UK English Sentence Structure MCQs
UK English Sentence Structure MCQs
The following UK English Sentence Structure MCQs have been compiled by our experts through research, in order to test your knowledge of the subject of UK English Sentence Structure. We encourage you to answer these 70+ multiple-choice questions to assess your proficiency.
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Identify the type and function of the underlined phrase in the following sentence.
After the onslaught of bad publicity, the starlet decided to travel incognito.
A.
Prepositional phrase acting as an adverb
B.
Prepositional phrase acting as an adjective
C.
Prepositional phrase acting as the subject
Identify the type and function of the underlined modifier in the following sentence.
After a whole day of careening around on that bumpy road beside the railroad tracks, I can barely keep my hands and knees from shaking.
A.
Prepositional phrase modifying 'careening'
B.
Appositive phrase modifying 'road'
C.
Participial phrase modifying 'I'
D.
Prepositional phrase modifying 'road'
Choose the series of phrases that best completes the following sentence.
When used to join two ____________________ , a ______________________ is usually preceded by a ___________________ .
A.
dependent clauses, subordinating conjunction, colon
B.
independent clauses, conjunctive adverb, comma
C.
subordinating conjunctions, dependent clause, semicolon
D.
independent clauses, conjunctive adverb, semicolon
Analyse the following sentence, and then choose the correct statement from the options below.
Her boyfriend and she strolled leisurely on the beach and admired the sand castles left behind by local children
A.
This sentence contains a compound subject and a subject complement.
B.
This sentence does not contain a direct object or an adverb.
C.
This sentence contains a compound subject and a compound predicate.
Identify the type and function of the underlined clause in the following sentence.
I didn't lie to my mother; I merely participated in a campaign of misinformation that was started by my brother.
A.
.Adjective clause modifying 'campaign'
B.
Noun clause acting as object
C.
Adverb clause modifying 'participated'
Identify the indirect object in the following sentence.
Will you make the children some play clothes out of those old drapes, please?
A.
the children
B.
you
C.
some play clothes
D.
Will you make
Choose the phrase that best completes the sentence below.
Dependent, or subordinate, clauses _____________________.
A.
may or may not be able to stand alone as complete sentences, depending on how they are used
B.
can stand alone as complete sentences
C.
cannot stand alone as complete sentences
Identify, in order as they appear, the underlined parts of the sentence below.
The girl with the long brown hair tumbled down the steps.
A.
noun, verb, noun
B.
subject, simple predicate, object of a preposition
C.
prepositional phrase, predicate, noun
D.
simple subject, simple predicate, preposition
The underlined phrase in the following sentence is a misplaced modifier. Analyse the sentence, and then identify the type of modifier error it contains.
A.
Misplaced modifier: the word, phrase, or clause does not clearly relate to the word it is intended to modify
B.
Dangling modifier: the word or phrase (commonly a participle) modifies a word that either does not appear in the sentence or is placed too far away from the modifier
C.
Squinting modifier: the ambiguous modifier (usually an adverb) appears to qualify the words both before and after it
Complete the following sentence by choosing the adverb clause from the options below.
I have deep respect and admiration for Texas rattlesnakes, _____________________ .
A.
those slithery little rascals
B.
as long as they stay in Texas
C.
but I wouldn't want to meet one face to face
Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence.
The principle of ___________________ states that, in proper sentence structure, singular subjects must take singular verbs and plural subjects must take plural verbs.
A.
Parallel structure
B.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement
C.
Subject-verb agreement
D.
Compound sentences
12: Which of the following sentences illustrates the correct use of parallel construction?
A. We all assumed that we would canoe down the river, that there would be time for us to toast marshmallows in the fire, and that campfire songs would be sung by everyone.
B. We all assumed that we would canoe down the river, there would be time for us to toast marshmallows in the fire, and that everyone would sing campfire songs.
C. We all assumed that we would canoe down the river, that there would be time for us to toast marshmallows in the fire, and that everyone would sing campfire songs.
Read the following statement and choose the correct answer from the options below.
A modifier, which can be an adjective or adverb, or a phrase or clause acting as an adjective or adverb, should be placed as close as possible to the word it modifies.
A.
True
B.
False
14: Which of the following statements about subject-verb agreement is false?
A. Depending on the context of the sentence, pronouns like none, enough, more, most, some or all can agree with either singular verbs or plural verbs.
B. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb.
C. The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone and no one are singular and require a singular verb.
D. Collective nouns like jury, gang, committee and class are singular when considered as groups and plural when considered as individuals acting within the whole.
E. None of these statements is false.
Identify the type and function of the underlined clause in the following sentence.
The old crook finally revealed what he had done with the loot.
A.
Noun clause acting as object
B.
Adverb clause answering the question 'where'
C.
Adjective clause modifying 'crook'
Identify, in order as they appear, the underlined parts of the sentence below.
She was a solicitor before she became a full-time belly-dancing instructor.
A.
linking verb, subject complement, linking verb, subject complement
B.
intransitive verb, subject complement, linking verb, object complement
C.
transitive verb, object complement, transitive verb, object complement
Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence.
