The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation (17 page)
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Authors: Jane Straus,Lester Kaufman,Tom Stern
BOOK: The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation
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W
Y
Chapter 6
Quizzes
Grammar
Pretest
Finding Nouns, Verbs, and Subjects
Quiz 1
Finding Nouns, Verbs, and Subjects
Quiz 2
Subject and Verb Agreement
Quiz 1
Subject and Verb Agreement
Quiz 2
WAIST, WASTE
Waist
: the part of the human body between the ribs and hips.
: the part of the human body between the ribs and hips.
Waste
: garbage (noun); to squander (verb); to spend uselessly (verb).
: garbage (noun); to squander (verb); to spend uselessly (verb).
WAIT, WEIGHT
Wait
: to stay; to be available.
: to stay; to be available.
Weight
: heaviness; significance.
: heaviness; significance.
WAIVER, WAVER
Waiver
: relinquishment of a right.
: relinquishment of a right.
Waver
: to feel indecisive; to swing unsteadily.
: to feel indecisive; to swing unsteadily.
WARN, WORN
Warn
: to notify about trouble.
: to notify about trouble.
Worn
: carried on the body; deteriorated.
: carried on the body; deteriorated.
WARRANTEE, WARRANTY
Warrantee
: a person who is given a written guarantee or a warrant.
: a person who is given a written guarantee or a warrant.
Warranty
: a written guarantee.
: a written guarantee.
WARY, WEARY
Wary
: mistrustful; guarded.
: mistrustful; guarded.
Weary
: exhausted; drained.
: exhausted; drained.
WAY, WEIGH
Way
: a method; a direction; a manner.
: a method; a direction; a manner.
Weigh
: to measure mass; to mull over.
: to measure mass; to mull over.
WAYS TO GO
A ways to go
, meaning “a considerable distance,” is best avoided in formal writing.
, meaning “a considerable distance,” is best avoided in formal writing.
WEAK, WEEK
Weak
: lacking strength.
: lacking strength.
Week
: a period of seven days.
: a period of seven days.
WEATHER, WHETHER
Weather
: climatic conditions (noun); to withstand (verb).
: climatic conditions (noun); to withstand (verb).
Whether
: if; in case.
: if; in case.
WHETHER OR NOT
Often, the
or not
can be dropped, as in
I don't know whether or not you've heard this
.
or not
can be dropped, as in
I don't know whether or not you've heard this
.
WHICH
See
who, which, that
.
who, which, that
.
WHILE, WILE
While
: during.
: during.
Wile
: a ploy to fool, trap, or entice.
: a ploy to fool, trap, or entice.
WHO, WHICH, THAT
Use
who
only when referring to humans. Avoid such usages as
a company who
or
a country who
or
a dog who
. For those,
that
or
which
is correct.
who
only when referring to humans. Avoid such usages as
a company who
or
a country who
or
a dog who
. For those,
that
or
which
is correct.
Contrary to superstition,
that
is perfectly acceptable when applied to people.
The Man That Got Away
and
The Girl That I Marry
, two hit ballads from the mid-twentieth century, were written at a time when the popular culture expected literacy from its songwriters. And don't forget the famous quotation from the Gospel of John which begins, “He that is without sin among you⦔
that
is perfectly acceptable when applied to people.
The Man That Got Away
and
The Girl That I Marry
, two hit ballads from the mid-twentieth century, were written at a time when the popular culture expected literacy from its songwriters. And don't forget the famous quotation from the Gospel of John which begins, “He that is without sin among you⦔
Which
as a pronoun should never refer to humans. (It's an adjective in sentences like
Which man do you mean?
)
as a pronoun should never refer to humans. (It's an adjective in sentences like
Which man do you mean?
)
WHOLE
See
hole, whole
.
hole, whole
.
WHOLLY
See
holy, wholly
.
holy, wholly
.
WHO'S, WHOSE
Who's
is a contraction of
who is
or
who has
.
is a contraction of
who is
or
who has
.
Whose
is the possessive case of
who
.
is the possessive case of
who
.
Who's the man whose wife called?
WITH REGARD(S) TO
See
in regard(s) to, with regard(s) to
.
in regard(s) to, with regard(s) to
.
WON'T, WONT
Won't
: contraction of
will not
.
: contraction of
will not
.
Wont
: habit; custom (nouns); accustomed (adjective).
: habit; custom (nouns); accustomed (adjective).
WORN
See
warn, worn
.
warn, worn
.
WRACK
See
rack, wrack
.
rack, wrack
.
WRAP
See
rap, wrap
.
rap, wrap
.
WREAK
See
reek, wreak
.
reek, wreak
.
WREAK (WRECK) HAVOC
Because
wreak havoc
means “to cause destruction,” some mistakenly think the first word of the phrase is
wreck
.
wreak havoc
means “to cause destruction,” some mistakenly think the first word of the phrase is
wreck
.
WREST
See
rest, wrest
.
rest, wrest
.
WRETCH
See
retch, wretch
.
retch, wretch
.
WRING
See
ring, wring
.
ring, wring
.
