Exercise 1: Subject and Verb

EXERCISE 1: SUBJECT AND VERB

Write the simple subject (without modifiers or other related words) in the first blank and the verb, verb phrase, or compound verb in the second blank. In some sentences, the subject may be understood.

1.) Three gray pigeons were perched on the bench.______

2.) He ran to the car and opened the door.______

3.) Only in early spring can one find violets.______

4.) The reason for his refusal was not known.______

5.) Some of the players forgot their lines.______

6.) Listening to the noise hour after hour grew tiresome. ______

7.) He dived into the water and swam to the raft.______

8.) Both of us, Ralph and I, were accepted. ______

9.) In such troubled times, could he have done any differently?______

10.) There were a knife and two guns in his car.______

11.) Out of the locker room burst the determined team.______

12.) Have any others had cause for complaint?______

13.) There proved to be only two items missing.______

14.) None of his reports was fully trusted.______

15.) The real meaning of the event, according to historians, ______

was obscured by the newspapers.

16.) All sources investigated were listed in the report.______

17.) Stopping for a little rest was sufficient.______

18.) The men and the mice should be separated.______

19.) Mary, having forseen the disaster, had already called the police.______

20.) Laughing and shouting, we carried him off the field.______

21.) Here are the necessary tools.______

22.) These are the best tools available.______

23.) But Joe, unwilling to hurt anyone, refused to fight.______

24.) The size of the desert and the desolation awed me.______

25.) In spite of all our pleading, he resigned as president.______

EXERCISE 2 : KINDS OF SENTENCES

Classify the following sentences by using the appropriate abbreviation.

S – SimpleCplex – ComplexCpd – CompoundCC – Compound-Complex

1.) I read the book in two hours, for it was short.______

2.) I read the book in two hours because it was short.______

3.) I read the book in two hours because of its shortness.______

4.) Bill rowed and I bailed water.______

5.) He asked when we would arrive and when we would leave.______

6.) Whom were you talking about?______

7.) The man whom we wanted had moved away.______

8.) We had to gather leaves, mount them in notebooks, identify them______

and label them.

9.) By the third week we had grown weary of his nagging and had ______

resolved to put it to an end.

10.) After searching for three hours, we came upon the camp and found______

the others waiting for us.

11.) After we searched for three hours, we came upon the camp, where______

we found the others waiting for us.

12.) After we searched for three hours, we came upon the camp, and ______

there we found the others waiting for us.

13.) Climbing the mountain was difficult, but the view from the top ______

was worth it.

14.) The trail was dangerous, and so we moved slowly and carefully.______

15.) The trail was so dangerous that we had to move slowly and______

carefully.

16.) The danger of the trail forced us to move slowly and carefully.______

17.) Although the mountain was steep, Jack climbed slowly ______

upward, and I followed.

18.) It was getting dark, but we pressed on.______

19.) In spite of the dark, we pressed on.______

20.) Although it was getting dark, we pressed on.______

EXERCISE 3: SENTENCE FRAGMENTS

Each of the following paragraphs contains one fragment. Write its number in the blank below the paragraph.

(1) History as taught by Professor Hartfield was a dull subject. (2) Innumerable dates, innumerable names, numbers killed in battles, and so on, all to be memorized. (3) Quite otherwise was the interest in Professor Speck’s class. (4) The analysis of broad trends and the application of lessons from the past to the current scene were his main interests.

______

(1) In our dean of men’s judgment, in such cases, I have complete confidence. (2) All the witnesses are allowed to testify at length and without interruption. (3) Irrelevancies are pointed out. (4) Then comes his decision. (5) Calm, impartial, just, and with no regard at all to the student’s previous record.

______

(1) Now his goals had been reached. (2) A fine home, a steady and large income, and more than adequate reserves to meet unexpected calls on his reserves. (3) Yet there was a growing uneasiness. (4) What of the future? (5) Was material security in itself sufficient for happiness?

