English 316 Grammar quizzes
Choose the punctuation that should be used in the bracket: I took a six [ ] pack of Sprite to the party.
hyphen
Which sentence uses an Oxford comma? 1. I had eggs, toast, and orange juice. 2. I had eggs, toast and orange juice.
1
Before you start to drive a new car, you must ______ that your vehicle and drivers are________. - add ensure or insured
1. ensure 2. insured
Select all that apply: It is best to use active rather than passive voice when? 1. writing a lab report 2. trying to reduce wordiness 3. writing for clarity 4. writing persuasively
2-4
Which sentence is parallel? A: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do some warm-up exercises before the game. B: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
A
When you use two or more adjectives to describe something they become a compound adjective.
False
You should always use an Oxford comma because it makes the sentence clearer.
False - some style guides don't want you to use it
Choose the best word to fill in the blank: How much ________ is it to the airport? Further or farther
Farther- distance
Which type of verbal is being used in this sentence? The school suspended the student for plagiarizing. Participle, Gerund or Infinitive?
Gerund
Which sentence(s) use punctuation CORRECTLY? 1. Thousands of children—like the girl in this photograph—have been left homeless. 2. Thousands of children (like the girl in this photograph) have been left homeless. 3. Thousands of children, like the girl in this photograph, have been left homeless.
all
After her afternoon shift ended, Jessica finished her statistics homework and joined her friend Rachel for dinner at her favorite restaurant. Which "her" creates an unclear pronoun reference in this sentence?
her favorite restaurant
What is wrong with the following sentence? Churning in the Pacific Ocean, we anxiously watched the weather report for information about the hurricane. - misplaced modifier, Dangling modifier or no error
misplaced
Choose the correct sentence Forty-three people were injured in the car accident. 43 people were injured in the car accident.
sentence one
Is the following sentence parallel? Malia is completely confident, while Ioane is slightly shy.
yes
Choose the correct sentence: 1. We laid out our music and snacks and began to study. 2. We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study.
1.
Select the sentence with a compound adjective. 1. New York restaurants are expensive. 2. I watched an excellent movie on Disney+.
1.
Choose the sentence WITH a misplaced modifier. 1. Last week, Atlanta police reported that three offices were robbed. 2. Atlanta police reported that three offices were robbed last week. 3. Three offices were reported robbed by the Atlanta police last week.
3. makes it sound like the police are robbing the offices
What punctuation goes in the following places: The students had been advised against walking alone at night ( ) however ( )Becky decided walking wasn't dangerous if it was early in the evening.
; and , The students had been advised against walking alone at night; however, Becky decided walking wasn't dangerous if it was early in the evening.
Choose the correct sentence: A: I had to fix my printer, which I bought less than a year ago. B: I had to fix my printer, that I bought less than a year ago.
A
Choose the correct sentence: A: We laid out our music and snacks and began to study. B: We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study.
A
i.e. and e.g. can be used interchangeably.
false
What punctuation should be added Children ( ) interested in music early ()develop strong intellectual skills.
none
Identify the type of error in this sentence: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.
Run-on/fused sentence
UNICEF is an example of which kind of abbreviation?
acronym
Remote learning and teaching requires a huge _______of time and effort; both students and teachers often underestimate the ______of hours it takes. - number or amount
1. amount 2. number
What is wrong with the following sentence? To see well, the lights in this room need to be adjusted. - misplaced modifier, Dangling modifier or no error
Dangling
Choose all of the options that use punctuation correctly. Nov Nov. dept. dept USA U.S.A. app app.
Nov. dept. USA U.S.A. app
Choose the sentence that represents the most effective way to express both gender and number agreement. 1. Everyone returned his books to the library. 2. Everyone returned his or her books to the library. 3. Everyone returned their books to the library. 4. All the students returned their books to the library.
4. makes it so you don't have to worry about the plural they or his/her
Choose the sentence(s) with CORRECT comma use. 1. I ate peaches, oranges, and pomegranates 2. I ate peaches oranges and pomegranates 3. I ate peaches, oranges and pomegranates
1 and 3
Which sentences are INCORRECT? 1. I forgot the exam was today I did not study. 2. I forgot the exam was today. I did not study. 3. I forgot the exam was today; I did not study. 4. I forgot the exam was today, so I did not study. 5. I forgot the exam was today, I did not study
1 and 5
Select all of the statements that are false. 1. Passive voice is best used in persuasive writing. 2. Active voice is usually clearer and more concise than passive voice. 3. Passive voice is an effective way to avoid directly taking responsibility for an outcome. 4. Active voice is an effective way to create an authoritative tone. 5. Passive voice is appropriate when the action is more important than the doer.
