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GIAO TRNH
WRITING I
(Danh cho sinh vien tai chc Anh van)
2002
Writing 1
-2CONTENT
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
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Reference:
Hacker, D. (1995). A Writers Reference Exercises to Accompany. 3rd Edition.
Bedford Books of St. Martins Press New York. ISBN 0-312-10142-2
Jordan, R. R. (1997). Academic Writing Course. CollinsELT HarperCollins.
Leggette, G, Mead, C. D., Charvat, W. (1988). Essentials of Grammar and
Composition. Prentice-Hall, New Delhi 110001.
Langan, J. (1995). Sentence Skills- A work book for writers. McGraw Hill
Langan, J. (1996). College Writing Skills 4th edition. McGraw-Hill
Reid, J. M. (1998). The Process of Paragraph Writing. Prentice Hall Regents New
Jersey 07632
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PART I:
SENTENCE SENSE
I. Recognizing phrases
A phrase is a group of related words without a subject or predicate and used as
a single part of speech. Typical phrases are a preposition and its object {I felt on the
sidewalk), or a verbal and its object (I wanted to see the parade).
Prepositional phrases are classified, according to function, as adjective, adverb,
and noun phrases.
An adjective phrase modifies a noun or pronoun. (He is a man of action.}
An adverb phrase modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb. (The train arrived on
time. We were ready at the station.)
A noun phrase is used as a noun. (Before breakfast is the best time for
calisthenics.)
Verbal phrases are classified as participial, gerund, or infinitive phrases.
A participial phrase functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun.
(The man sitting on the porch is my father. The dog found in the street was
homeless.) Such phrases are formed with the present participle of a verb (seeing,
calling) or the past participle (seen. called).
A gerund phrase is used as a noun. {Collecting stamps is my hobby.} Since both
gerunds and present participles end in -ing, they can be distinguished only by their
separate functions as nouns or adjectives.
An infinitive phrase is used as an adjective, adverb, or noun. (It is time to go to
bed. We were impatient to start the game. I wanted to buy a house.)
A Main clause also has both subject and verb but is not introduced by a
subordinating word. A main clause makes an independent statement. It is not used
as a noun or a modifier.
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DEPENDENT WORD
After
Although, though
As
Because
Before
Even though
How
1
if, even if
in order that
since
that, so that
unless
until
what, whatever
when
where, wherever
whether
which, whichever
while
who
whose
Chet may
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A complex sentence is used when you want to emphasize one idea over the
other
Because I forgot the time, I missed the final exam.
The idea that the writer wishes to emphasize here I missed the final exam is
expressed as a complete thought. The less important idea because I forgot the
time- is subordinated to the complete thought. The technique of giving one idea less
emphasis than another is called subordination.
The compound-complex sentence is made up of two (or more) simple
sentences and one or more dependent statements.
When the power line snapped2, Jack was listening to the radio, and Linda was
reading in bed.
After I returned to school following a long illness, the math teacher gave me
make-up work, but the history teacher made me drop her course.
COORDINATION AND SUBORDINATION
Coordination and subordination are ways of showing the exact relationship of
ideas within a sentence. Through coordination we show that ideas are of equal
importance. When we coordinate, we use the words and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
Through subordination we show that one idea is less important than another. When
we subordinate, we use dependent words like when, although, since, as, whole,
because, and after.
B t, gay
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EXERCISES
I. Underline the prepositional, participial, gerund, and infinitive phrases in
each sentences and then state whether they function as noun, adjective, or
adverb phrases.
1. Many children with talent performed at the concert for the Red Cross.
2. Paul drove around the block, looking for a parking lot.
3. Delayed by the storm, the ship came into port a day late.
4. With growing interest we listen to the story.
5. Joining clubs is a way of meeting new people.
6. To be successful doesnt necessarily mean to be wealthy.
7. Alex, looking very unhappy, was leaning against the fence, watching the game.
8. Our neighbors across the road are moving to a house around the corner.
9. Our first job, painting the fence, took all morning.
10. The birds, made bold by hunger, came to the doorstep for food.
3
Tien ve
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II. Underline the Subordinate clauses (or clause) in each of the following
sentences and then write their names and functions.
1. Have you ever asked your doctor what a disease is?
2. I forgot to tell you the time when I shall return.
3. That you are in good health again pleases all of us.
4. He tried for a long time before he succeeded.
5. The only people who never fail are those who never try.
6. If Jane comes, should we show her the photographs you brought?
7. We were still eighty miles from where we were going.
8. Attracted by the high waves, many people moved to the big cities where they
found jobs in factories.
9. My uncle laughed at me when I ran from a cow that only wanted to be friendly.
10. When I got to the station, I learnt that the train that I expected to get had left ten
minutes before.
11. Miss Sullivan is annoyed if we come in after the bell, which is hung above the
front door, has rung twice.
12. The day after I arrived I met a friend whom I had not seen since he moved to
the South.
III. Determine the kind of each of the following sentences. Underline each
clause of the sentence, and then write its name.
1. Fishing isnt any fun for me unless I catch a fish.
2. He did not talk or laugh; he just merely smiled.
3. Ask no questions and you will be told no lies.
4. Dad, busy with his monthly report, hardly heard a word we said.
5. At a dangerous speed the thieves drove the stolen car through the thick traffic.
6. The violinist bowed and smiled while the audience applauded wildly, but he
played no encores.
7. I was happy when I heard that he had been appointed chairman of the
committee.
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8. The student checked his paper carefully; still, he was sure that he had made a
mistake.
9. If anyone telephones me while I was out, tell him that I have gone to Kiev for
the day.
10. I do not know how you regard this action, but I do know what I think of it.
Further reading
PARALLEL STRUCTURE
Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more
ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or
clause level. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating
conjunctions such as "and" or "or.
1. Words and Phrases
With the -ing form (gerund) of words:
Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling.
With infinitive phrases:
Parallel: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle.
OR
Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle.
(Note: You can use "to" before all the verbs in a sentence or only before the
first one.)
Do not mix forms.
Example 1
Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.
Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.
Example 2
Not Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly,
accurately, and in a detailed manner.
Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately,
and thoroughly.
Example 3
Not Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until
the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless
manner, and his motivation was low.
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Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the
last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner,
and lacked motivation.
2. Clauses
A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses. Changing to
another pattern or changing the voice of the verb (from active to passive or vice
versa) will break the parallelism.
Example 1
Not Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that
they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they
should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before
the game.
-- or -Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too
much, and do some warm-up exercises before the game.
Example 2
Not Parallel: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the
meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that
questions would be asked by prospective buyers.
(passive)
Parallel: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting,
that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that prospective
buyers would ask him questions.
3. Lists after a colon
Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form.
Example 1
Not Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word
meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.
Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings,
pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs.
Proofreading Strategies to try when you write:
Skim your paper, pausing at the words "and" and "or." Check on each side of these
words to see whether the items joined are parallel. If not, make them parallel.
If you have several items in a list, put them in a column to see if they are parallel.
Listen to the sound of the items in a list or the items being compared. Do you hear
the same kinds of sounds? For example, is there a series of "-ing" words beginning
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each item? Or do your hear a rhythm being repeated? If something is breaking that
rhythm or repetition of sound, check to see if it needs to be made parallel.
Rewrite the following sentences:
1. The day is dark, with cloudy skies and has a high humidity.
2. As a teenager, she had babysat, working in a restaurant, and typing for her
mother.
3. I am studying the sources of educational theory and how educational theory has
evolved.
