BCOM 3950: Week 4 Grammar & Style Review will Build Credibility + Quiz

Identify which of the following is a fragment.

Because they are allergic to them.

The ________ issue here is that you are consistently tardy.

principal

quiz

quiz

Identify the sentence in which pronouns match their indefinite pronoun antecedents in number.

Neither can hold her own on the tennis court against the champion.

Indicate the sentence that best removes redundancies from the following sentence. The project meeting with the clients about the new construction project began at 10 a.m. in the morning.

The meeting with the clients about the new construction project began at 10 a.m.

Identify the sentence in which pronouns agree with their antecedents in number.

While accounting and marketing can be demanding, each of these subjects has its appeal to many people.

Indicate the filler text that should be removed to make the sentence less wordy. Jane thought the train was going to be late but in actual fact it arrived on time.

in actual fact

Identify the sentence that contains a cliché.

Gathering all the forces available, the general prepared for a day of reckoning.

Identify the sentence that does not contain an unnecessary phrase.

The doctor said that Liyah was in good health.

Indicate the two words that could be considered redundant of each other in this passage. The broken computer was malfunctioning.

broken malfunctioning.

Indicate the filler that should be removed to make the sentence less wordy. Dr. Minnick is the professor who teaches the course on Renaissance art.

is the professor who

The company has submitted ________ list of potential acquisitions for consideration.

its

They have been waiting for ________ report.

your

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Deciding to join the new firm, the recruiter enthusiastically shook Jeong's hand.

...

Identify the sentence that contains a cliché.

After Joe's deception was uncovered, his application was dead as a doornail.

Choose the sentences that contain slang. Select all that apply.

After setting the home-run record and failing another drug test, it became clear that he was using roids. After setting the home-run record and failing another drug test, it became clear that he was juicing.

Choose the sentences in which gender-specific language is also gender-biased language. Select all that apply.

Bakir is such a great male assistant, he should win an award. Why can't everyone turn in his weekly report on time? Bethany is the newest member of our company's best group of salesmen.

The dog barked all night, no one got any sleep. In which sentence is one of the independent clauses correctly turned into a dependent clause to fix this comma splice?

Because the dog barked all night, no one got any sleep.

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: After the merger, she was promoted to the position of Vice President.

Capitalization

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: He spoke with a heavy german accent, but I could understand him.

Capitalization

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Conner is a new hire, he previously worked in sales.

Comma splice (comma joining clauses inappropriately)

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Maddie hasn't received her paycheck, she thinks it was lost in the mail.

Comma splice (comma joining clauses inappropriately)

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Many factors went into our decision, we stand by our choice.

Comma splice (comma joining clauses inappropriately)

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: It isn't fair, that Mike gets to lead the project.

Commas or semicolons

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: She wanted to attend the conference but she had sales meetings scheduled for the same day.

Commas or semicolons

Indicate whether or not each choice contains a redundancy. Instructions

Contains redundancies: The company's future plans are uncertain. The marketing money is not completely spent in its entirety. Does not contain redundancies: Her office has a window that faces east. My computer at work is brand new, but it is running slowly.

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: While working as secretary at PNC Bank, Ned called me on my private phone.

Dangling modifier

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Eli and Matthew have given his permission to use the photos from the picnic on the company blog.

Faulty pronoun reference

Indicate which words are gender-specific for men, which are gender-specific for women, and which are gender-neutral by matching the words with their correct category.

Gender Neutral: laborer member of Congress Gender-Specific for Women: heiress landlady chairwoman Gender-Specific for Men: salesman fireman

Choose the sentence that would be appropriate for inclusion in a letter to a job applicant.

I am happy to inform you that you are on our shortlist of candidates for the accounting position.

________ important to review your career goals on a regular basis.

It's

Which sentence avoids informal language and would be appropriate for formal business communications?

John is doing a lot of hard work to prepare for the management conference.

Identify which of the following is a sentence fragment.

My senior year of high school.

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: After significant financial losses last quarter, construction on the new office will begin in one years time.

Punctuation other than commas or semicolons (including hyphens and apostrophes)

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Your lack of self confidence makes it hard for others to trust you.

