The little red writing book - Brandon Royal 2007
30 all-star grammar problems
Grammar
Subject-Verb Agreement:
1. Vacation
Neither Martha or her sisters are going on vacation.
A) Neither Martha or her sisters are going on vacation.
B) Neither Martha or her sisters is going on vacation.
C) Neither any of her sisters nor Martha are going on vacation.
D) Neither Martha nor her sisters are going on vacation.
E) Neither Martha nor her sisters is going on vacation.
See solution
2. Leader
The activities of our current leader have led to a significant increase in the number of issues relating to the role of the military in non-military, nation-building exercises.
A) have led to a significant increase in the number of issues relating to the role of the military in non-military, nation-building exercises.
B) have been significant in the increase in the amount of issues relating to the role of the military in non-military, nation-building exercises.
C) has led to a significant increase in the number of issues relating to the role of the military in non-military, nation-building exercises.
D) has been significant in the increase in the number of issues relating to the role of the military in non-military, nation-building exercises.
E) has significantly increased the amount of issues relating to the role of the military in non-military, nation-building exercises.
See solution
3. Marsupial
According to scientists at the University of California, the pattern of changes that have occurred in placental DNA over the millennia indicate the possibility that every marsupial alive today might be descended from a single female ancestor that lived in Africa sometime between 125 and 150 million years ago.
A) indicate the possibility that every marsupial alive today might be descended from a single female ancestor that
B) indicate that every marsupial alive today might possibly be a descendant of a single female ancestor that had
C) may indicate that every marsupial alive today has descended from a single female ancestor that had
D) indicates that every marsupial alive today might be a descendant of a single female ancestor that
E) indicates that every marsupial alive today may be a descendant from a single female ancestor that
See solution
4. Critics’ Choice
In this critically acclaimed film, there are a well-developed plot and an excellent cast of characters.
A) In this critically acclaimed film, there are a well-developed plot and an excellent cast of characters.
B) In this critically acclaimed film, there is a well-developed plot and an excellent cast of characters.
C) In this film, which is critically acclaimed, there is a well-developed plot and an excellent cast of characters.
D) In this film, which has been critically acclaimed, there are a well-developed plot and an excellent cast of characters.
E) There is a well-developed plot and an excellent cast of characters in this critically acclaimed film.
See solution
5. Recommendations
Implementing the consultants’ recommendations is expected to result in both increased productivity and decreased costs.
A) Implementing the consultants’ recommendations is expected to result in
B) Implementing the consultants’ recommendations are expected to result in
C) The expected result of enacting the consultants’ recommendations are
D) The expected results of enacting the consultants’ recommendations is
E) It is expected that enactment of the consultants’ recommendations are to result in
See solution
Pronoun Usage:
6. Valuation
Financial formulas for valuing companies do not apply to Internet companies in the same way as they do to traditional businesses, because they are growing and seldom have ascertainable sales and cash flows.
A) Financial formulas for valuing companies do not apply to Internet companies in the same way as they do to traditional businesses, because they are growing and seldom have ascertainable sales and cash flows.
B) Internet companies are not subject to the same applicability of financial formulas for valuing these companies as compared with traditional businesses, because they are growing and seldom have ascertainable sales and cash flows.
C) Because they are growing and seldom have ascertainable sales and cash flows, financial formulas for valuing companies do not apply to Internet companies in the same way as they do to traditional businesses.
D) Because they are growing and seldom have ascertainable sales and cash flows, Internet companies are not subject to the same applicability of financial valuation formulas as are traditional businesses.
E) Because Internet companies are growing and seldom have ascertainable sales and cash flows, financial formulas for valuing these companies do not apply to them in the same way as to traditional businesses.
See solution
7. Inland Taipan
The Inland Taipan or Fierce Snake of central Australia is widely regarded to be the world’s most venomous snake; the poison from its bite can kill human victims unless treated within thirty minutes of an incident.
A) regarded to be the world’s most venomous snake; the poison from its bite can kill human victims unless treated
B) regarded as the world’s most venomous snake; the poison from its bite can kill human victims unless treated
C) regarded to be the world’s most venomous snake; the poison from its bite can kill human victims unless it is treated
D) regarded as the world’s most venomous snake; the poison from its bite can kill human victims unless they are treated
E) regarded to be the world’s most venomous snake; the poison from its bite can kill human victims unless they are treated
See solution
8. Medicare
Although Medicare legislation is being considered by the House of Representatives, they do not expect it to pass without being significantly revised.
A) Although Medicare legislation is being considered by the House of Representatives, they do not expect it to pass without being significantly revised.
B) Although the House of Representatives is considering Medicare legislation, they do not expect it to pass without significant revision.
C) Although the House of Representatives is considering Medicare legislation, it is not expected to pass without being significantly revised.
D) If it is to be passed, the House of Representatives must significantly revise Medicare legislation.
E) Consideration and significant revision is expected if Medicare legislation is to be passed by the House of Representatives.
See solution
9. Oceans
One cannot gauge the immensity of the world’s oceans until you have tried to sail around the world.
A) One cannot gauge the immensity of the world’s oceans until you have tried to sail around the world.
B) One cannot gauge the immensity of the world’s oceans until they have tried to sail around the world.
C) One cannot gauge the immensity of the world’s oceans until he or she has tried to sail around the world.
D) A person cannot gauge the immensity of the world’s oceans until you have tried to sail around the world.
E) A person cannot gauge the immensity of the world’s oceans until they have tried to sail around the world.
See solution
Modification:
10. Metal Detector
Using a metal detector, old coins and other valuables can be located by hobbyists even though they are buried in the sand and dirt.
A) Using a metal detector, old coins and other valuables can be located by hobbyists even though they are buried in the sand and dirt.
B) Old coins and other valuables can be located by hobbyists using a metal detector even though they are buried in the sand and dirt.
C) Using a metal detector, hobbyists can locate old coins and other valuables even though they are buried in the sand and dirt.
