Common Errors in Usage Part III Quiz

Answer: farther

"Farther" should be used to refer to a physical distance. "Further" is metaphorical. For example, "This matter is no longer open to further discussion." Don't fret too much if you missed this one - it is pretty minor and is rarely noticed.

Answer: were

"Data" is a plural noun, with the singular being "datum". Therefore use a plural form of the verb. The same applies to "media" (plural) and "medium" (singular). Like question #1, most people will never notice this if you err, so don't worry too much.

Answer: However

However is the better word and is more formal. Starting a sentence with a conjunction such as "and" or "but" is less formal, but it can add some punch to your writing style.

Answer: weekly

"On a weekly basis" is wordy, a bit pretentious, and totally unnecessary.

Answer: Composed

The phrase "comprised of" is fairly common and generally incorrect. "Comprise" can often mean "contain", as in the sense that the library "comprises books" (as in "contains books"). Imagine if you said that the library "is contained of" books and that is exactly what you say when you say it "is comprised of" books. Use "composed" in this and similar circumstances.

Answer: oral

The technical, and better antonym of "written" is "oral", meaning spoken. Both "written" and "oral" statements are verbal. Of course this is a diehard distinction that has all but disappeared, since most people will assume you mean "oral" when you say "verbal".

Answer: e.g.

"E.g." is latin for "exempli gratia", or "for example". "I.e.", on the other hand, means "id est", or "that is". The former abbreviation is normally followed by a list of items that exemplify the point, while the latter is followed by a restatement of the point place to clarify that point. You cannot interchange these two abbreviations.

In either case, remember that you always follow these abbreviations with a comma.

Answer: years'

You must use the apostrophe in the absence of "of". "5 years of experience" is the same as "5 years' experience", and the two are interchangeable.

Answer: does

This point is a bit tricky. Normally when referring to a percentage of something, you are referring to a number less than 1. Therefore it is better to use the singular form of the verb as in the above instance. However, if the percentage is of a countable entity, the plural verb form should be used.

For example, "Ninety percent of all smokers argue that they have the right to smoke in public restaurants."

Answer: more

Use "more than" in more formal situations. "Better than" has become almost interchangeable with "more than" but is still considered informal. I hope you enjoyed this quiz!