32 Grammar & Spelling Practice Questions & Answers

1. 1. In the sentences below, the word in brackets is the underlined word being tested. Which sentence contains a misspelled bracketed word?

   • A.Please review the [questionnaire] carefully before signing it.
   • B.None of the bracketed words are misspelled.
   • C.We cannot [accomodate] your request before Friday.✓ Answer
   • D.The [calendar] for the next quarter is attached.

   The correct spelling is "accommodate," with a double c and a double m; it is one of the most frequently misspelled words in business correspondence because writers drop the second m. "Calendar" (ending -ar, not -er) and "questionnaire" (double n, ending -naire) are both spelled correctly here.

   Source: Merriam-Webster, entry "accommodate"; standard business-spelling list (double-letter word family: accommodate, necessary, embarrass, recommend)Report a problem with this question

2. 2. Which of the following sentences is grammatically INCORRECT? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

   • A.The number of requests has increased since January.
   • B.Enclosed are copies of the memorandum for each unit head.
   • C.The list of vendors that were approved last month are posted in the lobby.✓ Answer
   • D.Only one of the applications requires a supervisor's signature.

   The subject of the second sentence is "list," not "vendors," so the verb must be singular: "The list ... is posted." A prepositional phrase or relative clause between the subject and the verb never changes the number of the subject, which is why "one ... requires" and "The number ... has increased" are also correct, and why "Enclosed are copies" is correct with the plural subject "copies" following the verb.

   Source: Subject-verb agreement rule: the verb agrees with the grammatical subject, not with a noun in an intervening phrase (Gregg Reference Manual, agreement of subject and verb)Report a problem with this question

3. 3. In which sentence is the hyphen used INCORRECTLY? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

   • A.Please submit the 200-page report by Friday.
   • B.Enclose a self-addressed envelope with your application.
   • C.Training sessions will resume in mid-July.
   • D.The main office will be closed from June 1-June 15.✓ Answer

   When a range is introduced by the word "from," it must be completed with "to" rather than a hyphen or dash: "from June 1 to June 15." The hyphen substitutes for "to" only when "from" is omitted (June 1-15). The other three are standard: a compound modifier before a noun is hyphenated (200-page report), self- compounds are hyphenated (self-addressed), and a prefix joined to a capitalized word is hyphenated (mid-July).

   Source: Hyphenation rules for ranges and compounds (Gregg Reference Manual: use "from ... to," not "from ... -"; hyphenate compound modifiers before a noun, self- compounds, and prefixes before capitalized words)Report a problem with this question

4. 4. Which sentence uses possessive forms CORRECTLY? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

   • A.Both attorney's general attended the hearing.
   • B.The agency mailed it's response last week.
   • C.The three supervisors' signatures are required on the form.✓ Answer
   • D.The childrens' records are stored in Room 4.

   A plural noun that already ends in s forms the possessive with an apostrophe alone, so "supervisors'" is correct. "Children" is an irregular plural and takes 's (children's); "it's" is the contraction of "it is" while the possessive is "its"; and the plural of a compound noun is formed on the principal word, giving "attorneys general."

   Source: Possessive rules (plural ending in s takes apostrophe only; irregular plurals take 's; its = possessive, it's = it is) and compound-noun plural ruleReport a problem with this question

5. 5. A typist must divide a word at the end of a line. Which word is divided CORRECTLY?

   • A.e-quipment
   • B.throu-gh
   • C.sched-ule✓ Answer
   • D.know-ledge

   Words may be divided only between syllables, and at least two letters must remain on the first line while at least three are carried to the next. "Sched-ule" follows the dictionary syllable break; "e-quipment" leaves only one letter on the first line, "knowl-edge" is the correct syllable break rather than "know-ledge," and "through" is a one-syllable word that can never be divided.

   Source: Word-division rules (divide only between syllables; never divide a one-syllable word; leave two letters, carry three) with syllabication per Merriam-WebsterReport a problem with this question

6. 6. Which sentence follows standard business style for numbers? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

   • A.Fifteen copies of the report were mailed on May 3.✓ Answer
   • B.The meeting will begin at nine thirty a.m. on the 3rd of May.
   • C.We ordered fifteen reams of paper and 8 boxes of folders.
   • D.15 copies of the report were mailed on May 3.

