The two sentences that use the word "their" correctly are:
- I am a big fan of the string quartet, and I attended their recital last week.
- Their food is pretty good, but the restaurant’s ambiance is what makes it great.
Which sentence uses the word their correctly? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)
Responses
I have only seen the pickleball court once, but I want to go their again.
I have only seen the pickleball court once, but I want to go their again.
I am a big fan of the string quartet, and I attended their recital last week.
I am a big fan of the string quartet, and I attended their recital last week.
Their food is pretty good, but the restaurant’s ambiance is what makes it great.
Their food is pretty good, but the restaurant’s ambiance is what makes it great.
Since their planning on returning this afternoon, Sue and Gene left the keys.
Since their planning on returning this afternoon, Sue and Gene left the keys.
Their only going to be in New York for a week, so try to contact them soon.
9 answers
Which sentence should be edited for pronoun clarity?(1 point)
Responses
The librarians received the box of new books, and they immediately opened and unpacked it.
The librarians received the box of new books, and they immediately opened and unpacked it.
While Cindy and Patricia were walking down the hall, she noticed a sign on the teacher’s door.
While Cindy and Patricia were walking down the hall, she noticed a sign on the teacher’s door.
The teacher told the class that she wanted their papers to be turned in by the end of the day on Friday.
The teacher told the class that she wanted their papers to be turned in by the end of the day on Friday.
On the way to the post office with Donald, Gerald realized that he forgot to check his email.
Responses
The librarians received the box of new books, and they immediately opened and unpacked it.
The librarians received the box of new books, and they immediately opened and unpacked it.
While Cindy and Patricia were walking down the hall, she noticed a sign on the teacher’s door.
While Cindy and Patricia were walking down the hall, she noticed a sign on the teacher’s door.
The teacher told the class that she wanted their papers to be turned in by the end of the day on Friday.
The teacher told the class that she wanted their papers to be turned in by the end of the day on Friday.
On the way to the post office with Donald, Gerald realized that he forgot to check his email.
The sentence that should be edited for pronoun clarity is:
While Cindy and Patricia were walking down the hall, she noticed a sign on the teacher’s door.
This sentence is unclear because "she" could refer to either Cindy or Patricia. To improve clarity, you could specify which person is noticing the sign.
Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly in a plural possessive noun? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)
Responses
All of the photograph’s frames are made from the same type of wood.
All of the photograph’s frames are made from the same type of wood.
The basketball players’ lockers will be cleaned out on Friday.
The basketball players’ lockers will be cleaned out on Friday.
The brother’s birthdays are both in the month of September
The brother’s birthdays are both in the month of September
The United States’ national anthem is “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The United States’ national anthem is “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Ellen is a member of three book clubs’ and has been for over a year.
Responses
All of the photograph’s frames are made from the same type of wood.
All of the photograph’s frames are made from the same type of wood.
The basketball players’ lockers will be cleaned out on Friday.
The basketball players’ lockers will be cleaned out on Friday.
The brother’s birthdays are both in the month of September
The brother’s birthdays are both in the month of September
The United States’ national anthem is “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The United States’ national anthem is “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Ellen is a member of three book clubs’ and has been for over a year.
The two sentences that use an apostrophe correctly in a plural possessive noun are:
- The basketball players’ lockers will be cleaned out on Friday. (The lockers belong to multiple basketball players.)
- The United States’ national anthem is “The Star-Spangled Banner.” (The national anthem belongs to the United States.)
The other sentences either have incorrect use of apostrophes or do not require them in that context.
Which sentences contain an example of contested usage? Select the two correct answers. (1 point)
Responses
Stephanie started reading the book first, and therefore she finished it before I did.
Stephanie started reading the book first, and therefore she finished it before I did.
And William also said that he did not understand why he couldn't play on the football team anymore.
And William also said that he did not understand why he couldn't play on the football team anymore.
The chair for the chair of the board of directors is at the head of the board table.
The chair for the chair of the board of directors is at the head of the board table.
The union members and the factory owner struck a deal in order to end the strike.
The union members and the factory owner struck a deal in order to end the strike.
The postman needs to know who this letter is addressed to so it can be delivered.
Responses
Stephanie started reading the book first, and therefore she finished it before I did.
Stephanie started reading the book first, and therefore she finished it before I did.
And William also said that he did not understand why he couldn't play on the football team anymore.
And William also said that he did not understand why he couldn't play on the football team anymore.
The chair for the chair of the board of directors is at the head of the board table.
The chair for the chair of the board of directors is at the head of the board table.
The union members and the factory owner struck a deal in order to end the strike.
The union members and the factory owner struck a deal in order to end the strike.
The postman needs to know who this letter is addressed to so it can be delivered.
The two sentences that contain an example of contested usage are:
-
Stephanie started reading the book first, and therefore she finished it before I did. (The use of "therefore" followed by a comma before "she" can be a point of contention regarding style and the need for a separate clause.)
-
The postman needs to know who this letter is addressed to so it can be delivered. (The use of "to" at the end of the clause can be contested, as some grammarians argue against ending sentences with prepositions.)
These examples reflect areas where usage might differ among speakers and writers, leading to debate about correctness.
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players. But the pitcher said that he wanted lemonade instead.
What is the most effective way to resolve the issue of contested usage in these sentences?
(1 point)
Responses
We brought some water for the baseball players. But one of the players said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought some water for the baseball players. But one of the players said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players, but the pitcher said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players, but the pitcher said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players, but one of the players said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players, but one of the players said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players. However, the pitcher said that he wanted lemonade
What is the most effective way to resolve the issue of contested usage in these sentences?
(1 point)
Responses
We brought some water for the baseball players. But one of the players said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought some water for the baseball players. But one of the players said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players, but the pitcher said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players, but the pitcher said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players, but one of the players said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players, but one of the players said that he wanted lemonade instead.
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players. However, the pitcher said that he wanted lemonade
The most effective way to resolve the issue of contested usage in these sentences is:
We brought a pitcher of water for the baseball players, but one of the players said that he wanted lemonade instead.
This option clarifies the ambiguity by specifying that it was one of the players who wanted lemonade, eliminating any confusion regarding the word "pitcher."
1 answer