HESI A2 Grammar: Rules Tested & How to Drill Them Fast
HESI A2 grammar is the section that rewards focused prep more than any other — the rules are fixed and the same patterns repeat every version. Here’s exactly what the section tests, the five highest-frequency rules to drill, the mistakes that cost points, and a fast, diagnostic-first practice plan with sample questions.
HESI A2 grammar is one of the most important — and most underestimated — sections of the nursing-school entrance exam. It tests whether you can communicate clearly, focusing on common errors, sentence structure, and core grammar concepts. The good news: because the rules are fixed and repeat across every version of the HESI A2, this section responds to focused drilling better than almost any other. This guide covers what the grammar section tests, the rules that show up most, and how to drill them efficiently instead of rereading a grammar textbook cover to cover.
What the HESI A2 grammar section tests
The HESI A2 grammar section checks whether you can apply standard English rules correctly. Most questions ask you to spot an error, choose the sentence that fixes it, or pick the correct word from an easily confused pair. The format is typically 50 questions in 50 minutes, though it varies by school — treat that as a benchmark, not a guarantee. The topic list, however, stays the same everywhere, because these are core English conventions.
Category | What it covers |
|---|---|
Parts of speech | Nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, interjections |
Subject-verb agreement | Matching singular or plural subjects to the correct verb form |
Verb tense | Past, present, future, and consistent tense within a sentence |
Pronoun antecedent / case | Subjective, objective, and possessive pronoun case |
Punctuation | Commas, apostrophes, semicolons, and other marks used correctly |
Sentence structure | Fragments, run-ons, comma splices, and parallel structure |
Commonly confused words | Homophones and near-homophones like their/there/they’re |
Capitalization | Proper nouns, titles, and sentence-starting capitals |
Because the rules tested here are finite and well documented, this section rewards direct, structured review. Unlike a reading passage that changes every time, a grammar rule stays exactly the same no matter which version of the exam you sit.
High-frequency rules to drill
Not every rule shows up equally, so spend the bulk of your time on the categories that appear again and again.
Subject-verb agreement. One of the most consistently tested rules: singular subjects take singular verbs, plural subjects take plural verbs. The trap is a long phrase sitting between subject and verb — it is easy to match the verb to the nearest noun. In "The list of patient files were updated," the true subject is "list," so the verb should be "was."
Commonly confused words. Pairs like their/there/they’re, your/you’re, its/it’s, then/than, affect/effect, and who/whom appear often enough that memorizing the distinction once pays off across multiple questions. These are really vocabulary pairs with fixed rules.
Punctuation. Heavy on comma usage — in compound sentences, after introductory phrases, in lists, and around nonessential clauses — plus apostrophes in possessives and contractions. Semicolons appear less often than commas.
Sentence structure. Identifying complete sentences vs. fragments, spotting run-ons and comma splices, and recognizing parallel structure. These usually ask you to choose the corrected version, so recognizing the fix matters more than naming the term.
Rule category | Why it’s high-yield |
|---|---|
Subject-verb agreement | Frequently tested, especially with phrases separating subject and verb |
Commonly confused words | Finite, clearly learnable list, shows up often |
Comma usage | Most frequent punctuation category tested |
Fragments, run-ons, comma splices | Common sentence-structure questions |
Pronoun case | Tested through subjective, objective, and possessive forms |
If you only have limited time before test day, these five categories are where focused review produces the fastest score improvement.
Mistakes and how to practice
Common mistakes
Relying on what "sounds right." This trap catches you on sentences you would never say aloud but that are still correct. Studying the underlying rule gives you something concrete to fall back on when a sentence just feels off.
Reading too quickly. Grammar questions are short, which makes skimming tempting — and skimming is exactly how subject-verb mismatches and misplaced modifiers slip past. Slow down slightly and read the full sentence.
A focused way to practice
Take a diagnostic practice test before reviewing anything — it shows which categories need real attention instead of spreading study time evenly. Then drill your weakest categories using rule-based explanations, not just repeated questions: understanding why an answer is correct helps the rule transfer to new sentences. Revisit fifteen or twenty commonly confused word pairs specifically — some of the most learnable points on the section — and add timed practice closer to test day so you balance careful reading with a steady pace. The same study techniques that actually stick — active recall and short, spaced sessions — apply here too.
Common mistake | Better practice habit |
|---|---|
Trusting what "sounds right" | Learn the explicit rule behind each answer |
Skimming short sentences | Slow down slightly and read the full sentence |
Studying every topic equally | Diagnose weak areas first, then focus there |
Practicing untimed only | Add timed practice closer to test day |
Quick HESI A2 grammar practice
These five questions mirror the section’s format — spot the error or choose the fix. Try each before checking the answer. For deeper rule explanations, Purdue’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a free, authoritative reference.
1. Choose the correct verb: "The box of medical supplies ____ on the counter." (a) are (b) is (c) were (d) have been
Answer: b. The subject is "box" (singular), not "supplies," so it takes the singular verb "is." The phrase "of medical supplies" is a distractor between subject and verb.
2. Which sentence is correct? (a) Its time for you’re appointment. (b) It’s time for your appointment. (c) Its time for your appointment. (d) It’s time for you’re appointment.
Answer: b. "It’s" = "it is," and "your" is the possessive. "Its" is possessive; "you’re" = "you are." Option (b) uses both correctly.
3. Where does the comma belong? "After the long shift the nurse charted her notes." (a) after "long" (b) after "shift" (c) after "nurse" (d) no comma needed
Answer: b. An introductory phrase ("After the long shift") is set off with a comma before the main clause: "After the long shift, the nurse charted her notes."
4. Identify the error: "The patient was tired, he still completed the questionnaire." (a) fragment (b) comma splice (c) subject-verb error (d) no error
Answer: b. Two independent clauses joined only by a comma is a comma splice. Fix it with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a conjunction ("...tired, but he still...").
5. Choose the correct word: "The new policy will ____ how nurses document care." (a) effect (b) affect (c) affects (d) effects
Answer: b. "Affect" is the verb (to influence); "effect" is usually the noun (a result). The policy will "affect" documentation.
For more practice aligned to the exam, the Testavia HESI A2 track includes grammar questions that mirror the real section — and if you are still mapping out which sections your school requires, start with our HESI A2 prep guide. The English conventions here overlap heavily with the TEAS English section, so drilling one strengthens the other.
Written by · Verified educator
Testavia editorial
Nathan Cole
RN
Medical-Surgical nurse & health writer
Meet Nathan, a registered nurse with over five years of experience in Medical-Surgical care, based in New York City. Having worked with a wide range of patients through some of their most vulnerable moments, Nathan brings a grounded, real-world perspective to his writing on healthcare. His goal is simple: to bridge the gap between medical knowledge and everyday understanding, making health topics feel less intimidating and more empowering for everyone. When he's not caring for patients, Nathan channels his passion for medicine into writing that educates, comforts and inspires.
5+
Years in Med-Surg
Medical-Surgical
Specialty
New York City
Based in
