Grammar Issues

https://www.southwesterncc.edu/wac/common-grammar-issues
1. Wrong word/spelling (W1)
Most often, this mistake occurs with words that sound the same or nearly the same.
However, just because two words sound alike does not mean that those words are
interchangeable. Below are some words that are often confused and are not
interchangeable (many more are listed in your handbook in section W1). If you have noticed
feedback from your instructors regarding these words, learn the differences in their meanings
and use the correct one when writing.

there/their/theyre

its/its

to/too/two

affect/effect

accept/except

definitely/defiantly

2. Sentence fragments (G5)

As Diana Hacker writes in your handbook, A sentence fragment is a word group that
pretends to be a sentence (212). Fragments dont express a complete idea. Most often,
they dont contain a subject and a verb. However, a fragment can have a subject and verb
yet not express a complete idea (often because of a subordinating conjunction).
Example:
The British were heavily armed and well-trained. While the colonists lacked formal training.
The above example shows a correct sentence followed by a fragment. The fragment
contains a subject and a verb, but the word while makes it an incomplete idea. Fixing this
fragment is simple join it to the previous sentence with a comma to create one, longer
sentence.
The British were heavily armed and well-trained, while the colonists lacked formal training.
3. Run-on sentences (G6)
Run-on (or fused) sentences are trying to do too much at once. Most frequently, runon sentences are multiple clauses that have been joined incorrectly. When joining multiple
ideas into one sentence, be sure to use commas and conjunctions (joining words like and,
but, or, nor, for, so, and yet) correctly. Sometimes, a run-on sentence simply needs to be
divided into separate, smaller sentences so that each individual idea can stand alone.
Example:
Creating the perfect music score is both a science and an art it is a skill that often takes
years to master.

The above example shows two separate ideas (sentences) joined together incorrectly. There
are several options for fixing this error. One is to join them correctly with a comma and a
conjunction or with a semi-colon by itself.
Creating the perfect music score is both a science and an art, and it is a skill that often takes
years to master.
or
Creating the perfect music score is both a science and an art; it is a skill that often takes
years to master.
Another way to fix the error is to separate the ideas into individual sentences.
Creating the perfect music score is both a science and an art. It is a skill that often takes
years to master.
4. Comma issues (P1)
While the comma has many rules for its use (all of which are covered in your
handbook), there are three common issues with the comma that are seen repeatedly in
student writing:

Missing comma when joining two independent clauses (P1a)

If you use a conjunction to join together two ideas that could stand alone as separate
sentences, be sure to use a comma with that conjunction.
In their movies together, Fred always danced gracefully, and Ginger followed him step-forstep.

Missing comma after an introductory element (P1b)

If you introduce your sentence with a set up phrase, be sure to separate that
introductory material from the rest of the sentence with a comma.
When Joey drives his truck to work, he has to be sure to park in one of the larger
spaces.

Missing comma in a series (P1c)

When you list items in a series, separate each item from the others using a comma.
The cheerleading squad spent their practice hours perfecting their stunts, cheers, tumbling
runs, and dances.
5. Pronoun issues (G3)
Pronouns make our writing more concise by replacing a word or words with shorter
stand-ins that match the words they are replacing. However, this substitution move can
cause a writer to run into some issues.

Pronoun/antecedent agreement

In short, a pronoun is a replacement word. This means that any pronoun you use is
replacing a word or words that you used earlier in your writing (the antecedent). The
pronoun must agree with (match) those words that came before. Agreement means that the
pronoun matches in number (plural or singular) and in gender (male or female or neutral).
Example:
When a student stands up to do a presentation, they often sway nervously back and forth.
In the above example, the words a student are replaced by a pronoun in the second half of
the sentence. However, that pronoun is plural they and the words a student are
singular. Therefore, the pronoun does not match its antecedent. To fix this error, you can
either make everything plural (When students stand up to do a presentation, they often sway
nervously back and forth.), or you can use singular pronouns (When a student stands up to
do a presentation, he often sways nervously back and forth.). When using singular pronouns
such as he and she, you also have to be careful of gender stereotyping or using one
gender over another. In the example, we cant assume that the student is a male unless that
has been noted elsewhere in the writing. The combined pronoun he/she is often used in
these cases, but it can be cumbersome if used too heavily in writing.

Vague pronoun reference

It should be clear to your reader what word or words your pronoun is replacing.
Example:
This road has too many potholes. They should pave it.
In the above example, it isnt clear what the pronoun they is replacing. Its simply a vague
reference to someone. Be precise in your writing who do you mean? Who should pave
the road?

6. Subject/Verb agreement (G1)

In academic, expository writing, make sure that your sentences all include a subject
and a verb. When editing your writing, check to see that your subjects and verbs work
together. In the present tense, a verb must agree with its subject in number. A plural subject
needs a plural verb; a singular subject needs a singular verb.
Examples:
Feelings of sadness, heaviness, and depression are symptoms that may need to be
addressed by a doctor.
The example above has a plural subject, Feelings, and a plural verb are. That sentence is
correct.
There is too many dogs in this room.
The example above shows the verb coming first in the sentence. The subject is dogs,
which is plural. However, is is a singular verb. The correct form of this sentence would be

There are too many dogs in this room.

7. Correct verb tense (G2)

Keeping your verb tense consistent throughout a piece of writing gives it coherence
and makes it easier for your reader to understand. If you are writing in the present tense, be
sure to keep your verbs consistently in the present tense; if you are writing in the past tense,
keep all your verbs in the past tense. If you have to switch tenses, be sure that it flows
logically for your reader.
In the past tense, be sure to use the correct form of the verb (in English, irregular verbs dont
follow the pattern of simply adding -ed to make them past tense). It is important that you
know how to correctly conjugate the verbs you use in your writing (see section G2a).
Example:
I seen in the movie that the director used light and darkness to show emotion.
In the example above, the verb (to see) is incorrectly conjugated. In the past tense,
the correct form of the verb is saw. Seen is only used with another word (a helping verb),
such as have or has. A correct version of the sentence above could be one of the
following:
I saw in the movie that the director used light and darkness to show emotion.
or
I have seen in the movie that the director used light and darkness to show emotion.

8. Passive Voice
9. Idiomatic Expressions
10. Ellipsis
11. Parallel Structure
12. Dash
13. Using two negatives in one sentence to indicate the opposite of what you actually
mean
14. Misplaced modifiers that either modify two separate words or appear to modify the
wrong part of the sentence
15. Overuse of preposition phrases such as "without a doubt" or "on occasion"