Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. He demanded for an explanation.
B. He demanded an explanation.
C. He demanded to an explanation.
D. He demanded about explanation.
Correct Answer: B
'Demand' can take the thing demanded directly as object.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. She described me the incident.
B. She described the incident to me.
C. She described to me about the incident.
D. She described me about incident.
Correct Answer: B
'Describe' takes the thing described as object and the person after 'to'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. He mentioned about the problem.
B. He mentioned the problem.
C. He mentioned on the problem.
D. He mentioned regarding about the problem.
Correct Answer: B
'Mention' is transitive and does not take 'about'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. The result was unexpected; nevertheless, we accepted it.
B. The result was unexpected, nevertheless we accepted it.
C. The result nevertheless; was unexpected, we accepted it.
D. The result was; unexpected nevertheless, we accepted it.
Correct Answer: A
A conjunctive adverb between two independent clauses is correctly punctuated with a semicolon and comma.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. After completing the exam, the students left quietly.
B. After completing the exam. The students left quietly.
C. After completing the exam; the students left quietly.
D. After, completing the exam the students left quietly.
Correct Answer: A
An introductory participial phrase should be attached to the main clause, usually with a comma.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Which option is a fragment?
A. The candidates waited outside.
B. Although the candidates waited outside.
C. The candidates waited outside until noon.
D. The candidates waited because the room was closed.
Correct Answer: B
A clause beginning with 'although' is dependent and incomplete by itself.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct use of a semicolon.
A. The task was difficult; however, we completed it.
B. The task was difficult, however; we completed it.
C. The task; was difficult however, we completed it.
D. The task was difficult however; we completed it.
Correct Answer: A
A semicolon precedes a conjunctive adverb joining independent clauses, followed by a comma.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the sentence that avoids a comma splice.
A. The report was ready, we submitted it.
B. The report was ready, so we submitted it.
C. The report was ready, submitted it.
D. The report ready, we submitted it.
Correct Answer: B
A comma plus coordinating conjunction can join two independent clauses.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
A. My brother who lives in Quetta is a doctor, if I have several brothers.
B. My brother, who lives in Quetta, is a doctor.
C. My brother who, lives in Quetta, is a doctor.
D. My brother, who lives in Quetta is a doctor.
Correct Answer: B
A non-defining relative clause is set off with commas.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
A. If you need help call me.
B. If you need help, call me.
C. If, you need help call me.
D. If you need, help call me.
Correct Answer: B
An introductory dependent clause is normally followed by a comma.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. Because it was late, we left.
B. Because it was late. We left.
C. Because, it was late we left.
D. Because it was late; and we left.
Correct Answer: A
The dependent 'because' clause must be joined to an independent clause.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the best correction: 'I called him he did not answer.'
A. I called him; he did not answer.
B. I called him, he did not answer.
C. I called him he, did not answer.
D. I called; him he did not answer.
Correct Answer: A
A semicolon can correctly join two related independent clauses.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Which option is a complete sentence?
A. Because the office closed early.
B. When the rain stopped.
C. The office closed early because of the storm.
D. After the final announcement.
Correct Answer: C
A complete sentence contains an independent clause.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. The work needs to be completed today.
B. The work needs be completed today.
C. The work needs to completed today.
D. The work need being complete today.
Correct Answer: A
'Need + to be + past participle' is a standard passive necessity structure.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. He was seen enter the building.
B. He was seen to enter the building.
C. He was seen entered the building.
D. He seen to enter the building.
Correct Answer: B
In the passive, verbs of perception often take 'to + infinitive': 'was seen to enter'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. We were allowed leave early.
B. We were allowed to leave early.
C. We were allowed leaving early.
D. We allowed to leave early.
Correct Answer: B
'Allow' in the passive is followed by a to-infinitive.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. The teacher let us leave early.
B. The teacher let us to leave early.
C. The teacher let we leave early.
D. The teacher let us left early.
Correct Answer: A
'Let + object' is followed by a bare infinitive.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. She got the electrician fix the fan.
B. She got the electrician to fix the fan.
C. She got the electrician fixed the fan.
D. She got to the electrician fixing the fan.
Correct Answer: B
'Get + person + to-infinitive' is the correct causative pattern.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. I had my laptop repaired yesterday.
B. I had repaired my laptop by a technician yesterday if I arranged the service.
C. I had my laptop repair yesterday.
D. I had my laptop to repaired yesterday.
Correct Answer: A
'Have + object + past participle' expresses arranging for a service.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the passive form of: 'People believe that he is honest.'
A. He is believed to be honest.
B. He believes to be honest.
C. He is believed that honest.
D. It believes him honest.
Correct Answer: A
Reporting verbs can form the structure 'subject + be + past participle + to-infinitive'.