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Attempts Attempt 1 score is3.6Attempt2 score is3.1Attempt 3 was not attempted.-
Keep the Highest 3.6 out of 43.6 / 4
Examples of Trite Expressions
3 . Revision - Exercise 3
As you learned in Unit 5, you should use consistent verb tense in your writing. Avoid shifting from
one verb tense to another verb tense. You should also avoid using misplaced modifiers, and your
writing should not contain trite language. Review these revision skills from Unit 5 by studying the
sentences and information in the tables below.
Examples of Errors
tried and true
last but not least
cold, cruel world
Crowding the busy
streets like ants, the
city center is filled
with determined
shoppers.
Sentence(s)
We still visit Taiwan
every summer. My
mother went with us
every year.
Type of
Error
Verb tense
consistency
in this day and age
out of this world
this point in time
Modifier
misplacement
Explanation
The word still and the phrase every year mean that
the action is taking place in the present tense
because it is ongoing. The verb visit in the first
sentence is in the present tense, but the
verb went in the second sentence is in the past
tense. The verb went should be in the present
tense for verb tense consistency. The correct
sentence should read "My mother goes with us
every year."
This sentence has a misplaced -ing modifier. The
writer did not mean that the city center is
crowding itself. Instead, crowding refers
to shoppers. Shoppers should be moved to correct
the error, and the correct sentence should read
"Crowding the busy streets like ants, the
determined shoppers filled the city center."
awesome
better late than never
sad but true
Directions: Read the following informational paragraph. The paragraph has many errors. In particular,
sentences within the paragraph may not have consistent verb tenses, contain misplaced modifiers, or
have trite language. Read the paragraph carefully, sentence by sentence, to identify errors. Then,
check the correct response(s) in the table below the paragraph. Use the information listed in the tables
above to guide you.
Reaching the South Pole
(1) Norwegian Roald Amundsen and his team are the first people to reach the South Pole in
1911. (2) British explorer Robert Scott and his team arrives at the South Pole one month
later. (3) Their choice of transportation affected each team's survival. (4) Amundsen used dogs to pull
his sleds of equipment; this mode of transportation improves the awesome group's speed and
maneuverability. (5) At this point in time, Amundsen and his group also used skis, which helped them
navigate through soft snow. (6) Scott, on the other hand, attempted to use a variety of equipment and
strategies. (7) After reaching the South Pole, the base camp was returned to safely by Amundsen and
his group, but unfortunately, Scott and members of his expedition died during their return trip.
Carefully review sentences 1 through 7 and select which error or errors you find in each sentence.
Check all that apply.
Sentence
Sentence
1
Sentence
2
Sentence
3
Sentence
4
Verb Tense
Consistency
Error
Modifier
Error
Contains Trite
Language
This Sentence Is
Correct in the
Paragraph Above
Sentence
Sentence
5
Sentence
6
Sentence
7
Verb Tense
Consistency
Error
Modifier
Error
(2) British explorer Robert Scott and his
team arrived at the South Pole one month later.
Corrected Sentence
(1) Norwegian Roald Amundsen and his
team were the first people to reach the South Pole in
1911.
(3) Their choice of transportation affected each team's
Contains Trite
Language
This Sentence Is
Correct in the
Paragraph Above
Explanation
Sentence 1 has a verb tense
consistency error. The
date 1911 means that the action
already took place. The verb should
be were and not the present tense
form of the verb (are).
Sentence 2 has a verb tense
consistency error. The
date 1911 means that the action
already took place and that all
actions in the paragraph referring to
the expedition in 1911 should be in
the past tense. The verb should
be arrived and not the present tense
form of the verb (arrives).
Sentence 3 is correct in the
Points:
0.79 / 1
Explanation:
Close Explanation
Corrected Sentence
survival.
(4) Amundsen used dogs to pull his sleds of
equipment; this mode of
transportation improved the determined group's
speed and maneuverability.
(5) Amundsen and his group also used skis, which
helped them navigate through soft snow.
(6) Scott, on the other hand, attempted to use a
variety of equipment and strategies.
(7) After reaching the South Pole, Amundsen and his
group returned safely to the base camp, but
unfortunately, Scott and members of his expedition
died during their return trip.
Explanation
paragraph above. It does not contain
verb tense consistency errors,
modifier errors, or trite language.
Sentence 4 has a verb tense
consistency error and contains trite
language. The date 1911 means that
the action already took place and
that all actions in the paragraph
referring to the expedition in 1911
should be in the past tense. The verb
should be improved and not the
present tense form of the verb
(improves) to be consistent with the
verb used in the first part of the
sentence. The word awesome is
overused and should be removed
from the sentence. Awesome can be
replaced with a less frequently used
word, such as determined.
Sentence 5 contains trite language.
The expression at this point is
time is overused, and since it is not
necessary, it should be removed
from the sentence.
Sentence 6 is correct in the
paragraph above. It does not contain
verb tense consistency errors,
modifier errors, or trite language.
Sentence 7 has a misplaced
modifier. The writer did not mean
that a base camp can reach the
South Pole. Instead, reaching refers
to Amundsen and his
group. Amundsen and his
Corrected Sentence Explanation
group should be moved to correct
the error.
Source: "Alone on the Ice: Roald Amundsen." 1999. 27 April 2010.
