Standard English Conventions

Standard English Conventions: Build from the Sentence Core

ATI TEAS-style convention questions often hide a simple rule inside a busy sentence. Instead of judging the sentence by sound, find its grammatical core and test one feature at a time. These original examples are for independent preparation and are not official exam questions.

Find Subjects, Verbs, and Complete Thoughts

An independent clause has a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. Two independent clauses may be separated with a period or semicolon. They may also be joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or so. A comma by itself cannot hold two complete sentences together.

1. Underline the subject and verb in each possible clause.
2. Ask whether each group can stand alone.
3. Choose punctuation that matches the boundary.

Worked Example 1: Repair a Comma Splice

The timer sounded, the students closed their booklets.

Step 1: The timer sounded is complete. The students closed their booklets is also complete.

Step 2: Because both sides are independent clauses, the comma alone creates a comma splice.

Step 3: A meaning-neutral revision is “The timer sounded; the students closed their booklets.” A period would also be correct.

Why it works: The semicolon creates a complete boundary without adding a cause-and-effect relationship that the original sentence did not explicitly state.

Attach Dependent Clauses to Complete Thoughts

Words such as because, although, when, and if can make a clause dependent. A dependent clause may contain a subject and verb, but it leaves the reader waiting. When it comes before the main clause, it is usually followed by a comma.

Worked Example 2: Complete a Fragment

Although the directions seemed simple.

Step 1: The subject is directions, and the verb is seemed.

Step 2: The opening word although creates an unfinished contrast. The reader expects to learn what happened despite the simple directions.

Step 3: Complete the contrast: “Although the directions seemed simple, several students requested clarification.”

Why it works: The added main clause can stand alone, and the comma marks the end of the introductory dependent clause.

Make Subjects and Verbs Agree

A singular subject generally takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. Ignore descriptive phrases between the subject and verb. Words such as each, everyone, and someone are singular even when a nearby phrase contains a plural noun. Also follow time clues so that verb tense stays logical.

Worked Example 3: Ignore the Distractor

Yesterday, the list of review topics were posted, and the tutor explains the schedule.

Step 1: Set aside of review topics. The first subject is the singular noun list, so were should become was.

Step 2: Yesterday establishes past time. Change explains to explained.

Revision: “Yesterday, the list of review topics was posted, and the tutor explained the schedule.”

Why it works: Both verbs now agree with their subjects and remain in the past. The plural noun topics is not the subject of was.

Choose Pronouns by Their Jobs

Subject pronouns perform an action: I, he, she, we, they. Object pronouns receive an action or follow a preposition: me, him, her, us, them. To test a compound phrase, temporarily remove the other person’s name.

Worked Example 4: Test Pronoun Case

The instructor emailed Jordan and I after class.

Step 1: The instructor performs the action. Jordan and the speaker receive it, so the pronoun needs the object form.

Step 2: Remove Jordan and. “The instructor emailed I” sounds wrong; “The instructor emailed me” is grammatical.

Revision: “The instructor emailed Jordan and me after class.”

Why it works: Me correctly functions as an object of the verb emailed.

Use Punctuation for a Reason

• Place a comma after a substantial introductory word group.
• Use a colon after a complete clause to introduce a list or explanation.
• Use apostrophes for possession and contractions, not ordinary plurals.
• For a regular plural owner ending in s, place the possessive apostrophe after that s.

Common Mistake

Mistake: Choosing what sounds familiar. Everyday speech can hide agreement and pronoun errors. Instead, name the subject, verb, clause type, or pronoun job. A rule-based check remains reliable when answer choices are deliberately similar.

Knowledge Check

1. Which Revision Correctly Joins the Clauses?

The lab closed early the group finished its work at home.

• A. The lab closed early, the group finished its work at home.
• B. The lab closed early, so the group finished its work at home.
• C. The lab, closed early so the group finished its work at home.

Answer: B. Both ideas are complete clauses. A comma plus so joins them and shows result. A creates a comma splice, while C incorrectly separates the subject from its verb.

2. Which Verb Is Correct?

Each of the practice stations _____ a calculator.

• A. have
• B. has
• C. are having

Answer: B. The subject is the singular word each. The phrase of the practice stations does not make the subject plural.

3. Which Sentence Uses a Colon Correctly?

• A. Keisha packed three supplies: pencils, identification, and water.
• B. Keisha packed: pencils, identification, and water.
• C. Keisha: packed three supplies, pencils, identification, and water.

Answer: A. The words before the colon form a complete clause. In B, the colon incorrectly separates the verb from its objects; in C, it separates the subject from the verb.

4. Which Possessive Form Is Correct?

The schedules belong to several instructors.

• A. The instructor’s schedules
• B. The instructors schedules
• C. The instructors’ schedules

Answer: C. First form the plural instructors, then add the apostrophe after the final s to show that the schedules belong to more than one instructor.

Independent Practice

1. Repair this fragment: “Because the morning session filled quickly.”
2. Give two correct revisions for this run-on: “The review ended everyone compared notes.”
3. Correct the agreement and tense: “Last week, the box of flash cards arrive late.”
4. Revise the pronoun: “The counselor met with Ava and I.”
5. Write one sentence that correctly uses a colon before a list and one that shows possession by several students.

Self-check: Label the subject and verb in every clause. Explain each change with a rule, not only with “it sounds better.” A strong response fixes the error, preserves the intended meaning, and can explain why the original form failed.