WRITE
See
right, rite, write
.
right, rite, write
.
WRY
See
rye, wry
.
rye, wry
.
YOKE, YOLK
Yoke
: a harness for oxen.
: a harness for oxen.
Yolk
: the yellow part of an egg.
: the yellow part of an egg.
YOU'RE, YOUR
You're
: contraction of
you are
.
: contraction of
you are
.
Your
: belonging to you.
: belonging to you.
Quizzes
Grammar
Pretest
Correct the grammar error in each sentence. Answers are in Chapter Seven.
| Example : | Shoshana felt badly about failing the Geometry test . |
| Correction : | Shoshana felt bad about failing the geometry test . |
1.
How quick he runs.
How quick he runs.
2.
Neither one of them are ready yet.
Neither one of them are ready yet.
3.
The desk and the chair sits in the corner.
The desk and the chair sits in the corner.
4.
Each of us were scheduled to take the test.
Each of us were scheduled to take the test.
5.
The coach, not the players, have been ill.
The coach, not the players, have been ill.
6.
There is only four days until Christmas.
There is only four days until Christmas.
7.
She is one of the women who works hard.
She is one of the women who works hard.
8.
That was Yusuf and me whom you saw.
That was Yusuf and me whom you saw.
9.
This phone call is for Bill and I.
This phone call is for Bill and I.
10.
Terrell is the smartest of the two.
Terrell is the smartest of the two.
11.
It was I whom called.
It was I whom called.
12.
It is us clerks who work hard.
It is us clerks who work hard.
13.
He took the plate off of the table.
He took the plate off of the table.
14.
I am doing fine. How about yourself?
I am doing fine. How about yourself?
15.
They mailed the copies to him and I.
They mailed the copies to him and I.
16.
Neither of the candidates have spoken.
Neither of the candidates have spoken.
17.
How will you be effected financially if downsizing means you will lose your job?
How will you be effected financially if downsizing means you will lose your job?
18.
Joan walks slow so her children can keep up with her.
Joan walks slow so her children can keep up with her.
19.
Jake is the oldest of the two brothers.
Jake is the oldest of the two brothers.
20.
May did good on the test she took yesterday.
May did good on the test she took yesterday.
21.
He and she were real close friends.
He and she were real close friends.
22.
Whomever drove in the carpool lane without any passengers will be fined.
Whomever drove in the carpool lane without any passengers will be fined.
23.
Please allow Jenna or myself to assist you.
Please allow Jenna or myself to assist you.
24.
It's a company who doesn't judge others by their nationalities and accents.
It's a company who doesn't judge others by their nationalities and accents.
25.
They fought over their father's estate because they felt angrily about the way he had treated them.
They fought over their father's estate because they felt angrily about the way he had treated them.
26.
You look well in that running outfit.
You look well in that running outfit.
27.
Don't feel badly about forgetting my birthday.
Don't feel badly about forgetting my birthday.
28.
We saw two puppies at the pound and took home the cutest one.
We saw two puppies at the pound and took home the cutest one.
29.
Speak clearer please.
Speak clearer please.
30.
Where is that book at?
Where is that book at?
31.
Pollen effects my sinuses and makes me sneeze.
Pollen effects my sinuses and makes me sneeze.
32.
I want to lay down for a nap, but the phone keeps ringing.
I want to lay down for a nap, but the phone keeps ringing.
33.
That SUV, that landed on its hood after the accident, was traveling at eighty miles per hour.
That SUV, that landed on its hood after the accident, was traveling at eighty miles per hour.
34.
Yesterday, Barry lay my jacket on the hood of the car.
Yesterday, Barry lay my jacket on the hood of the car.
35.
We need to discuss this farther.
We need to discuss this farther.
36.
My daughter became a honorary member of the city council for the day.
My daughter became a honorary member of the city council for the day.
37.
The group is on their best behavior.
The group is on their best behavior.
38.
Your the only one for me.
Your the only one for me.
39.
That redwood tree has become taller then the oak tree next door.
That redwood tree has become taller then the oak tree next door.
40.
The time for action has long since past.
The time for action has long since past.
41.
Its a long way from here to Tierra del Fuego.
Its a long way from here to Tierra del Fuego.
42.
Mother, can I go to the movies with Ashton this afternoon?
Mother, can I go to the movies with Ashton this afternoon?
43.
I could of danced all night.
I could of danced all night.
44.
Srdjian immigrated from his native Bosnia about five years ago.
Srdjian immigrated from his native Bosnia about five years ago.
45.
Did you see the beautiful broach Genevieve was wearing today?
Did you see the beautiful broach Genevieve was wearing today?
46.
The teacher tried to illicit a discussion about the novel.
The teacher tried to illicit a discussion about the novel.
47.
La Donna talks fondly about the four years that she has went to the university.
La Donna talks fondly about the four years that she has went to the university.
48.
The answer is plane and simple.
The answer is plane and simple.
49.
Let me sit this book down on the table before I answer your question.
Let me sit this book down on the table before I answer your question.
50.
The legislature finally authorized the funds to polish the gold on the dome of the capital building.
