why can't i pass this freaking grammar section

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 10, 2016

You'll need to make time to proofread. Sometimes, the only difference in two identical sentences could be a harmless little comma.
Be mindful of misplaced and/or added commas and semicolons.

The bottom line is, you need to make the time to proofread. Good writing comes with practice, and there is no point in practicing BAD writing.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Sep 10, 2016

There are two necessary parts to becoming a good writer. First, you must READ good writing. Then you must practice - and practice means revision. In other words, before you hit 'send', look it over and correct those items you may not have caught while composing. Yes, even internet message boards, text messages, and the like. By consistently doing this, you become a better writer.

This is what my comment should have said! Use every opportunity to practice good writing -- even on internet forums, emails, text messages, etc.

The child is an excellent writer, and DH credits me with her success. Every morning after breakfast, I gave her the choice of doing the dishes/kitchen cleanup or sitting down at the table and writing for 20 minutes. She chose the writing. Now she writes easily and well.

WanderingWilder, ASN · Sep 10, 2016

I managed to get a 74% in the grammar section which was just above the required score, so I do somewhat feel your pain. It was the spelling and punctuation questions that killed my score. I find it sometimes helps to say the sentence out loud. It can look right on paper but then sound or feel weird to say out loud.

jessicarnorot · Sep 10, 2016

The last time I took it I received a 72, this go around i completed two more sections (bio and Chem) and did grammer last and was racing the clock because I still had critical thinking to do, and I think I was rushed, and tired, hungry and my female cramps (ugh) started during the exam, so I'm hoping the next go around is better but I'm dreading taking all the other sections again, I was more than happy with my other scores. The part in the grammer that seems to get me is grammatically correct questions.... The hesi book has examples in there but those are SIMPLE, my test seemed hard, every sentence seemed to look right and sound right. I really do think I was exhausted lol sitting there for 4 hours testing with no breaks can take a toll on you.

jessicarnorot · Sep 10, 2016

There's a sample problem which the choices

A. The nurse spoke to my sister and I about our mothers condition.

B. The nurse spoke to my sister and me about our mothers condition.

C. The nurse spoke to me and my sister about our mothers condition.

D. The nurse spoke to I and my sister about our mothers condition.

ok so after reading all of these. I picked A.

my sister and I.

I Was as taught to never say ME, that that wasn't proper. So always say I.

My mother and I, My brother and I

That belongs to me sounds right, I wouldn't say that belongs to I.

so can someone explain why the answer is B?

the book doesn't explain why. (Unless I didn't see it)

excuse the grammer errors if there is any.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 10, 2016

There's a sample problem which the choices
A. The nurse spoke to my sister and I about our mothers condition.
B. The nurse spoke to my sister and me about our mothers condition.
C. The nurse spoke to me and my sister about our mothers condition.
D. The nurse spoke to I and my sister about our mothers condition.
ok so after reading all of these. I picked A.
my sister and I.
I Was as taught to never say ME, that that wasn't proper. So always say I.
My mother and I, My brother and I
That belongs to me sounds right, I wouldn't say that belongs to I.
so can someone explain why the answer is B?
the book doesn't explain why. (Unless I didn't see it)
excuse the grammer errors if there is any.

When there is a compound object as in this example, take out one and try the sentence. Would you say 'The nurse spoke to I' or The nurse spoke to me'?

'My sister and I' would be correct as a subject, but not as an object.

jessicarnorot · Sep 10, 2016

Thank you! That makes sense.

fashionablylayt · Sep 10, 2016

I would not normally comment on another person's grammar mistakes, but you mentioned that you are also struggling with the grammar portion of the HESI. You have made several errors in the paragraph above. The best way to improve is to practice editing one's own writing at every turn. It is the rare person who does not make the occasional typo, grammar error, or misspelling. I would encourage you to proof every post you make here, every paragraph you write in a homework assignment, every email you send, etc. That is a great way to practice, practice, practice.
I always proof my posts on AN. Nevertheless, I still miss things that should have been so obvious to me! We are all fallible, but if we make a habit of proofing our writing every chance we get, we can slowly improve our written communications.

Suppose I am the "pot calling the kettle black", huh? Thank you for reaching out to catch my attention. Admittedly, I knew there were errors but did not take the time to figure them out. Practice may not always lead to perfection, but it does lead to improvement. OP and I need to be "study buddies"

jessicarnorot · Sep 10, 2016

When there is a compound object as in this example, take out one and try the sentence. Would you say 'The nurse spoke to I' or The nurse spoke to me'?
'My sister and I' would be correct as a subject, but not as an object.

Can you explain this one also?

Select the word or phrase in the sentence that is not used correctly.

The data confirms that the patient is suffering from extreme anxiety, and a tranquilizing medication is immediately required.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 10, 2016

Can you explain this one also?
Select the word or phrase in the sentence that is not used correctly.
The data confirms that the patient is suffering from extreme anxiety, and a tranquilizing medication is immediately required.

Comma splice- it should be two sentences. Instead, a comma is incorrectly used to join them into one.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2016

There's a sample problem which the choices
A. The nurse spoke to my sister and I about our mothers condition.
B. The nurse spoke to my sister and me about our mothers condition.
C. The nurse spoke to me and my sister about our mothers condition.
D. The nurse spoke to I and my sister about our mothers condition.
ok so after reading all of these. I picked A.
my sister and I.
I Was as taught to never say ME, that that wasn't proper. So always say I.
My mother and I, My brother and I
That belongs to me sounds right, I wouldn't say that belongs to I.
so can someone explain why the answer is B?
the book doesn't explain why. (Unless I didn't see it)
excuse the grammer errors if there is any.

Who the HECK taught you to "never" say "me"? "Me" is a perfectly lovely pronoun. :) It's just not correct to use it as a subject pronoun, which people do frequently. An example: "Me and my sister went to visit our mother." The word "me" is inappropriately used as the subject pronoun in that sentence.

I agree with meanmaryjean. Taking away the other person (or people) from the sentence is the best way to test yourself on this. You would never say "Me went to visit my mother." You would probably never say "she gave a present to I."

In your example, none of the options are correct. There should be an apostrophe in the word "mothers" in order to denote possession.

Finally, you are struggling with "grammar," not "grammer."

I encourage you to purchase a grammar book that comes with a workbook. That way you can practice and receive feedback. The workbook will likely explain the rationale for the correct answers. I actually like grammar exercises. I could probably use some review as well.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2016

I found a couple of web sites that might be helpful:

Online Exercises

Exercises at Grammar Bytes!

I think I will do some of these exercises every day to bone up the finer points of grammar. One is never too old to learn and improve.