Use Grammar/Mechanics for Clarity - AP English Language and Composition
Card 1 of 30
Identify the error: 'He is the taller of the two brothers.'
Identify the error: 'He is the taller of the two brothers.'
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No error. Comparative form 'taller' is correct when comparing two items.
No error. Comparative form 'taller' is correct when comparing two items.
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What is the correct form: 'Either my sister or my parents ____ coming.'?
What is the correct form: 'Either my sister or my parents ____ coming.'?
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are. With 'or', verb agrees with closest subject (parents - plural).
are. With 'or', verb agrees with closest subject (parents - plural).
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Find and correct the double negative: 'I don't need no help.'
Find and correct the double negative: 'I don't need no help.'
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Correct: 'I don't need any help.'. Double negatives create positive meaning; use single negative.
Correct: 'I don't need any help.'. Double negatives create positive meaning; use single negative.
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Identify correct parallel structure: 'To run, swimming, and biking are fun.'
Identify correct parallel structure: 'To run, swimming, and biking are fun.'
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Correct: 'Running, swimming, and biking are fun.'. All three subjects use parallel gerund forms.
Correct: 'Running, swimming, and biking are fun.'. All three subjects use parallel gerund forms.
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Find and correct the sentence fragment: 'Because she was late.'
Find and correct the sentence fragment: 'Because she was late.'
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Correct: 'She was late because she missed the bus.'. Fragments need an independent clause to complete the thought.
Correct: 'She was late because she missed the bus.'. Fragments need an independent clause to complete the thought.
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Which transition best signals contrast: 'Similarly' or 'However'?
Which transition best signals contrast: 'Similarly' or 'However'?
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However. 'However' indicates contrast; 'Similarly' shows comparison.
However. 'However' indicates contrast; 'Similarly' shows comparison.
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What is the error in: 'The team win their games often.'?
What is the error in: 'The team win their games often.'?
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Correct: 'The team wins its games often.'. 'Team' is singular and takes singular verbs and pronouns.
Correct: 'The team wins its games often.'. 'Team' is singular and takes singular verbs and pronouns.
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Identify the incorrect pronoun shift: 'If one studies hard, you will succeed.'
Identify the incorrect pronoun shift: 'If one studies hard, you will succeed.'
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Correct: 'If one studies hard, one will succeed.'. Maintain consistent pronoun person throughout the sentence.
Correct: 'If one studies hard, one will succeed.'. Maintain consistent pronoun person throughout the sentence.
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Which option correctly uses a colon: 'She bought: apples, oranges, and bananas.'?
Which option correctly uses a colon: 'She bought: apples, oranges, and bananas.'?
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Correct: 'She bought the following: apples, oranges, and bananas.'. Colons introduce lists when preceded by an independent clause.
Correct: 'She bought the following: apples, oranges, and bananas.'. Colons introduce lists when preceded by an independent clause.
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Which word correctly completes: 'Each student must bring ____ own lunch.'?
Which word correctly completes: 'Each student must bring ____ own lunch.'?
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his or her. 'Each' is singular and requires singular pronouns.
his or her. 'Each' is singular and requires singular pronouns.
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Identify the run-on sentence error: 'She loves music she listens daily.'
Identify the run-on sentence error: 'She loves music she listens daily.'
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Correct: 'She loves music; she listens daily.'. Two independent clauses require punctuation or conjunction to separate them.
Correct: 'She loves music; she listens daily.'. Two independent clauses require punctuation or conjunction to separate them.
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What is the error in: 'The committee have reached a decision.'?
What is the error in: 'The committee have reached a decision.'?
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Correct: 'The committee has reached a decision.'. 'Committee' as a unit takes singular verbs in American English.
Correct: 'The committee has reached a decision.'. 'Committee' as a unit takes singular verbs in American English.
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Correct the pronoun error: 'If anyone calls, tell them I am busy.'
Correct the pronoun error: 'If anyone calls, tell them I am busy.'
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Correct: 'If anyone calls, tell him or her I am busy.'. 'Anyone' is singular and needs singular pronoun reference.
Correct: 'If anyone calls, tell him or her I am busy.'. 'Anyone' is singular and needs singular pronoun reference.
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What is the correct possessive form: 'James book is on the table.'?
What is the correct possessive form: 'James book is on the table.'?
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Correct: 'James's book is on the table.'. Names ending in 's' add apostrophe-s for possession.
Correct: 'James's book is on the table.'. Names ending in 's' add apostrophe-s for possession.
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Which sentence uses correct parallelism: 'He likes reading, to swim, and biking.'?
Which sentence uses correct parallelism: 'He likes reading, to swim, and biking.'?
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Correct: 'He likes reading, swimming, and biking.'. All three activities use the same grammatical form (gerunds).
