CPP Grammar, Punctuation & Syntax 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- She proofread the document; and found three errors.
- The deadline is tomorrow; therefore, we must finish tonight. (Correct answer)
- He submitted his draft; but it was rejected.
- They met on Monday; to discuss the project.
Correct answer: The deadline is tomorrow; therefore, we must finish tonight.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially before conjunctive adverbs like 'therefore.'
Question 2: Which of the following is a dangling modifier?
- Running to catch the bus, Maria dropped her bag.
- After reviewing the manuscript, several errors were found. (Correct answer)
- Exhausted from the trip, the editor took a break.
- Having proofread all night, the team submitted the document.
Correct answer: After reviewing the manuscript, several errors were found.
The participial phrase 'After reviewing the manuscript' has no logical subject since 'errors' cannot review manuscripts.
Question 3: In the sentence 'The data suggests the results are conclusive,' what is the grammatical issue?
- Incorrect verb tense
- 'Data' is plural and should take 'suggest' (Correct answer)
- Missing comma after 'data'
- No issue; the sentence is correct
Correct answer: 'Data' is plural and should take 'suggest'
In formal writing, 'data' is the plural of 'datum' and requires the plural verb 'suggest.'
Question 4: Which sentence correctly punctuates a nonrestrictive clause?
- The editor who reviewed the draft approved it.
- My sister, who lives in Boston, is a copyeditor. (Correct answer)
- The manuscript that was late was rejected.
- All articles which are submitted must be original.
Correct answer: My sister, who lives in Boston, is a copyeditor.
Nonrestrictive clauses provide extra (nonessential) information and must be set off with commas.
Question 5: Which option correctly completes the sentence: 'Neither the author nor the editors ___ aware of the error'?
- was
- were (Correct answer)
- has been
- is
Correct answer: were
With 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the nearer subject; 'editors' is plural, so 'were' is correct.
Question 6: Which sentence uses the hyphen correctly in a compound modifier?
- She is a well-known author. (Correct answer)
- The author is well-known.
- They hired a full time proofreader.
- The proofreader is part-time available.
Correct answer: She is a well-known author.
Compound modifiers are hyphenated when they precede a noun ('well-known author') but not after a linking verb.
Question 7: Which sentence avoids a comma splice?
- The proof was complete, it was submitted immediately.
- The proof was complete; it was submitted immediately. (Correct answer)
- The proof was complete, and was submitted immediately.
- The proof was complete, however it was submitted late.
Correct answer: The proof was complete; it was submitted immediately.
A semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses, eliminating the comma splice.
CPP Grammar, Punctuation & Syntax 2
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?