Punctuation other than commas or semicolons (including hyphens and apostrophes)

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: The quarterly report was an unexpected surprise.

Redundancy

Identify how the following fragment should be revised, Waited quite a long time for a reply.

Revise by adding a subject.

Identify the sentence that clearly indicates that Rita spent nearly two hours in line.

Rita spent almost two hours in line to have her car inspected.

________ ready to hear your presentation.

They're

Identify the sentence in which the pronoun agrees with its antecedent in number.

Until someone has surgery, that person does not understand its cost.

________ paycheck did Mateo take this week?

Whose

Kelsey, not the interns, is responsible for completing ________ project.

her

Choose the answer that correctly completes the sentence. This is a proposal ______ next week.

that I have spent a lot of time on and that I would like to present

The new policy states all employees will receive ________ paychecks through the online portal.

their

Identify how the following fragment should be revised. Although the first horror movie to be nominated for an Academy Award for best picture was The Exorcist.

Revise by completing an incomplete idea.

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Dana is a good worker, but she can be impatient with the approval process.

correct

Identify the sentence that has correct pronoun agreement and avoids gender-biased language.

Everyone was supposed to submit their application in July.

Identify which of the following are sentence fragments. Select all that apply.

In the conference room. After conducting a focus group discussion in the conference room. Conducting a focus group discussion in the conference room.

Indicate the phrase that makes the sentence wordy. On Tuesday there was a large truck parked in the driveway.

there was

Identify the sentence in which pronouns agree with their antecedents in number.

Each of the employees turned in his or her assignment on time.

Identify the sentence that clearly indicates that Mallory will soon reach her monthly sales goal.

Mallory has to make just two more sales to meet her monthly quota. Reason: With this placement, just modifies two more sales and suggests that Mallory is very close to reaching her goal.

Choose the sentences that correctly use semicolons to separate two strongly related independent clauses. Select all that apply.

Researchers posit that Amelia Earhart died on Nikumaroro Island; her bones may have been scattered by coconut crabs. A new underwater robot could help scientists collect creatures who dwell at the bottom of the sea; its gentle mechanisms will capture and release sea creatures unharmed.

Technology has always fascinated her someday she hopes to be a computer engineer. In which of the following is a comma and a coordinating conjunction correctly used to fix this fused sentence?

Technology has always fascinated her, and someday she hopes to be a computer engineer.

Identify the sentence that contains a dangling modifier.

When returning an unwanted item, salespeople should be courteous and helpful. Reason: The modifier when returning an unwanted item is dangling; the sentence, as written, implies that the salespeople, not the customers, are returning the merchandise. The main clause should be rewritten to include a logical subject such as customers, or the modifier should be revised to include a noun or a pronoun naming the implied actor.

Choose the revised version of the sentence below that corrects the unnecessary shift in verb voice. When we finished eating, coffee was ordered by everyone

When we finished eating, everyone ordered coffee.

Identify which of the following sentences contain misplaced modifiers. Select all that apply.

With its scuffed edges and ink stains, I decided to sell my old desk for just ten dollars. Worn and dilapidated, my friend did an amazing job of restoring the old dresser.

Identify which of the following sentences uses an informal tone.

If you ask me, the best Netflix original series is She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.

Identify the numbered fragments that do not create or contribute to a conversational tone. When I first arrived at our agency almost four years ago, I could not have imagined how much I would learn by working here. It took little more time than I'd expected, but the day for here. (1) Now. My supervisors have prepared me. (2) Helped me. And I'm ready. (3) Ready to be in charge of my own customer accounts. (4) Ready to use what I've learned. (5) And ready to make our agency number one.

1 and 2 Reason: Correct. The fragments do not create or contribute to a conversational tone. The fragment Now emphasizes that the moment is imminent. The fragment Helped me reiterates the clause prepared me that is in the sentence preceding it.

Indicate whether each answer option does, or does not, contain a dangling modifier.

