Grammar Study Guide for the HESI Exam

Common Sentence Errors

Getting a firm grasp on grammar is one of the most challenging parts of learning English or mastering English writing, even if you speak fluently. It is just as easy to make a mistake in a large essay as it is to make a mistake on the smaller scale, such as in a sentence. Whether it be in the sentence’s organization, the misplacement of words, or a lack of completion, there are many common errors to watch out for.

Word Order

Some of the questions will ask you to decide which form of a sentence is correct. This means: “Which form makes the meaning clearest to you, the reader?” This may involve punctuation or word usage. There may be two answers that are actually correct, but only one of them is best. For example:

Jane was just thinking of John, not Tim, when she ran into him.

It is not clear who she ran into. This is better:

Jane had been thinking of John when she ran into Tim.

Misplaced Modifiers

Modifiers are words that add more information to sentences; whether they are adjectives to describe a noun, adverbs, or full descriptive phrases, they are used to add detail when you are writing. However, often people will insert a modifier in the wrong part of a sentence, making it unclear what the modifier is meant to describe.

Here is an example of a sentence with a misplaced modifier:

Rebecca almost works out every day.

Right now, the sentence sounds like Rebecca almost works out every day; maybe she gets to the gym parking lot, turns around, and heads home? This misplaced descriptive word confuses the sentence. Moving the modifier adds clarity and makes the meaning more obvious to the reader:

Rebecca works out almost every day.

Dangling Participles vs. Misplaced Modifiers

Dangling participles and misplaced modifiers are very similar; some writers actually consider dangling participles to be a smaller mistake under the umbrella of misplaced modifiers. However, whereas misplaced modifiers tend to be descriptive words or short phrases, dangling participles tend to include a verb being used as an adjective, known as a participle.

Let’s look at this sentence, which includes a dangling participle:

The penguin waddled toward its egg, covered in feathers.

The participial phrase here is “covered in feathers”, but it is put in a spot that makes the sentence hard to follow. Right now, it sounds like the egg is covered in feathers, rather than the penguin. We can easily fix this sentence by moving the phrase:

The penguin, covered in feathers, waddled toward its egg.

When you are writing or reading passages, be sure to keep an eye on whether the descriptive language is placed in a part of the sentence that makes it clear what it is describing.

Writing Practices to Avoid

Whether you are reading passages, answering questions, or writing, you should be able to identify what to avoid when creating clear and appropriate material. What is right and wrong may depend on the audience reading the text or the purpose of the material, but there are also universal rules that should always be followed.

Clichés

Clichés are expressions that are overused and have lost their power due to the number of times they are written and spoken. Using clichés can make your writing sound as if it lacks an author’s voice and originality.

Some of the most common clichés to avoid are:

The grass is always greener on the other side.
Every rose has its thorn.
Blood is thicker than water.
Good things come to those who wait.

Euphemisms and Insensitive Language

A euphemism is a mild or vague reference to something harsher or inappropriate. Sometimes euphemisms, along with general language that downplays directness, can be seen as insensitive, and often immature or outdated. Writing should be direct, even if it is based on a sensitive topic. Try to avoid being deceitful toward your audience, and look out for manipulative language in the writing you read.

Sexist Language

The term “sexist language” sounds like someone is writing openly about one gender being worse or better than another; however, it is often much more subtle than that. Making slight exclusions in speech and defaulting to one gender are forms of sexist language that can immediately sway or turn away a reader.

Some examples of this sexist language would be:

saying only male occupational terms like fireman, policeman, and businessman
assuming females have certain roles or jobs; following gender stereotypes
using he to refer to everyone or she to refer to people in less skilled positions

Try using gender-neutral language, like using they instead of he or she, or using terms like police officer and firefighter that do not assign genders to professions.

Profanity

Profanity is another word for curse words or inappropriate language. The word profane literally means “unholy,” which is language that could easily offend readers or listeners. Depending on the audience and purpose of your writing or the writing you are studying, profanity can create a sense of immaturity or a lack of professionalism.

Textspeak

Textspeak is another word for the type of language one would use while texting or posting on social media, but it is not right for many audiences and purposes. Formal writing should use clear and concise language, avoiding slang and abbreviations. Using incomplete words, incorrect sentences, or even something as simple as replacing spelled-out numbers with the numerical form can all weaken the strength of your written material.