Here are some of the most important grammar concepts to know for the GED:

1. Punctuation rules

2. Pronoun usage

3. Sentence correction

4. Contextual clues

5. Verb tense

6. Subject-verb agreement

7. Pronoun-antecedent agreement

8. Comparisons

9. Word usage

10. Capitalization

11. Run-on sentences

12. Fragments

13. Parallel Structure

14. Connecting words

15. Apostrophes

16. Basic grammar rules

17. Modifiers

1. Punctuation rules:

Punctuation is a set of marks used in writing to help readers understand the meaning of
a sentence. Here are some of the most important punctuation rules with examples:

Period: Use a period at the end of a complete sentence that is a statement. Example: I
am going to the store.

Question mark: Use a question mark at the end of a sentence that asks a question.
Example: Are you coming with me?

Exclamation point: Use an exclamation point at the end of a sentence that expresses
strong emotion or emphasis. Example: I can't believe I won!

Comma: Use a comma to separate items in a list or series. Example: I need to buy milk,
bread, and eggs.
Semicolon: Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related.
Example: I love to read; it helps me relax.

Colon: Use a colon to introduce a list or to separate two independent clauses when the
second clause explains or elaborates on the first. Example: I have three favorite colors:
blue, green, and purple.

Dash: Use a dash to indicate a sudden break or change in thought within a sentence.
Example: I love to travel - it's my favorite thing to do.

Parentheses: Use parentheses to enclose information that is not essential to the

meaning of the sentence. Example: The concert (which was sold out) was amazing.

Quotation marks: Use quotation marks to indicate direct speech or to enclose titles of
short works. Example: "I'll be there in five minutes," he said.

Ellipsis: Use an ellipsis to indicate that a portion of a sentence has been omitted.
Example: "To be or not to be, that is the question..."
2. Pronoun usage

Pronouns are words that replace nouns in a sentence. They are important because they
help avoid repetition and make sentences less clunky. Here are some examples of
pronouns:

Personal pronouns: These refer to people and are used to replace the name of the
person. Examples include "he," "she," "they," "him," "her," and "them."

Possessive pronouns: These show ownership and replace the name of the person or
thing that owns something. Examples include "mine," "yours," "his," "hers," and "theirs."

Reflexive pronouns: These refer back to the subject of the sentence and end in "-self" or
"-selves." Examples include "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," and "themselves."

Demonstrative pronouns: These point to specific people or things and include "this,"
"that," "these," and "those."

Indefinite pronouns: These refer to people or things in a general way and include
"someone," "anyone," "everyone," "nothing," and "everything."

3. Sentence correction

Sentence correction is the process of identifying and fixing errors in a sentence to make it clear
and grammatically correct. Here are some examples of sentence correction:

Subject-verb agreement: Make sure that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number.
For example, "The dog barks" is correct, but "The dog bark" is incorrect.

Pronoun usage: Use the correct pronoun to refer to a person or thing. For example, "He went to
the store" is correct, but "Him went to the store" is incorrect.

Punctuation: Use punctuation marks such as commas, periods, and semicolons correctly to
separate ideas and clarify meaning. For example, "I went to the store, and I bought some milk."
is correct, but "I went to the store and I bought some milk" is incorrect.

Run-on sentences: Make sure that each sentence has a clear subject and verb and does not
run on too long. For example, "I went to the store, I bought some milk, and I saw my friend" is a
run-on sentence and should be separated into three sentences.

Fragments: Make sure that each sentence is a complete thought and not a fragment. For
example, "Running to the store" is a fragment and should be changed to "I am running to the
store."

4. Contextual clues

Contextual clues are hints or information provided in a sentence or passage that can help
readers understand the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Here are some examples of contextual
clues:
Definition clue: A definition clue is a word or phrase that defines the unfamiliar word. For
example, "Telepathy is defined as the ability to communicate information..."

Example clue: An example clue provides an example of the unfamiliar word. For example, "She
was a real Scrooge, never wanting to spend any money."

Synonym clue: A synonym clue provides a word with a similar meaning to the unfamiliar word.
For example, "The dog was very docile, never barking or growling."

Antonym clue: An antonym clue provides a word with the opposite meaning of the unfamiliar
word. For example, "The teacher was very strict, never allowing the students to talk during
class."

5. Verb tense

Verb tense refers to the time frame in which an action takes place. There are three main verb
tenses: past, present, and future. Here are some examples of verb tenses:

Past tense: This tense is used to describe actions that have already happened. Example: I
walked to the store.

