Grammar Tips: Answer Page

Grammar Tips: Its or it’s?

Answers: The correct answers are in red.

1. The trophy has its own display case.
2. It’s going to rain today.
3. If you think it’s too difficult, then it probably is.
4. The house is missing its front door.
5. Can you see if it’s snowing outside?

Grammar Tips: Lie or lay?

Answers: The correct answers are in red.

1. The dog is lying on the couch.
2. We laid the attendance list on your desk earlier today.
3. Don’t just lie there, do something!
4. She had lain awake every night this week.
5. Are you going to lie around all day?
6. Nobody can say what lies ahead.
7. That is the goose that laid the golden egg.
8. He will lay his head on the pillow shortly.
9. My uncle lays paving stones for a living.
10. I would be lying if I told you I don’t love you.

Okay, number 10 was kind of a trick — I reverted back to the 1st definition of lie: to tell an untruth.

Grammar Tips: Choosing ‘a’ or ‘an’

Answers: The correct answers are in red.

1. This sale price is a one-time offer.
2. I can pick you up in an hour from now.
3. That is a horrible thing to say about your mother.
4. The event has been moved to an outdoor venue.
5. Shortly after the storm hit, the ship sent out an SOS.
6. The doctor told me I will require an x-ray very soon.
7. The workers are talking about forming a union and going on strike.
8. He has a younger brother and an older sister.
9. They have an ulterior motive for offering assistance.
10. Climategate makes intelligent people wonder if there is an honest promoter of AGW theory.

Grammar Tips: The Apostrophe

Answers: The correct answers are in red.

1. I don’t have any more time for your nonsense.
2. Don’t touch the camera; it’s not yours.
3. I would’ve caught the school bus if I’d only gotten up ten minutes earlier.
4. Nobody could tell me who’s going to whose party.
5. Can you stop by the store and pick up some bananas.
6. Do you have any blank CDs that you can lend me?
7. The 1970s are known for the popularity of Disco music.
8. She has to stop at her father’s office to borrow some money from him.
9. Someone born in ’55 is known as a Baby Boomer.
10. Is he a friend of yours or hers?
11. The executives’ cars were parked in preassigned spots.
12. Prince Charles is involved in many environmental causes.
13. Charles’s (or Charles’) cat clawed her way through the screen door. (Either of these two answers is correct, but be consistent in your usage.)