Each of the following sentences contains an error of some kind. Read each sentence and select the option that correctly identifies its error.
- David was known for belching; and telling inappropriate jokes in public.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
The semicolon is incorrect punctuation here. With the coordinating conjunction “and,” no punctuation is needed between the two gerunds. A comma is permissible to indicate David did not necessarily do both things simultaneously; however, semicolons are for separating two independent clauses, or separating dependent clauses/phrases containing internal commas.
- Graduation from High School is considered a momentous occasion by many.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
“High School” is incorrect capitalization. These words are not names/proper nouns and should not be capitalized.
- Nurses plays a vital role in the healthcare profession.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
The singular form of the verb (“plays”) disagrees with the plural noun subject (“Nurses”), representing incorrect grammar.
- After having his tonsels removed, the child was listless for a few days.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
“Tonsels” is an incorrect spelling of the word “tonsils.”
- The park was serine at twilight.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
“Serine” is an incorrect spelling of the adjective “serene,” meaning peaceful (indicated by sentence context), confusing it with the noun serine, meaning the amino acid.
- Was the patient’s mind lucid during the evaluation.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
Ending this question with a period is incorrect punctuation. It should end with a question mark.
- The Bachalor never married. Most people thought it was because of misogyny.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
“Bachalor” is an incorrect spelling of “bachelor.”
- The intricacy of the mathematical equation, drove the student trying to solve it crazy.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
The comma is incorrect punctuation. No punctuation mark is needed here.
- The hybrid tomatoes is immune to most common diseases.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
A singular predicate with a plural subject is incorrect subject-verb agreement, i.e. grammar.
- The professor was humiliated when his students reported him to the Dean for verbal abuse.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
The noun “dean” is not a name/proper noun, so the capitalization is incorrect.
- The con artist hoodwinked the old lady when he sold her fradulent insurance.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
“Fradulent” is incorrect spelling of the adjective “fraudulent.”
- The movie star was accused of a misdemeanor, when she stole $15 worth of merchandise from the store.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
The comma before the adverbial clause (“when…”) is incorrect punctuation; it should not be there.
- The congregation sang a comtemporary hymn.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
“Comtemporary” is an incorrect spelling of “contemporary.”
- The wound were necrotic when examined.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
The plural verb “were” with the singular noun subject “wound” lacks subject-verb agreement, constituting incorrect grammar.
- The defendint exhibited a peevish appearance.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
“Defendint” is an incorrect spelling of the word “defendant.”
- The band director was scheduled to play the piccolo on tuesday.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
The lower-case initial “t” in “Tuesday” is incorrect capitalization: names/proper nouns are capitalized.
- The renter was remiss; about the rent.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
The semicolon here is incorrect punctuation. The only punctuation mark this sentence needs is its final period.
- The old man was know for his sapient knowledge.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
The correct past-perfect form here is “was known.” “Was know” is incorrect grammar.
- The inventor create several specious ideas to solve the problem.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
“Create” is incorrect grammar here. The singular subject noun “inventor” requires either the singular verb form “creates” or the past-tense “created” for correct construction.
- The teacher identified the troublemakers, in her classroom.
- Capitalization
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
It is incorrect punctuation to place a comma between the noun and its modifying prepositional phrase. No punctuation mark should be used, except for the final period.