1, 3 and 4 - three can be argued
The______ of the hurricane was devastating; residents across the island were_______. - fill in the blank with either effect or affect
1. effect 2. affect
Identify the sentence(s) with a comma splice: 1. I am not angry with you, but I am not happy with you, either. 2. I am not angry with you, I am not happy with you, either. 3. I am not angry with you; I am not happy with you, either
2
When would you choose to use paired em-dashes?
Paired em-dashes are used to emphasize and draw attention to a nonrestrictive modifier.
Is the following sentence correct, or does it contain a dangling or misplaced modifier? Skipping stones and throwing sticks into the waves, the children were oblivious to the approaching storm.
correct
Is the following sentence correct, or does it contain a dangling or misplaced modifier? While driving along Kamehameha Highway in his beat-up Corolla, a great idea struck him.
dangling modifier
Choose the punctuation that should be used in the bracket: My Zoom class runs from 11am [ ] 12:pm.
en dash
Ellipses are always a series of three successive periods (...) that indicate part of a direct quotation has been omitted.
false
There are _____ cars on the freeway because of the pandemic. - fewer or less
fewer
Choose the best word to fill in the blank: There are _______ cars at Laniakea (Turtle Beach) today than there were yesterday. less or fewer
fewer- can physically count
Since the doctor went to medical school, _____ should know what treatment you need. Select all possible options for filling the blank correctly. - he - she - you - they
he or she
When Beverly brought Cathy to the conference, we asked her for her credentials. Which word creates an unclear pronoun reference in this sentence?
her
Which sentence uses quotation marks correctly using American English conventions? 'Let us explore the meaning of the quote "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"', said the teacher. "Let us explore the meaning of the quote 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,'" said the teacher.
the second sentence
What pronoun(s) should you use with a nonrestrictive modifier?
which or who/whom
Choose the BEST use of punctuation in the following sentences: A: The Modern Language Association [MLA] style guide is my favorite to use. B: The Modern Language Association (MLA) style guide is my favorite to use.
B
Choose the correct sentence O'ahu is home to over 900,000 people. O'ahu is home to over nine hundred thousand people.
sentence 1
Which type of enclosure should be used to insert the antecedent "Republican members of the House" in the blank? The president stated that he "will not sign the bill they ________ have been talking about."
square brackets
Does the following sentence contain a participle or a gerund? He was trapped inside the burning house
Participle
etc. and et al. have the same function, but one is for things and one is for people.
true
Choose all the options that are true: 1. Initialisms are abbreviations that are pronounced by sounding out each letter (e.g. ESPN, NBC, BRB) 2. Compounds are a form of abbreviation 3. Abbreviations lengthen words or multiple words 4. Acronyms are abbreviations that are pronounced as words (e.g. NASA, UNICEF)
1 and 4
Which sentence is clearer? The speakers will include partners of law firms, businesspeople, and civic leaders. The speakers will include businesspeople, civic leaders, and partners of law firms.
2
Choose the correct sentence(s). 1. You can earn from one million dollars to 12 million dollars. 2. You can earn from one million dollars to twelve million dollars. 3. You can earn from 1 million dollars to 12 million dollars.
2 and 3
He believes in his abilities as a writer, and this helps him in his self-confidence. Which word creates an unclear pronoun reference in this sentence?
his
Choose the best option to fill in the blank: Each of the students should bring _______ textbook to class. - his or her - their
his or her
Choose the best option to fill in the blank: After work, I'll walk over to my favorite ice cream shop, _____, Angel's. 1. etc. 2. i.e. 3. e.g. 4. et al.
i.e
BYU-H is an example of which kind of abbreviation?
initialism
Is the following sentence parallel? Koala bears are not as appealing as they look because they have fleas, they have bad breath and tend to scratch.
not parallel
Choose the correct sentence The plant grew .79 inches last year. The plant grew 0.79 inches last year.
sentence two
Select all of the sentences that are grammatically correct. 1. I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch, life's too short for counting calories. 2. I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch; life's too short for counting calories. 3. I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch: life's too short for counting calories. 4. I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch life's too short for counting calories. 5. I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch, because life's too short for counting calories. 6. I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch because life's too short for counting calories.
2, 3 and 6
Which sentence(s) use punctuation with quotation marks CORRECTLY? 1. "Will you still be my friend?" she asked. 2. "Will you still be my friend," she asked? 3. The manager said, "During our meeting, I overheard the client say, 'I'm impressed.'" 4. The manager said, "During our meeting, I overheard the client say, "I'm impressed.""
1 and 2
Which compound adjectives use dashes CORRECTLY? 1. We have a twenty-one-year-old child. 2. We have a twenty-one year old child. 3. That is an all-too-common mistake. 4. That is an all too-common mistake.
1 and 3 are correct
Choose the correct sentence: 1. Jeff told me that the job was still available and that the manager wanted to interview me. 2. Jeff told me that the job was still available, and that the manager wanted to interview me.
