1. It's important to put the apostrophe in its right place.
   Perfect score = 2 points

2. Although we wouldn't want to try to do it again, Bill, Harinder and I completed the report in three days.
   Perfect score = 4 points

3. Because the computer malfunctioned, it took me some time to complete the job.
   Total correct score = 2 points

4. Here is a complimentary copy of my latest book, which I think you will enjoy.
   Total correct score = 4 points

5. Incidentally, your recommendation affected the final decision.
   Total correct score = 3 points

6. There's no need to get upset about his not completing the project.
   Or
   There is no need to get upset about his not completing the project.
   Total correct score = 2 points

7. All applications for funding are processed by me.
   Total correct score = 2 points

8. Each of us wants to attend Russ's presentation.
   Total correct score = 2 points

9. You have written a good report; however, you have misspelled the president's name.
   Or
   Your report is well-written; however, the president's name is misspelled.
   Or
   You have written a good report. However, you have misspelled the president's name.
   Or
   Your report is well-written. However, the president's name is misspelled.
   Perfect score=5 points

10. Time Magazine says it's "the best ice cream in the world."
    Total correct score = 1 point

            Available Score = 27 points

Explanation^*

^* J Watson Associates Inc. has used The CP Style Book and The Gregg Reference Manual (Fourth Canadian Edition) as the reference texts for the answers to this quiz.

1. Grammar error: There are two variations of the word its. This word really shows your grammar know-how. It's means it is or it has. (The apostrophe indicates a missing letter.

   Its means possession. This is where some people become confused. They have learned an apostrophe means possession. And it does—except for the personal pronouns. The words, mine, your, his, hers, ours, yours, its, do not have an apostrophe because they are already possessive. 1 point for each correct form of the word its

   Note: Although some grammar packages are not pointing it out, the word its' does not exist. It has never been a correct word, and it is wrong to use it.

   Correct sentence: It's important to put the apostrophe in its right place.

   Total correct score = 2 points

   Note: Contractions are words formed by combining and shortening two words and using an apostrophe to indicate the missing letter; for example, you're is short for you are. It is not wrong to use contractions in your business writing. They give your writing an informal tone. We recommend using contractions in e-mails, memos and some letters. We would not use contractions in reports or formal documents.

2. Misused words: While means during the time that. If you don't have a time factor, it is better to use although or even though. 1 point
   
   Try and is incorrect. The phrase is try to. 1 point
   
   Myself is a reflexive pronoun. Myself may only be used to reflect back on a noun or pronoun used earlier in the same sentence. In this sentence, myself has been used in place of the subject pronoun I. It is wrong. The correct version is Bill, Harinder and I. Avoid this error and you will be ahead of your colleagues in grammar. 1 point
   
   Punctuation error: Although we wouldn't want to try to do it again is an incomplete thought. It must be followed by a comma. 1 point
   
   Correct sentence: Although we wouldn't want to try to do it again, Bill, Harinder and I completed the report in three days.
   
   Total correct score = 4 points
   
   

3. Grammar error: Due to introduces an adjective phrase and should modify nouns. It is normally used only after some form of the verb to be (is, are, was, were, etc.). Because introduces adverbial phrases. Yes, in business writing today you can start a sentence with Because. 1 point
   
   Misused word: Sometime means an unspecified time. Some time means a definite period of time. 1 point
   
   Correct sentence: Because of the computer malfunction, it took me some time to complete the job.
   
   Total correct score = 2 points
   
   

4. Misused words: Complementary means completing or supplementing something. Complimentary means an expression of praise or without cost. These could be dangerous words to confuse. 1 point
   
   Last means final; latest means most recent. 1 point
   
   That is used to introduce essential clauses. Use which when the words following are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Don't forget to place a comma before which. 2 points
   
   Correct sentence: Here is a complimentary copy of my latest book, which I think you will enjoy.

Total correct score = 4 points


5. Spelling error: Incidently is wrong. It is spelled incidentally. 1 point
   
   Grammar error: You're is the contraction for you are. However, in this sentence, we want the possessive form of the word you, which is your. 1 point
   
   Misused word: Effect when used as a verb—as in this sentence—means bring about. (When used as a noun, it means result or impression.) Affect is normally used as a verb and means to influence or change.
   
   Correct sentence: Incidentally, your recommendation affected the final decision. 1 point
   
   Total correct score = 3 points
   
   

6. Misused word: Their is the possessive form of they. Whenever you use their a noun should follow, for example, their report, their meeting. There is always followed by a verb or a contraction of a verb, for example, there is, there are, or there's. In this case, we want to say there is, so you must write there's. Be on the look out for this problem. You want people to focus on your requests, not on your lack of basic grammar. 1 point
   
   Misused word: Him is never used in front of a gerund. The noun or pronoun in front of a gerund must be possessive. In this case, the word should be his. By the way, if you have forgotten the word, a gerund is a word normally used as a verb, now being used as a noun and ending in ing. In this sentence, the gerund is completing. 1 point
   
   Correct sentence: There's no need to get upset about his not completing the project.
   Or
   There is no need to get upset about his not completing the project.
   
   Total correct score = 2 points
   
   

7. Subject and verb agreement: As the subject is plural, all applications, the verb must be plural, are. 1 point
   
   Grammar error: The word by is a preposition. The word following it must be in the objective form. The only pronoun that will work here is me. And, naturally you remembered from sentence 2 not to use myself here. 1 point
   
   Correct sentence: All applications for funding are processed by me.
   
   Total correct score = 2 points
   
   

8. Subject and verb agreement: The word each is always singular; therefore, a singular verb is required: wants. 1 point
   
   Grammar error: When making a one-syllable word ending in s possessive, you must add an apostrophe and the letter s—Russ's. (To make a two or more syllable word ending in s possessive, you only need to add an apostrophe—Thomas'.) No, this is not a recent change; many people just didn't learn it. 1 point
   
   Correct sentence: Each of us wants to attend Russ's presentation.
   
   Total correct score = 2 points
   
   

9. Punctuation errors: When the word however is used to join two separate thoughts, it is called a conjunctive adverb; therefore, you must place a semi-colon or a period in front and a comma after. (This is a common error. If you want to project a truly professional image, don't let it catch you.) 1 point for the period or semi colon; 1 point for the comma after however however
   
   President is singular—to show possession use an apostrophe before the s: president's 
   
   Style error: The style today is not to capitalize a job title unless the name of the person appears with it. Original: President Revised: president 1 point
   
   Spelling error: mispelled should be misspelled 1 point
   
   Style error: Sentences should be parallel in structure. The first part of this sentence is in the active voice; the second part is in the passive voice. This mixed construction is awkward. Readers prefer messages delivered in an easy-to-read manner. If the first thought is in the active voice, they prefer the second thought to be active also. 1 point

   Correct sentences: You have written a good report; however, you have misspelled the president's name (active voice).
   Or
   Your report is well-written; however, the president's name is misspelled (passive voice).
   Or
   You have written a good report. However, you have misspelled the president's name (active voice).
   Or
   Your report is well-written. However, the president's name is misspelled (passive voice).
   
   Total correct score = 5 points
   

10. Punctuation error: When a quoted phrase comes at the end of a sentence, the period goes inside the closing quotation mark. Yes, this is a relatively new rule. It states that commas and periods should be placed inside the quotation marks no matter where the quoted material appears in the sentence. 1 point
    
    Correct sentence: Time Magazine says it's "the best ice cream in the world."
    
    Total correct score = 1 point
    
    Note: You may only place quotation marks around the words taken from the original source. That is why its is outside the quotation marks. The word was not used in the original material.