Usage
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TACHS Language › Usage
Select from the given options the one that includes a usage error. If all of the options are correct, select "no mistakes."
I have no clear idea who I am speaking to.
Excuse me, could you say that again?
Listen, I'm reaching the limits of my patience.
No mistakes
Explanation
The correct choice features a very common error of pronoun case, which leads the sentence to incorrectly conclude with a preposition. Rather than using the subjective-case "who" in saying "who I am speaking to," it is correct to use the objective-case "whom." Sentences should never, in academic writing, end with a preposition.
Select from the given options the one that includes a usage error. If all of the options are correct, select "no mistakes."
I have no clear idea who I am speaking to.
Excuse me, could you say that again?
Listen, I'm reaching the limits of my patience.
No mistakes
Explanation
The correct choice features a very common error of pronoun case, which leads the sentence to incorrectly conclude with a preposition. Rather than using the subjective-case "who" in saying "who I am speaking to," it is correct to use the objective-case "whom." Sentences should never, in academic writing, end with a preposition.
Select from the given options the one that includes a usage error. If all of the options are correct, select "no mistakes."
I have no clear idea who I am speaking to.
Excuse me, could you say that again?
Listen, I'm reaching the limits of my patience.
No mistakes
Explanation
The correct choice features a very common error of pronoun case, which leads the sentence to incorrectly conclude with a preposition. Rather than using the subjective-case "who" in saying "who I am speaking to," it is correct to use the objective-case "whom." Sentences should never, in academic writing, end with a preposition.
Select from the given options the one that includes a usage error. If all of the options are correct, select "no mistakes."
We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitter cold.
I sincerely do not like football.
The brain trauma issue deeply bothers me, especially when the players are not being paid.
No mistakes
Explanation
The example sentence erroneously uses an adjective where an adverb is needed. "Bitter," in this context, modifies the verb "was," and therefore should be replaced by the adverb "bitterly." If the cold were being used as a noun, then the adjective form of "bitter" would be appropriate—for example, "We were wrapped in a bitter cold."
Select from the given options the one that includes a usage error. If all of the options are correct, select "no mistakes."
We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitter cold.
I sincerely do not like football.
The brain trauma issue deeply bothers me, especially when the players are not being paid.
No mistakes
Explanation
The example sentence erroneously uses an adjective where an adverb is needed. "Bitter," in this context, modifies the verb "was," and therefore should be replaced by the adverb "bitterly." If the cold were being used as a noun, then the adjective form of "bitter" would be appropriate—for example, "We were wrapped in a bitter cold."
Select from the given options the one that includes a usage error. If all of the options are correct, select "no mistakes."
We had a terrible time at the football game. It was bitter cold.
I sincerely do not like football.
The brain trauma issue deeply bothers me, especially when the players are not being paid.
No mistakes
Explanation
The example sentence erroneously uses an adjective where an adverb is needed. "Bitter," in this context, modifies the verb "was," and therefore should be replaced by the adverb "bitterly." If the cold were being used as a noun, then the adjective form of "bitter" would be appropriate—for example, "We were wrapped in a bitter cold."
Select from the given options the one that includes a usage error. If all of the options are correct, select "no mistakes."
I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was her's.
Could I really argue with her?
She seemed so doggedly insistent.
No mistakes
Explanation
The possessive pronouns "hers," "his," "yours," "its," "ours," and "theirs" are never used with apostrophes. None of the other given options contained any grammatical errors.
Select from the given options the one that includes a usage error. If all of the options are correct, select "no mistakes."
I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was her's.
Could I really argue with her?
She seemed so doggedly insistent.
No mistakes
Explanation
The possessive pronouns "hers," "his," "yours," "its," "ours," and "theirs" are never used with apostrophes. None of the other given options contained any grammatical errors.
Select from the given options the one that includes a usage error. If all of the options are correct, select "no mistakes."
I was fairly certain that the handbag was mine, but she insisted it was her's.
Could I really argue with her?
She seemed so doggedly insistent.
No mistakes
Explanation
The possessive pronouns "hers," "his," "yours," "its," "ours," and "theirs" are never used with apostrophes. None of the other given options contained any grammatical errors.
Select from the given options the one that includes a usage error. If all of the options are correct, select "no mistakes."
If I was you, I would leave that job immediately.
Having left that job, I would be extremely happy.
Being extremely happy, I would be generous with my time and emotional energy.
No mistakes
Explanation
The example sentence expresses a hypothetical condition that is contrary to fact ("I," by definition, am not "you"); therefore the thought needs to be expressed using verbs in the subjunctive mood. "If" is a usually a good indication that a sentence will be in the subjunctive mood. In the subjunctive, "were" should be used instead of "was." "If I were you, I would leave that job immediately."