Whose rule is right? Settle disputed usage

Grade 11 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Usage note (written by PencilGo), data

   Data began as the plural of datum. APA Style treats data as plural (the data are). AP style treats it as singular for general readers and plural in science writing. Follow your publication's guide and stay consistent. Task: a lab report for a journal that follows APA Style.

2. 1.

   Zee edits a lab report for a journal that follows APA Style. Which sentence follows the journal's guide?

   • These data from all four trials shows a clear pattern.
   • The data from all four trials shows a clear pattern.
   • The data from all four trials show a clear pattern.
   • The datum from all four trials shows a clear pattern.

3. Usage note (written by PencilGo), who and whom

   Whom is the object form (the coach whom we thanked); who is the subject form (the coach who thanked us). In speech and casual writing, who often replaces whom, and dictionaries note this. Formal writing keeps whom as an object. Whom as a subject (the coach whom thanked us) is an error in any register. Sentence for a formal program: The sculptor ___ the town hired is the artist ___ designed the fountain.

4. 2.

   Tala edits a formal program note. Which words, in order, fill the two gaps?

   • whom the town hired; whom designed
   • whom the town hired; who designed
   • who the town hired; who designed
   • who the town hired; whom designed

5. Usage note (written by PencilGo), hopefully

   Hopefully once meant just "in a hopeful way." It is now widely used to mean "it is hoped" (Hopefully, the bus is on time). The AP Stylebook accepted that use in 2012, but some careful readers still object. For them, "we hope" or "I hope" avoids the dispute. Draft for the town newsletter: Hopefully, the new library opens in May.

6. 3.

   Ren edits for a mix of readers, some of whom object. Which revision avoids the disputed form with no error and no change in meaning?

   • Hopefully the new library will open in May.
   • We hope the new library opens in May.
   • The new library opens hopefully in May.
   • Hopeful, the new library opens in May.

7. Usage note (written by PencilGo), singular they

   Singular they refers to one person whose gender is unknown (Each visitor should show their ticket). APA Style accepts it. The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) accepts it in speech and informal writing but advises formal writers to recast the sentence where they can, often by making the noun plural. Task: a formal museum handbook styled by Chicago (17th edition). Draft: Each visitor should bring their own lunch.

8. 4.

   Pia edits a formal museum handbook styled by Chicago (17th edition). Which revision follows the handbook's guide?

   • Visitors should bring his or her own lunch.
   • Each visitor should bring his own lunch.
   • Visitors should bring their own lunches.
   • Each visitor should bring their own lunch.

9. Usage note (written by PencilGo), who and whom

   Whom is the object form (the coach whom we thanked); who is the subject form (the coach who thanked us). In speech and casual writing, who often replaces whom, and dictionaries note this. Formal writing keeps whom as an object. Whom as a subject (the coach whom thanked us) is an error in any register. Sentence for a formal letter: Ms. Varga, ___ the board elected, will thank the volunteers ___ cleaned the park.

10. 5.

    Noah edits a formal letter. Which words, in order, fill the two gaps?

    • who the board elected; who cleaned
    • whom the board elected; whom cleaned
    • who the board elected; whom cleaned
    • whom the board elected; who cleaned

11. Usage note (written by PencilGo), split infinitives

    A split infinitive puts a word between to and its verb (to carefully check). Older handbooks forbade it. The Chicago Manual of Style has accepted it for decades when it reads more clearly. A few formal readers still object, so a writer for them may recast the sentence when the meaning stays the same. Draft for the club minutes: The club voted to quickly finish the mural.

12. 6.

    Milo edits for a mix of readers, a few of whom object to split infinitives. Which revision avoids the split with no error and no change in meaning?

    • The club voted to quickly finish the mural by June.
    • The club voted to finish quick the mural.
    • The club quickly voted to finish the mural.
    • The club voted to finish the mural quickly.

13. Usage note (written by PencilGo), who and whom

    Whom is the object form (the coach whom we thanked); who is the subject form (the coach who thanked us). In speech and casual writing, who often replaces whom, and dictionaries note this. Formal writing keeps whom as an object. Whom as a subject (the coach whom thanked us) is an error in any register. Sentence for a formal awards report: The student ___ won the essay prize thanked the judges ___ the school had chosen.

14. 7.

    Kira edits a formal awards report. Which words, in order, fill the two gaps?

    • whom won the prize; who the school had chosen
    • whom won the prize; whom the school had chosen
    • who won the prize; whom the school had chosen
    • who won the prize; who the school had chosen

15. Usage note (written by PencilGo), singular they

    Singular they refers to one person whose gender is unknown (Each visitor should show their ticket). APA Style accepts it. The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition) accepts it in speech and informal writing but advises formal writers to recast the sentence where they can, often by making the noun plural. Draft for the club rules: Every member should sign their name on the list.

16. 8.

    Jun edits for a mix of readers, some of whom object to generic singular they. Which revision avoids it with no error and no change in meaning?

    • All members should sign their names on the list.
    • Every members should sign their names on the list.
    • Every member should sign their own name on the list.
    • All members may sign their names on the list.

17. Usage note (written by PencilGo), comprise

    Traditionally, the whole comprises its parts (The club comprises four teams). Is comprised of is common, and dictionaries record it, but many usage guides object to it. In formal writing, use comprises or is composed of. Comprises of is an error. Task: the Brookvale yearbook's style sheet keeps the traditional sense of comprise.

18. 9.

    Esme edits for a yearbook whose style sheet keeps the traditional sense of comprise. Which sentence follows it?

    • The relay team comprises of four runners.
    • The relay team is composed by four runners.
    • The relay team comprises four runners.
    • The relay team is comprised of four runners.

19. Usage note (written by PencilGo), over and more than

    Over for "more than" with numbers (over 300 runners) was long criticized. The AP Stylebook dropped its objection in 2014, and dictionaries treat the use as standard. Some formal readers still prefer "more than." Draft for the race report: Over 300 runners entered the river race.

20. 10.

    Ari edits for a mix of readers, some of whom prefer "more than." Which revision avoids the disputed form with no error and no change in meaning?

    • Nearly 300 runners entered the river race.
    • More than 300 runners entered the river race.
    • More then 300 runners entered the river race.
    • Over 300 runners have entered the river race.