Card 0 of 68
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
No matter how diverse a menu may be, John always orders the most basic dish that he could find. No error
The sentence is written in the present tense, except for the modal verb, "could," which expresses possibility where none is needed; we're told that John "always" orders basic dishes. "Could" should be changed to the present tense verb "can" so that its tense matches that of "orders."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If I was the principal, I would make the student council dedicate their time to issues that concern all students. No error
Since the speaker is talking about a hypothetical situation, it is appropriate to use the subjunctive mood to denote that. The sentence should therefore begin "If I were the principal," ("were" being the first-person subjunctive form of "is") rather than "If I was the principal." Look out for key words such as "if" or "I wish" to denote where the subjunctive mood should be used.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If I was president, I would adjust the national budget so that everyone would be able to live comfortably. No error
Since the speaker of the sentence is discussing a hypothetical situation, the verb "was" should be changed to its subjunctive form, "were."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Caleb was certain that if he was in charge, the student council would be able to secure his favorite band to play at prom. No error
In this sentence, the writer is referring to a hypothetical situation of Caleb being in charge. This requires the use of the subjunctive mood of the verb. The phrase "if he was in charge" should therefore be changed to "if he were in charge," so "was" should be replaced with "were."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
In her Agriculture classes, Daisy always asks her students to grow the biggest pumpkins they could grow. No error
The sentence is written entirely in present tense without the use of modal verbs except for the modal verb "could." In order to maintain consistency, we need to change "could" to "can."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Standing at the front door, Patrick passionately proclaimed that everything would change if he was in charge of the house instead of his parents. No error
In this sentence, Patrick is describing a hypothetical situation in which he is in charge of the house. Since this situation has not actually happened, he would need to use the subjunctive mood for the "verb" is and change "was" to "were" ("if he were in charge").
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Even when the chips are down, Daisy always thinks about how she could help her fellow students. No error
While the majority of the sentence is written in the present tense, the modal verb "could" expresses potential unnecessarily. "Could" should be changed to the present tense "can" in order to match the mood of the sentence.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We quickly determined that we'd almost never stay on the ground if we was able to fly. No error
The sentence is intended to convey the possibility of what would happen if the speakers could fly; therefore, "was able" should be changed to the correct subjunctive mood form: "were able."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If I were the head chef at a restaurant, I would include lots of bizarre dishes with rare ingredients and combinations that would be new and exciting to patrons. No error
"If I were" is correct because subjunctive mood is needed in hypotheticals introduced by "if." "Were" is correct here, not "was." A comma is appropriate between "restaurant" and "I" because an introductory phrase should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Would be" is consistent with the mood of the sentence, and there are no issues with "ingredients and combinations." There is no error in the sentence.
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Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
A lot of Paul's students wish that their professor was kinder. NO ERROR
The "wish" in the sentence above indicates that the sentence will be in the subjunctive mood. In subjunctive, "was" should be replaced by "were."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If the politician was a smarter man, he would not have crossed the senator. No error
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility rather than truth. In the sentence above, because the word "If" begins the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. The correct subjunctive construction of the sentence above is "If the politician were a smarter man, he would not have crossed the senator."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error.
Brad knew that if he was serious about becoming a professional musician, he should really be practicing trumpet for three hours a day. No error
This question is testing knowledge of verb mood. Since the sentence contains a hypothetical condition indicated by "if," the verb before "serious" should be in the subjunctive mood, which expresses wishes, desires, and hypothetical situations. A corrected sentence would look like this: "Brad knew that if he were serious about becoming a professional musician, he should really be practicing trumpet for three hours a day."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If I was in your position, I would let Erica know immediately. No error
The sentence is in the subjunctive mood, so "was" must be replaced with "were." The subjunctive mood is used to describe a suggestion, a command, a wish, or a condition that is not factual.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I suggest that you are at my seminar later; you need lessons about business acumen. No error
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the word "suggest" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. The sentence should read: "I suggest that you be at my seminar later; you need lessons about business acumen."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The dentist ordered that I be still while he powered up his drill. No error
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the word "ordered" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. The sentence is correct as it is written.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The young businessman made a proposal to his partner that he buys more office supplies for their company. No error
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the words "made a proposal" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used.
The sentence should read: "The young businessman made a proposal to his partner that he buy more office supplies for their company."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Everyone agreed that Mrs. Powell were the best English teacher they'd ever had. No error
The verb "were" may be appropriately used if it describes a plural noun (as in "the Powells were the best English teachers") or if it describes a hypothetical situation in the subjunctive mood (as in "if Mrs. Powell were an English teacher, she would be the best"). In this case, it is more appropriate to use "was" instead.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
No matter how diverse a menu may be, John always orders the most basic dish that he could find. No error
The sentence is written in the present tense, except for the modal verb, "could," which expresses possibility where none is needed; we're told that John "always" orders basic dishes. "Could" should be changed to the present tense verb "can" so that its tense matches that of "orders."
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If I was the principal, I would make the student council dedicate their time to issues that concern all students. No error
Since the speaker is talking about a hypothetical situation, it is appropriate to use the subjunctive mood to denote that. The sentence should therefore begin "If I were the principal," ("were" being the first-person subjunctive form of "is") rather than "If I was the principal." Look out for key words such as "if" or "I wish" to denote where the subjunctive mood should be used.
Compare your answer with the correct one above
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If I was president, I would adjust the national budget so that everyone would be able to live comfortably. No error
Since the speaker of the sentence is discussing a hypothetical situation, the verb "was" should be changed to its subjunctive form, "were."
Compare your answer with the correct one above