4. I read Hegel for the profound ideas in his philosophy but not his style of writing.
5. In his hands he was holding a book and interesting magazine.
6. He was not only sympathetic but also knew when to be considerate.
7. Not only did he enjoy the movie but also the play.
8. He was successful both as a church architect and writing poetry.
9. I was concerned about the price of the car and if it was comfortable.
10. Their homeland was cold and with many mountains.
11. Playing tennis is more strenuous that to ride a bicycle.
12. Neither does he speak Spanish nor Helen.
13. She wanted the roof repaired and to pain the fence.
14. John decided to go to the university rather than a job.
15. He is a poor teacher but who treats his students fairly.
SUMMARY
1- Basic elements of the sentence: Subject, Objects, Complements
e. g : He is reading a book
Maria is going to buy her son a new watch.
The test was so difficult.
2- Phrases and Clauses:
Phrases: Groups of words containing non-finite verbs ( -ING / -ED forms of
verbs, To-infinitive )
e. g : Looking at the board, she knew that she was on the wrong way.
This is a long novel written by a very famous writer.
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Practice :Identify the subordinating clauses and its functions in the following
sentences :
1-The book which you lent me was interesting.
2-How the prisoners escaped is a complete mystery.
3-George said that he was pleased to welcome our Italian friends.
4-I shall do the exercises as I have been taught.
5-The news that we are having a holiday tomorrow is not true.
6-He asked me why I had come there.
7-As the car was so small he sold it.
8-He kept on with his work until he had finished it.
9-Stay where you are!
10-The idea that you can do this work without thinking is quite wrong.
4-Complex, Compound, Compound-Complex :
main clause + subordinate clause (s )
main clause + main clause
-> complex
-> compound
-> compound-
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6-It is difficult to estimate the impact of televised violence upon young children.
7-Many parents are under the impression that education is to be got only in school.
8-Before election, it is every politicians opinion that taxes must be cut.
9-The police were annoyed by the jeers of the crowd.
10-She became interested in social work through her summer job in a camp for
underprivileged children.
II Underline the subordinating clause and denote its function:
1 -While I did well in class, I was a poor performer at games
2- A great storm had brought the sea right into the house, so that they had been
forced to make their escape by a window at the back.
3- Where the pink cliffs rose out of the ground there were often narrow tracks
winding upwards.
4- George said he was pleased to welcome our Italian friends.
5- You can have this for what I paid for it.
6-The news that we are having a holiday tomorrow is not true .
7-The news that he told me was terrible.
8- That it was done deliberately is quite clear.
9-I know the reason why he was so angry.
10-He is the kindest man I know.
III Identify compound, complex, compound-complex sentences:
1-Teachers frown on the idea of cramming the night before an exam, but its better
than flunking.
2-One of the major objections to capital punishment is not that it is ineffective as a
deterrent to crime but that it is so inconsistently administered.
3-The argument for the legalization of marijuana rests on the contention that the
drug is not addictive.
4-The teacher told the class he was retiring that year, and there was a burst of
applause.
5- Although Elvis Presleys heyday seemed to be over, his popularity underwent a
revival.
6-This summer I took a temporary job as a shop assistant in the dress department of
a large store, and it was an experience I shall never forget.
7-The first customers of the morning were the ladies who had come up to town in
order to spend the whole day at the shops.
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Practice Test 2
I Indicate phrases, clauses and their functions:
1. As the class ended, the teacher heaved a deep sigh of relief.
2. Students are demanding a large role in school decision-making because, they
claim, they are the school.
3. Thinking is an activity that requires practice.
4. It is sometimes difficult to draw the line between literature and pornography
; even legal definitions reflect that difficulty.
5. The Titanic, once considered unsinkable, sank in a matter of hours.
6. What one thinks at twenty seems naive at thirty.
7. The police were annoyed by the jeers of the crowd.
8. The students felt that the administration had been evasive.
9. We tried out our speed boat when the sea was calm.
10. She had the quality of innocence that the director had been looking for.
II Identify compound, complex, compound-complex sentence:
1. The new politicians are those who substitute organization for charisma.
2. What would you do if you found yourself in a bathing suit in a snowstorm?
3. An addict needs more and more heroin, and needs it all time.
4. He tries to be a sophisticated man of the world, but he does not succeed.
5. The day she developed laryngitis was the happiest day of her husband life.
6. Thinking is an activity that requires practice.
7. When the sky darkened, the wind blew and the leaves fell.
8. Before election, it is every politicians opinion that taxes must be cut down.
9. Anyone who likes rock music wants to hear it all day long.
III Correct the mistakes appeared in the following sentences :
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PART II:
PUNCTUATION
I. End punctuation
Periods, question marks, and exclamation points signal the end of a sentence.
Use a period to terminate plain assertions or commands; use a question mark to
terminate interrogative statements; use an exclamation point to terminate strongly
emotional assertions or ejaculations. Ordinarily, the character of the sentence
dictates the proper end punctuation. Occasionally, however, you must determine for
yourself just what you intend the character of a sentence to be. Notice the different
intentions behind the three sentences:
He struck out with the bases loaded.
He struck out with the bases loaded?
He struck out with the bases loaded!
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This list, though incomplete, will aid you in distinguishing between the two:
Conjunctive Adverbs
however
nevertheless
moreover
there fore
consequently
hence
indeed
likewise
furthermore
namely
still
then
Subordinating Conjunctions
when
although
though
since
if
because
so that
after
in order that
while
unless
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EXERCISES
I. Quotation Marks: We usually put punctuation inside the quotation marks
Example:
Say something to me, whispered Lola to Tony.
Mark Twain once wrote, The more I know about human being, the
more o like my dog.
The only dumb question, the instructor said, is the one you dont
ask.
YOU DO IT
Place quotation marks around the exact words of a speaker or writer in the
sentences that follow.
1. The health-food store clerk said, Sucking on zinc lozenges can help you get
over a cold.
2. How are you doing in school? my uncle always asks me.
3. Dave said, Lets walk faster. I think the game has already started.
4. Mark Twain once said, The man who doesnt read good books has no
advantage over the man who cant.
5. Its extremely dangerous to mix alcohol and pill, Dr. Wilson reminded us.
The combination could kill you.
II. Comma: It often signals a minor break, or pause, in a sentence. It is used:
1. To separate item in a series
2. To set off introductory material
3. Before and after words the interrupt the flow of thought in a
sentence
4. Before two complete thoughts connected by and, but, for, nor,
or, yet, so
5. To set off a direct quotation from the rest of a sentence
6. For certain everyday material
YOU DO IT
Put a comma where necessary
1. Superman believe in truth justice and you.
2. Mary added white wine mushroom salt pepper and oregano to her spaghetti
sauce
3. When the president entered the room became hushed.
4. Feeling brave and silly at the same time Tony volunteered to go on stage
and help the magician
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5. At first putting extra hot pepper flakes on the pizza seemed like a good idea.
However I felt otherwise when flames seemed about to shoot out of my
mouth.
6. On Friday my day off I went to get a haircut.
7. Mowing the grass especially when it is six inches high is my last favorite
job.
8. A jar of chicken noodle which was all there was in the refrigerator did not
make a very satisfying meal.
9. The oranges in the refrigerator were covered with blue mold and the
potatoes in the cupboard felt like sponges.
10. The whole family searched the yard inch by inch but never found Moms
missing wedding ring.
