Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics Language Skills Practice phần 7 pdf

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Words Often Confused C
Review the Words Often Confused covered on pages 424–426 of your textbook for information
on the correct spelling and usage of the following words:
formally, formerly lead (n.), led, lead (v.) passed, past
hear, here loose, lose peace, piece
its, it’s moral, morale
E
XERCISE
Underline the word in parentheses that correctly completes the sentence.
Example
1.
Dad asked who found the (peace, piece) of driftwood.
1.
Elia’s father had (lead, led) us on a tour of the older part of town.
2.
I was careful not to (loose, lose) the name of the restaurant that Elia recommended.
3.
It was (formally, formerly) called Hunan Palace, but now it is the Canton Kitchen.
4.
She said it was well known for (its, it’s) terrific service, as well as the wonderful food.
5.
We had almost walked (passed, past) it before we saw the sign.
6.
After spending the afternoon at the noisy market, we enjoyed the (peace, piece) inside the
restaurant.
7.
When we started to look at the menus, Sarah took the (lead, led).
8.
Yes, you can order bird’s-nest soup (hear, here).
9.

A good meal can do wonders for the (moral, morale) of a group of tired visitors.
10.
Since all the food was in the center of the table, no one (passed, past) around dishes.
11.
If you have never used chopsticks before, it is easy to (loose, lose) your grip.
12.
When you place your chopsticks across your bowl, (its, it’s) a sign that you’re finished.
13.
The fortune in Sarah’s cookie was the same as the (moral, morale) of the fable she had read.
14.
I wore very (loose, lose) clothes because I knew that I would eat many different foods.
15.
Some of the other diners were dressed (formally, formerly), but others were more casual.
16.
Each food is chosen for (its, it’s) taste, texture, and color.
17.
The sounds that you (hear, here) are the bustling kitchen staff preparing orders.
18.
For dessert you may take one (peace, piece) of orange and one of apple.
19.
While Jenny was trying to compute the tip on a napkin, the (lead, led) in her pencil broke.
20.
During the week we spent with Elia, we drove (passed, past) the restaurant several more times.
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Words Often Confused D
Review the Words Often Confused covered on pages 427–428 of your textbook for information
on the correct spelling and usage of the following words:
plain, plane shone, shown than, then
principal, principle stationary, stationery their, there, they’re
quiet, quite
E
XERCISE A
Underline the word in parentheses that correctly completes the sentence.
Example
1.
Were (plains, planes) or helicopters named for the designer Sikorsky?
1.
The letter was written on very elegant (stationary, stationery).
2.
Each freshman was (shone, shown) around the building by a senior.
3.
The crowd was eerily (quiet, quite) while the last free throws were taken.
4.
Since I already have the theater tickets, we can meet (their, there) just before eight.
5.
Suddenly, the beam of a flashlight (shone, shown) through the window.
6.
I’m training my dogs, since (they’re, their) going to grow to be very large.
7.

If you hand me that (plain, plane), I’ll shave the edge of the door.
8.
Mrs. Jefferson asked the school (principle, principal) to introduce her to the staff.
9.
Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, and Beverly Sills all changed (their, there) names.
10.
It is very important to remain (stationary, stationery) while observing wildlife.
EXERCISE B Draw a line through each incorrect word in the following paragraph, and write the correc-
tion above it.
Example
[1]
How do I decide which author I like best if their all fascinating?
[11]
Dorothy Sayers, John Dos Passos, and Vladimir Nabokov are known for they’re writing.
[12]
Yet each author had more then one talent.
[13]
Sayers studied medieval times and held strong
religious principals.
[14]
Dos Passos drove an ambulance in World War I, than later sailed the
Bahamas with Ernest Hemingway.
[15]
In numerous articles he published, it was plane that
Nabokov had studied butterflies.
MECHANICS
for CHAPTER 16: SPELLING
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Words Often Confused E
Review the Words Often Confused covered on pages 429–430 of your textbook for information
on the correct spelling and usage of the following words:
threw, through weak, week who’s, whose
to, too, two weather, whether your, you’re
waist, waste
E
XERCISE
Underline the word in parentheses that correctly completes the sentence.
Example
1.
(Your, You’re) surprised that I knew that Notah Begay won a PGA golf tournament
in 1999.
1.
The (whether, weather) in the Caribbean does not change as dramatically as it does here.
2.
Don’t throw out that (waist, waste) paper; it may be useful for someone else.
3.
We walked (threw, through) the old part of the city, which is now a historic zone.
4.
If you want (to, too, two) work on the play, you must attend the audition.
5.
The waitress asked (weather, whether) you want the soup or the salad.
6.
They had to make reservations to visit the caves, since the tour can’t take (to, too, two) many
people at once.
7.
Did you turn in (your, you’re) permission slip on time?