   A number that begins a sentence is always written out in words, and dates in the month-day form use figures without an ordinal ending, so "Fifteen copies ... on May 3" is correct. Option A opens with a figure, option C mixes words and figures for related items in the same sentence, and option D uses a spelled-out time with a.m. and adds "3rd" to a date that should read May 3.

   Source: Number-style rules (spell out a number that opens a sentence; use figures with a.m./p.m.; use cardinal figures in month-day dates; be consistent within a sentence)Report a problem with this question

7. 7. Which sentence is capitalized CORRECTLY? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

   • A.The Supervisor asked for the report on friday.
   • B.Please send the report to Supervisor Lane before Friday.✓ Answer
   • C.Please send the report to supervisor Lane before friday.
   • D.Our Office moved South of the river last Spring.

   An official title is capitalized when it appears immediately before a personal name, and the days of the week are always capitalized, so option A is correct. A title standing alone after "the" is lowercased, seasons are not capitalized, a compass word used as a direction rather than a named region is lowercased, and a common noun such as "office" is not capitalized.

   Source: Capitalization rules: official titles before personal names; days of the week; seasons and compass directions lowercase unless part of a proper nameReport a problem with this question

8. 8. Read this passage from a business letter: "We have enclosed samples of the three finish available for the covers: matte, which resists fingerprints; gloss, which photographs well; and linen, which is the most durable." Which correction should be made?

   • A.Change the semicolons to commas.
   • B.Delete the colon after "covers".
   • C.Make no changes.
   • D.Change "finish" to "finishes".✓ Answer

   The quiet error is one of number: the modifier "three" requires the plural noun "finishes." The two tempting punctuation "fixes" are wrong — semicolons are required, not optional, because each item in the series already contains an internal comma, and the colon correctly follows a complete independent clause to introduce the list.

   Source: Noun-number agreement with a numerical modifier; semicolon rule for series whose items contain internal commas; colon rule (introduce a list after a complete independent clause)Report a problem with this question

9. 9. Read this passage from a business letter: "Please retunr the signed agreement in the envelope provided, and keep the duplicate copy for your records." Which correction should be made?

   • A.Make no changes.
   • B.Insert a semicolon before "and".
   • C.Change "retunr" to "return".✓ Answer
   • D.Delete the comma before "and".

   "Retunr" is a transposition typographical error — two letters have been reversed — and typographical errors of this kind (omissions, repetitions, double strikes, and transpositions) are exactly what a proofreader must catch. The comma before "and" is correct because it joins two independent imperative clauses, so a semicolon is unnecessary and deleting the comma would not improve the sentence.

   Source: Proofreading standard: typographical errors include omissions, repetitions, double strikes, and transpositions; comma rule before a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clausesReport a problem with this question

10. 10. Read this passage from a business letter: "Thank you for your letter of March 12. The forms you requested are enclosed; please complete both copies, sign them, and return them by April 1." Which correction should be made?

    • A.Change "are" to "is".
    • B.Delete the comma after "copies".
    • C.Change the semicolon after "enclosed" to a comma.
    • D.Make no changes.✓ Answer

    The passage is already correct, so "Make no changes" is the answer. The semicolon properly joins two independent clauses without a conjunction (replacing it with a comma would create a comma splice), the plural subject "forms" requires "are," and the comma after "copies" separates the first two items of a three-item series and cannot be removed.

    Source: Semicolon rule (join two independent clauses without a conjunction); subject-verb agreement; comma rule for items in a seriesReport a problem with this question

11. 11. In which sentence is punctuation used INCORRECTLY? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.Because the deadline was moved, we revised the entire schedule.
    • B.The clerk who sorts the incoming mail arrives at seven o'clock.
    • C.The report is finished, however, the appendix is still being typed.✓ Answer
    • D.The report is finished; however, the appendix is still being typed.

    The first sentence is a comma splice: "however" is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction, so it cannot join two independent clauses with only a comma; a semicolon must precede it and a comma must follow it, as in option B. Option C correctly uses a comma after an introductory dependent clause, and option D correctly omits commas around a restrictive clause that identifies which clerk is meant.

    Source: Semicolon rule before a conjunctive adverb joining independent clauses; comma-splice rule; restrictive vs. nonrestrictive clause punctuationReport a problem with this question

12. 12. Which sentence is punctuated CORRECTLY? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written; use standard American punctuation conventions.)

