HESI A2 Grammar Preparation: Common Rules Nursing Applicants Should Review
Grammar preparation can be challenging for students who have not studied English grammar recently or who use English as an additional language. Even students who communicate confidently may need to refresh the rules used in formal writing. If your nursing program requires the HESI A2 grammar section, a focused review can help you recognize sentence errors, understand grammatical relationships, and use standard written English more accurately.
Confirm the grammar requirements first
HESI A2 requirements vary by institution. Check your nursing program's admissions instructions to confirm which sections you must complete and which preparation materials are recommended. Once you know grammar is required, identify the areas you find difficult instead of trying to memorize every rule in English at once.
Review subject-verb agreement
A sentence's subject and verb must agree in number. For example: - Correct: The student studies every evening. - Correct: The students study every evening. The subject in the first sentence is singular, while the subject in the second is plural. Be careful when additional words appear between the subject and verb. The verb must agree with the actual subject, not simply with the nearest noun.
Understand sentence structure
A complete sentence generally needs an independent clause that expresses a complete thought. A sentence fragment may lack a subject, a main verb, or a complete idea. For example: - Fragment: Because the student missed the lesson. - Complete sentence: Because the student missed the lesson, she reviewed the notes afterward. The word because introduces a dependent clause. Adding an independent clause completes the thought. Practice identifying the subject, verb, and complete idea in different sentences.
Use punctuation carefully
Punctuation helps readers understand how ideas relate to each other. A comma may separate introductory material or items in a list, while a period ends a complete sentence. A semicolon can connect closely related independent clauses when used correctly. Avoid joining two complete sentences with only a comma. This error is known as a comma splice. When reviewing punctuation, consider the structure and meaning of the sentence rather than adding commas wherever you would naturally pause while speaking.
Check pronouns and their references
A pronoun should clearly refer to the person, place, or thing intended. For example, a sentence such as When Maria spoke to Amina, she was worried may be unclear because the reader cannot tell which person she refers to. Rewriting the sentence can remove the ambiguity: Maria was worried when she spoke to Amina. When checking pronouns, make sure their references are clear and that they agree with the intended nouns.
Learn commonly confused words
Some English words sound alike or have similar spellings but different meanings. Examples include:
- Your: Indicates possession.
- You're: Means you are.
- Its: Indicates possession.
- It's: Means it is or it has.
- Their: Indicates possession.
- There: Often refers to a place.
- They're: Means they are.
Write a sentence using each word so that you practice applying the distinction rather than only memorizing a definition.
Create a focused grammar routine
Choose one grammar topic for each study session. Read an explanation, examine examples, and complete a short activity using reliable study materials. Keep a record of recurring mistakes. If you frequently confuse sentence fragments with complete sentences, devote additional time to clause structure before moving to a different topic.
Final thoughts
Grammar preparation is more manageable when you focus on the rules you need to review and practice applying them in context. Confirm your institution's HESI A2 requirements, study one topic at a time, and use your mistakes to guide revision. The goal is to understand how sentences work, not simply to memorize a list of rules.
