Sentence Structure – English Grammar Exercises for A1
Leaving a sticky note on the fridge for a family member.
Choose the best answer (A, B, or C) to complete each sentence. Pay attention to complete sentences and commands.
1 I am at school. ______ your breakfast on the table.
(a) Eat
(b) You eat
(c) Eating
2 ______ in the fridge. Drink it before you go.
(a) The milk
(b) Is the milk
(c) The milk is
3 I have a big test today. ______ me luck!
(a) You wish
(b) Wish
(c) Wishing
4 ______ at work. Don’t forget to lock the door.
(a) Mom is
(b) Mom
(c) Is Mom
5 Your sandwich is ready. ______ it with you.
(a) Takes
(b) To take
(c) Take
6 We don’t have any bread. ______ some after school.
(a) You please buy
(b) Please buy
(c) Please buying
7 The dog is hungry. ______ him some food.
(a) Feeds
(b) Feed
(c) You feeding
8 I am running late. ______ wait for me.
(a) Not
(b) You don’t
(c) Do not
9 ______ cold outside. Wear your heavy jacket.
(a) It is
(b) It
(c) Is
10 Your lunch is in the bag. ______ your meal!
(a) Enjoy
(b) Enjoying
(c) To enjoy
11 ______ my laptop today. Don’t touch it.
(a) Need
(b) I need
(c) I am need
12 The kitchen floor is wet. ______ carefully.
(a) Walk
(b) Walking
(c) You walk
13 I don’t have time to clean. ______ your dishes.
(a) Washes
(b) Washing
(c) Wash
14 ______ rain today. Take an umbrella.
(a) Will
(b) It will
(c) It will to
15 I will be home late. ______ dinner without me.
(a) Eating
(b) Eat
(c) You to eat
16 The pizza is in the oven. ______ it off at 12:00
(a) Turn
(b) Turning
(c) You turn
17 Dad ______ your pocket money. Ask him for it.
(a) have
(b) having
(c) has
18 We are completely out of milk. ______ my orange juice!
(a) Don’t drink
(b) Not drink
(c) No drinking
19 My room is very messy. ______ the door.
(a) Please you close
(b) Please to close
(c) Please close
20 ______ at the library. Call me if there is an emergency.
(a) I am studying
(b) Am studying
(c) I studying
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 a
Explanation: (a) is correct. A command (imperative) starts with the base verb. (b) is a common mistake (adding the subject “You” makes it a statement, not a command). (c) is a structural error.
2 c
Explanation: (c) is correct. A complete statement needs both a Subject (The milk) and a Verb (is). (a) is a common mistake (missing the verb). (b) is a structural error (this word order is for a question, not a statement).
3 b
Explanation: (b) is correct. A direct request starts with the base verb “Wish”. (a) is a common mistake. (c) is a structural error.
4 a
Explanation: (a) is correct. A complete sentence requires Subject + Verb (“Mom is”). (b) is a common mistake (missing the verb). (c) is a structural error (question word order).
5 c
Explanation: (c) is correct. Start the command with the base verb “Take”. (a) is a structural error (adding “-s”). (b) is a structural error (adding “to”).
6 b
Explanation: (b) is correct. “Please” followed by the base verb makes a polite command. (a) is a common mistake (adding “You”). (c) is a structural error.
7 b
Explanation: (b) is correct. Base verb for a command. (a) is a structural error (adding “-s” to an imperative). (c) is a common mistake.
8 c
Explanation: (c) is correct. A negative command must start with “Do not” (or “Don’t”). (a) is a common mistake. (b) is a structural error (adding “You” ruins the imperative structure).
9 a
Explanation: (a) is correct. A statement needs a subject and a verb (“It is”). (b) is a common mistake (missing the verb “is”). (c) is a structural error (missing the subject “It”).
10 a
Explanation: (a) is correct. Base verb for an instruction/wish. (b) is a structural error. (c) is a structural error.
11 b
Explanation: (b) is correct. Subject (I) + Verb (need). (a) is a common mistake (missing the subject in a declarative sentence). (c) is a structural error (mixing “am” with an action verb).
12 a
Explanation: (a) is correct. Direct instruction using the base verb. (b) is a structural error. (c) is a common mistake.
13 c
Explanation: (c) is correct. Base verb “Wash” for the command. (a) is a structural error. (b) is a structural error.
14 b
Explanation: (b) is correct. Complete sentence structure (Subject + Verb). (a) is a common mistake (missing the subject “It”). (c) is a structural error (“will to”).
15 b
Explanation: (b) is correct. Direct command using the base verb. (a) is a structural error. (c) is a common mistake.
16 a
Explanation: (a) is correct. (b) is a structural error. (c) is a common mistake.
17 c
Explanation: (c) is correct. “Dad” is singular, requiring the verb “has”. This completes the Subject + Verb structure. (a) is a structural error. (b) is a structural error (missing “is”).
18 a
Explanation: (a) is correct. Negative commands start with “Don’t”. (b) is a common mistake. (c) is a structural error.
19 c
Explanation: (c) is correct. “Please” + base verb. (a) is a common mistake (adding “you”). (b) is a structural error.
20 a
Explanation: (a) is correct. A full sentence requires a Subject and a Verb (“I am studying”). (b) is a common mistake (missing the subject “I”). (c) is a structural error (missing the “to be” verb “am”).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 Sentence Completeness: In English, a regular statement giving information MUST have both a Subject and a Verb.
- Correct: The milk is in the fridge. / I am studying.
- Incorrect: The milk in the fridge. / Am studying. (Do not drop the subject or the “to be” verb!).
2 Imperatives for Sticky Notes: When you leave a short note telling someone what to do, use an Imperative sentence. This is the only time you drop the Subject (You) and start directly with the Base Verb.
- Correct: Eat your breakfast. / Take your keys.
- Incorrect: You eat your breakfast.
3 Punctuation Boundary: When writing a note, clearly separate your information statement from your command using a full stop (period).
- Example: I am running late. (Statement: S + V) Do not wait for me. (Command: Base Verb)