Grammar is one of the most overlooked sections of the HESI A2 exam.
Many students assume that because they speak and write English every day, they won’t need to study grammar. Unfortunately, that’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
The HESI A2 Grammar section isn’t testing whether you’re a great writer. It’s testing whether you can recognize correct sentence structure, identify common grammar mistakes, and choose the best answer under exam conditions.
The good news is that grammar is highly predictable. Once you understand the rules that appear most often and practice applying them, you can improve your score much faster than you might expect.
In this guide, we’ll cover 20 practical HESI A2 Grammar tips, common mistakes students make, and study strategies that can help you feel confident on test day.
What Does the HESI A2 Grammar Section Test?
The Grammar section evaluates your understanding of standard English conventions. Questions often focus on:
- Subject-verb agreement
- Verb tense
- Pronoun usage
- Sentence structure
- Punctuation
- Capitalization
- Commonly confused words
- Sentence clarity
The questions aren’t designed to trick you, but they do require attention to detail.
A single misplaced word or punctuation mark can change the meaning of an entire sentence.
Tip 1: Master Subject-Verb Agreement
This is one of the most frequently tested grammar concepts.
The subject and verb must agree in number.
Examples:
Correct:
- The nurse works every weekend.
- The nurses work every weekend.
Incorrect:
- The nurse work every weekend.
- The nurses works every weekend.
Pay special attention to sentences with extra phrases between the subject and verb. These are common exam traps.
Tip 2: Watch Your Verb Tenses
Verb tense should remain consistent unless the sentence clearly indicates a change in time.
Incorrect:
“She studies every evening and completed her homework.”
Correct:
“She studies every evening and completes her homework.”
Always ask yourself when the action is happening.
Tip 3: Learn the Most Common Pronoun Errors
Pronouns must agree with the nouns they replace.
Examples:
Correct:
- Every student should bring their identification if allowed by current usage, or his or her identification in more formal contexts.
- The patient explained her symptoms clearly.
Incorrect:
- The patient explained their symptoms when referring to a single identified individual whose pronouns are known.
Pay attention to clarity and agreement.
Tip 4: Understand Sentence Fragments
A complete sentence must contain:
- A subject
- A verb
- A complete thought
Example of a fragment:
“Because the patient was tired.”
Complete sentence:
“Because the patient was tired, she went to bed early.”
Questions involving fragments appear regularly on the HESI A2.
Tip 5: Recognize Run-On Sentences
Run-on sentences combine multiple complete ideas without proper punctuation.
Incorrect:
“The nurse checked the chart the doctor entered the room.”
Correct:
“The nurse checked the chart, and the doctor entered the room.”
Learning to spot run-ons can earn easy points.
Tip 6: Don’t Ignore Punctuation
Many students skim over punctuation.
Don’t.
Know when to use:
- Commas
- Periods
- Semicolons
- Colons
- Apostrophes
Even if punctuation questions are limited, they often separate high scores from average scores.
Tip 7: Learn Commonly Confused Words
Examples include:
- Affect / Effect
- Its / It’s
- Your / You’re
- Their / There / They’re
- Than / Then
- Accept / Except
These words appear frequently on standardized exams because they’re easy to confuse.
Tip 8: Read the Entire Sentence Before Choosing an Answer
Students often stop reading as soon as they think they’ve found the mistake.
Instead, read the complete sentence.
Sometimes the context changes what the correct answer should be.
Tip 9: Read the Sentence Out Loud in Your Mind
If a sentence sounds awkward when you read it mentally, there’s often a grammatical issue.
This simple technique helps identify:
- Missing words
- Incorrect verb forms
- Awkward phrasing
While it shouldn’t replace grammar knowledge, it’s a useful double-check.
Tip 10: Learn Parallel Structure
Items in a list should follow the same grammatical pattern.
Correct:
“The student enjoys reading, writing, and studying.”
Incorrect:
“The student enjoys reading, writing, and to study.”
Parallel structure questions appear more often than many students expect.
Tip 11: Practice One Rule at a Time
Instead of trying to learn every grammar rule at once, focus on one concept.
For example:
Monday:
Subject-verb agreement
Tuesday:
Pronouns
Wednesday:
Punctuation
Mastering one topic at a time makes studying more manageable.
Tip 12: Review Every Incorrect Answer
Whenever you miss a grammar question, ask:
- Which grammar rule applies?
- Why was my answer incorrect?
- What clue did I miss?
Keeping a notebook of recurring mistakes can help you avoid repeating them.
Tip 13: Improve Grammar Through Reading
One of the best ways to reinforce grammar is to read well-written material regularly.
Pay attention to:
- Sentence structure
- Word choice
- Punctuation
- Paragraph flow
Over time, correct grammar begins to feel more natural.
Tip 14: Don’t Overthink Simple Questions
Some grammar questions are straightforward.
Students sometimes choose complicated answers because they assume the test is trying to trick them.
Usually, the simplest grammatically correct answer is the best choice.
Tip 15: Practice With Realistic Questions
Grammar rules are easier to remember when you apply them.
Practice questions help you:
- Recognize patterns
- Improve speed
- Build confidence
Our free HESI A2 Grammar Practice Test is an excellent way to identify weaknesses and become familiar with the types of questions you’ll encounter on the exam.
Tip 16: Combine Grammar and Vocabulary Study
Grammar and vocabulary complement each other.
A stronger vocabulary helps you understand sentence meaning, while better grammar helps you recognize correct sentence structure.
This is why many students study both subjects together.
Tip 17: Don’t Memorize Rules Without Examples
Rules become much easier to remember when paired with examples.
Instead of memorizing:
“Pronouns must agree with antecedents.”
Practice with multiple example sentences until the rule becomes second nature.
Tip 18: Study Consistently Instead of Cramming
Grammar improves through repeated exposure.
Even 20 minutes each day is more effective than several hours the night before the exam.
Consistency builds long-term retention.
Tip 19: Use Structured Study Materials
Not all grammar resources focus on what the HESI A2 actually tests.
A dedicated HESI A2 Grammar Study Guide can help you focus on:
- Frequently tested rules
- Common question formats
- Step-by-step explanations
- Exam-style practice questions
Studying targeted material is much more efficient than reviewing an entire English grammar textbook.
Tip 20: Measure Your Progress Regularly
As your exam date approaches, don’t rely on guesswork.
Use practice tests to evaluate your improvement.
At Olivia Grace Study Notes, students preparing for Grammar often use:
Many also choose the complete HESI A2 Study Bundle, which includes study guides for every major section of the exam. Pairing these resources with our free practice tests in Math, Anatomy, Biology, Vocabulary, and Grammar provides a structured way to monitor progress and build confidence before test day.
Common Grammar Mistakes That Cost Students Points
Watch out for these frequent errors:
- Subject-verb disagreement
- Incorrect pronoun usage
- Run-on sentences
- Sentence fragments
- Misused punctuation
- Confusing commonly mistaken words
- Rushing without rereading the sentence
Avoiding these mistakes can make a noticeable difference in your score.
Final Thoughts
The Grammar section doesn’t require advanced knowledge of English.
It rewards students who understand the fundamentals and know how to apply them consistently.
Focus on mastering the rules that appear most often, practice with realistic questions, and review your mistakes carefully.
Over time, you’ll begin to recognize correct sentence structure almost automatically.
With the right study plan and consistent practice, Grammar can become one of the easiest sections to improve on the HESI A2.