8.
My legs feel very (week, weak) after a whole afternoon of skiing.
9.
After you go (threw, through) that intersection, take the next left turn.
10.
Send in the next (to, too, two) contestants.
11.
Will the (weather, whether) be nice enough for us to have the carnival outside?
12.
The rainbow trout glided effortlessly (threw, through) the water.
13.
Secure the safety line firmly around your (waist, waste).
14.
Manuel went to the park and (threw, through) a ball for his dog to fetch.
15.
Have you heard (who’s, whose) headlining the concert?
16.
Let’s have the study session at (your, you’re) house this time.
17.
This menu has (to, too, two) many delicious choices!
18.
(Who’s, Whose) jacket is this lying on the floor?
19.
When are you going (to, too, two) the gym?
20.
For the next (week, weak), we’ll be studying Romeo and Juliet.
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MECHANICS
for CHAPTER 16: SPELLING
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Review A: Spelling Rules
E
XERCISE
In each of the groups of words below, underline the misspelled word. On the line provided,
write the word correctly.
Example 1. naturally, happiness, infinitely, sliness
1.
height, believe, recieve, achieve
2.
sieze, neither, relief, reign
3.
usually, hopeing, amusement, immortal
4.
reccommend, truly, admiration, unnecessary
5.
women, tomatos, cupfuls, rodeos
6.
definitly, comparable, transformed, dining
7.
largely, grayest, terrifiing, determination
8.
continous, advantageous, becoming, ridiculous

9.
comparison, useage, advertisement, saying
10.
controlled, denial, exciting, swimer
11.
lovely, meanness, developement, courageous
12.
arguement, perspiration, occurrence, parallel
13.
flying, shining, ninty, safety
14.
proceed, pursuit, preceed, immense
15.
safely, unusual, ilegal, receipt
16.
weight, receed, overrule, lateness
17.
foxs, tongues, ditches, giraffes
18.
tooths, leaves, 3s, stories
19.
donkeys, copies, photoes, theories
20.
selves, thiefs, radios, churches
MECHANICS
for CHAPTER 16: SPELLING
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Review B: Words Often Confused
E
XERCISE A
In each of the groups of phrases below,underline the misspelled word. On the line
provided, write the word (or words, if the correct spelling requires more than one word) correctly.
Example 1. tinted stationery, had shone us the way, as quiet as a library
1.
too much sugar, their are two ways, better than mine
2.
don’t chose this one, it’s certainly hers, the last week of school
3.
high moral principals, affected her deeply, the capital city
4.
a coarse sand, are you allright, effected many changes
5.
of course not, all ready finished, all right to begin
EXERCISE B Underline the words in parentheses that will correctly complete each of the following
sentences.
Example 1. Rosa was too (week, weak) to move after she had (led, lead) her team to victory.
6.
Congratulations! I (hear, here) that the editor of the school magazine was (all together, altogether)
impressed with the story that you wrote.
7.
(Their, There, They’re) were not many passengers on the bus because it was still (to, too, two)
early for the evening rush hour.
8.
Grace (threw, through) the ball so hard that it zipped (passed, past) me before I saw it.
9.
You’ll (brake, break) those test tubes if (your, you’re) not careful.

10.
The (councilor, counselor) (lead, led) his campers down the narrow trail.
11.
It is a (waist, waste) of time to give Tiffany (advice, advise); she never follows it.
12.
The members of the city (council, counsel) have gone (threw, through) the proposed budget and
have cut out several items.
13.
The refreshments committee will have to (altar, alter) (its, it’s) plans in order to feed thirty extra
people.
14.
The study hall was (quiet, quite) when the (principal, principle) came in.
15.
(Who’s, Whose) bicycle is lying (hear, here) in the driveway?
NAME CLASS DATE
MECHANICS
for CHAPTER 16: SPELLING
pages 405=430
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Review C: Spelling Rules and Words Often Confused
E
XERCISE A

In each of the groups of words below, underline the misspelled word. On the line provided,
write the word correctly.
Example 1. retrocede, perchs, illogical, oxen
1.
definitely, nineth, copies, wolves
2.
awesome, leadder, precedes, either
3.
monkeys, stories, potatos, radios
4.
speechs, science, guidance, useful
5.
precede, ticklish, playful, procede
6.
mispell, leisure, supersede, readily
7.
careful, dryly, usually, hopless
8.
confidential, sheild, ceiling, easily
9.
chief, geese, seize, sombreroes
10.
decieve, niece, receipt, height
E
XERCISE B
In each of the groups of phrases below,underline the misspelled word. On the line provid-
ed, write the word (or words, if the correct spelling requires more than one word) correctly.
Example 1. hear the bells, morale of the story, the French consul
11.
sing all together, take my advise, the capital city

