ATI TEAS: Knowledge of Language Concepts
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Overview
This chapter covers using grammar correctly in real writing. You will make subjects agree with verbs and pronouns agree with the nouns they replace, keep verb tenses consistent, and choose a style that fits the audience.
A singular subject takes a singular verb and a plural subject takes a plural verb, even when words come between them. Subjects joined by and are usually plural, and words such as each, everyone, and nobody are singular. A pronoun must match its antecedent, the noun it refers to, in number and person, and it should be clear which noun it means.
Keep the verb tense the same unless the time of the action really changes. Formal writing, such as a report or a letter to a school, avoids slang, contractions, and overly casual phrases. Clear writing is also concise: it cuts repeated words and uses the active voice when possible.
Key concepts
Subject-verb agreement
The verb must match its subject in number. Ignore phrases between them: "The box of gloves is on the shelf" (box is singular).
Memory tipCross out the prepositional phrase, then match the verb.
Indefinite pronouns
Words such as each, everyone, either, neither, and nobody are singular and take singular verbs: "Each of the nurses has a badge."
Memory tipWords ending in -one or -body are singular.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement
A pronoun must match the noun it replaces in number and person, and it must be clear which noun it refers to.
Memory tipFind the noun first, then pick the pronoun.
Consistent verb tense
Keep all verbs in the same tense (past, present, or future) unless the time of the action actually changes.
Memory tipDo not switch from past to present in the middle of a story.
Formal vs. informal style
Formal style uses complete sentences, precise words, and no slang or contractions. Informal style is conversational and fits personal messages.
Memory tipFor school, work, and reports, choose formal.
Active vs. passive voice
In active voice the subject does the action ("The nurse checked the chart"). In passive voice the subject receives it ("The chart was checked by the nurse").
Memory tipActive voice is usually clearer and shorter.
Often tested
- Two subjects joined by and take a plural verb; with or or nor, the verb matches the closer subject.
- Collective nouns such as team or staff usually take a singular verb when acting as one group.
- Avoid vague pronouns: if "it" or "they" could mean two things, name the noun.
- Concise writing removes repeated ideas, such as "past history" or "end result."
Easy to confuse: Formal vs. informal wording
| Informal | Formal |
|---|---|
| I can't make it to class. | I am unable to attend class. |
| Lots of patients | Many patients |
| Kids | Children |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence. "The box of gloves ______ on the top shelf."
- ① is
- ② are
- ③ were
- ④ be
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Answer: ① is
Key point: Ignore "of" phrases when finding the subject
The subject is "box," which is singular. "Of gloves" is a phrase that describes the box; it is not the subject. A singular subject takes a singular verb: "The box is…"
Wrong choices
- are: "Are" agrees with "gloves," but the subject is "box."
- were: "Were" is plural and also changes the tense.
- be: "Be" is not the correct verb form for this sentence.
Question 2. Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence. "The manager gave the new schedule to Maria and ______."
- ① me
- ② I
- ③ myself
- ④ mine
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Answer: ① me
Key point: After a preposition, use object pronouns (me, him)
After a preposition like "to," use the object pronoun "me." A quick test: remove "Maria and." You would say "gave the schedule to me," not "to I."
Wrong choices
- I: "I" is used as a subject. Here the word receives the action after "to," so use "me."
- myself: "Myself" is used only when the subject is also "I," as in "I hurt myself."
- mine: "Mine" shows ownership, which does not fit here.
Question 3. Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence. "Yesterday, Leo ______ to the store and bought milk."
- ① goes
- ② will go
- ③ went
- ④ going
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Answer: ③ went
Key point: Keep verb tenses consistent with time clues
"Yesterday" tells us the action happened in the past, and "bought" is also past tense. Keep the tenses consistent: Leo went to the store and bought milk.
Wrong choices
- goes: "Goes" is present tense, but "yesterday" calls for the past.
- will go: "Will go" is future tense.
- going: "Going" needs a helping verb such as "was" to be a full verb.
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