D) Buried in the sand and dirt, old coins and other valuables can be located by hobbyists using a metal detector.
E) A metal detector can be used to locate old coins and other valuables that are buried in the sand and dirt by a hobbyist.
See solution
11. Hungary
With less than one percent of the world’s population, Hungarians have made disproportionately large contributions to the fields of modern math and applied science.
A) With
B) Having
C) Despite having
D) Although constituting
E) In addition to accounting for
See solution
12. Natural Beauty
Plastic surgeons who perform surgery for non-medical reasons defend their practice on the basis of the free rights of their patients; many others in the health field, however, contend that plastic surgery degrades natural beauty, which they liken to reconstructing a national park.
A) which they liken to reconstructing a national park.
B) which they liken to a national park with reconstruction done to it.
C) which they liken to reconstruction done on a national park.
D) likening it to a national park with reconstruction done to it.
E) likening it to reconstructing a national park.
See solution
Parallelism:
13. Cannelloni
Cannelloni has and always will be my favorite Italian dish.
A) Cannelloni has and always will be my favorite Italian dish.
B) Cannelloni was, has, and always will be my favorite Italian dish.
C) Cannelloni was and always will be my favorite Italian dish.
D) Cannelloni has been and always will be my favorite Italian dish.
E) Cannelloni is, has, and always will be my favorite Italian dish.
See solution
14. Massage
Message creates a relaxing, therapeutic, and rejuvenating experience both for your body and your well-being.
A) both for your body and your well-being.
B) for both your body and your well-being.
C) both for your body and well-being.
D) for both your body and well-being.
E) both for your body as well as your well-being.
See solution
15. Europeans
Italy is famous for its composers and musicians, France, for its chefs and philosophers, and Poland, for its mathematicians and logicians.
A) Italy is famous for its composers and musicians, France, for its chefs and philosophers, and Poland, for its mathematicians and logicians.
B) Italy is famous for its composers and musicians, France for its chefs and philosophers, Poland for its mathematicians and logicians.
C) Italy is famous for its composers and musicians. France for its chefs and philosophers. Poland for its mathematicians and logicians.
D) Italy is famous for their composers and musicians; France, for their chefs and philosophers; Poland for their mathematicians and logicians.
E) Italy, France, and Poland are famous for their composers and musicians, chefs and philosophers, and mathematicians and logicians.
See solution
Comparisons:
16. Sweater
Although neither sweater is really the right size, the smallest one fits best.
A) the smallest one fits best.
B) the smallest one fits better.
C) the smallest one is better fitting.
D) the smaller of the two fits best.
E) the smaller one fits better.
See solution
17. Sir Isaac Newton
Within the scientific community, the accomplishments of Sir Isaac Newton are referred to more often than any scientist, living or dead.
A) than any
B) than any other
C) than those of any
D) than are those of any
E) than those of any other
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18. Soya
In addition to having more protein than meat does, the protein in soybeans is higher in quality than that in meat.
A) the protein in soybeans is higher in quality than that in meat.
B) the protein in soybeans is higher in quality than it is in meat.
C) Soybeans have protein of higher quality than that in meat.
D) Soybean protein is higher in quality than it is in meat.
E) Soybeans have protein higher in quality than meat.
See solution
19. Angel
She sings like an angel sings.
A) She sings like an angel sings.
B) She sings like an angel does.
C) She sings as an angel sings.
D) She sings as if an angel.
E) She sings as if like an angel.
See solution
20. Perceptions
Because right-brained individuals do not employ convergent thinking processes, like left-brained individuals, they may not notice and remember the same level of detail as their counterparts.
A) like left-brained individuals,
B) unlike a left-brained individual,
C) as left-brained individuals,
D) as left-brained individuals do,
E) as a left-brained individual can,
See solution
21. Geography
Despite the fact that the United States is a superpower, American high school students perform more poorly on tests of world geography and international affairs than do their Canadian counterparts.
A) American high school students perform more poorly on tests of world geography and international affairs than do
B) American high school students perform more poorly on tests of world geography and international affairs as compared with
C) American high school students perform more poorly on tests of world geography and international affairs as compared to
D) the American high school student performs more poorly on tests of world geography and international affairs than does
E) the American high school student performs more poorly on tests of world geography and international affairs as compared with
See solution
22. Assemblée Nationale
As Parliament is the legislative government body of Great Britain, the Assemblée Nationale is the legislative government body of France.
A) As Parliament is the legislative government body of Great Britain,
B) As the legislative government body of Great Britain is Parliament,
C) Just like the legislative government body of Great Britain, which is Parliament,
D) Just as Parliament is the legislative government body of Great Britain, so
E) Just as the government of Britain’s legislative branch is Parliament,
See solution
23. Bear
Like the Alaskan brown bear and most other members of the bear family, the diet of the grizzly bear consists of both meat and vegetation.
A) Like the Alaskan brown bear and most other members of the bear family, the diet of the grizzly bear consists
B) Like those of the Alaskan brown bear and most other members of the bear family, the diets of a grizzly bear consist
C) Like the Alaskan brown bear and most other members of the bear family, the grizzly bear has a diet consisting
D) Just like the diet of the Alaskan brown bear and most other members of the bear family, the diets of the grizzly bear consist
E) Similar to the diets of the Alaskan brown bear and most other members of the bear family, grizzly bears have a diet which consists
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24. Smarts
Unlike the Miller Analogies Test, which follows a standardized format, the formats for IQ tests vary considerably in both content and length.
A) the formats for IQ tests vary considerably in both content and length.
B) the format for an IQ test varies considerably in both content and length.
C) an IQ test follows a format that varies considerably in both content and length.
D) an IQ test follows formats that vary considerably in both content and length.
E) IQ tests follow formats that vary considerably in both content and length.
See solution
Verb Tenses:
25. Golden Years
According to the findings of a recent study, many executives had elected early retirement rather than face the threats of job cuts and diminishing retirement benefits.
