writing skills Flashcards
to check a piece of writing for errors
proofread
a group of related sentences
paragraph
one thing in a series of things to do
step
subject; what the piece of writing is about
topic
to change or correct a piece of writing
edit
a short piece of writing, at least three paragraphs long
essay
to arrange in a clear, logical way
organize
to find and collect together
gather
last week went fishing for trout at the nearby mountain lake.
incorrect (missing subject)
A schedule of the day’s events can be obtained at the front desk.
correct
A job on the day shift or the night shift at the plant available.
incorrect (missing verb)
The new computer program has provides a variety of helpful applications.
incorrect (extra verb)
The box can be opened only with a special screwdriver.
correct
The assigned text for history class it contains more than twenty chapters.
incorrect (extra subject)
The papers in the wastebasket should be emptied into the trash can outside.
correct
Departure before dawn on a boat in the middle of the harbor.
incorrect (missing verb)
Yesterday found an interesting article on pollution.
incorrect (missing subject)
The new machine is processes 50 percent more than the previous machine.
incorrect (extra verb)
………….was backed up for miles on the freeway.
yesterday/ in the morning /traffic /cars
traffic
Engineers………..for work on the new space program.
necessary/ are needed /hopefully /next month
are needed
The boy………..going to the movies with a friend.
he is/ he always was /is relaxing/ will be
will be
With his friend…………found the movie theater.
has/ he/ later/ when
he
The interviews by radio broadcasters were carried live by the station.
correct
In the last possible moment before takeoff took his seat in the airplane.
incorrect (missing subject)
At the neighborhood flower shop, flowers in quantities of a dozen or a half dozen can be delivered for free.
correct
The progressive reading methods at this school are given credit for the improved test scores.
correct
For the last three years at various hospitals in the country has been practicing medicine.
incorrect (missing subject)
In the past a career in politics was not considered acceptable in some circles.
correct
Shopping in the downtown area of the city it has improved a lot in recent years.
incorrect (extra subject)
At the building site the carpenters with the most experience were given the most intricate work.
correct
For the fever and headache took two aspirin tablets.
incorrect (missing subject)
The report with complete documentation was delivered at the conference.
correct
The son of the previous owner, the new owner is undertaking some fairly broad changes in management policy.
correct
Last semester, a friend, graduated cum laude from the university.
incorrect (missing subject)
Valentine’s day, February 14, is a special holiday for sweethearts.
correct
At long last, the chief executive officer, has decided to step down.
incorrect (missing subject)
Tonight’s supper, leftovers from last night, did not taste any better tonight than last night.
correct
The only entrance to the closet, the door was kept locked at all times.
correct
In the cold of winter, a wall heating unit, would not turn on.
incorrect (missing subject)
The new tile pattern, yellow flowers on a white background, really brightens up the room.
correct
The high-powered computer the most powerful machine of its type, was finally readied for use.
incorrect (missing comma)
A longtime friend and confidant, the psychologist was often invited over for Sunday dinner.
correct
The companies offering the lowest prices will have the most customers.
correct
Those travelers are completing their trip on Delta should report to gate three.
incorrect (extra verb)
The artisans were demonstrating various handicrafts at booths throughout the fair.
correct
The fraternities are giving the wildest parties attract the most new pledges.
incorrect (extra verb)
The first team winning four games is awarded the championship.
correct
The speaker was trying to make his point was often interrupted vociferously.
incorrect (extra verb)
The fruits were rotten because of the moister in the crates carrying them to market.
correct
Any students desiring official transcripts should complete the appropriate form.
correct
The advertisements were announcing the half-day sale received a lot of attention.
incorrect (extra verb)
The spices flavoring the meal were quite distinctive.
correct
The money was offered by the client was not accepted.
incorrect (extra verb)
The car listed in the advertisement had already stalled.
correct
The chapters were taught by the professor this morning will be on next week’s exam.
