This short quiz will help you sharpen your writing skills. Answers are posted below.

Part 1  Correct the English usage errors in these sentences. (Some sentences may not have errors.) 

a) I saw the suspect run toward First Street, then Officer Linton chased him.
b) There’s three people waiting to talk to you.
c) The car passed me and turned right on Hollis Avenue.

Part 2  Answer the questions below.

1) Here’s a type of sentence that often appears in police reports. What should the next sentence be? “I looked for footprints on the kitchen floor.”

2)  Which version is most appropriate for a police report? Choose one answer.

a) Axel stood up and slapped his wife on the right cheek. I handcuffed him.
b) Axel stood up and slapped his wife on the right cheek. I proceeded to handcuff him.
c)  Axel stood up and slapped his wife on the right cheek, whereupon I handcuffed him.

ANSWERS

Part 1

a) I saw the suspect run toward First Street. Then Officer Linton chased him. [Don’t try to join two sentences with then. Use a period and a capital letter.]
b) There are three people waiting to talk to you.  [Flip the words, and you’ll instantly know which word is correct – is or are. “Three people are there.” “There are three people.”]
c) The car passed me and turned right on Hollis Avenue.  [CORRECT! The verb forms are pass, passed, passing.]

Part 2

1)  ANSWER: The next sentence should state whether or not you found any footprints.

2)  Which version is most appropriate for a police report? Choose one answer.

√ a) Axel stood up and slapped his wife on the right cheek. I handcuffed him.
X b) Axel stood up and slapped his wife on the right cheek. I proceeded to handcuff him.  [Be efficient! You don’t need “I proceeded.”]
X c)  Axel stood up and slapped his wife on the right cheek, whereupon I handcuffed him. [Be efficient! You don’t need “whereupon.” Make this two short sentences.]