Writing Conventions Flashcards

Which version of the sentence uses the correct pronoun case?

Answer: Between you and me, the project was a success.

After prepositions like 'between,' object pronouns must be used, so 'me' is correct rather than 'I' or 'myself.'

Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen?

Answer: She is a well-known author.

When a compound modifier precedes the noun it modifies, it is hyphenated; 'well-known author' is correct.

Which sentence avoids wordiness by eliminating a redundant phrase?

Answer: Please return the book to the library.

'Return' already implies going back, so adding 'back' is redundant.

Which sentence correctly uses 'its' and 'it's'?

Answer: The company lost its license after the audit.

'Its' is the possessive pronoun; 'it's' is the contraction of 'it is,' so the possessive form has no apostrophe.

Which option best fixes this run-on sentence: 'The lab results were ready the doctor reviewed them immediately.'?

Answer: The lab results were ready; the doctor reviewed them immediately.

A semicolon correctly separates two closely related independent clauses without introducing a comma splice.

Which sentence uses verb tense consistently?

Answer: She walked into the room and sat down quietly.

Both verbs, 'walked' and 'sat,' are in the simple past tense, maintaining consistent tense throughout the sentence.

Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the em dash?

Answer: She had one goal—to finish the race.

An em dash is used here correctly to introduce an appositive or explanation with emphasis, with no spaces around it in standard American style.