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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Certain colors are associated with certain emotions in our minds, and while certain smells are associated with certain memories. No error
Either "while" or "and" could be used as a proper transition between the two sections of the sentence, but the phrase "and while" is overly wordy and therefore incorrect.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Our physics teacher is famous for distributing papers to students while at the same time chewing his gum quite loudly. No error
“At the same time” means the same thing as “while.” Therefore, it is redundant, and doesn't need to be included in the sentence.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Statistical evidence supports the claim that a majority of middle-aged men do not never use deodorant. No error.
This sentence has a double negative, which is redundant. The corrected sentence reads: "Statistical evidence supports the claim that a majority of middle-aged men do not use deodorant."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
In addition to all the contemporary hits, the band played popular jazz tunes from the 40's as well. No error.
This sentence has both "in addition to" and "as well," which is redundant. You only need one! The corrected sentence reads: "In addition to all the contemporary hits, the band played popular jazz tunes from the 40's."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite the company’s supposed emphasis on customer service, I have only talked to grouchy support personnel however. No error
Since this sentence opens with a “despite,” the word “however” is redundant. They both express the same relationship between parts of the sentence. Omit “however” to fix this problem: "Despite the company’s supposed emphasis on customer service, I have only talked to grouchy support personnel."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The overbearing manager demanded that his employees make hourly progress reports every sixty minutes. No error.
This sentence contains redundancy. As the reports are "hourly," we already know they are to be made every sixty minutes. This phrase should be omitted.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marvin, the librarian from Ridgedale always has a good recommendation for something to read. No error.
"The librarian from Ridgedale" is an appositive phrase, which is extra information renaming a noun that is set off by commas. Here, it is missing the closing comma. The corrected sentence reads, "Marvin, the librarian from Ridgedale, always has a good recommendation for something to read."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The dogs, who were basset hounds liked to run and sniff; they typically spent three hours outdoors every day. No error
The error in the sentence is "a basset hound." This appositive phrase, which describes "the dogs," needs to be closed off with a second comma. Appositive phrases rename the noun beside it. Non-essential appositives must always be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Our family's pet bird, a canary wakes me every morning with her beautiful song. No error.
An appositive phrase sits next to a noun and renames it. An appositive phrase is surrounded by commas, and the sentence would still be grammatically correct if it were taken out. Because the appositive phrase "a canary" renames "Our family's pet bird," it should have a comma at the beginning and a comma at the end, making the correct sentence, "Our family's pet bird, a canary, wakes me every morning with her beautiful song."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I've never understood how bugs tiny creatures, could scare such big humans! No error.
An appositive phrase sits next to a noun and renames it. An appositive phrase is surrounded by commas, and the sentence would still be grammatically correct if it were taken out. Because the appositive phrase "tiny creatures" renames "bugs," it should have a comma at the beginning and a comma at the end, making the correct sentence, "I've never understood how bugs, tiny creatures, could scare such big humans!" Note that while an exclamation points is not necessary, it is also not strictly incorrect in this instance. Exclamation points are optional, stylistic punctuation marks.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Choosing between the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting or the marble cake with chocolate ganache was an agonizing decision. No error
This sentence does not follow conventions regarding the use of phrase “between X and Y.” The conjunction “and,” not “or,” should always be used when setting up a sentence using "between" to describe a choice or a comparison. The corrected sentence reads, "Choosing between the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and the marble cake with chocolate ganache was an agonizing decision."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither the dog or the cat could climb the trees outside the house, for the trees were too tall. No error
The proper conjunction here would be "nor," as it agrees with "neither."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Because it is not a holiday, neither the church or the bank is closed early. No error
"Neither" always takes "nor," never "or." It may be tempting to choose "is." Neither may use plural or singular verbs, depending on the plural or singular quality of the subjects it refers to.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither the aliens who were invading or the people who were being invaded really understood what was happening. No error
This sentence has a problem with coordinators. If “neither” is used, it triggers the use of “nor.” The corrected sentence reads: Neither the aliens who were invading nor the people who were being invaded really understood what was happening.
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither the teachers or the students were told that the famous actor and actress would be visiting the school until the day before the visit; it was hard to tell which group was the more excited one when everyone found out. No error
When using the word "neither" to introduce one of two things in a negative fashion, one needs to introduce the other thing using the word "nor," not "or." So, the correct answer is, "Neither the teachers nor the students were told that the famous actor and actress would be visiting the school until the day before the visit; it was hard to tell which group was the more excited one when everyone found out."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
John enjoys foods from many different culinary backgrounds, so it will be difficult for him to choose which dish he likes better between the Japanese sushi rolls or the Thai curry. No error
Given that John is choosing between two different options and the sentence uses the word "between" to describe his choosing between these options, "and" should be used to describe his selection of options, not "or."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The neighborhood’s changing cultural landscape is evident in everything from the people walking down the sidewalks and the products carried in the corner markets. No error.
This sentence has a problem with coordination. When “from” is used, it should trigger “to” as the coordinator between examples. That is, the phrasing should be "from (noun) to (other noun)" instead of "from (noun) and (other noun)." The corrected sentence reads, "The neighborhood’s changing cultural landscape is evident in everything from the people walking down the sidewalks to the products carried in the corner markets."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The choice between relationships or space travel can be excruciating to make. No error.
This sentence uses the wrong conjunction between “relationships” and “space travel.” If you use “between,” you also need to use the conjunction “and.” The corrected sentence reads, "The choice between relationships and space travel can be excruciating to make."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The distinction between "all-natural" or "organic" is something consumers often fail to recognize. No error
The word "between" always triggers the conjunction "and." Here, "or" is used instead. The corrected sentence reads, "The distinction between "all-natural" and "organic" is something consumers often fail to recognize."
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Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The detective knew someone at the bakery committed a crime, but neither the baker or the customer would confess. No error
The example sentence incorrectly uses "or" as a correlative conjunction to "neither," which is incorrect. The correct conjunction to match "neither" is "nor."
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