Test your error-finding skills in each of the three short passages below. Each passage has just one error.
Passage 1:
The purpose of the conversation is to recognize the common ground between members of the Republican Party and the Democrat Party in our state. We hope to come away with a sense of common purpose and shared values. (The full description of the event appears on the back cover.)
Passage 2:
You met with Duane and Elise yesterday, right? I was wondering whether there were time for the three of you to work through all the issues. For instance, did you have time to decide whether we should use an attachment or a link for the detailed itinerary? Please let me know.
Passage 3:
We can’t publish the newsletter till we hear from Renee, who has the scholarship figures. By the way, Renee said she will be happy with whomever appears on the cover. She feels that all the recipients are strong, highly deserving candidates.
Did you find just one error in each passage?
Each passage includes an incorrect word.
Compare these corrected passages with your versions.
Passage 1:
The purpose of the conversation is to recognize the common ground between members of the Republican Party and the Democratic Party in our state. We hope to come away with a sense of common purpose and shared values. (The full description of the event appears on the back cover.)
The correct name of the party is Democratic, not Democrat.
Passage 2:
You met with Duane and Elise yesterday, right? I was wondering whether there was time for the three of you to work through all the issues. For instance, did you have time to decide whether we should use an attachment or a link for the detailed itinerary? Please let me know.
“I was wondering whether there was time” is correct. The subjunctive form, were, is wrong because the sentence is not a wish, a conjecture, or a statement that is contrary to fact.
Passage 3:
We can’t publish the newsletter till we hear from Renee, who has the scholarship figures. By the way, Renee said she will be happy with whoever appears on the cover. She feels that all the recipients are strong, highly deserving candidates.
“Appears on the cover” needs the subject form whoever–not the object whomever. Don’t let the preposition with fool you.
Consider taking a course: Punctuation for Professionals and Proofread Like a Pro are available as online self-study courses.
Did you find other errors in the three passages or in this blog post? I hope not! But if you did, please share them, and feel free to raise questions.
Note: I’m on vacation through June 3, but I will respond to your comments as soon as I get a chance.
Lynn
