Answer Key for the National Grammar Day Theme-Song Quiz
1. A. “Slowly” is the adverb.
It modifies the verb “drive.” “Fast” is an adjective that modifies “car.” “Fly” is a verb.
2. B. “Slow” is an acceptable adverb form of “slowly,” and when you use it as an adverb, it’s called a flat adverb.
It’s called flat because the adverb form is the same as the adjective form. Many people don’t know this rule and think “slow” is wrong when it’s used this way, so use it with care.
3. C. “To sell” is the infinitive form of the verb “sell.”
Infinitive verbs follow the pattern [to verb].
4. A. “To go” is the infinitive form of the verb, and the adverb “bravely” splits the two parts.
In B, the adverb “bravely” splits the bare verb “protect” from it’s auxiliary verb, “will.” This is similar to splitting an infinitive. Learn more about split infinitives.
5. A. “Between” is a preposition.
Prepositions create relationships between words–in this case, the relationship is between the noun and the trees. “Two” is an adjective modifying “trees,” and “trees” is a noun.
6. A. “Well” modifies the verb “march,” and “good” modifies the noun “grammar.”
Many people don’t know that “good” can also be used as an adverb when it follows a linking verb such as “is” or “feel.” So, although you write well, you feel good when you get the right answer. Learn more about linking verbs.
7. C. The continuous tense describes something that is ongoing, continuing–you don’t know when it will end (or when it ended).
Forms include “We are singing,” “You were singing,” and “You will be singing.”
8. B. The perfect tense describes something that has ended or that will end.
Forms include “We have walked,” “We had walked,” and “We will have walked.”
9. C. “I appreciate your singing” directs the appreciate at the singing.
You are fond of the sounds being made. “I appreciate you singing” directs the appreciate at the person doing the singing. You may not like the singing, but you appreciate the person who is giving it a try. (Typically, putting possessives and gerunds together (“your singing”) is the form you want.) Learn more about possessives with gerunds.
10. B. “Anxious” is best used to describe something you are not looking forward to doing–something that causes you anxiety.
“Eager” is best used to describe something you are looking forward to doing. Learn more about “anxious” and “eager.”
