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 10
10. Delete the incorrect choices in the following sentences.
a. The doctors had no explanation for the higher [incidence, incidents] of cancer in that county.
b. The family [emigrated, immigrated] to the United States in 1945.
c. The County Commission has the power to [levee, levy] property taxes.
d. The paint had the [affect, effect] of [lightening, lightning] the wood.
e. He was [judicial, judicious] in his handling of money.
f. I don't like him because he is a [leach, leech].
g. I am [loath, loathe] to go to the dentist.
h. The convicted drug lord told authorities that he simply was involved in (interstate, intrastate) commerce along the Canadian border.
i. When you talked to him, did you mean to [imply, infer] that you were unhappy?
j. The sky is dark; it looks [like, as though] it will rain.
k. Newspaper advertising [linage, lineage] has increased 10 percent this year.
l. He [lay, lain, layed] in the sun too long.
m. The recipe called for [leaks, leeks].
n. He was selected parade [marshal, marshall].
o. Newspapers are an example of (a) [mass media, mass medium].
p. The challenger was able to [marshal, marshall] his strength to defeat the reigning champion.
q. [May be, Maybe] she will run for office next year.
r. The car [motor, engine] overheated.
s. The commander asked that someone volunteer for the [odious, odorous] duty.
t. The experienced driver won the race with a [masterful, masterly] display of racing ability.
u. After taxes, her salary increase was [negligent, negligible].
v. He became [nauseated, nauseous] on the plane.
w. The parents were [negligent, negligible] in their treatment of the child.
x. [More than, Over] 2,000 attended the performance.
y. He could not get the company to honor the [oral, verbal] promises made by the sales clerk. Only written warranties were valid.
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