HESI A2 – Grammar
NB: Majority of these questions are directly from the HESI, and some are in the same format that is similar to the questions on the
... [Show More] exam.
Which sentence is grammatically correct? a.) Who’s coming to the party?
b.) Whose to blame for the economy? c.) Who’s hat is this?
d.) Whose going to vote?
- Correct answer: A
Who’s: who is
Whose: belonging to someone
a.) I went two the store. b.) I want ice cream, too.
c.) The nurse gave him too shots. d.) I want to know your name.
- Correct answer: D
There is no right or wrong for adding a comma before the word ‘too’ – however, the comma indicates primarily for emphasis, meaning it is not necessary.
a.) He did well on his diet. b.) He done well on his diet. c.) He did good on his diet. d.) He done good on his diet.
- Correct answer: A
Did well vs. Did Good
Well is used as an adverb, describing the verb. Good is used as an adjective, to describe a noun. ‘He sang well’ is the appropriate use of well (describes how he sang). ‘He is a good boy’ is the appropriate use of good, which is used to describe the noun (boy).
a.) Several lost his or her keys on the train.
b.) Does everyone have their train tickets ready? c.) Is everyone ready for their ice cream sundaes? d.) Somebody left his or her jacket on the train.
- Correct answer: D
Everyone is singular, so ‘their’ is not matched correctly to the singular noun. Several is plural, so it should be ‘their keys’, and not ‘his or her’.
Which sentence should replace the following incorrect sentence?
- This door to remain unlocked when occupied.”
a.) This door will remain unlocked when the office is occupied. b.) This door to remain unclosed while open.
c.) This sentence is correct as written.
d.) This office must have the door unlocked at all times.
- Correct answer: A
Which sentence is grammatically correct? a.) Sarah plays her new saxophone well.
b.) The band did good during the halftime show. c.) The band that played before ours was well.
- Correct answer: A
Sarah plays (verb) her new saxophone well (adverb). Well is used correctly in this sentence. Answer choice B does not use good in the correct term. It should be ‘the band did well’ because (did) is the verb. Remember, well is an adverb. Answer choice C should be ‘the band that played before ours was good’, because it’s describing the band (noun), and good is an (adjective) used to describe a noun.
Which use of apostrophe is correct in the sentence?
Because of staff change’s, the list of the birthday’s was distributed to all worker’s in the business’ three offices.
a.) Change’s b.) Worker’s c.) Business’ d.) Birthday’s
- Correct answer: C
Business’ is used correctly – it is showing ownership of the business’ three offices. The possessive of a plural noun is formed by adding only an apostrophe when the noun ends in s.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
a.) The patient told the nurse, “put the flowers on the table over their.” b.) The students looked at their test scores.
c.) Their comes a time when one choose between right and wrong. d.) Their waiting for you.
- Correct answer: B
The word ‘their’ is not used correctly in any of the answer choices besides B. ‘Their’ is used for ownership. Answer choice C should be written as ‘there comes a time when one chooses between right and wrong. Answer choice D should be written as ‘they’re (they are) waiting for you. Answer choice A should be written as “put the flowers on the table over there”.
Identify the dependent clause in this sentence:
The mother dog left her bed as soon as the puppies were asleep. a.) As soon as the puppies were asleep
b.) Left her bed as
c.) The puppies were asleep
d.) The mother dog left her bed
- Correct answer: A
An independent clause is a sentence that can be used independently – which applies to answer choices C and D. A dependent clause is a sentence that contains a subject (noun) and verb, but it cannot stand on its meaning. A dependent clause usually begins with a subordinate clause (because, who, before, when, for, as, although, after…) – Answer choice A starts with a subordinate clause and requires an independent clause to make up the complete sentence.
Select the sentence in which snake is used as a VERB. a.) The cobra is a venomous snake.
b.) The spy had to snake his way furtively onto the train.
c.) The plumber used his snake to open up the clogged pipe. d.) You are being a snake when you steal from me.
- Correct answer: B
A verb is used to describe an action, state, or occurrence. Answer choice A is incorrect because ‘snake’ is used as a noun. Answer choice C is also incorrect because it is used as a noun – a snake is a device used to help clear clogged drains/pipes. Answer choice D is incorrect because it is describing the person as a snake – adjective (used to describe a noun).
Select the sentence that is grammatically correct.
a.) The nurse spoke to my sister and I about our mother’s condition. b.) The nurse spoke to my sister and me about our mother’s condition. c.) The nurse spoke to me and my sister about our mother’s condition. d.) The nurse spoke to I and my sister about our mother’s condition.
- Correct answer: B
The best way to understand what works best is by separating the sentences – break it down: “The nurse spoke to me about my mother’s condition.” This statement is grammatically correct. “The nurse spoke to I about my mother’s condition” is not grammatically correct. When in doubt, split the sentences.
Select the word that is grammatically incorrect.
The most important things in my life are making money, traveling abroad, and to live well. a.) In
b.) To live c.) The most d.) Are
- Correct answer: B
Note that the verbs end in ‘ing’ – present participle – so, the correct term would be ‘living well’, not ‘to live well’.
