How to Answer HESI A2 Grammar Questions
Knowing grammar rules is important, but success on the HESI A2 Grammar section also depends on recognizing which rule a question is testing. A reliable question-solving process can help you evaluate each option efficiently.
Know the parts of speech
Start by recognizing the role each word plays:
- Noun: Names a person, place, thing, or idea
- Pronoun: Replaces a noun
- Verb: Expresses an action or state of being
- Adjective: Modifies a noun or pronoun
- Adverb: Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb
- Preposition: Shows a relationship between words
- Conjunction: Connects words, phrases, or clauses
- Interjection: Expresses emotion
Understanding each word’s function makes it easier to recognize agreement, modifier, and sentence-structure errors.
Use a repeatable process
- Read the entire sentence. Do not focus only on the underlined word or phrase.
- Identify the sentence’s subject and verb. Check whether they agree.
- Look for pronouns. Confirm that each pronoun has a clear antecedent and agrees with it.
- Check sentence boundaries. Look for fragments, comma splices, and run-ons.
- Review punctuation. Determine whether commas, semicolons, and apostrophes are used correctly.
- Check modifiers and parallel structure. Make sure descriptive phrases clearly modify the intended word and items in a series match grammatically.
- Substitute each option. Read the complete sentence with the answer inserted.
Find the true subject
Prepositional phrases can separate the subject from the verb and make agreement questions more difficult.
In “The list of required courses is available,” the subject is list, not courses. Removing the phrase “of required courses” makes the correct verb easier to identify.
Check pronoun clarity
A pronoun should refer clearly to one noun. If a sentence contains multiple possible antecedents, it may be ambiguous.
- Unclear: When Maya spoke with Elena, she was worried.
- Clear: Maya appeared worried when she spoke with Elena.
Recognize fragments and run-ons
A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence:
- Fragment: Although the student studied.
- Complete: Although the student studied, she continued to feel nervous.
Two independent clauses must be separated or connected correctly:
- Run-on: The exam began the students opened their test booklets.
- Correct: The exam began, and the students opened their test booklets.
Do not rely only on what “sounds right”
Reading a sentence aloud can reveal an awkward construction, but familiar speech patterns are not always grammatically correct. Use the relevant rule to confirm your choice.
Eliminate strategically
When you are unsure, remove options with clear errors first. Look for:
- A verb that does not agree with its subject
- An unclear or mismatched pronoun
- A missing subject or verb
- An unnecessary apostrophe
- Inconsistent verb tense
- Items that are not parallel
Build grammar skills with spaced practice
Practice grammar in short sessions over time. After answering a question, name the rule it tested and write your own correct example. Return to missed concepts later to strengthen retention.
Prepare for the HESI Admission Assessment with Pocket Prep. Detailed explanations help you understand the grammar rule behind every answer.
