HESI A2 Grammar Practice Questions: 30 Questions on Parts of Speech, Sentence Structure & Punctuation [2026]

Why Grammar Matters on the HESI A2

The HESI A2 Grammar section contains approximately 50 questions and tests your ability to identify correct sentence construction, proper punctuation, and standard English conventions. Many nursing students underestimate this section, but grammar consistently trips up test-takers who focus only on science subjects. Strong grammar skills are also essential for nursing documentation, patient charting, and professional communication throughout your career.

This practice set covers the most frequently tested grammar concepts on the HESI A2, organized by topic. Each question includes a detailed explanation so you understand the underlying rule — not just the correct answer.

Part 1: Subject-Verb Agreement (Questions 1–6)

Question 1

Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?

• A) The group of nurses are preparing for rounds.
• B) The group of nurses is preparing for rounds.
• C) The group of nurses were preparing for rounds.
• D) The group of nurses have been preparing for rounds.

Answer: B

Explanation: The subject is "group" (singular), not "nurses." Collective nouns like group, team, committee, and family take singular verbs when the group acts as one unit. "The group... is preparing" is correct because the entire group is performing the action together.

Question 2

Select the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

• A) Neither the doctor nor the nurses was available.
• B) Neither the doctor nor the nurses were available.
• C) Neither the doctor nor the nurses has been available.
• D) Neither the doctor nor the nurses is available.

Answer: B

Explanation: With "neither...nor" constructions, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. "Nurses" is plural and closer to the verb, so "were" (plural) is correct. If the sentence were reversed — "Neither the nurses nor the doctor" — the correct verb would be "was."

Question 3

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

• A) Each of the patients need their vital signs checked.
• B) Each of the patients needs their vital signs checked.
• C) Each of the patients needs his or her vital signs checked.
• D) Each of the patients need his or her vital signs checked.

Answer: C

Explanation: "Each" is a singular indefinite pronoun that requires a singular verb ("needs") and a singular pronoun reference ("his or her"). While "their" is increasingly accepted in casual usage, standardized tests like the HESI A2 follow traditional grammar rules where "each" pairs with singular pronouns.

Question 4

Choose the correctly written sentence.

• A) The number of applicants have increased this year.
• B) The number of applicants has increased this year.
• C) A number of applicants has applied this year.
• D) A number of applicants is expected to attend.

Answer: B

Explanation: "The number" is treated as singular and takes a singular verb ("has"). In contrast, "a number" is treated as plural and takes a plural verb ("have"). This distinction is frequently tested: "The number of cases has risen" vs. "A number of cases have been reported."

Question 5

Which sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error?

• A) Measles is a highly contagious disease.
• B) The news about the outbreak was alarming.
• C) Physics are required for pre-nursing students.
• D) Mathematics is my strongest subject.

Answer: C

Explanation: Words that end in -s but refer to a single subject or field of study — such as physics, mathematics, measles, news, and economics — are singular and take singular verbs. The correct form is "Physics is required."

Question 6

Select the grammatically correct sentence.

• A) There is many reasons to pursue nursing.
• B) There are many reasons to pursue nursing.
• C) There is many reason to pursue nursing.
• D) There has been many reasons to pursue nursing.

Answer: B

Explanation: In sentences beginning with "there," the verb must agree with the true subject that follows. "Reasons" is plural, so "are" is correct. This inverted sentence structure is a common HESI A2 trap — always identify the real subject to determine the correct verb.

Part 2: Pronoun Usage (Questions 7–11)

Question 7

Which sentence uses pronouns correctly?

• A) The doctor told the patient and I to wait in the exam room.
• B) The doctor told the patient and me to wait in the exam room.
• C) The doctor told the patient and myself to wait in the exam room.
• D) The doctor told the patient and we to wait in the exam room.

Answer: B

Explanation: "Me" is the correct objective pronoun because it's the indirect object of "told." A helpful test: remove "the patient and" — you'd say "The doctor told me," not "The doctor told I." "Myself" is a reflexive pronoun only used when the subject and object are the same person (e.g., "I told myself").

Question 8

Choose the sentence with correct pronoun usage.

• A) Between you and I, the exam was difficult.
• B) Between you and me, the exam was difficult.
• C) Between you and myself, the exam was difficult.
• D) Between you and we, the exam was difficult.

Answer: B

Explanation: "Between" is a preposition that requires objective case pronouns. "Me" is the objective form of "I." The phrase "between you and I" is one of the most common grammar errors in English — it sounds formal but is grammatically incorrect.

