Writing

To affect means

'to act upon or have an influence on',

To effect means

'to bring about or create' as in "to effect a change."

Verb

Action word

I'm not sure why I know, that flamboyant pop star Katy Perry has a cat named Kitty Purry; it's just one of those weird things you hear and don't forget. No error. A I know, that B pop star C Kitty Purry; it's D and don't forget E No error.

a Solution No comma is needed before the limiting that clause. The right answer is not Choice (B) because you don't need to hyphenate or capitalize pop star. The right answer is not Choice (C) because all proper names — even those of pets — should be capitalized, the correct it's (it is) is used, and the semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses. The right answer is not Choice (D) because don't forget is the second verb phrase (after hear) being performed by the pronoun you: "one of those things you hear and don't forget." The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in this sentence.

The four days of the year in which the most pizzas are ordered are Halloween, Super Bowl Sunday, New Year's Day, and the day before Thanksgiving. No error. A year in which B are ordered are C Super Bowl Sunday D Year's Day E No error.

a Solution You do something on a day, not in a day (unless you mean that the action took you a day in terms of time), so the construction should be the days of the year on which. The right answer is not Choice (B) because both words should, in fact, be spelled are, as both are the present plural form of the verb to be. The right answer is not Choice (C) because both Super Bowl and Sunday are proper nouns, so both should be capitalized. The right answer is not Choice (D) because New Year's Day is a proper noun (the name of a holiday), so it should be capitalized (even the "d" in Day). The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in this sentence.

The process that humans first developed words to signify abstract concepts such as love, honor, and justice would have to have been a long and complex one. No error. A that B words to signify C love, honor, and justice D have to have been E No error.

a Solution You need by which rather than that in this context: The process by which humans developed words. The right answer is not Choice (B) because the humans developed the words in order to signify certain concepts, so the infinitive is correct in context. The right answer is not Choice (C) because using commas to separate items in a list is correct. (It's also acceptable to omit the comma before the and, but it's not incorrect to include it — either way is fine.) The right answer is not Choice (D) because, while it may look odd, have to have been is correct in context: The have to means "necessarily," and the "have been" is the past-perfect form of to be. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in this sentence.

Though many use the terms interchangeably, there are actually clearly and important differences between a poisonous animal and a venomous one. No error. A terms interchangeably B clearly and important C between D one E No error.

b The differences are clear and important, so both words should be adjectives modifying the noun differences (in other words, clearly isn't an adverb modifying important; if it were, the and wouldn't be there). The right answer is not Choice (A) because the adverb interchangeably is correct in context. It modifies the verb use, not the noun terms. The right answer is not Choice (C) because the sentence is talking about two concepts, making between correct (among is correct for more than two things). The right answer is not Choice (D) because one is fine here as a pronoun standing in for animal. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in this sentence.

Turk Edwards was a star lineman for the Washington Redskins in the 1930s whom was eventually inducted into the Football Hall of Fame but, ironically, his career ended when he injured his knee while walking away from a pre-game coin toss. No error. A was a star lineman B whom was C but, ironically, his D while walking E No error.

b The pronoun is the subject of a subordinate clause, so who is correct. The right answer is not Choice (A) because the regular past tense is fine here. The right answer is not Choice (C) because using a comma after a conjunction is acceptable when the sentence is interrupted by a modifying clause (such as "ironically") at that point. The right answer is not Choice (D) because the participial verb form is fine here. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in the sentence.

When an author includes a quotation (from a poem, for example) below the title of the essay and above the text, the quotation is called an A epigram. B epigraph. C epistle. D epithelium. E epitaxy.

b Solution A quotation below the title and above the main body of the text is called an epigraph. The right answer is not Choice (A) because an epigram is any saying or proverb. The right answer is not Choice (C) because epistle is a fancy word for a letter (the kind you mail). The right answer is not Choice (D) because epithelium is a type of animal tissue in biology. The right answer is not Choice (E) because epitaxy refers to the deposition of crystal in geology.

