Editing for Word Order:
The Rosetta Stone

This exercise asks you to analyze and edit word order errors. If there is an error of this type, revise the sentence, putting the words in the correct order. If there is no error of this type, write No change.

Examples:

i. Sally quickly put on the sweater red and white that her mother had given her for her birthday.
Answer: Sally quickly put on the red and white sweater that her mother had given her for her birthday

ii. Last night, I tried to call you, but I even couldn't find enough coins in my pocket for the pay phone.
Answer: Last night, I tried to call you, but I couldn't even find enough coins in my pocket for the pay phone.

iii. Gary stood in the rain, shivering, rubbing his arms, and jumping up and down to generate heat.
No change

First read the paragraph first for overall meaning.

To open a dictionary in a new window, click a link: [Newbury House Online Dictionary] [Dictionary.com] [Merriam-Webster Dictionary]

1 The Rosetta Stone provided the key for deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing. 2 This famous stone was discovered near Rashid, Egypt, in July 1799. 3 Three versions of the same text were inscribed on the black rock tablet. 4 Two forms of the text were written in the Egyptian, which is now called hieroglyphics. 5 In the first form, a symbol represents an object, an idea, or a sound. 6A cursive form of hieroglyphic writing appears next, and the third version, a Greek translation, follows. 7 For years, scholars wondered why were the three versions on the same tablet. 8 Only the Greek version could be in 1799 understood. 9 The Greek inscription descnbed an ancient ruler of Egypt, Ptolemy Epiphanes. 10 Thc hieroglyphic form contained figures oblong or oval called cartouches, and scholars assumed that these cartouches carried the symbols for the royal name of Ptolemy in the eighteenth century. 11 These cartouches were part of the old picture writing of the ancient Egyptians. 12 With this assumption, scholars were able to produce a classified list of Egyptian ancient hieroglyphics and were able to formulate the system of grammar that by the ancient Egyptians was used. 13 The Rosetta Stone is now on display in the British Museum which is 3 feet 9 inches long, over 2 feet wide, and 11 inches thick.

Source: Improving the Grammar of Written English, The Editing Process, Benson and Byrd

Now analyze each sentence for word order errors. If there is an error of this type, revise the sentence, putting the words in the correct order. If there is no error of this type, write No change. There are ten (10) word order errors. There are no other error types, so do not make any other changes. When you are finished, click Answer to reveal the correct answer for each item.

1. The Rosetta Stone provided the key for deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing.

Answer No change: The Rosetta Stone provided the key for deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing.

2. This stone famous was discovered near Rashid, Egypt, in July 1799.

Answer This famous stone was discovered near Rashid, Egypt, in July 1799.

3. Three versions were inscribed of the same text on the black rock tablet.

Answer Three versions of the same text were inscribed on the black rock tablet.

4. Two forms of the text were written in the language Egyptian, which is now called hieroglyphics.

Answer Two forms of the text were written in the Egyptian language, which is now called hieroglyphics.

5. In the first form, a symbol represents an object, an idea, or a sound.

Answer No change: In the first form, a symbol represents an object, an idea, or a sound.

6. A cursive form of hieroglyphic writing appears next, and the third version, a Greek translation, follows.

Answer No change: A cursive form of hieroglyphic writing appears next, and the third version, a Greek translation, follows.

7. For years, scholars wondered why were the three versions on the same tablet.

Answer For years, scholars wondered why the three versions were on the same tablet.

8. Only the Greek version could be in 1799 understood.

Answer Only the Greek version could be understood in 1799

9. The Greek inscription descnbed an ancient ruler of Egypt, Ptolemy Epiphanes.

Answer The Greek inscription descnbed Ptolemy Epiphanes, an ancient ruler of Egypt.

10. The hieroglyphic form contained figures oblong or oval called cartouches, and scholars assumed that these cartouches carried the symbols for the royal name of Ptolemy in the eighteenth century.

Answer The hieroglyphic form contained oblong or oval figures called cartouches, and scholars assumed that these cartouches carried the symbols for the royal name of Ptolemy in the eighteenth century

11. Of the ancient Egyptians these cartouches were part of the old picture writing.

Answer These cartouches were part of the old picture writing of the ancient Egyptians.

12. With this assumption, scholars were able to produce a classified list of Egyptian ancient hieroglyphics and were able to formulate the system of grammar that by the ancient Egyptians was used.

Answer With this assumption, scholars were able to produce a classified list of Egyptian ancient hieroglyphics and were able to formulate the system of grammar that was used by the ancient Egyptians.

13. The Rosetta Stone is now on display in the British Museum which is 3 feet 9 inches long, over 2 feet wide, and 11 inches thick.

Answer The Rosetta Stone, which is 3 feet 9 inches long, over 2 feet wide, and 11 inches thick, is now on display in the British Museum.

Edit for Word Order: Dinosaurs

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