12.
already to leave, choose a book, too big
13.
take my counsel, feel all right, brake the plate
14.
formerly from New York, of coarse, a lead pencil
15.
wandering in the dessert, lose a game, they’re here
16.
colored stationary, too bad, Carmen led the way
17.
a quiet dog, the stars shone, walk passed the school
18.
can’t here you, fair weather, the story’s moral
19.
I feel weak, fly a plain, the foreign consul
20.
there books, follow your principles, more than that
MECHANICS
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Review D: Spelling Rules and Words Often Confused
E
XERCISE A
In each of the groups of words below, underline the misspelled word. On the line provided,

write the word correctly.
Example 1. judgment, moderately, parables, batheing
1.
connection, allys, imaginary, glorious
2.
largely, dining, cafeterias, skys
3.
loading, loveing, leaving, going
4.
dimest, preferring, copied, finally
5.
believing, drying, regreting, denying
6.
loaves, halfs, ladies, teeth
7.
accidentally, reddish, reliable, exceled
8.
knowledgeable, relieve, tracable, argument
9.
leanness, happyly, development, pavement
10.
daily, saving, cleanliness, aweful
E
XERCISE B
Underline the words in parentheses that correctly complete each of the following
sentences.
Example 1.
We took many pictures as we drove
(threw, through) the cactus-filled (dessert, desert).
11.

I believe the guidance (councilor, counselor) is paying you a (complement, compliment).
12.
We had to (alter, altar) our picnic plans when it rained for a whole (week, weak).
13.
If you drive (threw, through) town on (your, you’re) way home, please stop in.
14.
Whichever game you (choose, chose), be sure not to (waist, waste) your money.
15.
It’s (to, too) bad you didn’t (here, hear) the lecture.
16.
I’m not sure (who’s, whose) directions we’re following, but we’ve gone (past, passed) that
building three times.
17.
I ran out of (plain, plane) (stationary, stationery) after writing all those letters.
18.
Our (principal, principle) goal is to bring (peace, piece) to the region.
19.
Steve’s shoelaces are (loose, lose) (all ready, already).
20.
I (advise, advice) you to choose the red shoes rather (than, then) the blue ones.
NAME CLASS DATE
MECHANICS
for CHAPTER 16: SPELLING
pages 405=430
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COMMON ERRORS
Sentence Fragments and Run-on Sentences A
EXERCISE On the line before each item, identify each of the following word groups by writing F for
sentence fragment,R for run-on sentence, or S for complete sentence.
Example 1. On Tuesday, after we went to the performance at the theater.
1.
Never have I seen so many drummers in one place at the same time!
2.
We have finished reading the Declaration of Independence we will start studying the
Bill of Rights next week.
3.
The crystal clear river that runs through our town.
4.
The boys, terrified by the strange noises but afraid to turn on their flashlights.
5.
My family seldom eats strawberries my brothers are allergic to them.
6.
As the woman walked down the dusty street, balancing a huge basket on her head.
7.
Did you tell me that you had already read this book?
8.
If we hurry, we’ll be on time, don’t forget the tickets!
9.
Despite a lack of evidence, Ned still believed that Matt had broken the window.
10.
We’ll put away the clean clothes and straighten the living room, then we’ll vacuum
the rug.
11.

This homework is just too frustrating; I think I’ll take a walk and come back to it later.
12.
The farmhouse, its roof caved in and its windows broken, will be restored.
13.
Does anyone have Samantha’s new phone number, I think she moved last week?
14.
The paintings in the gallery, with their bright colors and bold brush strokes.
15.
Your uncle is certainly a talented magician, has he been practicing for many years?
16.
His card tricks, which are especially difficult to perform, both clever and amazing.
17.
Whenever we get up late, rush around the house, and are tardy to school.
18.
I did not know that newborn giraffes were so big, that one is taller than I am!
19.
Do you remember when the squirrels got into our attic last fall?
20.
Put the bread in the oven, set the timer for forty minutes, and left the room.
NAME CLASS DATE
for CHAPTER 15: THE CLAUSE
pages 767–769
F
for CHAPTER 17: CORRECTING COMMON ERRORS
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COMMON ERRORS
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Sentence Fragments and Run-on Sentences B
E
XERCISES
On the line before each item, identify each word group in the following paragraph as a sen-
tence fragment (F), a run-on sentence (R), or a complete sentence (S).
Example
[1]
Time is a relatively new human concept before people began farming, they
had no need to keep track of passing days.
[2]
Watching day turn into night and winter turn into spring.
[1]
Humans first developed calendars in the early river-valley civilizations these river
valleys were the Nile, Tigris and Euphrates, Indus, and Huang He.
[2]
Farmers had to
know when to plant crops, sometimes the farmers even needed to predict the arrival of yearly
floods.
[3]
Most early calendars based on lunar months, the amount of time between each
full moon.
[4]
A problem with using lunar months is that the calendar would fall short of
a full year, each year the months would come earlier until the calendar would no longer be useful.
[5]
Many cultures solving the problem by adding extra days to the calendar.
[6]
Feasts and holidays, for example, on the five extra days of the ancient Egyptian calendar.

[7]
Since the popularity of the Chinese rulers of the Shang dynasty depended on the
accuracy of their astronomers’ calendar, the astronomers were very important.
[8]
The
astronomers also predicted eclipses of the moon with great skill an error of twenty-four hours
caused outrage and alarm.
[9]
Today, official atomic clocks measuring the vibrations of
electrons in cesium atoms.
[10]
These atomic clocks are so precise that they have to be
adjusted to make up for the slowing in the earth’s rotation scientists occasionally have to add leap
seconds on New Year’s Eve!
for CHAPTER 17: CORRECTING COMMON ERRORS
pages 478=486
R
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ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE Third Course
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COMMON ERRORS
Subject-Verb Agreement A
E
XERCISE A
In each of the following sentences, underline the form of the verb in parentheses that
agrees with its subject.
Example 1. Either Matt or Mark (has, have) an uncle who is an astronaut.

