TEN COMMON MECHANICAL/GRAMMATICAL WRITING ERRORS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. RUN-ON SENTENCE FRAGMENT SUBJECT/VERB DISAGREEMENT VAGUE PRONOUN REFERENCE

PROUNOUN REFERENCE DISAGREEMENT IN NUMBER

6. PROUNOUN REFERENCE DISAGREEMENT IN PERSON 7. VERB TENSE SHIFT 8. LACK OF PARALLEL STRUCTURE 9. PUNCTUATION/CAPITALIZATION 10. SPELLING ERROR

1. RUN-ON SENTENCE: A RUN-ON SENTENCE has at least two parts, either one of which can stand by itself (in other words, two independent clauses), but the two parts have been improperly joined together instead of being properly connected. It is important to realize that the length of a sentence really has nothing to do with whether a sentence is a run-on or not; being a run-on is a structural flaw that can plague even a very short sentence: The sun is high, put on some sunblock. An extremely long sentence, on the other hand, might be a "run-off-at-the-mouth" sentence, but it can be otherwise sound, structurally. When two independent clauses are connected by only a comma, they constitute a run-on sentence that is called a comma-splice. The example just above (about the sunscreen) is a comma-splice. When you use a comma to connect two independent clauses, it must be accompanied by a little conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so). The sun is high, so put on some sunscreen. Run-on sentences happen typically under the following circumstances: When an independent clause gives an order or directive based on what was said in the prior independent clause: This next chapter has a lot of difficult information in it, you should start studying right away. (We could put a period where that comma is and start a new sentence. A semicolon might also work there.) When two independent clauses are connected by a transitional expression (conjunctive adverb) such as however, moreover, nevertheless. Mr. Nguyen has sent his four children to ivy-league colleges, however, he has sacrificed his health working day and night in that dusty bakery. (Again, where that first comma appears, we could have used either a period and started a new sentence or a semicolon.) When the second of two independent clauses contains a pronoun that connects it to the first independent clause. This computer doesn't make sense to me, it came without a manual. (Although these two clauses are quite brief, and the ideas are closely related, this is a run-on sentence. We need a period where that comma now stands.) Most of those computers in the Learning Assistance Center are broken already, this proves my point about American computer manufacturers. Again, two nicely related clauses, incorrectly connected a run-on. Use a period to cure this sentence. 2. FRAGMENT: A SENTENCE FRAGMENT fails to be a sentence in the sense that it cannot stand by itself. It does not contain even one independent clause. There are several reasons why a group of words may seem to act like a sentence but not have the wherewithal to make it as a complete thought. It may locate something in time and place with a prepositional phrase or a series of such phrases, but it's still lacking a proper subject-verb relationship within an independent clause: In Japan, during the last war and just before the armistice. This sentence accomplishes a great deal in terms of placing the reader in time and place, but there is no subject, no verb. It describes something, but there is no subject-verb relationship: Working far into the night in an effort to salvage her little boat. This is a verbal phrase that wants to modify something, the real subject of the sentence (about to come up), probably the she who was working so hard. It may have most of the makings of a sentence but still be missing an important part of a verb string: Some of the students working in Professor Espinoza's laboratory last semester. Remember that an -ing verb form without an auxiliary form to accompany it can never be a verb. It may even have a subject-verb relationship, but it has been subordinated to another idea by a dependent word and so cannot stand by itself: Even though he had the better arguments and was by far the more powerful speaker. This sentence fragment has a subject, he, and two verbs, had and was, but it cannot stand by itself because of the dependent word (subordinating conjunction) even though. We need an independent clause to follow up this dependent clause: . . . the more powerful speaker, he lost the case because he didn't understand the jury.

