The mental_floss Grammar Quiz
1 of 10
Identify any adverbs in the sentence, "However, I will hopefully see you tomorrow."
hopefully
however and hopefully
however, hopefully and tomorrow
no words are functioning as adverbs in this sentence
ANSWER: Adverbs are best known for their job modifying verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. But they actually do much more than that. They also answer the questions "How?" "When?" "Where?" and "To what degree?" Depending on their job in a sentence, many words can be different parts of speech. When in doubt, check the dictionary. For example, under "tomorrow," you'll see it can be an adverb, a noun or an adjective. Adverbs are best known for their job modifying verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. But they actually do much more than that. They also answer the questions "How?" "When?" "Where?" and "To what degree?" Depending on their job in a sentence, many words can be different parts of speech. When in doubt, check the dictionary. For example, under "tomorrow," you'll see it can be an adverb, a noun or an adjective.
2 of 10
Identify the modal auxiliary(ies):
a. can
c. should
b. has
d. all of the above
a & b
a & c
ANSWER:
ANSWER:
ANSWER: Auxiliaries are helping verbs usually used with participles to form certain verb tenses. "I walk," but in the past "I have walked." That "have" is an auxiliary, the most common one, followed by "to be" (think "I am walking"). Modal auxiliaries have a special job. According to the "Oxford English Grammar" they deal with factuality -- "may" -- or ability -- "can." "Oxford" lists the modals as "can," "could," "may," "might," "shall," "should," "will," "would," "must" and "ought to." Auxiliaries are helping verbs usually used with participles to form certain verb tenses. "I walk," but in the past "I have walked." That "have" is an auxiliary, the most common one, followed by "to be" (think "I am walking"). Modal auxiliaries have a special job. According to the "Oxford English Grammar" they deal with factuality -- "may" -- or ability -- "can." "Oxford" lists the modals as "can," "could," "may," "might," "shall," "should," "will," "would," "must" and "ought to."
3 of 10
Which is correct?
Mike's grades were all A's and B's.
Mike's grades were all As and Bs.
Mike's grades were all A's and Bs.
All are acceptable.
ANSWER:
ANSWER: Apostrophes are best known for forming possessives and contractions. But, a lot of experts say they have another job: They can also be used whenever they're needed to avoid confusion. For example, when their absence would form an unintended word. The letter grade B does not form a word when made plural: Bs. The letter grade A, however, does -- the word As. That's why the Los Angeles Times has used on its front page "A's and Bs." Apostrophes are best known for forming possessives and contractions. But, a lot of experts say they have another job: They can also be used whenever they're needed to avoid confusion. For example, when their absence would form an unintended word. The letter grade B does not form a word when made plural: Bs. The letter grade A, however, does -- the word As. That's why the Los Angeles Times has used on its front page "A's and Bs."
4 of 10
Which is correct?
It is you who is the smart one.
It is you who are the smart one.
Both are acceptable.
Neither is grammatical.
ANSWER: Per "Garner's Modern American Usage," "who" in such cases takes the same form as the word it refers to. "You are the smart one," therefore, "It is you who are the smart one." Per "Garner's Modern American Usage," "who" in such cases takes the same form as the word it refers to. "You are the smart one," therefore, "It is you who are the smart one."
5 of 10
Which is correct?
Our coalition will work with whomever wins the election.
Our coalition will work with whoever wins the election.
Both are acceptable.
Neither is grammatical.
ANSWER: A lot of people who know how to use "whom" get tripped up in this situation. Yes, "whom" and "whomever" are object forms. And yes, it seems that our preposition "with" requires an object such as "whomever." (Think "We will work with him" as opposed to "We will work with he.") But in fact, the object of our preposition is a whole clause -- "whoever wins the election." Every clause needs a subject, even if that clause itself is an object. In other words, that "wins" needs a subject. (Think "He wins" as opposed to "Him wins.") A simple trick: Whenever you need a word that functions as both an object and a subject, the subject form -- who or whoever -- trumps the object form. A lot of people who know how to use "whom" get tripped up in this situation. Yes, "whom" and "whomever" are object forms. And yes, it seems that our preposition "with" requires an object such as "whomever." (Think "We will work with him" as opposed to "We will work with he.") But in fact, the object of our preposition is a whole clause -- "whoever wins the election." Every clause needs a subject, even if that clause itself is an object. In other words, that "wins" needs a subject. (Think "He wins" as opposed to "Him wins.") A simple trick: Whenever you need a word that functions as both an object and a subject, the subject form -- who or whoever -- trumps the object form.
6 of 10
Which, if any, is a grammatical way to express remorse or pity?
I feel bad.
I feel badly.
Neither is grammatical.
ANSWER: "I feel badly" is used by people who are sure that only an adverb can follow the verb "feel." But that's not so. There exists a class of verbs called "copular" or "linking" verbs that take adjectives -- not adverbs -- as their complements. It's the same principle as saying "I am happy" as opposed to "I am happily." Verbs that express states of being or senses are often copular -- feel, smell, taste, is, seems, appears. But the question also hinges largely on the speaker's intent. If you truly mean to describe the action, yes, use an adverb, which is why "I feel badly" is fine if you're explaining why you're no good at reading Braille. "I feel badly" is used by people who are sure that only an adverb can follow the verb "feel." But that's not so. There exists a class of verbs called "copular" or "linking" verbs that take adjectives -- not adverbs -- as their complements. It's the same principle as saying "I am happy" as opposed to "I am happily." Verbs that express states of being or senses are often copular -- feel, smell, taste, is, seems, appears. But the question also hinges largely on the speaker's intent. If you truly mean to describe the action, yes, use an adverb, which is why "I feel badly" is fine if you're explaining why you're no good at reading Braille.