1.
One of these apples (taste, tastes) better than the other one.
2.
Every student in the school (has, have) the opportunity to use the library.
3.
Neither Malika nor Aline (think, thinks) that is the correct answer.
4.
This set of colored pencils (include, includes) both magenta and turquoise.
5.
Whenever my sister and I (give, gives) a party, we do all the cooking.
6.
Those shrubs and this tree (have, has) grown a lot in the past year.
7.
(Does, Do) the colors in this fabric go with the paint color we chose?
8.
All of the fruit in the market (look, looks) good this month.
9.
Everyone liked the Caesar salad, but none of the tiny spinach quiches (was, were) eaten.
10.
(Is, Are) 7:00
P.M. or 8:00 P.M. the correct time?
E
XERCISE B
In each of the following sentences, cross out any verb that does not agree with its subject
and write the correct form of the verb above the incorrect form. If the sentence is already correct, write
C after it.
Example 1. Either a raccoon or an opossum have been getting into our garbage can at night.
11.
Marilyn, in addition to Sandy and Juan, want to help decorate the gym.
12.

Not a single one of the choir members was late for rehearsal on Wednesday.
13.
The city park or the one by the lake are good for picnics.
14.
Haven’t either Kim or Lana called yet?
15.
If the class raise some money, the tickets for the dance will be less expensive.
16.
The tuba players in the band was not happy about the long parade route.
17.
Jack, together with Karen, Ed, and Tricia, were working in the biology lab.
18.
In that family, neither the mother nor the children eat enough vegetables or fruit.
19.
Magnets and electricity is the next topic we’ll be studying in science.
20.
Either my father or my younger brothers sorts the recycling, but I carry it to the curb.
NAME CLASS DATE
for CHAPTER 17: CORRECTING COMMON ERRORS
pages 167=179
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COMMON ERRORS
NAME CLASS DATE
Subject-Verb Agreement B
E

XERCISE A
For each of the following sentences, decide whether the underlined verb agrees in number
with its subject. If the verb form is incorrect, cross it out and write the correct form above it. If the verb
form is correct, write C above it.
Example 1. Each of us have a different set of skills and talents.
1.
The ice on the streets this morning is treacherous.
2.
He sometimes take a short nap after school, especially if he stayed up late the night before.
3.
Neither James nor Cam play in the school orchestra.
4.
Have either of them joined any clubs this year?
5.
Both my father and his brother, my uncle Ted, tries to run at least ten miles every week.
6.
Do Hannah and her friends need a ride to the rehearsal?
7.
Meredith, along with Carol and Bill, have signed up for tennis lessons.
8.
Those sections of the newspaper is not particularly interesting to me.
9.
Mr. Gonzalez and Ms. King were my favorite teachers last year.
10.
In addition to Nick, Daniel, and Simon, who else want extra time on this project?
EXERCISE B In each of the following sentences, cross out any verb that does not agree with its subject,
and write the correct form of the verb above the incorrect form. If the sentence is correct, write C after it.
Example 1. The club president is concerned because no one ever arrive on time for the meetings.
11.
Ninety-five percent of the students has chosen classes for next year.

12.
What will you do when the baseball season start?
13.
Several of the members have conflicting meetings on Tuesday and Thursday.
14.
Either Ms. Eldridge’s class or the members of the drama group is responsible for publicity.
15.
The lawyers will wait in the hall until the jury come back into the courtroom.
16.
The main attraction at the carnival are the rides.
17.
She couldn’t trim the bushes because the clippers was too dull.
18.
We might be late for the game unless someone know an alternate route to the stadium.
19.
One hundred dollars are too high a price for most students to pay.
20.
Do everyone in the club know the schedule of the meetings?
for CHAPTER 17: CORRECTING COMMON ERRORS
pages 167=179
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COMMON ERRORS
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement A
E

XERCISE A
In each of the following sentences, circle the antecedent of the pronoun or pronouns in
parentheses. Then, underline the choice in parentheses that agrees with the antecedent.
Example 1. Every student should concentrate on (their, his or her) own work.
1.
One of the players on my team has injured (their, his) knee.
2.
The Camera Club meets tomorrow to discuss (their, its) field trip.
3.
In (their, its) early years, the United States tried different forms of government.
4.
The class was delighted when the turtle poked (its, her) beak through the eggshell.
5.
Anyone can meet us at the restaurant if (they, he or she) is interested.
6.
Nora, Janet, and Phyllis were sure that (she, they) did well on the essay test.
7.
Either California or Texas claims (it, they) is the largest state in the continental United States.
8.
Neither Joan nor Fiona allowed (herself, themselves) enough time to finish the experiment.
9.
Sal and Juan, together with Josh, will represent (his, their) school at the meet.
10.
My dad and his brothers treated (themselves, himself) to a nice dinner.
E
XERCISE B
In each of the following sentences, cross out any pronoun that does not agree with its
antecedent. Then, write the correct pronoun above the incorrect one. If a sentence is already correct,
write C after it.
Example 1. The United States made Yellowstone their first national park.

