Written Expression and Grammar Flashcards

Which word is the correct homophone for the sentence? 'The officer could not ______ what the witness was implying.'

Answer: infer

To understand what is implied requires the word 'infer'; the other choices are not contextually appropriate homophones for this meaning.

Select the sentence that correctly uses commas with a series.

Answer: The officer found a knife, a wallet, and a cell phone.

The Oxford (serial) comma is placed before 'and' in a series of three or more items for clarity.

Which sentence contains a double negative?

Answer: The suspect did not say nothing to the officer.

'Did not say nothing' contains two negatives ('not' and 'nothing') that incorrectly cancel each other out.

Which transitional word best completes the sentence? 'The officer searched the building; ______, no suspects were found.'

Answer: therefore

'Therefore' correctly signals that the result (no suspects found) follows from the prior action (searching the building).

Which sentence correctly capitalizes all proper nouns?

Answer: Officer Johnson was assigned to the downtown precinct.

Names like 'Johnson' are capitalized; 'downtown' and 'precinct' are common nouns and do not require capitalization unless part of an official title.

Which sentence correctly avoids gender-biased language in a formal report?

Answer: All officers must submit their reports by end of shift.

Rewriting the sentence in the plural ('all officers... their') avoids gender-biased language most cleanly.

Which sentence uses the word 'ensure' correctly?

Answer: The officer took steps to ensure that the scene was secure.

'Ensure' means to make certain; 'insure' relates to financial protection and 'assure' is used when reassuring a person.