Contains a dangling modifier: Working hard, the new product design should be ready soon. Eager to make a good impression, the interview was very stressful. Does not contain a dangling modifier: Wishing for more time to check his answers, Drew turned in his test. Having successfully negotiated several difficult mergers, CEO Garcia is both respected and feared.

Choose the sentence that uses pronouns correctly, avoiding problems with pronoun-antecedent agreement and/or gender bias.

In business, managers must get along with the people who report to them.

Identify the sentence in which pronouns match their indefinite pronoun antecedents in number.

Our factories were severely damaged in the hurricane; each had its windows shattered and lost its roof.

Identify the sentence in which pronouns agree with their antecedents in number.

Each of the women got her choice of a large inner office or an office with a window.

Which sentence is a correctly punctuated, complete sentence (not a run-on or fused sentence)?

Maria buys jeans with patches and studs; that tells us something about her taste in clothes.

Marty stood at his office window and watched the first light of morning brighten the other high-rise office buildings it was a new day. In which sentence is a semicolon correctly placed between the two independent clauses?

Marty stood at his office window and watched the first light of morning brighten the other high-rise office buildings; it was a new day.

Choose the revised version of the sentence below that corrects the unnecessary shift in verb voice. Matthew started working on collecting relevant data once the marketing research plan had been finished.

Matthew started working on collecting relevant data once he finished the marketing research plan.

Identify which of the following has a fragment that cannot be corrected by being attached to the end of the preceding sentence.

Alexei tried to appease Merrie with a bag of treats. When she wasn't looking.

Identify the sentences that have correct pronoun agreement and avoid gender-biased language. Select all that apply.

All aspiring entrepreneurs should work on their plans every day. Every aspiring entrepreneur should work on his or her plan every day.

Identify the sentence that clearly means that Ivan came close to being late, but arrived on time.

Ivan was almost late to the 3 p.m. project manager meeting every week.

Identify the sentence that contains jargon.

Network executives get especially nervous during sweeps week. Reason: This sentence uses the phrase during sweeps week, which is jargon and likely to be unfamiliar to readers.

Choose the answer choice that should be placed in the following list to create parallelism. Office supplies needed: Pencils Staples Paper clips ______

Pens

Identify the sentence that contains jargon.

Philias and phobias are important concepts in Henning's new theory of abnormal psychology.

Identify the sentences that do not contain dangling modifiers. Select all that apply.

Swimming in the public pool, Min ran into an old friend. The public pool was full of people hoping to cool off on a hot summer day.

Choose the sentence that is not parallel.

The shop's new owners fixed the awning, planted three pine trees, and the retail space was painted.

Identify the sentence in which pronouns agree with their antecedents in number.

There are two pregnant women in the department; each of them is in her third trimester.

Correct this fused sentence by adding a subordinating word from the answer choices to create a dependent clause. Mario scheduled the staff meeting for the afternoon ______ he knew Donna would be busy in the morning.

because

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: He demanded an increase in his yearly bonus; or else.

Commas or semicolons

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Long work days mean not only staying late but also to eat in the office and to work alone.

Parallelism

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: The production manager released new drawings that are larger, cleaner, and more bright.

Parallelism

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: After I spent hours researching potential product options.

Sentence fragment

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Hoping to garner favor, my supervisors were sadly unimpressed with the presentation.

Dangling modifier

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: The team will present their thoughts on the new company policy later today.

Faulty pronoun reference

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: They're planning to complete their training program this week.

correct

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: The candidate must perform the following duties: analyzing data, compiling research, and to present findings.

parallelism

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: The third quarter report will be delivered in the Fall.

Capitalization

Indicate whether each answer option does, or does not, contain a dangling modifier.

Contains a dangling modifier: Wading near shore, a whale breeched somewhere beyond the breakers. Fearing sharks, the ocean looked dangerous and uninviting. Does not contain a dangling modifier: Disturbed by running children, the seagulls rose from the sand and took flight. Choice Ducking under the waves, I paddled my surfboard away from shore.

Read the following sentence, and then indicate whether it is written in active or passive voice. The gallery owner took a chance on a relatively unknown artist, and the show turned out to be a smash success.

active voice Reason: In both clauses of the sentence, the subject (owner, show) does the action rather than receiving the action, and the verbs (took, turned) are in active rather than passive (form of be + past participle) form.