11. All the slacks in the shop were on sale but not a single pair was my size.
12. Tom came to the door and called out Welcome to my house!
13. The student behind me whispered The skin
14. I expect you to set a better example for the other Mike.
15. Although that old man on the corner looks like a Skid Row bum he is said to
have a Swiss bank account.
III. Colon: Use the colon at the end of a complete statement to introduce a list, a
long quotation, or an explanation.
List: The following were my worst jobs: truck loader in an apple plant, assembler in
a battery factory, and attendant in a state mental hospital.
Long quotation: Thoreau explains in Walden: I went to the woods because I
wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could
not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not
lived.
Explanation: There are two softball leagues: the fast-pith league and the low-pitch
league.
YOU DO IT - Place colons where needed
1. Foods that are high in cholesterol include the following eggs, butter, milk,
cheese, shrimp, and well-marbled meats
2. All the signs of the flu were present hot and cold spells, heavy drainage
from the tissues, a bad cough, and an ache through the entire body.
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IV. Semicolon: It is used to mark the break between two complete thoughts
YOU DO IT: Place semicolons where needed:
1. The special at the restaurant today are eggplant Parmesan, for $5.95 black
beans and rice, for $4.95 and chicken potpie, for $6.95.
The top of the hill offered an awesome view of the military cemetery thousands
of headstones were ranged in perfect rows.
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PART III:
COMMA SPLICE
The use of a comma between two main clauses without a coordinating conjunction
results in the COMMA FAULT or COMMA SPLICE. (A comma splice results when
a comma is mistakenly placed between two independent clauses that are not joined
by a coordinating conjunction. (If the comma is omitted, the error is called a run-on
sentence.)
Comma splice
Environments are not static7 states, they are constantly changing and evolving.
Corrected
Environments are not static states; they are constantly changing and evolving.
Environments, constantly changing and evolving, are not static states.
Comma splice
The witness was unwilling to testify, he was afraid of the accused man
Corrected
The witness was unwilling to testify. He was afraid of the accused man
The witness was unwilling to testify; he was afraid of the accused man
The witness was unwilling to testify, for he was afraid of the accused man
Because he was afraid of the accused man, the witness was unwilling to
testify
Do not confuse comma splices with run-on sentences. A run-on sentence is not
spliced incorrectly, but it is strung together loosely and goes on too long to be
easily read.
How to find comma splices
Check all the commas in your sentences and read what comes before each one.
Is it a complete sentence? Read what comes after the comma. Is it a complete
sentence? If neither is a complete sentence, you have written a fragment. If both
are complete sentences, you have written a comma splice.
How to correct a comma splice once you've found it
There are several ways to do it. Choose the one that sounds best in a particular
instance.
1. Replace the comma with a semicolon. (Do not use a semicolon to separate
an independent clause from a dependent one.)
Incorrect: Many people write comma splices, it is not at all unusual to
encounter them in themes.
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Correct:
2. If the two parts of the sentence are fairly long or if one is of ordinary length
and the other is long, write the sentence as two sentences.
Incorrect: Today's college students seem very serious about their courses
and because of their seriousness, many people say they must be
indifferent to politics, but I disagree.
Correct: Today's college students seem very serious about their courses.
Because of their seriousness, many people say they must be
indifferent to politics, but I disagree.
3. Insert a coordinating conjunction after the comma. Use a comma and a
coordinating conjunction [FAN BOYS = for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.]. "Then"
is not a conjunction.
Incorrect: I studied hard for that test, I got it back with an E on it.
Correct: I studied hard for that test, but I got it back with an E on it.
Incorrect: I went to the store, then I went home.
Correct: I went to the store; then I went home.
4. Make one of the clauses dependent (subordinate), and use a subordinating
conjunction such as after, although, because, before, if, since, though, unless,
until, when, where, while.
Incorrect: The witness was unwilling to testify, he was afraid of the accused man
Correct: Because he was afraid of the accused man, the witness was unwilling to
testify
5. Reduce one of the independent clauses to a phrase or even a single word.
Incorrect: Environments are not static states, they are constantly changing
and evolving.
Correct: Environments, constantly changing and evolving, are not static states.
Example
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EXERCISES
Exercise 1
Directions: There is more than one way to repair a sentence with a comma
splice, and we have tried to indicate those possibilities, when appropriate, with
a variety of responses.
1. Kimberly sat on the bleachers8 and cheered for the team, Tom watched her as he
vigorously defended the goal.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. The cat jumped from step to step, it gracefully landed with each jump.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. The professor stated that he especially favors personally connected papers, these
papers reflect the most emotion.
4. Anthony did not agree with the method he was taught, he found other means to
solve the problem.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. I learned the song on the piano, I chose to never play it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. Nicole chose what she thought were the best answers to the questions, her grade
did not reflect these choices.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. The correct format looked odd, Victoria chose not to complete the problem this
way.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. Michael sculpted the statue, he also painted the picture.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. The Revolutionary War was a triumph, it was also a struggle.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. Victoria managed the class, Julia coached the team.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11. Entrepreneurship is the study of small businesses, college students are
embracing it enthusiastically.
8
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12. My father is chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, he also heads the
Warrant Commission.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13. All over the country, people sell products over the Internet, these people are
making impressive profits.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14. One person had been exporting farm equipment, in fact he exports over 30,000
pieces of machinery a year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15. After the sixth inning, I went home, my family stayed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16. Formal courses at the graduate level are now being taken by many elderly
citizens, some schools even offer them special programs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17. While time often erases bad memories, my ex-girlfriend never forgets anything,
she even remembers things that happened over five years ago.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Exercises 2
1. Which of the following is INCORRECT?
A. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.
B. In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God. The Word was God.
C. In the beginning was the Word the word was with God the word was God.
D. In the beginning was the Word; the Word was with God, and the Word was
God.
E. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God: the Word was
God.
2. Which of the following is INCORRECT?
A. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has
been made.
B. Through Him all things were made. Without Him, nothing was made that has
been made.
C. Through Him all things were made: Without Him nothing was made that has
been made.
D. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that
has been made.
E. Through Him all things were made without Him nothing was made, that has
been made.
3. Which of the following is INCORRECT?
A. In Him was life, the life was the light of people.
B. In Him was life. The life was the light of people.
C. In Him was life, the light of people.
D. Lighting the way, in Him was life.
E. The life in Him was the light of the people.
4. Which of the following is INCORRECT?
A. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
B. The light shines in the darkness. The darkness, however, has not understood
it.
C. Shining in the darkness, the light is not understood.
D. The darkness does not understand the light.
E. The light shines in the darkness has not understood it.
5. Which of the following is INCORRECT?
A. There came a man who was sent by God; his name was John.
B. There came a man who was sent by God. His name was John.
C. There came a man named John who was sent by God.
D. There came a man who was sent by God, his name was John.
E. A man named John was sent by God.
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PART IV:
RUN-ON OR FUSED SENTENCES
RUN-ON SENTENCES or fused sentences are terms describing two independent
clauses which are joined together with no connecting word or punctuation to
separate the clauses.
Incorrect
Correct
Incorrect
Correct
Bong gan
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When an independent clause gives an order or directive based on what was said
in the prior independent clause
This next chapter has a lot of difficult information in it, you should start studying
right away.
(We could put a period where that comma is and start a new sentence. A semicolon
might also work there.)
When two independent clauses are connected by a transitional expression
(conjunctive adverb) such as however, moreover, nevertheless.
Mr. Nguyen has sent his four children to ivy-league colleges, however, he has
sacrificed his health working day and night in that dusty bakery.