    • A.The supervisor said, "Send the letter today".
    • B.Would you please sign and return the enclosed form.✓ Answer
    • C.Please tell me, when the report will be finished?
    • D.She asked whether the file was ready?

    A courteous request phrased as a question but expecting an action rather than a yes-or-no answer takes a period, so option C is correct. Option A is an indirect question and also takes a period, option B misplaces the period outside the quotation marks (in American usage periods and commas go inside), and option D is an indirect question with an unnecessary comma and a wrong question mark.

    Source: Question-mark rule (direct questions only; courteous requests and indirect questions take a period); American convention placing periods and commas inside closing quotation marksReport a problem with this question

13. 13. In which sentence is a word used INCORRECTLY (that is, the wrong word has been chosen)? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.The principal reason for the delay was a shortage of staff.
    • B.We ordered new stationary for the executive offices.✓ Answer
    • C.The new procedure will affect every unit in the office.
    • D.Please advise us of any change in your mailing address.

    "Stationary" is an adjective meaning "not moving"; the writing paper is "stationery," spelled with an e (remember: papER has an ER). The other sentences use the right words: "affect" is the verb meaning to influence, "principal" as an adjective means chief or main, and "advise" is the verb while "advice" is the noun.

    Source: Commonly confused words: stationary (adj., fixed) vs. stationery (n., writing paper); affect/effect; principal/principle; advise/advice (Merriam-Webster usage notes)Report a problem with this question

14. 14. All four sentences give the same information. Which one expresses it most clearly and concisely for a business letter? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.Your request is unable to be processed by us on account of the form not having been received.
    • B.Due to the fact that we have not received your form at this point in time, we are not in a position to be able to process your request.
    • C.We cannot process your request until we receive your completed form.✓ Answer
    • D.Owing to non-receipt of the aforementioned form, processing of the above-referenced request will not be undertaken by this office.

    Effective business writing uses active voice, a direct subject-verb-object order, and no padding, and option B states both the action and the condition in eleven words. The other versions rely on wordy fillers ("due to the fact that," "at this point in time," "are not in a position to be able to"), awkward passive constructions, or stale legalistic jargon, all of which add length without adding information.

    Source: Principles of effective business correspondence: prefer active voice, eliminate wordy expressions and redundant phrases (Gregg Reference Manual, guidelines for concise business writing)Report a problem with this question

15. 15. Which one of the following sentences is grammatically INCORRECT? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.The supervisor and the records clerk are reviewing the retention schedule.
    • B.Either the branch managers or the director sign the purchase order.✓ Answer
    • C.Neither the payroll forms nor the timesheet has been returned.
    • D.Filing and indexing are handled by the same unit.

    When a compound subject is joined by 'or' or 'nor,' the verb agrees with whichever subject is nearer to it. In the fourth sentence the nearer subject is the singular 'the director,' so the verb must be 'signs,' not 'sign.' The other sentences are correct: subjects joined by 'and' are plural and take 'are,' and in the second sentence the nearer subject 'timesheet' is singular, so 'has' is right.

    Source: NYS DCS Senior Stenographer/Senior Typist test guide, Grammar/Usage/Punctuation — subject-verb agreement; proximity rule for correlative 'either...or' / 'neither...nor'Report a problem with this question

16. 16. In standard American usage, which one of the following sentences is grammatically CORRECT? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.The committee are meeting in the conference room at ten o'clock.
    • B.The staff has approved the new filing procedure.✓ Answer
    • C.There is several vacancies in the mailroom this quarter.
    • D.Enclosed is the three copies of the revised procedure.

    In standard American usage a collective noun such as 'staff' or 'committee' takes a singular verb when the group acts as one unit, so 'The staff has approved' is correct and 'The committee are meeting' is not. In inverted sentences the verb still agrees with the subject that follows it, so the other two must read 'Enclosed are the three copies' and 'There are several vacancies.'

    Source: Chicago Manual of Style — collective nouns take a singular verb in American usage when the group acts as a unit; NYS DCS test guide — verb agrees with the postponed subject in inverted sentencesReport a problem with this question

17. 17. Choose the word that correctly completes this sentence: 'The clerk ___ the supervisor assigned to the front counter has requested a transfer.'

    • A.whose
    • B.whom✓ Answer
    • C.who
    • D.whoever

    'Whom' is the objective form of the relative pronoun and is required because the pronoun is the object of the verb 'assigned.' Test it by rewriting the clause with a personal pronoun: the supervisor assigned him (not he) to the front counter, and 'him' signals 'whom.' 'Who' would be correct only if the pronoun were the subject of its own clause.

