Grammar and Sentence Correction 2 Flashcards

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'She has been working at the base _______ three years.'

Answer: for

'For' is used with a duration of time (three years). 'Since' is used with a specific point in time (since 2021). 'During' and 'while' do not fit grammatically with a noun phrase indicating length of time.

Identify the error in this sentence: 'The soldiers, along with their sergeant, was ordered to report at dawn.'

Answer: was ordered

The subject is 'the soldiers' (plural), so the verb must be 'were ordered,' not 'was ordered.' Phrases like 'along with their sergeant' inserted between subject and verb do not change the subject's number.

Select the sentence that is grammatically correct.

Answer: The officer whom we met yesterday gave us our orders.

'The officer whom we met yesterday gave us our orders' is correct. 'Whom' is the proper object pronoun here. The others contain errors: 'don't' should be 'doesn't,' 'have' should be 'has' after 'each,' and 'were' should be 'was' after 'neither.'

Choose the correct verb form: 'By the time the reinforcements arrived, the unit _______ already the area.'

Answer: had secured

The past perfect 'had secured' is required because the securing happened before another past event (the reinforcements arriving). The past perfect shows which of two past actions occurred first.

Select the sentence with correct use of articles.

Answer: We saw an eagle flying over the mountain.

'We saw an eagle flying over the mountain' is correct. 'An' is properly used before a vowel sound ('eagle'). 'An useful' is wrong because 'useful' starts with a /j/ consonant sound, requiring 'a.' 'A honest' is wrong for the same reason — 'honest' starts with a silent 'h,' so it requires 'an.' 'Best student' needs 'the' before it.

Identify the error in this sentence: 'The general, together with his aides, are planning the next operation.'

Answer: are planning

The main subject is 'The general' (singular), so the verb should be 'is planning,' not 'are planning.' The phrase 'together with his aides' is parenthetical and does not make the subject plural.