(Again, where that first comma appears, we could have used either a period - and
started a new sentence - or a semicolon.)
When the second of two independent clauses contains a pronoun that connects it
to the first independent clause.
This computer doesn't make sense to me, it came without a manual.
(Although these two clauses are quite brief, and the ideas are closely related, this is
a run-on sentence. We need a period where that comma now stands.)
Most of those computers in the Learning Assistance Center are broken already, this
proves my point about American computer manufacturers.
Again, two nicely related clauses, incorrectly connected a run-on. Use a period
to cure this sentence.
EXERCISES
Exercises 1
1. Judy leads a charmed life she never seems to have a serious accident.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. The airport is about to shut down because of the snow and if the plane
doesn't land soon it will have to go on to Boston.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before 7:15.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marcellino always knew his way around the woods this is something
he could always depend on.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 31 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. Having prepared himself well for the real exams and having exhausted
everyone in the family with his requests that someone help him with the
true-and-false drills, Jeffrey, who had never been a particularly good student
in high school, knew he was ready to take on the greatest challenge of his
life.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Throughout history money and religion were closely linked there was little
distinction between government and religion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. The head of state and the religious leader were often the same person all
power rested in one ruler.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. These powerful leaders decided what objects would serve as money their
backing encouraged public faith in the money.
8. Coins were minted of precious metals the religious overtones of money
were then strengthened.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. People already believed the precious metals to be divine so their use in
money intensified its allure.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Exercises 2
After each sentence, select the option which best describes that sentence. The first
option will always be that the sentence is fine. Other options will not only define
the structural flaw but suggest a way of fixing it. Choose the option with the best
remedy.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 32 -
1. Although he had been an often decorated soldier during World War II and had
fought many battles for the losing cause of liberalism in Congress.
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence
B. Run-on: put a comma after World War II.
C. Run-on: put a semicolon after World War II.
D. Fragment: put a comma after Congress and finish the sentence.
2. This is going to be the most difficult exam of your college career, you had better
start studying for it immediately.
D. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
E. Fragment: put a comma after immediately and finish the sentence.
F. Run-on: replace that comma with a semicolon.
3. Knowing better than anyone else how the state legislature had ignored the needs
of the community college system and created a crisis characterized by an
uneducated workforce that had no place to go for proper training and realizing that
someone had to do something about the situation or the state would begin to lose
jobs to states in the American south that were more aggressive in providing and
publicizing excellence in education, Representative Fuentes began to lay plans for
an education bill that took into consideration the needs of the state's community
colleges and the students who attended them.
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
B. This sentence is too long; it must be a run-on.
C. Even though this sentence is very long, it is actually a fragment.
4. Coach Espinoza really wants this job with Notre Dame University, she is very
excited about returning to the college she graduated from.
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
B. Fragment: put a comma after from and finish the sentence.
C. Run-on: change that comma to a period and start a new sentence.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 33 -
5. Right after the Christmas holidays and during those three weeks before class
begins in January.
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
B. Fragment: put a comma after January and finish the sentence.
C. Run-on: put a comma after holidays.
6. She ran.
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
B. Fragment: the sentence is too short and needs more details to be a complete
thought.
7. Perplexed by the rising rates of inflation and alarmed by the decline in major
construction projects.
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
B. Run-on: put a comma after inflation.
C. Fragment: put a comma after projects and finish the sentence.
8. Anabel realizes what she is doing, I think, but she doing it anyway.
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
B. Fragment: we're missing part of a verb.
C. Run-on: change the comma after doing to a semicolon.
9. Professor Pepin spends a lot of time translating medieval texts on ancient
medicine, however, he also stays informed about the latest developments in modern
asthma10 treatments.
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
B. Fragment: although this is a long sentence, it's missing part of a verb.
C. Run-on: remove the verb from the second independent clause.
D. Run-on: change the comma after medicine to a semicolon.
10. If we're ever going to get out of here in time, we're going to have to re-write all
these papers, set up the desks, and clean the chalkboards; stack those books in the
corner and clean up the mess around the wastebasket; notify security about the
broken window, the thermostat11 that Raoul messed up, and the desk that was stolen
before we even got here.
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
B. Run-on: the sentence should be broken into three smaller sentences.
10
11
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 34 -
C. Fragment: although the sentence is very long, it's missing a verb string.
D. Run-on: change those two semicolons to commas.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
Definition
- 35 -
PART V:
SENTENCE FRAGMENT
12
13
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 36 -
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
or
- 37 -
The clause "because I felt like it" needs another clause to depend on in order to
form a complete sentence.
EXERCISES
Sentence Fragment Exercises # 1
Underline the dependent-word fragment (or fragments) in each selection.
Then correct each fragment by attaching it to the sentence that comes before or the
sentence that comes after - whichever sounds more natural. Put a comma after the
dependent-word group if it starts the sentence.
1. When the waitress coughed in his food. Frank lost his appetite. He didn't
even take home a doggy bag.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. My little brother had chicken pox this summer. He was very upset. Because
he didn't get to miss any school.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Tony doesn't like going to the ballpark. If he misses an exciting play. There's
no instant replay.
4. After the mail carrier comes. I run to our mailbox. I love to get mail. Even if
it is only junk mail.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Even though she can't read. My little daughter likes to go to the library. She
chooses books with pretty covers. While I look at the latest magazines.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Underline the -ing or to fragment in each selection. Then rewrite each
selection correctly.
1. Some workers dug up the street near our house. Causing frequent vibrations
inside. By evening, all the pictures on our walls were crooked.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 38 -
2. I had heard about the surprise party for me. I therefore walked slowly into
the darkened living room. Preparing to look shocked.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Jen's stomach grumbled all morning. The reason being that she skipped
breakfast to get to the bus on time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. As I was dreaming of a sunny day at the beach, the alarm clock rang.
Wanting to finish the dream. I pushed the snooze button.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. To get back my term paper. I went to see my English
instructor from last semester. I also wanted some career advice.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sentence Fragment Exercises # 2
The sentences below appeared in papers written by students. Act as their editor,
marking a C if the sentences in the group are all complete and an F if any of the
sentences in the group is a fragment. Could you tell these writers why the fragments
are incomplete sentences?
____ 1. Then I attended Morris Junior High. A junior high that was a bad
experience.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____ 2. The scene was filled with beauty. Such as the sun sending its brilliant rays
to the earth and the leaves of various shades of red, yellow, and brown moving
slowly in the wind.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____ 3. He talked for fifty minutes without taking his eyes off his notes. Like other
teachers in that department, he did not encourage students' questions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____ 4. Within each group, a wide range of features to choose from. It was difficult
to distinguish between them.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____ 5. A few of the less serious fellows would go into a bar for a steak dinner and
a few glasses of beer. After this meal, they were ready for anything.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 39 -
____ 7. The magazine has a reputation for a sophisticated, prestigious15, and elite
group of readers. Although that is a value judgment and in circumstances not a true
premise.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____ 8. In the seventh grade every young boy goes out for football. To prove to
himself and his parents that he is a man.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____ 9. She opened the door and let us into her home. Not realizing at the time that
we would never enter that door in her home again.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____10. As Christmas grows near, I find myself looking back into my childhood
days at fun-filled times of snowball fights. To think about this makes me happy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____11. Making up his mind quickly. Jim ordered two dozen red roses for his wife.
