Most Confusing Grammar Rules – Solved!

English grammar can be tricky, even for native speakers. Certain rules seem designed to trip us up, leading to common errors in writing and speech.

Understanding these confusing grammar points is crucial for clear communication, professional success, and overall confidence in your language skills. This article breaks down the most challenging grammar rules, providing clear explanations, examples, and practice exercises to help you master them.

Whether you’re an ESL learner or a seasoned writer, this guide will clarify those persistent grammatical puzzles.

Table of Contents

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental grammar rule stating that a verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. This means a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.

While this sounds simple, various situations can make it confusing. Understanding the nuances of this rule is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences.

Singular vs. Plural Subjects

The core of subject-verb agreement lies in identifying whether the subject is singular or plural. Singular subjects refer to one person, place, thing, or idea, while plural subjects refer to more than one.

The verb form must match accordingly. For example, “The dog barks” (singular) versus “The dogs bark” (plural).

Here’s a table illustrating singular and plural subject-verb agreement:

Subject Verb (Singular) Verb (Plural) Example Sentence
He is are He is a talented musician.
She has have She has a beautiful garden.
It does do It does not rain often here.
The cat jumps jump The cat jumps over the fence.
They – are They are going to the park.
We – have We have finished our homework.
You – do You do excellent work.
The children – play The children play in the yard.
John likes like John likes to read.
Mary wants want Mary wants a new bicycle.
The car needs need The car needs to be washed.
The books – are The books are on the table.
My friend is are My friend is coming over later.
My friends – are My friends are going to the concert.
The teacher explains explain The teacher explains the lesson clearly.
The teachers – explain The teachers explain the concepts well.
The movie starts start The movie starts at 7 PM.
The movies – start The movies start at different times.
The house costs cost The house costs a lot of money.
The houses – cost The houses cost different amounts.

Compound Subjects

Compound subjects are two or more subjects joined by a conjunction, usually “and” or “or.” When subjects are joined by “and,” they generally take a plural verb. However, if the subjects refer to a single entity or idea, a singular verb is used.

When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Consider these examples:

  • John and Mary are going to the party. (Plural subject)
  • Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish. (Single entity)
  • Either the cat or the dogs are responsible for the mess. (Verb agrees with “dogs”)
  • Neither the students nor the teacher is happy with the results. (Verb agrees with “teacher”)

Here’s a table illustrating subject-verb agreement with compound subjects:

Compound Subject Conjunction Verb Example Sentence
John and Mary and are John and Mary are friends.
The dog and the cat and play The dog and the cat play together.
Peanut butter and jelly and is Peanut butter and jelly is a classic combination.
Either John or Mary or is Either John or Mary is going to win.
Neither John nor Mary nor is Neither John nor Mary is available.
The book or the magazine or is The book or the magazine is on the table.
Neither the students nor the teacher nor was Neither the students nor the teacher was happy.
The car and the motorcycle and are The car and the motorcycle are in the garage.
My brother and I and are My brother and I are going to the game.
The singer and songwriter and is The singer and songwriter is very talented.
The bed and breakfast and is The bed and breakfast is cozy.
Either the manager or the employees or are Either the manager or the employees are going to attend.
Neither the rain nor the snow nor is Neither the rain nor the snow is stopping.
Pizza and beer and is Pizza and beer is a great combination.
The actor and director and is The actor and director is highly respected.
Either the parents or the child or is Either the parents or the child is coming along.
Neither the cat nor the mice nor are Neither the cat nor the mice are visible.
The hammer and the nails and are The hammer and the nails are necessary.
The pen and paper and are The pen and paper are on the desk.
The sun and the moon and are The sun and the moon are celestial objects.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals but are generally treated as singular units (e.g., team, family, committee). However, if the focus is on the individual members of the group, a plural verb can be used.

Context is key in determining the correct verb form.

