EAP Grammar for Formal Writing 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses a fronted adverbial clause for emphasis in academic writing?
- The policy failed, although it was well-intentioned.
- Although well-intentioned, the policy failed to achieve its objectives. (Correct answer)
- The policy was well-intentioned although it failed.
- Well-intentioned the policy was, although it failed.
Correct answer: Although well-intentioned, the policy failed to achieve its objectives.
Fronting the adverbial clause 'Although well-intentioned' creates emphasis and is a common academic stylistic device.
Question 2: Which sentence avoids excessive nominalization that obscures meaning?
- The implementation of the utilization of resources led to the optimization of outcomes.
- Using resources efficiently improved outcomes. (Correct answer)
- The optimization process involved the implementation of resource utilization strategies.
- Outcomes saw improvement through the utilization and implementation of resources.
Correct answer: Using resources efficiently improved outcomes.
While nominalization is valued in academic writing, over-nominalization creates wordy, unclear sentences; active verbs improve clarity.
Question 3: Which sentence correctly uses 'fewer' vs. 'less' in a formal context?
- There was less participants in the second cohort.
- There were fewer participants in the second cohort. (Correct answer)
- There were less participants in the second cohort.
- There was fewer participants in the second cohort.
Correct answer: There were fewer participants in the second cohort.
'Fewer' is used with countable nouns (participants), while 'less' is used with uncountable nouns.
Question 4: Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of 'comprise' in formal writing?
- The dataset is comprised of three subcategories.
- The dataset comprises three subcategories. (Correct answer)
- The dataset is comprising three subcategories.
- Three subcategories comprise of the dataset.
Correct answer: The dataset comprises three subcategories.
The correct formal usage is 'comprises' (whole comprises parts); 'is comprised of' is widely considered incorrect in strict formal usage.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses an absolute phrase for concise academic writing?
- The analysis was complete, so the team moved to the discussion phase.
- When the analysis was complete, the team moved to the discussion phase.
- The analysis complete, the team moved to the discussion phase. (Correct answer)
- Because the analysis was completed, the team moved to the discussion phase.
Correct answer: The analysis complete, the team moved to the discussion phase.
An absolute phrase (noun + past participle) provides a concise way to show a condition without a full subordinate clause.
Question 6: In formal academic prose, which sentence most appropriately avoids second-person pronouns?
- When you analyze the data, you must consider confounding variables.
- One must consider confounding variables when analyzing the data. (Correct answer)
- We must consider confounding variables when you analyze the data.
- The data analysis requires you to consider confounding variables.
Correct answer: One must consider confounding variables when analyzing the data.
In formal academic writing, 'one' is used to make general statements without addressing the reader directly as 'you.'
Question 7: Which sentence correctly places a squinting modifier to avoid ambiguity?
- Students who practice grammar frequently improve their writing.
- Students who frequently practice grammar improve their writing. (Correct answer)
- Frequently, students who practice grammar improve their writing.
- Students who practice grammar improve their writing frequently.
Correct answer: Students who frequently practice grammar improve their writing.
Placing 'frequently' directly after 'who' makes it unambiguous that the frequency refers to practicing, not improving.
EAP Grammar for Formal Writing 5
Which sentence correctly uses a fronted adverbial clause for emphasis in academic writing?