Correct or Incorrect?
Correct or incorrect? Sarah wants to know whether the game is still on schedule.
Correct! Whether
Lawmakers would turn their attention to a financial regulatory overhaul, and [then/than] pick up where they left off on health care.
Lawmakers would turn their attention to a financial regulatory overhaul, and then pick up where they left off on health care.
Most reference works about music say or [imply/infer] that Johann Sebastian Bach was the greatest composer of the Baroque period.
Most reference works about music say or imply that Johann Sebastian Bach was the greatest composer of the Baroque period.
Which word is a problem? The original United States Declaration of Independence sets in a case at the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom as part of the National Archives in Washington, DC.
Sets/sits: The original United States Declaration of Independence sits in a case at the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom as part of the National Archives in Washington, DC.
What's the problem with this sentence? New Orleans jazz, swing, big band jazz, bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, etc., are subcategories of jazz.
New Orleans jazz, swing, big band jazz, bebop, cool jazz, and hard bop are among the subcategories of jazz.
Avoid using etc in academic writing, and be accurate with lists; these are not the only subcategories.
Correct or incorrect? Why don’t you ever take my advise?
Incorrect! The correct sentence is: Why don’t you ever take my advice?
A list of contents would have made it easier to steer through this book [that/which] also lacks a map.
A list of contents would have made it easier to steer through the book, which also lacks a map.
Bach’s music [lays/lies] at a kind of intersection of the northern German contrapuntal style and the lively Italian style.
Bach’s music lies at a kind of intersection of the northern German contrapuntal style and the lively Italian style.
Which part contains a problem? Since 1952, over one million visitors each year of passed through the Rotunda to snap a photograph to capture their experience.
of/have: Since 1952, over one million visitors each year have passed through the Rotunda to snap a photograph to capture their experience.
What's the problem with this sentence? The reason for the falling off of fusion in the 1980s and beyond is because of a revived interest in traditional, or pure, jazz at that time.
The reason for the falling off of fusion in the 1980s and beyond is a revived interest in traditional, or pure, jazz at that time.
The falling off of fusion in the 1980s and beyond is because of a revived interest in traditional, or pure, jazz at that time.
Use either the reason or because but not both.
Correct or incorrect? The student counsel consists of students from each grade level.
Incorrect! The correct sentence is: The student council consists of students from each grade level.
Back [then/than], we were less timid than we are now.
Back then, we were less timid than we are now.
Bach [lead/led] other composers to create harpsichord concertos, a genre he invented.
Bach led other composers to create harpsichord concertos, a genre he invented.
Which part contains a problem? Although signs state, “No Flash Photography,” forgetful tourists leave the flash on, an a bright light flickers for just a millisecond.
an/and: Although signs state, “No Flash Photography,” forgetful tourists leave the flash on, and a bright light flickers for just a millisecond.
What's the problem with this sentence? Smooth jazz has its detractors, but supporters call it very unique—a very easy-to-listen-to jazz.
Smooth jazz has its detractors, but supporters call it unique—a very easy-to-listen-to jazz.
Avoid using words like more, most, less, least, very, somewhat with unique.
Correct or incorrect? He is a man with principles and values.
Correct! principles
People with goals succeed because they know where [their/they're/there] going.
People with goals succeed because they know where they're going.
Bach’s full body of work also [composes/comprises] church and secular cantatas, a mass, preludes, fugues, sonatas, and suites.
Bach’s full body of work also comprises church and secular cantatas, a mass, preludes, fugues, sonatas, and suites.
Which part contains a problem? This millisecond of light may not seem like enough to effect the precious document, but suppose how much light could be generated when all those milliseconds are added up.
effect/affect: This millisecond of light may not seem like enough to affect the precious document, but suppose how much light could be generated when all those milliseconds are added up.
What's the problem with this sentence? Alot of people learned about jazz through Ken Burns’s 2001 documentary series for PBS.
A lot of people learned about jazz through Ken Burns’s 2001 documentary series for PBS.
First, a lot is always two words. Second, it is generally considered informal, so use a word like many instead.
Correct or incorrect? That behavior will not be excepted.
Incorrect! The correct sentence is: That behavior will not be accepted.
The 2008 race for the White House [that/which] comes to an end on Tuesday fundamentally upended the way presidential campaigns are fought in this country.
The 2008 race for the White House, which comes to an end on Tuesday, fundamentally upended the way presidential campaigns are fought in this country
Compared with the heavy texture of Baroque music, the Classical style became known for [its/it’s] lightness and simplicity.
Compared with the heavy texture of Baroque music, the Classical style became known for its lightness and simplicity.
Which parts contain a problem? Choose 2: According to the National Archives administrators, its enough to significantly damage the historic document. So, now, the signs display quit a different message: “No Photography.”
its/it's and quit/quite: According to the National Archives administrators, it's enough to significantly damage the historic document. So, now, the signs display quite a different message: “No Photography.”
What are the problems with these sentences? (1 per sentence) Jazz fans say that recordings are alright, but there’s no substitute for a live performance. The reason why is that during a concert, musicians may try something new.
Jazz fans say that recordings are all right, but there’s no substitute for a live performance. The reason is that during a concert, musicians may try something new.
All right not alright; the reason/the reason that not the reason why.