The grammar games

Question 1 He bought all the albums (which / that) Ke$ha released. Correct answer: that

That vs. Which Dennis gave a session that focused on journalism. Essential/Non-essential clauses Use “that” for essential clauses Dennis gave a session that focused on journalism. Use “which” for non-essential clauses (offset with a comma). Dennis presented a session, which was award-winning, on grammar.

Question 2 Our college should change (its / their) policy alcohol. Correct answer: its

Subject/verb agreement Always identify the subject Some nouns have different style rules for pronouns -The Lions won their game. -Piedmont won its game. -The Piedmont Lions won their game.

Question 3 The team (is / are) arguing over whose fault it is. Correct answer: are

Subject/verb agreement Always identify the subject •Collective nouns take a singular verb when working in unison, but take a plural verb when in disagreement -The team is competing for a state championship. -The team were arguing about the selection of team captain.

Question 4 I can’t remember (who / whom) told me that. Correct answer: who

Who vs. Whom Who: Subject of sentence Whom: Direct object of sentence Ask yourself, is the who/whom doing something (subject), or is something being done to them (object)? Listen to your writing teacher, who knows everything. Whom shall I choose to fail in this class. The editors decided to hire the student who, of everyone in the class, scored the highest on the test.

Question 5 I knew what color the car was, but I wasn’t sure about (its / it’s) model. Correct answer: its

Its vs. It’s “Its” is a possessive meaning of the object. “It’s” is a contraction for “it is.” The album has its good songs and bad songs. It’s a good album to listen to while driving. It’s a mix of rock and rap, but its songs have a country feel.

Question 6 Three-quarters of the student body (is / are) against the tuition hike. Correct answer: is

Subject/verb agreement Always identify the subject •Collective nouns take a singular verb when working in unison, but take a plural verb when in disagreement -The team is competing for a state championship. -The team were arguing about the selection of team captain.

Question 7 Either the record company executive or Ke$ha (is /are) going to have to make a decision on where to tour. Correct answer: is

Subject/verb agreement Always identify the subject Nor/or rule Neither John nor his brothers know (not knows) what to expect. with nor/or, verb should agree with nearest subject)

Question 8 This is a matter for you and (I / me) to decide. Correct answer: me

Me vs. I “I” is a subject. “Me” is an object. Please give me your book. You’re going to class with the book. You’re going to give me your book.

Question 9 I’m excited about the party at Mr. and Mrs. (Davis’ / Davis’s / Davises’) home. Correct answer: Davises’

Personal Possessives If a name ends in “s” … -To make it singular possessive, add an apostrophe -To make it plural, add an “es” -To make it plural possessive, add an es and an apostrophe •I’ve been told to report to Mr. Dennis’ office. •The Dennises are attending the party. •The party is at the Dennises’ home.

Question 10 When you get in the classroom, please (lay / lie) your books on the table. Correct answer: lay

Lay vs. Lie Lay (present), laid (past), laying (pp): action word, requires a direct object Lie (present), lay (past), lain (pp): indicates a state of reclining along a horizontal plane, no direct object Ask yourself, is there a direct object?

Question 11 If you fail the upcoming grammar/style test, you (may / might) fail the class. Correct answer: may

May vs. Might “May” implies a possibility “Might” implies for more uncertainty If you have four drinks tonight, you may get drunk. If you have four drinks tonight, you might wake up in a jail cell.

Question 12 The President’s speech had a positive (affect / effect) on the country. Correct answer: effect

Affect vs. Effect “Affect” is almost always a verb, to influence. (affect change) “Effect” is almost always a noun, result/outcome. (change effect) My hope is this lecture will affect the results of your grammar test. The effect of my lecture was better student test scores.

Question 13 (Although / while) the students were tired, they still went to class. Correct answer: Although

Although vs. While “Although” is a conjunction used to indicate something happening that isn’t expected due to stuff “While” is a conjunction used to indicate something happening at the same time Although I gave all the answers in my grammar slammer, students still failed the test. While I gave all the answers to the test, students were sleeping.

Question 14 I am very (anxious / eager) for Ke$ha’s new album. Correct answer: eager

Anxious vs. Eager “Anxious” indicates fear, trepidation about something about to happen. “Eager” indicates excitement, impatience about something about to happen. Students are anxious about the grammar test. Students are eager for Spring Break.

Question 15 The new McDonalds menu promises items that have (less / fewer) than 500 calories. Correct answer: less

Fewer vs. Less “Fewer” is for measurable quantities. “Less” is for hypothetical quantities. I have 10 items or fewer, so I can go to the fast checkout lane. Without studying, students will be less successful in college.

Question 16 In the crowd there are several students (that / which / who) would be very successful in college. Correct answer: who

That vs. Who “Who” refers to people. “That” refers to inanimate objects. I will talk to the members of the team who were involved in the fight. I will talk to the team that was involved in the fight.

Question 17 (Their / There / They’re) are too many questions on this quiz. Correct answer: There

There vs. Their vs. They’re “There” refers to a place. “Their” refers to something owned by a group. “They’re” is a conjunction for “they are.” The class is meeting over there. That is their classroom. They’re learning grammar right now. They’re going to love going there, because their food is the best!

Question 18 Which sentence is correct? I am going to quickly fall asleep. I am going to fall asleep quickly. Correct answer: I am going to fall asleep quickly.

Split infinitives An infinitive is “to” with a verb. Keep “to” and its verb together. WRONG: The professor told his class to quickly take the quiz. RIGHT: The professor told his class to take the quiz quickly.

Question 19 Which sentence is correct? I read in the newspaper that Sara got married. I read that Sara got married in the newspaper. Correct answer: I read in the newspaper that Sara got married.

Modifiers A modifier provides more information for the noun (adjective) or verb (adverb). Be sure to include a relevant subject, verb with the modifer. Dangling modifiers While surfing in Hawaii, a shark attacked me. (Surfer shark!) While surfing in Hawaii, I was attacked by a shark.

When not to correct people’s grammar