A) had elected early retirement rather than face
B) had elected to retire early rather than face
C) have elected early retirement instead of facing
D) have elected early retirement rather than facing
E) have elected to retire early rather than face
See solution
26. Politics
Although he disapproved of the political platform set forth by Senator Barack Obama during the 2008 U.S. presidential primaries, Senator John McCain had later conceded that there must be a basis for a coalition government and urged members of both parties to seek compromise.
A) disapproved of the political platform set forth by Senator Barack Obama during the 2008 U.S. presidential primaries, Senator John McCain had later conceded
B) has disapproved of the political platform set forth by Senator Barack Obama during the 2008 U.S. presidential primaries, Senator John McCain had later conceded
C) has disapproved of the political platform set forth by Senator Barack Obama during the 2008 U.S. presidential primaries, Senator John McCain later conceded
D) had disapproved of the political platform set forth by Senator Barack Obama during the 2008 U.S. presidential primaries, Senator John McCain later conceded
E) had disapproved of the political platform set forth by Senator Barack Obama during the 2008 U.S. presidential primaries, Senator John McCain had later conceded
See solution
27. Trend
The percentage of people remaining single in Holland increased abruptly between 1980 and 1990 and continued to rise more gradually over the next 10 years.
A) The percentage of people remaining single in Holland increased abruptly between 1980 and 1990 and continued to rise more gradually over the next ten years.
B) The percentage of people remaining single in Holland increased abruptly between 1980 and 1990 and has continued to rise more gradually over the next ten years.
C) The percentage of people remaining single in Holland increased abruptly between 1980 and 1990 and had continued to rise more gradually over the next ten years.
D) There had been an abrupt increase in the percentage of people remaining single in Holland between 1980 and 1990 and it continued to rise more gradually over the next ten years.
E) There was an abrupt increase in the percentage of people remaining single in Holland between 1980 and 1990 which continued to rise more gradually over the next ten years.
See solution
28. Fire
Most houses that were destroyed and heavily damaged in residential fires last year were built without adequate fire detection apparatus.
A) Most houses that were destroyed and heavily damaged in residential fires last year were
B) Most houses that were destroyed or heavily damaged in residential fires last year had been
C) Most houses that were destroyed and heavily damaged in residential fires last year had been
D) Most houses that were destroyed or heavily damaged in residential fires last year have been
E) Most houses that were destroyed and heavily damaged in residential fires last year have been
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29. B-School
As graduate management programs become more competitive in the coming years in terms of their promotional and financial undertakings, schools have been becoming more and more dependent on alumni networks, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropists.
A) As graduate management programs become more competitive in the coming years in terms of their promotional and financial undertakings, schools have been becoming
B) As graduate management programs are becoming more competitive in the coming years in terms of their promotional and financial undertakings, schools have been becoming
C) As graduate management programs become more competitive in the coming years in terms of their promotional and financial undertakings, schools have become
D) As graduate management programs are becoming more competitive in the coming years in terms of their promotional and financial undertakings, schools have become
E) As graduate management programs become more competitive in the coming years in terms of their promotional and financial undertakings, schools will become
See solution
30. Summer in Europe
By the time we have reached France, we will have been backpacking for twelve weeks.
A) By the time we have reached France, we will have been backpacking for twelve weeks.
B) By the time we have reached France, we will have backpacked for twelve weeks.
C) By the time we reach France, we will have been backpacking for twelve weeks.
D) By the time we will have reached France, we will have backpacked for twelve weeks.
E) By the time we reached France, we will have been backpacking for twelve weeks.
See solution
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
1. Vacation
Choice D
Classification: Subject-Verb Agreement
Skill Rating: Easy
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the handling of correlative conjunctions, namely “either/or” and “neither/nor,” which may involve the use of a singular or plural verb.
The consistent appearance of “neither” (in answer choices A through E) indicates a “neither … nor” relationship. We can eliminate choices A and B outright. The correct verb should match the noun that comes after the word “nor.” Since “her sisters” in D is plural, the plural verb “are” does the trick.
In summary, singular subjects following “or” or “nor” always take a singular verb; plural subjects following “or” or “nor” take a plural verb. Stated another way, when two items are connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the closer subject. That is, the verb needs only to agree with the subject that comes after “or” or “nor.”
There are two potentially correct answers:
Neither Martha nor her sisters are going on vacation.
or
Neither her sisters nor Martha is going on vacation.
Note that only the first alternative above is presented by answer choice D.
Back to problem
2. Leader
Choice A
Classification: Subject-Verb Agreement
Skill Rating: Easy
Snapshot: This problem is included to show subject-verb agreement and to highlight the role of prepositional phrases in disguising the subject and verb.
The subject of a sentence determines the verb (i.e., singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs) and the subject of this sentence is “activities” (plural). The intervening phrase “of our current leader” is a prepositional phrase, and prepositional phrases can never contain the subject of a sentence. Mentally cut out this phrase. Since the subject is “activities,” the verb is “have,” not “has.” Another distinction that needs to be drawn relates to the difference between “number” and “amount.” The word “number” is used for countable items and “amount” for non-countable items. Therefore, we have no problem choosing choice A as the correct answer after applying only two rules — the first is a subject-verb agreement rule followed by the “number” versus “amount” diction distinction. Also, per choices B and D, the clause “has/have been significant in the increase” is not only awkward but also passive.
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3. Marsupial
Choice D
Classification: Subject-Verb Agreement
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This follow-up problem is also included to highlight the role of prepositional phrases within subject-verb agreement.
