The correct answers appear in green beneath their respective question. We’ve highlighted notable results and provided a brief explanation for each answer, along with links to the blog posts in which we’ve talked about most of these very questions.
Answers
♦ incident | ♦ incidents | ♦ incidence | ♦ incidences |
As we talked about here, incidence is the number of times something happens or develops, while incidents are unexpected and usually unpleasant occurrences. Incidences is not a word.
♦ 10 percentage points | ♦ ten percentage points | ♦ 10% | ♦ 10 percent |
When subtracting one percentage from another, use percentage points. Our previous post explains that percent change is the ratio of two values, and that all the major style guides use numerals for percentages, making the first option the correct choice.
♦ 8-years-old | ♦ 8-years old | ♦ 8 years old | ♦ eight years old |
This one was a little tricky, because two of the answers could be correct, depending on which style guide you use. Chicago Manual of Style would dictate eight years old (and 75% of respondents agreed); AP style uses numerals for all ages, so 8 years old (chosen by 20%) is also correct.
♦ for awhile | ♦ a while | ♦ for a while |
Essentially, for a while and awhile (one word) are interchangeable. If for a while doesn't make sense in the context, use a while (two words). Check out our previous post on this subject for further explanation.
♦ New Years | ♦ New Year’s | ♦ New Years' | ♦ New Year |
The overwhelming majority (more than 80%) answered this one correctly. Find out why New Year’s is the correct answer by clicking here.
♦ Mark | ♦ Mark's |
In this sentence, leaving is a gerund (“ing” words formed from verbs and that function as nouns). Because a gerund functions the same as any other noun, the noun or pronoun that modifies it (in this case, Mark) should be in the possessive case. We explain gerunds in a lot more detail here.
♦ nonplussed | ♦ unfazed |
Nonplussed is one of those words we so often see misused. But more than 80 percent of our respondents got this one right. For an explanation of how to use nonplussed correctly, click here.
♦ onto | ♦ on to |
Because catch on (meaning comprehend) is the verb in this sentence, on has to stand with catch and apart from to. If figuring out when to use on to vs. onto perplexes you, find some hints here for distinguishing the two.
♦ like | ♦ as if |
Although like as a conjunction is acceptable in casual conversation and informal writing, as if is the preferred choice in formal writing. Click here to learn more.
♦ Leslie and I | ♦ Leslie and myself | ♦ Leslie and me |
Our repeated harping on the proper use of pronouns has paid off! Or maybe the more than 90 percent of respondents who answered this question correctly just really know their stuff. If you’re still not sure why Leslie and me is the correct answer, click here for some stimulating reading (no, really) on pronouns.
♦ premiere | ♦ premier |
Premiere is the first showing, or debut, of a movie, performance, exhibit, etc. When describing something that’s the best of its kind, use premier.
♦ Northern | ♦ northern |
This was another tricky one because either answer is correct (a grammatical “gimme” of sorts), again depending on which style guide you consult. AP would capitalize it; Chicago Manual of Style would use the lowercase version. In keeping with the seeming preference for Chicago Manual evidenced in question 3, nearly 80 percent of respondents picked northern. Our previous blog post explains the reasoning for this and similar geographical/directional distinctions.
♦ e.g. | ♦ i.e. |
As we pointed out in another blog post, i.e. means “that is,” while e.g. means “for example.” Remember “for eg-zample” to equate e.g. with examples.
♦ comprises | ♦ is comprised of |
This question tripped up respondents more than any other — more than 60 percent answered it incorrectly. One way to remember the correct usage is this: If you can’t substitute include for comprise, you’re not using comprise correctly. Find a more detailed explanation here.
♦ deems | ♦ deem |
Respondents were nearly evenly split on this one, with 55 percent choosing deems and 45 percent selecting deem. Majority is a collective noun, which means it can be either singular or plural, depending on the context. Be sure to check out our blog next week for an explanation of why deem is the correct answer to this final question.
Thank you again to those who participated. Remember ... every vote counts! Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions.