Grammar Quiz Fridays

[Gerry Steen]

Friday Grammar Quiz- June 21, 2024

A. When do we use that? When do we use which? Sometimes it is appropriate to use “that” and other times to use “which”. Which sentences are inappropriately written using “that”? In which sentences should we use “which”?

1. This theory was supported by the case of the continent of Africa that showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.

2. The book that my sister gave me is missing.

3. This book that my sister gave me is my least favorite.

4. My horse that ran away last Sunday has been found.

Have fun. I will post the answers and explanations early next week.

[Blueberry Dragon]

Friday Grammar Quiz- June 21, 2024

A. When do we use that? When do we use which? Sometimes it is appropriate to use “that” and other times to use “which”. Which sentences are inappropriately written using “that”? In which sentences should we use “which”?

1. This theory was supported by the case of the continent of Africa that showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.

2. The book that my sister gave me is missing.

3. This book that my sister gave me is my least favorite.

4. My horse that ran away last Sunday has been found.

Have fun. I will post the answers and explanations early next week.

@Gerry Steen , I think sentence 1 can use a "which" rather than "that". All the rest need to use "that".

[Gerry Steen]

Friday Grammar Quiz- June 21, 2024

A. When do we use that? When do we use which? Sometimes it is appropriate to use “that” and other times to use “which”. Which sentences are inappropriately written using “that”? In which sentences should we use “which”?

1. This theory was supported by the case of the continent of Africa that showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.

2. The book that my sister gave me is missing.

3. This book that my sister gave me is my least favorite.

4. My horse that ran away last Sunday has been found.

Have fun. I will post the answers and explanations early next week.

@Gerry Steen , I think sentence 1 can use a "which" rather than "that". All the rest need to use "that".

Hi, Blueberry Dragon. Thank you for participating in this post. I hope you enjoy doing the quizzes. Here are the answers to the quiz.

Answers to Friday Grammar Quiz- June 21, 2024.

A.

1. The sentence “This theory was supported by the case of the continent of Africa that showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.” should be written like this; This theory was supported by the case of the continent of Africa which showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.

( “Which” is used instead of “that” to refer to a previously mentioned subject when adding a clause including further information. “The case of the continent of Africa” is the previously mentioned subject. “ Showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.” is the clause with further information.

2. The sentence “The book that my sister gave me is missing.” was written appropriately. “That” is used as part of a restrictive modifier. A restrictive modifier is a clause or phrase ( that my sister gave me) that is essential to or identifies the meaning of a term (The book).

3. The sentence “This book that my sister gave me is my least favorite.” should be written like this; This book, which my sister gave me, is my least favorite. The sentence “ This book is my least favorite.” could stand alone. Therefore, the information “my sister gave me” is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This non-essential information is a non-restrictive modifier and must be introduced with the word “which” and set off by commas.

4. The sentence “My horse that ran away last Sunday has been found.” should be written like this; My horse, which ran away last Sunday, has been found. The sentence “My horse has been found.” could stand alone and be understood. Therefore the information “that ran away last Sunday” is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This non-essential information is a non-restrictive modifier and must be introduced with the word “which” and set off by commas.

[Gerry Steen]

Answers to Friday Grammar Quiz- June 21, 2024.

A.

1. The sentence “This theory was supported by the case of the continent of Africa that showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.” should be written like this; This theory was supported by the case of the continent of Africa which showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.

( “Which” is used instead of “that” to refer to a previously mentioned subject when adding a clause including further information. “The case of the continent of Africa” is the previously mentioned subject. “ Showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.” is the clause with further information.

2. The sentence “The book that my sister gave me is missing.” was written appropriately. “That” is used as part of a restrictive modifier. A restrictive modifier is a clause or phrase ( that my sister gave me) that is essential to or identifies the meaning of a term (The book).

3. The sentence “This book that my sister gave me is my least favorite.” should be written like this; This book, which my sister gave me, is my least favorite. The sentence “ This book is my least favorite.” could stand alone. Therefore, the information “my sister gave me” is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This non-essential information is a non-restrictive modifier and must be introduced with the word “which” and set off by commas.