11.
Some Indonesian islands are well known for its spices.
12.
One of Pablo Picasso’s paintings, Guernica, is admired for their powerful message.
13.
Kathryn and Michael liked the taste of the pasta he or she had made together.
14.
I paid a lot for those pants, but I don’t like to wear it anymore.
15.
Peter and the Wolf, a composition by Sergey Prokofiev, uses music to tell its story.
16.
The Nelson twins, Harriet and Matilda, are known for her long red hair.
17.
According to Irish folklore, leprechauns will reveal the location of treasure to his captors.
18.
Carpe diem is one of the most famous Latin proverbs; their translation is “Seize the day.”
19.
Could you tell me Nicole’s address so that I can take her the book?
20.
If Byron and Blake go to the tryouts together, he can encourage and support each other.
NAME CLASS DATE
for CHAPTER 17: CORRECTING COMMON ERRORS
pages 181=186
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COMMON ERRORS

NAME CLASS DATE
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement B
E
XERCISE
In each of the following sentences, circle the antecedent of the pronoun or pronouns in paren-
theses. Then, underline the choice in parentheses that agrees with the antecedent.
Example 1. I don’t particularly enjoy standardized tests, but I do well on (them, it).
1.
I know that garlic, tomatoes, and oregano are on the list of ingredients, but what else is on
(them, it)?
2.
Each of the cats has to have (their, its) own food bowl.
3.
Chad, one of Jeremy’s brothers, will bring (their, his) basketball to the practice.
4.
I think that most of the eggs have hatched; could you count (it, them) once more?
5.
The team displays (their, its) trophies in the case outside the gym.
6.
Does everyone in the class, including Mike and Raymond, know that (his or her, their) paper is
due on Tuesday?
7.
Your change will be four dollars and seventy-nine cents; do you want (them, it) now?
8.
Both Maxine and Lisa think (their, her) history teacher is the best in the school.
9.
I can’t stay awake for the news; (they, it) will come on too late.
10.
Neither Tara nor Melissa forgot (their, her) homework this time.
11.

One of those trees still has (their, its) leaves.
12.
Not all of the children have remembered to bring (his or her, their) jackets.
13.
The audience rose from (their, its) seats and applauded wildly.
14.
Both of these books belong to Jeremiah; please take (them, it) to him.
15.
When the bell rang, the students rushed from (his or her, their) classroom.
16.
Katrina and Al are excited about learning German; neither of (them, him or her) minds going to
the language lab.
17.
We need to buy another car because the one we have is on (our, its) last legs.
18.
Anyone who wants to help collect newspapers for recycling should write (his or her, their)
name on this list.
19.
Both of the mother elephants tended (its, their) newborn calves.
20.
In order to increase productivity, the manager of the two restaurants must find a way to make
(her, their) employees more committed.
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COMMON ERRORS

Verb Forms A
EXERCISE A In each of the following sentences, underline the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
Example 1. Has Noel ever (rode, ridden) a horse before?
1.
I heard he (broke, breaked) his collarbone when he fell off a horse last year.
2.
She (teared, tore) her jacket when she climbed over the fence.
3.
Have all the geese (flown, flew) south already?
4.
Before he (writed, wrote) the essay, he made a detailed outline and organized his notes.
5.
We (thought, thinked) the car was finally fixed, but we were mistaken.
6.
I asked him if he had (spoke, spoken) to his grandfather recently.
7.
When I was ten, my father and I (build, built) a treehouse in the backyard.
8.
I (drawed, drew) the plan, and he bought the supplies.
9.
All the leaves have (fell, fallen) off the trees, and the branches are bare.
10.
The story of my family’s immigration has been (telled, told) for generations.
E
XERCISE B
On the line provided, write the correct past or past participle form of the verb in italics.
Example 1. teach My father, who is an excellent cook, has cooking classes for
many years.
11.
eat Most people these days have a variety of foods.

