work is (harder, more harder) now.

68. This is the (safest, more safest) place I know.

..Rule 47:. When comparing persons or things in the same group, use the word other.

• John can run faster than any other boy in his class.

Choose the correct answer:

69. John can run faster than (any, any other) boy in his class.

..Rule 48:. tear and its forms

Always use a helping verb with torn; never use one with tore.

• Today I tear. Yesterday I tore. Often I have torn.

Choose the correct answer:

70. I will (tear, tore) my shirt today.

71. Yesterday I (torn, tore) my pants.

72. Often I have (torn, tore) my clothes after school.

..Rule 49:. shake and its forms

Always use a helping verb with shaken. Never use one with shook.

• Today I shake. Yesterday I shook. Often I have shaken.

Choose the correct answer:

73. Today I (shake, shook) hands with the president.

74. Yesterday I (shook, shake) hands with my congressman.

75. Often I have (shook, shaken) hands with the representatives.

..Rule 50:. shrink and its forms

Never use a helping verb with shrank.

• Today I shrink. Yesterday I shrank. Often I have shrunk.

Choose the correct answer:

76. Today I will (shrink, shrank) by one pound.

77. Often I have (shrunk, shrank) two pounds in one week.

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Instructions: Read and study each rule and do the exercises for the rule. If you fail any of the exercises, you will fail the lesson. Simply restudy and redo the lessons to pass to the next lesson.

Rules 51-60

..Rule 51:. Never use an adjective to modify a verb.

• He spoke angrily to me.

• She does the work easily.

Choose the correct answer:

78. He spoke (angrily, angry) to me.

79. She does the work (easily, easy).

..Rule 52:. good and well

Never use the adjective good to modify a verb.

• He does well in his English and grammar classes.

• This pie looks good.

Choose the correct answer:

80. He does (good, well) in his English and grammar classes.

81. This pie looks (good, well).

Use well as an adjective to describe feeling or appearance.

• I feel well today. He seems well.

Choose the correct answer:

82. I feel (good, well) today. He seems (well, good).

c. Use well as an adverb to tell how something is done.

• John does well in track and basketball.

• My car runs well.

Choose the correct answer:

83. John does (good, well) in track and basketball.

84. My car runs (good, well).

..Rule 53:. bad and badly

Use the adjective bad to describe feeling, appearance, and conditions.

• I felt bad today.

• The weather looks bad.

Use the adverb badly to tell how something is done.

• Our team played badly today.

Choose the correct answer:

85. I felt (badly, bad) today.

86. The weather looks (bad, badly).

87. Our team played (badly, bad) today.

..Rule 54:. sure and surely

Use the adverb surely when the meaning is certainly.

• Your survey surely helped solve their problem (survey certainly helped…)

Use sure only when certainly will not fit.

• I’m sure of the date. (certainly will not fit)

Choose the correct answer:

88. Your survey (surely, sure) helped solve their problem.

89. I’m (sure, surely) of the date.

..Rule 55:. real and really

Use real only when the adverb really does not make sense.

• This is a real silver dollar. (Really would not make sense.)

• I’m really sorry. (Really does make sense.)

Choose the correct answer:

90. This is a (real, really) silver dollar.

91. I’m (real, really) sorry.

..Rule 56:. most and almost

Use the adverb almost not most when the meaning is nearly.

• We are almost there.

• Most of us are ready to go.

Choose the correct answer:

92. We are (almost, most) there.

93. (Almost, Most) of us are ready to go.

..Rule 57:. Do not use two negative words such as no, not, never, none, nothing, nowhere, no one, and nobody to limit one idea.

a. The n’t of a contraction is the same as a negative word.

b. The words scarcely and hardly also carry a negative meaning.

• I have no time for talking.

• I have never worried about little things.

• I can hardly remember anything lately.

• Only a few people came to the party.

Choose the correct answer:

94. I (have, haven’t) no time for talking.

95. I (can’t, can) hardly remember anything lately.

96. (Hardly nobody, Only a few people) came to the party

..Rule 58:. Never say this here, these here, that there, or those there.

• This book is mine.

• I’ll take those shoes.

Choose the correct answer:

97. (This here, This) book is mine.

98. I’ll take (those shoes, those there shoes).

..Rule 59:. Use the comparative degree more in speaking of two things.

• Which one of the twins does math more easily?

Choose the correct answer:

99. Which one of the twins does math (more, most) easily?

..Rule 60:. Use the superlative degree best in speaking of more than two things.

• Mom looked best of all the women.