Question 9

Which sentence contains a pronoun-antecedent agreement error?

• A) Every student must submit his or her application by Friday.
• B) The committee announced its decision.
• C) Each nurse should check their patient's chart.
• D) The hospital updated its visiting policy.

Answer: C

Explanation: On the HESI A2, "each" is singular and requires a singular pronoun. The grammatically correct form is "Each nurse should check his or her patient's chart." While "their" as a singular pronoun is widely accepted in modern usage, standardized nursing entrance exams test traditional agreement rules.

Question 10

Select the sentence with the correct pronoun.

• A) Who did you call about the lab results?
• B) Whom did you call about the lab results?
• C) Whomever did you call about the lab results?
• D) Whoever did you call about the lab results?

Answer: B

Explanation: "Whom" is the objective case of "who" and is used when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition. In this sentence, "whom" is the object of "call." Quick trick: if you can substitute "him/her," use "whom" — "You called him" works, so "whom" is correct.

Question 11

Which sentence uses the correct pronoun?

• A) Her and the charge nurse completed the medication audit.
• B) She and the charge nurse completed the medication audit.
• C) Herself and the charge nurse completed the medication audit.
• D) Her and the charge nurse had completed the medication audit.

Answer: B

Explanation: The pronoun is part of the compound subject ("She and the charge nurse"), so the subjective case "she" is required. Test by removing the other person: "She completed the audit" is correct, not "Her completed the audit."

Part 3: Punctuation & Mechanics (Questions 12–18)

Question 12

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• A) The patient's symptoms included: fever, chills, and fatigue.
• B) The patient's symptoms included fever, chills, and fatigue.
• C) The patient's symptoms included fever; chills; and fatigue.
• D) The patient's symptoms, included fever, chills, and fatigue.

Answer: B

Explanation: Do not use a colon after a verb or preposition that directly introduces a list. A colon is only correct after a complete independent clause. "The symptoms included" is a verb phrase flowing directly into its objects, so no colon is needed. A colon would be correct in: "The patient reported three symptoms: fever, chills, and fatigue."

Question 13

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• A) The nurse however could not locate the chart.
• B) The nurse, however, could not locate the chart.
• C) The nurse however, could not locate the chart.
• D) The nurse, however could not locate the chart.

Answer: B

Explanation: Conjunctive adverbs like "however," "therefore," "moreover," and "nevertheless" are set off by commas when they interrupt a sentence. Both commas are required — one before and one after — to properly offset the interrupting word.

Question 14

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

• A) The patient was discharged; and the nurse completed the paperwork.
• B) The patient was discharged; the nurse completed the paperwork.
• C) The patient was discharged; because recovery was complete.
• D) The patient was discharged, the nurse completed the paperwork.

Answer: B

Explanation: A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a conjunction. Option A incorrectly adds "and" after the semicolon (use a comma with "and" instead). Option C incorrectly follows a semicolon with a subordinating conjunction. Option D creates a comma splice — two independent clauses joined only by a comma.

Question 15

Choose the sentence with correct apostrophe usage.

• A) The nurses' station is at the end of the hall. (referring to multiple nurses)
• B) The nurse's station is at the end of the hall. (referring to multiple nurses)
• C) The nurses station is at the end of the hall. (referring to multiple nurses)
• D) The nurses's station is at the end of the hall. (referring to multiple nurses)

Answer: A

Explanation: For plural nouns ending in -s, the possessive is formed by adding only an apostrophe after the -s: nurses'. "Nurse's" (option B) shows singular possession (one nurse's station). "Nurses's" (option D) is never correct. Always determine whether the possessor is singular or plural before placing the apostrophe.

Question 16

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• A) Before administering the medication the nurse checked the dosage.
• B) Before administering the medication, the nurse checked the dosage.
• C) Before, administering the medication the nurse checked the dosage.
• D) Before administering, the medication the nurse checked the dosage.

Answer: B

Explanation: An introductory dependent clause or phrase must be followed by a comma before the main clause begins. "Before administering the medication" is the introductory phrase, and a comma separates it from the independent clause "the nurse checked the dosage."

Question 17

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

• A) The doctor asked "Have you experienced any chest pain?"
• B) The doctor asked, "Have you experienced any chest pain?"
• C) The doctor asked "Have you experienced any chest pain"?
• D) The doctor asked, "have you experienced any chest pain?"

Answer: B

Explanation: A comma separates the introductory clause from a direct quotation. The first word inside quotation marks is capitalized because it begins a complete sentence. The question mark goes inside the closing quotation marks because the quoted material itself is a question.

