THE TOP 100 COMMON USAGE PROBLEMS—continued 63. lay, lie The principal parts of lay are lay, laying, laid, laid. The princi- pal parts of lie are lie, lying, lay, lain. Lay means “to set or put something down,” and it is usually followed by a direct object. Lie means “to recline,” and it is never followed by a direct object. 64. learn, teach Learn refers to “gaining knowledge,” whereas teach means “to give knowledge.” 65. leave, let Leave means “to allow to remain,” and let means “to permit.” 66. like Like is a preposition and should not be used in place of as. 67. loose, lose Loose is commonly an adjective. Lose is always a verb meaning “to miss from one’s possession.” 68. mad When used in formal language, mad means “insane.” When it is used in informal language, it means “angry.” 69. maybe, may be Maybe is an adverb that means “perhaps.” May be is a verb. 70. number, numeral Use number to mean quantity and numeral to mean the figure representing the number, that is, the numeral that comes af- ter3is4. 71. of Do not use of after the verbs should, would, could, or must. Use have instead. Also eliminate of after the words outside, inside, off, and atop. 72. OK, O.K., okay Do not use these words in formal writing. 73. only Make sure to place only immediately preceding the word it logically modifies. You only say you love me, that is, you say it but you don’t mean it; You say you love only me, that is, I am the only one you love. CHAPTER 7: ABOUT IDENTIFYING SENTENCE ERRORS 191 www.petersons.com THE TOP 100 COMMON USAGE PROBLEMS—continued 74. ought Do not use have or had with ought. Ought is used with an infinitive; for example, ought to wash, ought not to cry. 75. outside of Do not use outside of to mean “besides” or “except.” 76. parameter Use parameter only in mathematical contexts to designate a variable. 77. persecute, prosecute Persecute means “to subject to ill treatment,” whereas pros- ecute means “to bring a lawsuit against.” 78. plurals that don’t end in s If a word ends in an a or i, be careful; it may be plural. Some nouns are made plural in the same way that they were in their original language. For example, criteria and phenomena are plural. Make sure that you treat them as plural, not singular, nouns. That means that their predicate must be plural for cor- rect subject-verb agreement. 79. poorly Do not use poorly to mean “ill” in formal writing. 80. precede, proceed Precede means “to go before,” and proceed means “to go for- ward.” 81. principal, principle Principal can be a noun or an adjective. As a noun, it means “a person who has controlling authority,” and as an adjective, it means “most important.” Principle is always a noun, and it means “a basic law.” You can remember the difference by thinking of “your princiPAL as your PAL.” 82. raise, rise Raise normally takes a direct object, but rise never takes a di- rect object, as in “I raised the flag,” but “I rise every morning at 6.” 83. real Do not use real to mean “very” or “really” in formal language. PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING 192 www.petersons.com THE TOP 100 COMMON USAGE PROBLEMS—continued 84. says Do not use says in place of said. 85. seen Seen requires a helping verb, as in “I was seen at the movies,” not “I seen him at the movies.” 86. set, sit Set is usually followed by a direct object and means “to put something in a specific place.” Sit means “to be seated,” and it is never followed by a direct object. 87. shape In formal language, do not use the word shape to mean “con- dition,” as in The boxer was in good shape. 88. since, because Use since when time is involved and because when a reason is involved. Since I last saw them, I read a book, but Because they came last Saturday, I did not finish the book I was read- ing. 89. slow, slowly It is preferable to use slow as the adjective and slowly as the adverb. 90. than, then Than is a comparative and is not to be confused with then, which refers to time. 91. that, which, who These pronouns refer to the following: that—people and things, which—only things, and who—only people. 92. their, there, they’re Their is a possessive pronoun. There is an expletive or an ad- verb. They’re is a contraction of they are. 93. them, them there, these here, this here, that there Replace with these or those if an adjective is required. 94. till, until These words are interchangeable, but they are often mis- spelled. CHAPTER 7: ABOUT IDENTIFYING SENTENCE ERRORS 193 www.petersons.com THE TOP 100 COMMON USAGE PROBLEMS—continued 95. to, too, two To is a preposition. Too is an adverb used to modify adjectives and adverbs. Two is a number. 96. unique Unique means “one of a kind”; therefore, it should not be modified by words such as very or most. 97. want in, want out These are nonstandard expressions and should be avoided. 98. ways Ways is plural. Do not use the article a immediately preceding ways. 99. when, where Do not use these words directly after a linking verb. Also, do not use where as a substitute for that. 100. -wise Do not use this suffix to create new words. PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING 194 www.petersons.com CHECK YOUR WRITING SKILLS Find the error in each of the following sentences. • Write the letter of the correct answer choice on the line marked “Answer.” • Correct the error on the lines marked “Correction.” • Explain the reason for your answer choice and correction on the lines marked “Reason.” You will not need to write out steps 2 and 3 on the real test, but you cannot pick the correct answer without recognizing the error. Having to write out all three steps here will help you become accustomed to recognizing the error. 