Quiz #7 was a little tricky. First, you have to understand Cardinal and Ordinal numbers. “Third” is an Ordinal number, denoting a position in a sequence. “As many as” needs to refer to a quantity, not a position. This sentence requires a Cardinal number: “Three.”
Dr. John’s Grammar Quiz #8. Ok, you sharp-eyed writers, can you spot the glaring grammatical error in this sentence? “Committee Democrats declined comment until they could discuss Mr. Reed’s plan.”
The answer to Grammar Quiz #6 was sent in by Ramos Lejune. A metaphor should work literally as well as figuratively. Make it “passed a milestone.”
Grammar Quiz # 7. Can you spot the glaring grammatical error in this sentence? “The Little League team’s players pick up their third World Series victory in as many days.”
Quiz #5 was a toughie. The problem lies in the word, “replete.” It means “way more than enough.” Like “replete with 10 swimming pools.” It’s misused here, suggesting only “having” or “equipped with.”
Grammar Quiz # 6 Ok, you sharp-eyed Writercare fans, can you spot the glaring grammatical error in this sentence? “Eduardo’s long career hit a milestone recently; he published his tenth book.”
Wordcrafters in Eugene is coming your way in March, 2014. This writers retreat and conference will be one of the best in the Pacific Northwest. Take a look at the great lineup of presenters at http://www.wordcraftersineugene.org/
I’m pleased and honored to be a part of it. I hope to see you there. Register now.
Dr. John
We have another winner. In Grammar Quiz #4, Garrison was the first to point out that ‘effect’ and ‘affect’ should be switched. Right on. Congratulations on your sharp eye.
Here’s a way to remember which goes where. Think VANE. Verb–Affect, Noun–Effect. In our example, his headache was affected, that was the desired effect.
Grammar Quiz #5
Can you spot the glaring grammatical error in this sentence?
“The inn still serves a typical Hunt Breakfast, replete with the trimmings of a traditional English buffet.”
First, let’s get Quiz #3 under control. Think humming. as in MMMMMMMMMM, because hiM and whoM and whoMever all work the same way. They’re objects. We wouldn’t say “him was speaking,” so we can’t say “whomever was speaking.” The solution is “The cameras showed whoever was speaking.”
Dr. John’s Grammar Quiz #4. See if you can spot the glaring error(s) in this passage: “His headache effected his ability to concentrate. Aspirin had the desired affect and he aced the exam.”
Rick Shaw made a stab at Dr. John’s Grammar Quiz # 3: It is two complete sentences. There was close coverage. Each of the cameras showing whomever was speaking.
One of those two sentences now contains two glaring grammatical errors. Can you spot them?
Dr.John
First, the answer to Grammar Quiz #2: “The scandal decimated the president’s family.” Garrison got it almost right. He found the problem word, decimate. It means to reduce by a tenth. It stems from Roman times when every tenth man was killed to punish rebellious military units. Not that many people in the president’s family.
Dr. John’s Grammar Quiz #3 OK, all you careful writers, see if you can spot the glaring error here:
: “There was close coverage, each of the cameras showing whomever was speaking.”
First of all, the answer to Grammar Quiz #!: “The woman, now living in the New York suburbs, is a former native of Kosovo.”
The problem is with “former native.” Once you’re a native, you’re a native. You can’t change where you were born. This week’s “Word Surgeon” award goes to Garrison Haines-Temons the first one to nail it.
Dr. John’s Grammar Quiz #2 . Careful writers, test your grammar chops. Can you spot the glaring error in this sentence? “The scandal decimated the president’s family.” Answer next week when I get back from a Pirate writing workshop in Santa Barbara. Stay tuned.
Dr. John
Dr. John’s Grammar Quiz #1 Careful writers, test your grammar chops. Can you spot the glaring error in this sentence? “The woman, now living in the New York suburbs, is a former native of Kosovo.”
Email your answer to jreed@writerswelcome.com in the next 24 hours. The answer will appear here tomorrow.
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