Learning Skills
Avoiding grammatical errors - quiz answers
Question 1
Error: Fragment
Explanation: A fragment is an incomplete sentence.
Corrected version: Because fragments make it hard to understand your
sentence, you need to check your writing carefully.
Question 2
Error: run-on sentence.
Explanation: You need to put a full stop or a semicolon between two independent sentences.
Corrected version: Proofreading your writing can be very interesting. You can
find out what you have written.
Question 3
Error: dangling modifier
Explanation: A dangling modifier means that the phrase "while procrastinating
and worrying" needs to be attached to a noun (the student).
Corrected version: While the student was procrastinating and worrying, the
exam came closer and closer.
Question 4
Error: misplaced modifier.
Explanation: The phrase "that had to be a certain length" needs to be closer
to the noun it refers to.
Corrected version: The essay, that had to be a certain length, had to be
handed in to the lecturer.
Question 5
Error: Subject - Verb agreement
Explanation: A plural subject takes a plural verb.
Corrected version: Students have to have a good understanding of grammar.
Question 6
Error: pronoun - antecedent agreement.
Explanation: Anyone is a singular pronoun; therefore, the antecedent should
also be singular.
Corrected version: Anyone who has not done his/her grammar assignment must
have had something better to do.
Question 7
Error: parallel structures.
Explanation: A series of words or phrases should take the same grammatical
form.
Corrected version: Studying can be exciting, rewarding and sometimes really annoying.
Question 8
Error: confusable word
Explanation: There is a whole range of words that sound the same but have
very different meanings.
Corrected version: The only excuse there was, was that their exam had
started early.
Question 9
Error: Apostrophe error
Explanation: Its is a possessive pronoun (i.e: his, her, its) that expresses a relationship. It's is an abbreviation for ' it is'.
Corrected version: When you use an apostrophe, make sure you know its
proper use. It's often used incorrectly.
Question 10
Error: double negative
Explanation: A double negative is a statement that contains two negative
words such as 'no' or 'not'.
Corrected version: The student didn't get any marks for the assignment.