Grammar and Correct Usage Flashcards
6 cards from real Civil Service Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Grammar and Correct Usage flashcards as text
Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the subjunctive mood?
Answer: It is essential that the report be completed by Friday.
The subjunctive mood uses the base form of the verb after expressions of necessity. 'It is essential that the report be completed' correctly uses the subjunctive.
Choose the sentence with correct comma usage.
Answer: The supervisor, who has 20 years of experience, will lead the training.
Nonrestrictive clauses that add extra information are set off by commas on both sides. 'Who has 20 years of experience' is nonessential information about the supervisor.
Which of the following words is spelled correctly?
Answer: Separate
'Separate' is the only correctly spelled word. The others should be: occurrence, accommodate, consensus.
In the sentence 'The manager, along with her assistants, ___ responsible for the project,' which verb correctly completes the sentence?
Answer: is
'Is' is correct because the subject is 'the manager' (singular). The phrase 'along with her assistants' is a parenthetical modifier and does not change the subject's number.
Which sentence correctly uses 'who' and 'whom'?
Answer: The candidate whom we interviewed was highly qualified.
'Whom' is correct as the object of the verb 'interviewed.' In the clause 'whom we interviewed,' 'we' is the subject and 'whom' is the object.
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Answer: The department's goals include efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness.
No colon is needed after 'include' because it is a verb that directly introduces its objects. A colon should only follow a complete independent clause.