Grammar Reviewer (Sub-Professional)

The Grammar section for the Sub-Professional exam covers fundamental rules of English usage.

Sa madaling salita: Ang section na ito ay tungkol sa mga pangunahing rules sa English grammar at tamang paggamit ng mga salita.

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

A singular subject needs a singular verb (usually ends in -s), and a plural subject needs a plural verb (no -s).

Example: The cat sleeps on the mat. (Singular)
Example: The cats sleep on the mat. (Plural)

Important Triggers:

Each, Everyone, Someone: Always singular.
- Correct: Each student is responsible. (Kada estudyante ay responsable.)
And: Usually makes the subject plural.
- Correct: John and Mary are here. (Sina John at Mary ay nandito.)

2. Pronoun Usage

Choose the correct pronoun based on whether it is the subject or the object.

Subject (Gumagawa ng action): I, You, He, She, We, They.
Object (Tumatanggap ng action): Me, You, Him, Her, Us, Them.

Common Error:

Incorrect: The gift is for she and I.
Correct: The gift is for her and me. (Object of preposition "for")

3. Prepositions

Prepositions connect words and show relationships (time, place, direction).

In: Months, Years, Cities, Countries. (Ex: In 2024, In Manila)
On: Days, Dates, Streets, Surfaces. (Ex: On Monday, On the table)
At: Exact times, Specific addresses. (Ex: At 3 PM, At 123 Main St.)

Practice Questions

Neither the manager nor the employees _____ at the meeting yesterday.
- A. is
- B. are
- C. was
- D. were
- Answer: D (were).
- Hack: Halimbawa, kapag may "neither/nor", ang verb ay dapat mag-agree sa subject na mas malapit dito ("employees"). Dahil plural ang "employees", "were" ang tamang sagot (past tense ng "are").
She invited my sister and _____ to the party.
- A. I
- B. me
- C. mine
- D. myself
- Answer: B (me).
- Hack: Object ng verb na "invited" ang kailangan. Ibig sabihin, "me" ang tama, hindi "I". (Example: She invited ME, not She invited I).
He has been working in this office _____ five years.
- A. since
- B. for
- C. during
- D. at
- Answer: B (for).
- Hack: Ginagamit ang "for" kapag nagsasabi ng duration o tagal ng panahon (five years). Ang "since" ay ginagamit para sa simula ng panahon (Ex: since 2019).
The committee _____ holding its weekly meeting.
- A. is
- B. are
- C. were
- D. have
- Answer: A (is).
- Hack: Ang "Committee" ay isang collective noun. Ito ay tinuturing na isang unit (singular) kaya "is" ang tama.
If I _____ you, I would take the earlier flight.
- A. was
- B. were
- C. am
- D. have been
- Answer: B (were).
- Hack: Sa mga "hypothetical" o "wishful" na sitwasyon (subjunctive mood), "were" ang ginagamit kahit singular ang subject na "I".
This is the _____ of the two evils.
- A. lesser
- B. less
- C. least
- D. more less
- Answer: A (lesser).
- Hack: Kapag nagkukumpara ng dalawang bagay, comparative degree ang gamitin ("lesser"). Ang "least" ay para sa tatlo o higit pa.
The news from the frontline _____ not good.
- A. are
- B. is
- C. were
- D. have
- Answer: B (is).
- Hack: Ang "News" ay uncountable noun at laging singular, kahit may "s" sa dulo. Kaya "is" ang tama.
Everyone on the team _____ to do their part.
- A. need
- B. needs
- C. are needing
- D. have needed
- Answer: B (needs).
- Hack: Ang "Everyone" ay laging singular. Kaya dapat singular verb din ("needs").
The box of old photographs _____ many memories.
- A. bring back
- B. brings back
- C. are bringing back
- D. have brought back
- Answer: B (brings back).
- Hack: Ang subject ay "box" (singular), hindi "photographs". Kaya "brings" (singular verb) ang tama.
He is the man _____ I was telling you about.
- A. who
- B. which
- C. that
- D. whom
- Answer: D (whom).
- Hack: Ginagamit ang "whom" kapag ang tinutukoy ay object ng preposition ("about"). Kung saan, kung nalilito, subukang palitan ng "him". "About him" (tama) -> Whom.
I am not sure _____ keys these are.
- A. whose
- B. who's
- C. who
- D. whom
- Answer: A (whose).
- Hack: Ang "whose" ay possessive (kanino). Ang "who's" ay short for "who is". Dahil tinatanong kung kaninong susi, "whose" ang tama.
The dog wagged _____ tail excitedly.
- A. its
- B. it's
- C. their
- D. theirs
- Answer: A (its).
- Hack: Ang "its" (walang apostrophe) ay possessive para sa bagay o hayop. Ang "it's" ay "it is".
She did the work very _____.
- A. good
- B. well
- C. better
- D. best
- Answer: B (well).
- Hack: Ang "well" ay adverb na nagdedescribe sa verb na "did". Ang "good" ay adjective. (She did well. The work was good.)
There are _____ people in the queue today than yesterday.
- A. fewer
- B. less
- C. least
- D. few
- Answer: A (fewer).
- Hack: Gamitin ang "fewer" para sa mga bagay na nabibilang (countable) tulad ng "people". Gamitin ang "less" para sa hindi nabibilang (uncountable) tulad ng "water" o "sugar".
The team captain, along with the players, _____ excited for the championship.
- A. is
- B. are
- C. were
- D. have
- Answer: A (is).
- Hack: Ang phrase na "along with..." ay pampagulo lang (parenthetical). Ang tunay na subject ay "team captain" (singular). Kaya "is" ang tama.
One of the reasons _____ his frequent tardiness.
- A. are
- B. is
- C. were
- D. have been
- Answer: B (is).
- Hack: Ang subject ay "One" (singular), hindi "reasons". "Isa sa mga rason..." Kaya singular verb "is" ang gamitin.
Can you please lay the book _____ the table?
- A. on
- B. in
- C. at
- D. down
- Answer: A (on).
- Hack: Ang "on" ay ginagamit para sa ibabaw ng surface (table).
After the long hike, he _____ down to rest.
- A. laid
- B. lay
- C. lain
- D. lied
- Answer: B (lay).
- Hack: Ito ay nakakalito. Ang past tense ng "lie" (humiga) ay "lay". (Present: Lie, Past: Lay, Participle: Lain).
The effect of the new policy _____ still unknown.
- A. is
- B. are
- C. has
- D. have
- Answer: A (is).
- Hack: Ang subject ay "effect" (singular). Kaya "is" ang tama.
_____ you and your brother coming to the reunion?
- A. Is
- B. Are
- C. Was
- D. Were
- Answer: B (Are).
- Hack: Ang subject ay "you and your brother" (plural/dalawa sila). Kaya "Are" ang tama.

Tip: Read your sentences out loud. Often, your ear can catch a grammar mistake that your eyes might miss. (Basahin nang malakas ang sentence. Madalas, mas naririnig ng tenga ang mali kaysa nakikita ng mata.)