    Source: Chicago Manual of Style — case of relative pronouns: 'who' is subjective, 'whom' is objective (substitute he/him to test)Report a problem with this question

18. 18. Which one of the following sentences makes it clear that the SUPERVISOR — not the clerk — signed up for the training? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.The clerk and the supervisor discussed the training, and she signed up for it.
    • B.After speaking with the clerk, the supervisor signed up for the training.✓ Answer
    • C.The supervisor told the clerk that she would sign up for the training.
    • D.After the clerk spoke with the supervisor, she signed up for the training.

    A pronoun must point unmistakably to a single antecedent. In the first three sentences 'she' could refer either to the clerk or to the supervisor, so the reader cannot tell who acted; that is ambiguous reference. Replacing the pronoun with the noun itself is the standard cure, and the fourth sentence names the supervisor as the subject of the main clause, leaving no doubt.

    Source: NYS DCS sample test material, Written expression — pronoun-antecedent agreement and ambiguous pronoun referenceReport a problem with this question

19. 19. Which one of the following sentences is INCORRECT because it shifts verb tense without reason? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.The typist proofread the report and finds three errors in the totals.✓ Answer
    • B.The office has used the same numbering system since the file room was reorganized.
    • C.The clerk sorted the mail and delivered it to each unit.
    • D.When the applicant arrives, the receptionist logs the visit in the register.

    Verb tense should stay consistent within a sentence unless the meaning requires a change. 'Proofread' is past and 'finds' is present, so the two actions of one past event are reported in two different tenses; it should read 'proofread the report and found three errors.' The fourth sentence legitimately combines a present perfect with a past verb because the action began in the past and continues to the present.

    Source: NYS DCS Senior Stenographer/Senior Typist test guide — errors in verbs; unnecessary shift in tense within a sentenceReport a problem with this question

20. 20. Which one of the following is a sentence FRAGMENT rather than a complete sentence? (Judge the English text exactly as written.)

    • A.The revised retention schedule takes effect at the beginning of the fiscal quarter.
    • B.Although the file room was reorganized last spring, the older ledgers remain in the basement.
    • C.Send the acknowledgment letter as soon as the receipt is verified.
    • D.Because several of the personnel records had been transferred to the annex before the audit began.✓ Answer

    A complete sentence must contain at least one independent clause. The fourth item has a subject and a verb, but 'Because' turns the whole thing into a subordinate clause that never states a main idea, so it is a fragment. Dropping 'Because' or attaching the clause to a main clause would repair it. The second item is not a fragment: its subordinate clause is followed by the independent clause 'the older ledgers remain in the basement,' and the third is a complete imperative sentence with an understood subject 'you.'

    Source: NYS DCS sample test material, Written expression — recognizing correct sentence structure; a subordinate clause standing alone is a fragmentReport a problem with this question

21. 21. The sentence 'The invoice arrived on Monday, the payment was mailed on Friday.' contains a comma splice. Which revision corrects it without changing the meaning? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.The invoice arrived on Monday, and, the payment was mailed on Friday.
    • B.The invoice arrived on Monday, however, the payment was mailed on Friday.
    • C.The invoice arrived on Monday the payment was mailed on Friday.
    • D.The invoice arrived on Monday; the payment was mailed on Friday.✓ Answer

    A comma splice joins two independent clauses with nothing but a comma; a semicolon is the correct mark for closely related independent clauses that are not joined by a coordinating conjunction. Deleting the comma altogether produces a fused run-on, which is a worse error. 'However' is a conjunctive adverb, not a conjunction, so it cannot join two clauses with commas alone, and the last choice inserts an unnecessary comma after 'and.'

    Source: Chicago Manual of Style — use a semicolon between independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction; comma splice and fused sentenceReport a problem with this question

22. 22. Which one of the following sentences contains a DANGLING modifier? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.While waiting for the fax, the receptionist updated the visitor log.
    • B.Having been filed out of order, the clerk could not locate the personnel record.✓ Answer
    • C.After reviewing the applications, the supervisor returned three of them.
    • D.Reviewing the applications, the clerk noticed two missing signatures.

