Subject-verb agreement (choose the correct verb)

1. One of the plant supervisors (plan, plans) to implement a new safety program.

2. Neither the supervisor nor members of this team (is, are) satisfied with the level of service.

3. The number of email messages (is, are) increasing daily.

4. The analysis of financial documents (take, takes) a full week.

5. On the packing slip several items (seem, seems) to be missing.

6. There (is, are) many problems yet to be resolved.

7. Improved communication technologies and increased global competition (is, are) changing the world of business.

8. Yesterday Ms. Mendez (choose, chose) a new office on the second floor.

9. If you had (saw, seen) the rough draft, you would better appreciate the final copy.

10. Merger statutes (require, requires) that a failing company accept bids from several companies before merging with one.

11. His cell phone has (run, rang) so often during the meeting that he had to leave.

12. Have you (broke, broken) the news of the merger to the employees?

13. If you had (wrote, written) us earlier, we could have authorized the change.

14. If I (was, were) you, I would ask for a raise.

15. The tone and the wording of the message (was, were) persuasive.

Split Infinitive (re-write the following sentences to eliminate the split infinitive)

1. This is the truck I hope to someday buy.

2. We expect our profits to completely double in the next quarter.

3. Rhonda began to delicately pick up the broken glass.

4. I like to on a hot day eat a lot of ice cream.

Double Negatives (correct the following sentences)

1. I don't want no mistakes.

2. They scarcely noticed neither one.

3. I didn't write nothing.

4. The flea market did not have none of the treasures they wanted.

5. I can't find my keys nowhere.

6. We haven't never seen a tornado that big.

Irregular Verbs (choose the correct verb to complete the sentences)

1. Phillip (choose, chose, chosen) to attend the marketing conference.

2. I (know, knew, known) the electricity expense is going to increase in August.

3. Miquel has (wrote, written) the monthly depreciation report.

4. Employee sick leave always (rises, raises) during winter months.

Faulty Comparisons (choose the correct adjective)

1. I always choose the (less, least) expensive brand.

2. A corporation can benefit from a (well written, well-written) annual report.

3. The chairman's introductory message to the annual report was (well written, well-written).

4. Anthony wasn't feeling (good, well) so he went home early.

5. Between the two logistics companies, QuickPro has the (better, best) delivery time.

6. Of the twelve scholarship applicants, La'Toya has the (higher, highest) grade point average.

Dangling Modifiers (re-write the sentence for clarity)

1. Walking to the office, a red car passed her.

2. Working as fast as possible, the budget was soon ready.

3. After a three-week slump, we increased sales.

Misplaced Modifiers (re-write the sentence for clarity)

1. Slipping on the stairs, his back was injured.

2. I asked him to file all the letters in the cabinet that had been answered.

3. Skilled with computers, the personnel director hired Ben Seaberry.

Avoid Fillers (re-write the sentences; delete the fillers)

1. There are three students who volunteered to help.

2. This is to inform you that our offices will be closed on Monday, October 10.

3. It was an office memorandum that announced the employee of the month.

Purge Long-Lead-Ins (re-write sentences eliminating long lead-ins)

1. I am writing this letter because Professor Bright suggested that your organization was hiring trainees.

2. This is to inform all customers that lower airfares may be available at our website.

3. Please not that this early e-mail is being sent to let everyone know that you may sign to work at the fair booth starting on October 15.

4. This is an announcement to tell you that parking permits are available in the office.

Obscured Verbs (re-write the sentences to unbury the verbs)

Example: When used properly, zero-based budgeting can bring about a reduction in overall costs. (reduction is the obscured verb)

Revised: When used properly, zero-based budgeting can reduce overall costs.

1. Our committee promised to give consideration to your proposal at its next meeting.

2. Homeowners must make a determination of the total value of their furnishings.

3. Did our department make an application for increased budget support?

4. After investigating, the fire department reached the conclusion that the blaze was set intentionally.