Hoping she would accept his apology.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____12. They were all having a good time. Until one of Joe's oldest and best friends
had a little too much to drink.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____13. Although it only attained a speed of about twelve miles an hour. My old
rowboat with its three-horsepower motor seemed like a high-speed job to me.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____14. With my brother standing by my side, I reached for the pot handle. Tilting
the pot way too much caused the boiling water to spill.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____15. The small, one-story houses are all the same size and style. With no
difference except the color.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 40 -
____16. Being a friend of mine like he was when we first joined the soccer team.
Together we learned a lot.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
____17. Although clutch sizes vary with feeding in other species of birds.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Martina, thinking that Natalie was late and afraid that she would miss the
opening of the show, too
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16
Nhay co
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 41 -
Attach the fragment to the sentences that comes before it or the sentence
that comes after it, whichever makes sense. (Sentence 1 could be: I spent
all day in the employment office, trying to find a job that suited me.)
2.
Add a subject and change the ing verb to the correct form of the verb.
(Sentence 2 could be: She picked blobs of resin off pine trees.)
17
Vien tron
Nha (thong)
19
Bong bong, bot tam
18
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 42 -
To remind people of their selfishness, Otis leaves handwritten notes on cars that
take up two packing spaces.
Exercises
Underline the or to fragment in each selection. Then rewrite each selection
correctly.
1. Some workers dug up the street near our house. Causing frequent vibrations
inside. By evening, all the pictures on our walls were crooked.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. I had heard about the surprise party for me. I therefore walked slowly into
the darkened living room. Preparing to look shocked.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Jen's stomach grumbled all morning. The reason being that she skipped
breakfast to get to the bus on time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. As I was dreaming of a sunny day at the beach, the alarm clock rang.
Wanting to finish the dream. I pushed the snooze button.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. To get back my term paper. I went to see my English instructor from last
semester. I also wanted some career advice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------MISSING SUBJECT FRAGMENTS
Example:
1.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
2.
- 43 -
The weight lifter grunted as he heaved the barbells20 into the air. Then,
with a loud groan, dropped them
20
21
Thanh ta
Ban theo uoi
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 44 -
Review Test
Underline the fragment in each item below. Then correct the fragment in the space
provided.
Example: Sam received all kinds of junk mail. Then complained to the post office.
Eventually, some of the mail stopped coming.
=> Then he complained to the post office.
1. Fascinated, Nina stared at the stranger. Who was standing in the doorway.
She wondered if she could convince him they had met before.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Trees can survive on a steep mountain slope if they obey two rules.
They must grow low to the ground. And bend with the wind
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------While waiting in line at the supermarket. I look in people's baskets.
Their food choices give hints about their personalities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. I saw spectacular twin rainbows through the kitchen window. So I rushed to
get my camera. To take a picture before they vanished.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Whenever you buy cotton clothes, get them one size too large. By allowing
for shrinkage. You will get a longer life out of them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. My nutty22 cousin cuts the address labels off his magazines. Then pastes
them on envelopes. This way, he doesn't have to write his return address.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Marian never has to buy catsup23 or mustard. Because she saves the extra
packets that come with fast -food orders.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. Many maple tree seeds drifted to the ground. Spinning like tiny propellers.
With help from the wind, some landed far from the tree.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. My husband climbed his first mountain yesterday. Now he's calling all our
friends. To tell them about his peak experience.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22
23
Banh, dien
Nc sot ca
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 45 -
8. The trivia book listed some interesting facts about Babe Ruth. For instance,
he spoke German fluently. Also, kept cool on hot days by putting wet
cabbage leaves under his cap.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
Definition
- 46 -
PART VI:
DANGLING
A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in
the sentence. A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about a concept.
Consider this sentence
"Having finished" states an action but does not name the doer of that action. In
English sentences, the doer must be the subject of the main clause that follows. In
this sentence, it is Jill. She seems logically to be the one doing the action ("having
finished"), and this sentence therefore does not have a dangling modifier.
Now consider this sentence:
Having finished is a participle expressing action, but the doer is not the TV set (the
subject of the main clause): TV sets don't finish assignments. Since the doer of the
action expressed in the participle has not been clearly stated, the participial phrase
is said to be a dangling modifier.
Examples of dangling modifiers and revisions
Dangling modifier:
(The article - the subject of the main clause - did not read the original study.)
Possible revisions:
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 47 -
(The experiment--the subject of the main clause--is not supposed to study the lab
manual.)
Possible revision
They often have an -ing word (gerund) or a to + verb (infinitive) phrase near the
start of the sentence.
Squinting modifiers
Related to dangling modifiers, squinting modifiers occur when the word modified is
not clear or could be more than one word. These problems can usually be solved by
rearranging the elements already present in the sentence.
Squinting modifier
Possible revisions
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 48 -
Dangling
modifier: Who arrived late? This sentence says that the written excuse
arrived late.
To revise, decide who actually arrived late.
Possible The main clause now names the person (the captain) who did the
revision: action in the modifying phrase (arrived late).
2. Change the phrase that dangles into a complete introductory clause by
naming the doer of the action in that clause:
Dangling
modifier:
Who didn't know his name? This sentence says that "it" didn't know his
name. To revise, decide who was trying to introduce him.
Because Maria did not know his name, it was difficult to introduce him.
Possible
The phrase is now a complete introductory clause; it does not modify any
revision:
other part of the sentence, so is not considered "dangling."
3. Combine the phrase and main clause into one:
Dangling
modifier:
Possible
revision:
DANGLING CONSTRUCTIONS
A dangling construction is a phrase or clause that either modifies nothing in the
sentence or that seems to modify a word to which it is not logically related. A
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 49 -
Revised
Revised
Dangling
Revised
Revised
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 50 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. The airport delays were end less, waiting for the fog to lift.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. Being a foreigner, his ignorance of local customs made him feel helpless.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------AVOID DANGLING GERUNDS
A gerund is an -ing verb form used as a noun. Like the participle, the gerund
implies an actor, and once again you must identify that actor dearly in order to
avoid confused or ludicrous meanings.
Dangling
Revised
Dangling
Revised
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 51 -
10. In preparing the launch, the space ship was examined several times.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------AVOID DANGLING INFINITIVES
Dangling
Revised
Revised
Dangling
Revised
refers to one)
Revised
If you wish to examine the brakes, you must remove the wheel.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 52 -
Revised
Dangling
Revised
While rowing on the lake, we overturned the boat. (The subject of the
main clause agrees with the implied subject of the elliptical clause.)
While we were rowing on the lake, the boat overturned (or we
overturned the boat). (The elliptical clause is expanded into a
subordinate clause.)
Revised
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 53 -
Lan tm, co tm
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 54 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rewrite each sentence to correct the dangling modifier. Mark the one
sentence that is correct with a C.
1. Having turned sour, I would not drink the milk.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. At the age of five, my mother bought me a chemistry set.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. While it was raining, shoppers ran into the stores.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. Having brake trouble, I drove my car slowly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Talking on the phone, my hot tea turned cold.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. Piled high with dirty dishes, Pete hated to look at the kitchen sink.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. Having locked my keys in the car, the police had to open it for me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. Because they were drooping, the children watered the plants.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. After sitting through a long lecture, my foot was asleep.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. Being late, stopping for coffee was out of the question.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 55 -
REVIEW TEST
Write D for dangling or C for correct in front of each sentence. Remember that the
opening words are a dangling modifier if they are not followed immediately by a
logical subject.