______

(1) In modern big business the accountant plays a tremendously important role. (2) Keeping down costs of manufacturing, for example, and helping in making financial decisions are some of his tasks. (3) Compare such work with tasks assigned to the accountant in former years. (4) Checking on the accuracy of records was his major task. (5) Balancing debits and credits, auditing cash accounts, and so one, but also making the yearly financial statements.

______

(1) He knew that this was to be the final meeting. (2) They realized it too. (3) There they were. (4) Those who had supported him, those who had opposed him, and those who had played it safe. (5)Somehow it did not seem to matter now—their loyalty or their disloyalty.

______

(1) Essentially they are alike. (2) Motors, transmissions, and bodies follow similar designs. (3) Features of greater comfort in one are offset by comparable features in the others. (4) Yet one outsells the others by far. (5) The explanation lying chiefly in external aspects of style and color that promote neither greater safety nor superior performance.

______

(1) In retrospect it seems odd that certain manufacturers could not anticipate any drastic changes in the demands for their products. (2) Such companies as those that manufactured kerosene lamps, horse drawn vehicles, and streetcars. (3) They failed to diversify and to seek new products. (4) Stubbornly they persevered. (5) And bankruptcy followed.

______

(1) Certainly that curriculum was well planned to give me a command of the fundamental principles of engineering. (2) There was no doubt that after graduation I would be able to earn a good salary. (3) Certain grave doubts, nevertheless, persisted. (4) Because education should mean more than a preparation for earning a living. (5) I therefore sought a curriculum that was not quite so technical in requirements.

______

(1) My favorites in poets seem almost old-fashioned today. (2) I like authors who communicate easily with persons of average intelligence and knowledge. (3)Clarity of language, clarity of thought, and lines that are not excessively allusive or symbolic. (4) Wordsworth and Robert Frost, for example, give me great pleasure. (5) And I turn to poetry for pleasure, not for puzzles.

______

(1) What guides voters in their choice of candidates has been my study of late. (2) Party loyalties, of course, guide some. (3) Others are influenced on the stands candidates take on issues. (4) But how many are influenced by irrelevancies! (5) The toothpaste smile, the pious platitude, the solemn and vague generalizations!

______

EXERCISE 4: COMMA SPLICE AND RUN-0N SENTENCES

Write the appropriate abbreviation in the blank to the right.

CS – Comma SpliceRO – Run OnC – Correct Punctuation

1. He agreed with the main points of the theme the lack of clear ______

organization annoyed him.

2. H agreed with the main points of the theme, the lack of clear ______

organization annoyed him.

3. He agreed with the main points of the theme, however, the lack of clear ______

organization annoyed him.

4. He agreed with the main points of the theme; however, the lack of clear ______

organization annoyed him.

5. He agreed with the main points of the theme, but the lack of clear ______

organization annoyed him.

6. In questions of grammar Professor Smith was permissive, but Professor______

Thompson is inclined to be authoritative.

7. I like the permissive viewpoint, nevertheless it can be carried too far.______

8. The fact that certain usages are common does not necessarily make them______

desirable.

9. Consider what would happen if we adopted the extremely permissive ______

approach to morals, we would have chaos.

10. On the other hand, describing certain usages as wrong even though good ______

writers regularly employ them is illogical.

11. Both Tennyson and Browning used a great variety of styles, nevertheless______

their poems are always distinctively their own.

12. A few of Tennyson’s poems are somewhat effeminate, rugged strength______

characterizes many of the best.

13. Having learned that a symphony often led to true appreciation, I decided______

that King Lear merited several re-readings.

14. It worked, I am beginning to appreciate the great power of the play.______

15. For a time I listened to myself talk, I speedily stopped making certain______

errors.

16. I love that poem, it’s the best he ever wrote.______

17. All the major items of business having been disposed of, we ______

decided to postpone the others and adjourn.

18. They scored again after that we had no hope.______

19. In his later year Wordsworth lost his power, in fact I find the ______

last poems dull.

20. He then transferred to this college, where he found an entirely different ______

atmosphere.

EXERCISE 5: VERB FORMS

In the blank below the sentence put the correct form of the verbs in parentheses.

