It can be difficult sometimes to identify what is and what isn’t an error in English, even for native speakers. And I can only imagine the difficulties faced by people who grew up speaking another language.

I have observed that, sometimes, what was considered an error back 30 or 40 years has now changed. This is true with grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. I suppose language is a living thing and, as such, has to grow and transform over time.

So brush up on those finer details and try this short quiz.

10 Non-Errors to Stop Correcting

By Lynn Gaertner-Johnston

Have you been correcting non-errors? Test your knowledge in the 10 items below. Only two sentences contain an error in grammar or usage. Can you recognize which two? Those two represent errors editors sometimes introduce into sentences that were originally correct.

Do not edit for style–focus on true errors. Choose the two sentences with errors. Then compare your answers with mine.

  1. I feel bad about the way I handled your questions at the meeting.
  2. Please ask to speak with whomever is in charge of printing the programs.

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