incorrect (extra verb)
The loaves of bread were baked in a brick oven at a low temperature for many hours.
correct
The ports were reached by the sailors were under the control of a foreign nation.
incorrect (extra verb)
Those suspected in the string of robberies were arrested by the police.
correct
the pizza is served in this restaurant is the tastiest in the country.
incorrect (extra verb)
The courses are listed in the second page of the brochure have several prerequisites.
incorrect (extra verb)
All the tenants were invited to the independence day barbecue at the apartment complex.
correct
Any bills paid by the first of the month will be credited to your account by the next day.
correct
For three weeks at the beginning of the semester students with fewer than the maximum number of units can add additional courses.
correct
On her lunch hour went to a nearby department store to purchase a wedding gift.
incorrect (missing subject)
The fir trees were grown for the holiday season were harvested in November.
incorrect (extra verb)
In the grove the overripe oranges were falling on the ground.
correct
The papers being delivered at 4:00 will contain the announcement of the president’s resignation.
correct
A specialty shop with various blends from around the world in the shopping mall.
incorrect (missing verb)
The portraits exhibited in the Houston museum last month are now on display in Dallas.
correct
With a sudden jerk of his hand threw the ball across the field to one of the other players.
incorrect (missing subject)
Construction of the housing development it will be underway by the first of the month.
incorrect (extra subject)
Those applicants returning their completed forms at the earliest date have the highest priority.
correct
The North Platte river............from Wyoming into Nebraska. A) it flowed B) flows C) flowing D) with flowing water
B) flows
..........Biloxi received its name from a Sioux word meaning "first people". A) the city of B) located in C) it is in D) the tour included
A) the city of
A pride of lions............up to forty lions, including one to three males, several females, and cubs. A) can contain B) it contains C) contain D) containing
A) can contain
Henry Adams, born in Boston,.........famous as a historian and novelist. A) became B) and became C) he was D) and he became
A) became
..................tea plant are small and white. A) the B) on the C) having flowers the D) the flowers of the
D) the flowers of the
The major cause........the pull of the moon on the earth. A) the ocean tides are B) of ocean tides is C) of the tides in the ocean D) the oceans' tides
B) of ocean tides is
The tetracyclines,....................antibiotics, are used to treat infections. A) are a family of B) being a family C) a family of D) their family is
C) a family of
Still a novelty in the late nineteenth century,.............limited to the rich. A) was B) was photography C) it was photography D) photography was
D) photography was
Any possible academic assistance from taking stimulants...............marginal at best. A) it is B) there is C) is D) as
C) is
A computerized map of the freeways using information gathered by sensors embedded in the pavement............on a local cable channel during rush hours. A) airs B) airing C) air D) to air
A) airs
The software should be used on a laptop computer, and this computer is a laptop.
correct
The rain clouds can be seen in the distance, but no has fallen.
incorrect (missing subject)
They are trying to sell their house it has been on the market for two months.
incorrect (missing connector)
So the quality of the print was not good, I changed the typewriter ribbon.
incorrect (misplaced connectors)
The lifeguard will warn you about the riptides, or she may require you to get out of the water.
correct
You should have finished the work yesterday, yet is not close to being finished today.
incorrect (missing subject)
The phone rang again and again, so the receptionist was not able to get much work done.
correct
The missing wallet was found, but the cash and credit cards had been removed.
correct
Or you can drive your car for another 2000 miles, you can get it fixed.
incorrect (misplaced connector)
The chemist was awarded the Nobel prize, he flew to Europe to accept it.
incorrect (missing connector)
Since the bank closes in less than an hour, the deposits need to be tallied.
correct
Their backgrounds are thoroughly investigated before are admitted to the organization.
incorrect (missing subject)
The citizens are becoming more and more incensed about traffic accidents whenever the accidents occur at that intersection.
correct
The ground had been prepared, the seedlings were carefully planted.
incorrect (missing connector)
We can start the conference now that all the participants have arrived.
