Directions: Revise the following sentences to eliminate unnecessary shifts in tense,
mood, voice, or person and number and between direct and indirect discourse. Most of
the items can e revised in more than one way. Examples:
• When a person goes to college, you face many new situations.
• Revised: When a person goes to college, he or she faces many new situations.
• Revised: When people go to college, they face many new situations.
1. The greed of the 1980s gave way to the occupational insecurity of the 1990s, which
in turn gives way to reinforced family ties in the early 2000s.
2. The building inspector suggested that we apply for a construction permit and that we
should check with his office again when the plans are complete.
3. She studied the package, wondered what could it be, and tore off the wrapping.
4. Suddenly, we heard an explosion of wings off to our right, and you could see a
hundred or more ducks lifting off from the water.
5. In my previous job, I sold the most advertising sports and was given a sales
excellence award.
6. A cloud of snow powder rose as skis and poles fly in every direction.
7. The flight attendant said, “Please turn off all electronic devices,” but that we could use
them again after takeoff.
8. Workers with computer skills were in great demand, and a programmer could almost
name their salary.
9. When in Florence, be sure to see the cityʼs famed cathedral, and many tourists also
visit Michelangeloʼs statue David.
10.The aroma, which wafts through the house, lured the adults from their beds.
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1. The greed of the 1980s gave way to the occupational insecurity of the 1990s, which in turn gives way to reinforced family ties in the early 2000s.
Revised: The greed of the 1980s gave way to the occupational insecurity of the 1990s, which in turn gave way to reinforced family ties in the early 2000s.
2. The building inspector suggested that we apply for a construction permit and that we should check with his office again when the plans are complete.
Revised: The building inspector suggested that we apply for a construction permit and that we check with his office again when the plans are complete.
3. She studied the package, wondered what it could be, and tore off the wrapping.
Revised: She studied the package, wondering what it could be, and tore off the wrapping.
4. Suddenly, we heard an explosion of wings off to our right, and you could see a hundred or more ducks lifting off from the water.
Revised: Suddenly, we heard an explosion of wings off to our right, and we could see a hundred or more ducks lifting off from the water.
5. In my previous job, I sold the most advertising sports and was given a sales excellence award.
Revised: In my previous job, I sold the most advertising sports and received a sales excellence award.
6. A cloud of snow powder rose as skis and poles flew in every direction.
Revised: A cloud of snow powder rose as skis and poles flew in every direction.
7. The flight attendant said, “Please turn off all electronic devices,” but that we could use them again after takeoff.
Revised: The flight attendant said, “Please turn off all electronic devices,” but said we could use them again after takeoff.
8. Workers with computer skills were in great demand, and a programmer could almost name their salary.
Revised: Workers with computer skills were in great demand, and programmers could almost name their salary.
9. When in Florence, be sure to see the cityʼs famed cathedral, and many tourists also visit Michelangeloʼs statue David.
Revised: When in Florence, be sure to see the cityʼs famed cathedral, and many tourists also visit Michelangeloʼs statue David.
10. The aroma, which wafts through the house, lured the adults from their beds.
Revised: The aroma wafting through the house lured the adults from their beds.