This month's test is on Subject/Verb
Agreement.
Remember: Good grammar is essential for clear communication. Take
your score seriously!
Click
here for
suggested answers.
1. One of the boys (thinks/think) that
(he/they) (has have) lost (his/their) hat.
2. The
contract, along with the appropriate papers, (is/are) being mailed
today.
3.
Neither of the answers (is/are) correct.
4.
Each of the clerks must be sure to take (his or her/their) notes.
5.
Tom, along with his partners, (was/were) present.
6. Either George or his brother (is/are)
coming.
7. Either George or his brothers (is/are)
coming.
8. One of the women (is/are) doing the work.
9. She is one of the women who (is/are)
doing the work.
10.
The
school board (has/have) to operate on a tight schedule because of
(its/their) budget.
Click
here for answers.
Consider Your Scores!
Perfect
or 9 out of 10 : Lucky you! Your grammar is in great shape.
You can stop worrying about mechanics and focus on style.
7
or 8 out of 10: That's a good score. See if a pattern exists
in your errors and focus on these weak spots. Visit Links
on my web page. Link to the Grammar
OWLs
(On-line Writing Labs), search for your particular problem, and try
some of the exercises.
5
or 6 out of 10: You might be in trouble! Again, see if there
is a pattern to your errors, visit Links
on
my web page, and link to the Grammar OWLs. You should buy a
user-friendly grammar text and work your way through it slowly and
systematically. Make sure the text has lots of exercises and an answer
key. Or register for a seminar or on-line course with the
Writing Consultants.
Below
5: Take
this low score seriously. Errors
in grammar will ultimately involve
errors in meaning or, at the very least, loss of clarity. Grammar
errors in your speech reflect poorly on your presentation of self and
detract from your personal excellence in your chosen field. Buy a
grammar text and teach yourself the fundamentals of English grammar or
register for a seminar or on-line course with the Writing Consultants.
Here's an additional test for you to
try:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/sv_agr_quiz.htm
Be sure to visit the grammar links on
the home page. Here are two of my favourites:
Purdue University Writing Lab
÷ great on-line help for grammar & other mechanics:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
Anatomy
of the English Language:
http://www.shared-visions.com/explore/english/engchart.html
Here are some additional links for
more tests if you wish to try some: http://www.grammar-monster.com/
http://www.nonstopenglish.com/Default-024.asp
