intermission-6

Brief Intermission Six

DO YOU ALWAYS USE THE PROPER WORD?

The fact is that grammar is getting more liberal every day. Common

usage has put a stamp of approval on many expressions which your

grandmother would not have dared utter in her most intimate

conversation—not if she believed she was in the habit of using good

English. It is me; have you got a cold?; it’s a nice day; can I have

another piece of cake?; she is a most aggravating child; will everybody

please remove their hats—all these today represent perfectly correct

grammar for everyday conversation. Modern grammar research

reports that these expressions have become universal in educated

speech.

However, such a liberal policy does not mean that all bars are

down. Only a person whose speech borders on the illiterate would

make such statements as: can you learn me to swim?; he don’t live here

no more; we ain’t working so good; me and my husband are glad to see

you. There are still certain minimum essentials of good English that

the cultivated speaker carefully observes.

Is your grammar as good as the next person’s? Here’s a quick test

by which you can measure your ability.

Check the preferable choice in each sentence, then compare your

results with the key at the end. Allowing 4 per cent for each correct

answer, consider 92–100 excellent, 76–88 good, 68–72 average.

1. What (a–effect, b–affect) does Farrah Fawcett-Majors have on

you?

2. What’s the sense (a–in, b–of) looking for a needle in a haystack?

3. She won’t (a–leave, b–let) us meet her new boy friend.

4. What (a–kind of, b–kind of a) dress do you want?

5. Her (a–principle, b–principal) objection to neurotics is that they

are difficult to live with.

6. The murderer was (a–hanged, b–hung) two hours before the

governor’s pardon arrived.

7. Many men feel great affection for their (a–mother-in-laws, b–

mothers-in-law).

8. For a light cake, use two (a–spoonfuls, b–spoonsful) of baking

powder.

9. Everyone likes you but (a–she, b–her).

10. Sally sent a gift for (a–him and me, b–he and I).

11. The criteria you are using (a–is, b–are) not valid.

12. The cost of new houses (a–is, b–are) finally stabilizing.

13. Irene as well as her husband (a–has, b–have) come to see you.

14. (a–Is, b–Are) either of your sisters working?

15. As soon as the editor or her secretary (a–comes, b–come) in, let

me know.

16. One or two of her features (a–is, b–are) very attractive.

17. Can you visit Mary and (a–I, b–me) tonight?

18. He is totally (a–uninterested, b–disinterested) in your personal

affairs.

19. She (a–laid, b–lay) on the beach while her son splashed at the

water’s edge.

20. (a–Who, b–Whom) would you rather be if you weren’t yourself?

21. You should not (a–have, b–of) spoken so harshly.

22. She is one of those women who (a–believes, b–believe) that

husbands should share in doing housework and taking care of

the children.

23. Was it you who (a–was, b–were) here yesterday?

24. What we need in this country (a–is, b–are) honest politicians.

25. I’m smarter than Gladys, but she’s richer than (a–I, b–me).