Question

Which sentences contain an example of contested usage? Select the two correct answers. (1 point) Responses 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 postman needs to know who this letter is addressed to so it can be delivered. The postman needs to know who this letter is addressed to so it can be delivered. 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. The union members and the factory owner struck a deal in order to end the strike.

Answer 1

The sentences that contain an example of contested usage are:

1. "The chair for the chair of the board of directors is at the head of the board table."
2. "The postman needs to know who this letter is addressed to so it can be delivered."

The first sentence refers to the use of "chair" as a noun to describe a person who leads a meeting or organization, which can be contentious due to the gendered connotations of the term. The second sentence contains the contested phrasing "who this letter is addressed to," which can spark debate over the correct grammatical structure, with many preferring "to whom this letter is addressed."