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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Hard English Questions to Challenge Your Grammar

Quick, free hard grammar test with instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Raminta MintyUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a challenging English grammar quiz on a teal background

This hard English questions quiz helps you check advanced grammar skills and spot tricky rules. See where you slip on tenses, clauses, and word choice, then build accuracy with the advanced english grammar quiz, take a quick syntax test, or sharpen your ear with a question tag quiz.

Choose the correct verb: The team of analysts ___ presenting its findings tomorrow.
is
have been
are
were
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Choose the correct pronoun: Between you and ___, the proposal needs revision.
I
mine
myself
me
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Choose the correctly hyphenated form as a compound modifier before a noun.
a well known-author
an author well-known
a well-known author
a well known author
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Choose the sentence that correctly fixes the comma splice.
The lecture ended, the students left.
The lecture ended; the students left.
The lecture ended: the students left.
The lecture ended, and the students, left.
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Choose the correct use of a colon to introduce a list.
Includes the kit: scissors, tape, and gauze.
The kit includes: scissors, tape, and gauze.
The kit includes the following: scissors, tape, and gauze.
The kit: includes scissors, tape, and gauze.
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Choose the correct comparative: There are ___ people here today than yesterday.
few
fewer
less
least
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Choose the correct form: If I ___ you, I would apologize.
be
am
was
were
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Select the correct relative pronoun for a restrictive clause: The book ___ won the award is out of print.
whom
who
which
that
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Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure using not only ... but also.
She enjoys not only hiking but also swimming.
She not only enjoys hiking but also to swim.
She enjoys not only to hike but also swimming.
She not only enjoys hiking but also swimming in the lake.
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Choose the sentence with correct comma use for a nonessential appositive.
My brother James, is a doctor.
My brother, James, is a doctor.
My brother, James is a doctor.
My brother James is a doctor.
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Choose the correct use of a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb.
She was late however; she still presented.
She was late; however, she still presented.
She was late; however she still presented.
She was late, however; she still presented.
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Choose the sentence with the modifier placed correctly.
After finishing the experiment, the researchers recorded the results carefully.
While reading the report, several errors became apparent to me.
To improve clarity, the paper was rewritten by the author quickly.
Running down the street, the backpack kept slipping off my shoulders.
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Choose the sentence that avoids a dangling participle.
Having finished the draft, the printer was started.
While walking to the station, I was soaked by the rain.
Driving home, the traffic lights seemed endless.
Walking to the station, the rain soaked my coat.
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Choose the correct choice: To ___ did you give the tickets?
who
whom
whose
whoever
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Choose the correct inversion after a negative adverbial: Not only ___ the data inconclusive, but the sample size was also small.
was the data
the data was
were the data
the data were
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Choose the adjective order that sounds natural in standard English.
a leather small black elegant bag
an elegant small black leather bag
a small leather elegant black bag
a black elegant small leather bag
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Choose the correct inversion with no sooner ... than.
No sooner he had sat down than the phone rang.
No sooner had he sat down than the phone rang.
No sooner had he sat down then the phone rang.
No sooner he sat down than the phone had rung.
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Choose the sentence with correct dash and comma usage.
Our goal to simplify the process, — is clear.
Our goal — to simplify the process, is clear.
Our goal — to simplify the process — is clear.
Our goal, to simplify the process — is clear.
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An em dash is required before every nonrestrictive clause.
False
True
undefined
It is acceptable to place a colon directly after a verb to introduce a list in formal writing.
False
True
undefined
0

Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze Complex Sentence Structures -

    Break down multi-clause sentences to understand how independent and dependent elements work together for clearer meaning.

  2. Identify Advanced Punctuation Rules -

    Recognize and apply correct punctuation in challenging contexts to improve readability and precision.

  3. Differentiate Commonly Confused Words -

    Distinguish between similar terms and word pairs to avoid frequent errors in grammar and usage.

  4. Apply Grammar Principles in Context -

    Use learned rules to answer difficult questions in English, reinforcing proper syntax and word choice.

  5. Evaluate Challenging Syntax Patterns -

    Assess and correct intricate sentence constructions to sharpen your eye for structural accuracy.

  6. Enhance Accuracy on Hard English Questions -

    Build confidence in tackling the toughest English quiz items by practicing targeted grammar and syntax challenges.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master Subject-Verb Agreement in Complex Subjects -

    Complex constructions like "Neither the manager nor the employees..." can trip you up in hard English questions, but Purdue OWL's proximity rule says to match the verb with the closest noun. Practicing sentences from Cambridge University's advanced grammar pages helps reinforce this rule in real-world contexts. Keep drilling until subject and verb always shake hands correctly under pressure.

  2. Distinguish Semicolons and Colons -

    Tough English questions often test whether you know that semicolons join related independent clauses while colons introduce lists or emphasize. A mnemonic like "Colon Calls" (it calls attention) and "Semi-colon; Stay connected" can cement the difference. Reviewing examples from the MLA Handbook sharpens your punctuation precision.

  3. Differentiate Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Clauses -

    Difficult questions in English often hinge on comma placement around clauses: restrictive clauses need no commas, while non-restrictive ones do. Remember the phrase "No commas, no extra info" for essential clauses and "Pause for asides" for non-essential ones. Oxford University Press offers clear guidelines and practice exercises to master this distinction.

  4. Employ the Subjunctive Mood for Hypotheticals -

    The subjunctive appears in formal conditions (e.g., "If I were" instead of "was") and after verbs of suggestion like "recommend that she go." Because many language learners find the subjunctive the hardest English question type, drilling examples from the Cambridge English Corpus builds confidence. A quick tip: swap in "were" to test for subjunctive correctness in hypotheticals.

  5. Maintain Parallelism in Lists and Comparisons -

    Hard grammar questions love to flag mismatched structures, so ensure your verbs, phrases, or clauses line up evenly (e.g., "She likes reading, jogging, and swimming" not "to read, jogging, and swim"). A helpful trick is to read each item aloud; if your phrasing stumbles, it's likely not parallel. The University of North Carolina's writing center provides clear exercises to strengthen your parallel structure skills.

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