PELLET B Writing Error Identification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Identify the error: 'The officers whom responded to the call was unable to locate the suspect at the residence.'
- 'whom' should be 'who'
- 'was' should be 'were'
- Both A and B are errors (Correct answer)
- 'at the residence' is incorrect
Correct answer: Both A and B are errors
Two errors: 'whom' should be 'who' (subject of 'responded') and 'was' should be 'were' (plural 'officers').
'Whom' should be 'who' (subject of 'responded'). 'Was' should be 'were' (plural subject 'officers'). Corrected: 'The officers who responded to the call were unable to locate the suspect.' Multiple-error identification tests thorough proofreading.
Question 2: Which sentence contains a comma splice?
- The suspect was arrested, and the vehicle was impounded.
- The witness was cooperative, she provided a detailed statement. (Correct answer)
- After securing the scene, the detective began collecting evidence.
- The report was filed on time, though details needed clarification.
Correct answer: The witness was cooperative, she provided a detailed statement.
Option B joins two independent clauses with only a comma, without a conjunction.
Option B has two complete sentences joined by only a comma. Fix: add 'and,' use a semicolon, or make two sentences. Options A (comma + conjunction), C (introductory phrase), and D (comma + subordinating conjunction) are correct. Comma splices are commonly tested.
Question 3: Find the error: 'Each of the officers have completed their annual firearms qualification and was cleared for duty.'
- 'have' should be 'has' (Correct answer)
- 'their' should be 'his or her'
- 'was' should be 'were'
- Both A and C are errors
Correct answer: 'have' should be 'has'
'Each' is singular and requires 'has,' not 'have.'
The subject is 'each' (always singular). The verb must be 'has completed.' Using 'their' with 'each' is accepted as gender-neutral. 'Was cleared' agrees with singular 'each.' Corrected: 'Each of the officers has completed their qualification and was cleared.'
Question 4: Identify the error: 'The detective laid the evidence on the table and begun reviewing the case file.'
- 'laid' should be 'lay'
- 'begun' should be 'began' (Correct answer)
- 'the' before evidence should be removed
- There is no error
Correct answer: 'begun' should be 'began'
'Begun' is the past participle (needs a helper verb). Simple past 'began' is correct here.
'Begun' requires an auxiliary verb (has begun). Without one, use 'began.' 'Laid' is correct (past tense of 'lay' = to place). Corrected: 'laid the evidence on the table and began reviewing.' Irregular verb errors are common in reports.
Question 5: Which sentence has a misplaced modifier?
- The officer quickly responded to the emergency.
- The detective found a clue examining the crime scene. (Correct answer)
- Carefully, the technician dusted for fingerprints.
- The sergeant reviewed the report thoroughly.
Correct answer: The detective found a clue examining the crime scene.
'Examining the crime scene' appears to modify 'clue' instead of 'detective.'
Option B: 'found a clue examining the crime scene' makes it sound like the clue was examining the scene. Fix: 'Examining the crime scene, the detective found a clue.' Misplaced modifiers create confusion about who performed which action.
Question 6: Find the error: 'Between you and I, the investigation is not progressing as quickly as the chief would like.'
- 'Between you and I' should be 'Between you and me' (Correct answer)
- 'is not' should be 'are not'
- 'as quickly as' should be 'as quick as'
- There is no error
Correct answer: 'Between you and I' should be 'Between you and me'
'Between' is a preposition requiring the objective case 'me,' not 'I.'
Prepositions require object pronouns. 'I' is subjective; 'me' is objective. You would say 'between me,' not 'between I.' Adding 'you and' does not change the requirement. This is one of the most common grammar errors in English.
