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.
Explanation:
The correct sentence is 12b because it maintains pronoun-antecedent agreement. The pronoun "he or she" is singular and requires a singular antecedent, which in this case is "a new vehicle." Therefore, the pronoun "it" should be used instead of "them."