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Instructions: Read and study each rule and do the exercises for the rule. If you fail any of the exercises, you will fail the lesson. Simply restudy and redo the lessons to pass to the next lesson.

Rules 61-70

Choose the correct answer:

100. Mom looked (better, best) of all the women.

..Rule 61:. Don’t use double comparison.

• Can’t you walk faster?

Choose the correct answer:

101. Can’t you walk (faster, more faster)?

..Rule 62:. Use the objective forms of pronouns as indirect objects even when the indirect object is a compound.

• Henry gave Lou and me a free lunch.

Choose the correct answer:

Henry gave Lou and (I, me) a free lunch.

..Rule 63:. Keep the objective form us even when it is an indirect object in combination with a noun.

• Mom gave us girls a present.

• Mom gave us a present.

Choose the correct answer:

103. Mom gave (we, us) girls a present.

104. Mom gave (us, we) a present.

Learning the Rules of Grammar

Rules 64-89

..Rule 64: attack and its forms

Use attacked for both past and past participle.

• Today I attack. Yesterday I attacked. Often I have attacked.

Choose the correct answer:

1. Today I will (attack, attacked) my final paper for the semester.

2. Yesterday I (attack, attacked) the final test.

3. Often I have (attacked, attack) the math problems.

..Rule 65:. burst and its forms

Use burst for all three participles. Do not use busted.

• Today the balloons burst. Yesterday they burst. Often they have burst.

Choose the correct answer:

4. Today the balloons (burst, bursted) before noon.

5. Yesterday they (bursted, burst) after lunch.

6. Often they have (busted, burst) in the morning.

..Rule 66:. drown and its forms

Use drowned for both past and past participle.

• Today the noise will drown out the TV.

• Yesterday it drowned out a special report.

• Often it has drowned out the evening news.

Choose the correct answer:



7. Today the noise will (drowned, drown) out the TV at ten o’clock.

8. Yesterday it (drown, drowned) out a special report during lunch.

9. Often it has (drowned, drown) out the evening news.

..Rule 67:. Do not use in for into.

Into means motion from one place to another. In means motion within something.

• My hat fell into the lake.

• Joe was swimming in the pool.

Choose the correct answer:

10. My hat fell (in, into) the lake.

11. Tom was swimming (into, in) the pool.

..Rule 68:. Use to when you mean a motion toward. Use at to mean being somewhere.

• I went to the park.

• I stayed at their house over night.

Choose the correct answer:

12. I went (to, at) the park.

13. I stayed (at, to) their house over night.

..Rule 69:. Do not use off or off of to mean from.

• I borrowed it from Jean.

• I took it from the table.

Choose the correct answer:

14. I borrowed it (off of, from) Jean.

15. I took it (off, from) the table.

..Rule 70:. Do not confuse by and at.

• We went by your house.

• We will visit at your house.

Choose the correct answer:

16. We went (at, by) your house.

17. We will visit (by, at) your house.

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Instructions: Read and study each rule and do the exercises for the rule. If you fail any of the exercises, you will fail the lesson. Simply restudy and redo the lessons to pass to the next lesson.

Rules 71-80

..Rule 71:. Use besides when you mean also or in addition to. Use beside when you mean next to.

• Besides Joe, Larry came to the party.

• Karen was standing beside the wall.

Choose the correct answer:

18. (Beside, Besides) Joe, Larry came to the party.

19. Karen was standing (besides, beside) the wall.

..Rule 72:. Do not substitute of for have.

• You should have waited for me.

• They should have practiced more before the game.

Choose the correct answer:

20. You should (of, have) waited for me.

21. They should (have, of) practiced before the game.

..Rule 73:. Say different from, not, different than

• All of your presents are different from mine.

• The book he bought today is different from the one he had before.

Choose the correct answer:



22. All of your presents are different (that, from) mine.

23. The book he bought today is different (from, than) the one he had before.

24. This picture is different (than, from) the one in the book.

..Rule 74:. Use among if more that two will share something. Use between if there are only two.

• Divide the candy between the two of them.

• Divide the cookies among the ten students.

Choose the correct answer:

25. Divide the candy (among, between) the two of them.

26. Divide the cookies (between, among) the ten students.

..Rule 75:. Avoid unnecessary prepositions

• Add these figures for the answer.

• Where does he work now?

• Where has she been?

• Don’t jump from the porch.

Choose the correct answer:

27. Add these (figures up, figures) for the answer.

28. Where does he (work, work at) now?

29. Where has she (been, been at)?

30. Don’t jump (from, off of) the porch.

..Rule 76:. Use too as an adverb to mean also or more than enough.

• I’m going to the store too.

• I am too tired to go another step.

