Deck 14: Editing for Grammar and Punctuation

Question 1

With the possible exception of spelling, grammar is the aspect of writing that writers find least troublesome.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

In business, people will judge you based on your appearance and ability, but almost never on your use of grammar.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Even though our society is relatively informal today, you should still use proper grammar when writing and speaking.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The only people who care about proper grammar use are English teachers.

Question 5

A modifier dangles when the word it modifies comes earlier in the sentence.

Question 6

A misplaced modifier appears to modify another element in a sentence than the one intended.

Question 7

Correct a misplaced modifier by moving it closer to the word that it modifies.

Question 8

The predicate of a sentence must fit grammatically and logically with the subject.

Question 9

A sentence fragment is a complete sentence.

Question 10

Sentence fragments are never acceptable in business writing.

Question 11

A common splice is the same thing as a comma fault.

Question 12

A comma splice involves cutting in half with a comma what otherwise would be a complete sentence.

Question 13

A sentence fragment is a group of words that is not a complete sentence but is punctuated as though it is.

Question 14

Put commas wherever you would take a breath when speaking.

Question 15

The comma before the last item in a list is optional.

Question 16

A comma and a semi-colon are the same punctuation marks.

Question 17

In dates, use figures for the day and the year.

Question 18

Because plenty of successful executives have risen through the ranks of companies with mediocre language skills, it's better to focus on your technical skills for the job rather than on such "soft"skills as correct grammar.

Question 19

Sentence fragments are never acceptable in business writing as they suggest sloppiness on the part of the writer.

Question 20

Use commas to separate a main clause from an introductory clause.

Question 21

The difference between a hyphen and a dash is that the former is longer.

Question 22

Unlike a dash, a hyphen shows interruption.

Question 23

Ellipses and dashes are interchangeable.

Question 24

Spell out numbers from zero to ten.

Question 25

When you have a month and a year together in a sentence, always separate them with a comma.

Question 26

"Jim went to the office supply store Zack went with him but I stayed in the office this afternoon."is an example of a

A) Comma splice.
B) Run-on.
C) Fused Sentence.
D) Predication error.
E) None of the above.

Question 27

Putting a comma every place a person might take a breath is

A) A good idea because we take breaths at natural pauses.
B) A good idea because that's the reason the comma was created.
C) A bad idea because some commas are optional, and breaths might overlook that.
D) A bad idea because how often a person takes a breath is dependent on lung capacity, how fast and loud that person is speaking, and the emphasis desired.
E) None of the above.

Question 28

"Making its way through the crowd, Tai drove the car slowly."is an example of a

A) Comma splice.
B) Run-on.
C) Dangling modifier.
D) Predication error.
E) None of the above.

Question 29

"We spent the week touring our Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia offices."

A) Requires the last comma in the list.
B) Uses an optional last comma in the list.
C) Should have used semi-colons.
D) Should have used colons.
E) None of the above.

Question 30

"The executive with the biggest office."is an example of a(n)

A) Case problem.
B) Independent Clause.
C) Sentence Fragment.
D) Faulty parallelism.
E) None of the above.

Question 31

"Making you sleep better."would be most acceptable in a(n)

A) Résumé.
B) Sales letter.
C) E-mail message to the CEO.
D) All of the above.
E) Both A and B

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT an example of parallel structure?

A) "Yoga can help you develop flexibility, reduce stress, and increase relaxation."
B) "Learn how to analyze business audiences, improve your style, and edit thoroughly."
C) "You are all encouraged to come and share ideas, express concerns, and ask questions."
D) "You can pay by credit card, check, or just fill out a payroll deduction card."
E) All of the above are examples.

Question 33

Explain why it is important to use good grammar.

Question 34

Explain what a comma splice is and how to correct it.

Question 35

Explain the difference between a run-on sentence and a fused sentence.

Question 36

Explain the circumstances in which a sentence fragment might be acceptable in business writing.

Question 37

Explain what each sentence punctuation signals to readers.

Question 38

Subjects and verbs agree when they are both ________ or both ________.

Question 39

_________ are words or phrases that give more information about the subject, verb, or object in a clause.

Question 40

A group of words that is not a complete sentence but is punctuated like one is called a _________ _________.

Question 41

In a contraction, the punctuation that indicates the omitted letter is called an __________.

Question 42

Use _________ to indicate a break in thought.