Deck 17: Grammar Exercises

Question 1

Which verb mood expresses a command?

A)Indicative
B)Imperative
C)Subjunctive

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following sentences is in the indicative mood?

A)Let's meet tomorrow to discuss the new process.
B)We will meet tomorrow to discuss the new process.
C)If we were to meet tomorrow, we could discuss the new process.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Passive-voice writing is appropriate in business writing when

A)the writer wants to be specific
B)the writer wants to be forceful
C)the writer wants to be tactful

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
If the shipment _______ (was, were) lost, we would have received a notification.

Question 5

Which mood helps a writer maintain goodwill while conveying negative information?

A)Indicative
B)Imperative
C)Subjunctive

Question 6

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
The company logo, as well as the tag line, _______ (appear, appears) on all printed pieces.

Question 7

A paragraph begins with "A customer service representative e-mailed the client yesterday." Which of the following sentences would be the best follow-up?

A)Offer the client a gift certificate as compensation.
B)Compensation in the form of a gift certificate was offered.
C)He offers the client a gift certificate as compensation.
D)He offered the client a gift certificate as compensation.

Question 8

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
The primary order of business at the meetings scheduled for next week _______ (is, are) to assess ways to operate more efficiently.

Question 9

Which of the following sentences is in the imperative mood?

A)Please send the papers to my attention.
B)The papers should be sent to my attention.
C)She should send the papers to my attention.

Question 10

The following sentence uses which verb tense: "A representative will visit our office next week."

A)Present tense
B)Future perfect tense
C)Present perfect tense
D)Future tense

Question 11

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
The committee _______ (is, are) distributing the strategic plan on Friday.

Question 12

Which of the following sentences is in the passive voice?

A)A cheque was sent.
B)We sent a cheque.
C)Send a cheque.NAR: Multiple-Choice Questions

Question 13

Which of the following requires a plural verb?

A)The business name Jones & Sons
B)The indefinite pronoun everyone
C)Two subjects joined by or
D)Two subjects joined by and

Question 14

In an active-voice sentence,

A)the subject does the action
B)the object does the action
C)the action is directed toward the subject

Question 15

Which of the following sentences is in the subjunctive mood?

A)Implementing a new filing system would increase efficiencies.
B)If we were to implement a new filing system, we would see efficiencies.
C)See to it that the new filing system is implemented.

Question 16

Which verb mood expresses a doubt, a conjecture, or a suggestion?

A)Indicative
B)Imperative
C)Subjunctive

Question 17

Which verb mood expresses a fact?

A)Indicative
B)Imperative
C)SubjunctiveNAR: Multiple-Choice Questions

Question 18

The following sentence uses which verb tense: "She has completed the report."

A)Present tense
B)Past tense
C)Present perfect tense
D)Past perfect tense

Question 19

Which of the following sentences is in the active voice?

A)Without the district manager's knowledge, flights were booked for all of us.
B)Although the district manager didn't realize it, flights had been booked for all of us.
C)It came as a surprise to the district manager that his assistant had booked flights for all of us.

Question 20

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
An e-mail and a registered letter _______ (was, were) sent to notify the customer of the missing payment.

Question 21

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the sentences below.
If Lydia was in line for a promotion, she would have bought a new car, but since she likely has years to wait, she purchased a used one.

Question 22

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the sentences below.
In the suburbs, from a satellite office, works several of our inside sales representatives, who are doing their part for the environment by not driving into the city.

Question 23

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the sentences below.
When the human resources consultant seen the survey results, he suggested the company offer employees a better benefits package.

Question 24

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the sentences below.
Change the following sentence to active voice: A sandwich tray, desserts, and beverages were ordered for the meeting by Sonja.

Question 25

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the sentences below.
A written report along with an oral summary of the trip were requested by the director of sales.

Question 26

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the sentences below.
Change the tense in the following sentence to the present perfect: Webcasting will offer employees up-to-date information on all product lines.

Question 27

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the sentences below.
Although a professional editor proofread the PowerPoint presentation, my manager revises the editor's work.

Question 28

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
Nick's Doodads _______ (provide, provides) the fasteners we use on the lift systems.

Question 29

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
If you had seen how the fiscal year _______ (began, begun), you would have been surprised by its outcome.

Question 30

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
As Tariq passed Lucy's desk, he surreptitiously _______ (lied, lay, laid) the file on top of a pile of folders.

Question 31

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the sentences below.
Every employee who took part in all three online surveys are entered into a draw for an extra vacation day.

Question 32

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
Before the reorganization occurred, Sandra ______ (works, worked, will work) in marketing.

Question 33

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
There _______ (is, are) an advertisement and an article about our company in this month's BCBusiness magazine.

Question 34

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the sentences below.
The attendees have settled in and ate lunch, but the keynote speaker still hasn't arrived.

Question 35

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
The airline _______ (has, had) offered us a bulk discount until four people cancelled their reservations.

Question 36

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
The contract has _______ (gone, went) to the lowest bidder, and building renovations are scheduled to begin in the fall.

Question 37

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
A summary of the incident was _______ (wrote, written) and placed in the employee's file.

Question 38

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
When several executives from the head office _______ (come, came) into our office, everyone got a little nervous.

