common errors and ways to correct them: a guide to better writing

Common Errors and Ways to Correct Them: A Guide to Better Writing

On the Write Track

X My parents are strict. Like when they won’t let me stay out late.

My parents are strict; they won’t let me stay out late.

X The school has many rules. For example not chewing gum.

The school has many rules. For example, chewing gum is not allowed.

X We went to the mall. But didn’t see the movie.

We went to the mall but didn’t see the movie.

Fragments are incomplete thoughts. Sentences must be

complete thoughts.

The current was swift he could not swim.

The current was swift. He could not swim.

The current was swift, and he could not swim.

The current was swift; he could not swim.

Run-ons = two sentences “run together”

I like her very much, she has a sense of humor.

Correct comma splices the way you would a run-on.

I like her very much. She has a sense of humor.

I like her very much, and she has a sense of humor.

I like her very much; she has a sense of humor.

Comma splices are two sentences “spliced” (joined)

with a comma.

Use a comma before the words and, or, but, nor, for, yet, or so when these words join two independent clauses.

He wanted to work, but no job was available.

Commas should precede coordinating conjunctions when joining sentences.

When the dependent clause comes first, a comma should be used.

Because the roads were icy, school was closed.

A comma is not necessary when the dependent clause follows an independent clause.

School was closed because the roads were icy.

Commas should be used correctly when joining independent and

dependent clauses containing a subordinating conjunction.

X John flunked math, therefore he didn’t graduate.

John flunked math; therefore, he didn’t graduate.

John flunked math. Therefore, he didn’t graduate.

Sentences connected by a conjunctive adverb must be

separated by a semicolon and a comma or a period, not just a

comma.

X One of my goals have been to go to law school.

One of my goals has been to go to law school.

X Neither of the children like spinach. Neither of the children likes spinach.

X Here’s the keys you wanted. Here are the keys you wanted.

Subjects and verbs must agree in number.

X Someone forgot their keys. Someone forgot his or her keys.

X Every student should have their textbook. Every student should have his or her

textbook. All students should have their textbooks.

Pronouns and their antecedents must agree in gender and number.

Pronoun references should be clear, not vague.

X She works hard but made little money. She works hard but makes little money.She worked hard but made little money.

Write formal essays about literature in the present tense.

Shakespeare characterizes Hamlet as a man of indecision. He can not decide whether “to be or not to be.”

Do not shift or change the tenses of verbs. Choose a tense and stay with

it.

X Good writers make you want to read more.

Good writers make one want to read more.

X TV commercials try to make you buy products.

TV commercials try to make viewers buy products.

Do not use the 2nd person pronouns or 1st person pronouns in formal

writing.

Passive voice verbs are weak and can obscure responsibility.

“Mistakes were made. Slaves were brought to America.”

passive: The ball was hit by Sally.

active: Sally hit the ball.

Writing is better when it contains active, strong, and precise verbs. Avoid the verb “seems.”

Avoid using passive voice verbs. The subject of the sentence should

do the action.

X Rising over the hill, the men saw the bright red sun.

The men saw the bright red sun rising over the hill.

X Breaking his leg, he fell down the steps. Falling down the steps, he broke his leg. He fell down the steps and broke his leg.

Avoid misplaced, dangling, or appended participial phrases.

X In winter we should wear tepid clothes.

How does sunlight effect/affect plants?

Will you lend/loan me a dollar?

I love you since/because you are kind.

She is taller then/than her brother.

Misspelled words may show laziness or carelessness.

definate/definite seperate/separate

posses/possesses alot/a lot

alright/all right

Avoid thesaurus goofs—use the proper meaning of a word. Check

spelling.

Its shows possession. The cat ate its food.

It’s is a contraction meaning “it is.” It’s raining.

There is an adverb. Let’s go there after lunch.

Their shows possession. Let’s go to their house.

They’re is a contraction. They’re going to be late.

Use the correct word.

To is a preposition or part of an infinitive.

Let’s go to the movie. I want to see the movie.

Two tells how many. Let’s see two movies.

Too means “very” or “also.”

That cake is too sweet. Let’s invite her too.

Everyday is an adjective; every day is an adjective + a noun.

Use the correct word.

An apostrophe (’) shows possession.

John’s coat is on the chair. That coat is John’s.

The coach’s advice helped the team win the game.

A semicolon (;) joins two independent clauses.

The bus will leave soon; students should be ready.

A colon (:) introduces a list or replaces “namely” in an explanation or example. Never use a colon after a verb.

X The seasons of the year are: winter, spring, summer, and fall.

The year has four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Use apostrophes, semicolons, and colons correctly.

Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!Gradually, he climbed the mountain.In fact, only you can decide.Frustrated, he quit the team.Trying his best to understand, John read

slowly.

X While we were eating the dog began to bark.

X Two years before the peace treaty had been signed.

Use commas after an introductory word, expression, or phrase.

“The Raven” poem Macbeth play“Eveline” short story Rebecca novel“Teen Drug Use” article Newsweek

magazine“When Doves Cry” song Purple Rain

album

Use quotes around the titles of articles, short stories, songs, and poems; use italics

for magazines, newspapers, movies, books, novels, albums, or plays.

X The reason that we are meeting is that we need to consider revising the constitution.

We are meeting to consider revising the constitution.

Don’t be redundant.

X He didn’t return the book back to the library.

X As a rule, the hero usually triumphs over the villain.

Be concise and direct in writing.

See my "Using Quotations" PowerPoint for specific instructions on how to introduce, integrate,

punctuate, and cite quotations.