    An introductory participial phrase attaches to the subject of the main clause that follows it. 'Having been filed out of order' describes the personnel record, but the subject that follows is 'the clerk,' so as written the sentence says the clerk was filed. Rewriting it as 'Because the record had been filed out of order, the clerk could not locate it' supplies the missing agent. In the other three sentences the person named as subject really did perform the action in the opening phrase.

    Source: NYS DCS sample test material, Written expression — an introductory phrase must have an agent in the main clause to attach toReport a problem with this question

23. 23. All four sentences use the word 'only,' but they do not mean the same thing. Which one states most clearly that the number of requests approved was two and no more? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.The office approved two of the only requests.
    • B.The office only approved two of the requests.
    • C.Only the office approved two of the requests.
    • D.The office approved only two of the requests.✓ Answer

    A limiting modifier such as 'only' governs whatever immediately follows it, so it must be placed directly before the words it is meant to limit. Placing 'only' before 'two' restricts the number approved, which is the intended meaning. Before 'approved' it limits the action (the office did nothing but approve), before 'the office' it limits who approved, and before 'requests' it says those were the only requests in existence.

    Source: Chicago Manual of Style — placement of limiting modifiers ('only') immediately before the element modifiedReport a problem with this question

24. 24. Which one of the following sentences is faulty because the items in the series are NOT parallel? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.Training covers opening the mail, logging receipts, and how to route invoices.✓ Answer
    • B.The clerk's duties include filing correspondence, answering the telephone, and scheduling appointments.
    • C.Applicants must complete the form, attach the transcript, and sign the affidavit.
    • D.The new procedure is intended to reduce errors, shorten delays, and improve accuracy.

    Items joined in a series must share the same grammatical form. 'Opening' and 'logging' are gerunds, but 'how to route invoices' is a noun clause, so the third item breaks the pattern; it should read 'routing invoices.' Mixing gerunds with infinitives or clauses is one of the most frequently tested parallelism faults, and the other three sentences keep one form — gerund, base verb, base verb — throughout.

    Source: NYS DCS sample test material, Written expression — parallel structure required for items in a seriesReport a problem with this question

25. 25. Correlative conjunctions must be followed by matching grammatical forms. Which one of the following sentences is CORRECT? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.The office both maintains the ledgers and prepares the monthly summary.✓ Answer
    • B.The training will either be held in the annex or the main conference room.
    • C.The clerk not only sorted the mail but also the packages.
    • D.Applicants must neither submit the form late nor incomplete forms.

    Correlative pairs such as both/and, not only/but also, either/or, and neither/nor must introduce elements of the same grammatical type. 'Both maintains the ledgers and prepares the monthly summary' pairs a verb phrase with a verb phrase. The others do not: 'not only sorted the mail' (verb phrase) is paired with 'the packages' (noun), 'either' is misplaced before the verb instead of before the first alternative, and 'neither submit the form late' (verb phrase) is paired with 'incomplete forms' (noun).

    Source: Chicago Manual of Style — correlative conjunctions must join elements of the same grammatical formReport a problem with this question

26. 26. Which one of the following sentences is INCORRECT? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.This year's caseload is heavier than last year's.
    • B.Of the two candidates for the clerk position, she is the more experienced.
    • C.The filing backlog in our unit is larger than the records room.✓ Answer
    • D.Of the three filing systems, the alphabetic one is the most efficient.

    A comparison must compare things of the same kind. The fourth sentence compares a backlog with a room; it should read 'larger than the backlog in the records room' or 'larger than that in the records room.' The other sentences are correct: the first completes the comparison with the elliptical possessive 'last year's,' and the comparative form is used for two items while the superlative is used for three or more.

    Source: Chicago Manual of Style — comparatives and superlatives; illogical or incomplete comparisons must be completed with a like termReport a problem with this question

27. 27. Which one of the following sentences is written correctly in standard English? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.The clerk could not find no record of the payment.
    • B.We do not have nothing further to add to the report.
    • C.The applicant scarcely had no time to complete the questionnaire.
    • D.The clerk could not find any record of the payment.✓ Answer

    Standard written English expresses a negative idea with only one negative word, so 'not ... no' and 'not ... nothing' are double negatives; the correct pattern pairs the negative verb with 'any.' Words such as scarcely, hardly, and barely already carry negative force, so combining 'scarcely' with 'no' is also a double negative and should read 'scarcely had any time.'