12.
try I have always new foods offered to me.
13.
choose Just yesterday I to put jicama in my salad.
14.
drink Have you ever coconut milk?
15.
raise Last week, Emilio his hand when our teacher asked who had ever
had sushi.
16.
enjoy He says he has sashimi, too.
17.
bring Sara has falafel for lunch.
18.
know Who would have it would taste so good?
19.
take She tabouli to the Food Fest last year, and it was quite a hit!
20.
begin Meals are more fun for me now that I have to explore new dishes.
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COMMON ERRORS
began

EXERCISE A In the following paragraph, cross out each incorrect verb form and write the correct form
above it. If all the verbs in a sentence are correct, write C above the sentence.
Example
[1]
Railroads in the United States begun with a few horse-powered lines in the 1800s.
[1]
After the introduction of steam-powered locomotives in the 1820s and 1830s, railroad compa-
nies lay more track and the number of railroads in the United States growed rapidly.
[2]
In 1850,
Congress give federal lands to the states to develop railroads.
[3]
The federal government thought
railroads would attract settlers to unpopulated areas.
[4]
Railroad companies that got lands from
the states keeped some of the land for development and selled the rest to pay for construction.
[5]
In return for the land, the railroads carried soldiers, supplies, and mail at reduced rates.
[6]
After the Civil War, iron and steel rail bridges were builded across major rivers like the
Mississippi, the Missouri, and the Ohio.
[7]
In 1869, the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific
tracks meeted at Promontory, Utah, finally completing a transcontinental rail line.
[8]
The Union
Pacific had lain track westward from Nebraska, and the Central Pacific start from Sacramento,
California.
[9]

Officials from the two companies droved in the last spike, connecting the tracks.
[10]
By the end of the nineteenth century, the United States have five transcontinental lines.
EXERCISE B On the line provided, write the correct past or past participle form of the verb in italics.
Example 1. grow Makelo and Kirby are proud of the vegetables they .
11.
dig They deeply into the soil and added plenty of compost.
12.
choose They vegetables that would grow easily in their part of the country.
13.
get Makelo out the tools while Kirby read the seed packages.
14.
become When the first plants came up, the boys really excited.
15.
spend They hours in the garden each week, weeding and watering.
16.
freeze A late ice storm some of their seedlings.
17.
lose When the weather turned hot, they some plants.
18.
seek All through the summer, they advice from other gardeners.
19.
teach One neighbor them how to stake up their tomato plants.
20.
eat When the first tomatoes ripened, Kirby them right off the vine.
NAME CLASS DATE
Verb Forms B
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COMMON ERRORS
Pronoun Forms A
EXERCISE A In the following sentences, underline the correct form of the pronoun in parentheses.
Example 1. Please introduce the new students (who, whom) you invited to the party to the rest of
the guests.
1.
Tamika’s sisters and (she, her) are excelling in their computer class.
2.
Their teacher has taught (they, them) and the other students some interesting programs.
3.
It was (he, him) who showed them how to detect a computer virus.
4.
Mr. Gonzales wrote a few simple steps to help (they, them) understand.
5.
My friends and (I, me) are looking forward to learning more about computers.
6.
Next year, Tamika will help teach (we, us) newcomers the basics of programming.
7.
The new students, Paul, Mia, and (I, me), have already started our research.
8.
To (we, us), the important thing is to get started and begin experimenting.
9.
Among the three of (we, us), only Paul has his own Web page.
10.
Do you know many people (who, whom) are interested in computers?

EXERCISE B In each of the following sentences, cross out any incorrect pronoun and write the correct
pronoun above it.
Example 1. She and me are the only students who have finished the assigned novel.
11.
Do you know whom is responsible for returning the slide projector?
12.
Mr. Johnson showed her and he the pictures of his family.
13.
She and Kim are going to the carnival this weekend with my parents and I.
14.
As soon as we arrived at the campsite, us new campers set up our tent.
15.
I will meet Terry and they outside the front door of the school.
16.
The girl who dropped her necklace behind the bleachers in the gymnasium is her.
17.
To who should we address our sympathy letter?
18.
Hand me the chessboard, please; I want to challenge he to a game.
19.
The neighbor waved to Shari and I as we rode by on our bikes.
20.
The fastest runners in our class are him and her.
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COMMON ERRORS
NAME CLASS DATE
Pronoun Forms B
EXERCISE In each of the following sentences, underline the correct pronoun or pronouns in parentheses.
Then, identify the use of the pronoun by writing above it S for subject,PN for predicate nominative,DO for
direct object, IO for indirect object,OP for object of a preposition, or A for appositive.
Example 1. Our classmates, (he, him) and Mary, tied for first place in the tournament.
1.
(Who, Whom) could be ringing the doorbell at this hour of night?
2.
Hey, give (we, us) boys a turn on the rope swing!
3.
Three of the coaches in the school, Mr. Nichols, Ms. Knight, and (she, her), attended the nation-
al conference.
4.
I am sure you have met (he, him) before.
5.
The winner of the sportsmanship award was (she, her).
6.
When Craig tripped, he fell on top of (they, them).
7.
Nelson showed Kim and (I, me) the new software program.
8.
If you can call (he, him) and his sister tonight, I will call the rest of the group tomorrow.
9.
Did either Eduardo or (he, him) borrow my bicycle lock yesterday?
10.
The superintendent invited the student representatives—Kelly, Marjorie, and (he, him)—to the