The subject of the sentence is “pattern,” which is singular, and a singular subject takes the singular verb “indicates.” An additional way to eliminate choices A and B is through the redundant use of the words “might” and “possibility” which express the same idea; either “possibility” or “might” is required. Also, the use of “might” in choice D is better than “may” (choice E) because “might” more clearly indicates “possibility” than does “may.” "Might" is also the correct choice when referring to past events. In choosing between choices D and E, the idiom “descendant of” is superior to the unidiomatic “descendant from.” Finally, note that in choices B and C, “had,” the auxiliary of “lived,” should be deleted because the simple past tense is correct. The past perfect, which employs “had,” is not required; the past perfect tense is used to refer to an action that precedes some other action also occurring in the past.
Note: This problem complements the previous one. The former problem contained a plural subject (“activities”) and a single item in the prepositional phrase (“current leader”). This problem contains a singular subject (“pattern”) and a plural item in the prepositional phrase (“changes”).
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4. Critics’ Choice
Choice A
Classification: Subject-Verb Agreement
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight “there is/there are” constructions in which the subject of the sentence comes after, not before the verb.
The compound subject is plural — “well-developed plot and an excellent cast of characters” — and, therefore, requires the plural verb “are.” Choices B, C, and E are out because of the incorrect verb “is.” Choices C and D employ roundabout constructions that are inferior to “In this critically acclaimed film.” Choice D also employs the passive construction “which has been critically acclaimed.” Choice E rearranges the sentence, but still incorrectly employs the singular verb “is.”
Back to problem
5. Recommendations
Choice A
Classification: Subject-Verb Agreement
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight gerund phrases, which, when acting as the subject of a sentence, are always singular.
The gerund phrase “Implementing the consultants’ recommendations” is the subject of the sentence. As gerund phrases are always singular, the correct verb here is “is.” In choice C, “expected result” requires the verb “is,” whereas in choice D, “expected results” requires the verb “are.” In choice E, the “it is” construction creates an unnecessarily weak opener and an awkward sentence style.
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6. Valuation
Choice E
Classification: Pronoun Usage
Skill Rating: Difficult
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight ambiguity arising from the use of personal pronouns, and seeks to clear up such ambiguity, not by replacing pronouns, but by rearranging the sentence itself. Part of the reason it garners a high difficulty rating is because the problem is long, and somewhat more difficult to read and analyze.
Choices A and B use the word “they” to refer to traditional businesses; this is illogical because traditional businesses are not growing, Internet companies are. Remember that a pronoun modifies the closest noun that precedes it. The structure in choice C makes it seem as if “financial formulas” are growing, and this, of course, is farcical.
Choices A and C use the awkward clause “do not apply to X in the same way as they do to Y.” A more succinct rendition is found in choice E — “do not apply to X in the same way as to Y.” In choices A, C, and E, the verb “apply” is more powerful and, therefore, superior to the noun form “applicability,” which appears in choices B and D.
Note: Beware of the high school “tall tale” that suggests you shouldn’t begin a sentence with the word “because.” If you learned this as a rule, forget it. According to the conventions of Standard Written English (SWE) — which, incidentally, this book abides by — the word “because” functions as a subordinating conjunction. Its use is effectively identical to that of “as” or “since,” and we can think of these three words as substitutes. In short, there’s actually no rule of grammar or style preventing us from beginning a sentence with the word “because.”
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7. Inland Taipan
Choice D
Classification: Pronoun Usage
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the occasional need to add pronouns in order to remove ambiguity.
This form of ambiguous reference is subtle. The original sentence is missing “they,” and without the pronoun, they, the word “treated” might refer to “poison” or “victims”; “treated” is only supposed to refer to “victims.” In choice C, the pronoun “it” logically but incorrectly refers to “bite.” Technically it is not the bite that needs to be treated but the actual victims. Choices A, C, and E erroneously employ the idiom “regarded to be” when the correct idiom is “regarded as.”
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8. Medicare
Choice C
Classification: Pronoun
Skill Rating: Easy
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the need to choose the correct pronoun — "it" — when referring to a collective singular noun or single inanimate object.
Choices A and B are incorrect because the pronoun “they” cannot refer to the House of Representatives. Not only is the House of Representatives a collective singular noun, but it is also an inanimate object; therefore, the proper pronoun choice is “it.”
Choice D improperly employs the pronoun “it,” which incorrectly refers to the House of Representatives rather than to Medicare legislation. Choice E may be the most passive of these sentences, in which the doer of the action, the House of Representatives, is now at the very back of the sentence.
In choice C, the pronoun “it” correctly refers to Medicare legislation. The subordinate clause “although the House of Representatives is considering Medicare legislation” is written in the active voice. The latter part of the sentence is written in the passive voice “without being significantly revised,” and we have to be willing to accept this wording; it's the best of the remaining choices. For the record, two alternative wordings for the latter part of the sentence might include: "it is not expected to pass unless it is significantly revised" (active voice but employs two uses of the pronoun “it”) and "it is not expected to pass without significant revision" (active voice but employs the nominalized “revision”).
Note: In general, the five most common signals of the passive voice include: “be,” “was,” “were,” “been,” and “being.” In addition, the preposition “by” is also closely associated with the passive voice: e.g., “The ball was caught by the outfielder.”
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9. Oceans
Choice C
Classification: Pronoun Usage
Skill Rating: Easy
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight an improper shift in voice, also known as a shift in point of view.
In choice A, the third-person singular pronoun “one” is improperly matched with the second-person pronoun “you.” In choice B, the third-person singular “one” is improperly matched with the third-person plural “they.” Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person. The problem highlighted here is not that of agreement with respect to person, but number. In choice C, the third-person singular “one” is properly matched with third-person singular “he” or “she.” Per choice D, the third-person singular noun “a person” is improperly matched with the second person “you.” Per choice E, the third-person singular noun “a person” is improperly matched with the third-person plural pronoun “they.” Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person. The problem here is not agreement with respect to person, but number.
Note: The following summarizes the do’s and don’ts with respect to pronoun usage in terms of person and number:
1) "You" can only be matched with "you."
Only “you” goes with “you.” After all, there is only one second-person pronoun — you.