The legislature finally authorized the funds to polish the gold on the dome of the capital building.
Quiz 1
Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Correct the capitalization of nouns if needed. Answers are in Chapter Seven.
| Example : | He arrived at heathrow airport on time . |
| Answer : | He arrived at Heathrow Airport on time . |
1.
The overturned truck blocked both lanes.
The overturned truck blocked both lanes.
2.
He appears to be deep in thought.
He appears to be deep in thought.
3.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a New York city landmark.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a New York city landmark.
4.
She will fly part of the way and then drive fifty kilometers to get there.
She will fly part of the way and then drive fifty kilometers to get there.
5.
Honesty is the best policy.
Honesty is the best policy.
6.
Get over here quickly!
Get over here quickly!
7.
From the bottom of the cave, the stalagmites rose ten feet high.
From the bottom of the cave, the stalagmites rose ten feet high.
8.
Through the mist, the Bridge appeared.
Through the mist, the Bridge appeared.
9.
I will just be watching the boston marathon, but my wife will be running in it.
I will just be watching the boston marathon, but my wife will be running in it.
10.
Behind the door is a coat rack.
Behind the door is a coat rack.
11.
Joe has been helping out with the chores.
Joe has been helping out with the chores.
12.
He should have been more gracious.
He should have been more gracious.
Quiz 2
Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Correct the capitalization of nouns if needed. Answers are in Chapter Seven.
| Example : | She scratched her silver ring against the edge of the pool . |
| Answer : | She scratched her silver ring against the edge of the pool . |
1.
He depends on her in times of need.
He depends on her in times of need.
2.
Watch your step.
Watch your step.
3.
The Insurance Agent gave her sound advice.
The Insurance Agent gave her sound advice.
4.
On the table was her purse.
On the table was her purse.
5.
In the newspaper, an interesting article appeared.
In the newspaper, an interesting article appeared.
6.
Look before you leap.
Look before you leap.
7.
Across the road lived her boyfriend.
Across the road lived her boyfriend.
8.
We are forced to inhale and exhale this smog-filled air.
We are forced to inhale and exhale this smog-filled air.
9.
In the gutter, I found a shiny new dime.
In the gutter, I found a shiny new dime.
10.
Around every cloud is a silver lining.
Around every cloud is a silver lining.
11.
How long have you been living in new Delhi?
How long have you been living in new Delhi?
12.
They must have given up eventually.
They must have given up eventually.
Quiz 1
Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. If the subjects and verbs do not agree, change the verbs to match the subjects. Place a check mark in front of sentences that are correct. Answers are in Chapter Seven.
| Example : | Willard and his sister is going for a long hike . |
| Correction : | Willard and his sister are going for a long hike . |
1.
That pack of lies are not going to cause me to change my mind.
That pack of lies are not going to cause me to change my mind.
2.
My favorite team's colors are orange and black.
My favorite team's colors are orange and black.
3.
Here's two more factors to consider.
Here's two more factors to consider.
4.
Neither the rain nor the darkness are going to stop me.
Neither the rain nor the darkness are going to stop me.
5.
My staff believes in providing high-quality service.
My staff believes in providing high-quality service.
6.
This is one of the things that bothers me about grammar.
This is one of the things that bothers me about grammar.
7.
Mary Lou asked that he take out the trash.
Mary Lou asked that he take out the trash.
8.
Either the bikes or the lawn mower go in that space.
Either the bikes or the lawn mower go in that space.
9.
Oh my, there's not enough desserts for everyone.
Oh my, there's not enough desserts for everyone.
10.
The bag of toys is going to a needy family.
The bag of toys is going to a needy family.
11.
Neither my brother nor my sister-in-law are taking Mom to the doctor.
Neither my brother nor my sister-in-law are taking Mom to the doctor.
12.
The conductor, as well as the musicians, are taking the stage.
The conductor, as well as the musicians, are taking the stage.
13.
A majority of the community support lower speed limits.
A majority of the community support lower speed limits.
14.
My whole family are vacationing in Baja California this winter.
My whole family are vacationing in Baja California this winter.
15.
Did he say sixty dollars are the cost of going to the ball game?
Did he say sixty dollars are the cost of going to the ball game?
16.
The distance alone, besides the costs involved, are too great to consider moving.
The distance alone, besides the costs involved, are too great to consider moving.
17.
Law and order is the principle he based his campaign on.
Law and order is the principle he based his campaign on.
18.
There's lots of food left.
There's lots of food left.
19.
There's lots of people here.
There's lots of people here.
20.
If it was up to me, we would leave earlier in the morning.
If it was up to me, we would leave earlier in the morning.
21.
One in three stressed Americans cope by shopping.
One in three stressed Americans cope by shopping.
22.
Four years are considered the normal amount of time to earn a bachelor's degree.
Four years are considered the normal amount of time to earn a bachelor's degree.
Quiz 2
Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. If the subjects and verbs do not agree, change the verbs to match the subjects. Place a check mark in front of sentences that are correct. Answers are in Chapter Seven.
| Example : | The box of books were opened yesterday . |
| Correction : | The box of books was opened yesterday . |
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