Too many have (begin) to believe that such laws may be (break) with impunity.

______

Despite the referee’s warnings, he had (throw) punches after the bell had (ring).

______

Despite the bitterness with which he had (speak), I refused to be (draw) into an argument.

______

The boat could not have (sink); the entire lake was (freeze).

______

The boat has (spring) a leak, and all of them had jumped out and (swim) to shore.

______

The storm had (blow) down all the pines in 1960, but by 1968 some of the new pines had already (grow) tall.

______

He grabbed the bully and (shake) him as hard as the bully had (shake) the child.

______

The letters I had (write) him gave detailed instructions, but he had not (take) my advice.

______

I have (know) the time when he would have immediately (spring) to my defense.

______

We have (take) all your warnings into consideration, but we have not (shrink) from our duty.

______

The songs we (sing) are seldom (sing) today.

______

Before he had (swim) a few yards, he (come) to realize how dangerous the waters were.

______

“For he on honey-dew hath fed, And (drink) the milk of Paradise.”

______

EXERCISE 6: SET, SIT; RAISE, RISE; LAY, LIE

Fill in the blanks.

1. I could not get the print to (lie, lay) flat on the table.______

2. He (sits, sets) high prices on his merchandise.______

3. The moon had (raised, rose, risen) early.______

4. The mother had (sat, set) up all night with her sick child.______

5. If the water (raises, rises) higher we shall leave.______

6. We had (laid, lain, layed) a brick walk.______

7. How can he (sit, set) in that rocker so long?______

8. He (rose, raised) to his feet in one swift movement.______

9. Many have (rose, risen) to such positions from even humbler backgrounds.______

10. We had (rose, risen) before dawn.______

11. You should have done it before you (set, sat) down.______

12. (Sit, set) it here.______

13. It must be done before the cake begins to (rise, raise).______

14. Several of the members had already (rose, risen) to their feet.______

15. He (laid, lay) there for almost four hours.______

16. (Set, Sit) still until I tell you to rise.______

17. I had (laid, layed, lain) out the exact route to be followed.______

18. He had not (raised, rose) the slightest objection.______

19. She fell on the couch and (lay, laid) there sobbing.______

20. (Sit, Set) you own house in order first.______

EXERCISE 7: SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT

Fill in the blanks.

1. The chief obstacle (was, were) the amendments to the bill.______

2. Staring at us through the window were the twins.______

3. Either you or she (is, are) to be responsible for the sound effects.______

4. A synthesis of these points (is, are) needed.______

5. The superior junior or senior (does, do) not need all these regulations.______

6. His chief target (is, are) the trustees.______

7. Not every one of Shakespeare’s plays (is, are) suitable for study in high school. ______

8. Interest and understanding, not memorizing, (is, are) what he stresses.______

9. The guide, as well as we boys, (was, were) aware of the dangers.______

10. In the drawer (was, were) the original manuscript and the notes.______

11. Time and tide (waits, wait) for no person.______

12. Neither of the candidates (expects, expect) to win easily.______

13. Everyone on the committee (receives, receive) copies of the minutes.______

14. The biographical details (was, were) the part I liked the least.______

15. (Does, Do) either of the suggested solutions really meet the objections raised?______

16. There (is, are) prerequisites for this course.______

17. The great variety of answers received (suggests, suggest) that the question______

was poorly framed.

18. Neither the foreman nor the workers (likes, like) the new arrangement.______

19. Neither the workers nor the foreman (likes, like) the new arrangement.______

20. My explanation for these discrepancies (was, were) the contradictions______

in the directions.

EXERCISE 8: PRONOUN CASE

Fill in the blanks.

1. They want two of us, you and (I, me) to police the grounds.______

2. Wordsworth was the poet (who, whom) I believe Mill admired most.______

3. Our ancestors felt closer to their leaders than (we, us).______

4. Was it (she, her) whom you had reference to?______

5. (Him, He) and the sergeant-at-arms were the ones who were the most ______

obnoxious.