1.
Choose the most effective sentence: 1. The three types of muscle in the body are cardiac, smooth, and skeletal. 2. The three types of muscle in the body are: cardiac, smooth, and skeletal. 3. The three types of muscle in the body, are cardiac, smooth, and skeletal. 4. The three types of muscle in the body are cardiac, smooth and skeletal.
1.
Select all of the sentences WITH a misplaced modifier: 1. The student walked her dog in blue sweatpants. 2. The suspects were interviewed by the detectives right after the crime was committed. 3. She served sandwiches to the children on paper plates. 4. She saw a puppy and a kitten on the way to the store.
1. The student is wearing blue sweatpants, not the dog, so the modifier needs to be moved. 3. This sentence suggests that the children were on the plates, so that modifier needs to be moved next to sandwiches. 4. It's unclear whether she is on the way to the store or the puppy and kitten are on their way to the store. A clearer sentence might read, "On her way to the store, she saw a kitten and a puppy."
Choose all the options that are correct for the following sentences: Sentence 1, gerunds: Grandpa enjoyed his grandchildren's running and laughing. Sentence 2, participles: Grandpa enjoyed his running and laughing grandchildren. 1. In sentence one, Grandpa enjoys the grandchildren 2. In sentence one, Grandpa enjoys the running and laughing. 3. In sentence two, Grandpa enjoys the grandchildren 4. In sentence two, Grandpa enjoys the running and laughing.
2 and 3
Which type of phrase is being used in this sentence? Wearing his new suit, the Bishop went to sacrament meeting. Gerund phrase or participial phrase?
Participial phrase
Choose the sentence(s) with CORRECT colon use: 1. Her three minors are: professional writing, political science, and entrepreneurship. 2. You may be required to bring many things: sleeping bags, pans, utensils, and warm clothing. 3. After three weeks of deliberation, the jury finally reached a verdict: guilty. 4. I want: a hamburger, fries, and soda.
2 and 3
Choose the sentences that do NOT follow conventions for American-style punctuation. 1. "The best investments today," according to Smith, "are commodities and emerging-market stocks." 2. "The best investments today", according to Smith, "are commodities and emerging-market stocks". 3. She provides a thorough list of problems in her most recent article, "Misery in Paradise;" she doesn't provide a solution. 4. She provides a thorough list of problems in her most recent article, "Misery in Paradise"; she doesn't provide a solution. 5. Wasn't it Dickens who wrote, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"? 6. Wasn't it Dickens who wrote, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times?"
2, 3 and 6 are all incorrect used of punctuation
Choose the sentence that uses compound adjectives correctly. 1. The child is five-years-old. 2. The child is five years old.
2. The child is five years old.
Identify the INCORRECT sentence(s). 1. Fifty-six people were injured in the train wreck. 2. There were five 26-year-olds on board. 3. 56 people were injured in the train wreck. 4. There were 5 26-year-olds on board.
3 and 4
What punctuation goes in the following places: The new store will have groceries on the lower level ( ) luggage ( ) housewares ( ) and electronics on the ground floor( ) men's and women's clothing on the second floor ( ) and books ( ) music ( ) and stationery on the third floor.
; , , ; ; , , The new store will have groceries on the lower level; luggage, housewares, and electronics on the ground floor; men's and women's clothing on the second floor; and books, music, and stationery on the third floor.
Choose the sentence with the most effective punctuation. A: When we go to the Zoo, I want to see the gorillas on the southside, flamingos next to the water fountain, and the elephants on the westside. B: When we go to the Zoo, I want to see the gorillas on the southside; flamingos next to the water fountain; and the elephants on the westside.
B
Which sentence uses a semicolon INCORRECTLY? A: They say money can't buy you happiness; have you ever seen an unhappy man on a jet ski? B: They say money can't buy you happiness; but have you ever seen an unhappy man on a jet ski?
B is uses it incorrectly
Identify the type of error in this sentence: I'm thinking of skipping English class, it's really boring.
Comma splice
A restrictive modifier should always use punctuation because it is restricted.
False
Does the following sentence contain a participle or a gerund? Running the tap will clear the air pocket.
Gerund
Which type of phrase is being used in this sentence? Steve enjoys surfing with his friends.
Gerund phrase
Which type of verbal is being used in this sentence? The winning athlete gets a trophy. Participle, Gerund or Infinitive?
Participle
Explain what makes the following sentence unclear: What you read on the internet often you will believe.
This sentence has a squinting modifier as the modifier often could be modifying either reading on the internet or believing. Does it mean the information you read on the internet often you will believe? Or that you often believe what you read on the internet?
According to the BYU-H style guide, which type of dash should be used when writing the university's name?
an en dash