correct
The building quite vulnerable to damage until the storm windows are installed.
incorrect (missing verb)
Once the address label for the package is typed, can be sent to the mail room.
incorrect (missing subject)
Because the recent change in work shifts was not posted, several workers missed their shifts.
correct
The mother is going to be quite upset with her son as long as he misbehaves so much.
correct
Inasmuch as all the votes have not yet been counted the outcome of the election cannot be announced.
incorrect (missing comma)
It is impossible to enter that program if you lack experience as a teacher.
correct
The commandant left strict orders about the passes, several soldiers left the post anyway.
incorrect (missing connector)
No one is admitted to the academy he or she the education requirements.
incorrect (missing verb)
While most students turned the assignments in on time, a few asked for an extension.
correct
I will take you whenever need to go to complete the registration procedures.
incorrect (missing subject)
I will wait here in the airport with you whether the plane leaves on time or not.
correct
providing the envelope is postmarked by this Friday, your application still acceptable.
incorrect (missing verb)
As the nurse already explained all visitors must leave the hospital room now.
incorrect (missing comma)
This exam will be more difficult than usual in that it covers two chapters instead of one.
correct
Though snow had been falling all day long, everyone got to the church on time for the wedding.
correct
Until the registrar makes a decision about your status, you must stay in an unclassified category.
correct
Or the bills can be paid by mail by the first of the month.
incorrect (unnecessary connector)
The parents left a phone number with the babysitter in case a problem with the children.
incorrect (missing verb)
The furniture will be delivered as soon it is paid for.
incorrect (incorrect connector)
Whenever you want to hold the meeting, we will schedule it.
correct
The government was overthrown in a revolution, the king has not returned to his homeland.
incorrect (missing connector)
Whereas most of the documents are complete, this form still needs to be notarized.
correct
Trash will be collected in the morning, so you should put the trash cans out tonight.
correct
It is impossible for the airplane to take off while is snowing so hard.
incorrect (missing subject)
We did not go out to dinner tonight even though I would have preferred not to cook.
correct
The president of the united states appoints the cabinet members,...........appointments are subject to senate approval. A) their B) with their C) because their D) but their
D) but their
Like Thomas Berger's fictional character ''little big man'', Lauderdale managed to find himself where...........of important events took place. A) it was an extraordinary number B) there was an extraordinary number C) an extraordinary number D) an extraordinary number existed
C) an extraordinary number
The prisoners were prevented from speaking to reporters because………….
A) not wanting the story in the papers
B) the story in the papers the superintendent did not want
C) the public to hear the story
D) the superintendent did not want the story in the papers
D) the superintendent did not want the story in the papers
...................sucked groundwater from below, some parts of the city have begun to sink as much as ten inches annually. A) pumps have B) as pumps have C) so pumps have D) with pumps
B) as pumps have
While in reality Alpha Centauri is a triple star,...........to the naked eye to be a single star. A) it appears B) but it appears c) appears D) despite it
A) it appears
The sun's gravity severely distorted the path of the comet.............entered its wildly erratic orbit around Jupiter. A) it B) when C) after the comet came into it D) once the comet
D) once the comet
Each object..................Jupiter's magnetic field is deluged with electrical charges. A) enters B) it enters C) entering D) enter
C) entering
Case studies are the target of much skepticism in the scientific community,.................used extensively by numerous researchers. A) they are B) are C) yet they D) yet they are
D) yet they are
As its name suggests, the Prairie Wetlands Resource Center................. the protection of wetlands on the prairies of the Dakotas, Montana, Minnesota, and Nebraska. A) it focuses B) focuses on C) focusing D) to focus on
B) focuses on
One of the largest and most powerful birds of prey in the world,.............a six-foot wingspan and legs and talons roughly the size of a man's arms and legs. A) so the harpy has B) the harpy having C) with the harpy having D) the harpy has
D) the harpy has
.....................creation of such a community was a desirable step, the requisite political upheaval had to be accepted. A) since the B) the C) later, the D) it was the