1. Carol, who does a great deal of A importing in her business, was adversely effected B by the increased C taxes on foreign goods D . No error E Answer Correction Reason 2. As soon as A the conductor raised B his baton, the soloist and the chorus began singing C all together D . No error E Answer Correction Reason 3. Beside A swollen glands, Alicia also B had a sore throat and C a high D fever. No error E Answer Correction Reason CHAPTER 7: ABOUT IDENTIFYING SENTENCE ERRORS 195 www.petersons.com 4. In many Mid-Western A states, one of the principal B agricultural products C is D soybeans. No error E Answer Correction Reason 5. Today, A a great many B people are interested in the preparation and consumption C of healthful D foods. No error E Answer Correction Reason ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS Quick-Score Answers 1. B 2. B 3. C 4. D 5. B 1. D 2. C 3. D 4. B 5. C 1. D 2. C 3. A 4. A 5. E 1. D 2. B 3. A 4. B 5. B 1. A 2. B 3. E 4. E 5. C 1. B 2. E 3. A 4. E 5. E CHECK YOUR WRITING SKILLS:VERBS, PAGE 172 1. The correct answer is (B). Teach is an irregular verb. The correct form of the past tense is taught. 2. The correct answer is (B). The sequence of tenses is incor- rect. The verb should be talked. 3. The correct answer is (C). The verb should be subjunctive, stand, because the sentence is a statement contrary to fact. 4. The correct answer is (D). The error is in subject-verb agreement. The antecedent of who is classmates, so the verb must be enjoy. PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING 196 www.petersons.com 5. The correct answer is (B). Any title is singular, even if it sounds plural. The verb should be was. CHECK YOUR WRITING SKILLS:PRONOUNS, PAGE 176 1. The correct answer is (D). The neither norconstruction calls for a singular pronoun. The error in pronoun antecedent agreement can be corrected by replacing their with his. 2. The correct answer is (C). Again, a singular form of the possessive pronoun is necessary. 3. The correct answer is (D). A reflexive pronoun should not be used when a personal pronoun can be substituted. Use me. 4. The correct answer is (B). You has a vague or nonexistent antecedent. The sentence needs to be rewritten. 5. The correct answer is (C). The ambiguous pronoun should be replaced with the outfit. CHECK YOUR WRITING SKILLS:MODIFIERS AND COMPARISONS, PAGE 179 1. The correct answer is (D). This unbalanced comparison can be corrected by adding they were to the underlined phrase to read than they were last year. 2. The correct answer is (C). Since two films are compared, use the comparative form, better. 3. The correct answer is (A). Most two-syllable adjectives form the comparative by adding -er. 4. The correct answer is (A). The sentence requires a future perfect verb, I will have painted. We were just making sure you were paying attention. 5. The correct answer is (E). Since you can assume that there are more than two people in the class, the superlative adjective is correct. CHECK YOUR WRITING SKILLS:IDIOMS, PAGE 181 1. The correct answer is (D). The idiom is different from. 2. The correct answer is (B). The idiom is conform to or conform with. 3. The correct answer is (A). Kind of is nonstandard English. CHAPTER 7: ABOUT IDENTIFYING SENTENCE ERRORS 197 www.petersons.com 4. The correct answer is (B). The idiom is at variance with. However, a better revision would be Your report about the accident varies from 5. The correct answer is (B). Remember the subject-verb agreement rule: When a compound subject is joined by nor or or, the subject that is closer to the verb determines the verb form. CHECK YOUR WRITING SKILLS:CONTRACTIONS AND POSSESSIVES, PAGE 183 1. The correct answer is (A). Since Rick and Alexandra own one dog together, only the second noun, Alexandra, takes the apostrophe. 2. The correct answer is (B). The possessive pronoun their, not the contraction they’re, is the correct choice here. 3. The correct answer is (E). The sentence is correct. 4. The correct answer is (E). The sentence is correct. Rewriting the phrase can help you decide whether else’s is a possessive, the suitcase of someone else. 5. The correct answer is (C). The possessive form of it is its. It’s is a contraction of it is. CHECK YOUR WRITING SKILLS:COMMON USAGE, PAGE 195 1. The correct answer is (B). The correct word is affected. 2. The correct answer is (E). In this sentence, you need the phrase that means all at once, which is all together. 3. The correct answer is (A). The correct word is besides. 4. The correct answer is (E). Principal, meaning one of the most important, is correct. 