Common Usage Problems 7

DIRECTIONS: Read each set of sentences. Three of the sentences in each set have errors in formal, standard usage; one sentence is written correctly. Choose the sentence that is written correctly, with NO ERRORS in formal, standard usage.

• The author Pat Mora ain’t from Brazil.

• Do my new glasses fit all right?

• You had ought to wear a bicycle helmet.

• Vincent hurt hisself when he fell.

DIRECTIONS: Read each set of sentences. Three of the sentences in each set have errors in formal, standard usage; one sentence is written correctly. Choose the sentence that is written correctly, with NO ERRORS in formal, standard usage.

• a. Shannon Lindstrom became a artist at an early age.

• b. My locker smells badly!

• c. How come Rover barks at squirrels?

• d. Elsa plays the piano better than I do.

DIRECTIONS: Read each set of sentences. Three of the sentences in each set have errors in formal, standard usage; one sentence is written correctly. Choose the sentence that is written correctly, with NO ERRORS in formal, standard usage.

• Several times a year, a snake sheds it’s outer skin.

• Everyone accept Amy ate a healthy breakfast.

• Aren’t you supposed to lock the door?

• Them beautiful robes were made in Oman.

DIRECTIONS: Read each set of sentences. Three of the sentences in each set have errors in formal, standard usage; one sentence is written correctly. Choose the sentence that is written correctly, with NO ERRORS in formal, standard usage.

• Russian ain’t the main language spoken in Armenia.

• Would you divide the crackers among the four children, Paul?

• I played bad because my hand hurt.

• Let’s have a snack and than do our homework.

DIRECTIONS: Read each set of sentences. Three of the sentences in each set have errors in formal, standard usage; one sentence is written correctly. Choose the sentence that is written correctly, with NO ERRORS in formal, standard usage.

• The children are already for the party.

• Whose the prime minister of Japan?

• There is your book!

• A limerick is when a funny five-line poem has a certain rhyme pattern.

DIRECTIONS: Read each set of sentences. Three of the sentences in each set have errors in formal, standard usage; one sentence is written correctly. Choose the sentence that is written correctly, with NO ERRORS in formal, standard usage.

• I can scarcely taste the garlic in the sauce.

• Our friends the Kahns are celebrating because its Mr. and Mrs. Kahn’s twentieth wedding anniversary.

• Your next in line.

• Mitchell must of been tired after the game.

Which sentence is correct?

• They’re grandparents are visiting from Thailand.

• My keys have to be somewheres in this room!

• I can’t hardly do fifty sit-ups.

• A lot of my friends volunteer with the Special Olympics.

Which sentence is correct?

• I should of asked for help.

• This here Moroccan stew is called tajine.

• Yo-Yo Ma plays the cello well.

• The people of Lithuania eat alot of potatoes.

Which sentence is correct?

• “Poem” by Langston Hughes is sort of sad.

• The airport is a long way from our house.

• The country of Myanmar use to be known as Burma.

• Are we allowed to go inside of the space shuttle?

Which sentence is correct?

• Where is the National Museum of the American Indian at?

• This year less students joined the running club.

• The pencil rolled off the table.

• In today’s meet Esta will try and break the school’s long jump record.