A) since the
......................or refinanced, the lender will generally require setting up an escrow account to ensure the payment of property taxes and homeowner's insurance. A) a home is B) a home is bought C) when a home D) when a home is bought
D) when a home is bought
according to the hypothesis in the study, the monarchs pick up the magnetic field of the.............migrate by following magnetic fields. A) target monarchs B) target since monarchs C) target since monarchs are D) target
B) target since monarchs
if ultraviolet radiation enters the earth's atmosphere,..............generally blocked by the ozone concentrated in the atmosphere. A) it B) it is C) so it is D) then it
B) it is
..........................show the relations among neurons, they do not preclude the possibility that other aspects are important. A) neural theories B) a neural theory C) although neural theories D) however neural theories
C) although neural theories
among human chromosomes, the Y chromosome is unusual..............most of the chromosome does not participate in meiotic recombination. A) in B) so C) and D) in that
D) in that
without the proper card installed inside the computer,..............impossible to run a graphics program. A) is definitely B) because of C) it is D) is
C) it is
the three basic chords in..........the tonic, the dominant, and the subdominant. A) functional harmony B) functional harmony is C) functional harmony are D) functional harmony they are
C) functional harmony are
................hale telescope, at the Palomar observatory in southern California, scientists can photograph objects several billion light years away. A) the B) with the C) they use the D) it is the
B) with the
the charter for the Louisiana lottery was coming up for renewal,..............spared no expense in the fight to win renewal. A) the lottery committee B) so the lottery committee and C) so the lottery committee D) the lottery committee made
C) so the lottery committee
when the season starts is determined by the weather.
correct
the manual how the device should be built.
incorrect (missing verb)
the schedule indicated if the teams would be playing in the final game.
correct
he refused to enter a plea could not be determined by the lawyer.
incorrect (missing connector)
talked about where we should go for lunch.
incorrect (missing subject)
why the condition of the patient deteriorated so rapidly it was not explained.
incorrect (extra subject)
whether or not the new office would be built was not to be determined at the meeting.
correct
that the professor has not yet decided when the paper is due.
incorrect (missing verb)
the contract will be awarded is the question to be answered at the meeting.
incorrect (missing connector)
he always talked with whomever he pleased and did whatever he wanted.
correct
the game show contestant was able to respond to whatever was asked.
correct
you should find out which the best physics department.
incorrect (missing verb)
the employee was unhappy about what was added to his job description.
correct
whoever wants to take the desert tour during spring break singing up at the office.
incorrect (missing verb)
the motorist was unable to discover who he had struck his car.
incorrect (extra subject)
the voters should elect whichever of the candidates seems best to them.
correct
it was difficult to distinguish between what was on sale and what was merely on display.
correct
you should buy whatever the cheapest and most durable.
incorrect (missing verb)
what was written in the letter angered him beyond belief.
correct
you can spend your time with whoever important to you.
incorrect (missing verb)
it is important to fill out the form in the way that you have been instructed.
correct
the car which i have been driving for five years for sale at a really good price.
incorrect (missing verb)
I just finished the novel whom the professor suggested for my book report.
incorrect (incorrect connector)
the plane that he was scheduled to take to Hawaii was delayed.
incorrect (extra verb)
the movie which we watched on cable last night it was really frightening.
incorrect (extra subject)
I made an appointment with the doctor whom you recommended.
correct
the enthusiasm with which he greeted me made me feel welcome.
correct
the story that you told me about bob.
incorrect (missing verb)
the men with whom were having the discussion did not seem very friendly.
incorrect (missing subject)
I’m not really sure about taking part in the plans that we made last night.
correct
the ice cream that is served in the restaurant has a smooth, creamy texture.
correct
the cars are trying to enter the freeway system are lined up for blocks.
incorrect (missing connector)
I have great respect for everyone who on the Dean’s list.
