Word Choice (Basic)




Usage Exercises:
 Usage #2
Usage #3
Usage #4
Usage #5


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Writing Exercises
Click on the correct usage in the sentences below. Corresponding information for this exercise can be found in The Craft of Editing (denoted CE) and The Craft of Scientific Writing (denoted CSW). Note: In the general preferences of your browser, please do not underline links and do not override this document's choice of font colors.





  1. We produced a small (amount, number) of automobiles this year, even (fewer, less) than last year.



































    #1. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: We produced a small (amount/ number) of automobiles this year, even (fewer/less) than last year.

    Discussion: The word "number" is appropriate because the sentence refers to a quantity that can be counted (for more information, see page 270 in CSW or page 109 in CE).


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  2. We produced a small number of automobiles this year, even (fewer, less) than last year.





































    #2. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: We produced a small number of automobiles this year, even ( fewer/less) than last year.

    Discussion: The word "fewer" is appropriate because the sentence refers to a quantity that can be counted (for more information, see page 270 in CSW or page 109 in CE).


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  3. The serum had serious side (affects, effects).






































    #3. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: The serum had serious side (affects/ effects).

    Discussion: See page 269 in CSW or page 97 in CE.


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  4. Every 250 years, Pluto completes (its, it's) orbit about the sun.





































    #4. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: Every 250 years, Pluto completes ( its/it's) orbit about the sun.

    Discussion: See page 271 in CSW or page 117 in CE.



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  5. When a photon in that energy range strikes the atom, the atom (looses, loses) one of its outer electrons.





































    #5. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: When a photon in that energy range strikes the atom, the atom (looses, loses) one of its outer electrons.

    Discussion: The verb "lose" means to part with or to miss from one's possession. The word "loose" is generally used as an adjective, meaning not rigidly fastened. When used as a verb, "loose" means to let loose and implies a conscious act, something an electron does not perform.


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  6. The talk centered (around, on) the (principal, principle) of virtual work.





































    #6. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: The talk centered (around/ on) the (principal/principle) of virtual work.

    Discussion: See page 269 in CSW or page 102 in CE.


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  7. The talk centered on the (principal, principle) of virtual work.





































    #7. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: The talk centered on the (principal/ principle) of virtual work.

    Discussion: See page 272 in CSW or page 124 in CE.


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  8. This report discusses how the eruption (affected, effected) the surrounding terrain.





































    #8. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: This report discusses how the eruption ( affected/effected) the surrounding terrain.

    Discussion: See page 269 in CSW or page 124 in CE.


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  9. Last year, Japan (lead, led) the world in automobile sales.





































    #9. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: Last year, Japan (lead/ led) the world in automobile sales.


    Discussion: The word "led" is the past tense of the verb "to lead" (see page 118 in CE).


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  10. We then sent the broken part to John Brooks, (who, whom) the laser group had recommended.





































    #10. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: We then sent the broken part to John Brooks, (who/ whom) the laser group had recommended.

    Discussion: The word "who" is used for the subject of the dependent clause; "whom" is used for the direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition in the dependent clause. See pages 140-141 in CE.


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  11. Reduced weight was the (principal, principle) reason for choosing aluminum.





































    #11. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: Reduced weight was the ( principal/principle) reason for choosing aluminum.


    Discussion: See page 272 in CSW or page 124 in CE.


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  12. Neither the engineers (nor, or) the technicians were hurt in the blaze.





































    #12. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: Neither the engineers ( nor/or) the technicians were hurt in the blaze.


    Discussion: The convention is that "neither" goes with "nor" and that "either" goes with "or."


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  13. All the bombings involved explosives (that / , which) contained the chemicals PETN and RDX.





































    #13. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: All the bombings involved explosives (that / , which) contained the chemicals PETN and RDX.

    Discussion: See page 272 in CSW or page 134 in CE.


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  14. All the bombings involved Semtex (that / , which) contains the chemicals PETN and RDX.





































    #14. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: All the bombings involved Semtex (that / , which) contains the chemicals PETN and RDX.

    Discussion: See page 272 in CSW or page 134 in CE.


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  15. To treat a bite from the puff adder, select the anti-venom serum (, which counteracts the adder's poison. / that counteracts the adder's poison.)





































    #15. Trick question--the answer depends on the meaning of the sentence.

    Exercise: To treat a bite from the puff adder, select the anti-venom serum (, which counteracts the adder's poison / that counteracts the adder's poison).

    Discussion: The answer depends on the situation. If there is only one anti-venom serum and the information about counteracting the adder's poison is additional information for the reader's knowledge, then use the "which" clause. If there are several anti-venom serums and the information about counteracting the adder's poison identifies which serum to select, then use the "that" clause. See page 272 in CSW or page 134 in CE.




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  16. (Hopefully, / It is hoped that) the antibodies will destroy the cancer cells.





































    #16. Congratulations, you have answered correctly.

    Exercise: (Hopefully, / It is hoped that) the antibodies will destroy the cancer cells.

    Discussion: The word hopefully means in a manner full of hope, not it is hoped that. A correct use would be as follows: "We looked hopefully to the courts for a ruling on the contract dispute." See page 115 in CE.




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