7 of 10
"To boldly go where no man has gone before" contains a grammatical error.
True
False
ANSWER: It is a myth that you can't put a word between an infinitival "to" and an infinitive (base form) such as "go." Some people call this a split infinitive. Yet there exists no rule against it, according to the "Chicago Manual of Style," the "Oxford English Grammar," "Garner's Modern American Usage," "Fowler's Modern English Usage" and most other respected grammar and style books. It is a myth that you can't put a word between an infinitival "to" and an infinitive (base form) such as "go." Some people call this a split infinitive. Yet there exists no rule against it, according to the "Chicago Manual of Style," the "Oxford English Grammar," "Garner's Modern American Usage," "Fowler's Modern English Usage" and most other respected grammar and style books.
8 of 10
Identify any sentence(s) in the subjunctive mood.
a. I wish I were taller.
b. Be that as it may.
c. It's imperative that he go to school.
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
f. a and b
ANSWER: Per "Garner's Modern American Usage," the "subjunctive mood" is used for: 1. conditions contrary to fact: "if I were king" (where the indicative would be "am"); 2. suppositions: "if I were to go, I'd be late" (where the indicative would be "was"); 3. wishes: "I wish that I were able to play the piano" (where the indicative would be "was"); 4. demands and commands: "I insisted that he go" (where the indicative would be "goes"); suggestions and proposals: "I suggest that she think about it" (where the indicative would be "thinks"); statements of necessity: "it's necessary that they be there" (where the indicative would be "are"). The subjunctive applies to all present-tense verbs but, in the past tense, it applies only to "to be." Form the present-tense subjunctive by replacing indicative form with "base form" (i.e. infinitive with no "to"). So, "It's imperative that he go there." In the past tense, the subjunctive is only noticeable where "was" gets changed to "were." A full explanation of the subjunctive is at www.grammarsnobs.com/subjunctive. Per "Garner's Modern American Usage," the "subjunctive mood" is used for: 1. conditions contrary to fact: "if I were king" (where the indicative would be "am"); 2. suppositions: "if I were to go, I'd be late" (where the indicative would be "was"); 3. wishes: "I wish that I were able to play the piano" (where the indicative would be "was"); 4. demands and commands: "I insisted that he go" (where the indicative would be "goes"); suggestions and proposals: "I suggest that she think about it" (where the indicative would be "thinks"); statements of necessity: "it's necessary that they be there" (where the indicative would be "are"). The subjunctive applies to all present-tense verbs but, in the past tense, it applies only to "to be." Form the present-tense subjunctive by replacing indicative form with "base form" (i.e. infinitive with no "to"). So, "It's imperative that he go there." In the past tense, the subjunctive is only noticeable where "was" gets changed to "were." A full explanation of the subjunctive is at www.grammarsnobs.com/subjunctive.
ANSWER:
9 of 10
Which is correct?
This is an historic moment
This is a historic moment
Both are acceptable
ANSWER: "An" is used before vowel sounds. You have a banana and an apple. Note that not all words that begin with vowels begin with a vowel sound. For example, "university" begins with a y sound. "Historic," however, is a gray area. Some people either don't pronounce the h or they muffle it so much as to render it almost silent. Others say that any word that starts with h but takes its stress on the second syllable -- his-TOR-ic -- can and should take "an" instead of "a." However, most stylebooks advocate "a historic." "An" is used before vowel sounds. You have a banana and an apple. Note that not all words that begin with vowels begin with a vowel sound. For example, "university" begins with a y sound. "Historic," however, is a gray area. Some people either don't pronounce the h or they muffle it so much as to render it almost silent. Others say that any word that starts with h but takes its stress on the second syllable -- his-TOR-ic -- can and should take "an" instead of "a." However, most stylebooks advocate "a historic."
10 of 10
Which of the following are correct in formal usage?
a. The express lane is for 10 items or less.
b. The express lane is for 10 items or fewer.
c. If you have 11 items and you remove one, you have one less item.
d. If you have 11 items and you remove one, you have one fewer item.
a and c
b and d
a and d
b and c
ANSWER:
ANSWER:
ANSWER:
ANSWER: According to "Garner's Modern American Usage," "fewer" modifies plurals, "less" modifies singulars. That's why you have fewer dollars but less money, fewer gallons of milk but less milk in general. Don't fall for the oversimplified explanation that the difference has to do with things measured in volume (milk) as opposed to countable things (cartons of milk). That's often the case, but not always, which is clear when we realize that in the Ten Items or Fewer lane, removing a bag of chips means you have one less item. Also remember that intent is key. If you're "less than twenty miles from home," you're emphasizing a single distance. If you're "fewer than twenty miles from home," it means you're emphasizing the individual (plural) miles. According to "Garner's Modern American Usage," "fewer" modifies plurals, "less" modifies singulars. That's why you have fewer dollars but less money, fewer gallons of milk but less milk in general. Don't fall for the oversimplified explanation that the difference has to do with things measured in volume (milk) as opposed to countable things (cartons of milk). That's often the case, but not always, which is clear when we realize that in the Ten Items or Fewer lane, removing a bag of chips means you have one less item. Also remember that intent is key. If you're "less than twenty miles from home," you're emphasizing a single distance. If you're "fewer than twenty miles from home," it means you're emphasizing the individual (plural) miles.