The principle of ______ requires that the word or phrase patterns in a sentence be similar in order to create symmetry and emphasize the likeness between two or more ideas.
A.
Subject-verb agreement
B.
Parallel structure
C.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement
Identify the underlined part of the sentence below.
Even though the stinging cold isn
A.
Adjective clause
B.
Noun clause
C.
Adverb clause
Identify, in order as they appear, the underlined parts of speech in the sentence below.
Everybody on that soccer team should ask himself a few important questions and set his own goals before the season begins.
A.
Indefinite pronoun, personal pronoun, interrogative pronoun
B.
Indefinite pronoun, reflexive pronoun, possessive pronoun
C.
Relative pronoun, possessive pronoun, reflexive pronoun,
How would the following sentence be categorized?
Sally can name all of the states in alphabetical order; consequently, her friends are impressed.
A.
A compound sentence
B.
A complex sentence
C.
A simple sentence
D.
A run-on sentence
Choose the phrase that best completes the sentence below.
A complex sentence contains ________
A.
a compound subject and two independent clauses
B.
two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses
C.
one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses
D.
two or more independent clauses
Read the following statement and choose the correct answer from the options below.
A phrase may function in a sentence as a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
A.
True
B.
False
Identify, in order as they appear, the types of connecting and transitional words underlined in the following sentence.
Marta had a strong Argentine accent, even though her father was Macedonian and her mother Irish.
A.
Subordinating conjunction, coordinating conjunction
B.
Subordinating conjunction, conjunctive adverb
C.
Conjunctive adverb, subordinating conjunction
24: Which of the following statements about absolute phrases is false?
A. An absolute phrase is made up of a noun or pronoun, a participle, and any modifiers of the noun or pronoun.
B. An absolute phrase contains a subject but not a predicate, and serves to modify an entire sentence.
C. An absolute phrase can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence and is always set off by commas.
D. b anc c
E. None of the statements is false.
Choose the series of phrases that best completes the following sentence.
A ______________________ comes at the beginning of ___________________ and establishes the relationship between that clause and the rest of the sentence.
A.
dependent clause, an independent clause
B.
conjunctive adverb, an independent clause
C.
subordinating conjunction, a dependent clause
D.
coordinating conjunction, a dependent clause
How would the following sentence be categorized?
Being an algebra teacher with a penchant for numerical complexities, I love to decipher challenging equations after my morning shower and before going to bed.
A.
A compound sentence
B.
A complex sentence
C.
A simple sentence
D.
A compound-complex sentence
27: Which of the following statements about phrases is false?
A. Noun phrases can act as subjects, direct or indirect objects, subject or object complements, and objects of a preposition.
B. Participial phrases always act as adjectives.
C. Infinitive phrases can act as adjectives, adverbs, and nouns.
D. Gerund phrases always act as nouns.
E. b and d
F. None of the above statements is false.
Choose the phrase that best completes the sentence below.
Good sentence structure dictates that single-word modifiers and modifying phrases and clauses be placed _______
A.
as close as possible to the verb of the sentence
B.
as close as possible to the subject of the sentence
C.
as close as possible to the word or words they modify
D.
between the subject and verb so that they are equally close to both sentence elements
Identify, in order as they appear, the types of phrases underlined in the following sentence.
To hear Martha tell it, living with her in-laws is a complete nightmare.
A.
Infinitive phrase, gerund phrase
B.
Participial phrase, noun phrase
C.
Infinitive phrase, participial phrase
D.
Appositive phrase, noun phrase
Identify, in order as they appear, the underlined parts of the sentence below.
I saw the cat creeping out of the bag.
A.
predicate, indirect object, object complement
B.
simple predicate, direct object, subject complement
C.
indirect object, simple subject, predicate
D.
simple predicate, direct object, object complement
Identify, in order as they appear, the underlined parts of the sentence below.
That small box contains only the tiniest parts of the remote-controlled airplane.
A.
Article, subject, main verb, preposition, direct object, conjunction, object of a preposition
B.
Adverb, simple subject, predicate, adjective, noun, article, noun
C.
Adjective, simple subject, simple predicate, adverb, direct object, preposition, object of a preposition
D.
Adjective, direct object, main verb, adverb, subject, preposition, indirect object
Identify, in order as they appear, the underlined parts of speech in the sentence below.
After the blonde model wobbled precariously, she hit the runway with a thud and died.
A.
Subordinating conjunction, adjective, noun, adverb, pronoun, article, preposition, noun, conjunction, verb
B.
Adjective, adverb, noun, adjective, noun, article, conjunction, verb, conjunction, adjective
C.
Adverb, adjective, noun, adjective, pronoun, article, preposition, noun, conjunction, verb
Identify, in order as they appear, the types of modifiers underlined in the following sentence.
Hands clasped in my lap, I would sit for hours and watch that silly pigeon as he nestled on my windowsill and stared at me silently.
A.
Appositive phrase, adjective, participial phrase, adverb
B.
Participial phrase, adverb, prepositional phrase, adjective
C.
Absolute phrase, adjective, prepositional phrase, adverb
D.
