10 Common Writing ErrorsHow to spot them and fix them

1. Subject/verb disagreementWe like matched sets in language. For example, we match plural subjects with plural verbs and third-person subjects with third-person verbs.

Incorrect: He don’t mind.Correct: He does not mind.

2. Comma spliceA comma that attaches two independent

clauses (word groups that make up complete sentences) is a comma splice.

Example: This error occurs frequently, you need to be alert for it.

We don’t like comma splices.

Four more solutions!

Turn one independent clause into a dependent clause and add a comma.

A dependent clause (also known as a subordinate clause) contains a subject and verb. But it is a sentence fragment on its own because it starts with a subordinating conjunction (such as “because” or “when”).

Correct: Because this error occurs frequently, you need to be alert for it.

Attach the independent clauses with a comma and coordinating conjunction.Example: This error occurs frequently, so you need to be alert for it.

Attach the independent clauses with a semi-colon.

Example: This error occurs frequently; you need to be alert for it.

Transform two clauses into one independent clause.

Example: You need to be alert for this common error.

3. Run-on sentences

A run-on—or “fused”—sentence is two or more independent clauses joined without any punctuation or connecting word linking them.

Example: You won the lottery you will buy me a Lamborghini.

How do we repair this?

The exact same ways we fix a comma splice:

Turn one independent clause into a dependent clause and add a comma.

Example: Because you won the lottery, you will buy me a Lamborghini.

The exact same ways, contd.

Use a period to separate the two independent clauses into two sentences.

Example: You won the lottery. You will buy me a Lamborghini.

The exact same ways, contd.

Attach the independent clauses with a comma and coordinating conjunction.

Example: You won the lottery, so you will buy me a Lamborghini.

The exact same ways, contd.

Attach the independent clauses with a semi-colon.

Example: You won the lottery; you will buy me a Lamborghini.

Transform two clauses into one independent clause.

Example: You will buy me a Lamborghini with your lottery winnings.

The exact same ways, contd.

4. Pronoun problems

For clarity, a pronoun should refer to the last noun used.

Incorrect: The monsters were created by the two mad scientists. They were terrifying to behold.

Who was terrifying to behold? The monsters or the mad scientists?

Correct: The two mad scientists created the monsters. They were terrifying to behold.

“They” clearly refers to the monsters.

Vague pronouns

Avoid using pronouns without identifying them.

Incorrect: They say carrots make your hair curly.

Who are “they”? And whose hair are we referring to?

Correct: My grandmother told me carrots would make my hair curly.

5. Lay/lieIn present tense:

I lie on the couch right now.

I lay the book on the table right now.

In past tense:

I lay on the couch yesterday.

I laid the book on the table yesterday.

In past perfect tense:

I have lain on the couch for days.

I have already laid the book on the table.

6. Sentence fragmentsFragments are parts of sentences that are punctuated as though they are complete sentences. We avoid these in academic writing.

Examples: Abby who aced the exam. A war begun with faulty intelligence. Because I wanted to.

A poorly placed relative pronoun like “who” or “that” may turn a sentence into a fragment.

Correct: Abby aced the exam.

A complete sentence also needs a complete verb.Correct: A war was begun with faulty intelligence.

If a sentence starts with a subordinating conjunction (also known as a dependent clause), it should end with a word group that makes up a complete sentence (an independent clause).

Example: Because I wanted to, I ate all the chocolate.

7. Faulty parallelism

With parallel structure, we balance single words with single words and clauses with clauses.

Incorrect: Hannah had big plans for her future: to graduate, land a job, and teaching effectively.

Correct: Amelia had big plans for her future: to graduate, land a job, and become an excellent teacher.

8. WordinessGood writing gets to the point.

Wordy: The scientists whose mental states were consistent with insanity were engaged in the production of humanoids of the “monster” persuasion.

Do we really need all that?

Concise: The mad scientists created monsters.

9. Misplaced modifiers

A misplaced modifier is a word or word group that is not clearly linked to the word or phrase it’s supposed to modify.

Example: “I shot an elephant in my pajamas.” [misplaced modifier] – Groucho Marx

Punch line: “What he was doing in my pajamas, I’ll never know.” – Groucho Marx

10. Apostrophe errors

Add an ‘s to make a singular noun possessive.

Example: The elephant’s pajamas. Add an s’ to make a plural noun

possessive.

Example: The pajamas’ sleeves.

Contractions

Apostrophes are also used to signal a missing letter in a contraction:

Example: Groucho’s pajamas didn’t [contraction] fit the elephant very well.

When are apostrophes not needed?

When a noun is plural, not possessive.Example: Qolette ate two oranges. [Not “two orange’s”] When you add an “s” to plural numbers.Example: Sarah is too young to remember the 1980s.

[Not the “1980’s”] The last name when you’re indicating joint possession.Example: Aaron and Anna’s house needs painting. [Not

“Aaron’s and Anna’s house needs painting.”]

Why does all this matter?

We are judged on appearances. By conforming to standard English when appropriate, you convey a sense of professionalism and scholarship.

References (APA)

Alley, M. (1987). The craft of scientific writing. New York: Prentice-Hall.

Kennedy, X.J., Kennedy D.M., & Muth M.F. (2005). The Bedford guide for college writers (7th ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Works Cited (MLA)

Alley, Michael. The Craft of Scientific Writing. New York: Prentice-Hall, 1987.

Kennedy, X.J., Kennedy, Dorothy M., and Marcia F. Muth. The Bedford Guide for College Writers. 7th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005.