Gender-biased language can make some readers feel _____ (ignored/ understood/ acknowledged), which is a barrier to effective communication.

ignored

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: The board of directors has a meeting on their agenda today.

Faulty pronoun reference

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: The CEO is a greatly-respected man at the company.

Punctuation other than commas or semicolons (including hyphens and apostrophes)

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: The flaws in the prototype were visible to the eye.

Redundancy

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: While searching for employment, I travelled to Shanghai, China; Los Angeles, California, and London, England.

Semicolon

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Whenever I think back to when I first started working at this company.

Sentence fragment

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Twenty one action items are on today's agenda.

punctuation other than commas or semicolons (including hyphens and apostrophes)

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: Although there are complimentary snacks in the break room.

sentence fragment

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: The job candidate said she could speak english, french, and spanish.

Capitalization

Please identify what type of error the following sentence includes: He asked for more time to complete the project, his supervisor said yes.

Comma splice (comma joining clauses inappropriately)

The following sentence contains two clauses. The clauses are separated by a slash: /. Read the sentence, and then choose the option that describes the voice pattern within the sentence. The product launch was declared a success, / and our boss said she would take us all to dinner to celebrate.

passive voice | active voice Reason: The first clause contains a passive verb form (was declared), and the subject of the sentence is acted upon rather than doing an action.

Identify the sentence that uses hyphens correctly.

My first car was a broken-down wreck with bald tires and very bad brakes.

Indicate the sentence that does not contain any unnecessary phrases.

The computer hasn't been working as well as before.

Identify the sentence that uses hyphens correctly.

Most of my loose-fitting clothing was too small for me after the relaxing cruise.

Identify the sentence in which pronouns match their indefinite pronoun antecedents in number.

Though divorced, each of the men supports his children. Reason: The pronoun his agrees with the antecedent each, a singular indefinite pronoun.

Indicate the place in the fused sentence where a period should be inserted between two words to create two separate and complete sentences. Next week, the new hires will tour (1) the facility (2) a trainer from IT (3) will demonstrate how use (4) the company's CRM software.

(2)

Select the number that corresponds to the place in the sentence where a period and a capital letter could be added to create two complete sentences. Multiple career changes (1) over a lifetime are no longer uncommon (2) individuals with varied skills (3) are likely to make professional (4) transitions more easily.

(2)

Identify the sentences that do not contain dangling modifiers. Select all that apply.

Customers should bring the original packaging and a receipt when returning an unwanted item. When returning an unwanted item, customers should bring the original packaging and a receipt.

Indicate whether or not each choice contains an unnecessary phrase.

Contains an unnecessary phrase: There is a woman waiting for you in the back office. It was her final argument that was the most persuasive to the client. Does not contain an unnecessary phrase: His boss said the process would be difficult. Yes, there is a direct route from Boston to New York.

Identify the incorrectly placed modifier in the following sentence. Covered in silly doodles, the junior executive wrote a first draft of what would become an extremely important message to company investors.

Covered in silly doodles

Choose the answer choice that should be placed in the following list to create parallelism. New Activities to Try: Baking Sewing Fishing ______ Hiking

Drawing

Identify the answer choice that correctly describes the parallel grammatical structure in the list below. Challenges in becoming a pediatrician: - Earning an undergraduate degree in biological sciences - Graduating from medical school with a specific area of expertise - Completing a pediatric residency at a hospital - Passing the board certification exams

Each item begins with a gerund. Reason: This list has a parallel structure because each item begins with a gerund (a verb ending in -ing used as a noun).

Which revised sentences effectively fix the fused sentence below? Select all that apply. Gardening provides opportunities to learn about both science and healthy eating the local school is starting a gardening program.

Gardening provides opportunities to learn about both science and healthy eating; therefore, the local school is starting a gardening program. Gardening provides opportunities to learn about both science and healthy eating; consequently, the local school is starting a gardening program.