6. She criticized the two of us—Cynthia and (I, me).______

7. (Who, Whom) shall we select for such a dangerous assignment.______

8. Since the others are reluctant, let’s you and (I, me) ask him.______

9. Though he is older, in this field he has had less experience than (I, me).______

10. (We, us) foreigners find the spelling of English very difficult.______

11. I shall cooperate with (whoever, whomever) you select as chairman.______

12. Are we positive that he is the one (who, whom) we want to lead us?______

13. It is desirable that we persuade Elizabeth and (she, her) to cooperate.______

14. They needed (we, us) experienced men to help explain the situation.______

15. I could never be as unconcerned about such matters as (he, him).______

16. Three foremen—Smith, you, and (I, me)—are to be laid off.______

17. The dramatist (who, whom) I believe Shakespeare was imitating was Marlowe. ______

18. I shall go with (whoever, whomever) comes first.______

19. All three of them—Thompson, Crane, and (he, him)—are capable men.______

20. When I saw Nancy and (they, them) whispering to each other, I suspected______

the worst.

EXERCISE 9: PRONOUN AND ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT

Fill in the blanks.

1. The three candidates explained (his, his or her, their) views.______

2. A freshman should be careful in the choice of (his, his or her, their) friends.______

3. Not one of them failed to express (his, his or her, their) appreciation.______

4. She is one of those who must use (her, their)limited funds with care.______

5. She is the only one of those students who can do (her, their) work without help. ______

6. They cannot change (his, his or her, their) curriculum.______

7. I could not get either him or his parents to change (his, his or her, their)______

attitude.

8. Somebody forgot to sign (his or her) paper.______

9. Will each member of the committee make (his, his or her) report?______

10. A speaker should always keep the audience’s interests in mind if ______

(you, he or she) can.

11. Our group were unanimous in (its, their) stand.______

12. One must forward (his, his or her, their) requests for tickets months in ______

advance of the production.

13. An employee of this firm must never let (himself, himself or herself, ______

themselves) forget that we are working on a top-secret project.

14. We ask that every man, woman, and child in this community do ______

(his, his or her, their) part in the campaign.

15. Neither my sisters nor my cousins can lend (his, his or her, their) aid to ______

such a project.

16. The newest catalog of Simpson, Jones, and Company, shows a change in ______

(its, their) lines of merchandise.

17. In times like these a person must subordinate (his, his or her, their)______

personal wishes to our country’s needs.

18. From now on every city will submit (its, their) applications to the ______

governor.

19. At that age a child will for the first time begin to question the______

omniscience and omnipotence of (his, his or her, their) parents.

20. The class had changed (its, their) decision on the gift to the school.______

EXERCISE 10: REFERENCE OF PRONOUNS

In the blank, put C for each sentence that has clear reference and V for each sentence that has vague reference.

1. (a) When we arrived at the ticket window, they had all been sold.______

(b) When we arrived at the ticket window, the tickets had all been sold.______

2. (a) Although he studied for ten hours, it did not seem to help him on the exam.______

(b) He studied for ten hours, but it did not seem to help him on the exam.______

3. (a) My roommate kept laughing while I talked, which was embarrassing to me. ______

(b) My roommate embarrassed me by laughing while I talked. ______

4. (a) In Canada they treat tourists gently.______

(b) The Canadians treat tourists gently.______

5. (a) His brother certainly will not admit to Bill’s telling a lie.______

(b) If he told a lie, Bill’s brother certainly will not admit it.______

(d) Bill’s brother certainly will not admit to telling a lie, even though he may______

have told one.

6. (a) He broke his ankle, which was why he was taken from the game.______

(b) Because he broke an ankle, he was taken from the game.______

(c ) He broke his ankle, an injury which caused him to be taken from the game. ______

7. (a) Neither Tom nor Ted was sure of his turn to give his speech.______

(b) Neither Tom nor Ted as sure of Tom’s turn to give his speech.______

(c ) Neither Tom nor Ted was sure of Ted’s turn to give his speech.______