For example:

  • The team is playing well tonight. (Team as a unit)
  • The team are arguing about their strategy. (Individual members)

Here’s a table illustrating subject-verb agreement with collective nouns:

Collective Noun Singular Verb Plural Verb Example Sentence (Singular) Example Sentence (Plural)
Team is are The team is practicing hard. The team are disagreeing about the play.
Family is are The family is going on vacation. The family are packing their suitcases.
Committee meets meet The committee meets every Tuesday. The committee meet to discuss individual concerns.
Class is are The class is learning about grammar. The class are submitting their individual projects.
Audience is are The audience is enjoying the show. The audience are clapping enthusiastically.
Group is are The group is working on a project. The group are sharing their individual ideas.
Company is are The company is doing well this year. The company are expressing their diverse opinions.
Government is are The government is implementing new policies. The government are debating the new legislation.
Jury is are The jury is deliberating the case. The jury are expressing their individual viewpoints.
Crowd is are The crowd is cheering for the team. The crowd are showing their individual support.
Band is are The band is playing a concert. The band are tuning their individual instruments.
Choir sings sing The choir sings beautifully. The choir are warming up their individual voices.
Staff is are The staff is dedicated to their work. The staff are taking their individual breaks.
Team is are The team is working together. The team are discussing their individual roles.
Board is are The board is making a decision. The board are sharing their individual perspectives.
Congregation is are The congregation is praying together. The congregation are greeting each other individually.
Troupe is are The troupe is performing tonight. The troupe are preparing their individual costumes.
Panel is are The panel is reviewing the applications. The panel are asking their individual questions.
Orchestra is are The orchestra is playing a symphony. The orchestra are tuning their individual instruments.
Cast is are The cast is rehearsing the play. The cast are learning their individual lines.

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to nonspecific persons or things. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., each, everyone, someone, nobody), while others are always plural (e.g., several, few, both, many).

Still others can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most).

For example:

  • Everyone is invited to the party. (Singular)
  • Several are going to the concert. (Plural)
  • Some of the cake is gone. (Singular)
  • Some of the cookies are missing. (Plural)

Here’s a table illustrating subject-verb agreement with indefinite pronouns:

Indefinite Pronoun Singular/Plural Verb Example Sentence
Each Singular is Each is responsible for their own actions.
Everyone Singular has Everyone has to bring a dish.
Someone Singular is Someone is knocking at the door.
Nobody Singular knows Nobody knows the answer.
Several Plural are Several are interested in the project.
Few Plural have Few have seen the movie.
Both Plural are Both are good choices.
Many Plural want Many want to attend the conference.
Some Singular/Plural is/are Some of the food is gone. Some of the apples are rotten.
Any Singular/Plural is/are Any of the pie is fine. Any of the books are acceptable.
None Singular/Plural is/are None of the water is left. None of the students are present.
All Singular/Plural is/are All of the milk is spilled. All of the tickets are sold.
Most Singular/Plural is/are Most of the work is done. Most of the tasks are completed.
Somebody Singular needs Somebody needs to clean this mess.
Anybody Singular cares Does anybody cares about the environment?
Everyone Singular deserves Everyone deserves a second chance.
Everything Singular seems Everything seems to be in order.
Nothing Singular matters Nothing matters more than family.
One Singular should One should always be polite.
Either Singular works Either option works for me.

Pronoun Agreement

Pronoun agreement ensures that a pronoun agrees in number (singular or plural), gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter), and person (first, second, or third) with its antecedent (the noun or pronoun to which it refers). Failure to maintain agreement can lead to confusion and ambiguity.

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

The most common type of pronoun agreement issue involves ensuring that the pronoun matches its antecedent in number and gender. Singular antecedents require singular pronouns, and plural antecedents require plural pronouns.

Similarly, the gender of the pronoun should match the gender of the antecedent when known.