The children's museum is further away than the waterpark, but it will presumably be both more educational and less crowded. No error. A children's B further C than D less E No error.

b Solution Because the sentence is discussing physical distance, farther is the correct adjective. The right answer is not Choice (A) because the word children should indeed be possessive here (even though the museum doesn't literally belong to actual children), and the apostrophe is in the right place. The right answer is not Choice (C) because than (not then) is the word used for comparisons. The right answer is not Choice (D) because less is correct here (as opposed to fewer, which would be used for countable quantities). The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in the sentence.

When a cited text has six or more authors, the in-text citation should include only the first author's last name, followed by which of the following Latin phrases (and the year of publication or page number)? A ibid. B et al. C id est D populusque E ex urbe

b Solution The abbreviation et al. is short for et alii, or "and others." The right answer is not Choice (A) because ibid. (short for ibidem, or "in the same place") is the abbreviation used in footnotes to signify that the source is the same as that of the previous footnote. The right answer is not Choice (C) because id est means "that is." It's what the common abbreviation i.e. stands for (not to be confused with e.g., which stands for exempli gratia, or "for example"). The right answer is not Choice (D) because populusque means "and the people." The right answer is not Choice (E) because ex urbe means "from out of the city."

We could have sworn that the suitcase was our's, but after we opened it to find elaborate ceremonial masks and several large books written in Latin, we realized our mistake. No error. A could have sworn B was our's C ceremonial D written in Latin E No error.

b Solution There is never an apostrophe in the word ours. The right answer is not Choice (A) because the past-perfect construction could have sworn, which refers to the past of the past, is correct. The right answer is not Choice (C) because the adjective ceremonial correctly modifies the noun masks. The right answer is not Choice (D) because, as it refers to a language, the word Latin is capitalized. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in this sentence.

It's twenty years later, and I can still remember where I was when I heard the news of Kurt Cobain's death, in my father's car being driven home from baseball practice. A It's twenty years later, and I can still remember where I was when I heard the news of Kurt Cobain's death, in my father's car being driven home from baseball practice. B Twenty years later, I can still remember where I was when I heard the news of Kurt Cobain's death: in my father's car, being driven home from baseball practice. C Twenty years later, I can still remember where I was, when I heard the news of Kurt Cobain's death I was in my father's car, being driven home from baseball practice. D It's twenty years later, I can still remember where I was when I heard the news of Kurt Cobain's death — in my father's car, being driven home from baseball practice. E Twenty years later, and I can still remember where I was when I heard the news of Kurt Cobain's death; I was in my father's car, being driven home from baseball practice.

b Solution This sentence correctly and coherently presents a main independent clause preceded by an introductory clause and comma, and followed by a colon and dependent explanatory clause. The right answer is not Choice (A) because a colon is preferable to a comma before the explanatory clause. The right answer is not Choice (C) or (D) because each of these sentences contains a comma splice. The right answer is not Choice (E) because the portion of the sentence before the semicolon does not contain a main independent clause.

Lactose-intolerant people, who avoid cheese, are being overly cautious as most cheeses are to aged to contain any lactose. A Lactose-intolerant people, who avoid cheese, are being overly cautious as most cheeses are to aged to contain any lactose. B Lactose-intolerant people who avoid cheese are being overly cautious, as most cheeses are too aged to contain any lactose. C Lactose-intolerant people who avoid cheese are being overly cautious, as most cheeses are too aged, too contain any lactose. D Lactose-intolerant people who avoid cheese, are being overly cautious, as most cheeses are to aged too contain any lactose. E Lactose-intolerant people, who avoid cheese are being overly cautious as most cheeses are too aged to contain any lactose.

b Solution Who avoid cheese is intended to be an essential, rather than a non-essential, clause, so it isn't necessary to set it off with commas. A comma is necessary, however, before as, because it's a conjunction joining two independent clauses. Additionally, the spellings of to and too are both correct in context. The right answer is not Choice (A) because there should not be commas around who avoid cheese, but there should be one before as, and because the first to should be too. The right answer is not Choice (C) because there should not be a comma after aged, and the second too should be to. The right answer is not Choice (D) because there should not be a comma before are, and the spellings of to and too are reversed. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there should not be a comma after people, but there should be one before as.