Correct: 'He likes reading, swimming, and biking.'. All three activities use the same grammatical form (gerunds).
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Identify the error: 'It's a dog that loves its bone.'
Identify the error: 'It's a dog that loves its bone.'
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No error. 'It's' (it is) and 'its' (possessive) are used correctly.
No error. 'It's' (it is) and 'its' (possessive) are used correctly.
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Choose the correct conjunction: 'I want to go, ____ I have to finish my work.'
Choose the correct conjunction: 'I want to go, ____ I have to finish my work.'
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but. 'But' shows contrast between wanting to go and having work.
but. 'But' shows contrast between wanting to go and having work.
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What is the error in: 'Each of the students have a book.'?
What is the error in: 'Each of the students have a book.'?
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Correct: 'Each of the students has a book.'. 'Each' is always singular and takes singular verbs.
Correct: 'Each of the students has a book.'. 'Each' is always singular and takes singular verbs.
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Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon: 'I have a test tomorrow I can't go out.'?
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon: 'I have a test tomorrow I can't go out.'?
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Correct: 'I have a test tomorrow; I can't go out.'. Semicolons connect two independent clauses without a conjunction.
Correct: 'I have a test tomorrow; I can't go out.'. Semicolons connect two independent clauses without a conjunction.
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Find and correct the misplaced modifier: 'Running quickly, the finish line was soon in sight.'
Find and correct the misplaced modifier: 'Running quickly, the finish line was soon in sight.'
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Correct: 'Running quickly, she soon saw the finish line.'. Modifiers must clearly modify the intended subject (she, not finish line).
Correct: 'Running quickly, she soon saw the finish line.'. Modifiers must clearly modify the intended subject (she, not finish line).
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What is the correct punctuation for the sentence: 'She said I will go tomorrow.'?
What is the correct punctuation for the sentence: 'She said I will go tomorrow.'?
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Correct: 'She said, "I will go tomorrow."'. Direct quotes require quotation marks and proper comma placement.
Correct: 'She said, "I will go tomorrow."'. Direct quotes require quotation marks and proper comma placement.
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Which option correctly uses parallel structure: 'She likes to swim, biking, and run.'?
Which option correctly uses parallel structure: 'She likes to swim, biking, and run.'?
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Correct: 'She likes swimming, biking, and running.'. All items in a series must have the same grammatical structure.
Correct: 'She likes swimming, biking, and running.'. All items in a series must have the same grammatical structure.
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Identify the pronoun agreement error in: 'Everyone should do their best.'
Identify the pronoun agreement error in: 'Everyone should do their best.'
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Correct: 'Everyone should do his or her best.'. 'Everyone' is singular and requires singular pronouns.
Correct: 'Everyone should do his or her best.'. 'Everyone' is singular and requires singular pronouns.
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What is the correct form: 'Neither of the books ____ interesting.'?
What is the correct form: 'Neither of the books ____ interesting.'?
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is. 'Neither' is singular and requires a singular verb.
is. 'Neither' is singular and requires a singular verb.
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Find and correct the pronoun error: 'Somebody left their umbrella.'
Find and correct the pronoun error: 'Somebody left their umbrella.'
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Correct: 'Somebody left his or her umbrella.'. 'Somebody' is singular and requires singular pronoun forms.
Correct: 'Somebody left his or her umbrella.'. 'Somebody' is singular and requires singular pronoun forms.
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Choose the correct pronoun: 'Whom/Who did you see at the party?'
Choose the correct pronoun: 'Whom/Who did you see at the party?'
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Whom. 'Whom' is the object form used after verbs and prepositions.
Whom. 'Whom' is the object form used after verbs and prepositions.
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Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'Neither the manager nor the employees ____ responsible.'?
Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'Neither the manager nor the employees ____ responsible.'?
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are. With 'or' constructions, verb agrees with the closest subject (employees).
are. With 'or' constructions, verb agrees with the closest subject (employees).
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What is the subject-verb agreement error in: 'The list of items are on the desk.'?
What is the subject-verb agreement error in: 'The list of items are on the desk.'?
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Correct: 'The list of items is on the desk.'. Subject 'list' is singular, not the plural object 'items'.
Correct: 'The list of items is on the desk.'. Subject 'list' is singular, not the plural object 'items'.
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Which word correctly completes: 'Each student must bring ____ own lunch.'?
Which word correctly completes: 'Each student must bring ____ own lunch.'?
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his or her. 'Each' is singular and requires singular pronouns.
his or her. 'Each' is singular and requires singular pronouns.
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Choose the correct verb: 'The committee ____ meeting today.'?
Choose the correct verb: 'The committee ____ meeting today.'?
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is. 'Committee' as a single unit takes singular verbs.
is. 'Committee' as a single unit takes singular verbs.
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