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From Rude, Technical Editing, Chap. 8, Exercises 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 

6. Subject and verb

 The following sentences contain errors in the verb or complement. For each sentence, first identify the simple subject (single underline) and then the simple verb (double underline). Remember that the grammatical subject may differ from the topic of the sentence. If the verb is a linking or to be verb, identify the complement (circle). Then identify and correct errors in subject-verb agreement or faulty predication. 

a. The overall condition of the facilities are good to very good.
b. The resources dedicated to repair is minimal.
c. The record of all courses attempted and completed appear on the transcript.
d. A wide range of extracurricular activities are available to students. 
e. Shipment of factory sealed cartons are made from our warehouse via the cheapest and fastest way.
f. The benefit of the annuity to the investor will be a source of additional retirement income. 
g. The income from the annuity does not indicate that it will offset living expenses. 
h. The agriculture industry is susceptible to pest problems. 
i. Overloading on the library floor has moved approximately 20,000 volumes off campus to avoid structural damage to the building.
j. The interaction between the chemical mechanism and the dynamic mechanism appears to be the two important factors behind the depletion of the ozone layer.
k. The purpose of this section of the report is to increase the fatigue strength of an already welded joint.

7. Dangling modifiers

 The following sentences contain dangling modifiers. Edit the sentences by inserting missing subjects into sentences or by converting modifiers to clauses. You may create two sentences from one if necessary for clarity. Which of the original sentences are written with passive voice verbs? 

a. When preparing copy for the typesetter or when correcting errors on the screen, the cursor can be easily moved with the mouse. 
b. Rather than make marks on the copy, the change can be placed in the computer for a faster and neater job. 
c. The cost of production can be reduced by purchasing software and hardware for desktop publishing.
d. A mosquito bit Lord Carnarvon on his left cheek five months after entering King Tut’s tomb.
e. Growing up to five feet long and weighing over 600 pounds, natives on the Moluceas Archipelago use the shells of the giant man-eating clam as children’s bathtubs.
f. By using lead-free gasoline, harmful lead oxides and lead chlorides and bromides are not released into the atmosphere as is the case with leaded (regular) gasoline.

8. Misplaced modifiers

 The following sentences contain misplaced modifiers. Edit to show where the modifier should go. In your own words, explain the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier. 

a. Only smoke in the break room.
b. Racquets with safety thongs and bumpers are only allowed.
c. Journalists must be able to operate equipment used to produce the stories such as computers.

 9.  Pronouns: case, number, antecedent

 The following sentences include pronoun errors of various types. Identify the error and edit to correct the sentence. 

a. A positive attitude allows the waitperson to laugh at oneself and learn from their mistakes.
b. If an investor wants to sell their shares of stock, they are sold at the market price at the time of sale.
c. He and myself will conduct a workshop on investments. 

10. Usage

  What questions of usage do sentences a and b raise?

a. Use the express lane if you have less than ten items.
b. The project to edit the employee handbook could be divided between several students. 

 Consult your dictionary and handbook to determine what advice they may offer about usage on the following two issues:

(1) Hopefully: Is the adverb hopefully misused as a substitute for “it is hoped” as in the sentence “Hopefully, we will finish before Friday”? Define the grounds on which the use of hopefully could be considered a matter of usage rather than of grammar. 
 

(2) “The reason is because…”: Check The American Heritage Dictionary under “because” for a usage note. Remembering sentence patterns with linking verbs and guidelines for subject complements, explain why the structure might be considered grammatically incorrect. Discuss how usage rather than grammar may determine whether a structure is acceptable.
 

For use with Carolyn Rude, Technical Editing, 2^nd ed. (© Allyn & Bacon, 1998)