incorrect (missing verb)
it is going to be very difficult to work with the man which just began working here.
incorrect (incorrect connector)
the door that leads to the vault it was tightly locked.
incorrect (extra subject)
the neighbors reported the man who was trying to break into the car to the police.
correct
these plants can only survive in an environment is extremely humid.
incorrect (missing connector)
the boss meets with any production workers who they have surpassed their quotas.
incorrect (extra subject)
the salesclerk ran after the woman who had left her credit card in the store.
correct
the shoes which matched the dress that was on sale.
incorrect (missing verb)
no one explained to me whether was coming or not.
incorrect (missing subject)
the part of the structure that has already been built needs to be torn down.
correct
the girl who she just joined the softball team is a great shortstop.
incorrect (extra subject)
I have no idea about when the meeting is supposed to start.
correct
we have been told that we can leave whenever want.
incorrect (missing subject)
the racquet with whom I was playing was too big and too heavy for me
incorrect (incorrect connector)
I will never understand that he did.
incorrect (incorrect connector)
he was still sick was obvious to the entire medical staff.
incorrect (missing connector)
what is most important in this situation it is to finish on time.
incorrect (extra subject)
the newspapers that were piled up on the front porch were an indication that the residents had not been home in some time.
correct
we will have to return the merchandise purchased yesterday at the Broadway.
correct
the children sat in the fancy restaurant found it difficult to behave.
incorrect (sitting instead of sat)
serving a term of four years, the mayor of the town will face reelection next year.
correct
the brand new Cadillac, purchasing less than two weeks ago, was destroyed in the accident.
incorrect (purchased instead of purchasing)
the fans who supporting their team always come out to the games in large numbers.
incorrect (remove who)
the suspect can be seen in the photographs were just released by the police.
incorrect (was instead of were)
the food placing on the picnic table attracted a large number of flies.
incorrect (placed instead of placing)
impressed with everything she had heard about the course, Marie signed her children up for it.
correct
the passengers in the airport waiting room, heard the announcement of the canceled flight, groaned audibly.
incorrect (hearing instead of heard)
dissatisfied with the service at the restaurant, the meal really was not enjoyable.
incorrect (illogical reduction)
the climbers on the sheer face of the mountain need to be rescued.
correct
the interrogation, conducted by three police officers, have lasted for several hours.
incorrect (has instead of have)
the tenants in the apartment next to mine is giving a party this evening.
incorrect (are instead of is)
the president, surrounded by secret service agents, is trying to make his way to the podium.
correct
the buildings destroyed during the fire are being rebuilt at the taxpayers’ expense.
correct
because of the seriousness of the company’s financial problems, the board of directors have called an emergency.
incorrect (has instead of have)
manufacture of the items that you requested have been discontinued because of lack of profit on those items.
incorrect (has instead of have)
further development of any new ideas for future projects has to be approved in advance.
correct
the scheduled departure time of the trains, posted on panels throughout the terminal buildings, are going to be updated.
incorrect (is instead of are)
any houses built in that development before 1970 have to be upgraded to meet current standards.
correct
the witnesses saw that most of the fire in the hills was extinguished.
correct
some of the animals from the zoo was released into the animal preserve.
incorrect (were instead of was)
all of the students in the class taught by professor Roberts is required to turn in their term papers next Monday.
incorrect (are instead of is)
half of the food that we are serving to the guests are still in the refrigerator.
incorrect (is instead of are)
we believe that some of the time of the employees is going to be devoted to quality control.
correct
All of the witnesses in the jury trial, which lasted more than two weeks, have indicated that they believed that the defendant was guilty.
correct
she did not know where most of the people in the room was from.
incorrect (were instead of was)
in spite of what was decided at the meeting, half of the procedures was not changed.
incorrect (were instead of was)
I was sure that all of the questions on the test were correct.
correct
most of the trouble that the employees discussed at the series of meetings was resolved within a few weeks.
correct
