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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Business English grammar test for clear emails and reports

Quick, free workplace grammar quiz to check your skills. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Daniel KoldUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements related to English Grammar and Business English Quiz

This business English grammar test helps you check workplace writing and fix common mistakes. Answer 15 short questions to practice clear emails and professional tone. When you are done, try the email writing quiz, see your level with a business english test, and review common english errors.

Select the correct verb to complete the sentence: "The CEO and CFO ____ meeting tomorrow."
was
is
are
were
With a compound subject joined by "and," the verb should be plural. "Are" agrees with both the CEO and CFO. This ensures correct subject-verb agreement.
Choose the correct past tense form to complete: "We ____ your proposal yesterday."
have reviewed
reviewed
review
had reviewed
The simple past tense "reviewed" is used for actions completed at a specific time in the past. "Yesterday" indicates that specific time. Other forms like "have reviewed" or "had reviewed" are not appropriate here.
Which word is the most formal synonym for "get" in a professional email?
fetch
get
buy
obtain
"Obtain" is the most formal synonym for "get" in professional contexts. It conveys formality and precision. Other options are more casual or context-specific.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Please let me know if you have any, questions or concerns.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Please, let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Please let me know if you have any questions, or concerns.
You should not place a comma before "or" in this compound object. Option B correctly joins "questions or concerns" without unnecessary punctuation. It reads clearly and follows standard grammar rules.
Choose the correct verb to complete: "The staff ____ meeting at noon."
is
have
were
are
In American English, collective nouns like "staff" are treated as singular when acting as a unit. Therefore, "is meeting" is correct. Using "are" would imply individual actions rather than a single group action.
Complete with the future perfect tense: "We ____ the report by next Friday."
will have completed
complete
will be completing
would have completed
The future perfect tense "will have completed" indicates that the action will be finished by a specific future time. It is appropriate for expressing completion by next Friday. Other options do not convey this precise timing.
Choose the correct verb to complete: "Neither the manager nor the employees ____ responsible for the error."
are
were
was
is
With "neither... nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject. Here, "employees" is plural, so the correct verb is "were." This ensures proper subject-verb agreement.
Which sentence is clearer and more concise?
As a result of the fact that we have achieved our targets, we are pleased.
Because we achieved our targets, we are pleased.
Due to the fact that we achieved our targets, we are pleased.
Owing to the fact that we have achieved our targets, we are extremely pleased.
Option B uses a direct conjunction "Because" and keeps the sentence concise. Other options are wordy or overly elaborate. Clarity and brevity are key in business writing.
Identify and correct the dangling modifier in the sentence: "After completing the audit, the findings were submitted to the board."
After completing the audit, the board received the findings.
After the audit was completed, the findings were submitted to the board.
Completing the audit, the findings were submitted to the board.
After completing the audit, they submitted the findings to the board.
Option A clarifies who completed the audit by adding "they." This removes the dangling modifier because the subject performing the action is clearly stated. Other options either retain ambiguity or remain incorrect.
Choose the most appropriate formal alternative to "help" in this sentence: "I can help you with the presentation."
assist
encourage
support
aid
"Assist" is the most formal and precise choice in a professional context. "Support" and "aid" are acceptable but slightly less formal or carry different nuances. "Encourage" changes the meaning.
Determine the correct verb for a collective noun: "The committee ____ postponed the decision until next week."
has
have
are
were
Collective nouns like "committee" are treated as singular when acting as a unit. Therefore "has postponed" is grammatically correct. Plural forms do not align with this usage.
Choose the correct tense: "They ____ on the budget for two hours."
have worked
worked
had been working
have been working
The present perfect continuous "have been working" is used for actions that started in the past and continue into the present. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the work. Other options either end in the past or lack continuity.
Which closing is appropriate when you don't know the recipient's name and start your email with "Dear Sir or Madam"?
Kind regards
Yours sincerely
Best regards
Yours faithfully
In British English business correspondence, "Yours faithfully" is used when the recipient's name is unknown. "Yours sincerely" is reserved for when you know the name. Other closings are less formal or neutral.
Select the revision that improves clarity by reducing redundancy: "The reason why sales increased is because we reduced prices."
Sales increased as a result of reduced prices.
The reason for increased sales is due to reduced prices.
Sales increased because we reduced prices.
The cause of increased sales was that we reduced prices.
The revised sentence removes redundant phrases and states the cause directly. "Sales increased because we reduced prices" is both clear and concise. Other options retain unnecessary wording.
Which word in this sentence is too informal for a business email? "I am gonna send the files tomorrow."
gonna
tomorrow
I
am
"Gonna" is slang and too informal for a professional setting. It should be replaced with "going to". The other words are appropriate for formal business communication.
Identify the sentence with a parallel structure error.
The project requires research, analysis, and to write a report.
She is responsible for planning, organizing, and leading the meeting.
They value punctuality, professionalism, and collaboration.
The role includes budgeting, scheduling, and recruiting staff.
Option B breaks parallelism by mixing gerunds with an infinitive. All items in a series should share the same grammatical form. The other sentences use consistent structures.
Complete the conditional: "If the client ____ the proposal by Friday, we will start the implementation on Monday."
had accepted
would accept
accepts
accepted
In a first conditional sentence, the simple present "accepts" is used in the if-clause. It refers to a realistic future condition. Other tenses do not follow the first conditional pattern.
Which sentence correctly places the modifier to avoid confusion?
The finance team reviewed the report in detail submitted by the consultant.
The finance team reviewed in detail the report submitted by the consultant.
In detail the finance team reviewed the report submitted by the consultant.
The finance team reviewed the report submitted by the consultant in detail.
Option C places "in detail" after the entire noun phrase, making it clear that the review was thorough. Other options either misplace the modifier or create awkward emphasis.
Select the sentence that correctly uses the subjunctive mood: "I recommend that the committee ___ the proposal at the next meeting."
approves
will approve
approve
approved
In formal recommendations, the subjunctive mood uses the base form of the verb without "to." "Approve" is correct after "recommend that." Other forms do not follow the subjunctive structure.
Complete with the future perfect continuous tense: "By the end of Q3, we ____ on the initiative for six months."
will have been working
will have worked
will be working
have been working
The future perfect continuous "will have been working" expresses the duration of an action up to a specific future time. This fits the six-month timeframe by the end of Q3. Other tenses do not convey this ongoing duration.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key grammar rules in business communications
  2. Apply advanced tense structures in professional contexts
  3. Analyse sentence construction for clarity and precision
  4. Demonstrate proper use of formal vocabulary in emails
  5. Evaluate common pitfalls in business writing
  6. Master subject-verb agreement in workplace documents

