1) Examine the correct sentence.
2) Identify, circle, and correct the error in each of the following sentences. Use a caret (v) to insert anything that is left out. Look for what is different from the original, complete sentence.
Part A. How'd They Do It? -- Editing Practice with a Compound Sentence
Correct sentence:
He yelped in pain, and she grabbed his wrists and pinned his arms to the floor.
-- Brian Selznick, The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2007)
1. He yelped in pain, and she grabbed his wrists and pinned his arms the floor.
2. He yelped in pain, and she grabs his wrists and pins his arms to the floor.
3. He yelped in pain, and she grabed his wrists and pinned his arms to the floor.
4. He yelped in pain and she grabbed his wrists and pinned his arms to the floor.
5. He yelped in pain, and she grabbed his wrists, and pinned his arms to the floor.
Part B. How'd They Do It? -- Editing Practice with an AAAWWEUBBIS Sentence
Correct sentence:
When the web is finished, the spider waits for insects to fly into its web. -- Seymore Simon, Spiders (2003)
6. When the web is finished, the spider waits for insects to fly into it's web.
7. When the web is finish, the spider waits for insects to fly into its web.
8. When the web is finished, the spider wait for insects to fly into its web.
9. When the web is finished the spider waits for insects to fly into its web.
These exercises are from Jeff Anderson's book Everyday Editing, pages 140 and 44.
Download the document: Editing Prac with compound and complex.docx