Present tense: This tense is used to describe actions that are happening now. Example: I am
walking to the store.

Future tense: This tense is used to describe actions that will happen in the future. Example: I
will walk to the store.

Past perfect: This tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action
in the past. It is formed by using "had" + past participle of the verb. Example: "I had finished my
homework before I went to bed."

Present perfect: This tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues
up to the present. It is formed by using "have/has" + past participle of the verb. Example: "I have
lived in this city for five years."

Future perfect: This tense is used to describe an action that will be completed at a specific time
in the future. It is formed by using "will have" + past participle of the verb. Example: "By next
year, I will have graduated from college."

6. Subject-verb agreement

Subject-verb agreement is the rule that the subject and verb in a sentence must agree in
number. Here are some examples:

Singular subjects take singular verbs. Example: The dog barks.

Plural subjects take plural verbs. Example: The dogs bark.

When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must
agree with the subject. Example: The percentage of employees who called in sick and the
number of employees who left their jobs within 2 years are reflective of the level of job
satisfaction.

When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember that the verb still agrees
with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the phrase following the subject of the sentence.
Example: The student, as well as the committee members, is excited.

7. Pronoun-antecedent agreement

Pronoun-antecedent agreement is a rule in grammar that states that a pronoun must agree with
its antecedent (preceding noun) in number, person, and gender. Here are some examples:

Singular antecedents take singular pronouns. Example: The boy lost his hat.

Plural antecedents take plural pronouns. Example: The boys lost their hats.

Indefinite nouns such as "everyone," "anyone," and "someone" take plural pronouns. Example:
Everyone should do their best.

When a pronoun refers to a collective noun, it can be either singular or plural depending on the
context. Example: The team won its game. (singular) The team celebrated their victory. (plural)

8. Comparisons

Comparisons are used to show the similarities and differences between two or more things.
Here are some examples:

Comparative adjectives: These are used to compare two things. Example: The red car is faster
than the blue car.

Superlative adjectives: These are used to compare three or more things. Example: The red car
is the fastest of all the cars.

Comparative adverbs: These are used to compare two actions. Example: She runs faster than
he does.

Superlative adverbs: These are used to compare three or more actions. Example: She runs the
fastest of all the runners.

9. Word usage

Word usage refers to the proper selection and use of words in a sentence or passage to convey
the intended meaning. Here are some examples:

Homophones: These are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings.
Example: "Their" and "there" are homophones that are often confused.

Synonyms: These are words that have similar meanings. Example: "Big" and "large" are
synonyms.
Antonyms: These are words that have opposite meanings. Example: "Hot" and "cold" are
antonyms.

Idioms: These are phrases that have a figurative meaning that is different from the literal
meaning of the words. Example: "Break a leg" is an idiom that means "good luck."

10. Capitalization

Capitalization is the use of capital letters in writing. Here are some examples:

Proper nouns: These are the names of specific people, places, or things and are always
capitalized. Example: John Smith, New York City, Statue of Liberty.

Titles: The first letter of each major word in a title is capitalized. Example: The Cat in the Hat.

Acronyms: The first letter of each word in an acronym is capitalized. Example: ELI5 (Explain
Like I'm Five).

Sentences: The first letter of the first word in a sentence is capitalized. Example: She went to
the store.

11. Run-on sentences

A run-on sentence is a sentence that contains two or more independent clauses that are not
properly connected. An independent clause is a complete sentence that can stand alone.

Here is an example of a run-on sentence: "I love to write papers I would write one every day if I
had the time." This sentence contains two independent clauses that are not properly connected.

One way to fix a run-on sentence is to split it into two separate sentences. For example, "I love
to write papers. I would write one every day if I had the time."

Another way to fix a run-on sentence is to use a coordinating conjunction such as "and," "but,"
or "or" to connect the independent clauses. For example, "I love to write papers, and I would
write one every day if I had the time."

By understanding and practicing how to fix run-on sentences, you can improve your writing and
communication skills.

12. Fragments

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that is missing a subject, verb, or both. Here is
an example of a sentence fragment: "Running to the store." This is a sentence fragment
because it is missing a subject and verb.

