by Beth McCormack , Esq .
WRITE ON New Year ’ s ( not Years ) Resolution # 1 : Improve Your Grammar and Punctuation
The days are short and the stress levels are high in South Royalton this time of year : it ’ s exam time at Vermont Law School . In just over a week , our students will sit down to answer multiple choice and essay questions on Torts , Contracts , Civil Procedure and more . Exam time also means that winter break and New Year ’ s Resolutions are around the corner . In the spirit of exams and resolutions , this quarter ’ s column will be a mini exam for attorneys on grammar and punctuation . Author Robert Brault once wrote , “ Do not be surprised when those who ignore the rules of grammar also ignore the law . After all , the law is just so much grammar .” Don ’ t fall victim to Mr . Brault ’ s perception ! At the bottom of this article , you will find explanations so you can correct any deficiencies . Use these questions as a way to look for areas of grammatical improvement in the new year .
Questions
1 . Which of the following sentences is in the passive voice ? A . The dog was playing in the house alone all day . B . The dog had been playing for hours and destroyed the house .
C . The dog had been left at home alone for hours and destroyed the house . D . All of the above . E . None of the above .
2 . Which of the following sentences is in the passive voice ? A . He had been looking to score in the Lacrosse game . B . The dog barked when the car drove by . C . I was going to the zoo . D . All of the above . E . None of the above .
3 . Which of the following sentences shows the correct use of a semicolon ? A . David Price struck out 14 batters ; the Red Sox won . B . David Price struck out 14 batters ;
The Red Sox won . C . David Price struck out 14 batters ; and the Red Sox won . D . A & C E . All are correct .
4 . Which of the following sentences shows the correct use of a colon ? A . We knew who would win the game : the Red Sox .
B . We learned a lot from this article : how to write in the active voice , nominalization , punctuation , and much more .
C . The Court explained when a container might qualify as a single purpose container : “[ W ] hen the contents of the container are obvious from the nature of the container itself .” D . A & C . E . All of the above .
5 . This signal use is correct . 1 The Robbins Court looked at the officer ’ s testimony about his training and characterized it as vague . See Robbins , 245 U . S . at 21 . A . Correct . B . Not correct .
6 . Which sentence refers to all classes ? A . Classes that are held on Wednesdays are in building 206 . B . Classes , which are held on
Wednesdays , are in building 206 .
7 . Which sentence has a nominalization in it ? Which sentence is the best ? A . The agency made a determination that a variance was required . B . The agency determined that a variance was required . C . The agency determined that the project required a variance .
8 . Which sentence has correct punctuation ? A . The judge said , “ this brief is written very well .” B . The judge said , “ this brief is written very well ”.
9 . Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct ( i . e ., the subject and verb agree )? A . The judge and the jury was unpersuaded by the witness ’ s testimony .
B . The defendant ’ s statements to the police suggests that her actions were premeditated .
C . Neither the defendant nor his counsel were prepared . D . The plaintiff and the defendant were present at the hearing .
10 . Which of the following sentences is the correct way to form the possessive for a singular noun ( Congress )? A . Congresses authority to regulate interstate commerce can be found in Article I , Section 8 of the Constitution .
B . Congress ’ s authority to regulate interstate commerce can be found in Article I , Section 8 of the Constitution .
C . Congresses ’ authority to regulate interstate commerce can be found in Article I , Section 8 of the Constitution .
11 . Which of the following sentences displays proper parallel structure ? A . The lawyer prepared for oral argument by outlining her theory of the case , practicing before a mirror , and mooting with colleagues .
B . The lawyer prepared for oral argument by outlining her theory of the case , and she practiced before a mirror as well as had several moots with her colleagues .
12 . Which of the following reflects the correct use of a pronoun for a collective noun ? A . The Supreme Court handed down their decision on the last day of the term .
B . The Supreme Court handed down its decision on the last day of the term .
13 . Which of the following sentences demonstrates proper pronoun use under the traditional approach ? A . If a person wishes to succeed in law school , you have to study hard every day .
B . If a person wishes to succeed in law school , they have to study hard every day .
C . If a person wishes to succeed in law school , he or she has to study hard every day .
14 Which of the following sentences is correct ?
16 THE VERMONT BAR JOURNAL • WINTER 2016-17 www . vtbar . org