common writing errors
TRANSCRIPT
Common Writing Errors
Read the sentence back to yourself! Often, you will find the mistakes yourself quickly.
Subject-Verb AgreementA verb must agree with its subject in number and in person.
Example: A strategist behind the scenes create the candidate’s image.
Correct: A strategist behind the scenes creates the candidate’s image.
Run-on sentencesCreated when two phrases that could be complete sentences on their own are joined with no punctuation.
Example: The current was swift he could not swim to shore.
Correct: The current was swift. He could not swim to shore. or
The current was swift, so he could not swim to shore.or
The current was so swift that he could not swim to shore.
Comma SpliceWhen two complete sentences are separated by only a comma
Example: I went to the store, he went to the game.
Correct: I went to the store, and he went to the game.or
I went to the store. He went to the game.
Sentence FragmentA sentence fragment is a phrase or a group of words that do not make a complete thought. (Often lack a subject or a verb)
Example: We returned to the drugstore. Where we waited for our friends.
Correct: We returned to the drugstore, where we waited for our friends.
Vague PronounsExample: After Ben took the radio from the car, he sold it. (What did he sell?)
Correct: Ben sold the radio after he took it from the car.
Missing or misplaced apostrophe
Example: Sarahs car needed to be cleaned.
Correct: Sarah’s car needed to be cleaned.
Examples: I have many chore’s to do when I get home.
Correct: I have many chores to do when I get home.
Use of Capital letters-All sentences should begin with a capital letter
-All proper nouns should begin with a capital letter (Universities, Cities, Names, Sports Teams, etc.)
Example: Michael Jordan attended the university of north carolina at chapel hill.
-Months, days of the week, and holidays should be capitalized (Ex: April, Monday, Christmas)
Other random thoughts...-Do not use the exclamation point (!) very often (or at all).
MLA/Formal Writing Guidelines:
• NO Contractions!!
Example: “I won’t go on vacation this year.”
Correct: “I will not go on vacation this year.”
• Do not use the exclamation point (!) very often (or at all). You only use it when you are expressing something that has a high volume (yelling) or very strong feelings
• Write out numbers that can be expressed in one or two words (Ex: seventy-five instead of 75)• Paper Guidelines: • Font: 12 point; Times New Roman• Spacing: Double-spaced
Other hint:
• Use Thesaurus.com (dictionary and new vocabulary)--Prevents you from repeat-ing the same words over and over and over....