CPW Advanced Grammar and Punctuation 4

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'fewer' vs. 'less'?

Accepted Answer

The revised draft contains fewer errors.

Answer

'Fewer' is used for countable nouns (errors), while 'less' is used for uncountable quantities.

Question 2

Which option correctly identifies the error in this sentence: 'Neither the editor nor the writers was available'?

Accepted Answer

The verb should be 'were' to agree with the nearest subject 'writers'.

Answer

With 'neither…nor,' the verb agrees with the nearest subject; 'writers' is plural, so 'were' is correct.

Question 3

What does an Oxford comma (serial comma) do?

Accepted Answer

It appears before the conjunction in a series of three or more items.

Answer

The Oxford comma is placed before the final coordinating conjunction in a list of three or more items to prevent ambiguity.

Question 4

Which sentence correctly uses 'who' vs. 'whom'?

Accepted Answer

To whom should I address the query letter?

Answer

'Whom' is the objective form; it's correct when used as the object of a preposition ('to whom').

Question 5

Which sentence contains a split infinitive?

Accepted Answer

He decided to carefully proofread every paragraph.

Answer

A split infinitive has an adverb inserted between 'to' and the verb — here, 'to carefully proofread.'

(CPW) Certified Professional Writer Practice Test