Grammar Police Quiz

1.

Loose for lose

A.

I always loose the product key.
B.

I always lose the product key.

Correct Answer
B. I always lose the product key.

Explanation
Loose is an adjective, the opposite of tight or contained. Lose is a verb that means to suffer the loss of, to miss.

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2.

It's for its (or god forbid, its')

A.

Download the HTA, along with it's readme file.
B.

Download the HTA, along with its readme file.
C.

The laptop is overheating and its making that funny noise again.
D.

The laptop is overheating and it's making that funny noise again.

Correct Answer(s)
B. Download the HTA, along with its readme file.
D. The laptop is overheating and it's making that funny noise again.

Explanation
“It’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.” “Its” is a possessive pronoun, as in “this press release has lost its credibility.” Here’s an easy rule of thumb—repeat your sentence out loud using “it is” instead. If that sounds goofy, “its” is likely the correct choice.

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3.

They're for their for there

A.

The managers are in they're weekly meeting.
B.

The managers are in their weekly planning meeting.
C.

The techs have to check there cell phones at the door, and their not happy about it.
D.

The techs have to check their cell phones at the door, and they're not happy about it.

Correct Answer(s)
B. The managers are in their weekly planning meeting.
D. The techs have to check their cell phones at the door, and they're not happy about it.

Explanation
“There” is used many ways, including as a reference to a place (“let’s go there”) or as a pronoun (“there is no hope”). “Their” is a plural possessive pronoun, as in “their bags” or “their opinions.” Always do the “that’s ours!” test—are you talking about more than one person and something that they possess? If so, “their” will get you there.

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4.

i.e. for e.g.

A.

Use an anti-spyware program (i.e., Ad-Aware).
B.

Use an anti-spyware program (e.g., Ad-Aware)

Correct Answer
B. Use an anti-spyware program (e.g., Ad-Aware)

Explanation
The Latin phrase id est means “that is,” so i.e. is a way of saying “in other words.” It’s designed to make something clearer by providing a definition or saying it in a more common way.

The Latin phrase exempli gratia means “for example,” so e.g. is used before giving specific examples that support your assertion.

A comma follows both of them.

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5.

Effect for affect

A.

The outage shouldn't effect any users during work hours.
B.

The outage shouldn't affect any users during work hours.
C.

The outage shouldn't have any effect on users.
D.

We will effect several changes during the downtime.
E.

The outage shouldn't affect any users during work hours.

Correct Answer(s)
B. The outage shouldn't affect any users during work hours.
C. The outage shouldn't have any effect on users.
D. We will effect several changes during the downtime.
E. The outage shouldn't affect any users during work hours.

Explanation
“Affect” is a verb, as in “Your ability to communicate clearly will affect your department’s mission.” “Effect” is a noun, as in “The effect of roof ventilation on a hose team’s visibility is well documented.” By thinking in terms of “the effect,” you can usually sort out which is which, because you can’t stick a “the” in front of a verb. While some people do use “effect” as a verb (“a strategy to effect a settlement”), they are usually lawyers, and you should therefore ignore them if you want to write like a human!

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6.

You're for your

A.

Remember to defrag you're machine on a regular basis.
B.

Remember to defrag your machine on a regular basis.
C.

Your right about the changes.
D.

You're right about the changes.

Correct Answer(s)
B. Remember to defrag your machine on a regular basis.
D. You're right about the changes.

Explanation
“Your” is a possessive pronoun, as in “your Department” or “your Chief.” “You’re” is a contraction for “you are,” as in “you’re screwing up your writing by using your when you really mean you are.”

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7.

Different than for different from

A.

This setup is different than the one at the main office.
B.

This setup is different from the one at the main office.
C.

This setup is better than the one at the main office.

Correct Answer(s)
B. This setup is different from the one at the main office.
C. This setup is better than the one at the main office.

Explanation
Different is an adjective form of the verb to differ. If one thing differs from another then we can say “One thing is different from another.” We cannot say “One thing is different than another” any more than “One thing differs than another.” Generally different from is correct and different than is not. But of course one thing can differ more than another, in which case we can say, “One thing is more different than another.” It is correct to use different than when different is part of a comparative adjective.

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8.

Lay for lie

A.

I got dizzy and had to lay down.
B.

I got dizzy and had to lie down.
C.

Just lay those books over there.

Correct Answer(s)
B. I got dizzy and had to lie down.
C. Just lay those books over there.

Explanation
"Lay" is a verb meaning to put or place something somewhere.It takes a direct object. Its principal parts are "lay," "laid," "laid," and "laying." "Lie" is, in this context, a verb meaning to recline. It does not take an object. Its principal parts are "lie," "lay," "lain," and "lying."

If you're in doubt about whether to use "lay" or "lie," try substituting a form of the verb "place." If it makes sense, use a form of "lay."

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9.

Then for than

A.

The accounting department had more problems then we did.
B.

The accounting department had more problems than we did.
C.

If you can't get Windows to boot, then you'll need to call Ted.
D.

If you can't get Windows to boot, you'll need to call Ted.

Correct Answer(s)
B. The accounting department had more problems than we did.
D. If you can't get Windows to boot, you'll need to call Ted.

Explanation
Note: Here's a sub-peeve. When a sentence construction begins with "If," you don't need a "then." "Then" is implicit, so it's superfluous and wordy.

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10.

Could of, would of for could have, would have

A.

I could of installed that app by mistake.
B.

I could have installed that app by mistake.
C.

I would of sent you a meeting notice, but you were out of town.
D.

I would have sent you a meeting notice, but you were out of town.

Correct Answer(s)
B. I could have installed that app by mistake.
D. I would have sent you a meeting notice, but you were out of town.

Explanation
Could of does not exist. Neither do should of, will of, or would of as verbs. Write could have, should have, will have, or would have.

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