Homework Help: Comprehensive Grammar

Posted by laura on Monday, October 13, 2008 at 5:29pm.

Read the following sentences, and focus on the grammar area specified in the left column. Then, complete Appendix H by selecting the correct sentence (a or b) for each number and providing an explanation of why you made that choice.
Subject-verb agreement
1a. Did you know a famous animal-rights activist has criticized horseracing because of the dangers involved?
1b. Did you know a famous animal-rights activist have criticized horseracing because of the dangers involved?
Subject-verb agreement
2a. Peer editing academic papers require critical-thinking skills and diplomacy.
2b. Peer editing academic papers requires critical-thinking skills and diplomacy.
Subject-verb agreement
3a. Vitamins that are sold in a health-food store are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
3b. Vitamins that are sold in a health-food store is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Using regular and irregular verbs
4a. John has become a rather good actor.
4b. John has became a rather good actor.
Using regular and irregular verbs
5a. Some athletes have taken drug tests to prove they are not on steroids.
5b. Some athletes have took drug tests to prove they are not on steroids.
Using regular and irregular verbs
6a. I lay my book on the table, but now I cannot find it.
6b. I laid my book on the table, but now I cannot find it.
Using the correct form of be and have in the present tense
7a. I was interested in working on the presidential campaign if the opportunity still exists.
7b. I am interested in working on the presidential campaign if the opportunity still exists.
Verb form and verb tense
8a. Since American Idol premiered on television, many talented contestants have appeared on the show.
8b. Since American Idol premiered on television, many talented contestants appeared on the show.
Verb form and verb tense
9a. The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as burial sites for their leaders.
9b. The ancient Egyptians have built pyramids as burial sites for their leaders.
Identifying antecedents
10a. The antecedent in the following sentence is students: Students in online classes have to be organized to keep up with their assignments.
10b. The antecedent in the following sentence is class: Students in online classes have to be organized to keep up with their assignments.
Identifying antecedents
11a. The antecedent in the following sentence is Doctors: Doctors should schedule more time for patients so they do not spend so much time in the waiting room.
11b. The antecedent in the following sentence is patients: Doctors should schedule more time for patients so they do not spend so much time in the waiting room.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement
12a. When a driver wants to buy a new vehicle, he or she usually test drives them.
COM 150
12b. When a driver wants to buy a new vehicle, he or she usually test drives it.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement
13a. Most presenters spoke without looking at his or her notes.
13b. Most presenters spoke without looking at their notes.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement
14a. You may rent a movie or a video game for just one night if they are new.
14b. You may rent a movie or a video game for just one night if it is new.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite pronouns
15a. Neither the mayor nor the council members have filed their reports.
15b. Neither the mayor nor the council members have filed his reports.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite pronouns
16a. Anyone who requests a copy of the game may have it for their video library.
16b. Anyone who requests a copy of the game may have it for his or her video library.
Pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite pronouns
17a. Each of the applicants must submit his or her completed form to the interviewer.
17b. Each of the applicants must submit their completed forms to the interviewer.
Pronoun case
18a. My brother knows more about technology than me.
18b. My brother knows more about technology than I.
Pronoun case
19a. Please send an invitation to Bob and she.
19b. Please send an invitation to Bob and her.
Pronoun case
20a. My best friend and I are going to Hawaii this summer.
20b. My best friend and me are going to Hawaii this summer.
Pronoun case for who and whom
21a. Who was the star of last year’s award-winning movie?
21b. Whom was the star of last year’s award-winning movie?
Pronoun case for who and whom
22a. To who should we send the letter of commendation?
22b. To whom should we send the letter of commendation?
Pronoun case for who and whom
23a. Jon Bon Jovi, who is a well-known singer and actor, also owns an arena football team.
23b. Jon Bon Jovi, whom is a well-known singer and actor, also owns an arena football team.
Vague pronouns
24a. When the car hit a tree, it made a terrible noise.
24b. The car made a terrible noise as it crashed into a tree.
Vague pronouns
25a. Air pollution normally increases along with population growth. This increasing pollution is a big problem for many cities.
25b. Air pollution normally increases along with population growth. This is a big problem for many cities.

Comprehensive Grammar - laura, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 5:30pm
i know the answers i just need to know why they are right.
Comprehensive Grammar - Ms. Sue, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 5:30pm
We'll be delighted to check your answers and comment on your explanations.
Comprehensive Grammar - Writeacher, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 5:47pm
What are your answers?
- Comprehensive Grammar - laura, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 6:02pm
  these are the answers i just need help on why they are the answers.
  
  Subject-verb agreement
  1a. Did you know a famous animal-rights activist has criticized horseracing because of the dangers involved?
  
  Subject-verb agreement
  2b. Peer editing academic papers requires critical-thinking skills and diplomacy.
  
