Using the subjunctive. - University of Bristol [PDF]

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Improve Your Writing Table of Contents

Using the subjunctive.

A. Why improve your understanding of grammar and punctuation?

In this exercise you will have to choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

B. Punctuation Marks C. Common Confusions

1

The UN requested that the government _______ its policy.

D. Using quoted material.

a)

amends

E. Other pitfalls and problems

b)

amend

c)

will amend

F. Style G. Exercises 1. Using the Colon to Improve Style 2. Using the colon. 3. Using the semicolon. 4. Using the comma 1.

2

If only he _______ more skillful, he would make a good football player.

5. Using the comma 2. 6. The comma splice.

a)

was

b)

is

c)

were

7. Separating Clauses 8. Exercise about conjunctions. 9. Exercise using the hyphen. 10. Contracted words

3

If the tickets ________ cheaper, we would have gone to the concert.

11. Using the apostrophe 1. 12. Using the apostrophe 2.

a)

had been

b)

were

c)

are

13. Lists. 14. Punctuation marks exercise. 15. Dangling participles exercise.

4

The chairman moved that the meeting _______ moved to Wednesday.

16. Who's or Whose? 17. It's or Its? 18. There or Their or They're?

a)

was

b)

is

c)

be

19. To or Too or Two? 20. Who or Whom? 21. I or me? 22. Less or Fewer? 23. Like or As?

5

I wish it _______ warmer.

24. Split Infinitives. 25. Verb/Subject Agreement. 26. Using the subjunctive.

a)

was

b)

is

c)

were

27. Using Numbers. 28. Punctuation of embedded quotations 1. 29. Punctuation of embedded quotations. 2

6

The boss insisted that the salesforce _______ its results.

30. Correcting quotes. 31. Confusable words 1.

a)

improve

b)

improved

c)

improves

32. Confusable Words 2. 33. Confusable words 3. 34. Consistency of tense. 35. Common Mistakes.

7

If Peter _______ better behaved, he would not be in so much trouble at school.

36. Run-on Sentences Exercise.

a)

was

b)

were

c)

is

37. Pleonasm Exercise. 38. Straying Off The Point Exercise.

8

9

The commission recommended that the minister _______. a)

will resign

b)

resigns

c)

resign

If the new striker _______ a better goal-scorer, we might win more matches.

10

a)

is

b)

was

c)

were

The emperor demanded that the thief ________ brought before him. a)

were

b)

was

c)

be

Find out more about the subjunctive. See a list of other grammar exercises.

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