I Just Took This Online Grammar Quiz

[AdamSmith]

It would be all right to call me Sir James Murray.

 

I reread about half of The Elements of Style the other day and was benumbed. Ach! It is to Fowler what Little Dot and Big Lotta are to Mencken.

 

And we will not mention that excrescence that has the word Chicago in its title.

[TruthBTold]

I did well on the exam but I agree that many of the questions do not seem to relate to grammar in the traditional sense. I also thought it was funny that there seemed to be a mistake in the body of an article explaining why the exam was being presented.

 

"I think everyone on our content team feels the same way. Kieran Dahl, Contently’s social media editor, acts as our de facto copy editor before our articles go live, and he’s one of the few people I know who care about language as much as—if not more than—I do."

 

Shouldn't it be "and he's one of the few people I know who CARES about language as much as - if not more than - I do." The verb seems to be modifying "he" and therefore should be a singular form. But I could be wrong believe me.

[+ purplekow]

I did well on the exam but I agree that many of the questions do not seem to relate to grammar in the traditional sense. I also thought it was funny that there seemed to be a mistake in the body of an article explaining why the exam was being presented.

 

"I think everyone on our content team feels the same way. Kieran Dahl, Contently’s social media editor, acts as our de facto copy editor before our articles go live, and he’s one of the few people I know who care about language as much as—if not more than—I do."

 

Shouldn't it be "and he's one of the few people I know who CARES about language as much as - if not more than - I do." The verb seems to be modifying "he" and therefore should be a singular form. But I could be wrong believe me.

It should be "cares". The verb care(s) should be in agreement with the word "one" from the phrase "one of the few people" and is third person singular. I am not sure that Oxford comma is needed after "before out articles go live".

In fact that whole sentence is a mess. Perhaps that was the ironic intent of this quiz.

Is Kieran Dahl the copy editor only before the article is printed and there is someone else does that job after that time, who(m) corrects mistakes in grammar which/that was/were duly noted by discerning readers.(?)

Also, it seems that it would be clearer to use "its" in place of "ours", as the articles are Contently's. Perhaps the author is using the editorial "we" or it is just a case of the editor going: "Wheeeee".

[+ Gar1eth]

I did well on the exam but I agree that many of the questions do not seem to relate to grammar in the traditional sense. I also thought it was funny that there seemed to be a mistake in the body of an article explaining why the exam was being presented.

 

"I think everyone on our content team feels the same way. Kieran Dahl, Contently’s social media editor, acts as our de facto copy editor before our articles go live, and he’s one of the few people I know who care about language as much as—if not more than—I do."

 

Shouldn't it be "and he's one of the few people I know who CARES about language as much as - if not more than - I do." The verb seems to be modifying "he" and therefore should be a singular form. But I could be wrong believe me.

 

No, the 'antecedent' for 'who' is 'people'-a collective, plural noun. The sentence is actually-... he's one of the few people that I know who care...

 

Take out the parenthetical phrase 'that I know' then

 

...he's one of the few people who care about language...

 

Gman

[+ Gar1eth]

I did well on the exam but I agree that many of the questions do not seem to relate to grammar in the traditional sense. I also thought it was funny that there seemed to be a mistake in the body of an article explaining why the exam was being presented.

 

"I think everyone on our content team feels the same way. Kieran Dahl, Contently’s social media editor, acts as our de facto copy editor before our articles go live, and he’s one of the few people I know who care about language as much as—if not more than—I do."

 

Shouldn't it be "and he's one of the few people I know who CARES about language as much as - if not more than - I do." The verb seems to be modifying "he" and therefore should be a singular form. But I could be wrong believe me.

 

I believe it should be cares and in addition, I am not sure that Oxford comma is needed.

 

No, the 'antecedent' for 'who' is 'people'-a collective, plural noun. The sentence is actually-... he's one of the few people that I know who care...

 

Take out the parenthetical phrase 'that I know' then

 

...he's one of the few people who care about language...

 

Gman

 

Also taking out all the words between "he" and "who"-------"he's who cares" makes no sense.

 

Now if the prepositional phrase "of the few people" weren't there-"who" would modify "one" and in that case, yes, "care" would be "cares".

 

Gman

[AdamSmith]

No, the 'antecedent' for 'who' is 'people'-a collective, plural noun. The sentence is actually-... he's one of the few people that I know who care...