2) "He," "she," "one," or "a person" can be matched with any one of "he," "she," "one," or "a person."
Any third-person singular pronoun (e.g., "he," "she," "one") or third-person singular noun (e.g., "a person") can be matched with another third-person pronoun or noun (notwithstanding that gender should match as well).
3) "You" cannot be matched with "he," "she," "one," or "a person."
The second person pronoun “you” does not match any third-person pronoun or noun.
4) "They" cannot be matched with "he," "she," "one," or "a person."
The third-person plural pronoun “they” does not match properly any third-person singular pronoun or noun. Note also that “a person” is a noun, not a pronoun.
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10. Metal Detector
Choice C
Classification: Modification
Skill Rating: Easy
Snapshot: This problem is included to illustrate misplaced modifiers. In particular, an introductory modifying phrase (a phrase that begins the sentence) always modifies the first noun or pronoun that follows it (and which itself is in the subjective case). The general rule is that "modifying words or phrases should be kept close to the word(s) that they modify."
The only answer choice that is written in the active voice is choice C. The other four answer choices are written in the passive voice (the word “be” signals the passive voice). In choice A, coins and other valuables cannot use a metal detector; we must look for a person to act as the doer of the action. Choice E changes the meaning of the sentence, suggesting that the hobbyists bury the coins themselves. Whereas choices A and E are incorrect, choices B, C, and D are each grammatically correct. Choice C is the winner because, all things being equal, the active voice is deemed superior to the passive voice. This is a rule of style rather than grammar. Style is more or less effective, better or worse. Grammar is correct or incorrect, right or wrong.
Note: Modification may involve the replacement of individual qualifying words, such as almost, only, just, even, hardly, nearly, not, and merely. Ideally, these words should be placed immediately before or after the words they modify, lest they cause confusion.
In the memorable example below, consider how the placement of the word “only” changes the meaning of a single sentence.
Original: Life exists on earth.
Let’s add the word “only” and vary its placement:
Example 1: Only life exists on earth.
The meaning is that life is the sole occupier of earth. However, we know that there are things besides life that exist on earth, including inanimate objects like rocks.
Example 2: Life only exists on earth.
The meaning is that life merely exists on earth and doesn’t do anything else.
Example 3: Life exists only on earth.
This is likely the intended meaning. The word “only” is appropriately placed in front of the word phrase it modifies — on earth.
Example 4: Life exists on only earth.
The meaning here is the same as above but slightly more dramatic. The implication is that life’s sole domain is earth, and we’re proud of it.
Example 5: Life exists on earth only.
The meaning is also the same as example 3, but with a flair for the dramatic. The implication may be that life is found only on earth, and isn’t that a shame.
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11. Hungary
Choice D
Classification: Modification
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight a modification subtlety which necessitates the use of “account for” or “constitute.”
Technically speaking, Hungarians don’t have less than one percent of the world’s population; they “account for” or “constitute” less than one percent of the world’s population. This latter option is represented in choice D. The logic of choice E makes it incorrect. The transition words “in addition” are illogical because the sentence construction requires contrast, and the word “although” is consistent in this respect. For the record, another correct answer would have included: “Although accounting for less than one percent of the world’s population, Hungarians have made disproportionately large contributions to the fields of modern math and applied sciences.”
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12. Natural Beauty
Choice E
Classification: Modification
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight another type of modification problem, known as “back sentence modification,” because the phrase or clause set off by a comma occurs at the end of the sentence, not the beginning.
The final answer proves best — correct, logical, and succinct — in comparing plastic surgery to the act of reconstructing a national park. In short, the patient is being compared to a national park while the act of plastic surgery is being likened to the act of reconstructing a national park. The word “likening” functions as a participle; it introduces the participle phrase “likening it to reconstructing a national park.” This phrase properly refers to “surgery,” not “natural beauty.”
In choices A, B, and C, the relative pronoun “which” refers, not to plastic surgery, but to the noun immediately preceding it, “(natural) beauty.” As a result, natural beauty is compared to “reconstructing a national park” (choice A), to “a national park” (choice B), and to “reconstruction” (choice C). Choice D corrects this problem by eliminating the “which” construction and supplying the pronoun “it,” thus referring clearly to “plastic surgery,” but it illogically compares “plastic surgery” to “a national park.” Moreover, the double use of “it” is awkward.
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13. Cannelloni
Choice D
Classification: Parallelism
Skill Rating: Easy
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the use of parallelism as it relates to ellipsis (acceptable omission of words within a given sentence).
To test choice D, simply complete each component idea, making sure each makes sense. “Cannelloni has been my favorite dish … Cannelloni always will be my favorite dish.” Now check this against the original: “Cannelloni was my favorite dish (doesn’t work) … Cannelloni always will be my favorite dish.” Choice E suffers the same fate as choices A and B, erroneously omitting has been. Choices B and C are muddled; the word “was” illogically suggests that Cannelloni was once a favorite dish, but no longer is.
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14. Massage
Choice B
Classification: Parallelism
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the use of parallelism when using correlative conjunctions.
There are four common correlative conjunctions in English. These include "either … or," "neither … nor," "not only … but also," and "both … and." The purpose of correlative conjunctions is to join ideas of equal weight. Therefore, things on both sides of each connector should be parallel in form and equal in weight.
The word pairing “both … as well as” is unidiomatic, so choice E can be eliminated. Here the correlative conjunction is “both … and,” and the words that follow “both” and “and” must be parallel in structure. In choice B, the correct answer, the words “your body” follow “both” while the words “your well-being” follow “and”; this creates perfect parallelism. Choices C and D are not parallel. For the record, there are effectively two possibilities:
Massage creates a relaxing, therapeutic, and rejuvenating experience for both your body and your well-being.
or
Massage creates a relaxing, therapeutic, and rejuvenating experience both for your body and for your well-being.
Here’s another example:
Incorrect: Sheila both likes to act and to sing.
