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 7
7. Delete the incorrect choices in the following sentences.
a. It was a [cement, concrete] driveway.
b. The tent was made of [canvas, canvass].
c. The truck [collided with, hit] a fence.
d. They went to the [cemetary, cemetery] to visit the grave site.
e. To [censor, censure, censer] in that manner was a violation of the First Amendment, the court ruled.
f. We admired the murals on the walls of the [capital, capitol].
g. He seemed embarrassed by her [complement, compliment].
h. When editing copy without a computer, use a [carat, caret] to show insertions.
i. I think he is too [complacent, complaisant] to be the team leader.
j. In his eagerness to please everyone, he is [reluctant, reticent] to make decisions.
k. How many sources did you [cite, sight, site] in your term paper?
l. While in the army, he was assigned to [calvary, cavalry] duty
m. We received [complementary, complimentary] tickets to the play.
n. This policy provides [comprehensible, comprehensive] coverage.
o. Although the foreign student had an excellent grasp of formal English, she sometimes did not understand the [connotation, denotation] of words.
p. Mammals, reptiles and birds [compose, comprise] the zoo.
q. The local city [council, counsel] meets every week.
r. He [counciled, counseled] the students.
s. The red tie is a good [complement, compliment] to your new suit.
t. Ask the treasurer to [disburse, dispense, disperse] payment for these bills.
u. Was she [conscience, conscious] after the accident?
v. A synonym for intermittent is [continual, continuous].
w. His story did not seem [creditable, credible, credulous] to me.
x. Because the judge seemed biased, I thought that she would not give a(n) [disinterested, uninterested] decision.
y. Salmon [croquet, croquette, coquette] was the main dish.
z. Don't talk; it might [detract, distract] the golfer.
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