 

There is one line of editorial thought that calling a person 'that' instead of 'whom' is an objectifying insult.

[+ Gar1eth]

I believe it should be cares and in addition, I am not sure that Oxford comma is needed.

 

 

There's no Oxford comma if you are talking about the bit quoted by TruthBTold. The first comma after Kieran Dahl is because after the name specifically identifies him and then there was added info given that was not necessary to identify him because of the name. The second comma goes before the coordinating conjunction "and" for the coordinate clause.

 

Gman

[+ Charlie]

This is a language quiz, not a grammar quiz. Definitions, etymology, spelling and meaning of written symbols are beyond the pale of grammar. Oh, and Gar1eth is correct about the subject-verb agreement.

 

And would posters please stop posting new comments before I can finish typing this one!?

[+ Gar1eth]

There is one line of editorial thought that calling a person 'that' instead of 'whom' is an objectifying insult.

 

But many people don't know when to use 'whom' so using that 'obviates' the choice. Also I'm not sure that is a universal rule. Plus he didn't write 'that'. It was my example to clarify the sentence construction.

 

Gman

[AdamSmith]

Plus he didn't write 'that' it was my example to clarify the sentence construction.

 

Excuses, excuses!

[+ Gar1eth]

This is a language quiz, not a grammar quiz. Definitions, etymology, spelling and meaning of written symbols are beyond the pale of grammar. Oh, and Gar1eth is correct about the subject-verb agreement.

 

And would posters please stop posting new comments before I can finish typing this one!?

 

 

My thoughts on both points exactly.

 

I do fairly well at sentence structure even though I never had the advantage of learning to diagram a sentence as you probably did. It was out of vogue in my school system at least during my years there. Diagramming was obviously taught before me and possibly after me. But as I said, I was always pretty good at sentence structure. Then two years of high school Latin made me even better. Even now when I'm reading something--and I see "who" where I'm not sure or not if a "whom" should go-I start deconstructing clauses to see whether I'm looking at a subject or an object in the dependent clause.

 

 

The funny thing is good as I am at grammar and sentence structure I am horrible at and hate writing reports-I always did. I used to choose classes without term papers as much as possible in college and beyond. It's a real phobia that has always hampered my career.

 

 

Gman

[AdamSmith]

The funny thing is good as I am at grammar and sentence structure I am horrible at and hate writing reports-I always did. I used to choose classes without term papers as much as possible in college and beyond. It's a real phobia that has always hampered my career.

 

That's interesting! You are plenty eloquent and at ease expressing yourself here on the forums -- wonder why the phobia arises in the work world?

 

I have a different problem which is laziness getting started on most any new writing project (for work) but once I get started, no problems.

[gp0560]

I have a different problem which is laziness getting started on most any new writing project (for work) but once I get started, no problems.

 

+1. Actually, +100. Except for the part about no problems.

[gp0560]

My thoughts on both points exactly.

 

I do fairly well at sentence structure even though I never had the advantage of learning to diagram a sentence as you probably did. It was out of vogue in my school system at least during my years there. Diagramming was obviously taught before me and possibly after me. But as I said, I was always pretty good at sentence structure. Then two years of high school Latin made me even better. Even now when I'm reading something--and I see "who" where I'm not sure or not if a "whom" should go-I start deconstructing clauses to see whether I'm looking at a subject or an object in the dependent clause.

 

 

The funny thing is good as I am at grammar and sentence structure I am horrible at and hate writing reports-I always did. I used to choose classes without term papers as much as possible in college and beyond. It's a real phobia that has always hampered my career.

 

 

Gman

Ah, yes, diagramming! Loved it. http://www.utexas.edu/courses/langling/e360k/handouts/diagrams/diagram_basics/basics.html

[+ Gar1eth]

 

 

The funny thing is good as I am at grammar and sentence structure I am horrible at and hate writing reports-I always did. I used to choose classes without term papers as much as possible in college and beyond. It's a real phobia that has always hampered my career.

 

 

Gman

 

That's interesting! You are plenty eloquent and at ease expressing yourself here on the forums -- wonder why the phobia arises in the work world?

 

I have a different problem which is laziness getting started on most any new writing project (for work) but once I get started, no problems.

