| All About the Scoping Profession | + |
| Unit 1 | Scoping Fundamentals™ Introduction |
| Unit 2 | Court Reporters, Steno, and Transcripts |
| Unit 3 | Transcripts A - Z: Part 1 |
| Unit 4 | Transcripts A - Z: Part 2 |
| Unit 5 | Depositions vs. EUOs, Guidelines for Interpreted Proceedings, and Things Typically Included in Various Types of Transcripts |
| Unit 6 | The Anatomy of a Transcript + Quiz |
| Unit 7 | Common Errors |
| Unit 8 | Basic Formatting |
| Unit 9 | Additional Introductory Resources |
| Unit 10 | Sneak Peeks |
| Unit 11 | Bonus Resource Guides |
| Fundamental Punctuation and Word Use | - |
| Unit 1 | Commonly Misused Words + Quiz |
| Unit 2 | List of Common Legal Terms + Looking Up Medical Terms (+ Quiz) |
| Unit 3 | American vs. British Spellings & Other Notes on Spelling + Quiz |
| Unit 4 | 4 Most Violated Comma Rules in Legal Documents + Quiz |
| Unit 5 | A [Short] Lesson on Apostrophes + Quiz |
| Unit 6 | 17 Transcription-Relevant Capitalization Rules + Quiz |
| Unit 7 | The Tricky World of HYPHENS + Quiz |
| Unit 8 | More Punctuation Rules + QUIZ |
| Unit 9 | The Word Skills Test |
| Unit 10 | Interpreting Your Score |
According to COMMON ERRORS IN LEGAL DOCUMENTS “airbag” is always one word when used in reference to automobiles. (Question #22)
I thought I had fixed that already. Although the auto industry uses one word for “airbag,” it is still two in Webster’s, and that’s what NCRA uses as their authority. It will probably change to one word at some point, but it hasn’t yet. Thanks for catching that.
BTW, do I have your name misspelled? Is it Selma or Salma? Thanks.
I have fixed that one already. I love your sharp eye!
In reference to #25…. This is where I found my answer:
Awhile vs. a while
Awhile is an adverb meaning for a while, and it only works where it would bear replacement with that three-word phrase. Where for a while wouldn’t work in its place, it is probably not an adverb, so it should be two words: a while.
For instance, in the sentence, “Guests waited awhile for food,” awhile is one word because it is an adverb modifying the verb waited (note also that for a while would work in its place). In the sentences, “We have a while left to wait,” and, “I saw her a while ago,” a while is two words because while functions as a noun.
Awhile has existed in various spellings since the days of Old English,1 but there is a mistaken belief among some English speakers that the word is a new form and thus questionable. That’s why it is so often unnecessarily rendered as two words. And in fact, if you are not comfortable with the word and are unsure if you’re using it correctly, making it two words is always safe because no one will consider it wrong. But careful writers who understand where to deploy the adverbial awhile need not fear it.
I will have to get back to you on this one. I have 235 pgs. I have to have out today. No rest for the weary =o). I’ll be back!
Thanks for that very thorough explanation. That’s what I always believed too. If you can substitute “for a while” in the sentence, then “awhile” is correct — meaning a vague time, nothing specific. This is another one I’ll have to go in and look at. I appreciate you taking the time to send that to me.
Airbag vs air bag. The info given to study for this quiz, Common Errors in Legal Documents, still shows it should be airbag not air bag when referring to automobiles. Thought you might want to change that in the study document.
Yes, I do. Webster’s still has it as one word, but I think it will morph into one word soon.
My comment is also about the “airbag/air bag” question, which was counted wrong on my quiz as well. Caitlin Pyle’s reference form we had to download on this lesson indicates it is one word as well.
I had asked her to change it to two words which is how it is in Websters. I’m sure it will morph into one word before too
long, but since I use Webster’s and Morson’s as my authorities, I need to leave it as two words for now. Thanks for pointing that out.
I received an “incorrect” on Question No. 22. Yet, according to “Common Errors in Legal Documents,” this is always one word when used in reference to automobiles.
The confusion in this question is Webster’s shows air bag as two words while the automotive industry considers it one word. For now, I’ll leave the correct answer as one word because I’m sure it will transition to one word soon, and it would appear on exhibits as one word. If you aren’t sure which your reporter would prefer, you can always flag it in the transcript or ask him/her in an email.
Thank you for the clear explanations on the answers that were wrong.
The explanations of the “why” on the incorrect answer help in retaining the correct information for future use.
Hi, Elaine –
You are most welcome. The explanation of the rule so you to know what to do differently in the future is the whole point of testing. Otherwise, it’s a waste of time. You will find that on all ISS tests, I explain every error to you and often have you look up rules yourself because I think that helps them imprint better.
Tests in a vocational course are a little different than, say, a college course. We are teaching you what you need to know to do an awesome job for your clients after you graduate, so we need to ensure you know the information. If we don’t, we are failing at our job.
Thank you for your nice comment!
Linda – Instructor
Question #19: I received an “error”. I picked “worker’s”, assuming the question was asked to an individual regarding cases involving only him/herself, thus requiring a singular possessive. Is workers’ comp always plural?
If you look this up on line, it shows either Workers’ or Workers with no apostrophe. Many organizations have gone to dropping the apostrophe altogether, but if you put it in, it should be plural possessive.