For example:

  • The student finished their homework. (Corrected from *his* or *her* to use a singular they)
  • The students finished their homework. (Plural)
  • Mary likes her new car. (Feminine)
  • John likes his new car. (Masculine)

Here is a table illustrating pronoun-antecedent agreement:

Antecedent Pronoun Example Sentence
John He, him, his John likes his new job.
Mary She, her, hers Mary enjoys her time off.
The dog It, its The dog wagged its tail.
The students They, them, their The students are doing their best.
The teachers They, them, their The teachers graded their students’ work.
The company It, its The company announced its earnings.
The team They, them, their The team celebrated their victory.
Every student He/She, Him/Her, His/Her, They, Them, Their Every student should bring their own lunch.
Each employee He/She, Him/Her, His/Her, They, Them, Their Each employee is responsible for their actions.
Someone He/She, Him/Her, His/Her, They, Them, Their Someone left their umbrella behind.
Anybody He/She, Him/Her, His/Her, They, Them, Their Did anybody forget their wallet?
Everyone He/She, Him/Her, His/Her, They, Them, Their Everyone should take care of their health.
Nobody He/She, Him/Her, His/Her, They, Them, Their Nobody remembered their password.
Both of the cars They, them, their Both of the cars need their tires changed.
Several of the books They, them, their Several of the books have their covers torn.
The boy He, him, his The boy hurt his knee.
The girl She, her, hers The girl found her lost doll.
The cat It, its The cat cleaned its paws.
People They, them, their People should respect their elders.
You You, your, yours You should always do your best.

Gender-Neutral Pronouns

In cases where the gender of the antecedent is unknown or non-binary, using singular “they,” “them,” and “their” is becoming increasingly common and accepted. While traditionally “he or she” was used, it can be clunky and exclusionary.

For example:

  • Each student should bring their own lunch.
  • If someone calls, tell them I’m in a meeting.

Ambiguous Pronoun Reference

Ambiguous pronoun reference occurs when it’s unclear which noun a pronoun is referring to. This can confuse readers and obscure the intended meaning.

To avoid this, ensure that each pronoun has a clear and unmistakable antecedent.

For example:

  • Incorrect: John told Mark that he was wrong. (Who was wrong?)
  • Correct: John told Mark, “You are wrong.”
  • Correct: John told Mark, “I am wrong.”

Tense Consistency

Tense consistency refers to maintaining the same verb tense throughout a sentence or paragraph unless there’s a logical reason to shift tenses. Inconsistent tense usage can disrupt the flow of writing and create confusion.

Maintaining Tense in Sentences

Generally, you should stick to one tense within a sentence or paragraph. If you start in the past tense, continue in the past tense unless you need to indicate a different time frame.

The same applies to present and future tenses.

For example:

  • Incorrect: She walked to the store and buys some milk.
  • Correct: She walked to the store and bought some milk. (Past tense)
  • Correct: She walks to the store and buys some milk. (Present tense)

Here is a table illustrating tense consistency within sentences:

Incorrect Sentence Corrected Sentence Tense
He went to the store and will buy milk. He went to the store and bought milk. Past
She is eating dinner and then went to bed. She is eating dinner and then goes to bed. Present
They will travel to Europe and had visited many countries. They will travel to Europe and will visit many countries. Future
I am studying for the test and I passed it yesterday. I am studying for the test and I passed it last week. Present/Past
He likes to read books, and he went to the library often. He likes to read books, and he goes to the library often. Present
They watched the movie, and they will discuss it tomorrow. They watched the movie, and they discussed it yesterday. Past
She cooks dinner, and then she will eat it. She cooks dinner, and then she eats it. Present
He will start his new job, and he worked very hard. He will start his new job, and he will work very hard. Future
I was playing the piano when she calls. I was playing the piano when she called. Past
They are planning the party, and they invited many people. They are planning the party, and they have invited many people. Present Perfect
He is going to the gym, and he exercised yesterday. He is going to the gym, and he exercises regularly. Present
She will write the letter, and she sent it last week. She will write the letter, and she will send it next week. Future
They visited the museum, and they will learn a lot. They visited the museum, and they learned a lot. Past
I am reading a book, and I enjoyed it yesterday. I am reading a book, and I enjoyed it last week. Present Perfect
She will sing a song, and she sang beautifully. She will sing a song, and she will sing beautifully. Future
He is watching TV, and he went to bed late. He is watching TV, and he goes to bed late. Present
They are going to the concert, and they enjoyed the music. They are going to the concert, and they will enjoy the music. Future
She will start a new project, and she finishes it next month. She will start a new project, and she will finish it next month. Future
He is cooking dinner, and he ate it last night. He is cooking dinner, and he will eat it later. Present Future
They are traveling to Italy, and they visited Rome last year. They are traveling to Italy, and they will visit Rome. Future