4. The sentence “My horse that ran away last Sunday has been found.” should be written like this; My horse, which ran away last Sunday, has been found. The sentence “My horse has been found.” could stand alone and be understood. Therefore the information “that ran away last Sunday” is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This non-essential information is a non-restrictive modifier and must be introduced with the word “which” and set off by commas.

[Gerry Steen]

Friday Grammar Quiz- June 28, 2024

A. One of the following sentences is incorrectly written. Which one is it? Why? How would you rewrite it?

1. Professor George is like my high school principal.

2. I want to improve like you have this month.


B. The following sentence makes the use of one unnecessary word. Which word is it? How would you rewrite it?

1. The fence keeps the dog off of the lawn.

C. The following sentence is incorrectly written. How should they be written?

Weather-wise, a tornado is predicted to pass through our region tomorrow.


Answers to Friday Grammar Quiz- June 28, 2024

A. “I want to improve like you have this month.” is incorrectly written. It should be written as follows; I want to improve as you have this month.

“Like” is a preposition. It cannot be used to join two independent clauses. The conjunction “as” should be used to join two independent clauses.

B. The unnecessary word is “of”. The sentence should be “The fence keeps the dog off the lawn.”

C. The suffix “-wise” should not be used to create new words when you mean “with regard to”. The sentence “Weather-wise, a tornado is predicted to pass through our region tomorrow.” should be “ With regard to the weather, a tornado is predicted to pass through our region tomorrow.”

[Blueberry Dragon]

Answers to Friday Grammar Quiz- June 21, 2024.

A.

1. The sentence “This theory was supported by the case of the continent of Africa that showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.” should be written like this; This theory was supported by the case of the continent of Africa which showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.

( “Which” is used instead of “that” to refer to a previously mentioned subject when adding a clause including further information. “The case of the continent of Africa” is the previously mentioned subject. “ Showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.” is the clause with further information.

2. The sentence “The book that my sister gave me is missing.” was written appropriately. “That” is used as part of a restrictive modifier. A restrictive modifier is a clause or phrase ( that my sister gave me) that is essential to or identifies the meaning of a term (The book).

3. The sentence “This book that my sister gave me is my least favorite.” should be written like this; This book, which my sister gave me, is my least favorite. The sentence “ This book is my least favorite.” could stand alone. Therefore, the information “my sister gave me” is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This non-essential information is a non-restrictive modifier and must be introduced with the word “which” and set off by commas.

4. The sentence “My horse that ran away last Sunday has been found.” should be written like this; My horse, which ran away last Sunday, has been found. The sentence “My horse has been found.” could stand alone and be understood. Therefore the information “that ran away last Sunday” is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This non-essential information is a non-restrictive modifier and must be introduced with the word “which” and set off by commas.

Thanks for the corrections and the explanations. I hope to incorporate them in my writing in future. Thanks @Gerry Steen.

[Gerry Steen]

Answers to Friday Grammar Quiz- June 21, 2024.

A.

1. The sentence “This theory was supported by the case of the continent of Africa that showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.” should be written like this; This theory was supported by the case of the continent of Africa which showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.

( “Which” is used instead of “that” to refer to a previously mentioned subject when adding a clause including further information. “The case of the continent of Africa” is the previously mentioned subject. “ Showed this virtually unvaccinated continent had the lowest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the world.” is the clause with further information.

2. The sentence “The book that my sister gave me is missing.” was written appropriately. “That” is used as part of a restrictive modifier. A restrictive modifier is a clause or phrase ( that my sister gave me) that is essential to or identifies the meaning of a term (The book).

3. The sentence “This book that my sister gave me is my least favorite.” should be written like this; This book, which my sister gave me, is my least favorite. The sentence “ This book is my least favorite.” could stand alone. Therefore, the information “my sister gave me” is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This non-essential information is a non-restrictive modifier and must be introduced with the word “which” and set off by commas.

4. The sentence “My horse that ran away last Sunday has been found.” should be written like this; My horse, which ran away last Sunday, has been found. The sentence “My horse has been found.” could stand alone and be understood. Therefore the information “that ran away last Sunday” is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This non-essential information is a non-restrictive modifier and must be introduced with the word “which” and set off by commas.

Thanks for the corrections and the explanations. I hope to incorporate them in my writing in future. Thanks @Gerry Steen.

You are very welcome!