Creative Editing

Chapter 3

Note: Exercises 5 through 12 are based on the material on correct word usage in this chapter, as well as on the list of frequently misused words in the Appendix.

Exercise 5

5. Delete the incorrect choices in the following sentences.

a. [A while, awhile] before he came to the party, refreshments were served.

b. As mayor, she hoped to [affect, effect] change.

c. Because of the [adverse, averse] weather conditions, we must [altar, alter] our plans.

d. Her status as a celebrity was an [allusion, illusion].

e. It is [alright, all right] for you to paint it green.

f. My dream of becoming a film star was an [allusion, illusion].

g. She [alluded, eluded] to her past glory as an actress.

h. The fall [aggravated, irritated] his knee injury.

i. The new drug has a powerful [affect, effect], but it may not be [affective, effective] for treating cancer.

j. Has he been [appraised, apprised] of the situation?

k. The teacher's [advice, advise] to her was to study harder.

l. We mailed 150 invitations [all together, altogether].

m. Were you able to get her to [ascent, assent] to our proposal?

n. He didn't seem to understand the [affect, effect] of his actions.

o. A [burro, burrow] has sure footing on mountain trails.

p. After all the monthly bills were paid, the family had a [balance, remainder] of [fewer, less] than $50.

q. After careful consideration, I [believe, feel, think] I should accept the job offer.

r. Beef [bouillon, bullion] was used in the recipe.

s. She retired to her [birth, berth] on the train.

t. He enjoys going to the horse races, and he is a big [better, bettor].

u. She seemed reluctant to [broach, brooch] the subject with her boss.

v. His explanation sounded like [baloney, bologna] to me.

w. I don't like [baloney, bologna] sandwiches.

x. It was a [bazaar, bizarre] situation.

y. Members of labor unions voted as a [bloc, block] in the spring election.

BACK TO PREVIOUS EXERCISE

INDEX OF EXERCISES

FORWARD TO NEXT EXERCISE


Copyright © 2000 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning