Writing Error Identification Flashcards

Identify the error: 'The officers whom responded to the call was unable to locate the suspect at the residence.'

Answer: Both A and B are errors

Two errors: 'whom' should be 'who' (subject of 'responded') and 'was' should be 'were' (plural 'officers').

Which sentence contains a comma splice?

Answer: The witness was cooperative, she provided a detailed statement.

Option B joins two independent clauses with only a comma, without a conjunction.

Find the error: 'Each of the officers have completed their annual firearms qualification and was cleared for duty.'

Answer: 'have' should be 'has'

'Each' is singular and requires 'has,' not 'have.'

Identify the error: 'The detective laid the evidence on the table and begun reviewing the case file.'

Answer: 'begun' should be 'began'

'Begun' is the past participle (needs a helper verb). Simple past 'began' is correct here.

Which sentence has a misplaced modifier?

Answer: The detective found a clue examining the crime scene.

'Examining the crime scene' appears to modify 'clue' instead of 'detective.'

Find the error: 'Between you and I, the investigation is not progressing as quickly as the chief would like.'

Answer: 'Between you and I' should be 'Between you and me'

'Between' is a preposition requiring the objective case 'me,' not 'I.'