Correct: Sheila likes both to act and to sing.
or
Correct: Sheila both likes to act and likes to sing.
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15. Europeans
Choice A
Classification: Parallelism
Skill Rating: Difficult
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the use of parallelism with regard to ellipsis, and to review semicolons, omission commas, sentence run-ons, and sentence fragments.
In choice A, the comma placed immediately after “France” and “Poland” is an omission comma — it takes the place of the missing words “is famous.” See also Editing II — Punctuation Highlights. Choice B provides an example of a run-on sentence. There must be an “and” preceding the word “Poland.” As it stands, it is three sentences joined together by commas.
Choice C contains two sentence fragments: “France for its chefs and philosophers” and “Poland for its mathematicians and logicians.” These phrases cannot stand on their own as complete sentences. Choice D improperly uses the pronoun “their,” when what is called for is the pronoun “its.” Moreover, we would need to have commas after both the words “France” and “Poland” in order to validate this choice; alternatively, we could omit commas after France and Poland. According to the rules of ellipsis, words can be omitted within a sentence if they’re a readily understood in context.
Choice E changes the meaning of the original sentence (that’s a no-no). There’s little doubt that France and Poland have composers, musicians, chefs, philosophers, mathematicians, and logicians, but the focus is on what each country is specifically famous for.
In summary, there are four possible correct answers.
Correct: Italy is famous for its composers and musicians, France is famous for its chefs and philosophers, and Poland is famous for its mathematicians and logicians.
(The previous version repeats three times the words “is famous.”)
Correct: Italy is famous for its composers and musicians, France, for its chefs and philosophers, and Poland, for its mathematicians and logicians.
(The above is the correct rendition per choice A. The comma after “France” and “Poland” is effectively taking the place of the words “is famous.”)
Correct: Italy is famous for its composers and musicians, France for its chefs and philosophers, and Poland for its mathematicians and logicians.
(The above version is likely the most subtle. The rules of ellipsis allow us to omit words that are readily understood within the context of any sentence. The words “is famous” are readily understood. This version is almost identical to choice B, except that it correctly inserts the word “and,” a coordinating conjunction, before Poland.)
Correct: Italy is famous for its composers and musicians; France, for its chefs and philosophers; Poland, for its mathematicians and logicians.
(The above version uses semicolons along with commas. Note that the final “and” before Poland is optional. Unlike choice D, this choice correctly inserts a comma after “France” and “Poland” and replaces the pronoun “their” with “its.”)
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16. Sweater
Choice E
Classification: Comparisons
Skill Rating: Easy
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the handling of the comparative and superlative adjective forms.
The words “neither one” indicate that we are dealing with two sweaters. When comparing two things, we use the comparative form of the adjective, not the superlative. Thus, the correct choice is “better,” not “best,” and “smaller,” not “smallest.” “Better” and “smaller” (comparatives) are used when comparing exactly two things; “best” and “smallest” (superlatives) are used when comparing three or more things.
Note: When two things are being compared, the comparative form of the adjective (or adverb) is used. The comparative is formed in one of two ways: (1) adding “er” to the adjective (for adjectives containing one syllable), or (2) placing “more” before the adjective (especially for adjectives with more than two syllables). Use one of the above methods, but never both: “Jeremy is wiser (or more wise) than we know,” but never “Jeremy is more wiser than we know.”
Some modifiers require internal changes in the words themselves. A few of these irregular comparisons are presented in the following chart:
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17. Sir Isaac Newton
Choice E
Classification: Comparisons
Skill Rating: Easy
Snapshot: This solution to this problem pivots on the use of the demonstrative pronoun “those.”
The words “those” and “other” must show up in the correct answer. First, without the word “other,” choices A, C, and D illogically compare Sir Isaac Newton to all scientists, living or dead, even though Sir Isaac Newton is one of those scientists. Second, without the word “those,” choices A and B illogically compare “the accomplishments of Sir Isaac Newton” to “other scientists.” Obviously, we must compare “the accomplishments of Sir Isaac Newton” to “the accomplishments of other scientists.” In choices C, D, and E, the word “those” exists to substitute for the phrase “the accomplishments.”
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18. Soya
Choice C
Classification: Comparisons
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem highlights the use of the demonstrative pronoun “that.”
Here, we must correctly compare “the protein in meat” to “the protein in soybeans.” The demonstrative pronoun “that” is very important because it substitutes for the words “the protein.” Choice C creates a sentence which effectively reads: “In addition to having more protein than meat does, the protein in soybeans is higher in quality than the protein in meat.”
Choices A and B are out because the word “meat” must come after the opening phrase “in addition to having more protein than meat does.” Choice D correctly employs “soybeans,” but incorrectly uses “it” to make a comparison. The word “it” cannot stand for “the protein.” Choice E incorrectly compares soybean protein to meat.
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19. Angel
Choice C
Classification: Comparisons
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight proper comparisons involving “like” versus “as.”
The basic difference between “like” and “as” is that “like” is used for phrases, and “as” is used for clauses. A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a verb; a clause is a group of words that does contain a verb. Choices D and E ungrammatically employ “as” in phrases, in addition to being awkwardly constructed.
There are three potentially correct versions:
1) She sings like an angel.
“Like an angel” is a phrase (there is no verb), so “like” is the correct choice.
2) She sings as an angel sings.
“As an angel sings” is a clause (contains the verb “sings”), so “as” is the correct choice.
3) She sings as an angel does.
“As an angel does” is a clause (contains the verb “does”), so “as” is the correct choice.
Note: Advertising is an arena where violations in English grammar may be turned to advantage. The American cigarette company Winston once adopted the infectious advertising slogan: “Winston tastes good like a cigarette should.” The ungrammatical and somehow proactive use of “like” instead of “as” created a minor sensation, helping to propel the brand to the top of the domestic cigarette market. A more recent advertising campaign by DHL in Asia also contains a grammatical violation: “No one knows Asia like we do.” The correct version should read: “No one knows Asia as we do.”
