Proofreading

Below are corrected versions of the sentence fragments in this exercise. Please note, there are many possible ways to fix each sentence; these are just examples. If you're unsure whether your answers are correct, drop us an e-mail or stop by the Writing Center.

1) The first-born son received the largest share of his parents' estate because he was his mother's favorite child.

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Because he was his mother's favorite child, the first-born son received the largest share of his parents' estate.

2) First-year law students believe they must get by on two hours of sleep a night, which is what they have been told by recent graduates.

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First-year law students have been told by recent graduates that they must get by on two hours of sleep a night. Believing this, they drink black coffee with every meal.

3) Because Victoria lost her disk and did not keep any handwritten notes, she had to rewrite her paper from scratch.

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Victoria had to rewrite her paper from scratch because she lost her disk and did not keep any handwritten notes.

4) Although Ms. Campanella's broker advised her not to sell, she sold all her shares in the company.

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Ms. Campanella sold all her shares in the company, although her broker advised her not to sell.

5) Once the young pianist's second album won a Grammy, he had to make a decision: whether to keep his day job. (colon replaces period after "decision")

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Once the young pianist's second album won a Grammy, he had to decide whether to keep his day job.