Assertion and reason

Exercise and reference answers

Questions

1. Reason

   It must refer to the grammatical subject, and often does not.

   Verdict

   Both are true; the reason explains the assertion.

   Assertion

   A participial opening can make a sentence absurd.

2. Reason

   It names the actor directly instead of routing round the object.

   Verdict

   Both are true; the reason explains the assertion.

   Assertion

   The active voice usually makes a sentence shorter.

3. Reason

   A comma can separate items in a series.

   Verdict

   The assertion is false and the reason is true.

   Assertion

   Two independent clauses may be joined by a comma.

4. Reason

   The end is the position a reader remembers.

   Verdict

   Both are true; the reason explains the assertion.

   Assertion

   Emphatic words belong at the end of a sentence.

Explanation