Writing Skills & Grammar Usage Flashcards

Which correctly uses 'its' vs. 'it's'?

Answer: The department updated its use-of-force policy; it's now the most comprehensive in the state.

'Its' (no apostrophe) is possessive. 'It's' is 'it is.'

Choose correct verb tense consistency.

Answer: The officer approached the vehicle, identified herself, and requested the driver's license.

All three verbs are in simple past tense: approached, identified, requested.

Which uses 'there,' 'their,' and 'they're' correctly?

Answer: They're confident that their evidence is over there on the table.

They're = they are, their = possessive, there = location.

Select the sentence with correct colon usage.

Answer: The officer seized the following items: one handgun, two cell phones, and a laptop computer.

A colon follows a complete sentence introducing a list.

Which correctly handles 'could have'?

Answer: The suspect could have escaped if the perimeter had not been established quickly.

'Could have' is correct. 'Could of' is an error from mishearing 'could've.'

Identify correct capitalization for a police report.

Answer: Detective Johnson of the Homicide Division responded to the scene at Pacific Coast Highway and Elm Street.

Capitalize ranks before names, official division names, and proper street names.