Written Communication Accuracy Flashcards

Which sentence uses punctuation correctly?

Answer: The officer, who was on duty last night, responded to the call.

A non-restrictive relative clause ('who was on duty last night') must be enclosed by commas on both sides.

Identify the sentence with a subject-verb agreement error.

Answer: The list of stolen items were submitted to the detective.

The subject 'list' is singular, so the verb should be 'was submitted,' not 'were submitted.'

Which word is spelled correctly?

Answer: Accommodate

'Accommodate' is the correct spelling, with double 'c' and double 'm.'

Select the correctly written sentence for a police report.

Answer: The complainant had seen the suspect fleeing north on Main St.

'Had seen' correctly uses the past perfect tense to indicate an action observed before another past event.

Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?

Answer: Running down the alley, the officer observed the suspect drop his hat.

In option B, 'running down the alley' correctly modifies 'the officer,' the subject of the main clause.

Which version correctly uses an apostrophe?

Answer: The two officers' reports were filed on time.

For a plural noun ending in 's,' the apostrophe is placed after the final 's' to show possession.

Choose the sentence that is most clear and concise for a police report.

Answer: I observed that the vehicle was red.

Option B removes redundant phrases and communicates the same information directly and efficiently.