Identify the sentences that do not contain dangling modifiers. Select all that apply.

Having graduated at the top of her class, Mira was recognized as a promising new hire. Dreaming of the national spelling bee trophy, Ari studied the dictionary for hours.

Indicate the sentence that best removes redundancies from the following sentence. She borrowed the new fictional novel for free from the public library.

She borrowed the new novel from the public library.

Identify the sentence with gender-biased language.

The café I work at offers a special lunch deal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for businessmen in the area.

Identify the selection that completes the following sentence and clearly indicates that Sam started holding online question and answer sessions with customers. Sam ______ once a week.

just started holding online question and answer sessions with customers

Identify which of the following numbered choices are dependent clause sentence fragments. Select all that apply. (1) Truman has started selling essential oils as a side business. (2) Customers like them for their scents. (3) They also like to use them for the potential physical and mental health benefits. (4) That some people may experience. (5) When some customers diffuse lavender, they feel calmer and more relaxed. (6) Which they find helps them sleep better at night.

4: That some people may experience. 6: Which they find helps them sleep better at night.

dentify the incorrectly placed modifier in the following sentence. Even though he barks a lot, my uncle loves his friendly rescue dog Rover.

Even though he barks a lot

Which of these passages is a comma splice?

I always listen to calls at work on the speakerphone, my new coworker insists on silence in our work area.

Indicate the filler that should be removed to make the sentence less wordy. First, I am going to start by telling you that the university dining center will be changing its hours of operation.

I am going to start by telling you that

Choose the sentence that uses clear, appropriate language and avoids the use of slang.

I sincerely wish my boss would stop criticizing me.

Choose the sentence that uses pronouns correctly.

I started a small business, but I did not realize how much it would cost.

Identify the revisions that correct the fragments in the following. Select all that apply. I'm thinking about taking a walk. Soon. To stretch my legs from sitting at my desk too long.

I'm thinking about taking a walk soon to stretch my legs from sitting at my desk too long. To stretch my legs from sitting too long, I'm thinking about taking a walk soon.

Choose the sentences in which gender-specific language is most likely appropriate and/or necessary. Select all that apply.

Mariza is the new student director of our school's women's choir. Oliver has cleaned the men's restroom but hasn't cleaned the women's yet.

Modern agriculture has become highly mechanized, coffee growing and harvesting still involve a great deal of manual labor. In which of the following is a coordinating conjunction correctly used to fix this comma splice?

Modern agriculture has become highly mechanized, yet coffee growing and harvesting still involve a great deal of manual labor.

Which sentence is a correctly punctuated, complete sentence (not a comma splice or a run-on sentence)?

Most of today's coffee is the arabica type; it is named after a coffee plant from Arabia.

Choose the sentences that correctly use semicolons to separate two independent clauses that are strongly related or receive the same emphasis. Select all that apply.

The St. Julien hotel is close to campus; we stayed there for my sister's graduation. Sparkling water is a popular drink option right now; Pellegrino is my favorite.

Indicate the sentence that does not contain redundancies.

The alarm went off at 7 a.m., causing the cat to leap off the bed.

Indicate the sentence that does not contain any unnecessary phrases.

The concert included music by Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach.

Indicate whether each intentional fragment is meant to heighten a sense of drama, to add emphasis to a specific point, or to answer a question. I'd always wanted to learn how to be a public speaker, but I'd never taken the opportunity. Ever. As I waited to give my first speech, I tried to breathe slowly. Was I nervous? Very. A little terrified, even. I stood at the podium, and I felt what seemed to be a hundred pairs of eyes staring at me. I took a deep breath. Steadied my hands. Glanced at my notes. And began to speak.

To add emphasis to a specific point <--> Ever. To answer a question <--> Very. A little terrified, even. To heighten a sense of drama <--> Steadied my hands. Glanced at my notes. And began to speak.

Which sentence is a correctly punctuated, complete sentence (not a run-on or fused sentence)?

When I finished, I looked up at her; she was looking at me.

Identify the sentences in which pronouns agree with their antecedents. Select all that apply.