5. The correct answer is (E). The adjective modifies food, which is a thing, so you need healthful. PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING 198 www.petersons.com MORE PRACTICE Review your answers from the Check Your Writing Skills sections. Do you see any pattern of missed errors? Are there specific areas of grammar and usage that you repeatedly failed to identify? If so, write them here. You will need to spend additional time reviewing these rules. Choose one of the practice essays you wrote when working through Chapter 4. Review it against the sentence errors listed in this chapter. Have you made any of the common errors related to • Verbs? Write the correction here. • Pronouns? Write the correction here. • Modifiers and comparisons? Write the correction here. • Idioms? Write the correction here. CHAPTER 7: ABOUT IDENTIFYING SENTENCE ERRORS 199 www.petersons.com • Contractions and possessives? Write the correction here. • Usage? Write the correction here. Choose another one of your practice essays. Review it against the sentence errors listed in this chapter. Have you made any of the common errors related to • Verbs? Write the correction here. • Pronouns? Write the correction here. • Modifiers and comparisons? Write the correction here. • Idioms? Write the correction here. PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING 200 www.petersons.com [...]... • Choose vigorous action verbs to improve force and clarity Review the 10 rules of effective writing in Chapter 5 You will find that the same rules that apply to making your writing effective help you improve sentences in the multiple-choice section 21 3 www.petersons.com PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING CHECK YOUR WRITING SKILLS Find the error in each of the following sentences • Write... rewrite or rearrange the sentence Let’s look at some examples: Flawed: By attending the party as a guest rather than as a maid was a new experience for her Improved: By attending the party as a guest rather than as a maid, she enjoyed a new experience Improved: Attending the party as a guest rather than as a maid was a new experience for her The preposition by introduces a modifying phrase, as shown in... Idioms? Write the correction here 20 1 www.petersons.com PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING • Contractions and possessives? Write the correction here • Usage? Write the correction here Can you see a pattern of areas emerging where you need to improve your understanding of common grammar and usage rules? List any areas that you need to improve in your own writing CHECK OFF Before you move... sentence shifts have been discussed in earlier chapters Go back and review them now: shifts in verb tense, pronouns shifts, subject shifts, and passive or active voice shifts 21 1 www.petersons.com PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING FAULTY MODIFIER PLACEMENT Generally, modifiers should be placed as close as possible to the words they modify If a modifier is misplaced or left dangling, it will... Hakeem finesse (E) George played football with power— Hakeem finesse (A) come to work late, on Saturday she arrived late (B) come to work late but on Saturday she arrived late (C) come to work late on Saturday she arrived late (D) come to work late, but on Saturday she arrived late (E) come to work late on Saturday she had arrived late Answer Answer Correction Correction Reason Reason 4 The moon cast... depending and depending months, depending months depending months Depending Answer Answer Correction Correction Reason Reason 20 7 www.petersons.com PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING 3 George played football with power; Hakeem finesse 5 Rarely did Lilliana come to work late, on Saturday she arrived late because her car broke down (A) George played football with power; Hakeem finesse (B) George... same meaning USING THE PRACTICE ITEMS After the explanations of potential sentence problems, there are sets of Check Your Writing Skills exercises Complete each set If you are unsure of how to improve a sentence, you may look at the 20 3 PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING explanations Be sure to read all explanations in the Answers and Explanations sections You may find a piece of information... are joined by a subordinate conjunction Flawed: Alan Brown is a professor, and he is the dean of the science department, while he teaches at the local junior college, too Improved: Alan Brown is a professor who is the dean of the science department at a local junior college www.petersons.com 21 0 CHAPTER 8: ABOUT IMPROVING SENTENCES • When there is upside-down subordination—the independent clause containing... the lines marked “Reason.” You will not need to write out steps 2 and 3 on the real test, but you cannot pick the correct answer without recognizing the error Having to write out all three steps here will help you become accustomed to recognizing the error 2 The islands out at sea from the ship looked very small 1 At her brother’s birthday party, Rosa’s job was to set the table, to vacuum the living room... few mistakes, but I play without feeling A noun clause and an independent clause in series My piano teacher says that I make few mistakes but that I play without feeling 20 9 www.petersons.com PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING Coordinating conjunctions such as and, but, nor, and or often connect items in a series When you see them in a question item on the test, check for errors in parallel . Answers 1. B 2. B 3. C 4. D 5. B 1. D 2. C 3. D 4. B 5. C 1. D 2. C 3. A 4. A 5. E 1. D 2. B 3. A 4. B 5. B 1. A 2. B 3. E 4. E 5. C 1. B 2. E 3. A 4. E 5. E CHECK YOUR WRITING SKILLS:VERBS, PAGE 1 72 1. . where as a substitute for that. 10 0. -wise Do not use this suffix to create new words. PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING 19 4 www.petersons.com CHECK YOUR WRITING SKILLS Find the error. use real to mean “very” or “really” in formal language. PART II: PRACTICING STANDARD ENGLISH FOR WRITING 1 92 www.petersons.com THE TOP 10 0 COMMON USAGE PROBLEMS—continued 84. says Do not use