Identifying Writing Errors Flashcards

Which sentence correctly uses 'fewer' vs. 'less'? A) There were less officers on the night shift. B) The report contained less errors than expected. C) Fewer witnesses came forward than anticipated. D) The investigation took less days than planned.

Answer: Fewer witnesses came forward than anticipated.

'Fewer' is used with countable nouns like 'witnesses,' while 'less' is used with uncountable quantities.

Choose the option that correctly identifies the error: 'The jury reached their verdict after deliberating for two days.' A) 'jury' is plural, so 'their' is wrong — use 'its.' B) There is no error; collective nouns can take plural pronouns. C) 'deliberating' should be 'deliberated.' D) A comma is needed after 'verdict.'

Answer: 'jury' is plural, so 'their' is wrong — use 'its.'

In formal American English, collective nouns like 'jury' are treated as singular, so the pronoun should be 'its,' not 'their.'

Which sentence has a parallel structure error? A) The officer secured the perimeter, interviewed witnesses, and filed the report. B) The suspect was charged with theft, assault, and resisting arrest. C) The recruits were trained to observe, to listen, and report accurately. D) Officers must be honest, diligent, and professional.

Answer: The recruits were trained to observe, to listen, and report accurately.

The list mixes infinitives ('to observe,' 'to listen') with a base form ('report'), breaking parallel structure.

Identify the correctly punctuated sentence: A) The officer, asked the suspect, where he had been. B) The officer asked the suspect where he had been. C) The officer asked the suspect, where he had been. D) The officer asked, the suspect where he had been.

Answer: The officer asked the suspect where he had been.

An indirect question ('where he had been') is embedded in the sentence and does not require a comma or question mark.

Which word choice error appears in: 'The principle reason for the delay was the missing evidence log.'

Answer: 'principle' should be 'principal.'

'Principle' is a noun meaning a rule or belief; 'principal' is the adjective meaning main or primary.

Which sentence uses 'affect' and 'effect' correctly? A) The new policy will effect how officers file reports. B) The arrest had a lasting affect on the community. C) Stress can affect an officer's decision-making. D) The medication had no affect on the suspect's behavior.

Answer: Stress can affect an officer's decision-making.

'Affect' is most commonly a verb meaning to influence, which is used correctly in option C.

Which sentence contains a comma splice? A) The investigation was ongoing, and officers were advised not to comment. B) Officers canvassed the neighborhood, they found no new witnesses. C) After the search warrant was approved, the team entered the building. D) The suspect denied involvement; however, evidence contradicted his alibi.

Answer: Officers canvassed the neighborhood, they found no new witnesses.

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma and no coordinating conjunction; option B is an example.