Grammar and Usage Quiz: Test Your English Sentence Skills

This grammar and usage quiz helps you practice common English choices that appear in school writing, business emails, essays, and everyday communication.

You will practice topics such as:

• a vs. an
• who vs. whom
• that vs. which
• good vs. well
• can vs. may
• I vs. me
• lay vs. lie
• active voice vs. passive voice

Choose the best answer for each sentence. The answer key includes short explanations so you can understand the rule behind each choice.

Grammar and usage quiz at a glance

Skill	What you practice	Example
articles	choosing a or an	an hour, a university
pronouns	choosing subject or object forms	I vs. me
clauses	choosing that or which	comma rule
usage	choosing the natural word	good vs. well

Quick rule:

1. Read the full sentence.
2. Look at the grammar job the word must do.
3. Choose the word that fits both meaning and sentence structure.

Quiz instructions

Choose the correct answer for each sentence. Try to complete all questions before looking at the answer key.

Grammar and usage quiz

1. A vs. an

She waited for _____ hour.

A. a B. an

2. Who vs. whom

_____ should I contact about the application?

A. Who B. Whom

3. That vs. which

The report _____ explains the budget is on my desk.

A. that B. which

4. Good vs. well

She writes very _____.

A. good B. well

5. Can vs. may

_____ I leave class early today?

A. Can B. May

6. I vs. me

Jordan and _____ finished the project.

A. I B. me

7. Lay vs. lie

Please _____ the folder on the table.

A. lay B. lie

8. Who’s vs. whose

_____ laptop is charging near the window?

A. Who’s B. Whose

9. Active vs. passive voice

Which sentence is active?

A. The email was sent by Maya. B. Maya sent the email.

10. Comma before because

Which sentence is clearer?

A. I didn’t call because I was angry. B. I didn’t call, because I was angry.

11. Fewer vs. less

The store has _____ chairs than last year.

A. fewer B. less

12. Between vs. among

The prize was divided _____ the three winners.

A. between B. among

13. Since vs. because

_____ the roads were icy, school was delayed.

A. Since B. Because

14. Like vs. as

Do it _____ I showed you.

A. like B. as

15. May vs. might

We _____ visit the museum if we have time.

A. may B. might

Answer key with explanations

1. An

Correct: She waited for an hour.

Use an before a vowel sound. Hour starts with a silent h, so the first sound is a vowel sound.

2. Whom

Correct: Whom should I contact about the application?

Use whom when the word is the object of a verb or preposition. A quick test: “I should contact him,” not “I should contact he.”

3. That

Correct: The report that explains the budget is on my desk.

Use that for essential information. The phrase tells us which report.

4. Well

Correct: She writes very well.

Use well to describe an action. Good usually describes a noun.

5. May

Correct: May I leave class early today?

Use may for permission in polite or formal situations.

6. I

Correct: Jordan and I finished the project.

Use I as the subject. Test it by removing the other person: “I finished the project.”

7. Lay

Correct: Please lay the folder on the table.

Lay means to put something down. It takes an object. Lie means to recline.

8. Whose

Correct: Whose laptop is charging near the window?

Whose shows ownership. Who’s means “who is” or “who has.”

9. Maya sent the email

Correct: Maya sent the email.

Active voice clearly shows who did the action.

10. I didn’t call, because I was angry

Correct: I didn’t call, because I was angry.

The comma helps clarify that anger is the reason for not calling. Without the comma, the sentence can be misunderstood.

11. Fewer

Correct: The store has fewer chairs than last year.

Use fewer with countable plural nouns. Chairs can be counted.

12. Among

Correct: The prize was divided among the three winners.

Use among for a group relationship. Use between for separate one-to-one relationships.

13. Because

Correct: Because the roads were icy, school was delayed.

Because clearly gives the reason. Since can also mean “because,” but it may sometimes suggest time.

14. As

Correct: Do it as I showed you.

Use as before a full clause with a subject and verb.

15. May or might

Best answer: might

Both can show possibility, but might often sounds a little more uncertain. In this sentence, “if we have time” suggests uncertainty.

Score guide

Score	Meaning
13–15 correct	Strong grammar and usage skills
10–12 correct	Good, with a few rules to review
7–9 correct	Keep practicing common usage choices
0–6 correct	Review the explanations and try again

Grammar improves when you connect rules to real sentences.

Common mistakes to watch for

Mistake 1: Choosing by sound only

Some grammar choices sound natural because you hear them often, but they may not be best for formal writing.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the sentence job

Ask what the word does in the sentence. Is it the subject, object, verb, adjective, or adverb?

Mistake 3: Treating every rule as absolute

Some choices depend on context, tone, or formality. For example, can is common in casual permission questions, while may sounds more formal.

Mistake 4: Forgetting that clarity matters most

The best sentence is not always the fanciest sentence. Good grammar should make meaning clearer.

Mistake 5: Not reviewing missed answers

If you miss a question, write your own example sentence using the correct answer.

How to improve your grammar score

Use this simple method:

1. Mark the questions you missed.
2. Read the explanation slowly.
3. Write one correct sentence using the same rule.
4. Read the sentence out loud.
5. Try the quiz again later.

Example:

• Good describes a noun: She is a good writer.
• Well describes an action: She writes well.

Short examples are easier to remember than long rules.

Quick quiz

Try five extra grammar and usage questions.

1. _____ umbrella is by the door.
2. The message was written by Alex. Is this active or passive?
3. Please give the file to Jordan and _____.
4. The dog is lying _____ the couch.
5. We need _____ information before deciding.

Answers:

1. An
2. passive
3. me
4. on
5. more

FAQ

What is a grammar and usage quiz?

A grammar and usage quiz tests how well you choose correct sentence forms, word choices, punctuation patterns, and usage rules.

What is the difference between grammar and usage?

Grammar focuses on sentence structure. Usage focuses on how words and forms are commonly and correctly used in context.

Is this quiz good for students?

Yes. It is useful for students, English learners, job seekers, and writers who want cleaner sentences.

How can I get better at grammar?

Practice with short examples, review mistakes, and learn one rule at a time.

Should I memorize grammar rules?

Rules help, but examples are easier to remember. Use both.

Can grammar rules change by context?

Yes. Some choices depend on formality, audience, and meaning.

If any question felt difficult, review the individual guides for Homophones Quiz and Commonly Confused Words Quiz, then come back to the practice test. For a wider set of examples in this topic, use the Quizzes & Practice archive as the category grows.

Final tip

Good grammar is not about sounding complicated. It is about making your meaning clear.

When you are unsure, ask:

• What is the sentence trying to say?
• What job does the word do?
• Is the tone formal, casual, or academic?

Then choose the word or structure that makes the sentence clear and natural.