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20. Perceptions
Choice D
Classification: Comparisons
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the comparative idiom “as … do”/“as … does.”
The problem pivots on the “like/as” distinction. The intended comparison is between the convergent thinking processes of right-brain individuals and the convergent thinking processes of left-brain individuals. We cannot compare the convergent thinking processes of right-brain individuals directly to left-brain individuals (per answer choices A and B). The verb “do” is needed in order to substitute for the ability of left-brain individuals to employ convergent thinking processes.
Choices C, D, and E use the correct connector, “as,” which is used with clauses, while choices C and E use “like” or “unlike,” which is used with phrases. Choices B and E use the singular “individual” rather than the plural “individuals.” Either of the following would be better:
Correct: Unlike left-brained individuals, right-brained individuals often do not employ their attention or perceptions systematically, and they may not notice and remember the same level of detail as their left-brained counterparts do.
Correct: Right-brained individuals often do not employ their attention or perceptions systematically, and, unlike left-brained individuals, right-brain individuals may not notice and remember the same level of detail as their left-brained counterparts do.
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21. Geography
Choice A
Classification: Comparisons
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the correct use of the “more … than” idiom, used in comparing two things.
Make an initial note that we should ideally be comparing American high school students with Canadian high school students (plural with plural) because the non-underlined part of the sentence contains the words “counterparts.” Be suspicious of any of the answer choices which begin with “the American high school student.” Verify also that in all cases verbs are correct. “Do” is a plural verb that matches the plural phrase “Canadian counterparts”; “does” is a singular verb that would be used to match the singular phrase “Canadian counterpart.”
The last piece of the puzzle is to eliminate the non-standard comparative constructions, namely “more … compared to” as well as “more … compared with.” The correct idiom is “more … than” or “less … than.” Thus, choices B, C, and E cannot be correct. See a list of the 200 Common Grammatical Idioms.
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22. Assemblée Nationale
Choice D
Classification: Comparisons
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the comparative idiom “Just as … so (too).” Note that the brackets indicate the optional use of the word “too.”
In choices A and B, the use of “as” is incorrect. “As” functions as a subordinating conjunction, and this means that the reader expects a logical connection between the fact that Britain has a Parliament and France has the Assemblée Nationale. Try substituting the subordinating conjunction “because” in either choices A or B and the illogical relationship becomes more apparent. “Because Parliament is the legislative government body of Great Britain, the Assemblée Nationale is the legislative government body of France.”
The “just as … so (too)” comparative idiom (choice D) can be used to express this type of meaning. “Just as something, so something else.” Choice D provides a standard comparison: The Parliament of Great Britain is being compared to the Assemblée Nationale of France.” In choice E, the comparison is awkward because we end up comparing the Government of Britain’s Parliament with the Assemblée Nationale.
Choice C is awkward and “just like” is used with phrases, not clauses. Clearly we are dealing with a clause.
Note: Savor this classic example:
Correct: Just as birds have wings, so too do fish have fins.
Incorrect: As birds have wings, fish have fins.
Incorrect: As birds have wings, fish, therefore, have fins.
Substituting “because” for “as” above, we can quickly see an illogical relationship. There is no logical connection between a bird’s having wings and a fish’s having fins. In other words, just because a bird has wings doesn’t mean that a fish has to have fins.
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23. Bear
Choice C
Classification: Comparisons
Skill Rating: Difficult
Snapshot: When making comparisons, the most basic rule is to make sure to compare like things. That is, compare apples with apples and oranges with oranges. This is particularly true when distinguishing between the characteristics of one thing to the characteristics of something else. In such cases, we must compare thing to thing, and characteristic to characteristic.
Here we want to compare “bears” with “bears” or “diets of bears” with “diets of bears.” Choice A, the original, compares animals with diets by erroneously comparing the “Alaskan brown bear and most other members” of the bear family to the “diet” of the grizzly bear. Choice B is structurally sound (“those” is a demonstrative pronoun that takes the place of “the diets”), but unidiomatically refers to the “diets” of the grizzly bear. Idiomatic speech would require the use of “diet” to refer to a single bear species and “diets” to refer to more than one species of bear. Choice D uses the repetitious “Just like” (when “like” alone is sufficient), as well as the unidiomatic “diets.” Choice E commits the original error in reverse. Now “diets” of the Alaskan brown bear and most other members of the bear family are being compared directly to “grizzly bears,” instead of to the diet of "grizzly bears."
All of the following provide potentially correct answers:
i) Like the Alaskan brown bear and most other members of the bear family, the grizzly bear has a diet consisting of both meat and vegetation.
ii) Like the Alaskan brown bear and most other members of the bear family, grizzly bears have a diet consisting of both meat and vegetation.
iii) Like the diets of the Alaskan brown bear and most other members of the bear family, the diet of the grizzly bear consists of both meat and vegetation.
iv) Like the diets of the Alaskan brown bear and most other members of the bear family, the diet of grizzly bears consists of both meat and vegetation.
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24. Smarts
Choice E
Classification: Comparisons
Skill Rating: Difficult
Snapshot: This problem is included as an “oddball” to demonstrate that we do not always compare a singular item with a singular item or a plural item with a plural item (e.g., Miller Analogies Test versus IQ tests). In context, a situation may necessitate comparing a singular item with a plural item or vice versa. Here the “apples to apples, oranges to oranges” comparison involves comparing one type of test to another type of test while comparing the format of one such test to the formats of the other type of test.
Choices A and B erroneously compare “the Miller Analogies Test” with “the formats …” We want to compare “one exam” to “another exam,” or “the format of one exam” to the “format of another exam,” or “the formats of some exams” to the “formats of other exams.” Although choice C looks like the winning answer, upon closer examination, we realize that a single format cannot itself vary considerably in terms of content and length. Choice D correctly employs “formats,” but now the problem reverses itself: A single IQ test does not have “formats.” Choice E correctly combines “IQ tests” in the plural with “formats” in the plural.
