Grammar

1. What is the difference between a proper noun and a common noun?

A proper noun refers to abstract concepts, while a common noun refers to concrete objects.

A proper noun is capitalized; it names a certain person, place, or thing. Examples: Barack Obama, Los Angeles, the Rock of Gibraltar. A common noun is usually not capitalized; it names more than one person, place, or thing.Examples: captain, highway, boulder.

A proper noun is always a person, while a common noun is always a thing.

A proper noun is always plural, while a common noun is always singular.

The key difference between a proper noun and a common noun lies in the capitalization and the specific versus general nature of the names.

Explanation

The key difference between a proper noun and a common noun lies in the capitalization and the specific versus general nature of the names.

2. Are the words am, is, and are verbs? Explain why or why not.

No, they are adjectives, describing the state of something.

No, they are pronouns, used to refer to a specific noun.

No, they are conjunctions, connecting words and phrases in a sentence.

Yes, they are “verbs of being,” forms of the verb to be. Not all verbs express action.

The words am, is, and are are considered 'verbs of being' as they are forms of the verb to be, which indicates a state of existence or identity rather than an action.

Explanation

The words am, is, and are are considered 'verbs of being' as they are forms of the verb to be, which indicates a state of existence or identity rather than an action.

3. What is a proper adjective?

It is an adjective that is commonly used in formal writing or speech.

It is a capitalized adjective that refers to a certain person, place, or thing, and modifies a noun.Examples: in the term African American, African is a proper adjective that modifies the proper noun American; in the term Belgian waffle, Belgian is a proper adjective that modifies the common noun waffle.

It is an adjective that describes something in a polite or respectful way.

It is an adjective that is spelled correctly and follows proper grammar rules.

Proper adjectives are specific types of adjectives that capitalize on certain persons, places, or things and modify nouns. It is important to differentiate proper adjectives from other types of adjectives to ensure clear and accurate communication.

Explanation

Proper adjectives are specific types of adjectives that capitalize on certain persons, places, or things and modify nouns. It is important to differentiate proper adjectives from other types of adjectives to ensure clear and accurate communication.

4. Name three of the seven coordinating conjunctions.

If

When

Because

And, or, but, nor, so, for, yet

The seven coordinating conjunctions are and, or, but, nor, so, for, yet. The incorrect answers provided do not fall under this category.

Explanation

The seven coordinating conjunctions are and, or, but, nor, so, for, yet. The incorrect answers provided do not fall under this category.

5. Which two words in the following sentence are prepositions? My cat usually sleeps on the bed with me.

Bed and me

On and with

Usually and bed

Cat and sleeps

Prepositions are words that show the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence. In this case, 'on' and 'with' are the prepositions showing the relationship of where the cat sleeps on the bed and with whom (me).

Explanation

Prepositions are words that show the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence. In this case, 'on' and 'with' are the prepositions showing the relationship of where the cat sleeps on the bed and with whom (me).

6. In the phrase "lying peacefully on the comfortable couch," which word is a preposition?

Lying

On

Comfortable

Peacefully

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. In this case, 'on' shows the relationship between 'lying' and 'couch.' The other words in the phrase do not function as prepositions.

Explanation

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. In this case, 'on' shows the relationship between 'lying' and 'couch.' The other words in the phrase do not function as prepositions.

7. Which words in the following sentence form an adverb phrase? While I was running around Green Lake, I saw Gary Grenell, a local photographer.

Gary Grenell

I was running

Around Green Lake

A local photographer

An adverb phrase is a group of words that functions as an adverb in a sentence. In this sentence, 'around Green Lake' describes the manner or direction of the running, making it an adverb phrase.

Explanation

An adverb phrase is a group of words that functions as an adverb in a sentence. In this sentence, 'around Green Lake' describes the manner or direction of the running, making it an adverb phrase.

8. In the following sentence, which words form the main clause (independent clause)? Although I like uncooked raisins, I do not like them in cookies, cinnamon rolls, or hot cereal.

Although I like uncooked raisins, I do not like them

Although I like uncooked raisins

I do not like them in cookies, cinnamon rolls, or hot cereal.

Although I like uncooked raisins, I do not like them in cookies

9. What is the purpose of an interrogative sentence, and with what punctuation mark does this type of sentence end?

An interrogative sentence makes a command; it ends with a period.

An interrogative sentence expresses uncertainty; it ends with an ellipsis.

An interrogative sentence asks a question; it ends with a question mark.

An interrogative sentence conveys a statement; it ends with an exclamation point.

