Coleman 05

10 Common Grammar Errors 1. Subject Verb Agreement Errors Subjects and verbs must agree in number whether singular or plural. Irregular verbs can often cause errors as can writing quickly without proofreading. Be aware of problem verbs and make sure agreement exists. Potential Problems Correct Examples Each shirt is here and each of the shirts is Each, every, either, and neither Anyone, someone, and no one are singular pronouns. Singular nouns used with and take a plural verb. Singular nouns used with or take a singular verb. My mother or my brother calls me daily. The cat and the dog are mine. Someone ate my cookie. No one is here. here.

2. Incorrect verb forms Present and past tense are simple tenses that rarely cause problems; difficulties arise with the complex tenses formed with present or past participles. If using be with another verb, the second verb should have an -ing ending . The tense, present, past, or future is indicated with the verb be. Incorrect: I am play outside. I playing outside. Correct: I (am, was, or will be) playing out side.

If using have with another verb, the second verb usually has an ed ending. The tense, present, past, or future is indicated with the verb have.

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Incorrect: I have see that movie. I seen that movie. Correct: I (have or had) seen that movie. I will have seen that movie by next week.

3. Shifting verb tenses Verbs in the same sentences and paragraphs should be consistent and stay in the same tense. Verbs should only shift in tense if there is a logical reason to do so. Incorrect: Larry blew his tire, and then just keeps moving. Correct: Larry blew his tire, and then just kept moving.

The night before her wedding, Annie did not sleep and cries for two hours.

The night before her wedding, Annie did not sleep and cried for two hours.

4. Sentence Fragments A complete sentence must have a subject and a verb; a fragment is not a complete sentence. There are common types of fragments, which can be fixed by adding information or adding the fragment to a complete sentence. Problem Missing Subject Missing Verb Ing Fragment Example Lost his keys Marys job Playing with toys Solution Add subject Add verb Add to sentence To Fragment To pay the bills Add to sentence We have to save money to pay our bills. Example He lost his keys. Marys job is hard. I sat on the floor, playing with toys.

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Misused Pronoun

Which was lost

Add to sentence

I looked for my cat, which was lost

When he is angry

Add to sentence

My friend always yells when he is angry. No one could cook, not even his mother. I really like sweets, such as chocolate

Added Detail

Not even his mother Such as chocolate

Add to sentence Add to sentence

5. Run-On Sentences A run on is two sentences written as one; there are two main types: the comma splice and the fused sentence. A comma splice occurs when two sentences are joined with simply a comma. A fused sentence occurs when two sentences are joined with no punctuation. Example: I like pizza I also like pasta. Example: I like cake, I like pie too.

3 Solutions for comma splices and fused sentences: 1. Add a coordinate conjunction: FANBOYS

I like cake and I like pie. 2. Change the comma to a period I like cake. I like pie. 3. Change the comma to a semi-colon I like cake; I like pie too.

I like pizza and I also like pasta.

I like pizza. I also like pasta.

I like pizza; I also like pasta.

NOTE: In English two sentences can NEVER be joined with a comma only.

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6. Incorrect Superlatives or Double Comparison It is NEVER correct to use both er or est and more or most Incorrect: I am more happier. It is most hardest

For one syllable adverbs and adjectives , add er or -est. Comparative Example Happy Hard Happier Harder Superlative Happiest Hardest

For two or more syllable adverbs and adjectives, add more or most Comparative Example Beautiful Open More Beautiful More Openly Superlative More Beautiful Most Openly

Note: Comparison is used with two things. Superlatives are used with more than two things.

7. Missing Commas in introductory words, phrases, or clauses Incorrect: Finally I am done with my paper. By the way it is your turn to pay for lunch. Because it is my birthday you should pay for dinner. Correct: Finally, I am done with my paper. By the way, it is your turn to pay for lunch. Because it is my birthday, you should pay for dinner.

Remember, a subordinate clause at the end of a sentence DOES NOT receive a comma You should pay for dinner, because it is my birthday. You should pay for dinner because it is my birthday.

8. Missing commas in a series Commas should be used to separate items in a series of three or more items. Incorrect: I like carrots celery lettuce and tomatoes. Both Correct: I like carrots, celery, lettuce and tomatoes.

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I like carrots, celery, lettuce, and tomatoes.

9. Apostrophe problems Apostrophes are used to show possession or contractions. In general, avoid using contractions in academic writing. Potential Problems To make a singular noun that does not end in s possessive, ADD s. To make a singular noun that ends in s possessive, ADD ONLY to the final s. To make a plural noun that does not end in an s possessive, ADD s. To make a make a plural noun that ends in s possessive, ADD ONLY to the final s. dogs, girls, apples peoples, mens, womens Jones car, Kris book dogs, girls, apples Correct Examples

10. Misspelled words or homophone problems Spelling: English spelling is difficult and often illogical. The best way to improve your spelling is through reading actively and often. Look up unfamiliar words. Becoming familiar with commonly misspelled words can also improve spelling skills. Homophones: English has many words that are spelled the same or sound the same, but have very different meanings. Reading widely can help distinguish some of these difficult words. Becoming familiar with commonly misused homonyms can help overcome this dilemma.