Legal Writing Grammar Practice: Clear, Precise Prose

Legal Writing Grammar Practice: Clear, Precise Prose

Practice legal-writing grammar, punctuation, active voice, precise modifiers, logical lists, and editing. Independent—not legal advice, CLE, or certification.

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30 questions ready

Start with a quiz

Answer from memory first, then review the rationales and revisit weak areas from this course.

Activities

Quiz30 Questions
Flashcards18 Cards
Study Notes4 Notes

List of Questions30 questions
  1. Question 1
    • The response must be filed by the agency by Friday.
    • Friday is when the response must be filed.
    • The agency must file the response by Friday.
    • There must be a filing of the response by Friday.
  2. Question 2
    • When the actor is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from context
    • When the writer wants to conceal a known responsible actor
    • Whenever the sentence concerns a past event
    • Whenever a sentence contains a form of the verb “to be”
  3. Question 3
    • The committee conducted an evaluation of the claim.
    • An evaluation of the claim was conducted by the committee.
    • The claim was the subject of an evaluation.
    • The committee evaluated the claim.
  4. Question 4
    • The rule would have required applicants to sign.
    • The rule requires applicants to sign.
    • The rule shall have been requiring applicants to sign.
    • Applicants would be being required to sign by the rule.
  5. Question 5
    • The longest sentence the document can contain
    • The intended readers and what they need to do or understand
    • Whether every technical term can be deleted
    • Which style guide has the most rules
  6. Question 6
    • The clerk will submit the certified copy, meaning submission is mandatory.
    • The clerk should submit the certified copy, meaning submission is optional.
    • The clerk may submit the certified copy; the office must perhaps acknowledge receipt.
    • The clerk must submit the certified copy; the office will acknowledge receipt.
  7. Question 7
    • Because the witness was late, the hearing began at noon.
    • Due to the fact that the witness was late, the hearing began at noon.
    • In view of the fact of the witness being late, noon was when the hearing began.
    • The hearing, because of lateness on the part of the witness, began at noon.
  8. Question 8
    • Counsel must fully and completely disclose each requested record.
    • Counsel must disclose each and every requested record in full and complete form.
    • Counsel must disclose each requested record.
    • Counsel is authorized and directed to make disclosure of each requested record.
  9. Question 9
    • Add more transitional adverbs to the same paragraph
    • Move all operative information to footnotes
    • Convert every sentence to passive voice
    • Divide the material into focused paragraphs or sections organized by reader task
  10. Question 10
    • Research was conducted into several potentially relevant matters.
    • The limitations issue likely controls because the complaint was filed after the statutory period; the remaining question is whether tolling applies.
    • There are many considerations that might be discussed below.
    • This memorandum is respectfully submitted for whatever use may be deemed appropriate.
  11. Question 11
    • The list of exhibits is attached to the declaration.
    • The list of exhibits are attached to the declaration.
    • The exhibits listed in the declaration is attached.
    • The list, together with the exhibits, are attached.
  12. Question 12
    • The motion which was filed Tuesday requests expedited review.
    • The motion, that requests expedited review was filed Tuesday.
    • The motion, which was filed Tuesday, requests expedited review.
    • The motion which was filed Tuesday, requests expedited review.
  13. Question 13
    • The record; is sealed and inaccessible.
    • Because the record is sealed; the public cannot access it.
    • The record is sealed; the public cannot access it.
    • The record is sealed; because the court entered an order.
  14. Question 14
    • The declaration includes three items: two exhibits and a signature page.
    • The declaration includes: three exhibits and a signature page.
    • The declaration: includes two exhibits and a signature page.
    • Including the following: two exhibits and a signature page.
  15. Question 15
    • Although the filing was timely the clerk rejected it.
    • Although the filing was timely, the clerk rejected it.
    • Although, the filing was timely, the clerk rejected it.
    • Although the filing, was timely the clerk rejected it.
  16. Question 16
    • The court denied the motion but, it permitted a renewed filing.
    • The court denied the motion; but permitted a renewed filing.
