10 Most Common Grammatical Errors

Each of these common grammatical errors is explained more fully in the following pages. 1. Agreement When subjects do not agree in number or person with their verbs. When pronouns do not agree in number or person with their antecedents. 2. Comma Splices When two sentences are connected with only a comma. 3. Misplaced / Dangling Modifiers When modifiers (words that limit or describe other words) are in the wrong place. 4. Passive Voice When the subject of a sentence is acted upon. 5. Possessive Case When nouns or pronouns do not show possession properly. 6. Pronoun Reference When pronouns refer to their antecedents incorrectly. 7. Punctuation (comma, semicolon, or colon) When commas, semi-colons or colon are used incorrectly. 8. Sentence fragments When sentences are incomplete. 9. Word Choice When the wrong word is used. 10. Wordiness When empty or meaningless words obscure meaning.

Revised July 2008

1. Agreement
Subjects and verbs must agree in number (singular or plural) and person (first, second, third person). Pronouns must also agree with their antecedents in number and person. Subjects and verbs must agree. Incorrect: The books in the box is for sale. Correct: The books in the box are for sale. [the subject is "books"] Pronouns must agree with their antecedents. Incorrect: Each student has to collect their library card. Correct: Each student has to collect his or her library card. Pronouns must agree with each other. Incorrect: Once one has to read the article, you have to answer the questions. Correct: Once one has read the article, one has to answer the questions.

2. Comma Splices
A comma splice is the joining of two independent clauses with only a comma. Use a period, a semicolon, or a comma and a coordinating conjunction to correct a comma splice (i.e., join two independent clauses. Incorrect: The politician gave his speech, the crowd cheered and applauded. Correct: The politician gave his speech. The crowd cheered and applauded. Correct: The politician gave his speech; the crowd cheered and applauded. Correct: The politician gave his speech, and the crowd cheered and applauded. Use a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb to join two independent clauses Incorrect: The book was interesting, the conclusion was very abrupt. Correct: The book was interesting; however, the conclusion was very abrupt. (The most common conjunctive adverbs include the following: accordingly, also, besides, consequently, finally, furthermore, however, indeed, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, then, therefore, thus.)

3. Misplaced / Dangling Modifiers

A modifier is a word that describes or limits another word. A misplaced modifier is in the wrong position in the sentence and therefore describes the wrong word and changes the writers meaning. Avoid squinting modifiers (words that modify more than one word in the sentence). Incorrect: The student being taught carefully listened to the professor Correct: The student being taught listened carefully to the professor. Correct: The student being carefully taught listened to the professor. Avoid dangling modifiers that alter a word that does not appear in the sentence. Incorrect: Watching the sunset, the sky was breathtaking. [there is no subject who is "watching" the sunset] Correct: Watching the sunset, I thought the sky was breathtaking. [the subject "I" has been added] Correct: I watched the sunset and thought the sky was breathtaking. [the subject "I" has been added]

Most Common Grammatical Errors

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4. Passive Voice
"Voice" tells the reader whether a subject is acting or is being acted upon. A subject in the passive voice is acted upon by the object of the verb. The active voice is more direct, more concise, emphasizes the doer of the action and promotes good sentence structure. It is preferable in most cases to use the active voice. The passive voice uses a form of the verb "to be" (e.g., "is") followed by the past participial. It is often accompanied by a phrase beginning with the word "by." Passive Voice: The essay was written by her. Active Voice: She wrote the essay. Passive Voice: It is argued that global warming will destroy the planet. Active Voice: Many scientists argue that global warming will destroy the planet.

5. Possessive Case
For nouns, "case" refers to one noun form: the possessive. For pronouns, "case" refers to three forms: the subjective (where the pronoun refers to the subject of the sentence), the objective (where the pronoun refers to the object of the sentence), and the possessive (where the pronoun shows possession).
Use "apostrophe s" ('s) to indicate the possessive case of nouns not ending in "s". Incorrect: That is Johns house. Correct: That is Johns house. Use "apostrophe s" ('s) to indicate the possessive case of singular nouns ending in "s". Incorrect: The bus tire is flat. Correct: The buss tire is flat. Add only an "apostrophe" to plural nouns ending in "s". Incorrect: Those are the boys books. Correct: Those are the boys toy cars. NOTE: "It's" is a contraction (it is); "its" is the possessive form of "it". Incorrect: The company held it's annual Christmas party on the first Friday of December. Correct: The company held its annual Christmas party on the first Friday of December.