3. SUBJECT/VERB DISAGREEMENT: Basic Principle: Singular subjects need singular verbs; plural subjects need plural verbs. My brother is a nutritionist. My sisters are mathematicians. The indefinite pronouns anyone, everyone, someone, no one, nobody are always singular and, therefore, require singular verbs. Everyone has done his or her homework. Somebody has left her purse. Some indefinite pronouns such as all, some are singular or plural depending on what they're referring to. (Is the thing referred to countable or not?) Be careful choosing a verb to accompany such pronouns. Some of the beads are missing. Some of the water is gone. 4. VAGUE PRONOUN REFERENCE: Because a pronoun REFERS BACK to a noun or TAKES THE PLACE OF that noun, you have to use the correct pronoun so that your reader clearly understands to which noun your pronoun is referring. Don't be vague or ambiguous. NOT: Although the motorcycle hit the tree, it was not damaged. (Is "it" the motorcycle or the tree?) NOT: I don't think they should show violence on TV. (Who are "they"?) NOT: Vacation is coming soon, which is nice. (What is nice, the vacation or the fact that it is coming soon?) NOT: George worked in a national forest last summer. This may be his life's work. (What word does "this" refer to?) NOT: If you put this sheet in your notebook, you can refer to it. (What does "it" refer to, the sheet or your notebook?) NOTE: Do not begin a sentence with a vague prounoun. Example: This was the proof that the detectives needed. Instead, use a specific noun to begin your sentence. Example: The fingerprint was the proof that the detectives needed. 5. PROUNOUN REFERENCE DISAGREEMENT IN NUMBER: Because a pronoun REFERS BACK to a noun or TAKES THE PLACE OF that noun, you have to use the correct pronoun so that your reader clearly understands to which noun your pronoun is referring. If the pronoun takes the place of a singular noun, you have to use a singular pronoun. If a student parks a car on campus, he or she has to buy a parking sticker. (NOT: If a student parks a car on campus, they have to buy a parking sticker.) REMEMBER: The words EVERYBODY, ANYBODY, ANYONE, EACH, NEITHER, NOBODY, SOMEONE, A PERSON, etc. are singular and take singular pronouns. Everybody ought to do his or her best. (NOT: their best) Neither of the girls brought her umbrella. (NOT: their umbrellas) NOTE: Many people find the construction "his or her" wordy, so if it is possible to use a plural noun as your antecedent so that you can use "they" as your pronoun, it may be wise to do so. If you do use a singular noun and the context makes the gender clear, then it is permissible to use just "his" or "her" rather than "his or her." 6. PROUNOUN REFERENCE DISAGREEMENT IN PERSON: Because a pronoun REFERS BACK to a noun or TAKES THE PLACE OF that noun, you have to use the correct pronoun so that your reader clearly understands to which noun your pronoun is referring. If you are writing in the "first person" ( I), don't confuse your reader by switching to the "second person" ( you) or "third person" (he, she, they, it, etc.). Similarly, if you are using the "second person," don't switch to "first" or "third." When a person comes to class, he or she should have his or her homework ready. (NOT: When a person comes to class, you should have your homework ready.) 7. VERB TENSE SHIFT: General guideline: Do not shift from one tense to another if the time frame for each action or state is the same. Examples: 1. The ocean contains rich minerals that washed down from rivers and streams. Contains is present tense, referring to a current state; washed down is past, but should be present (wash down) because the minerals are currently continuing to wash down. Corrected: The ocean contains rich minerals that wash down from rivers and streams. 2. About noon the sky darkened, a breeze sprang up, and a low rumble announces the approaching storm. Darkened and sprang up are past tense verbs; announces is present but should be past (announced) to maintain consistency within the time frame. Corrected: About noon the sky darkened, a breeze sprang up, and a low rumble announced the approaching storm.

TEN COMMON MECHANICAL/GRAMMATICAL WRITING ERRORS 3. Yesterday we had walked to school but later rode the bus home. Had walked is past perfect tense but should be past to maintain consistency within the time frame (yesterday); rode is past, referring to an action completed before the current time frame. Corrected: Yesterday we walked to school but later rode the bus home. General guideline: Do shift tense to indicate a change in time frame from one action or state to another. Examples: 1. The children love their new tree house, which they built themselves. Love is present tense, referring to a current state (they still love it now;) built is past, referring to an action completed before the current time frame (they are not still building it.) 2. Before they even began deliberations, many jury members had reached a verdict. Began is past tense, referring to an action completed before the current time frame; had reached is past perfect, referring to action from a time frame before that of another past event (the action of reaching was completed before the action of beginning.) 3. Workers are installing extra loudspeakers because the music in tonight's concert will need amplification. Are installing is present progressive, referring to an ongoing action in the current time frame (the workers are still installing, and have not finished;) will need is future, referring to action expected to begin after the current time frame (the concert will start in the future, and that's when it will need amplification.) 8. LACK OF PARALLEL STRUCTURE: Parallel structure means using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. This can happen at the word, phrase, or clause level. The usual way to join parallel structures is with the use of coordinating conjunctions such as "and" or "or." 1. Words and Phrases With the -ing form (gerund) of words: Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling. With infinitive phrases: Parallel: Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle. OR Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle. (Note: You can use "to" before all the verbs in a sentence or only before the first one.) Do not mix forms. Example 1 Not Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. Parallel: Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle. Example 2 Not Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed manner. Parallel: The production manager was asked to write his report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly. Example 3 Not Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and his motivation was low. Parallel: The teacher said that he was a poor student because he waited until the last minute to study for the exam, completed his lab problems in a careless manner, and lacked motivation. 2. Clauses A parallel structure that begins with clauses must keep on with clauses. Changing to another pattern or changing the voice of the verb (from active to passive or vice versa) will break the parallelism. Example 1 Not Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up exercises before the game. Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, that they should not eat too much, and that they should do some warm-up exercises before the game. -- or -Parallel: The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep, not eat too much, and do some warm-up exercises before the game. Example 2 Not Parallel: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers. (passive)

Parallel: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him questions. 3. Lists after a colon Be sure to keep all the elements in a list in the same form. Example 1 Not Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs. Parallel: The dictionary can be used for these purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations, correct spellings, and irregular verbs. Proofreading Strategies to try: Skim your paper, pausing at the words "and" and "or." Check on each side of these words to see whether the items joined are parallel. If not, make them parallel. If you have several items in a list, put them in a column to see if they are parallel. Listen to the sound of the items in a list or the items being compared. Do you hear the same kinds of sounds? For example, is there a series of "-ing" words beginning each item? Or do your hear a rhythm being repeated? If something is breaking that rhythm or repetition of sound, check to see if it needs to be made parallel. 9. PUNCTUATION/CAPITALIZATION: There are far too many punctuation rules to place on this handout. My suggestion is to direct you to a good website that can help you look for and fix punctuation errors: http://www.informatics.sussex.ac.uk/department/docs/punctuation/node00.html. This site is called the Guide to Punctuation and offers excellent help. NOTE: The most common types of punctuation errors that I find on the papers I grade have to do with the misuse of commas and apostrophes, so you might start there. If you cannot identify an obvious punctuation error, check to see if you have made a capitalization mistake. 10. SPELLING ERROR: Get a dictionary!