The University of Rhode Island
Department of Journalism
Answers for Practice Exercises

II. Parts of Speech

III. Possessives vs. Plurals

It's not its fault.
Whose book is this?
Is this yours?
That car is theirs.
Everybody's here now.
Who's been knocking on my door?
Your're in my way.
It's a great day to have your birthday!
They're one great couple!
Boy, you're one great friend, Sue.

The panel is Kelly, Joan and Barbara.
The committee is agreed.
The media are wrong about O.J. Simpson.
Measles is seldom a fatal illness.
Each is going by train.
The jury looks like it's been a long day.
Mashed potato and gravy is a favorite dish of mine.
The number of people going on the trip is small.
All of the buildings were destroyed by the tornado.
Both Susan and Joe are qualified for the job.
The audience wants the show to begin.
Neither has decided whether to go to the party.
Politics is confusing sometimes.

V. Passive voice

The story was written by our star reporter.
Our star reporter wrote this story.

Was this story edited?
Has anybody edited this story?

Too many papers were assigned by the teacher at once.
The teacher assigned too many papers at once.

The mayor was arrested by police and charged with theft.
Police arrested the mayor and charged him with theft.

His birthday was celebrated at the Capital Grille.
He celebrated his birthday at the Capital Grille.

The exam was handed out by the professor at noon.
The professor handed out the exam at noon.

The child was not hurt by the fall from the tree.
The fall from the tree did not hurt the child.

The medicine was proved by researchers to be safe.
The medicine was proven safe by researchers.

The girl was attacked in her yard by the dogs.
The dogs attacked the girl in her yard.

VI. More subject-verb agreement

None of us were/was invited.
He, as well as they, know/knows.
Lisa is one of the women who was/were nominated.
There isn't/aren't enough data.
One to three inches of snow is/are possible.
Here is/are a few of the books you need for the paper.
Peas and carrots is/are not my favorite vegetable dish.
A number of researchers was/were shocked by the results.

VII. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

A student should check their entrance exam before turning it in.
Students should check their entrance exam before turning it in.

The School Committee said they would consider the issue tonight.
The School Committee said it would consider the issue tonight.

Everyone deserves to get their wish during the holidays.
Everyone deserves to get his or her wish during the holidays.

One can accomplish anything she sets out to.
One can accomplish anything one sets out to.

Neither Joe nor Sue would do their part in the ceremony.
Neither Joe nor Sue would do her part in the ceremony.

The jury had to consider the facts, and not their own opinion.
The jury had to consider the facts, and not its own opinion.

The student judiciary board will hold their next meeting Monday.
The student judiciary board will hold its next meeting Monday.

All have done his part in helping rehearse for the play.
All have done their part in helping rehearse for the play.

Each of Sue's triplets had their own personality.
Sue's triplets had their own personalities.

The committee is split in their political affiliations.
The committee members are split in their political affiliations.

If she loses the spelling bee, Jen will be devastated.
Jen will be devastated if she loses the spelling bee.

Josie's mother died when she was 35.
When Josie was 35, her mother died. OR Josie's mother died at 35.

The legislature finally passed a bill they had been working on for years.
The legislature finally passed a bill it had been working on for years.

Neither the boys nor Tommy would clean their room.
Neither the boys nor Tommy would clean his room.

Everyone has had their feelings hurt sometimes.
Everyone's feelings have been hurt sometimes. OR Everyone has had his or her feelings hurt sometimes.