Unlike the paranoid usurper of Shakespeare's play, the historical King Macbeth of Scotland was widely admired, he ruled for 17 years, and killed his predecessor Duncan on the battlefield in self-defense, rather than in his sleep. No error. A the historical King B he ruled C and killed D rather than E No error.

b As phrased, this portion of the sentence contains a comma splice; the "he" should be omitted. The right answer is not Choice (A) because King is correctly capitalized, as it is used as a title before a proper name. The right answer is not Choice (C) because when the error in Choice (B) is corrected, the verb ruled is the last in a series of three, all of which are separated by commas. The right answer is not Choice (D) because than is the correct spelling in this context (a comparison). The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in the sentence.

In terms of research, the technical distinction between a primary source and a secondary source is that A a secondary source yields less important information than a primary source. B a primary source is quoted from directly, whereas a secondary source is not. C a primary source represents original research, whereas a secondary source contains information already compiled by someone else. D a primary source is a published work with an ISBN, whereas a secondary source might not have been published or even copyrighted. E a primary source is the text or texts that the paper is about, and a secondary source is anything else.

c

The computer's screen is cracked, it's true, but it still works, you can continue to use it at least for the remainder of the day. No error. A computer's B it's C you can continue D the remainder E No error.

c Solution Another independent clause is being linked to the previous ones at this point, so a conjunction is necessary: for example, so you can continue. The right answer is not Choice (A) because the screen belongs to the computer (grammatically speaking), so the possessive is correct: the computer's screen. (Saying the computer screen would also be acceptable, but that doesn't mean the other way is wrong.) The right answer is not Choice (B) because it's means it is here, so the spelling with the apostrophe is correct. The addition of the expression it's true isn't necessary, but it isn't wrong. The right answer is not Choice (D) because the phrase the remainder, although a bit more formal than the rest, means the same thing and is just as correct. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in this sentence.

Which of the following versions of the following sentence is not grammatically correct? Although a posted sign said that no guests were permitted in the hotel pool after 10 p.m., we went for a swim anyway. A Although a posted sign said that no guests were permitted in the hotel pool after 10 p.m., we went for a swim anyway. B A posted sign said that no guests were permitted in the hotel pool after 10 p.m.; we went for a swim anyway. C A posted sign said that no guests were permitted in the hotel pool after 10 p.m., however, we went for a swim anyway. D A posted sign said that no guests were permitted in the hotel pool after 10 p.m. — however, we went for a swim anyway. E Despite the posted sign, which said that no guests were permitted in the hotel pool after 10 p.m., we went for a swim.

c Solution Choice (C) creates a comma splice. Although however should be set off with a pair of commas when it interrupts a single independent clause, it cannot be used to join two independent clauses, no matter how many commas are used. This is the one answer choice that is not acceptable; the others are all correct. The right answer is not Choice (A) because this choice correctly uses a single comma to link a dependent "although" clause with a subsequent independent clause. The right answer is not Choice (B) because this choice correctly joins two independent clauses with a semicolon. The right answer is not Choice (D) because this choice correctly separates two independent clauses with a single dash (which works like a semicolon here). The second of the two independent clauses begins with however, which is followed by a single comma. The right answer is not Choice (E) because this choice correctly presents a single independent clause that is interrupted by a non-limiting, "extra information" which clause, which is set off by a pair of commas.