Question 18

Which sentence correctly uses commas with a nonrestrictive clause?

• A) The patient who was admitted yesterday is recovering well.
• B) The patient, who was admitted yesterday, is recovering well.
• C) The patient who was admitted yesterday, is recovering well.
• D) The patient, who was admitted yesterday is recovering well.

Answer: B

Explanation: A nonrestrictive clause provides extra information that can be removed without changing the sentence's core meaning. It must be set off with commas on both sides. If "who was admitted yesterday" is essential to identifying which patient, no commas are used (option A would be correct in that context). The HESI A2 tests your ability to distinguish between these two clause types.

Part 4: Sentence Structure (Questions 19–24)

Question 19

Which of the following is a sentence fragment?

• A) The nurse documented the patient's vital signs accurately.
• B) Running quickly down the hospital corridor to the emergency room.
• C) She administered the injection carefully.
• D) The lab results came back negative.

Answer: B

Explanation: A sentence fragment lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. Option B is a participial phrase — it describes an action ("running") but has no subject performing it and no independent clause. To fix it: "The nurse ran quickly down the hospital corridor to the emergency room."

Question 20

Identify the sentence that contains a dangling modifier.

• A) After reviewing the test results, the doctor recommended surgery.
• B) After reviewing the test results, surgery was recommended.
• C) The doctor recommended surgery after reviewing the test results.
• D) The doctor, after reviewing the test results, recommended surgery.

Answer: B

Explanation: A dangling modifier occurs when the modifying phrase doesn't logically connect to the subject of the main clause. In option B, "surgery" didn't review the test results — the doctor did. The modifier "After reviewing the test results" dangles because it has no logical subject. Options A, C, and D correctly connect the action of reviewing to "the doctor."

Question 21

Which sentence is a run-on?

• A) The patient felt better, so she asked to be discharged.
• B) The patient felt better she asked to be discharged.
• C) The patient felt better; therefore, she asked to be discharged.
• D) Because the patient felt better, she asked to be discharged.

Answer: B

Explanation: A run-on sentence (also called a fused sentence) occurs when two independent clauses are joined without any punctuation or conjunction. Option B smashes together "The patient felt better" and "she asked to be discharged." Fix options: add a comma + conjunction (option A), use a semicolon (option C), or restructure with a subordinating conjunction (option D).

Question 22

Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?

• A) The nurse enjoys reading, to swim, and hiking.
• B) The nurse enjoys reading, swimming, and hiking.
• C) The nurse enjoys to read, swimming, and to hike.
• D) The nurse enjoys reading, swimming, and to hike.

Answer: B

Explanation: Parallel structure requires that items in a list or series follow the same grammatical form. In option B, all three items are gerunds (-ing form): reading, swimming, hiking. Mixing gerunds with infinitives (options A, C, D) breaks parallelism and creates grammatically incorrect sentences.

Question 23

Select the sentence that is NOT a comma splice.

• A) The procedure was successful, the patient recovered quickly.
• B) The procedure was successful, and the patient recovered quickly.
• C) The procedure was successful, the patient's family was relieved.
• D) The procedure was successful, she was discharged the next day.

Answer: B

Explanation: A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses with only a comma. Options A, C, and D are all comma splices. Option B is correct because it uses a comma followed by the coordinating conjunction "and" to properly connect two independent clauses. Remember FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Question 24

Which sentence uses a subordinating conjunction correctly?

• A) Although the patient was in pain. She refused medication.
• B) Although the patient was in pain, she refused medication.
• C) The patient was in pain although, she refused medication.
• D) Although, the patient was in pain she refused medication.

Answer: B

Explanation: "Although" is a subordinating conjunction that creates a dependent clause. When the dependent clause comes first, it's followed by a comma before the independent clause. Option A incorrectly ends the dependent clause with a period, creating a fragment. No comma is placed directly after the subordinating conjunction itself.

Part 5: Commonly Confused Words (Questions 25–30)

Question 25

Choose the sentence that uses the correct word.

• A) The medication had a positive affect on the patient.
• B) The medication had a positive effect on the patient.
• C) The medication had a positive affective on the patient.
• D) The medication had a positive effecting on the patient.

Answer: B

Explanation: "Effect" (noun) means a result or outcome. "Affect" (verb) means to influence. In this sentence, a noun is needed after the adjective "positive." Memory aid: Affect = Action (verb); Effect = End result (noun). Note: "affect" can rarely be a noun in psychology, and "effect" can be a verb meaning "to bring about," but these exceptions are uncommon on the HESI A2.