An interrogative sentence is specifically designed to ask a question to seek information or clarification. It is not used to convey a statement, make a command, or express uncertainty. Additionally, an interrogative sentence always ends with a question mark to indicate that the sentence is a question.

Explanation

An interrogative sentence is specifically designed to ask a question to seek information or clarification. It is not used to convey a statement, make a command, or express uncertainty. Additionally, an interrogative sentence always ends with a question mark to indicate that the sentence is a question.

10. In the following sentence, which verb has a direct object? Which one or two words comprise the direct object? Purring loudly, the mother cat grooms her kittens with her rough tongue.

C) The verb purring has a direct object: with her rough tongue.

B) The verb grooms has a direct object: mother.

A) The verb purring has a direct object: mother cat.

The verb grooms has a direct object: kittens or her kittens. (The verb purring does not have a direct object.)

In this sentence, the verb 'grooms' is the one that has a direct object, which are the kittens or her kittens. The verb 'purring' does not have a direct object as it is a participle describing the mother cat.

Explanation

In this sentence, the verb 'grooms' is the one that has a direct object, which are the kittens or her kittens. The verb 'purring' does not have a direct object as it is a participle describing the mother cat.

11. In the following sentence, identify one adverb and one adjective. Sleeping on the floor can be amazingly comfortable.

Adverb: be; adjective: can.

Adverb: amazingly; adjective: comfortable

Adverb: floor; adjective: sleeping.

Adverb: comfortable; adjective: amazingly.

Adverb: can; adjective: be.

In the sentence 'Sleeping on the floor can be amazingly comfortable', 'amazingly' functions as an adverb modifying 'comfortable', and 'comfortable' acts as an adjective describing how sleeping on the floor can be.

Explanation

In the sentence 'Sleeping on the floor can be amazingly comfortable', 'amazingly' functions as an adverb modifying 'comfortable', and 'comfortable' acts as an adjective describing how sleeping on the floor can be.

12. Identify two prepositional phrases in the following sentence: My family and I used to camp in the Wawona Campground at Yosemite National Park.

1) in the Wawona Campground; 2) at Yosemite National Park

Used to camp

Camp in the Wawona

My family and I

13. Which one of these words is NOT an interjection?

The word painful is an adjective, not an interjection.

Ouch

Wow

Hey

Interjections are words or phrases used to express emotions or sentiments. Hey, wow, and ouch are examples of interjections that show emotions such as surprise, pain, or excitement. Painful, on the other hand, is an adjective used to describe a feeling, not an interjection.

Explanation

Interjections are words or phrases used to express emotions or sentiments. Hey, wow, and ouch are examples of interjections that show emotions such as surprise, pain, or excitement. Painful, on the other hand, is an adjective used to describe a feeling, not an interjection.

14. Is the word although a coordinating conjunction or a subordinating conjunction? Explain how you know.

Although is an adverb; it modifies the verb in the sentence.

Although is a preposition; it shows the relationship between time and rain in the sentence.

Although is a subordinating conjunction; it connects a subordinate clause (Although November is usually my favorite month of the year) to the sentence’s main clause (this year it rained too much for me).

Although is a coordinating conjunction; it joins two independent clauses together.

The word 'although' is classified as a subordinating conjunction because it introduces a subordinate clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It connects this dependent clause to the main clause of the sentence, indicating a contrast or concession between the two ideas.

Explanation

The word 'although' is classified as a subordinating conjunction because it introduces a subordinate clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It connects this dependent clause to the main clause of the sentence, indicating a contrast or concession between the two ideas.

15. FIND THE ERROR: Not every nation has a President as its leader; some have prime ministers, some have kings or queens, and others have military dictators.

The semicolon should be a comma instead.

In this sentence, president is a common noun (a noun that names more than one person), so it should not be capitalized.

The word 'military' should be pluralized as 'militaries'.

President should be replaced with Prime Minister.

The correct answer highlights the error in capitalizing the word 'President' as it is a common noun. The other incorrect answers point out different mistakes that can be found in the sentence to divert attention.

Explanation

The correct answer highlights the error in capitalizing the word 'President' as it is a common noun. The other incorrect answers point out different mistakes that can be found in the sentence to divert attention.

16. FIND THE ERROR: I love French Fries, Belgian waffles, and Italian pasta.

Even though the proper adjective French is capitalized, the common noun fries should be lowercased.

The list should include more diverse cuisines from other countries.

There is no error in the sentence.

The languages and their respective dishes should not be capitalized.

