Error Correction
Word building exercise
We require written __________ for large orders. (confirm)
Our team of _________ helps fill vacancies with qualified people. (recruit)
Ravi has a _________ future with this firm. (promise)
Don’t meet with the entire team. Meet with each member _________. (individual)
This is a new government _________. (initiate)
They have always been _________ suppliers that we’ve enjoyed doing business with. (depend)
Keerthana's answers were vague and _________. (direct)
How will my _________ be evaluated? (perform)
Volunteering can be a _________ experience. (reward)
My supervisor has the final say on this. She can _________ my decision. (rule)
I am writing to express my __________ with my purchase and to request a full refund. (satisfaction)
It was a ________ argument, so we approved his request. (convince)
He hasn’t been fired yet, but he has been suspended ___________. (definite)
It’s _________ whether the two sides will reach an agreement. (doubt)
Your resume should _________ your strengths. (emphasis)
We are _________ our strategy will work. (hope)
Sheela is one of the most _________ people in our industry. (knowledge)
Our goals need to be realistic and __________. (measure)
We got a lot done today. It was a _________ day. (produce)
We’re not friends, but I’ve known him _________ for years. (profession)
The recognition I received _________ my day. (bright)
Parikh is one of the most honest and _________ lawyers I know. (trust)
Do you think the government should __________ Social Security? (private)
He was selfish, rude, and _________ to all his coworkers. (respect)
Some lawsuits are preventable, but others are _________. (avoid)
Common English Mistakes
There isn’t a lot of cars on the road today.
I love listening music.
I born in 1962.
The last year I didn’t know much English.
Are you agree with me?
I’m afraid to the dark.
Always, I study before I go to bed.
I can’t eating when it’s late at night because I get sick.
I’m not very good for cooking.
After class, I always go to home.
These pants are more cheaper than the other ones.
Probably he likes soccer.
I love that movie because is funny.
I’m thinking of to go home because I’m tired.
I’m a doctor. So do I.
I go every day to school.
Do you have a dog? Yes, I have.
What are you doing? Right now I cook dinner.
I don’t dance good.
Where did you went yesterday?
When did you born?
What did you do yesterday? I did go to the mall.
There is much noise here.
How much restaurants are in your neighborhood?
Is very windy today.
Sentence Style: Clarity, Conciseness, and Emphasis
Exercise
Directions: The following passage was taken from a paper on health and diet myths. Try
improving the style of the passage by
placing key ideas at the beginning or end of each
eliminating unnecessary words, and
combining shorter sentences or
breaking up longer ones.
You may remove or add words, move around phrases or whole sentences, combine
sentences, or reword sentences. When you are finished, compare your revised passage with
the sample revised passage on the next page.
Original Passage
Diets high in carbohydrates and low in fat are popular right now with most dieters. These
kinds of diets are supposed to help dieters with their weight loss efforts and prevent dieters
from catching diseases or developing health problems later in their lives. There are actually
no studies that show that a diet that is high in carbohydrates and low in fat is all that good for
the dieter. Some studies have shown that diets higher in fat and lower in carbohydrates are a
lot better for the body, especially diets that are low in refined sugars.
Sample Revised Passage
Diets high in carbohydrates and low in fat are popular now because they are purported to
help dieters lose weight and reduce their risk of disease and other health problems. Yet no
studies have shown that a low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet promotes weight loss or long-term
health. On the contrary, some studies show that diets higher in fat and lower in
carbohydrates, especially refined sugars, are much healthier for dieters.