Choose the correct answer:

31. I’m going to the store (to, too).

32. I am (to, too) tired to go another step.

..Rule 77:. Use two to mean one more than one.

• We saw two girls in the gym.

• The two of us should go to the park.

Choose the correct answer:

33. We saw (too, two) girls in the gym.

34. The (two, to) of us should go to the park.

..Rule 78:. Use to as a preposition which needs a noun or pronoun object.

• He went to the store.

• He has given it to me.

Choose the correct answer:

35. He went (to, too) the store.

36. He has given it (too, to) me.

..Rule 79:. bring and take

• Bring the book to me.

• Take the chair to the desk.

Choose the correct answer:

37. (Take, Bring) the book to me.

38. (Bring, Take) the chair to the desk.

..Rule 80:. leave and let

Use leave when you mean, to go away from. Use let when you mean to allow or to give permission.

• We can leave when you are ready.

• Let me borrow your notebook.

Choose the correct answer:

39. We can (leave, let) when you are ready.

40. (Let, Leave) me borrow your notebook.


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Instructions: Read and study each rule and do the exercises for the rule. If you fail any of the exercises, you will fail the lesson. Simply restudy and redo the lessons to pass to the next lesson.

Rules 81-89

..Rule 81:. learn and teach

Use learn when you mean, to receive knowledge. Use teach when you mean, give instructions.

• I am ready to learn my math.

• Mr. Smith is trying to teach me grammar.

Choose the correct answer:

41. I am ready to (learn, teach) my math.

42. Mr. Smith is trying to (learn, teach) me grammar.

..Rule 82:. lose and loose

Do not use the adjective loose instead of the verb lose.

• Did you lose your money?

• His tooth is loose.

Choose the correct answer:

43. Did you (lose, loose) your money?

44. His tooth is (lose, loose).

..Rule 83:. lend and borrow

Use lend when you give the use of something. Use borrow when you ask the use of something.

• I will lend you the money.

• Did Gwen borrow your car?

Choose the correct answer:

45. I will (borrow, lend) you the money.

46. Did Gwen (lend, borrow) your car?

..Rule 84:. climb and its forms

Use climbed for both the past and past participle. Do not use clum.

• Today I climb. Yesterday I climbed. Often I have climbed.

Choose the correct answer:

47. Today I (climbed, climb) to the top of the list.

48. Yesterday I (clum, climbed) the mountain.

49. Often I have (clum, climbed) the stairs.

..Rule 85:. sneak and its forms

Use sneaked for the past and past participle. Do not use snuck

• Today I sneak. Yesterday I sneaked. Often I have sneaked.

Choose the correct answer:

50. Today I will (sneak, sneaked) to the head of the line.

51. Yesterday I (sneaked, snuck) on the bus.

52. Often I have (snuck, sneaked) in class late.

..Rule 86:. drag and its forms

Use dragged for the past and the past participle. Do not use drug.

• Today I drag. Yesterday I dragged. Often I have dragged.

Choose the correct answer:

53. Today I will (drag, dragged) the equipment sack to the ball game.

54. Yesterday I (drug, dragged) it to the park.

55. Often I have (dragged, drug) it to school.

..Rule 87:. who and whom

If the relative pronoun is the subject of the adjective clause, use who.

Adjective clause: a group of words that describe the subject.

If the relative pronoun is the object, use whom.

Object: a word that receives the action of the verb.

Use which or that when referring to animals.

• This is the woman who came in early. Who is the subject of the clause, who came early.

• John is the friend whom I can trust. Whom is the object of this clause. I is the subject.

Choose the correct answer:

56. This is the woman (whom, who) came in early.

57. John is the friend (whom, who) I can trust.

..Rule 88:.Use who, whom, or that in referring to people.

Use which or that in referring to animals or things.

• It is the same dog that was around here yesterday.

• He is the boy who makes basketball look easy.

• That is the dog, which looks like a wolf.

• This is the dog that followed me home.

Choose the correct answer:

58. This is the same dog (who, that) was around here yesterday.

59. He is the boy (which, who) makes basketball look easy.

60. This is the dog (that, who) looks like a wolf.

..Rule 89:. as, as if, as though, and like

Use as, as if, or although to connect clauses.

• Father looks as if he is tired.

• As I always say, “We must try to win.”

• I’m as hungry as a horse.

Choose the correct answer:

61. Father looks (as if, like) he is tired.

62. (As, Like) I always say, “We must try to win.”

Use like as a preposition, to be followed by an object.

• Philip looks like his father.

Choose the correct answer:

63. Philip looks (as, like) his father.

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