One way to fix a sentence fragment is to add a subject and verb to make it a complete
sentence. For example, "I am running to the store." By understanding and practicing how to fix
sentence fragments, you can improve your writing and communication skills.
13. Parallel Structure

Parallel structure is a writing technique that involves using the same grammatical structure for
similar elements in a sentence. This creates balance and symmetry in the sentence and helps
to emphasize the importance of the ideas being presented. Here are some examples of parallel
structure:

Not parallel: Sarah likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bike. (mixing verb forms)

Parallel: Sarah likes hiking, swimming, and biking. (using the same verb form)

Errors in parallelism can occur when the grammatical structure of the elements being compared
is not consistent. For example:

Not parallel: The company needs to hire someone who is skilled, experienced, and works well
with others. (mixing adjective and verb forms)

Parallel: The company needs to hire someone who is skilled, experienced, and collaborative.
(using the same adjective form)

To correct errors in parallelism, you can adjust the grammatical structure of the elements being
compared to make them consistent. For example:

Incorrect: The new employee needs to be able to write clearly, speak persuasively, and a good
listener. (mixing verb forms)

Correct: The new employee needs to be able to write clearly, speak persuasively, and listen
well. (using the same verb form)

14. Connecting words

Connecting words are words that are used to connect ideas and show the relationship between
them. Here are some examples:

Conjunctions: These are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses. Examples include
"and," "but," and "or."

Prepositions: These are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other
words in a sentence. Examples include "in," "on," and "with."

Transitional words: These are words that show the relationship between ideas in a sentence or
paragraph. Examples include "however," "therefore," and "meanwhile."

15. Apostrophes

Apostrophes are punctuation marks used in writing to show possession or to indicate that letters
or words have been omitted. Here are some examples of apostrophes:

Possessive nouns: These are used to show that something belongs to someone or something.
Example: The dog's bone.
Contractions: These are shortened forms of words that use an apostrophe to indicate that
letters have been omitted. Example: It's (short for "it is").

Plural nouns: In general, apostrophes are not used to make nouns plural. Example: Dogs (not
dog's) are cute.

16. Basic Grammar Rules

Here are some basic grammar rules with examples:

Write in complete sentences: A complete sentence has a subject and a verb and expresses a
complete thought. Example: She went to the store.

Make sure your subjects and verbs agree: The subject and verb in a sentence must agree in
number. Example: The dog barks.

Link ideas with a conjunction or semicolon: Use conjunctions such as "and," "but," or "or" to
connect ideas in a sentence. Example: She went to the store, but she forgot her wallet.

Use commas correctly: Use commas to separate items in a list or to separate clauses in a
sentence. Example: I need to buy milk, bread, and eggs.

Use correct punctuation: Use punctuation marks such as periods, question marks, and
exclamation points correctly to separate ideas and clarify meaning. Example: Are you coming
with me?

Ensure a sentence has a subject, verb, and object: A sentence should have a subject, verb, and
object to express a complete thought. Example: She bought a new car.

Understand when to capitalize: Capitalize proper nouns, the first word of a sentence, and titles.
Example: John Smith, New York City, The Cat in the Hat.

17. Modifiers

Modifiers: Modifiers are words that modify their sentences’ meanings by adding details and
clarifying facts or by differentiating between people, events, or objects.

Types of Modifiers: Modifiers can be single words, phrases, or clauses. They can be adjectives,
adverbs, prepositions, or limiting words.

Example: Instead of saying I rode the train. You can say I rode the earliest train into the city.

Modifier Placement: Modifiers should be placed right beside the word they are modifying,
usually before or after it. Misplaced modifiers can cause confusion or ambiguity in sentences.

Squinting and dangling modifiers

One type of misplaced modifier is known as a dangling modifier. A dangling modifier is a

modifier that does not modify any specific word in the sentence. Here are a few examples:

After reading the book, the movie was great.

Before leaving, a squirrel crossed the sidewalk.

You might be able to guess what these sentences are communicating, but they feel awkward
and choppy. That’s because their modifiers aren’t actually modifying any nouns. Clearer ways of
writing these sentences are:

After reading the book, I thought the movie was great.

Before leaving, I watched a squirrel cross the sidewalk.

Dangling modifiers aren’t the only type of misplaced modifier. Another type is known as a
squinting modifier. This kind of modifier is unclear because it’s placed in a way that makes it just
as applicable to the word before it as it is to the word following it. Take a look at these
examples:

The kids who played at the playground sometimes bought ice cream.

Emi hoped when class was over she could check her phone.

With these sentences, moving the modifier around fixes any clarity challenges:

Sometimes, the kids who played at the playground bought ice cream.

The kids who sometimes played at the playground bought ice cream.

When class was over, Emi hoped she could check her phone.

Emi hoped she could check her phone when class was over.