Some Flawed Sentences


Below are various unconnected sentences, most of which are poorly written. This file is for looking at to learn how to spot flaws.


 

  1. The one mile and two mile runs were won by Jones and Cummings respectively.

    Jones and Cummings won the one and two mile runs.

    1. Use the active voice, not the passive voice. 2. Do not use "respectively" when it adds no meaning.

  2. He stated that he was not sick.

    He said he was not sick.

    1. Do not use "stated" when you mean "said". 2. "That" is optional here--it is okay to use it, or okay not to use it.

  3. The student body believes that Indiana University is a very good university indeed.

    Indiana University's students believe it is a very good university indeed.

    1. The phrase "student body" usually just means "students". 2. Rearranging allows a little bit of shortening without loss of meaning.

  4. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton plans to focus this year on improving health care, beginning with a proposal designed to modernize the sharing of medical information nationwide.

    This sentence is okay as is. It can be slightly improved, however, by writing it as:

    Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton plans to focus this year on improving health care, starting with a proposal to modernize the sharing of medical information nationwide.

  5. It's use is wrong.

    Its use is wrong.

  6. The effect of this is to reduce clarity.

    The effect is to reduce clarity.

  7. I would never loose my place in line.

    I would never lose my place in line.

  8. They're websites are poorly designed.

    Their websites are poorly designed.

  9. Their is no place for someone who does not wish to work hard.

    There is no place for someone who does not wish to work hard.

  10. We will not tolerate something like embezzlement, that is wrong under all circumstances.

    We will not tolerate something like embezzlement. That is wrong under all circumstances.

    We will not tolerate something like embezzlement; that is wrong under all circumstances.

    We will not tolerate something like embezzlement that is wrong under all circumstances.

    We will not tolerate something like embezzlement, which is wrong under all circumstances.

    Each of these four variants is correct, but they do have slightly different meanings. Which meaning is correct depends on the context.

  11. A short war, i.e., the Yom Kippur War, is much less expensive than a long war.

    A short war, e.g., the Yom Kippur War, is much less expensive than a long war.

    or

    A short war such as the Yom Kippur War is much less expensive than a long one.

    Here, you could not say "A short war-- that is, the Yom Kippur War-- ..." so "i.e." is improper. You could say "A short war--for example, the Yom Kippur War--", so "e.g." is okay.

  12. In the present class, e.g., G492, you may always ask questions.

    In the present class, i.e., G492, you may always ask questions.

    In G492 you may always ask questions.

  13. This committee will be made up of nine persons, no more than two of which may be from the finance department.

    This committee will be made up of nine people, no more than two of whom may be from the finance department.

    This committee will be made up of nine people, of whom no more than two may be from the finance department.

    Both variants are fine, but do avoid the word "persons" when you mean "people".

  14. It was difficult, we had insufficient funds to complete the project on time.

    It was difficult; we lacked the funds to finish the project on time.

    It was difficult. We lacked the funds to finish the project on time.

    It was difficult, because we lacked the funds to finish the project on time.

    These variants are all okay.

  15. Each cash flow needs its own separate discount rate.

    Each cash flow needs its own discount rate.

  16. Its never appropriate to do that.

    It's never appropriate to do that.

  17. Being in a dilapidated condition, I was able to buy the house very cheap.

    As the house was dilapidated, I bought it cheaply.

  18. Several things affected my job performance.

    This sentence is okay as is.

  19. A panda usually eats, shoots and leaves.

    A panda usually eats shoots and leaves.

  20. My first job in Boston will always be remembered by me as a nightmare.

    I will always remember my first job in Boston as a nightmare.

  21. A survey of this region was made in 1900.

    This region was surveyed in 1900.

  22. He was not honest and he was paid too much and he should not have been hired in the first place.

    He was dishonest and overpaid, and should not have been hired in the first place.

    He was dishonest, overpaid, and should not have been hired in the first place.

  23. Works of fiction are listed under the names of their respective authors.

    Works of fiction are listed by author.

    The word "respective" is rarely helpful.

  24. Some doctors, hospitals and pharmacies already use electronic health records.

    This sentence is okay as is. It is also okay to write

    Some doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies already use electronic health records.