On the Write Track

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

Writing

1. Fragments are incomplete thoughts. Sentences must be complete thoughts.

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.

2. Run-ons = two sentences “run together”

X 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.

3. Comma splices are two sentences “spliced” (joined) with a comma.

X 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.

4. Commas should precede coordinating conjunctions when joining sentences.

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

Remember the acronym “fanboys.”X He wanted to work but no job was available. He wanted to work, but no job was available.

No comma is used when adding an additional predicate to the same subject.

X He wanted to work, but couldn’t find a job. He wanted to work but couldn’t find a job.

5. Commas should be used correctly when joining independent and dependent clauses

containing a subordinating conjunction.

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

X Because the roads were icy school was closed. Because the roads were icy, school was closed.

A comma is not necessary when the dependent clause follows.

X School was closed, because the roads were icy. School was closed because the roads were icy.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

after in order that untilalthough once whenas since wheneveras if so that wherebecause than whereasbefore that wherevereven though though whileif unless

6. Sentences connected by a conjunctive adverb (transition) must be separated by a

semicolon or period, not just a comma.

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.

Conjunctive adverbs work best at the front of a sentence.X John flunked math. He did, however, graduate. John flunked math. However, he did graduate.

Common Conjunctive Adverbs (Transitions)

also likewise similarlyanyway meanwhile stillbesides moreover thencertainly namely thereforefinally nevertheless thusfurthermore nexthowever nowinstead otherwise

7. Subjects and verbs must agree in number.

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 The passenger, along with the driver, were injured. The passenger, along with the driver, was injured. The passenger and the driver were injured.X Here is the keys you wanted. Here are the keys you wanted.

8. Pronouns and their antecedents must agree in gender and number. Pronoun references

should be clear, not vague.

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.X Jane looked at her mother as she opened the gift. Opening the gift, Jane looked at her mother. Jane looked at her mother opening the gift.

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

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.e.g. Shakespeare characterizes Hamlet as a man

of indecision. He cannot decide whether “to be or not to be.”

10. Do not use the 2nd person pronoun “you” in formal writing.

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.

11. Avoid using passive voice verbs. The subject of the sentence should “do the verbing.”

Passive voice verbs are weak and can obscure responsibility.

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

X Passive: The ball was hit by Sally. Active: Sally hit the ball.

Writing is better when it contains active, strong, and precise verbs.

12. Avoid “there are,” “there is,” and “it is.” Let the subject of the verb precede it.

X There are many students in the room. Many students are in the room.X It is difficult to understand the theme of the

story. Understanding the theme of the story is

difficult.

13. Avoid using “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” as nouns. Try to use them as adjectives followed by

nouns (or to begin modifying clauses).

Rarely should a sentence begin with this, that, or it.X I lost five dollars. That really made me mad. Losing five dollars really made me mad. I lost five dollars. That loss really made me mad.X That was the worst movie I have ever seen. That movie was the worst that I have ever seen. I don’t like that kind of movie.

14. Avoid these expressions: is where, is how, is when, is because, and is why. Especially avoid “the reason… is because…”

X Elsinore Castle is where Hamlet lives. Elsinore Castle is the place where Hamlet lives. Hamlet lives in Elsinore Castle.

X Picking the right numbers is how to win the lottery. Picking the right numbers is the way to win the lottery.

X A touchdown is when the ball crosses the goal line. A touchdown occurs when the ball crosses the goal line.

X The reason I like to ski is because it’s a challenge. I like to ski because skiing is a challenge.

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

We are meeting to consider revising the constitution.

15. Avoid misplaced modifying phrases.

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

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

X He fell down the steps, breaking his leg.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.

16. Check your spelling and word choice.

• Many words are often confused for each other.

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/separateposses/possesses alot/a lotalright/all right can not/cannot

17. Use the correct word.

Its shows possession, e.g. The cat licked its fur.It’s is a contraction meaning “it is.” e.g. It’s raining.

There is an adverb. e.g. Let’s go there after lunch.Their shows possession. e.g. Let’s go to their house.They’re is the contraction of the words they are. e.g.

They’re having a party tomorrow.

To is a preposition. e.g. Let’s go to the movie.Two tells how many. e.g. Let’s see two movies.Too means “very” or “also.” e.g. That cake is too sweet.

Let’s invite her too.

18. Use apostrophes, semicolons, and colons correctly.

An apostrophe (’) shows possession not plurality.e.g. John’s coat is on the chair. That coat is John’s.e.g. The coach’s advice helped the team win the game.

A semicolon (;) joins two independent clauses.e.g. The bus will leave soon; students should be ready.

A colon (:) introduces a list. 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. The seasons of the year are winter, spring, summer, and fall.

19. Use commas after an introductory word or phrase.

Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn! To win the game, we needed luck. 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 During dinner the dog began to bark. During dinner, the dog began to bark.X Two years earlier the peace treaty had been signed. Two years earlier, the peace treaty had been signed.

20. Use quotes around the titles of articles, short stories, songs, and poems; underline (or

use italics) for magazines, newspapers, movies, books, novels, record albums, or plays.

“The Raven” (poem)“Eveline” (short story)“Teen Drug Use” (article)“When Doves Cry” (song)Macbeth (play)The New York Times (newspaper)To Kill a Mockingbird (novel)Ride the Lightning (album)