Skip to main content

5 Most Common Grammatical Errors

Understanding the five most common grammatical errors can help you improve your writing. When you know which errors to look for, it's easier to act as your own editor

Error #1: Run-on Sentence or Comma Splice
A run-on sentence is a sentence that joins two independent clauses without punctuation or the appropriate conjunction. A comma splice is similar to a run-on sentence, but it uses a comma to join two clauses that have no appropriate conjunction.
Fixing a run-on sentence or a comma splice can be accomplished in one of five different ways:
Separate the clauses into two sentences.
Replace the comma with a semi-colon.
Replace the comma with a coordinating conjunction--and, but, for, yet, nor, so.
Replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction--after, although, before, unless, as, because, even though, if, since, until, when, while.
Replace the comma with a semi-colon and transitional word--however, moreover, on the other hand, nevertheless, instead, also, therefore, consequently, otherwise, as a result.
For example:
Incorrect: Rachel is very smart, she began reading when she was three years old.
Correct: Rachel is very smart. She began reading when she was three years old.
Correct: Rachel is very smart; she began reading when she was three years old.
Correct: Rachel is very smart, and she began reading when she was three years old.
Correct: Because Rachel is very smart, she began reading when she was three years old.
Correct: Rachel is very smart; as a result, she began reading when she was three years old.

Error #2: Pronoun Errors
Pronoun errors occur when pronouns do not agree in number with the nouns to which they refer. If the noun is singular, the pronoun must be singular. If the noun is plural, however, the pronoun must be plural as well. For example:
Incorrect: Everybody must bring their own lunch.
Correct: Everybody must bring his or her own lunch.
Many people believe that pronoun errors are the result of writers who are trying to avoid the implication of sexist language. Although this is an admirable goal, correct grammar is still important.

Error #3: Mistakes in Apostrophe Usage
Apostrophes are used to show possession. However, you do not use an apostrophe after a possessive pronoun such as my, mine, our, ours, his, hers, its, their, or theirs. For example:
Incorrect: My mothers cabin is next to his' cabin.
Correct: My mother's cabin is next to his cabin.
In the case of it's, the apostrophe is used to indicate a contraction for it is. For example:
Incorrect: Its a cold day in October.
Correct: It's a cold day in October.


Error #4: Lack of Subject/Verb Agreement
When speaking or writing in the present tense, a sentence must have subjects and verbs that agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well. For example:
Incorrect: The recipes is good for beginning chefs.
Correct: The recipes are good for beginning chefs.

Error #5: Misplaced Modifiers
To communicate your ideas clearly, you must place a modifier directly next to the word it is supposed to modify. The modifier should clearly refer to a specific word in the sentence. For example:
Incorrect: At eight years old, my father gave me a pony for Christmas.
Correct: When I was eight years old, my father gave me a pony for Christmas.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Doge Coin Value

Cryptocurrency exchange can be a difficult, long and insecure process, as nothing on the Internet now seems safe.   Doge Coin Value  is a secure platform that allows people to exchange cryptocurrencies instantly without any difficult or long process. The site also deals with the Litecoin exchange. Litecoin is a decentralized cryptocurrency that allows people to transfer payments instantly and at low cost. The  0.01 usd to btc  site is an authentic and efficient swap that allows customers to exchange Litecoin for instant cash, and transfer it to PayPal accounts, bank transfer or dollar, euro, and real money. The process involves three easy steps. The first step is to determine the amount of Litecoin to withdraw and submit a withdrawal request. Allows transfer to many banks around the world. The second step includes confirmation and verification of the details provided. After that, a unique wallet address will be given to the customer where they can safely transfer Litecoin. In the third...

CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten said Tuesday that Biden was doing "worse than Jimmy Carter" on inflation and that American people were holding him responsible.

CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten said Tuesday that Biden was doing "worse than Jimmy Carter" on inflation and that American people were holding him responsible. CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten said Tuesday that Biden was doing "worse than Jimmy Carter" on inflation and that American people were holding him responsible. Posted: 16 Jun 2022 09:40 PM PDT  Enten starts by pointing out that in Biden's America, consumer sentiment is the worst it has ever been since the University of Michigan began measurin...

Key Schools in china

The designation of ``Key School'' exists for selected schools at every educational level in China: elementary, secondary and higher. In addition, there are various levels of the ``key'' designation itself: There are national key institutions, provincial or municipal key institutions, and county or district key institutions. Key schools all enjoy priority funding as well as the privilege of recruiting the best students. At the elementary and secondary levels, this concept is similar to that of a ``magnet'' or ``college preparatory'' school in the United States. Entry into such schools is based on examination and academic promise and achievement. For such schools, success is usually measured in terms of the percentage of its graduates entering colleges and universities, especially the key colleges and universities. The philosophy has been that giving a limited number of schools, colleges and universities priority in allocating limited resources, then the t...