The error in the sentence is that 'French Fries' should be written as 'French fries' since French is a proper adjective and should be capitalized while fries is a common noun and should be lowercased.

Explanation

The error in the sentence is that 'French Fries' should be written as 'French fries' since French is a proper adjective and should be capitalized while fries is a common noun and should be lowercased.

17. FIND THE ERROR: First we will fly to Copenhagen, a port city in Denmark and then we will board a ship and sail to several different Baltic nations.

This compound sentence needs a period inserted after Denmark and 'First' should be capitalized.

This compound sentence needs the word 'then' removed before the conjunction 'and'.

This compound sentence needs a comma inserted after Denmark and before the conjunction and.

This compound sentence needs a semicolon inserted after Denmark and before the conjunction 'and'.

18. FIND THE ERROR: Whenever I scratch my dog's belly, she grins over joy.

The possessive form my dog's belly is incorrectly used; it should be my dog belly instead.

The word whenever should be replaced with when in this context.

The verb grins should be in past tense form as grinned in this sentence.

The preposition over is incorrectly used here; it should be replaced with with . Alternatively, the phrase “over joy” might be replaced with joyfully.

The correct answer addresses the incorrect use of the preposition and suggests a possible alternative. The incorrect answers address various grammar and usage errors that are not relevant in the given sentence.

Explanation

The correct answer addresses the incorrect use of the preposition and suggests a possible alternative. The incorrect answers address various grammar and usage errors that are not relevant in the given sentence.

19. FIND THE ERROR: Alexander Hamilton, whose portrait is on the twenty-dollar bill, was one of our nation's 'Founding Fathers'?

The use of a semicolon is incorrect in the sentence.

There are no errors in the given sentence.

This is a statement (or declarative sentence), so it should end with a period, not a question mark.

This is a rhetorical question, not an error.

The correct answer explains that the sentence is a statement and should end with a period, not a question mark. The incorrect options are meant to distract and can be easily identified as they do not address the specific error in the sentence.

Explanation

The correct answer explains that the sentence is a statement and should end with a period, not a question mark. The incorrect options are meant to distract and can be easily identified as they do not address the specific error in the sentence.

20. FIND THE ERROR: 'Wow;' she exclaimed. 'This is one of the best days of my entire life!'

The quotation marks around Wow should be single instead of double.

The exclamation mark following life should be a question mark.

The comma following Wow should be replaced with a semicolon.

The semicolon following Wow is incorrect punctuation. This mark should be changed to a comma or an exclamation mark.

The use of a semicolon after an exclamation like 'Wow' is incorrect. Semicolons are not used in this context. It should be replaced with a comma or an exclamation mark for proper punctuation.

Explanation

The use of a semicolon after an exclamation like 'Wow' is incorrect. Semicolons are not used in this context. It should be replaced with a comma or an exclamation mark for proper punctuation.

21. FIND THE ERROR: Lydia does not agree with this president's policies, so she could care less if his approval rating drops even lower in the polls.

The correct expression is “could not care less.” “Could care less” is incorrect—it conveys the opposite meaning from the one intended.

Lydia does not agree with this president's policies, so she could care more if his approval rating drops even lower in the polls.

Lydia does not agree with this president's policies, so she does not care less if his approval rating drops even lower in the polls.

Lydia does not agree with this president's policies, so she could care less if his approval rating remains the same in the polls.

The phrase 'could care less' is commonly misused when the intended meaning is 'could not care less.' This error changes the meaning of the sentence to the opposite of what is likely intended.

Explanation

The phrase 'could care less' is commonly misused when the intended meaning is 'could not care less.' This error changes the meaning of the sentence to the opposite of what is likely intended.

22. FIND THE ERROR: The fact that movies and TV shows based on Jane Austen's completed novels have attracted millions of viewers would have astonished the author, who died 200 years ago.

The use of the word 'movies' should be replaced with 'films' for more formal writing.

The sentence should use the past perfect tense 'had attracted' instead of 'have attracted'.

The incorrect verb in the sentence is 'based', which should be changed to 'basing'.

The singular verb has attracted does not agree with its plural subject, movies. Has should be changed to have.

23. FIND THE ERROR: Sometimes I wonder whether I will ever travel to Africa, Asia, South America, or Antarctica—so far, I have never been to any of these continents; however, I live in the United States, I have traveled to Canada and Mexico, and I have been to many nations in Europe, including England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Holland.

The sentence contains redundant information about the author's travel history, making it unnecessary and verbose.

The sentence is missing proper punctuation, making it difficult to read and understand.

