Typo —€” Errors, Answers and Explanations

It is difficult sometimes to keep the courts attention, no matter how affective the representation of council.

It is difficult sometimes to keep the court’s attention, no matter how effective the representation of counsel.

Explanation:  The word “court’s” should be possessive, and “effective” and “counsel” were misspelled.

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The court ruled that none of the plaintiffs are entitled to relief.

The court ruled that none of the plaintiffs is entitled to relief.

Explanation: The subject of the dependent clause, “none,” takes a singular verb.  For additional information, see the Verbs video.

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When the girl approached the dog turned and bit her on the face.

When the girl approached, the dog turned and bit her on the face.

Explanation: A comma is required after an introductory adverbial clause.  For additional information, see the Punctuation: Commas and Semicolons video.

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The water heater was not broken, however the water was not to hot.

The water heater was not broken; however, the water was not too hot.

Explanation: The word “too” was misspelled, a semicolon is required between two independent clauses, and a comma is required after a conjunctive adverb such as “however.”  For additional information, see the Punctuation: Commas and Semicolons video.

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Since the accident Harris has suffered from headaches, and has been unable to sleep.

Since the accident, Harris has suffered from headaches comma deleted and has been unable to sleep.

Explanation:  A comma is required after an introductory prepositional phrase, and no comma is necessary with compound verbs.  For additional information, see the Punctuation: Commas and Semicolons video.

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Defendant Dr. Jones, was the only named defendant in the suit.

Defendant, Dr. Jones, was the only named defendant in the suit.

Explanation: A pair of commas is required for a non-restrictive appositive. For additional information, see the Punctuation: Commas and Semicolons video.

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The courts statement infers that discrimination would not exist under those circumstances.

The court’s statement implies that discrimination would not exist under those circumstances.

Explanation:  The word “court’s” should be possessive, and the statement implies something.  The reader would infer something from the text.  For additional information, see Usage Tips.

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An obscene telephone caller is unlikely to use his real name.

An obscene telephone caller is unlikely to use his or her real name.

BETTER:  Obscene telephone classers are not likely to use their real names.

Explanation:  Because “caller” is singular, the pronoun must be singular.  For additional information, see the video on Troublesome Pronouns.

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The management company did not sign it's lease.

The management company did not sign its lease.

Explanation:  The possessive if “it” is “its.” For additional information, see the video on Troublesome Pronouns.

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The court did not approve of the lawyer commingling funds.

The court did not approve of the lawyer’s commingling funds.

Explanation:  The word “commingling” is a gerund requiring the possessive.  For additional information, see the Foundations I video and the second Punctuation video.

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"Injunctive relief", stated the court, "is not available in cases such as this".

"Injunctive relief,” stated the court, "is not available in cases such as this."

Explanation: Commas and periods always go inside quotation marks. For additional information, see the second Punctuation video.

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Judgement for the plaintiff was entered by the trial court.

Judgment for the plaintiff was entered by the trial court.

Explanation:  “Judgment” was misspelled, and the sentence is passive. For additional information, see the video on Active and Passive Voice.

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The new statutory provision will have a negative impact on him and me.

The new statutory provision will have a negative impact on him and me. Correct.

Explanation: The pronouns “him” and “me” are correct because they are objects of the preposition “on” and therefore should be in the objective case.  For additional information, see the video on Troublesome Pronouns.

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The court used the parole evidence rule as the basis for their decision.

The court used the parol evidence rule as the basis for its decision.

Explanation:  The word “parol” was misspelled, and “court” takes the singular pronoun “its.”  For additional information, see the video on Troublesome Pronouns.

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The witness pointed directly at the defendant and declared, "I have no doubt.  It was he"!

The witness pointed directly at the defendant and declared, "I have no doubt.  It was he!”

Explanation: Exclamation points go inside quotation marks when the person being quoted is exclaiming.  For additional information, see the second Punctuation video.

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He could not plan his strategy until he knew whom his opponent would be.

He could not plan his strategy until he knew who his opponent would be.

Explanation:  The word “who” functions as a predicate nominative in the dependent clause; therefore, it should be in the nominative case.     For additional information, see the video on Troublesome Pronouns.

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The defendant running the red light was negligence.

The defendant’s running the red light was negligence.

Explanation:  The word “running” is a gerund requiring the possessive. For additional information, see the Foundations I video and the second Punctuation video.

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Every lawyer must represent their clients zealously.

Every lawyer must represent his or her clients zealously.

BETTER:  Lawyers must represent their clients zealously.

Explanation:  The adjective “every” before the subject “lawyer” requires a singular pronoun.  For additional information, see the video on Troublesome Pronouns.

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The lawyer used clear precise language in the contract.

The lawyer used clear, precise language in the contract.

Explanation:  Because “clear” and “precise” are coordinate adjectives, a comma is necessary. For additional information, see the video Punctuation: Commas and Semicolons.