Here’s a follow-up example in mirror image to the problem at hand:
Incorrect: Unlike Canadian football, which is played on a standardized field, American baseball is played on a field that varies considerably in shape and size.
Correct: Unlike Canadian football, which is played on a standardized field, American baseball is played on fields that vary considerably in shape and size.
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25. Golden Years
Choice E
Classification: Verb Tenses
Skill Rating: Easy
Snapshot: This problem is included to illustrate the difference between the present perfect tense and the past perfect tense. The correct answer employs the present perfect tense.
Only choice E uses the correct tense (present perfect), observes parallelism, and is idiomatic. Because the sentence describes a situation that continues into the present, choices A and B are incorrect in using the past perfect tense (“had elected”). In choice E, the noun forms “to retire” (infi nitive) and “face” are more closely parallel than are the noun forms “retirement” and “facing.” Note also that the dual expressions “x rather than y” and “x instead of y” are, according to Standard Written English, equivalent.
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26. Politics
Choice D
Classification: Verb Tenses
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the past perfect tense and the precise use of the auxiliary “had” in forming this tense.
The original sentence contains two critical past tense verbs: “disapproved” and “conceded.” It also contains the time word “later,” as in “later conceded,” which serves to further clarify the sequence of past events. This problem highlights an important characteristic of the past perfect tense, namely that “had” is used before the first of two past events. In this example, Senator John McCain “disapproved” before he “conceded.” Thus, the auxiliary “had” must be placed before the first (not the second) of the two past events: “had disapproved … later conceded.”
Choice A erroneously proposes a reversal in sequence (“disapproved … had later conceded”), while choice E doubles the use of “had” to create a verbal muddle (“had disapproved … had later conceded”). Both of these choices result in illogical alternatives. Choices B and C incorrectly employ the present perfect tense (“has”) when the past perfect tense (“had”) is what is called for.
Note: Another correct answer would have included the following:
“Although he disapproved of the political platform set forth by Senator Barack Obama during the 2008 U.S. presidential primaries, Senator John McCain later conceded …”
This option is also correct, although it doesn’t use the past perfect tense. It instead uses two past tense verbs, namely “disapproved” and “conceded,” and the temporal word “later.” Because the sequence of tense is clear, the use of the auxiliary “had” is considered optional. Refer to the explanation given for Q75 in Answers to the 100 Question Quiz.
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27. Trend
Choice A
Classification: Verb Tenses
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to illustrate the difference between the past tense versus the past perfect tense and the present perfect tense. The correct answer uses the past tense.
Here, the past tense is all that is needed to refer clearly to the time frame in the past (1980—1990). In choice B, the present perfect tense “has continued” is inconsistent with the timing of an event that took place in the distant past. In choice C, the past perfect tense “had continued” is not required because we are not making a distinction between the sequence of two past tense events.
In choices D and E, the focus switches from a rise in the “percentage of people” to a rise in the “abrupt increase.” This shift in meaning is unwarranted and incorrect. The pronouns “it” (choice D) and “which” (choice E) are ambiguous and could refer to either the “percentage of people” or an “abrupt increase.” Moreover, choices D and E employ the passive constructions “there had been” and “there was”; these are considered weak sentence constructions and are best avoided.
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28. Fire
Choice B
Classification: Verb Tenses
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to highlight the difference between the past perfect tense and the past tense and/or the present perfect tense. The correct answer employs the past perfect tense. This problem also addresses the passive verb construction “had been”/“have been.”
The solution to this problem is conceptually similar to that of the preceding problem. The auxiliary “had” must be used in conjunction with the first of two past tense events. In short, only choice B uses the verb tenses correctly to indicate that houses were built or heavily damaged prior to their being destroyed by fire. Choices A, C, and E illogically state that some houses were both destroyed and heavily damaged; “or” is needed to indicate that each of the houses suffered either one fate or the other. In using only the simple past tense (i.e., the verb tense “were”), choice A fails to indicate that the houses were built before the fires occurred. Choices D and E erroneously employ the present perfect tense, saying in effect that the houses “have been constructed” after they were destroyed or heavily damaged last year.
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29. B-School
Choice E
Classification: Verb Tenses
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem is included to illustrate the difference between the future tense and the present perfect tense (both simple and progressive verb forms). The correct answer uses the future tense.
Since all answer choices contain the words “in the coming years,” we definitely know we are dealing with the future, and choice E complements our search for a future tense. In choices A and B, the tense “have been becoming” (present perfect progressive tense in the passive voice) doesn’t work. In choices C and D, the present perfect tense is also out. The present perfect tense is useful only for events that began in the past and touch the present. Here we need a tense that takes us into the future.
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30. Summer in Europe
Choice C
Classification: Verb Tenses
Skill Rating: Medium
Snapshot: This problem illustrates the correct use of the future perfect tense.
This problem requires the use of the future perfect tense. Choices A and B, by employing the construction “have reached,” offer incorrect versions based on the present perfect tense. Choices D and E create erroneous alternatives by commingling past tense constructions with those in the future tense. Choice D presents an incorrect version which doubles up the present perfect tense “have reached” with the future perfect tense “will have backpacked.”
Choice E mixes the past tense “reached” with the future perfect tense (in the progressive form). For the record, an equally correct answer would have been: “By the time we reached France, we had been backpacking for 12 weeks.” This would represent the correct use of the past perfect tense. Of course, the original sentence clearly indicates that the travelers are looking into the future — they have not yet arrived in France.
The future perfect tense and the past perfect tense are very much opposite in terms of time frame but structurally similar. The following provides two additional ways to distinguish between these two tenses:
Past perfect tense: By the time something happened (second event), something else had already happened (first event).
Future perfect tense: By the time something happens (second event), something else will have already happened (first event).
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