Question 39

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the sentences below.
Samuel or one of his direct reports are scheduled to present the annual sales stats.

Question 40

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence.
Each of the documents _______ (need, needs) to be signed by the intern's manager.

Question 41

Which of the following punctuation marks most de-emphasizes nonessential information in a sentence?

A)Parentheses
B)Commas
C)Dashes

Question 42

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence. This exercise is case-sensitive, so you must use capital letters where necessary.
A phrase that begins a sentence is followed by a comma if it has four or more words or contains ________ (a verb, an adjective, a noun) form.

Question 43

Choose the correct possessive form of the following phrase: the locations of the business.

A)the business's locations
B)the businesses' locations
C)the business' location

Question 44

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence. This exercise is case-sensitive, so you must use capital letters where necessary.
Choose the correct punctuation mark: The boardroom is unavailable all day _______ a photographer is using it to take photos for the new product brochure.

Question 45

What punctuation mark should follow the salutation of a business letter?

A)Semicolon
B)Colon
C)No punctuation
D)Comma

Question 46

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence. This exercise is case-sensitive, so you must use capital letters where necessary.
Choose the correct punctuation mark: All employees are expected to have these essential skills ______ tact, clarity in communication, and humility.

Question 47

Which of the following is a conjunctive adverb?

A)evidently
B)when
C)however

Question 48

Choose the correct end punctuation for the following sentence: Ms. Khadir called to ask if we have received her résumé

A)?
B).
C)!

Question 49

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence. This exercise is case-sensitive, so you must use capital letters where necessary.
In a series, commas are used between _______ (two, three, four) or more equal elements.

Question 50

Which of the following pronouns introduces an essential clause?

A)which
B)that

Question 51

Which word can you mentally add between adjectives to test the need for a comma?

A)or
B)and
C)but

Question 52

When would you NOT use a comma between clauses?

A)Between two independent clauses
B)After an independent clause that is followed by an essential dependent clause
C)After a dependent clause that is followed by an independent clause

Question 53

Choose the correct end punctuation for the following sentence: The marketing manager has approved the brochure colours, hasn't she

A)?
B).
C)!

Question 54

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
At the quarterly meeting in Winnipeg Manitoba Dee will present the sales results.

Question 55

Which of the following punctuation marks most emphasizes nonessential information in a sentence?

A)Parentheses
B)Commas
C)Dashes

Question 56

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Select one of the options in parentheses to correctly complete the sentence. This exercise is case-sensitive, so you must use capital letters where necessary.
Choose the correct punctuation mark: At the meeting the CEO gave an uplifting speech and congratulated the staff on a good year ______ although the year-end results fell below forecasted revenues.

Question 57

What punctuation mark precedes a conjunctive adverb between two independent clauses?

A)Semicolon
B)Colon
C)Comma

Question 58

Choose the correct possessive form of the following phrase: the annual raises of the managers.

A)the manager's annual raises
B)the managers' annual raises
C)the managers' annual raise

Question 59

Which of the following would be enclosed in a set of single quotation marks?

A)Title of a magazine article
B)Quotation within a quotation
C)Single word used in a special sense
D)Definition

Question 60

What does an appositive do?

A)Identifies the subject of the sentence
B)Adds emphasis
C)Re-names or explains a noun or pronoun

Question 61

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
Were you surprised when the CEO announced that "the person who comes up with the best new ice cream flavour will get five extra vacation days"?

Question 62

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
The merging of the two companies should improve net revenue but some shareholders are not pleased by the purchase.

Question 63

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
We don't have the budget to hire another assistant, however, we are meeting with the college to discuss taking on an intern.

Question 64

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
The company has organized employees into teams, that will work independently on finding efficiencies.

Question 65

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
Anyone in the office, who is interested in playing on the softball team, should contact Pete.

Question 66

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
Disappointed by February's results the VP of sales called a meeting with the marketing manager.

Question 67

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
Were you surprised when the CEO announced, "The person who comes up with the best new ice cream flavour will get five extra vacation days?"

Question 68

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
The company uses the acronym LUV, listen, understand, value, to illustrate its customer service principles.

Question 69

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
The contract requires the customers signature before the client can be assigned to an account manager.

Question 70

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
Once the contract is signed a third party will manufacture the product to the client's specifications.

Question 71

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
All of the manager's are out of the office today for training.

Question 72

A prepositional phrase is a preposition plus which part of speech?

A)Verb
B)Noun or pronoun
C)Adjective
D)Conjunction

Question 73

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
With the reorganization, the business should see: streamlined processes, less manufacturing downtime, and better internal communication.

Question 74

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
I felt good about the interview because at the end of the meeting, the manager said "See you again soon."

Question 75

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
Sal has five meetings today; tomorrow none.

Question 76

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
The announcement was met with meaningful heartfelt applause.

Question 77

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
EBITDA stands for "earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization".

Question 78

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
Yusuf expected to need math and computer skills in his job; not writing skills.

Question 79

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
The distributor of the fasteners we use to secure the bases, has moved its head office to Montreal.

Question 80

Sentence Correction Questions
Make any necessary corrections to the punctuation in the sentences below.
If Mark accepts the new job, I wonder if Lena will be moved into his role?