    • The court denied, the motion but it permitted, a renewed filing.
    • The court denied the motion, but it permitted a renewed filing.
  17. Question 17
    • the defendant's statements
    • the defendants' statements
    • the defendants statement's
    • the defendants's statements
  18. Question 18
    • After reviewing the record, the error was obvious to counsel.
    • After the record's review, obviousness characterized the error.
    • After reviewing the record, counsel recognized the error.
    • The error, after reviewing the record, was obvious.
  19. Question 19
    • The order requires filing the form, payment of the fee, and that notice be served.
    • The order requires the form, paying the fee, and service must occur.
    • The order requires to file the form, payment, and notice was served.
    • The order requires filing the form, paying the fee, and serving notice.
  20. Question 20
    • The clerk may send the notice only to counsel.
    • Only the clerk may send the notice to counsel.
    • The clerk may send only the notice to counsel.
    • The clerk only may send the notice to counsel.
  21. Question 21
    • An applicant qualifies only if the applicant (1) files on time; and (2) pays the fee.
    • An applicant qualifies if the applicant: files on time; pays the fee.
    • An applicant qualifies if the applicant files on time or pays the fee.
    • An applicant qualifies upon timely filing, fee payment, or both.
  22. Question 22
    • Repeat the rule after each phrase without a list
    • Put every condition in a single sentence before revealing the rule
    • Move all conditions into an unexplained footnote
    • State the operative rule, then list the complex conditions
  23. Question 23
    • Add more synonyms to avoid repetition
    • Replace every noun with “they” regardless of context
    • Choose one accurate term and use it consistently unless a legal distinction requires another
    • Capitalize all three terms so readers know they are equivalent
  24. Question 24
    • When the partner emailed the associate, she attached the draft.
    • The associate attached the draft when she emailed the partner.
    • After speaking with the client, it was revised.
    • The partner told the associate that this needed revision.
  25. Question 25
    • Use the full quotation because length proves authority
    • Replace the quotation with an uncited conclusion
    • Delete all attribution to make the prose shorter
    • Paraphrase the holding accurately and quote only language whose exact wording matters
  26. Question 26
    • The writer should consult the controlling court rules, governing style authority, and current local requirements
    • Citation format never changes after law school
    • One citation manual controls every court and document type
    • A citation is correct whenever a reader can guess the source
  27. Question 27
    • ARGUMENT
    • The complaint is timely because the limitations period was tolled during the mandatory review
    • Discussion of Various Matters
    • Background Information and Other Things
  28. Question 28
    • The defendant concocted a plainly ridiculous excuse.
    • Only a careless reader could accept the defendant's story.
    • The defendant argues that the delay was unavoidable; the record shows that notice arrived three days earlier.
    • The defendant obviously lied and deserves no consideration.
  29. Question 29
    • Run spellcheck once and file immediately
    • Reread for logic and accuracy, edit for clarity and mechanics, then seek a fresh reader when practical
    • Check only citations because grammar does not affect meaning
    • Replace every long sentence automatically without checking the legal effect
  30. Question 30
    • Restore the legally intended level of discretion before making any stylistic improvement
    • Keep the edit because shorter language is always better
    • Replace both words with “shall” without consulting authority
    • Delete the sentence because modal verbs are never clear
List of Flashcards18 flashcards
  1. Card 1Clear Legal Prose
  2. Card 2Clear Legal Prose
  3. Card 3Clear Legal Prose
  4. Card 4Clear Legal Prose
  5. Card 5Clear Legal Prose
  6. Card 6Clear Legal Prose
  7. Card 7Grammar and Punctuation for Precision
  8. Card 8Grammar and Punctuation for Precision
  9. Card 9Grammar and Punctuation for Precision
  10. Card 10Grammar and Punctuation for Precision
  11. Card 11Grammar and Punctuation for Precision
  12. Card 12Grammar and Punctuation for Precision
  13. Card 13Grammar and Punctuation for Precision
  14. Card 14Grammar and Punctuation for Precision
  15. Card 15Grammar and Punctuation for Precision
  16. Card 16Structure, Application, and Editing
  17. Card 17Structure, Application, and Editing
  18. Card 18Structure, Application, and Editing