Absolute phrase, adjective, infinitive phrase, adjective
Identify the type and function of the underlined clause in the following sentence.
Alexandra turned and sprinted down the driveway because she could not tolerate Jude
A.
Noun clause acting as object
B.
Adverb clause answering the question 'when?'
C.
Adjective clause modifying
D.
Adverb clause answering the question 'why?'
Identify the type and function of the underlined phrase in the following sentence.
After gathering nectar and cleaning up the hive, the bees took a well-deserved break.
A.
Prepositional phrase acting as an adverb
B.
Noun phrase acting as the subject
C.
Participial phrase modifying 'bees'
D.
This is not a phrase; it's an adverb clause.
Identify the function of the underlined noun phrase in the following sentence.
At long last, the silent and snowy road led us to our snug home in the mountains.
A.
Subject
B.
Indirect object
C.
Subject complement
D.
Object complement
Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence.
The principle of ___________________ states that, in proper sentence structure, a pronoun usually refers to something earlier in the text and must agree in number (singular or plural) with the thing to which it refers.
A.
Compound sentences
B.
Parallel structure
C.
Subject-verb agreement
D.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement
Identify the type and function of the underlined phrase in the following sentence.
Trying to sell that lemon of a car has become a lesson in futility.
A.
Participial phrase modifying 'lesson'
B.
Gerund phrase acting as the subject
C.
Noun phrase acting as the subject
D.
This is not a phrase; it's an adjective clause.
How would the following sentence be categorized?
Mr Dillon met with his new employees and tried to instil in them the drive to succeed that had characterized his sales teams in the past.
A.
A run-on sentence
B.
A complex sentence
C.
A compound-complex sentence
D.
A compound sentence
Identify the type of phrase underlined in the following sentence.
That man doing a jig in the town square is my uncle the philosopher.
A.
Gerund phrase
B.
Prepositional phrase
C.
Appositive phrase
D.
Participial phrase
How would the following sentence be categorized?
Because Joe is a tennis instructor, some of our weekend guests expected him to give free lessons, while others simply pestered him for free advice.
A.
A complex sentence
B.
A compound-complex sentence
C.
A simple sentence
D.
A compound sentence
Identify the type and function of the underlined phrase in the following sentence.
Fido, perplexed by his inability to catch his own tail, looked at us quizzically and harrumphed.
A.
Infinitive phrase modifying 'looked'
B.
Noun phrase acting as the subject
C.
Participial phrase modifying 'Fido'
D.
Participial phrase modifying 'looked'
Complete the following sentence by choosing the adverb clause from the options below.
_______ the bride leaned over and whispered to me that she was having second thoughts.
A.
As the groom was slipping the ring on her finger,
B.
Her eyes wild and her face pale,
C.
I thought it was strange when
D.
A bit flustered,
Identify the type and function of the underlined phrase in the following sentence.
For more than eight years, Waldo has been trying to worm his way into our secret society.
A.
Participial phrase acting as an indirect object
B.
Infinitive phrase acting as a direct object
C.
Prepositional phrase acting as a direct object
D.
Infinitive phrase acting as the subject
Identify the underlined part of the sentence below.
People whose wisdom is indisputable are usually the most feared by those who knowingly wallow in ignorance.
A.
Adjective clause
B.
Noun clause
C.
Adverb clause
Identify the type and function of the underlined modifier in the following sentence.
The cat burglar, cunningly disguised as a mouse, was able to squeak through the fence undetected.
A.
Participial phrase modifying 'burglar'
B.
Absolute phrase modifying the sentence as a whole
C.
Infinitive phrase modifying 'was able'
D.
Gerund phrase modifying 'burglar'
Identify, in order as they appear, the types of phrases underlined in the following sentence.
The use of noisemakers, an intolerable practice, has been banned until further notice.
A.
Infinitive phrase, absolute phrase, gerund phrase
B.
Noun phrase, appositive phrase, prepositional phrase
C.
Noun phrase, appositive phrase, participial phrase
D.
Gerund phrase, prepositional phrase, noun phrase
Identify the type and function of the underlined clause in the following sentence.
Charles, who is insufferably immature for his age, is only interested in trivial subjects and stupid jokes.
A.
Noun clause acting as predicate nominative
B.
Noun clause acting as subject
C.
Adjective clause modifying 'Charles'
Identify, in order as they appear, the types of connecting and transitional words underlined in the following sentence.
Because I forgot to exercise, I became weak and lethargic; however, I soon regained my energy.
A.
Subordinating conjunction, coordinating conjunction, conjunctive adverb
B.
Conjunctive adverb, coordinating conjunction, subordinating conjunction
C.
Subordinating conjunction, conjunctive adverb, conjunctive adverb
Identify the type and function of the underlined modifier in the following sentence.
To quell the rise in the theft of paperclips, management placed a deadbolt on the door of the supply room.
A.
Prepositional phrase modifying 'management'
B.
Appositive phrase modifying 'management'
C.
Infinitive phrase modifying 'placed'
D.
This is not a modifying phrase.
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UK English Sentence Structure MCQs