    Source: Merriam-Webster usage — double negatives are nonstandard in formal written English; 'scarcely/hardly/barely' are already negativeReport a problem with this question

28. 28. Choose the marks that correctly fill the two blanks: 'The requisition was approved on Tuesday ___ however, the supplies did not arrive until Friday. Please order the following ___ toner, labels, and binder clips.'

    • A.a comma ( , ) then a comma ( , )
    • B.a semicolon ( ; ) then a comma ( , )
    • C.a semicolon ( ; ) then a colon ( : )✓ Answer
    • D.a comma ( , ) then a colon ( : )

    The first blank falls between two independent clauses linked by the conjunctive adverb 'however,' which cannot join clauses by itself; a comma there would create a comma splice, so a semicolon is required. The second blank introduces a list after 'Please order the following,' which is already a complete sentence, and a colon is the correct mark to introduce a list after a complete clause.

    Source: Chicago Manual of Style — semicolon before a conjunctive adverb joining independent clauses; colon introduces a list only after a complete clauseReport a problem with this question

29. 29. Which one of the following sentences is INCORRECT in its use of the apostrophe? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.The supervisor reviewed the two clerks' timesheets.
    • B.The report is Alvarez and Chen's joint recommendation.
    • C.The Hendersons filed their appeal on the last business day.
    • D.Both witness's statements were attached to the case file.✓ Answer

    'Witness' forms its plural as 'witnesses,' and the possessive of a plural noun already ending in -s is made by adding only an apostrophe, so 'Both witnesses' statements' is required; 'witness's' can refer to only one witness. The other sentences are correct: 'clerks'' is a plural possessive, joint ownership puts the apostrophe on the last name only ('Alvarez and Chen's'), and 'The Hendersons' is a simple plural, which takes no apostrophe at all.

    Source: Chicago Manual of Style — possessive of plural nouns ending in -s takes the apostrophe alone; joint possession marks only the last element; plurals take no apostropheReport a problem with this question

30. 30. Choose the pair of words that correctly completes this sentence: 'The office manager ordered new ___ for the division's letterhead and asked the ___ office to update the employee mailing list.'

    • A.stationary; personnel
    • B.stationery; personal
    • C.stationery; personnel✓ Answer
    • D.stationary; personal

    'Stationery,' spelled with an 'e,' means writing paper and office supplies, while 'stationary' means fixed in place or not moving. 'Personnel' means the employees of an organization or the office that handles them, while 'personal' means private or belonging to an individual. A useful memory aid is that stationEry is papEr and personnEl refers to Employees.

    Source: Merriam-Webster — stationary vs. stationery; personal vs. personnel (commonly confused words)Report a problem with this question

31. 31. Which one of the following sentences contains NO error in word choice? (Judge the English sentences exactly as written.)

    • A.The county council counseled the board to loose no time in filing the appeal.
    • B.Please advise the applicant that the hearing has been rescheduled.✓ Answer
    • C.The auditor asked the clerk to sight the section of the manual that supports the exception.
    • D.The supervisor kept the discussion discrete and did not mention names.

    'Advise' is the verb and 'advice' is the noun, so 'Please advise the applicant' is correct. The other sentences misuse near-homophones: 'sight' (vision) should be 'cite' (to quote or refer to a source); 'loose' (not tight) should be 'lose' (to waste or fail to keep); and 'discrete' (separate, distinct) should be 'discreet' (careful about what is disclosed). Note that 'council' (a governing body) and 'counseled' (advised) are both used correctly in the second sentence — its only error is 'loose.'

    Source: Merriam-Webster — advice/advise, cite/site/sight, loose/lose, council/counsel, discreet/discrete (commonly confused words)Report a problem with this question

32. 32. Which one of the following words is MISSPELLED?

    • A.occurrence
    • B.None of the above is misspelled.
    • C.correspondance✓ Answer
    • D.acknowledgment

    The correct spelling is 'correspondence,' ending in '-ence,' not '-ance.' Many business words in this family take '-ence' — maintenance is a notable exception, but existence, persistence, and correspondence all end in '-ence.' 'Acknowledgment' (the American preferred form, with no 'e' after the 'g') and 'occurrence' (double 'c,' double 'r,' and '-ence') are both spelled correctly as shown.

    Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary — spelling of 'correspondence,' 'acknowledgment,' and 'occurrence'Report a problem with this question

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