1. Burning quickly, the firefighters turned several hoses on the house.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Because it was burning quickly, the firefighters turned several hoses on the
house.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. While focusing the camera, several people wandered out of view.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. While I focused the camera, several people wandered out of view.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. When I peered down from the thirtieth floor, the cars looked like toys.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. Peering down from the thirtieth floor, the cars looked like toys.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. Suddenly sick, I drove Helen to the doctor's office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. When Helen suddenly became sick, I drove her to the doctor's office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. Thundering loudly, the dog trembled.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. As it thundered loudly, the dog trembled.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11. In a sentimental frame of mind, the music brought tears to Bern's eyes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12. As Beth was in a sentimental frame of mind, the music brought tears to her
eyes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13. Knowing Phil preferred pizza, our choice of restaurant was Italian.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14. Knowing Phil preferred pizza, we chose an Italian restaurant.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15. Because Phil preferred pizza, our choice of restaurant was Italian.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16. The pancake was browned on one side, so Mark nipped it over.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17. Browned on one side. Mark flipped the pancake over.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------18. Hanging by her teeth, the acrobat's body swung back and forth.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19. Hanging by her teeth, the acrobat swung back and forth.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 56 -
20. As she hung by her teeth, the acrobat's26 body swung back and forth.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 57 -
PART VII:
FAULTY AGREEMENT
Agreement is the grammatical relationship between a subject and a verb, or a
pronoun and its antecedent, or a demonstrative adjective and the word it modifies.
Since Modern English nouns and verbs have few inflections, or special endings,
agreement usually presents few problems. However, there are some grammatical
patterns, such as the agreement in number of a subject and verb, or a pronoun and
its antecedent, that you must watch carefully.
The coach, as well as the players, were happy over the victory.
The coach, as well as the players, was happy over the victory.
Faulty
Revised
The horse thief, with his two accomplices27, have been hanged.
The horse thief, with his two accomplices, has been hanged.
2. Remember that singular pronouns take singular verbs. All speakers observe
this convention when pronouns such as everyone and nobody immediately precede a
verb. No English speaker is likely to say Everyone are present, or Nobody win all
the time. But formal and informal English differ in their handling of pronouns that
refer to antecedents such as anyone, everyone, nobody. Informal English frequently
has sentences such as Everyone took off their coats, and Nobody ate their dinner.
27
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 58 -
Formal English, however, clearly prefers Everyone took off his coal. And Nobody
ate his dinner.
None, either, neither, any may be followed by either a singular or a plural verb,
depending on whether you intend a singular or a plural meaning
Singular
Plural
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 59 -
8. With relative pronouns use a singular verb when the antecedent is singular,
a plural verb when the antecedent is plural.
- He is the only one of the councilmen who is opposed to the plan.
(The antecedent of who is one. not councilmen.)
- He is one of the best baseball players that have come from Texas.
(The antecedent of the relative pronoun that is players, not one.)
Expressions like one of the best baseball players that commonly take a singular verb
in informal usage. Although the antecedent of that is the plural noun players, the
writer or speaker is influenced in his choice of a verb by the fact that one is
singular.
Formal
Informal
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 60 -
10. The Vietnam conflict was only one of several issues that have evoked public
dissent28.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Exercises: Making Subjects and Verbs Agree
1. Annie and her brothers (is, are) at school. ------------2. Either my mother or my father (is, are) coming to the meeting. ----------------3. The dog or the cats (is, are) outside. ----------------4. Either my shoes or your coat (is, are) always on the floor. --------------------5. George and Tamara (doesn't, don't) want to see that movie .----------------6. Benito (doesn't, don't) know the answer. ---------------------7. One of my sisters (is, are) going on a trip to France. -----------------8. The man with all the birds (live, lives) on my street.
9. The movie, including all the previews, (take, takes) about two hours to
watch. ------------10. The players, as well as the captain, (want, wants) to win. ---------------------11. Either answer (is, are) acceptable. ---------------------12. Every one of those books (is, are) fiction. -------------------13. Nobody (know, knows) the trouble I've seen. ------------------14. (Is, Are) the news on at five or six?---------------------15. Mathematics (is, are) John's favorite subject, while Civics (is, are) Andrea's
favorite subject. -----------16. Eight dollars (is, are) the price of a movie these days. ---------------------17. (Is, Are) the tweezers in this drawer? --------------------18. Your pants (is, are) at the cleaner's. -----------------------19. There (was, were) fifteen candies in that bag. Now there (is, are) only one
left!----------20. The committee (debates, debate) these questions carefully. ------------------21. The committee (leads, lead) very different lives in private. -------------------22. The Prime Minister, together with his wife, (greets, greet) the press
cordially. ----------23. All of the CDs, even the scratched one, (is, are) in this case. ------------------
28
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 61 -
Formal
Informal
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 62 -
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
For questions 1-10, complete the following sentences with the correct
form of the verb or pronoun.
Some of the club members haven't paid ____ dues.
a) his or her
b) their
Luis bought two records by Natalie Cole and lent ____ to me.
a) it
b) them
Someone on the bus left ____ briefcase on the seat.
a) his or her
b) their
The store is looking for clerks who ____ about gardening.
a) knows
b) know
Everyone who receives high marks ____ eligible for the scholarship.
a) is
b) are
6. The League of Women Voters ____ both male and female members.
a) has
b) have
7. Neither of those books ____ available in the school library.
a) is
b) are
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 63 -
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 64 -
Nonstandard
Standard
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 65 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. The NAACP is only one of the groups that are trying to better condition for
black Americans.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. The administrator told the milling, showing crowd he would not put up with
these sort of tactics.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. After thirty, one loses both the rebelliousness and the inventiveness of their
earlier years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11. A chorus of jeers and catcalls were the response to the Vice-President's
appearance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12. Although everyone wants the right to vole, they dont all exercise that right
at election lime.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13. If world peace is to be assured, either the Eastern bloc or the Western bloc
must alter their position.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14. The Democratic Party lost several of their congressional seats in the last
election.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15. If someone wants to "do their thing," they should be allowed to.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 66 -
PART VIII:
FAULTY REFERENCE OF PRONOUNS
A pronoun depends for meaning upon a noun or another pronoun. Insure clarity in
your writing by making pronoun antecedents clear and obvious. Place pronouns as
close to their antecedents as possible and make pronoun references exact.
Clear
Clear
Clear
Ambiguous
After Mrs. Henry scolded little Sylvia, she regretted her rudeness.
(To whom do she and her refer?)
After Mrs. Henry scolded her, little Sylvia regretted her rudeness.
After scolding little Sylvia, Mrs. Henry regretted her own rudeness.
Clear
Clear
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 67 -
8. Joan told her friend that she should take speech lessons.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. John Steinbeck should have written a biography of Martin Luther King after
he won the Nobel Prize.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. When Kathy visited her mother she was very angry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clear
Clear
Vague
Clear
The birds sang in the forest where the undergrowth was thick, and a
brook31 went slowly in the valley.
They were of many colors. (The pronoun they is too far removed
from its antecedent, birds.)
. . . The birds were of many colors. (Confusion in meaning avoided
by repetition of the noun.)
The birds, which were of many colors, sang in the forest. . . .
(Elimination of the remote reference by changing the second
sentence of the example into a subordinate clause.)
When the President's committee was established, he appointed
student representatives. (Reference to an antecedent in the
possessive case is confusing.)
When the President established his committee, he appointed student
representatives.
Vague
Clear
He leaned over the bench for hours working on the blueprints. The
bench was too low to be comfortable.