 

For one thing writing on here is freestyle about topics of my own choosing. For another I don't have to have my (at least) three points backing up my topic sentences. Writing to a set subject and having to back up everything I say-yech.

 

Then on top of that, because I hated it so much, I'd leave it to the last minute and start it in a panic. I could never have done a doctoral thesis. I would have gone to pieces.

 

Gman

[AdamSmith]

For one thing writing on here is freestyle about topics of my own choosing. For another I don't have to have my (at least) three points backing up my topic sentences. Writing to a set subject and having to back up everything I say-yech.

 

Then on top of that, because I hated it so much, I'd leave it to the last minute and start it in a panic. I could never have done a doctoral thesis. I would have gone to pieces.

 

1. All that Socratic crapola about 3 points etc is sheerest nonsense. I don't like Aristotle but he did say one sensible thing: In writing, say what you have to say and then stop.

 

2. Panic is the only way to write! The farther in advance I would start a paper, the lousier it would turn out. Sitting down in the study carrel at 10pm Sunday night after a debauched weekend was the only way I could produce a credible paper by 9am Monday.

 

Life is short!

[AdamSmith]

There is also what Faulkner said when asked if he wrote by inspiration or just by routine:

 

"Inspiration, of course! Fortunately it comes at 9am every morning when I sit down at my desk."

[+ Gar1eth]

1. All that Socratic crapola about 3 points etc is sheerest nonsense. I don't like Aristotle but he did say one sensible thing: In writing, say what you have to say and then stop.

 

I barely had enough to say to make one point. Plus I doubt my English teachers in either high school or any of my professors in college would have agreed with you on this point.

 

2. Panic is the only way to write! The farther in advance I would start a paper, the lousier it would turn out. Sitting down in the study carrel at 10pm Sunday night after a debauched weekend was the only way I could produce a credible paper by 9am Monday.

 

Life is short!

 

Luckily I avoided most of those classes in college-so that scenario you describe was in high school-although I wouldn't describe my high school weekends as anywhere near a debauch.

 

My brother the journalism major could do that and make an A+. I unfortunately would do it and make a C or a D.

 

Gman

[+ Gar1eth]

I barely had enough to say to make one point. Plus I doubt my English teachers in either high school or any of my professors in college would have agreed with you on this point.

 

 

 

Luckily I avoided most of those classes in college-so that scenario you describe was in high school-although I wouldn't describe my high school weekends as anywhere near a debauch.

 

My brother the journalism major could do that and make an A+. I unfortunately would do it and make a C or a D.

 

Gman

 

I never knew a dictionary or reference work to be so interesting except when I needed not to be looking up random things but should have been concentrating on whatever information I needed for the paper I was supposed to be working on.

 

Gman

[AdamSmith]

I barely had enough to say to make one point. Plus I doubt my English teachers in either high school or any of my professors in college would have agreed with you on this point.

 

They would be wrong!

 

If you have anything to say, the matter arranges itself as you write. You write the first crap draft to capture more or less the content, then you fix it so that it says what you really mean. I was a lit major etc but all that technical advice about writing just always seemed like useless nonsense to me. Reading good writers is the only useful schooling in writing that I ever found.

[AdamSmith]

I never knew a dictionary or reference work to be so interesting except when I needed not to be looking up random things but should have been concentrating on whatever information I needed for the paper I was supposed to be working on.

 

Gman

 

But this was my whole education! Screwing off, up in the library stacks in those pre-Internet days, reading the really fascinating stuff off to one side or another of what I was supposed to be doing.

[TruthBTold]

No, the 'antecedent' for 'who' is 'people'-a collective, plural noun. The sentence is actually-... he's one of the few people that I know who care...

 

Take out the parenthetical phrase 'that I know' then

 

...he's one of the few people who care about language...

 

Gman

 

Gareth, you are correct. Now I am going to watch some porn.

[gp0560]

I never knew a dictionary or reference work to be so interesting except when I needed not to be looking up random things but should have been concentrating on whatever information I needed for the paper I was supposed to be working on.

 

Gman

 

But this was my whole education! Screwing off, up in the library stacks in those pre-Internet days, reading the really fascinating stuff off to one side or another of what I was supposed to be doing.

 

I have all the credentials to be the third Musketeer for you two.