Grade 9 Grammar & Style worksheet

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How to explain it

  1. A semicolon joins two complete, related sentences. A colon introduces a list or explanation. Dashes add emphasis.
  2. A fragment can’t stand alone, even if it starts with a capital. Subjects and verbs must agree.
  3. Prefer active voice, keep modifiers next to what they describe and match register (formal or informal) to the audience.

Example: Which uses active voice: “The plan was approved by the committee.” or “The committee approved the plan.”? In active voice, the subject does the action. The committee does the approving. Answer: The committee approved the plan.

  1. Question 1

    Which is a complete sentence?

    • When the rain stopped, and we.
    • Although the rain stopped, we stayed inside.
    • Although the rain stopped.
    • Because we stayed inside.

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence has parallel structure?

    • She enjoys painting, hiking and to cook.
    • She enjoys to paint, hiking and cook.
    • She enjoys painting, hiking and cooking.
    • She enjoys painting, to hike and cooking.

  3. Question 3

    Which sentence uses the active voice?

    • The committee approved the plan.
    • The plan was approved.
    • The plan has been approved.
    • The plan was approved by the committee.

  4. Question 4

    Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

    • The bus was; late, we walked.
    • The bus was late; we walked.
    • The bus was late; and we walked.
    • The bus; was late we walked.

  5. Question 5

    Complete sentence or fragment? Sort each group of words.

    Sort into: ✅ Complete sentence · ✂️ Fragment

    • 🚪Close the door!
    • 🧊Because the road was icy.
    • 🎵She hummed while she worked.
    • 🏃Running across the field.
    • 🔔The bell rang.
    • 🏟️After the game ended, we went home.
    • 💪Although we tried our best.
    • 🧥The tall man in the red coat.

  6. Question 6

    Which sentence has a misplaced modifier?

    • Walking down the street, the trees looked beautiful.
    • The trees looked beautiful as I walked down the street.
    • Walking down the street, I thought the trees looked beautiful.
    • I walked down the street and admired the trees.

  7. Question 7

    Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

    • You will need three things a pencil: an eraser and paper.
    • You will need three things: a pencil, an eraser and paper.
    • You will need: a pencil, an eraser and paper.
    • You will: need three things a pencil, an eraser and paper.

  8. Question 8

    Which pronoun fits? “Between you and __, the test was easy.”

    • mine
    • me
    • I
    • myself

  9. Question 9

    Which sentence uses a dash correctly for emphasis?

    • She had only — one goal to win.
    • She had — only one goal to win.
    • She — had only one goal to win.
    • She had only one goal — to win.

  10. Question 10

    Which sentence has correct subject-verb agreement?

    • Each of the players are ready.
    • Each of the players be ready.
    • Each of the players were ready.
    • Each of the players is ready.

Answer key

  1. 1. Although the rain stopped, we stayed inside.
  2. 2. She enjoys painting, hiking and cooking.
  3. 3. The committee approved the plan.
  4. 4. The bus was late; we walked.
  5. 5. ✅ Complete sentence: Close the door!, She hummed while she worked., The bell rang., After the game ended, we went home. · ✂️ Fragment: Because the road was icy., Running across the field., Although we tried our best., The tall man in the red coat.
  6. 6. Walking down the street, the trees looked beautiful.
  7. 7. You will need three things: a pencil, an eraser and paper.
  8. 8. me
  9. 9. She had only one goal — to win.
  10. 10. Each of the players is ready.

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