next board meeting.
11.
What Elvis and (I, me) have in common is our last name.
12.
When we caught up with Caitlin and Phil, we bicycled alongside (they, them) for a mile.
13.
Are (them, they) the neighbors who moved here from Philadelphia last month?
14.
(Him, He) and Brandon play in the same league, but on different teams.
15.
Did you leave detailed instructions for Emma and (she, her)?
16.
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln are presidents (who, whom)
everyone in my class admires.
17.
The one person you most admire is (who, whom)?
18.
Pass Eli or (me, I) the ball next.
19.
Just between you and (me, I), I thought Ted should have won a prize.
20.
The winner had to have been either (she, her) or her sister Martina.
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COMMON ERRORS
Clear Pronoun Reference A
E
XERCISE
On the lines provided, rewrite each sentence to correct all inexact or unclear pronoun
references.
Example 1. Rosalia asked Christina questions about the sports she plans to play.
1.
Christina thinks rock climbing and cave exploring are both fun, but she likes it better.
2.
Rock climbing requires many safety precautions, which Christina emphasized.
3.
Before Christina and Rosalia begin a climb, she inspects their equipment.
4.
Amanda asked Carla about the book she had just read.
5.
This car is smaller than that one. Do you like it better?
6.
Most of my friends like to swim, which is why I spend so much time at the pool.
7.
Ned said it really makes him happy when he learns something new.
8.
The farmer and his brother plowed the field that he had cleared the week before.
9.
On the weather report last night, they said a hurricane is forming near Bermuda.
10.
Mrs. Niemann bought several paintings from John; she said he should study it in school.
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COMMON ERRORS
NAME CLASS DATE
Clear Pronoun Reference B
E
XERCISE
On the lines provided, rewrite each sentence to correct all inexact or unclear pronoun
references.
Example 1. Nell waved to her sister when she got off the plane.
1.
According to the program I saw last night, they say that gerbils are easy to raise.
2.
Fiona is studying French and German, and she says it’s fairly difficult.
3.
Rafiq told Bill that he had stepped on a piece of gum.
4.
In my mother’s family, they like to play cards.
5.
Tad reminded Carlos that he had an appointment.
6.
Melissa forgot to invite Clara, which is why she is so upset.
7.
They walked with their friends in the park so that they would not get lost.
8.
In the documentary, it said that the volcano had erupted twice in the last ten years.

9.
My father made an appointment with the doctor after his vacation.
10.
I am always running late, which is why I never go anywhere without my watch.
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When her sister got off the
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COMMON ERRORS
Comparative and Superlative Forms A
E
XERCISE A
In each of the following sentences, underline the correct form of the adjective or adverb
in parentheses.
Example 1. My cousins are triplets, but Anita is the (older, oldest) of the three.
1.
Which of your two brothers finished the book (quicker, more quickly)?
2.
The exhibit has some pieces of the (ancientest, most ancient) pottery ever found.
3.
Do you think silk is (more warm, warmer) than wool?
4.
My neighbor’s yard has (manier, more) trees than ours.
5.
Unfortunately, I read the instructions (less carefully, the least carefully) than I should have.

6.
He is the (more skillful, most skillful) of the three acrobats we saw last night.
7.
Are you sure you’re feeling (weller, better) than you did yesterday?
8.
Some new students are (interesteder, more interested) than others in learning about school clubs.
9.
I can’t decide whether I like choir or band (best, better).
10.
At the talent show, Juan told some (funniest, funnier) jokes than Rodney.
E
XERCISE B
In each of the following sentences, cross out any double comparisons or other errors in the
use of comparative and superlative forms of modifiers. Then, write the correct form above the error.
Example 1. One of the most highest and barrenest regions in the world is Tibet.
11.
No area of the world has mountains as higher as the Himalayas.
12.
Of all the Himalayan peaks, Mount Everest is higher.
13.
Everest had never been climbed to its summit more earlier than 1953.
14.
Probably no other summit is most coveted by mountaineers.
15.
The air at the top of the Himalayas is much more thinner than the air at sea level.
16.
Many mountaineers use bottled oxygen to breathe most easily on the peaks.
17.
There are arguments for and against oxygen, so it’s hard to say which is the best choice.
18.

Near Tibet, in western China, is also one of the lower points in the region, the Turfan
Depression, which sinks to 505 feet below sea level.
19.
It’s hard to imagine a contrast in elevation more greater than that between Mount Everest and
the Turfan Depression.
20.
What are the most highest and lowest points in the region in which you live?
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COMMON ERRORS
NAME CLASS DATE
Comparative and Superlative Forms B
EXERCISE On the lines provided, write the appropriate form of the adjective or adverb given in italics.
Example 1. well Did your team play in this game than in the last one?
1.
late The movie ended than I thought it would.
2.
good These peaches are the I’ve eaten all year.
3.
much We spent time at the beach this summer than we did last summer.
4.
bad I was sure it was the essay I had ever written.
5.

early Jake left for school than Camila.
6.
graceful Tomás is certainly one of the dancers in the group.
7.
slowly No train moved than the one that departed from Platform 2.
8.
happy Marcus felt in the morning than he did the previous evening.
9.
loudly The choir director instructed us to sing that part than we had dur-
ing our first performance.
10.
important The first and step in solving this problem is to read carefully.
11.
gentle That dog may look mean, but it is than a lamb.
12.
decisive I believe his first move was the move in the game.
13.
incredible None of the stories were than the one José told us.
14.
fortunate Some days, I admit, I have to remind myself that I am than a lot
of people.
15.
recent Which weather report is the ?
16.
powerful Lying on the banks of the lake, Charles was overcome by a feeling
of joy than he had ever had.
17.
reasonable Which of these six numbers do you think is the estimate?
18.
pretty Of the two landscapes, I think this one is .

