THE COMMON ErROrS WORKSHOP

conjunctions ALTHOUGH … BUT AND or but

AND, BUT, BECAUSE, SO THE EXCEPTION? WHAT CAN I USE INSTEAD?

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT ARE THESE NOUNS SINGULAR OR PLURAL? UNCOUNTABLES Golden Rule: Singular Subject – Singular Verb Plural Subject – Plural Verb

PUNCTUATION Capital letters – Title Case, Proper Nouns The semi-colon ; Commas with and and but

Run-on sentences The grammar crime: Run-on sentences join two or more complete sentences with no punctuation. Michaela loves to draw horses she is a talented artist. The airport is about to shut down because of the snow and if the plane doesn't land soon it will have to go on to Boston. Marcellino always knew his way around the woods this is something he could always depend on.

Run-ons 1. We can separate the two clauses into two sentences. Outlaw: Miranda was the lead vocalist in her band it was a punk rock band. Rehabilitated: Miranda was the lead vocalist in her band. It was a punk rock band.

Run-ons 2. We can replace the comma with a semi-colon. Outlaw: Gordon laughed at Sandy's joke it was lewd. Rehabilitated: Gordon laughed at Sandy's joke; it was lewd.

Run-ons 3. We can replace the comma with a co-ordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, yet, nor, or so). co-ordinating conjunction Outlaw: The night was cold we forgot to bring our coats. Rehabilitated:The night was cold, and we forgot to bring out coats.

Run-ons 4. We can replace the comma with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., after, although, before, unless, as, because, even though, if, since, until, when, while). subordinating conjunction Outlaw: Maria and John like skiing Karen does not. Rehabilitated: Although Maria and John like skiing, Karen does not.

Run-ons 5. We can replace the comma with a semi- colon and transitional word (e.g., however, moreover, on the other hand, nevertheless, instead, also, therefore, consequently, otherwise, as a result).transitional word Outlaw: I expected to pay ten dollars for the bus ride to Halifax I was wrong. Rehabilitated: I expected to pay ten dollars for the bus ride to Halifax; however, I was wrong.

WANNA, GONNA

TO BUY / FOR BUYING These boots are made for walking … or are they?

speling ‘I’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’ Friend freind Acheive achieve Weird wierd Concieve conceive beleive believe percieve perceive

WHEN PRONUNCIATION DOESN’T MATCH Sincerly sincerely sinciearly Seperate Separate Wednesday Wensday

When it does Putting puting Swiming swimming Studing studying Writting writing Suprise surprise Thier their Responsability responsibility Than then

MNEMONICS Posession possession Mississippi Commitment, committee

confused words Accept, Except Affect, Effect Advise, Advice Conscious, Conscience Idea, Ideal Its, It's Lead, Led Than, Then There, They're To, Too, Two We're, Where, Were Your, You're All ready/already All right/alright All together/altogether Anyone/any one Anyway/any way Awhile/a while Maybe/may be

Part of Speech John is kindness, so many people want to chat with him. John is so kind that many people want to chat with him.

tenses Randy, had you come to Korea ? Have you ever been to Korea, Randy ?

questions Chan, are your work busy ? Chan, do you have a busy job ?

I am agree ‘VERB TO BE’ AND OTHER VERBS ‘PRESENT CONTINUOUS’ I'm heard music. I am listening to some music now. I am go to Flekke Shop How do you think to learn the English? What is your point on learning English ?

Too cold VERSUS so cold NOT SO GOOD VERSUS NOT VERY GOOD

Relative clauses (Live in America city people often very poor.) People who live in American cities are often very poor. One of the visiting company heads expected last week did not arrive. (who was expected …). The experiments she is currently working on are some of the most important in the University. (that she is …).

passive Many students is support by their parents.