The sentence lacks coherence and organization, jumping between different continents and destinations without a clear structure.

While this sentence is not ungrammatical, it is a rambling sentence and should probably be rewritten. As it stands, it is a sentence that is too long and tedious to read.

The given sentence is overly long, lacks clarity, and is cumbersome to read. It would be more effective if it were broken down into simpler, more concise sentences for better readability and comprehension.

Explanation

The given sentence is overly long, lacks clarity, and is cumbersome to read. It would be more effective if it were broken down into simpler, more concise sentences for better readability and comprehension.

24. FIND THE ERROR: Katrina, the youngest of my four cats, are due for a check-up at the vet.

The error is in the use of the word 'youngest', it should be 'youngest one' for clarity.

The error is in punctuation as there should be a comma after the word Katrina.

The error is in the possessive form as it should be 'Katrina's' instead of Katrina.

The plural verb are does not agree with its singular subject, Katrina. Are should be changed to is .

In the given question, the error lies in subject-verb agreement. The singular subject 'Katrina' does not agree with the plural verb 'are'. This disagreement can be corrected by changing 'are' to 'is'.

Explanation

In the given question, the error lies in subject-verb agreement. The singular subject 'Katrina' does not agree with the plural verb 'are'. This disagreement can be corrected by changing 'are' to 'is'.

25. FIND THE ERROR: On the test people who don’t carefully read and follow directions are likely to make mistakes.

People on the test who don’t carefully read and follow directions are likely to make mistakes.

As is, this sentence is unclear. The phrase “on the test” is meant to modify the noun mistakes, so the phrase should be moved to follow this noun: People who don’t carefully read and follow directions are likely to make mistakes on the test.

On the test, people who don’t carefully read and follow directions are likely to make mistakes.

People who don’t carefully read and follow directions on the test are likely to make mistakes.

The original sentence creates ambiguity with the placement of the phrase 'on the test'. Placing the phrase at the end of the sentence clarifies that it should modify the noun 'mistakes'.

Explanation

The original sentence creates ambiguity with the placement of the phrase 'on the test'. Placing the phrase at the end of the sentence clarifies that it should modify the noun 'mistakes'.

26. FIND THE ERROR: I can get eight hours of sleep tonight, I don’t think I will be able to get up early enough to drive to the city in time for the meeting.

This sentence is incorrectly constructed (it is a comma splice), and it does not make sense as is. It needs the subordinating conjunction Unless at the beginning of the clause “I can get eight hours of sleep tonight.” Alternatively, “I can” might be changed to “If I don’t” or “If I cannot.”

The comma should be replaced with a semicolon.

The sentence is correct as is.

The sentence needs a conjunction at the beginning of the second clause.

There is no error in the sentence structure.

The original sentence presents a comma splice error and lacks clarity in conveying the intended meaning. It is important to address this issue by using a subordinating conjunction at the beginning of the clause 'I can get eight hours of sleep tonight.'

Explanation

The original sentence presents a comma splice error and lacks clarity in conveying the intended meaning. It is important to address this issue by using a subordinating conjunction at the beginning of the clause 'I can get eight hours of sleep tonight.'

27. FIND THE ERROR: My grandma says that "when she was in high school, she and her classmates handwritten or typed their essays—desktop computers were not common until the late 1980s.".

There should be a comma after 'essays' instead of a dash.

Quotes around 'handwritten or typed' should be replaced with square brackets.

The information about desktop computers in the late 1980s is incorrect.

This is not a direct quotation, so the quotation marks should be deleted from this sentence. (The speaker is paraphrasing his or her grandmother.)

28. FIND THE ERROR: I ate so much food on Thanksgiving that my stomach was literally bursting at the seams.

I ate so much food on Thanksgiving that my stomach was literally on fire.

Since human stomachs do not have seams like clothing or cloth toys, this sentence describes an impossible (and horrifying) scenario. Deleting the word literally would make it clear that the writer is using the term “bursting at the seams” figuratively.

I ate so much food on Thanksgiving that my stomach was literally about to explode.

I ate so much food on Thanksgiving that my stomach was literally a bottomless pit.

The correct answer explains that the phrase 'bursting at the seams' is being used figuratively and not literally due to human stomachs not having seams. The incorrect answers provide other literal interpretations of the sentence that do not accurately address the error.

Explanation

The correct answer explains that the phrase 'bursting at the seams' is being used figuratively and not literally due to human stomachs not having seams. The incorrect answers provide other literal interpretations of the sentence that do not accurately address the error.