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Example Questions
Example Question #243 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Perdita the lost princess, was found and raised by a shepherd. No error
found and raised
No error
was
by a shepherd.
Perdita the lost princess,
Perdita the lost princess,
Commas should be used to set off the phrase "the lost princess," as it is in apposition to (gives a description of) the subject Perdita, but the sentence still makes sense without it. So, "Perdita the lost princess," contains the sentence's error, and the sentence should read, "Perdita, the lost princess, was found and raised by a shepherd."
Example Question #245 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
First take the pie crust out of the freezer, and then fill it with the sliced apples, cinnamon, and maple syrup. No error
and then
First take
sliced apples, cinnamon,
out of the freezer,
No error
First take
In this sentence, "First" is used as an introductory word (specifically an adverbial phrase) and must therefore be followed by a comma: "First, take . . ."
Example Question #246 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Most schoolchildren have heard the tale of Robin Hood the medieval outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. No error
and gave
stole from
No error
Robin Hood the medieval outlaw
Most
Robin Hood the medieval outlaw
The phrase "the medieval outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor" is an appositive phrase. It restates the noun "Robin Hood" in a way that presents more details, but is not grammatically necessary to the sentence for the sentence to be complete and understandable. ("Most schoolchildren have heard the tale of Robin Hood" is a completely correct sentence on its own.) The appositive phrase should therefore be preceded by a comma ("Robin Hood, the medieval outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor").
Example Question #247 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Patton a man known for his pugnacious character, was highly regarded for his generalship. No error
was highly regarded
generalship
Patton a man
no error
his
Patton a man
In this sentence, the phrase "a man known for his pugnacious character" is acting as an interrupting phrase. An interrupting phrase is a group of words which interrupts the flow of the sentence; interrupting phrases need to be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas (or dashes). In this case commas are needed after "Patton," and after "character."
The full, correct version of this sentence reads: "Patton, a man known for his pugnacious character, was renowned for his generalship."
Example Question #251 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
In many great novels, the author will explore multiple themes. No error
author
In many great novels,
multiple themes
will explore
No error
No error
Here, the phrase "in many great novels" is acting as an introductory phrase for the rest of the sentence. In light of the fact that the rest of the sentence can stand on its own (grammatically speaking), this introductory phrase should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma, which, in this case, it is. The sentence has no grammatical errors.
Example Question #252 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Unsure of how to proceed he hesitated at the top of the pass. No error
No error
Unsure of how to proceed he
of the pass
hesitated
at the top
Unsure of how to proceed he
The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence is to use a single comma and separate it from the remainder of the sentence. The phrase "unsure of how to proceed" here acts as an introductory phrase, and it should be separated from the independent clause with a comma.
The full, correct version of this sentence reads: "Unsure of how to proceed, he hesitated at the top of the pass."
Example Question #253 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One of the greatest generals of all time Alexander the Great had a nearly perfect military career. No error
One of the greatest generals of all time Alexander the Great
nearly
No error
had a
career
One of the greatest generals of all time Alexander the Great
Here the phrase "one of the greatest generals of all time" acts as an introductory phrase for the rest of the sentence. The clause provides a relevant contextual detail, but one that precedes the grammatically essential structure of the sentence, therefore a comma is need between "time" and the rest of the sentence.
The full, correct version of the sentence reads: "One of the greatest generals of all time, Alexander the Great had a nearly perfect military career."
Example Question #254 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I really hated losing to John, the biggest jerk in school but he simply outplayed me. No error
school but
me.
John,
No error
simply
school but
Here, the phrase "the biggest jerk in school" is an interrupting phrase in the sentence. The phrase comes in to give us a description of John's personality, but does not affect the grammatically relevant portion of the sentence, "I really hated losing to john, but he simply outplayed me." "The biggest jerk in school" should therefore be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Also, since the coordinating conjunction "but" is used, a comma is required after "school" in order to prevent a run-on sentence.
The full, correct version of the sentence reads: "I really hated losing to John, the biggest jerk in school, but he simply outplayed me."
Example Question #255 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Acting one of the most challenging art forms, is my passion. No error
passion.
no error
Acting one
most challenging
forms
Acting one
"One of the most challenging art forms," is here used as an interrupting phrase. It should therefore be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. The author's opinion that acting is "one of the most challenging art forms" is descriptive, but not grammatically relevant to the fundamental subject-verb relationship of this sentence. The sentence could read: "Acting is my passion."
The full, correct version of this sentence reads, "Acting, one of the most challenging art forms, is my passion."
Example Question #256 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Cheese, my favorite food is the main reason I can never become a vegan. No error
food is
can
No error
main reason
Cheese, my
food is
Here, the phrase "my favorite food" is being used as an interrupting phrase, therefore it must be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas. "Cheese," the subject of the sentence, must be connected to the primary verb "is," so the interrupting phrase must be enclosed with commas, one on either end.
The full, correct version of the sentence reads: "Cheese, my favorite food, is the main reason I can never become a vegan."
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