The neighbors who live on our block are mostly quiet at night, but they're honking of car horns in the early morning wakes us all up on weekdays. No error. A who B our block are C they're honking D us all E No error.

c Solution Honking is a gerund, so you need the possessive their in front of it, not the contraction they're, which means "they are." The right answer is not Choice (A) because neighbors are people, so using who (rather than that) as the relative pronoun is correct. The right answer is not Choice (B) because, although people sometimes confuse our and are, both are used correctly here. The right answer is not Choice (D) because, as the object of the verb wakes, the objective-case us (rather than we) is correct. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in this sentence.

When using a quotation that contains a grammatical or spelling error, what abbreviation is placed in square brackets after the error to indicate that it was part of the original quotation, rather than your own mistake? A [stet.] B [stat.] C [sic.] D [s.l.] E [S.P.Q.R.]

c Solution Sic, the Latin abbreviation for sic erat scriptum ("it was written that way"), is the term used to indicate that the error was original to the quotation. The right answer is not Choice (A) because stet ("let it stand") is the abbreviation used by a proofreader to indicate "never mind, leave it that way." The right answer is not Choice (B) because stat, short for statim, means "immediately" (like on medical dramas). The right answer is not Choice (D) because s.l. stands for sine loco, "without a place," used in citations to indicate that a place of publication was not indicated. The right answer is not Choice (E) because S.P.Q.R. stands for Senatus Populusque Romanus, "the Senate and People of Rome," an insignia used on ancient Roman battle standards.

Tap dance was born when African-Americans ingeniously modified to the traditional step-dancing of Irish immigrants in the slums of 19th-century New York City. No error. A was born B ingeniously C to D 19th-century E No error.

c Solution The preposition to is unnecessary in this context. You merely say that someone modified something, not that he modified to something (although you can say that someone made modifications to something). The right answer is not Choice (A) because the sentence is about the past, so the past tense is perfectly correct here. The right answer is not Choice (B) because the adverb ingeniously correctly modifies the verb modified. The right answer is not Choice (D) because hyphenating 19th-century is correct. The two words are being joined as a single adjective that modifies New York City (and there's no need to capitalize century). The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in this sentence.

It pained me to have to sell the guitar that my father had bought me when I was a kid, therefore I made sure it went to a couple looking to buy one for their child of the same age I had been. No error. A pained me B had bought me C therefore D of E No error.

c Solution Therefore is an adverb, not a coordinating conjunction; it can't be used to link two independent clauses in this manner. The right answer is not Choice (A) because, while it is a little more formal than you may be used to, the expression pained me (in other words, hurt me or made me feel bad) is not incorrect. The right answer is not Choice (B) because, while the regular past-tense bought me wouldn't be wrong here, the past-perfect had bought me is also correct and may even be preferable, as the purchase of the guitar occurred before the resale, which was in the past, making the purchase the "past of the past." The right answer is not Choice (D) because, although you may also use a construction such as who was, simply using the preposition of is not incorrect in this context. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in this sentence.

Having spotted the skyline in the distance, an attempt was made to reach town without making any more stops. A Having spotted the skyline in the distance, an attempt was made to B Having spotted the skyline in the distance, and we attempted to C Having spotted the skyline in the distance, we decided to try and D We spotted the skyline in the distance, therefore we attempted to E Spotting the skyline in the distance and trying to

c Solution This sentence is a misplaced-modifier question. The modifier needs to attach to who or what spotted the skyline; as written, that subject is "attempt," and clearly an attempt can't spot something. The sentence is written in the second-person plural (we/us) point of view, so opening the independent clause with "we" makes sense. The right answer is not Choice (A) because the "attempt" isn't who or what spotted the skyline, so the modifier is misplaced. The right answer is not Choice (B) because neither clause is independent. The right answer is not Choice (D) because this answer is a comma splice (because therefore is not a conjunction). The right answer is not Choice (E) because it's a long participial phrase, not a complete sentence.