19.
frozen I don’t know which feels , my nose or my feet.
20.
nice She was the substitute we’ve had this year.
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COMMON ERRORS
Double Negatives
E
XERCISE
In each of the following sentences, cross out the double negative and write the correct form
above it.
Example 1. Nobody hadn’t thought of that solution to the problem before.
1.
Unfortunately, there isn’t no way I can finish my paper and watch that program tonight.
2.
The rain is so heavy that you can’t barely see the building next door.
3.
I haven’t heard nothing about the class field trip.
4.
Haven’t you never seen that kind of painting on your visits to the museum?
5.
He promised not to tease his little sister no more.
6.

This model kit didn’t have no instructions in the box.
7.
There aren’t no seats left in the whole theater.
8.
You can’t never say I didn’t warn you!
9.
She couldn’t hardly depend on Mina to keep her secret.
10.
Don’t never pick none of those flowers again!
11.
My teacher doesn’t accept no excuses for late homework.
12.
If the store doesn’t have no more coats on sale, why is the advertisement still running in
the newspaper?
13.
Neither warmth nor food nor dry clothes nor nothing else was as important as reaching
the summit.
14.
Why didn’t no one think about that problem earlier?
15.
Wasn’t nobody willing to demonstrate the experiment for the class?
16.
My baby brother declared that he doesn’t like applesauce or bananas no more.
17.
The rehearsal ran so late last night that I didn’t have no time to fix my bike.
18.
If you ask me, that really isn’t none of your business!
19.
The old house was so creepy we didn’t hardly dare to set a foot inside.
20.

The people who run the food bank don’t turn no one away.
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COMMON ERRORS
NAME CLASS DATE
Misplaced Modifiers
E
XERCISE
On the lines provided, rewrite each of the following sentences to correct the misplaced modifi-
er. You may need to rearrange or add words to make the meaning of a sentence clear.
Example 1. Exhausted from the long climb, food and rest revived the hikers.
1.
Walking slowly, the car waited for the dog to cross the road.
2.
Perched on a high branch, the boy spotted the escaped canary.
3.
The girl grew up to become an astronaut, who had long dreamed of flying to the moon.
4.
My brother took the letter to the post office that had to be mailed by Friday.
5.
Tangled in the branches of a tree, the little boy left the park without his kite.
6.
In China, Lien told us many people ride bicycles to work.

7.
Miriam found the error looking over her program one more time.
8.
I heard about the concert in honor of Cesar Chavez in the park.
9.
Once considered omens, we now know what comets really are.
10.
Performing a difficult stunt on his skateboard, the crowd cheered Michael on.
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COMMON ERRORS
Dangling Modifiers
EXERCISE On the lines provided, rewrite each of the following sentences to correct the dangling modifi-
er. You may need to rearrange or add words to make the meaning of a sentence clear.
Example 1. While climbing the cliff, a rock slide started.
1.
Walking through the streets, the sounds of the parade filled my ears.
2.
While calling Felicity on the phone, the doorbell rang.
3.
Engaging in polite conversation, the words please and thank you are often used.
4.
When on vacation at Yosemite National Park, a bear ate all my food.
5.

To learn a new skill, practice and effort are usually necessary.
6.
Turning right at the second stoplight, my house is on the left side of the street.
7.
Before taking a test, a good night’s sleep can help.
8.
Weary but proud of our work, the storage shed was cleaned out.
9.
After reading all the information about the summer programs, the decision was easy to make.
10.
Arriving late for the dinner party, the table had already been cleared.
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A rock slide started while we were
climbing the cliff.
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COMMON ERRORS
NAME CLASS DATE
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
E
XERCISE
On the lines provided, rewrite each of the following sentences to correct the misplaced and
dangling modifiers. You may need to rearrange or add words to make the meaning of a sentence clear.
Example 1. Visiting England, the old buildings at Oxford University were very impressive.
1.

While running for a touchdown, the crowd went wild.
2.
Meredith’s aunt takes care of her neighbor’s baby, who is a pediatric nurse.
3.
After a long walk, Sunday evening was perfect for a family cookout.
4.
Studying the topographic map, the trail was not difficult to follow.
5.
Underneath a rock in the garden, Jamie examined the bug he had discovered.
6.
To learn your lines in the play, rehearsing with a friend is good practice.
7.
Singing and clapping, the hay wagon full of children rolled down the road.
8.
While making my lunch for school, the weather report came on the radio.
9.
Please put the rest of the soup in the refrigerator you made for dinner.
10.
Into the backpack, the boy put the sandwich he had owned since third grade.
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When we visited England, we were very impressed by the old buildings at Oxford University.
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