Social Question
Will you take this short grammar challenge?
Disclaimer of sorts: The sentences of this “challenge” were created by David Foster Wallace and taught in a nonfiction workshop in 2004.
I know some Flutherites enjoy talking and/or complaining about grammar and/or grammatical errors. I’m often guilty of the same, and I thought that because I enjoyed this little exercise so might they. Somehow, however, I’m expecting less of a response than, say, @rangerr’s grammar question of yesterdayish.
Each of the ten sentences below has an error in usage or grammar. I.e., there are no trick sentences. They are all, however, a little tricky. WITHOUT cheating or googling, then, can you correct them? (You can look at and copy others’ responses if you want to, but they may be wrong.)
The offending sentences:
1. He and I hardly see one another.
2. I’d cringe at the naked vulnerability of his sentences left wandering around without periods and the ambiguity of his uncrossed “t”s.
3. My brother called to find out if I was over the flu yet.
4. I only spent six weeks in Napa.
5. In my own mind, I can understand why its implications may be somewhat threatening.
6. From whence had his new faith come?
7. Please spare me your arguments of why all religions are unfounded and contrived.
8. She didn’t seem to ever stop talking.
9. As the relationship progressed, I found her facial tic more and more aggravating.
10. The Book of Mormon gives an account of Christ’s ministry to the Nephites, which allegedly took place soon after Christ’s resurrection.
Be warned some of the violated rules here are, um, somewhat obscure or hypercritical. But they’re kind of interesting and you may even learn something.
I will provide the correct answers when no one cares to respond anymore. Hopefully that’s not immediately after I post the question. If you want to know the answers sooner, PM me and I’ll tell you.
Have fun!~
Composing members:
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