Comprehensive Grammar CheckPoint

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.
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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.

Once you post what YOU THINK the correct answer is for each pair, somoeone here will be happy to check your work.

=)

We do not do your homework for you. After you have answered these to the best of your ability, we will be happy to make suggestions.

1. A

2. B
3. B
4. A
5. A
6. B
7. A
8. A
9. B
10. B
11. A
12. A
13. A
14. B
15. A
16. B
17. B
18. A
19. B
20. A
21. A
22. B
23. B
24. A
25. A

To complete Appendix H, you need to select the correct sentence (a or b) for each number and provide an explanation of why you made that choice. Here is a breakdown of each question:

1. Subject-verb agreement: The correct sentence is 1a. "Has criticized" agrees with the singular subject "activist."

2. Subject-verb agreement: The correct sentence is 2b. "Requires" agrees with the singular subject "editing."

3. Subject-verb agreement: The correct sentence is 3a. "Are" agrees with the plural subject "vitamins."

4. Using regular and irregular verbs: The correct sentence is 4a. "Has become" is the correct past participle form of the verb "become."

5. Using regular and irregular verbs: The correct sentence is 5a. "Have taken" is the correct past participle form of the verb "take."

6. Using regular and irregular verbs: The correct sentence is 6b. "Laid" is the correct past tense form of the verb "lay."

7. Using the correct form of be and have in the present tense: The correct sentence is 7b. "Am interested" is the correct present tense form of the verb "be."

8. Verb form and verb tense: The correct sentence is 8a. "Have appeared" is the correct present perfect tense form of the verb "appear."

9. Verb form and verb tense: The correct sentence is 9a. "Built" is the correct past tense form of the verb "build."

10. Identifying antecedents: The correct sentence is 10a. "Students" is the antecedent referring to the organized individuals.

11. Identifying antecedents: The correct sentence is 11b. "Patients" is the antecedent referring to the individuals spending time in the waiting room.

12. Pronoun-antecedent agreement: The correct sentence is 12b. "It" is the correct pronoun to agree with the singular antecedent "vehicle."

13. Pronoun-antecedent agreement: The correct sentence is 13b. "Their notes" is the correct pronoun to agree with the plural antecedent "presenters."

14. Pronoun-antecedent agreement: The correct sentence is 14b. "It" is the correct pronoun to agree with the singular antecedent "game."

15. Pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite pronouns: The correct sentence is 15b. "Their reports" is the correct pronoun to agree with the plural indefinite pronoun "council members."

16. Pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite pronouns: The correct sentence is 16b. "His or her video library" is the correct pronoun to agree with the indefinite pronoun "anyone."

17. Pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite pronouns: The correct sentence is 17a. "His or her completed form" is the correct pronoun to agree with the indefinite pronoun "each."

18. Pronoun case: The correct sentence is 18b. "I" is the correct pronoun in the comparative construction after the verb "knows."

19. Pronoun case: The correct sentence is 19b. "Her" is the correct pronoun to follow the preposition "to."

20. Pronoun case: The correct sentence is 20a. "I" is the correct pronoun to use as the subject.

21. Pronoun case for who and whom: The correct sentence is 21a. "Who" is the correct pronoun to use as the subject of the verb "was."

22. Pronoun case for who and whom: The correct sentence is 22b. "Whom" is the correct pronoun to use as the object of the preposition "to."

23. Pronoun case for who and whom: The correct sentence is 23a. "Who" is the correct pronoun to use as the subject of the relative clause.

24. Vague pronouns: The correct sentence is 24b. "The car" is clear and avoids using the vague pronoun "it."

25. Vague pronouns: The correct sentence is 25b. "This" refers clearly to "increasing pollution."

Remember to provide explanations for each choice in Appendix H.