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Sentence Structure
Verb Tense
Modals
Articles and Nouns
Bonus-Mystery Category
100
That girl is amazing I want to marry her.
RTS error Correction: That girl is amazing, so/;/. I want to marry her.
100
I think that SFSU students came from many different countries and cultures.
Verb tense error: It's a generalization, so it should be the simple present Correction: I think that SFSU students COME from many different countries and cultures.
100
Here's some advice: If you lock your keys in the car you might call a locksmith.
Correction: If you lock your keys in the car you SHOULD/OUGHT TO/HAD BETTER call a locksmith. Modal error: Use should/ought to/ had better for advice
100
I have so many homeworks, I don't know what I'm going to do.
Error: "homework" is a non-count noun Correction: I have so "MANY HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS" or "MUCH HOMEWORK"
100
The new guy who works with me is very cute, funny and interested. I hope he'll want to go out with me.
Correction: Interesting Error: word form error (interested= he's interested in you, but the writer wants to describe his qualities)
200
Since I really enjoy studying English grammar.
Fragment error Correction: Eliminate "since" or add a dependent clause
200
Even though I am a vegetarian, I am loving Thanksgiving dinner.
Verb tense error: "Love" is a mental state (so it can't be used in the present progressive) Correction: Even though I am a vegetarian, I LOVE Thanksgiving dinner.
200
I should not stay up until 5am last night, because now I'm really tired.
Correction: I should not HAVE STAYED up until 5am last night, because now I'm really tired. Modal error: Use should + have + past participle for modals of advice in the PAST
200
I went to the Safeway, but I couldn't find what I was looking for.
Error: "Safeway" is a proper noun + not specific (so no "the") Correction: I went to Safeway, but I couldn't find what I was looking for (or, if you wanted to make it a specific Safeway store, you could say " I went to the Safeway at Mission and 30th, but I couldn't find what I was looking for.")
200
I have two really cute cats, Ella and Lulu, who likes sleeping next to the heater when its cold.
Correction: I have two really cute cats, Ella and Lulu, who LIKE sleeping next to the heater when its cold. Error: SVA (subject verb agreement)
300
I am really looking forward to winter vacation. Because I am going to travel to Italy and Spain. I hope to meet a lot of interesting people there.
Fragment error Correction: I am really looking forward to winter vacation because I am going to travel to Italy and Spain. I hope to meet a lot of interesting people there.
300
I had eaten my breakfast very early this morning.
Verb tense error: You use past perfect when you have 2 verbs (and want to show which happened first)--here we only have one verb. Correction: I ate my breakfast very early this morning.
300
I might have been go to the party on Saturday, if I wasn't feeling so sick.
Correction: I might have GONE to the party on Saturday, if I wasn't feeling so sick. Modal error: Error in form (for modals in the past use the modal + have + the past participle)
300
I really like my biology class because the teacher has a lot of knowledges. (Hint 2 errors)
Error #1: class subjects=proper nouns Correction: Biology class Error #2: "knowledge" = non-count noun Correction: knowledge (with no -s)
300
A good friend should be loyalty, trustworthy and funny.
Correction: A good friend should be LOYAL, trustworthy and funny. Error: Word form (these need to all be adjectives and 'loyalty' is a noun)
400
I need to study really hard for my Biology exam that I pass the class this semester, otherwise I will have to retake the class. (Hint: 2 errors in sentence structure)
Error #1:change "that" to "so that" or other logical joining word Error #2:RTS (comma splice) error "semester, otherwise" (Change to ;/.)
400
I had such a nice week during the Thanksgiving break. I woke up late, I was seeing lots of my friends I haven't seen in a while and I read a great novel. (Hint: 2 errors)
Verb tense error: "see" = mental state (use the simple past) Correction #1: I SAW lots of my friends Verb tense error: "Haven't seen" would mean from the past until now, but we're talking about in the past (NOT now). Plus "hadn't seen" happened before "saw my friends" Correction #2: I HADN'T seen in a while
400
In order to pass ENG 208 you can write 6 essays and you might not miss more than 6 classes or you'll receive a No Credit. (Hint: 2 errors)
Error #1: Can write=optional, not necessary/required Correction: ...you MUST/HAVE TO write 6 essays... Error #2: Might not miss=possibility, but you need to express something that is impossible, not allowed Correction: ...you CANNOT/MUST NOT miss...
400
My friend said she has much admirations for the man who invented internet. (Hint: 2 errors)
Error #1: Admiration=non count (no -s) Correction: admiration Error #2: there's only one internet, so its specific Correction: "the" internet
400
Respect elders is very important in the Chinese culture.
Correction: RESPECTING elders is very important in the Chinese culture. Error: "respect" = verb, but we need a noun here in the subject position, so "respect" should be changed to the gerund "respecting"
500
If you really want to learn a new language (like Swahili), you should try living in a country that speaks that language, that will give you the opportunity to speak with native speakers, it will also help you to listen to it being used in daily contexts. (2 errors)
RTS error #1 (...try living in a country that speaks that language ", that" will give you the opportunity...) Correction: ;that/ .That/ , which (or some other conjunctions) RTS error #2: native speakers", " it will also Correction: ;/ .It/ and (or some other conjunctions)
500
I have been gone to the gym every morning for several months, but two weeks ago I started a new job which requires me to work mornings; now I go to the gym in the evenings.
Correction: I HAD BEEN GOING to the gym every morning for several months, but two weeks ago I started a new job which requires me to work mornings so now I go to the gym in the evenings. Verb tense error: I "had been doing" something in the past for a continued duration of time (have been going=will likely continue). Also, the verb FORM is incorrect (it wouldn't be "have been GONE;" it'd be "have been GOING")
500
Your best friend just broke up with her boyfriend because she found out he was cheating on her. Tell me 2 pieces of advice: One for the past and one for the present/future
Answers will vary but.... PAST She should/ought to have + simple form of the verb PRESENT/FUTURE She should/ought to/ had better
500
Fill in ALL the blanks with the correct articles or quantity words: Next semester I plan to go on ___ vacation. ___ place I will go to is Thailand. I'd like to go to ____ beaches, especially on ___coast.
Next semester I plan to go on "a/0" vacation. "The" place I will go to is Thailand. I'd like to go to "0/some/other quantity word" beaches, especially on "the "coast.
500
Communicating with people who speak same language as you make it easier for you to adapt when you first come to U.S. (Hint: 3 errors)
Error 1: who speak THE same language... (specific, need 'the') Error 2: MAKES it easier (SVA error; communicating=subject) Error 3: THE US (US=always has "the" before it)