Writing letters of recommendation for former students is a tricky business: One is obligated to do it, and yet you cannot always be as sincere as you would like. No error. A Writing B for former students is C One is D as you would like E No error.

c Solution Use of the formal, hypothetical third-person one and use of the less formal second-person you should not be mixed within a single sentence. As this sentence goes on to use you, the part where it uses one should be changed. The right answer is not Choice (A) because the gerund writing is correctly used as the subject of this sentence. The right answer is not Choice (B) because the preposition for is correct in this context, as is former students as the object of that preposition. The right answer is not Choice (D) because use of the less formal, second-person you is correct here, as the sentence uses it elsewhere in a non-underlined portion. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in this sentence.

Although he is widely considered the greatest novelist of the 20th century, but James Joyce never won the Nobel Prize for Literature. A century, but James Joyce B century, seeing that C century, James Joyce D century; James Joyce E century, however, James Joyce

c This choice is a correct example of an introductory subordinate clause (although is a subordinating conjunction) followed by a comma and an independent clause. The right answer is not Choice (A) because the sentence doesn't need both the subordinating conjunction although before the first clause and the coordinating conjunction but before the second clause. Using one or the other would be correct, but not both. The right answer is not Choice (B) because neither clause is independent. The right answer is not Choice (D) because a semicolon here would not separate two independent clauses (an although clause is subordinate). The right answer is not Choice (E) because although and however are doing the same job, so you don't need both of them (and if only however were there, you'd need to add a semicolon or to start a new sentence).

Although many films inspired by books are well made and considered cinematic classics, it's rare for a film to flesh out its characters as fully as did the book by which it was based. No error. A well made and considered B for a film C as did D by which E No error.

d Solution A movie is based on a book, not by a book, so "on which" is the correct prepositional construction here. The right answer is not Choice (A) because the movies in question are both "well made" and "considered cinematic classics." The construction is clear and correct, and no commas or other punctuation are necessary. The right answer is not Choice (B) because for is the correct preposition in this context. The right answer is not Choice (C) because saying that a movie didn't do something "as well as did the book" (as opposed to "as well as the book did") is perfectly correct even though it's a bit more formal than everyday speech. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in the sentence.

In contrast to the debut record, which had pleased the critics and been especially hailed for its originality and innovativeness, the band's second album was dubbed repetitively. No error. A In contrast to B been especially hailed C originality and innovativeness D dubbed repetitively E No error.

d Solution Because you're probably used to seeing adverbs follow verbs, this question tries to trick you by creating a situation where that adverb should actually be an adjective. Remember that dubbed is a synonym for called: People dubbed the second album repetitive. Convert that to the passive voice (which is necessary here because the subject of the verb is not identified), and you get the second album was dubbed repetitive. The right answer is not Choice (A) because in contrast to is the correct construction here. The right answer is not Choice (B) because it had been especially hailed is an acceptable construction, if a little complicated. The right answer is not Choice (C) because originality and innovativeness are both nouns, qualities said to belong to the first record. There's nothing wrong with this part of the sentence. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in the sentence.

The first known stapler was designed for King Louis XIV of France, and each of its staples was inscribed by the insignia of the royal court. No error. A King B its C was D by E No error.

d Solution The sentence means to say that the insignia was engraved onto the staples, so the construction should be inscribed with rather than inscribed by. The right answer is not Choice (A) because capitalizing King is correct when it precedes the name of a specific king. The right answer is not Choice (B) because the possessive its does not have an apostrophe. The right answer is not Choice (C) because each is singular, so each was, rather than each were, is correct. The right answer is not Choice (E) because there is, in fact, an error in this sentence.

number-agreement for nouns and verbs must match the elephant ---- the elephants ---

dances dance

I've always thought it strange that pancakes, those syrupy breakfast staples, should be so delicious at first but so comparatively unappetizing by the end of the meal. No error. A thought it strange B breakfast staples C but so comparatively D by E No error.

e There is no error in this sentence. The right answer is not Choice (A) because, although thought it was strange would be correct, the construction thought it strange is correct as well, albeit a little formal. The right answer is not Choice (B) because it's correct and coherent to call pancakes breakfast staples (using staples as a noun to mean "mainstays" rather than as a verb). The right answer is not Choice (C) because the conjunction but is correctly used to show comparison, and so is correctly used as the adverb meaning "extremely," rather than as a conjunction. The right answer is not Choice (D) because by is a correct preposition to use in this context.

