8th grade grammar

Example

What is the word in brackets doing in this sentence? She enjoys reading mystery novels. (reading)

1. Verbals are verb forms doing other jobs: gerund = noun (-ing), participle = adjective (-ing/-ed), infinitive = to + verb.
2. So the answer is: gerund

Answer: gerund

Example

What is the mood of the verb in this sentence? The committee demands that he resign.

1. Indicative = facts and statements; imperative = commands; interrogative = questions; conditional = what would happen; subjunctive = wishes, demands, hypotheticals.
2. So the answer is: subjunctive

Answer: subjunctive

Example

Choose the verb form that completes the conditional sentence. If they ___ earlier, they would have caught the train.

1. Zero: if + present, present. First: if + present, will. Second: if + past, would. Third: if + had + participle, would have + participle.
2. It imagines a different past: if + had + participle, would have + participle (third conditional).
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train."
4. So the answer is: had left

Answer: had left

Example

What is the word in capitals doing in this sentence? We enjoy CAMPING in the summer.

1. A gerund (-ing) works as a noun; a participle (-ing or -ed/-en) works as an adjective; with be, -ing forms part of the main verb.
2. 'Camping' is the object of 'enjoy'.
3. So the answer is: gerund (works as a noun)

Answer: gerund (works as a noun)

Example

How is the infinitive phrase in brackets used? My plan is [to leave early].

1. An infinitive (to + verb) can do the job of a noun, an adjective or an adverb.
2. It renames the subject 'plan'.
3. So the answer is: as a noun

Answer: as a noun

Example

Which sentence is the correct active version, keeping the same tense? The match was won by our team. • The match won our team. • Our team wins the match by it. • Our team was won by the match. • Our team won the match.

1. To make a sentence active, move the 'by' phrase to the front as the subject and change be + past participle to the matching active form.
2. So the answer is: Our team won the match.

Answer: Our team won the match.

Example

Choose the correct verb form for formal English. We suggest that each student ___ a short summary.

1. The subjunctive uses 'were' for unreal situations and the base form after verbs of demanding or suggesting.
2. After 'suggest that', use the base form.
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "We suggest that each student write a short summary."
4. So the answer is: write

Answer: write

Example

Is the opening phrase correctly attached, or is it a dangling modifier? Covered in mud, the dog was washed by its owner.

1. An opening participle phrase describes the subject that comes right after it. If that subject can't do the action, the modifier dangles.
2. The dog was covered in mud.
3. So the answer is: correct

Answer: correct

Example

Choose the correct verb. Please ___ your hand if you know the answer.

1. lay, raise and set take an object; lie, rise and sit do not.
2. 'Raise' needs an object (your hand).
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "Please raise your hand if you know the answer."
4. So the answer is: raise

Answer: raise

Example

Choose the verb that agrees with the subject. Five kilometres ___ a long way to walk.

1. Agreement follows meaning: amounts, titles and -s subjects like physics are singular; 'a number of', police and paired items are plural.
2. A distance treated as one amount is singular.
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "Five kilometres is a long way to walk."
4. So the answer is: is

Answer: is