Syntax Introduction

Which of these sentences is in the passive voice?

I. The field mice multiplied rapidly when the farmer left the door to his grain silo open.

II. There were so many that the local supply store ran out of mousetraps.

III. The townspeople decided to fine the farmer and forced all farmers in the area to install automatically shutting doors on their grain silos.

Annalise wants to dye her hair red, so she asks her sister to help her use an at-home dye kit. Which of the sentences describing the outcome contains a misplaced modifier?

I. Annalise went to the professional stylist with an at-home dye job gone bad.

II. Vivid Expressions had turned her hair a way-too-vivid shade of purple.

III. The stylist told her to carefully read the instructions that were enclosed in the box with her sister before attempting to dye her hair again.

Which of these sentences contains faulty parallelism?

I. The city is currently hiring for many positions, including librarian, city planner, engineer, and graphic design.

II. If you'd like to apply, go to our website, click the "careers" link, and download an application.

III. You'll be required to input your date of birth, social security number, and list the instances in which you have ever been more than two minutes and 35 seconds late for work.

How would you correct this sentence?

Rhoda's a character actor, so she prefers to be the best friend, bit player, and provide comic relief.

Your teacher returns your paper on A Christmas Carol with "Don't modify absolutes!" written at the top. Which sentence is she referring to?

I. Scrooge was the inspiration for Dr. Seuss' Grinch.

II. Marley was deader than a doornail.

III. The Christmas Carol teaches us an extremely excellent lesson about the true meaning of Christmas

IV. The Ghost of Christmas Past gave me nightmares.