Shifting Tense Appropriately

While maintaining tense consistency is important, there are times when shifting tenses is necessary to accurately reflect the sequence of events. Use different tenses to indicate actions that occurred at different times.

For example, past perfect tense is used to describe an action that happened before another action in the past.

For example:

  • She had finished her work before she went home. (Past perfect and past simple)
  • I will go to the store after I finish my homework. (Future and present)

The Oxford Comma

The Oxford comma, also known as the serial comma, is the comma placed before the conjunction (“and” or “or”) in a list of three or more items. Its use is a matter of style, and opinions vary.

Some style guides (like the Chicago Manual of Style) recommend it, while others (like the AP Stylebook) advise against it unless it’s needed for clarity.

For example:

  • With Oxford comma: I like apples, bananas, and oranges.
  • Without Oxford comma: I like apples, bananas and oranges.

Lie vs. Lay

The verbs “lie” and “lay” are frequently confused. “Lie” means to recline or rest, and it doesn’t take a direct object.

Its principal parts are lie, lay, lain, lying. “Lay” means to place something down, and it takes a direct object.

Its principal parts are lay, laid, laid, laying.

For example:

  • I lie down to rest. (Present tense)
  • I lay down yesterday. (Past tense of lie)
  • I have lain here for an hour. (Past participle of lie)
  • I am lying down now. (Present participle of lie)
  • Please lay the book on the table. (Present tense)
  • I laid the book on the table. (Past tense of lay)
  • I have laid the book down. (Past participle of lay)
  • I am laying the book down. (Present participle of lay)

Affect vs. Effect

“Affect” is primarily a verb that means to influence or produce an effect. “Effect” is primarily a noun that means a result or consequence.

“Effect” can also be a verb meaning to bring about or accomplish, but this usage is less common.

For example:

  • The weather affects my mood. (Verb)
  • The effect of the

    weather was noticeable. (Noun)

  • The new policy will effect positive change. (Verb – less common)

Who vs. Whom

“Who” is a pronoun used as a subject or subject complement in a sentence or clause. “Whom” is a pronoun used as an object (direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition).

A simple way to determine whether to use “who” or “whom” is to substitute “he/she” or “him/her.” If “he/she” fits, use “who.” If “him/her” fits, use “whom.”

For example:

  • Who is going to the party? (He/She is going to the party.)
  • To whom did you give the book? (You gave the book to him/her.)

Dangling Modifiers

A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that is intended to modify a word, but the word is either missing from the sentence or is unclear. This results in a nonsensical or unintentionally humorous statement.

To correct a dangling modifier, revise the sentence so that the modifier clearly refers to the intended subject.

For example:

  • Incorrect: Running down the street, the bus passed me by. (The bus wasn’t running.)
  • Correct: Running down the street, I was passed by the bus.

Misplaced Modifiers

A misplaced modifier is a phrase or clause that is placed too far from the word it is intended to modify, making the sentence awkward or confusing. Unlike dangling modifiers, the word being modified is actually present in the sentence, but the placement of the modifier is incorrect.

To correct a misplaced modifier, move the modifier closer to the word it is intended to modify.

For example:

  • Incorrect: I saw a dog running down the street with binoculars. (The dog didn’t have binoculars.)
  • Correct: With binoculars, I saw a dog running down the street.

Fewer vs. Less

“Fewer” is used with countable nouns (things you can count individually), while “less” is used with uncountable nouns (things you can’t count individually, such as liquids or abstract concepts).

