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.
Please let me know if I am right. I think that the answere are:
1A
2A
3A
4A
5A
6B
7B
8A
9B
10B
11B
12B
13B
14A
15A
16A
17A
18B
19B
20A
21A
22B
23A
24A
25A
Be sure to learn how to spell the word: grammar.
I believe the following are incorrect:
2, 9, 10, 14, 16.
I'm not sure what your directions are for 24 and 25. Are you supposed to identify the incorrectly phrased sentence? If so, your answers are correct. But if you're supposed to identify the correctly phrased sentences, your answers are incorrect.
Please note the spelling of GRAMMAR.
You had six errors in your answers. These are the correct sentences.
editing academic papers requires critical-thinking skills and diplomacy.
The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as burial sites for their leaders.
The antecedent in the following sentence is students: Students in online classes have to be organized to keep up with their assignments.
When a driver wants to buy a new vehicle, he or she usually test drives it.
Anyone who requests a copy of the game may have it for his or her video library.
The car made a terrible noise as it crashed into a tree.
for 24 and 25 I am supposed to choose the one with the vague pronouns.
I chose #24A and #25A. Is that correct?
Thank you.
Correction on the first sentence: The word "peer" should be before editing.
# 24 should be B because A doesn't make it clear whether the car or the tree made a terrible noise.
I see that my answers are a little different than Writeacher's. Sorry, I goofed. Her answers are correct.
Thank you for helping me and what would be the rationale for each? Would it be because each sentence goes with the rule?
24a has the vague pronoun, "it."
24b is correctly phrased; no vague pronoun here.
25a is correctly phrased; no vague pronoun here.
25b has the vague pronoun, "This."