Question 26

Which sentence uses the correct word?

• A) The doctor gave her advise about diet changes.
• B) The doctor gave her advice about diet changes.
• C) The doctor adviced her about diet changes.
• D) The doctor advice her about diet changes.

Answer: B

Explanation: "Advice" (with a C) is the noun meaning a recommendation. "Advise" (with an S) is the verb meaning to give counsel. The sentence needs a noun (something was given), so "advice" is correct. To use the verb form: "The doctor advised her about diet changes."

Question 27

Select the correct sentence.

• A) The principle reason for the procedure is to reduce inflammation.
• B) The principal reason for the procedure is to reduce inflammation.
• C) The principals reason for the procedure is to reduce inflammation.
• D) The principles reason for the procedure is to reduce inflammation.

Answer: B

Explanation: "Principal" (adjective) means main or most important. "Principle" (noun) means a fundamental truth or rule. Here, an adjective is needed to modify "reason." Memory aid: The principal is your pal; a principle is a rule.

Question 28

Which sentence uses "than" and "then" correctly?

• A) The patient felt better then expected after surgery.
• B) The nurse took vitals, than administered the medication.
• C) The patient felt better than expected, and then walked to the door.
• D) The nurse took vitals, then administered the medication better then before.

Answer: C

Explanation: "Than" is used for comparisons ("better than expected"). "Then" indicates time or sequence ("and then walked"). Option A incorrectly uses "then" for a comparison. Option B uses "than" for sequence. Option D correctly uses "then" for sequence but incorrectly uses "then" again where "than" (comparison) is needed.

Question 29

Choose the correctly written sentence.

• A) Its important to wash your hands before patient contact.
• B) It's important to wash your hands before patient contact.
• C) Its' important to wash your hands before patient contact.
• D) Its important to wash you're hands before patient contact.

Answer: B

Explanation: "It's" is a contraction of "it is." "Its" (no apostrophe) is the possessive form. Since the sentence means "It is important," the contraction "it's" is correct. "Its'" (option C) is never a valid form. Option D adds the error of "you're" (you are) where "your" (possessive) is needed.

Question 30

Which sentence is correct?

• A) The patient could of recovered sooner with physical therapy.
• B) The patient could have recovered sooner with physical therapy.
• C) The patient could off recovered sooner with physical therapy.
• D) The patient could been recovered sooner with physical therapy.

Answer: B

Explanation: "Could have" (or the contraction "could've") is the correct modal verb phrase. "Could of" is a common error caused by mishearing the contraction "could've." This applies to all modal verbs: should have (not "should of"), would have (not "would of"), might have (not "might of").

Grammar Quick-Reference Rules for the HESI A2

Here's a summary of the essential grammar rules tested on the HESI A2:

Subject-Verb Agreement: Singular subjects take singular verbs. Watch for collective nouns (team, group), indefinite pronouns (each, every, neither), and inverted sentences (there is/there are). With "or/nor," the verb agrees with the nearest subject.

Pronoun Rules: Match pronouns to their antecedents in number and gender. Use subjective case (I, he, she, we, they) for subjects and objective case (me, him, her, us, them) for objects of verbs and prepositions. Use "who" for subjects, "whom" for objects.

Punctuation Essentials: Use commas after introductory clauses, around nonrestrictive clauses, and before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses. Use semicolons between independent clauses without conjunctions. Colons follow only complete independent clauses.

Sentence Structure: Every sentence needs a subject and a predicate expressing a complete thought. Avoid fragments (incomplete sentences), run-ons (fused sentences), comma splices (two independent clauses joined by only a comma), and dangling modifiers.

Commonly Confused Words: affect/effect, advice/advise, principal/principle, than/then, it's/its, their/there/they're, your/you're, who's/whose, could have (not "could of"), accept/except.

How to Use These Practice Questions Effectively

Step 1: Take the full quiz without looking at the answers. Write down your responses to all 30 questions before checking.

Step 2: Review every explanation — even for questions you got right. Understanding why the wrong answers are wrong is just as important as knowing the correct answer.

Step 3: Identify your weak areas. Did you miss mostly subject-verb agreement? Punctuation? Commonly confused words? Focus your remaining study time on those specific areas.

Step 4: Learn the rules, not just the answers. The HESI A2 won't repeat these exact questions, but it will test the same underlying rules. Make sure you can apply each grammar concept to new sentences.

Step 5: Practice with full-length tests. Once you're comfortable with individual grammar rules, take timed practice tests that simulate the actual exam experience with all subjects combined.