Grammar Game
Instructions: 1. The class will be split into two teams. 2. EACH team will have TWO people go to the board. 3. One question will be asked at a time. 4. Each team tries to answer the question first, by rewriting the correct sentence. 5. The team to finish first, CORRECTLY and tell us why, wins the point. 6. Team that finishes the game with the most points wins!!
QUESTION 1. The day, that I met you, changed my life.
Correct answer --1 The day that I met you, changed my life. --that I met you—essential clause
QUESTION 2. Let’s go to the Target store, the movies , and the pet store.
Correct Answer--2 Let’s go to the Target store, to the movies, and to the pet store. --balance parallel ideas
QUESTION 3. If you have a headache, go lay down.
If you have a headache, go lie down. CORRECT ANSWER--3 If you have a headache, go lie down. ---Remember, people lie. (Recline) --Objects lay down Lie lay lain Lay laid laid
Question 4 This novel is not to be tossed lightly aside, but hurled with great force.
Correct Answers--4 This novel is not to be tossed lightly aside, but to be hurled with great force. --parallel construction OR
Question 5 Between gold and silver, gold is best.
CORRECT ANSWER--5 Between gold and silver, gold is better. --Comparing 2—er (Tip: 2 letters) --Comparing 3 or more—est (Tip: 3 letters)
Question 6 Who do you love?
Correct answer--6 Whom do you love? I love him. Whom is the object.
QUESTION 7 There’s only blue jelly beans left.
CORRECT ANSWER--7 There are only blue jelly beans left. --subject-verb agreement
Question 8 The affect of Red Bull was more energy.
CORRECT ANSWER--8 The effect of Red Bull was more energy. --NOUN--effect=result --VERB--affect=influence
Question 9 I went to my mother-in-laws for dinner.
CORRECT ANSWER--9 Apostrophe error --mother-in-law’s for dinner
Question 10 That is a problem that can’t be solved without a calculator.
CORRECT ANSWER--10 That is a problem which can’t be solved without a calculator. --Use which to introduce essential clause if you’ve already used that.
Question 11 I have painted the entire house but he is still working on sanding the doors. I paint and he writes.
Correct answer--11 I have painted the entire house, but he is still working on sanding the doors. I paint and he writes. Fused Use a comma and a conjunction between two independent clauses Or Use a semi-colon and remove the conjunction
Question 12 The policeman was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner.
CORRECT ANSWER--12 Not parallel. The policeman was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
QUESTION 13 Time flies when we are having fun; I ate chicken for lunch.
CORRECT ANSWER--13 Time flies when we are having fun. I ate chicken for lunch. --Semi-colon error --Can’t join two independent clauses with a semi-colon if the thoughts aren’t connected
Question 14 I decided not to go, because I don’t want to.
Correct answer--14 --mixing past and present tense I decided not to go, because I didn’t want to go.
Question 15 Admitting he was the suspect, jail was avoided.
Correct Answer Misplaced modifier He avoided jail by admitting he was the suspect.
Question 16 Looking at her watch, it occurred to her that she was late for class!
Correct answer 16 Misplaced Modifier Looking at her watch, she realized that she was late for class!
Question 17 The game which intrigues John the most is frisbee golf.
Correct Answer 17 Which is for non-essential clauses. That is for essential clauses.
Question 18 Sue lied on her bed and cried.
Correct Answer 18 Past tense of Lie is Lay --Sue lay on her bed and cried.
Question 19 The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his homework problems in a sloppy manner, and his motivation was low.
Correct answer 19 Not parallel The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his homework problems in a sloppy manner, and lacked motivation.