Deviant Usage

Question 1

What is deviant usage in grammar?

Answer 1

The use of words and expressions that depart from accepted practice, leading to poor writing quality.

Question 2

What are misplaced modifiers?

Answer 2

A word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies or describes.

Question 3

How can you correct a misplaced modifier?

Answer 3

Move the modifier to a more appropriate place in the sentence.

Question 4

What is an example of a misplaced adjective?

Answer 4

Kweku ate a cold dish of cereal for breakfast.

Question 5

How is a misplaced adjective corrected?

Answer 5

Place the adjective next to the noun it modifies.

Question 6

What is a dangling modifier?

Answer 6

A modifier that occurs without the item it modifies.

Question 7

How can dangling modifiers be corrected?

Answer 7

Change the main part of the sentence to begin with the term actually modified or convert the dangling phrase into a subordinate clause.

Question 8

What is a comma splice?

Answer 8

Two sentences or independent clauses incorrectly joined by a comma.

Question 9

Name one way to correct a comma splice.

Answer 9

Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

Question 10

What is a split infinitive?

Answer 10

A grammatical construction where a word or phrase divides ‘to’ and the bare infinitive verb.

Question 11

How can split infinitives be corrected?

Answer 11

Move the offending word so it comes either before or after the infinitive.

Question 12

What is clear pronoun reference?

Answer 12

A pronoun should refer clearly to one unmistakable noun coming before it.

Question 13

What are the three major pronoun reference errors?

Answer 13

Too many antecedents, hidden antecedents, no antecedent at all.

Question 14

What is a rambling sentence?

Answer 14

A sentence that contains several clauses connected by coordinating conjunctions, making it excessively long.

Question 15

How can rambling sentences be corrected?

Answer 15

Remove coordinating conjunctions and replace them with periods.

Question 16

What are double subjects?

Answer 16

Sentences that contain two subjects, which is incorrect.

Question 17

What is a sentence fragment?

Answer 17

A group of words that looks like a sentence but lacks an independent clause.

Question 18

What is subject-verb agreement?

Answer 18

The rule that subjects and verbs must agree in number.

Question 19

What happens when a singular subject is used?

Answer 19

It always takes a singular verb.

Question 20

What is an example of subject-verb agreement with a plural subject?

Answer 20

The dogs play in the yard.

Question 21

What should you do when a compound subject conveys a singular idea?

Answer 21

Use a singular verb.

Question 22

What is a common error related to ambiguous pronouns?

Answer 22

Using a pronoun when the antecedent is unclear.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: A ________ is a group of words that looks like a sentence, but is not.

Answer 23

sentence fragment

Question 24

True or False: A misplaced modifier can lead to confusion.

Answer 24

True

Question 25

What is the rule for subject-verb agreement when using 'or', 'nor', 'neither...nor', etc.?

Answer 25

Make the verb agree in number and in person with the nearer subject ## Footnote Example: Neither the windows nor the door needs to be painted.

Question 26

What is subject-verb agreement?

Answer 26

Verbs always agree with the subject in the sentence even if there is a phrase or clause between them ## Footnote Example: The trees as well as the shrubbery are losing their leaves.

Question 27

When should a singular verb be used with collective nouns?

Answer 27

Use a singular verb when referring to the group as a unit ## Footnote Example: The congregation is made up of Christians.

Question 28

What is an exception to the rule regarding collective nouns?

Answer 28

Scissors and trousers take a plural verb except when preceded by 'pair' ## Footnote Example: The pair of scissors is blunt.

Question 29

What type of verbs should be used with indefinite pronouns?

Answer 29

Use singular verbs ## Footnote Examples of indefinite pronouns include: anybody, anyone, each, either, everybody, everyone, neither, somebody.

Question 30

What is parallel structure?

Answer 30

The balance of two or more elements in a sentence ## Footnote Elements are parallel when one construction matches another: a phrase and a phrase, a clause and a clause.

Question 31

What is a common mistake in parallel constructions with coordinating conjunctions?

Answer 31

Non-parallel structures occur when different parts of speech are used ## Footnote Example: At University of Ghana, cheating can result in suspension or even be expelled from school.

Question 32

What are correlative conjunctions?

Answer 32

Pairs of conjunctions that work together, such as either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also ## Footnote Example of non-parallel: Selasi is not only very beautiful but also is very intelligent.

Question 33

How can you achieve parallel construction in a series?

Answer 33

Ensure all items in the series are the same part of speech ## Footnote Example of parallel: The two girls enjoyed dancing, swimming and shopping.

Question 34

What is the first step in the three-step method to achieve parallelism?

Answer 34

Identify the part of speech being used ## Footnote This could be a noun, verb, or phrase.

Question 35

What is the difference between 'accept' and 'except'?

Answer 35

'Accept' means to receive; 'except' denotes exclusion ## Footnote Example: I accept your invitation except for the date.

Question 36

What does 'affect' mean?

Answer 36

'Affect' is a verb that means to influence ## Footnote Example: The weather can affect your mood.

Question 37

What does 'effect' mean?

Answer 37

'Effect' is a noun meaning result or a verb meaning to bring about ## Footnote Example: The effect of the new law was immediate.

Question 38

What is the difference between 'farther' and 'further'?

Answer 38

'Farther' describes physical distance; 'further' suggests quantity or degree ## Footnote Example: I can run farther than you can swim.

Question 39

What is the difference between 'fewer' and 'less'?

Answer 39

'Fewer' refers to countable items; 'less' refers to uncountable items ## Footnote Example: There are fewer apples in the basket than before.

Question 40

What is the difference between 'who's' and 'whose'?

Answer 40

'Who's' is a contraction of 'who is'; 'whose' is a possessive pronoun ## Footnote Example: Who's coming to the party? Whose jacket is this?

Question 41

What does 'your' and 'you’re' mean?

Answer 41

'Your' is possessive; 'you’re' is a contraction of 'you are' ## Footnote Example: Your dog is friendly. You’re going to love it.

Question 42

What does 'loose' mean?

Answer 42

'Loose' is an adjective meaning 'not secure' ## Footnote Example: The loose screw needs to be tightened.

Question 43

What does 'lose' mean?

Answer 43

'Lose' is a verb meaning the opposite of win or to misplace ## Footnote Example: I tend to lose my keys often.