  Subject-verb agreement
  3a. Vitamins that are sold in a health-food store are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
  
  Using regular and irregular verbs
  4a. John has become a rather good actor.
  
  Using regular and irregular verbs
  5a. Some athletes have taken drug tests to prove they are not on steroids.
  
  Using regular and irregular verbs
  6b. I laid my book on the table, but now I cannot find it.
  
  Using the correct form of be and have in the present tense
  7b. I am interested in working on the presidential campaign if the opportunity still exists.
  
  Verb form and verb tense
  8a. Since American Idol premiered on television, many talented contestants have appeared on the show.
  
  Verb form and verb tense
  9a. The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as burial sites for their leaders.
  
  Identifying antecedents
  10b. The antecedent in the following sentence is class: Students in online classes have to be organized to keep up with their assignments.
  
  Identifying antecedents
  11a. The antecedent in the following sentence is Doctors: Doctors should schedule more time for patients so they do not spend so much time in the waiting room.
  
  Pronoun-antecedent agreement
  12b. When a driver wants to buy a new vehicle, he or she usually test drives it.
  
  Pronoun-antecedent agreement
  13b. Most presenters spoke without looking at their notes.
  
  Pronoun-antecedent agreement
  14b. You may rent a movie or a video game for just one night if it is new.
  
  Pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite pronouns
  15a. Neither the mayor nor the council members have filed their reports.
  
  Pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite pronouns
  16a. Anyone who requests a copy of the game may have it for their video library.
  
  Pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite pronouns
  17b. Each of the applicants must submit their completed forms to the interviewer.
  
  Pronoun case
  18b. My brother knows more about technology than I.
  
  Pronoun case
  19b. Please send an invitation to Bob and her.
  
  Pronoun case
  20a. My best friend and I are going to Hawaii this summer.
  
  Pronoun case for who and whom
  21a. Who was the star of last year’s award-winning movie?
  
  Pronoun case for who and whom
  22b. To whom should we send the letter of commendation?
  
  Pronoun case for who and whom
  23a. Jon Bon Jovi, who is a well-known singer and actor, also owns an arena football team.
  
  Vague pronouns
  24a. When the car hit a tree, it made a terrible noise.
  
  Vague pronouns
  25b. Air pollution normally increases along with population growth. This is a big problem for many cities.
Comprehensive Grammar - Ms. Sue, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 6:05pm
Please hold on a few minutes while I check your answers.
Comprehensive Grammar - Writeacher, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 6:12pm
10, 11, 16, 17, 24, and 25 are incorrect.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/sv_agr.htm

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#irregular

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/pronouns.htm

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_pronuse.html

Let us know if you don't find your reasons in these webpages.
Comprehensive Grammar - Ms. Sue, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 6:15pm
These answers are wrong: 11, 17, 24, 25.

11a. The antecedent in the following sentence is Doctors: Doctors should schedule more time for patients so they do not spend so much time in the waiting room.
11b. The antecedent in the following sentence is patients: Doctors should schedule more time for patients so they do not spend so much time in the waiting room.

The antecedent must be patients because they, not the doctors, spend time in the waiting room.

Pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite pronouns
17a. Each of the applicants must submit his or her completed form to the interviewer.
17b. Each of the applicants must submit their completed forms to the interviewer.
Since each is the singular antecedent, then the pronoun must be his or hers.

Vague pronouns
24a. When the car hit a tree, it made a terrible noise.
24b. The car made a terrible noise as it crashed into a tree.
Vague pronouns
The tree didn't make a terrible noise.

Vague pronouns
25a. Air pollution normally increases along with population growth. This increasing pollution is a big problem for many cities.
25b. Air pollution normally increases along with population growth. This is a big problem for many cities.

Is a big problem population growth or pollution?

I'm sure you can explain this last answer. Since your other answers are correct, you only need to say why you chose your answer.
- Comprehensive Grammar - Ms. Sue, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 6:17pm
  Ooops! I missed 10 and 16.
  
  Thanks, Writeacher!
  - Comprehensive Grammar - Writeacher, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 7:06pm
    YW!!
Comprehensive Grammar - laura, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 6:27pm
i am not good at this i the reason i chose these answers was they sound right. i dont know the reason behind it.
Comprehensive Grammar - Ms. Sue, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 6:33pm
Each set of sentences is preceded by what you are supposed to look for. Study your text materials and Writeacher's websites for the specific grammar areas.

For example, in number 1, look for subject-verb agreement.
Comprehensive Grammar - Writeacher, Monday, October 13, 2008 at 6:58pm
Do you have to give a reason for every one of the 25 choices you made?

If so, try them out on us, just as Ms. Sue gave you reasons for the four above. Once we understand what you are or are not clear on, we can help you better.
Comprehensive Grammar - Anonymous, Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 4:39pm
Using regular
and irregular
verbs
4a. John has become a rather good actor.

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