EXERCISE
Revise all sentences in which pronouns are too remote from their antecedents.
1. The school belongs to the community. Students and their parents should
work closely with faculty and administrators in developing programs of
instruction and recreation. It could be the meeting place for all community
activities.
31
32
Con suoi
Ke hoach, thiet ke
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 68 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. The delegates arrived in twos and threes for the emergency session at the
UN. Interested spectators were also streaming in. They stopped only to pose
for the press photographers at the entrance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. The crowd watched as the computer projected the election returns all across
the nation. It moaned. It groaned. It was an unexpected defeat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. She argued that yoga exercise is a means of achieving relaxation, and that
artists, writers, and even office workers find it necessary.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. He and his opponent made promises to the people of the nation to augment
and revitalize the various poverty programs. But they were soon forgotten
after the election.
Rewrite each of the following sentences to make clear the vague preference.
Add, change, or omit words as necessary.
1. The defendant told the judge he was mentally ill.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Fran removed the blanket from the sofa bed and folded it up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Before the demonstration, they passed out signs for us to carry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. Renny had to keep reminding her aunt that she had a dentist appointment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Because I didn't rinse last night's dishes, it smells like a garbage can.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. My sister removed the curtains from the windows so that she could wash
them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. Richard said his chiropractor33 could help my sprained shoulder, but I don't
believe in it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. I discovered when I went to sell my old textbooks that they've put out new
editions, and nobody wants to buy mine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
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III. Avoid the Vague Use of this, that, or which to REFER to the
general idea of a preceding clause or sentence
Informal English frequently uses this, that, or which to refer to the general idea of a
preceding clause or sentence. Even relatively formal written English accepts such
general antecedents when the reference is unmistakably clear. In general, however,
it is preferable that a pronoun refers to a particular word in the sentence.
Formal
Informal
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 70 -
6. Migrant farm workers are not protected by the slate's labor laws, and this
should be corrected immediately.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. The student paper said that the public health office should give out birth
control pills, which upset many parents.
8. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. Nations which share a water source a re always on the brink of war. This
adds much to international tension.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. There is a part on the far side of the museum, which is open to the public.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11. She was self-conscious about her money. But this didn't bother her real
friends.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clear
Weak
Clear
Because we put the wire fence around the chicken yard, they cannot
escape. (The sentence implies the antecedent chickens, but the word
is not expressed.)
Because we put the wire fence around the chicken yard, the chickens
cannot escape.
Tom's brother is an engineer, and this is the profession Tom wants to
study. (This cannot logically refer to engineer.)
Tom's brother is an engineer, and engineering is the profession Tom
wants to study.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
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5. There is a police station near the church, and we called them when we saw
broken windows in the basement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. The orange trees were covered with cloths and fanned by the warmth of
smudge pots. This was due to the frost that settled over Florida.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. After hearing a lecture on underwater sound experimentation, Mr. Eldon had
great admiration for them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. Whenever Shirley meets Rose, she seems annoyed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. Take the baby out of the bathwater and throw it away.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. We plucked off the feathers before we roasted them.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXERCISE Revise the following sentences to avoid the indefinite use of they, you,
and it,
1. In every society you have to expect that some people will not be able to
provide for themselves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. In Central America you hear of revolutions every few months.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 72 -
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 73 -
PART IX:
SHIFTS IN POINT OF VIEW - MIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
POINT OF VIEW is said to be consistent when we continue the use of one subject,
one person and number in pronouns, and one tense, mood, or voice in verbs, as far
as grammar allows. Needless deviations in any of these elements, forcing the
reader to shift gears, will impair the effectiveness of your sentences.
Revised
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 74 -
8. If you use highly fired china in your dishwasher, it will last longer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. After a hot fire was built by the campers, they dried their wet clothing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. A man needs more than intelligence to be a good legislator36; you also have
to be a student of human nature.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you have good health, one should feel fortunate. (A shift from
second to third person.)
When you have good health, you should feel fortunate.
When one has good health, one should feel fortunate.
If a person practices diligently, they can become an expert archer. (A
shift from singular to plural number.)
If a person practices diligently, he or she can become an expert
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 75 -
7. The average black American today feels it is less important to imitate while
people than for them to develop a feeling of racial pride in themselves.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. Most people enjoy a novel by Tolstoy because their characters so
interesting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. If one is dissatisfied with the way the government is being run, you should
write to your congressman more often.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. I tried cigarette smoking but they made my throat sore.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised
He sat down at his desk and begins to write. (The verb shifts from
past tense to present tense)
He sat down and began to write.
Hold the rifle firmly against your shoulder, and then you should take
careful aim. (The verb shifts from imperative mood to indicative
mood.)
Hold the rifle firmly against your shoulder and then take careful aim.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 76 -
8. The school system is trying to revise its curriculum and the students 'were
asked to submit suggestions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. The library has an intricate system of ordering books, but I might find what
you wanted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. The store manager decided to offer free samples, and suddenly the store is
packed with customers
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised
For example, in the strip mines of southeastern Ohio, the blaster has
one of the best-playing jobs
Mixed
Revised
Mixed
Every few hundred feet a test sample of the layer of earth a bit of it
is analyzed to determine the distance from oil.
Revised
A more specific kind of mixed construction springs from the use of an improper
verb tense in indirect quotations.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
Mixed
Revised
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 78 -
PART X:
MISPLACED PARTS
Modern English, as we have seen in our discussion of grammar, relies heavily upon
word order to show relations among words. The Latin sentences Puella amat
agricolam and Agricolam amatpuella have the same literal meaning: The girl loves
the farmer. Even though the positions of subject and object are reversed, the special
endings (-a and -am) make the meaning of the sentence unmistakable. But if the
English equivalents of the Latin words are reversed, so is the English meaning: The
girl loves the farmer; The farmer loves the girl. Word order, in short, is crucial to
meaning in our language.
Just as word order is the principal means by which we keep our subject-verb-object
relations clear, so it is the principal grammatical means by which we keep many of
our modifiers attached to the words they modify. We have to be especially
watchful of phrases and clauses that modify nouns, since they normally attach to
the nearest noun preceding them. Consequently, unless we are careful we can
write sentences such as
He bought a horse from a stranger with a lame hind leg.
We met a boy from the school in New York.
Context usually - though not always - allows the reader to work out the meaning
intended in such sentences. But by the time he does so, he is, at best, distracted
from the point.
Illogical
Clear
Misplaced
Clear
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 79 -
EXERCISE In the following sentences place the adverbs nearer the word they
modify
1. He almost seemed amused.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. The U.S. Constitution37 just docked here last week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. The prisoner only confessed when the victim confronted him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. Everyone nearly suffer when unemployment rises.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Since she had never appeared on a stage before, she nearly was faint from
fright.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. She merely refused our offer of help because she wanted to be independent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. Football is a sometimes-violent sport, and even some players are badly hurt.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. The earthquake victims needed nurses to bandage their wounds badly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. Reports wilt only be completed after all final examinations are finished.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. The administration scarcely provided any funds for poverty programs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who is the woman who gave you the candy in the pink dress?
Who is the woman in the pink dress who gave you the candy?
Illogical
Clear
EXERCISE In the following sentences, place the modifying phrases nearer the
words they modify.
1. Susan reported the accident in a quivering voice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. A small boy was found lost in a cowboy suit on Central Street.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. The President announced that he would confer with his cabinet at his press
conference last week.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------37
Hien phap
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 80 -
Illogical
Clear
EXERCISE He In the following sentences, place the modifying clauses nearer the
words they modify.