6. Pronoun Reference
The word that a pronoun replaces is called an antecedent. Each pronoun must relate precisely to an antecedent in order for your writing to be clear. Ensure the pronoun can only refer to one antecedent. Incorrect: Doris told Shirley that she was getting fat. Correct: Doris told Shirley, "I'm getting fat." Do not overuse the pronoun "it". Incorrect: In the report it states that the reign of King George III was a prosperous time for England. Correct: The report states that the reign of King George III was a prosperous time for England. Do not overuse the pronoun "this".
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Incorrect: Most of the class received a passing grade on the exam; however, only a few students did well on the written assignment. This caused concern for the professor. Correct: Most of the class received a passing grade on the exam; however, only a few students did well on the written assignment. This inconsistency caused concern for the professor.

7. Punctuation (comma, semicolon, or colon)

Comma: a mild separator used to separate words, phrases, and clauses from each other when no heavier mark is required.
Do NOT use a comma to separate a verb from its subject. Incorrect: The history of the Second World War, is marked by many important battles. Correct: The history of the Second World War is marked by many important battles. Use commas to separate items in a series of three or more. Incorrect: My favourite fruits are pineapples oranges grapes and raspberries. Correct: My favourite fruits are pineapples, oranges, grapes, and raspberries. Use a comma between two coordinate adjectives that modify the same noun. Incorrect: The speaker delivered an insightful dynamic speech. Correct: The speaker delivered an insightful, dynamic speech. Use a comma between independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or nor, for, yet, so). Incorrect: The sun was shining but the air was very cold. Correct: The sun was shining, but the air was very cold. Use a comma after an Introductory Elements (clauses, phrases, transitional expressions). Incorrect: In spring I will plant the garden. Correct: In spring, I will plant the garden. Use commas with non-restrictive elements in a sentence. Incorrect: My friend who has brown hair called me last night. Correct: My friend, who has brown hair, called me last night. Do NOT use commas with restrictive elements in a sentence. Incorrect: Many provinces retest drivers, who are over sixty-five, to check their driving competency. Correct: Many provinces retest drivers who are over sixty-five to check their driving competency

Semi-colon: a heavy separator, often almost equivalent to a period. Semicolons can be used to connect two independent clauses (sentences) that are closely related in meaning.
Use a semicolon between independent clauses closely related in meaning. Incorrect: The sky turned grey, the wind died suddenly Correct: The sky turned grey; the wind died suddenly. Use a semicolon between independent clauses when the second one starts with a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression. Incorrect: The man entered the shop however, he did not purchase anything. Correct: The man entered the shop; however, he did not purchase anything. Incorrect: The professor gave the students a complete study guide, as a result, the entire class did well on the exam. Correct: The professor gave the students a complete study guide; as a result, the entire class did well on the exam.
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Colon: a full stop that draws attention to the words that follow. It commonly precedes lists or is used to introduce a quotation. It can only be used at the end of an independent clause (sentence).
Use a colon to introduce a list after an independent clause (complete sentence). Incorrect: There are three parts to this essay an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Correct: There are three parts to this essay: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Use a colon to introduce a quotation after an independent clause (complete sentence). Incorrect: Hamlets speech in the graveyard speaks to the fragility of life Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio. Correct: Hamlets speech in the graveyard speaks to the fragility of life: Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio.

8. Sentence fragments
A "sentence fragment" looks like a sentence, but is only part of a sentence. It is missing an independent clause; it is an unattached phrase or dependent clause. A sentence fragment may be missing a verb or a subject, or it may begin with a subordinating word that transforms the sentence into a dependent clause. Incorrect: Went out to play [no subject] Correct: The child went out to play. Incorrect: The girl in her house [no verb] Correct: The girl stayed in her house. Incorrect: Because it was raining very hard. [dependent clause] Correct: Because it was raining very hard, the car skidded off the road.

9. Word Choice
You should never use words you dont understand. Always use a dictionary if you are unsure of the meaning of a word. Incorrect: An examination of current literature will help distil this myth. Correct: An examination of current literature will help dispel this myth

10. Wordiness
"Wordiness" occurs when a writer uses empty words and phrases that contribute nothing to a sentence. Remember, a sentence should express only one idea or a closely linked set of ideas. the meaning of

Incorrect: Although there are many humourous moments in Oscar Wildes The Importance of Being Earnest and there are many things which are satiric, there are also some important points to be made about Victorian England, namely how the upper classes were extremely pretentious and often they were very superficial. Less Wordy: Although there are many humourous and satiric elements in Oscar Wildes The Importance of Being Earnest, the play also makes a serious statement about the pretension and superficiality of Victorian upper class society. Correct: Through the use of humour and satire in his play The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde makes a serious statement about the pretension and superficiality of Victorian upper class society.

Most Common Grammatical Errors

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