Directions: Correct the following sentences (if necessary) and give reasons for your corrections.
Question 1: He interviewed people whom he thought had valuable information to present.
Answer: He interviewed people who he thought had valuable information to present. [Pronoun Case]
Question 2: The two brothers reconciled to each other after years of estrangement.
Answer: The two brothers reconciled with each other after years of estrangement. [Use of Prepositions]
Question 3: The exhibition does not include many of the characteristics that we consider as painterly or sculptural in the traditional sense, but it certainly proves that the artist is ingenious.
Answer: The exhibition does not include many of the characteristics that we consider as painterly or sculptural in the traditional sense, but it certainly proves that the artist is ingenious. [No Error]
Question 4: It is very difficult to prevail on such odds.
Answer: It is very difficult to prevail against such odds. [Use of Prepositions]
Question 5: He showed himself to be very negligent of carrying out his duty.
Answer: He showed himself to be very negligent in carrying out his duty. [Use of Prepositions]
Question 6: From this committee’s point of view, the venture capitalist has not proved as public-spirited as their public relations campaign suggests.
Answer: From this committee’s point of view, the venture capitalist has not proved as public-spirited as his public relations campaign suggests. [Noun-Pronoun Agreement]
Question 7: Nobody offered to give up their seat to her.
Answer: Nobody offered to give up his seat to her. [Pronoun Consistency]
Question 8: I have scarcely no qualms about the righteousness of our cause; we are justified in our efforts to depose our oppressor.
Answer: I have scarcely any qualms about the righteousness of our cause; we are justified in our efforts to depose our oppressor. [Double Negatives]
Question 9: Neither of them were prepared for the emergency.
Answer: Neither of them was prepared for the emergency. [Subject-Verb Agreement]
Question 10: The house looked it’s age, despite our efforts to beautify it.
Answer: The house looked its age, despite our efforts to beautify it. [Use of Possessive Determiners]
Question 11: We have constantly tried to win his good will by entertaining him and providing him with luxuries, which gives us an edge.
Answer: We have constantly tried to win his good will by entertaining him and providing him with luxuries; this gives us an edge. [Use of Relative Pronouns]
Question 12: I don’t know if I should discuss this matter with her or not.
Answer: I don’t know whether I should discuss this matter with her or not. [Use of Conjunctions]
Question 13: Consumers do not always view rising prices as a deterrent to purchasing luxury items; sometimes they stimulate consumers to buy before there is yet another increase.
Answer: Consumers do not always view rising prices as a deterrent to purchasing luxury items; sometimes rising prices stimulate consumers to buy before there is yet another increase. [Ambiguity with Use of Pronouns]
Question 14: The preacher emphasised that duty laid on all Christians to love each other.
Answer: The preacher emphasised that duty laid on all Christians to love one another. [Use of Reciprocal Pronouns]
Question 15: People do not save money like they used to.
Answer: People do not save money as they used to. [Use of Conjunction or Preposition]