1. He bought a sports car from a dealer that had been completely re-hauled and
repainted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. We watched the championship game on the TV that our team won.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. She uses hair coloring on her hair which she buys wholesale.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. I took a bus at Times Square that was going uptown.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. He bought a Great Dane from a neighbor that was already house broken.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. He secured a Job with the government after he graduated from college
which lasted twenty years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. She was knitting socks for her children that were warm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. She bought an alarm clock for her husband that was guaranteed for life.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 81 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. The new house was next to the park with three bedrooms.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. He tried to get to know girls with a new approach.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Squinting
report.
Clear
yesterday
Clear
its report
The committee which was studying the matter yesterday turned in its
The committee which was studying the matter turned in its report
The committee which spent yesterday studying the matter turned in
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 82 -
Awkward
Clear
You should try to, if you can, take a walk every day.
If you can, you should try to take a walk every day.
On the other hand, in the following examples the sentence with the split infinitive is
the less awkward.
Clear
Awkward
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 83 -
8. The major nations of the world regularly decide to one day in the near future
reduce their armaments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. It's helpful to immediately send in your tax return after the first of the year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. You have to willingly accept the idea that you are your brother's keeper, or
the condition of man will never improve.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Further exercises on MISPLACED MODIFIERS
I. Underline the misplaced word or words in each sentence. Then rewrite the
replacing related words together and making the meaning clear.
1. Barry decided to quit smoking while jogging.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. The suburbs nearly had five inches of rain.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. I decided to send fewer Christmas cards out this year in October.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. My mother talked about her plans to start a garden while preparing cooking
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. The car was parked along the side of the road with a flat tire.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. Olivia stretched out on the lounge chair wearing her bathing suit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. Caryl read an article about starting your own business in the dentist's.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. A cake baked by my brother covered with coconut and candies was the
winner.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. I replaced the shingle on the roof that was loose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. The instructor explained why cheating was wrong on Friday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11. Mike ordered a large pizza for his family topped with extra cheese.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12. The helicopter filmed the migrating antelope hovering overhead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13. We bought a television set at our neighborhood video store that has stereo
sound.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14. The magician almost held his breath for five minutes while escaping from
the submerged trunk.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 84 -
15. Neighborhood children watched the new family move in from the street
comer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16. Newspapers ran the story of the congressman's lies in every part of the
country.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------II. Underline the misplace word or words in each sentences. Then rewrite the
sentence, placing related words together and thereby making the meaning
clear.
1. The tiger growled at a passerby at the back of his cage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Arthur spilled a full bottle on the table of soda.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. We watched the fireworks standing on our front porch.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. Jason almost has two hundred baseball cards.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. The salesclerk exchanged the blue sweater for a yellow one with a smile.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. Jenny kept staring at the man in the front row with curly hair.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. I love the cookies from the bakery with the chocolate frosting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. The faculty decided to strike during their last meeting
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. Larry looked on as his car burned with disbelief.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. My cousin sent me instructions on how to get to her house in a letter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------III. Rewrite each sentence, adding the italicized words. Make sure that the
intended meaning is clear and that two different interpretations are not
possible.
Example:
I borrowed a pen for the essay test. (Insert that ran our of ink)
For the essay test, I borrowed a pen that ran out of ink.
1. I was thrilled to read that my first niece was born. (Insert in a telegram)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. My father agreed to pay for the car repairs, (insert over the phone)
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 85 -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. I found a note on the kitchen bulletin board. (Insert from Jeff.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. The children ate the whole bag of cookies. (Insert almost.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Jon read about how the American Revolution began. (Insert during class)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------IV. For questions 1-5, choose the correct form of the modifier in each
sentence.
1. Martin was sure that he was the ______ speller in the class.
worst
a) worse
b)
2. Having leaned back in his chair, the lawyer began reading the fine print of the
contract very _.
a) slow
b) slowly
a) well
a) oldest
b)
38
b) adamantly
Cng ran
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 86 -
For questions 6-10, choose the sentence in which modifiers are used correctly.
6.
a) Frightened by our presence, the rabbit's ears perked up, and its nose
twitched.
nose.
7.
b) Frightened by our presence, the rabbit perked up its ears and twitched its
a) To interpret this poem, one needs a knowledge of mythology.
b) To interpret this poem, a knowledge of mythology is needed.
8.
zoo.
screen.
9.
a) Lois projected the photographs on a large screen that she had taken at the
b) Lois projected the photographs that she had taken at the zoo on a large
a) My aunt had finally mastered the art of making stuffed cabbage, filled
with a sense of accomplishment.
b) Filled with a sense of accomplishment, my aunt had finally mastered the
art of making stuffed cabbage.
10.
a) Before moving to Sacramento, they had lived in Pittsburgh for ten years.
b) Before moving to Sacramento, Pittsburgh had been their home for ten
years.
The sentences for questions 11-20 form a paragraph. Many of the sentences
contain at least one error in the use of modifiers. Identify whether each
numbered sentence a) correctly uses modifying words or phrases or b)
incorrectly uses modifying words or phrases.
11. Before the 1800's, much about life in ancient Egypt was unknown because
nobody could read Egyptian hieroglyphics.
a) Correctly uses modifying words or phrases.
b) Incorrectly uses modifying words or phrases.
12. Then a black stone found in the Nile delta gave Egyptology more publicity than
it had ever had before.
a) Correctly uses modifying words or phrases.
b) Incorrectly uses modifying words or phrases.
13. Found in 1799 near a village called Rosetta, archaeologists called the slab the
Rosetta Stone.
a) Correctly uses modifying words or phrases.
b) Incorrectly uses modifying words or phrases.
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 87 -
14. The slab was inscribed across its polished surface with three bands of writing,
each in a different language: hieroglyphics39 on the top, another unknown language
in the middle, and Greek on the bottom.
a) Correctly uses modifying words or phrases.
b) Incorrectly uses modifying words or phrases.
15. Scholars could almost read all the Greek writing, which stated that each of the
three bands contained the same decree in honor of Ptolomy V.
a) Correctly uses modifying words or phrases.
b) Incorrectly uses modifying words or phrases.
16. Full of excitement, it was hoped by archaeologists that they could use the Greek
part to figure out the hieroglyphics.
a) Correctly uses modifying words or phrases.
b) Incorrectly uses modifying words or phrases.
17. But progress in translating the individual hieroglyphics went very slow.
a) Correctly uses modifying words or phrases.
b) Incorrectly uses modifying words or phrases.
18. Until this time, archaeologists thought that each symbol stood for a whole word.
a) Correctly uses modifying words or phrases.
b) Incorrectly uses modifying words or phrases.
19. However, a French scholar working on the Rosetta Stone named Jean Francois
Champollion wondered why it took more hieroglyphic symbols than Greek words to
write the same message.
a) Correctly uses modifying words or phrases.
b) Incorrectly uses modifying words or phrases.
20. He correctly guessed that certain symbols stand for parts of words, and after
working hard for twenty years, many of the signs were proved to stand for sounds.
a) Correctly uses modifying words or phrases.
b) Incorrectly uses modifying words or phrases.
V. Write M for misplaced or C for correct in front of each sentence; then
rewrite the it
1. I keep a dollar under the car seal for emergencies.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. I keep a dollar for emergencies under the car seat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------39
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 88 -
Khoa Ngoai Ng
Writing 1
- 89 -
Khoa Ngoai Ng