The effect of his son's death, upon President Franklin Pierce, lead him not to seek a second term. A The effect of his son's death, upon President Franklin Pierce, lead him not to seek a second term. B The affect of his son's death upon president, Franklin Pierce, led to him not seeking a second term. C The affect of his son's death, lead to President Franklin Pierce's not seeking a second term. D The effect of his son's death upon president Franklin Pierce lead to thus not seeking a second term. E The effect of his son's death upon President Franklin Pierce led to his not seeking a second term.

e Solution No commas are necessary; effect is the correct spelling (it's a noun); President should be capitalized; led is the past tense of lead; the possessive his is correct alongside the gerund not seeking. The right answer is not Choice (A) because there shouldn't be any commas, and the past tense of lead is spelled led. The right answer is not Choice (B) because you need the spelling effect rather than affect, you don't need any commas, President should be capitalized, and you should use the possessive his alongside the gerund not seeking. The right answer is not Choice (C) because you need the spelling effect rather than affect, you don't need any commas, and the past tense of lead is spelled led. The right answer is not Choice (D) because President should be capitalized, the past tense of lead is spelled led, and the possessive his belongs in place of thus (before the gerund).

Closely associated as it is with Medieval European folklore, the unicorn was actually first represented on the seals of ancient civilizations in what is now India, and mention was made of it in certain classical Greek texts as well. No error. A as it is with B the unicorn was C in what is now D mention was made of it E No error.

e Solution There is no error in this sentence. The right answer is not Choice (A) because the introductory descriptive clause is correct; it points out that the unicorn is closely associated with Medieval Europe. The right answer is not Choice (B) because the unicorn is what is associated with European folklore; therefore, it's correct for the unicorn to begin the second clause (in order to avoid a misplaced modifier). The right answer is not Choice (C) because in what is now India is the correct construction when pointing out that something happened in the area of the world that is now the nation of India, but before that nation existed. The right answer is not Choice (D) because while the passive voice should be avoided if possible, it's not grammatically incorrect, and here it is acceptable.

Each year, the affectionate group of old friends met annually to tell old stories and catch up on what had been happening in their lives. A Each year, the affectionate group of old friends met annually B Annually and affectionately, the group of old friends met each year C Affectionately, it was on an annual basis that the group of old friends met each year D Meeting annually, the affectionate group of old friends E Each year, the affectionate group of old friends would meet

e Solution This is the only answer choice that is both a complete, correct sentence and not redundant (saying both each year and annually is redundant, because they mean the same thing). The right answer is not Choice (A) because it is redundant. Each year and annually mean the same thing, so you don't need to say both. The right answer is not Choice (B) because it is redundant. (Switching affectionate as an adjective modifying group to affectionately as an adverb modifying met is just a distraction — it makes no difference.) The right answer is not Choice (C) because it is redundant. The right answer is not Choice (D) because, although it's the only one of the wrong answer choices that's not redundant, it isn't a complete, correct sentence: the group of old friends to tell is not a coherent independent clause (the subject and verb do not agree).

tense agreement

making sure one verb is in line with the other verbs for example (right) I ran to the store and bought cat food. non example (wrong) I run to the store and bought cat food.

number agreement

making sure the noun is the same kind and the verb singular vs plural

What two types of words must you have to create a sentence?

noun and verb

Noun

person, place or thing

transitive

you are doing something to something else I raise the window I lay the book down

Intransitive

you are doing something to yourself I rise from my seat I lie down