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Introduction to Exercise 4 - Identifying and fixing problems with word order
Grammar Explanation

•  In indirect questions (where the question word is in the middle of the sentence), place the subject immediately after the question word. 
  • Incorrect: The investigators did not discover why did the disaster occur.
  • Corrected: The investigators did not find out why the disaster occurred.
•  In direct questions, make sure a helping verb comes before the subject except when the question word or phrase is the subject (e.g., Who won yesterday?).
  • Incorrect: Which debate she won?
  • Corrected: Which debate did she win?
•  When introducing a clause with not only or another negative or restrictive expression, put the verb before the subject.  
  • Incorrect: Not only the proposal is helpful for seniors, it benefits children as well.
  • Corrected: Not only is the proposal helpful for seniors, it benefits children as well.
•  When describing nouns, place the adjective clause (beginning with that, which, who, etc.) or prepositional phrase (a phrase beginning with by, in, on,etc.) immediately after the specific noun or noun phrase that it is describing. 
  • Example: For the sociology paper that has been assigned, I chose an article by Helen Lee from the textbook.
•  When describing a verb, do not put an adverb (e.g., always, quickly) between the verb and the object. 
  • Incorrect: Middle class Americans do not receive always health insurance.
  • Corrected: Middle class Americans do not always receive health insurance.
PDFDownload Grammar Explanation (PDF)
What You Will Do

The following passages contain mistakes with word order. Click on the word or phrase that contains the mistake. When you click, a box will appear. Type the correct word or phrase in this box and then click the INSERT button. When you have finished making all the corrections, click DONE to compare WHAT YOU WROTE with WHAT WE WROTE.
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