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master Subject-Verb Agreement - Think of your sentence like a team: the subject and verb must match in number and person to play in perfect harmony. It's the difference between "The team is ready" and "The teams are ready." Nail this rule and your writing will always stay on point!
  2. Utilize Advanced Tense Structures - Travel through time in your writing by choosing the right tense to show when actions happen. For instance, "I have completed the report" (present perfect) tells readers you just wrapped things up, while "I completed the report" (simple past) keeps it firmly in yesterday's news. Flex those tense muscles and keep your audience crystal clear on timing.
  3. Construct Clear and Precise Sentences - Cut the fluff and zero in on one idea per sentence to avoid run-ons and confusion. Instead of "We are writing to inform you that we have received your application," try the crisp "We have received your application." Sharp, tidy sentences make your message sparkle!
  4. Employ Formal Vocabulary in Emails - Swap casual words for polished alternatives - use "request" over "ask for" and "regarding" instead of "about." A formal tone shows respect and professionalism, helping you stand out in any inbox. It's like dressing your writing in a sharp business suit!
  5. Avoid Common Pitfalls in Business Writing - Watch out for misused words, hidden jargon, and bulky sentences that trip up your reader. For example, "use" often beats "utilize" for clarity and punch. Sidestep these traps and keep your communication smooth and effective.
  6. Understand the Use of Passive Voice - Passive voice isn't evil, but overusing it can leave your writing feeling distant and vague. Compare "The report was completed" to the more dynamic "We completed the report." Pick active structures when you want to be bold and direct!
  7. Apply Parallel Structure - Keep lists and sequences in sync by using the same grammatical form: "She enjoys reading, writing, and jogging" instead of "She enjoys reading, to write, and jogging." This neat trick makes your writing feel balanced and professional. Think of it as choreography for words!
  8. Use Punctuation Correctly - Punctuation is your secret signpost: commas guide pauses, semicolons link related ideas, and periods wrap things up. A misplaced comma can spark confusion, but a well-placed one keeps readers on the right path. Master these tiny marks to boost readability instantly!
  9. Recognize and Correct Dangling Modifiers - A dangling modifier dangles confusingly when it doesn't clearly attach to the word it's describing. Instead of "After reading the report, the conclusions were unclear," try "After reading the report, I found the conclusions unclear." Clear up the mystery and keep your sentences grounded!
  10. Practice Conciseness - Less is more: banish unnecessary words like "due to the fact that" and replace them with lean champions like "because." Tight, concise writing respects your reader's time and packs a punch. Your readers will thank you for being so direct!
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