When I like a new song, I usually listen to it constantly because accessing music online has become so easy. When I like new songs, I usually listen to them constantly because accessing them online has become so easy.

Read the following sentence, and then indicate whether it is written in active or passive voice. Drop-in appointments are offered in the writing center Monday through Thursday from noon to 5:00. Once a year, employees are given the opportunity to enroll in the company's retirement program.

passive voice Reason: In this sentence, the subject (employees) is acted upon (are given) rather than doing the action. Remember that in active voice, the subject does the action rather than being acted upon. Also note that the verb in this sentence is in passive form (a form of be plus a past participle, as in are given).

Indicate the redundant words in this passage. The bees who live in the hive are buzzing around the yard.

who live in the hive

Identify which revisions correct the fragments in the following. Select all that apply. Last week my dad cooked mushroom soup, pierogi, kielbasa, and sauerkraut. For my mother's birthday. Her parents are from Gdansk. A city on Poland's Baltic coast.

Last week my dad cooked mushroom soup, pierogi, kielbasa, and sauerkraut for my mother's birthday. Her parents are from Gdansk, a city on Poland's Baltic coast. For my mother's birthday, last week my dad cooked mushroom soup, pierogi, kielbasa, and sauerkraut. Her parents are from Gdansk, a city on Poland's Baltic coast.

Identify the revisions that correct the fragments in the following. Select all that apply. My cousin was a contestant on a game show. On which contestants have to answer trivia questions to win prizes. She answered five questions right and won $10,000. Then she missed a question about pop culture. What David Bowie's real name was.

My cousin was a contestant on a game show on which contestants have to answer trivia questions to win prizes. She answered five questions right and won $10,000. Then she missed a question about pop culture: What was David Bowie's real name? My cousin was a contestant on a game show on which contestants have to answer trivia questions to win prizes. She answered five questions right and won $10,000. Then she missed a pop culture question about David Bowie's real name. My cousin was a contestant on a game show on which contestants have to answer trivia questions to win prizes. She answered five questions right and won $10,000. Then she missed a question in the pop culture category about what David Bowie's real name was.

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to correct the comma splice below? Our information professionals are trained in organizing, assessing, and locating information, they are an excellent resource for the marketing department.

Our information professionals are trained in organizing, assessing, and locating information; they are an excellent resource for the marketing department.

Choose which sentences you should avoid using if you are writing a letter to the president of your college or university to request a reduction in campus parking fees and you want to maintain an appropriate tone. Select all that apply.

Students are broke and you can't expect us to lay out $200 a semester for a parking pass. We feel like the administration is greedy and just trying to squeeze money out of us.

Identify the most likely reason that a sentence fragment is used in the following passage. As I stood there, tired but waiting on the ticket line, I wondered why I'd bothered coming. Why I'd spent the time and money to get here. Why I was still interested.

To create a conversational tone Reason: Correct. The passage appears to be giving the thoughts in the narrator's head, which are conversational in nature.

Which revised sentences effectively fix the fused sentence below? Select all that apply. Original sentence: To prepare for the presentation, Sara reviewed her notes, she met with her work group.

To prepare for the presentation, Sara reviewed her notes; in addition, she met with her work group. To prepare for the presentation, Sara reviewed her notes; she met with her work group.

Identify the writing assignment in which sentence fragments would most likely be seen by readers as intentional rather than as errors.

an email between friends at work describing their workday Reason: Correct. In an informal email, sentence fragments would most likely be seen as intentional, not as errors.

Indicate the filler text that should be removed to make the sentence less wordy. We didn't know whether she would come, as a matter of fact, so we waited until today to buy food.

as a matter of fact,

Choose the answer that completes the sentence with a word or term that is neither gender-biased nor gender-specific. On Friday, the board of directors named the committee's new ____ (chair/ chairman/ chairwoman).

chair

Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, but it was not used to treat infections until 1930. The first infections known to be treated with penicillin were eye infections in newborn babies. Serious allergies to penicillin are very rare: only about 0.03% of people have them. These people can be treated with another antibiotic called cephalosporin C. This passage has a(n) ____ (formal/informal) tone.

formal