For example:

  • I have fewer apples than you. (Apples are countable.)
  • I have less water than you. (Water is uncountable.)

It’s vs. Its

“It’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.” “Its” is a possessive pronoun, indicating ownership.

For example:

  • It’s a beautiful day. (It is)
  • It’s been a long time. (It has)
  • The dog wagged its tail. (Possessive)

There, Their, They’re

These three words are homophones (they sound alike) but have different meanings:

  • There indicates a place or is used as an expletive.
  • Their is a possessive pronoun, indicating ownership.
  • They’re is a contraction of “they are.”

For example:

  • The book is over there. (Place)
  • There is no milk in the fridge. (Expletive)
  • They like their new house. (Possessive)
  • They’re going to the movies. (They are)

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of these grammar rules with the following exercises. Answers are provided below each exercise.

Exercise 1: Subject-Verb Agreement

Choose the correct verb form in each sentence:

  1. The dog (barks/bark) loudly.
  2. My friends (is/are) coming over tonight.
  3. Each of the students (has/have) a book.
  4. The team (is/are) playing well.
  5. Macaroni and cheese (is/are) my favorite meal.

Answers:

  1. barks
  2. are
  3. has
  4. is
  5. is

Exercise 2: Pronoun Agreement

Correct any pronoun agreement errors in the following sentences:

  1. Every student should bring his or her own lunch.
  2. The dog wagged their tail.
  3. Someone left their umbrella behind.

Answers:

  1. Every student should bring their own lunch.
  2. The dog wagged its tail.
  3. Someone left their umbrella behind.

Exercise 3: Tense Consistency

Correct any tense inconsistencies in the following sentences:

  1. She walked to the store and buys some milk.
  2. I will go to the party after I finished my homework.

Answers:

  1. She walked to the store and bought some milk.
  2. I will go to the party after I finish my homework.

Exercise 4: Lie vs. Lay

Choose the correct word in each sentence:

  1. I am going to (lie/lay) down for a nap.
  2. Please (lie/lay) the book on the table.

Answers:

  1. lie
  2. lay

Exercise 5: Affect vs. Effect

Choose the correct word in each sentence:

  1. The weather (affects/effects) my mood.
  2. The (affect/effect) of the rain was noticeable.

Answers:

  1. affects
  2. effect

Advanced Topics

Beyond the basics, some advanced grammar topics can further refine your writing skills.

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood expresses a wish, a suggestion, a command, or a condition that is contrary to fact. It often uses forms of verbs that differ from the indicative mood (the mood of factual statements).

For example:

  • I suggest that he be on time. (Suggestion)
  • If I were you, I would study harder. (Contrary to fact)

Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences express a condition and its result. They typically use “if” and consist of a main clause and an “if” clause.

There are several types of conditional sentences, each with its own tense combinations.

For example:

  • If it rains, I will stay home. (Future real conditional)
  • If I had studied, I would have passed the test. (Past unreal conditional)

Gerunds vs. Infinitives

Gerunds are verb forms ending in “-ing” that function as nouns. Infinitives are the base form of a verb preceded by “to.” Some verbs are followed by gerunds, others by infinitives, and some by either, with a possible change in meaning.

For example:

  • I enjoy swimming. (Gerund)
  • I want to swim. (Infinitive)

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about grammar rules:

What is the most common grammar mistake?

One of the most common grammar mistakes is incorrect subject-verb agreement, especially with collective nouns or indefinite pronouns.

How can I improve my grammar skills?

Read widely, practice writing regularly, review grammar rules, and seek feedback on your writing.

Are grammar rules always fixed?

Grammar rules evolve over time, and usage can vary depending on context and style. However, understanding the basic rules is essential for clear communication.

Conclusion

Mastering English grammar can be a lifelong journey, but understanding these frequently confused rules is a significant step toward clearer and more effective communication. By studying the explanations, examples, and exercises provided in this article, you can confidently tackle even the trickiest grammatical challenges and enhance your writing and speaking skills.

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