Based on the principals of asepsis, the nurse should consider a sterile packet below waist level to be contaminated.
a.) To be
b.) Principals c.) Asepsis d.) Waist
- Correct answer: B
Always pay attention to each word being used – principals sound the same as PRINCIPLES, but have completely different meanings.
I will call you when I will get back from visiting my sister. a.) Visiting
b.) My c.) When
d.) Will get
- Correct answer: D
Her mother asked her what would she do after she graduated from college. a.) From
b.) Her
c.) Would/she
d.) Mother
- Correct Answer: C
The grammatically correct sentence would be stated as: “Her mother asked her what she would do after she graduated from college.” The words are switched.
Select the word or phrase that makes the sentence grammatically correct.
After having robbed the bank,
a.) The back president offered a reward for the thief. b.) The thief’s wife became very nervous.
c.) The police searched for the thief for many weeks. d.) The thief hid at the house of a friend.
- Correct answer: D
The sentence starts with a dependent clause (hint: subordinating conjunction – after); the sentence cannot stand alone, meaning it needs to be accompanied by an independent clause. A clause is a collection of phrases with the subject and verb – so answer choice D matches the subject (thief) – his action after having robbed the bank
Select the word or phrase that is grammatically incorrect.
When you add sugar to it, your cup of coffee becomes not only sweet, but also fattening. a.) Also
b.) Becomes c.) To
d.) Cup of
- Correct answer: B or A?
This is a conflicting answer – this exact question appeared on the exam and I chose answer choice B. I agree that the word ‘but’ should be added before ‘also’; however the word ‘becomes’ is placed in an awkward position in the sentence. I don’t think it’s placed in the right spot – the sentence should instead read ‘your cup of coffee not only becomes sweet, but also fattening.’ The word ‘becomes’ is misplaced, and the word ‘also’ is lacking a friend – ‘but’. So, the word ‘becomes’ would be the most likely answer.
Long before his death, Pablo Picasso had became one of the most important artists in history. a.) In
b.) Long before c.) Had became d.) The most
- Correct answer: C
The most correct phrase would be ‘was’ – the sentence states before his death, meaning that the verb should be past tense. He was one of the most important artists in history.
Select the correct word(s) for the blank in the following sentences:
are very ancient people. a.) The Chinese
b.) Chinese
c.) The Chineses d.) Chineses
- Correct answer: A
The word ‘Chinese’ can be singular or plural – but ‘Chineses’ is not a word, nor is it the plural form for the word Chinese.
It is important that John his resume immediately. a.) Sends
b.) Send c.) Sent d.) Sended
- Correct answer: B
There is an exact question on the exam that uses the following statement ‘It is required that he SEND the payment immediately.’ Please make note this is what’s called SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD! This means that the sentence is a request, demand, or an order
– which is why the verb is SEND and not SENDS. For example, ‘the teacher demanded that the student APOLOGIZE to the class.’ See how it’s apologize, and not apologizes – please make note of what the sentence is stating.
Which phrase should be moved to the end of the sentence?
The painter decided to use the urn as his subject with flowers on the table. a.) With flowers
b.) The urn
c.) The painter decided d.) As his subject
- Correct answer: D
Read the sentence carefully – the painter wanted to use the urn with flowers on the table
– FOR WHAT? To use as his subject!
Identify the dependent clause in the following sentence:
Sofia won’t be able to compete in the race because she wrecked her car. a.) Because she wrecked her car
b.) Compete in the race
c.) Sofia won’t be able to compete in the race d.) Her car
- Correct answer: A
The BEST way to find the dependent clause is to look for the SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTION (after, because, before, while, but, also, when, as, etc.) – answer choice C won’t work because it’s an independent sentence (simple sentence). Answer choice A is correct because of the biggest clue: BECAUSE (subordinate conjunction).
Select the word or phrase that makes the sentence grammatically correct. She was so mad at her boyfriend, she on him when he called.
a.) Yelled b.) Screamed c.) Speak
d.) Hung up
- Correct answer: D
A tuberculin skin test should be read within 24 hours administration. a.) Of
b.) Since c.) As d.) From
- Correct answer: A
If they that the weather was going to be so bad, they wouldn’t have gone to the beach.
a.) Had known b.) Were knowing c.) Knew
d.) Known
- Correct answer: A
Answer choice A is the most grammatically correct answer – because they did not know, that they had no knowledge. Answer choice C means that they knew that the weather was going to be bad and went anyway, which is incorrect. Had they known that the weather was going to be bad, they would have avoided going to the beach.
My mother and went shopping for clothes yesterday. a.) Us
b.) Me
c.) Myself d.) I
- Correct answer: D
The best way to understand this is by splitting the sentences apart – “I went shopping for clothes yesterday.” This is grammatically correct. “Me/myself went shopping for clothes” is incorrect. “Us went shopping for clothes” is also incorrect. [Show Less]