Common Writing Errors

Sentence Errors

Run-Ons  A run-on sentence consists of two or more sentences separated only by a comma or by no mark of punctuation.  Comma splice: If you put a comma where a period needs to be, it is still a run-on!  Three ways to correct them:  1. Make two separate sentences by using a period.  2. Make a compound sentence by using a comma and a conjunction—for, and, nor, but, or, yet.  3. Use a semi-colon where the two sentences are fused.

Examples of Corrected Run-ons  Run-On: In 1952 Japan’s gross national product was one third of that of France by the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France and Britain combined.  Comma Splice (still wrong): In 1952 Japan’s gross national product was one third of that of France, by the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France and Britain combined.  Two Sentences: In 1952 Japan’s gross national product was one third of that of France. By the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France and Britain combined.  Semi-colon: In 1952 Japan’s gross national product was one third of that of France; by the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France and Britain combined.  Compound sentence: In 1952 Japan’s gross national product was one third of that of France, but by the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France and Britain combined.

Fragments  A sentence fragment is written as a separate sentence, but it does not express a complete thought.  To correct them, add a subject or a verb, or combine it with another sentence.

Examples of Corrected Fragments  Ex. Tests of the Shroud of Turin have produced some curious findings. For example, the pollen of forty-eight plants native to Europe and the Middle East.  Corrected: Tests of the Shroud of Turin have produced some curious findings. For example, the cloth contains the pollen of forty-eight plants native to Europe and the Middle East.  Adding the subject “the cloth” made it a complete sentence

Making Corrections  Hint: Read your paper aloud to yourself. You will have a better chance of finding the errors, especially if you don’t pause for breath.

Comma Errors

Omitted Commas  Use commas to signal nonrestrictive or nonessential material to prevent confusion and to indicate relationships among ideas and sentences parts.  Ex. When it comes to eating people differ in their tastes.  Ex. Let’s eat grandma.  Don’t be a psycho—use some commas.  When it comes to eating, people differ in their tastes.  Let’s eat, grandma.

Too Many (superfluous) Commas  Unnecessary commas make sentences difficult to read.  If you aren’t sure where to put a comma, just don’t stick them randomly in a sentence.  Ex. Field trips are required, in several courses, such as botany and geology.  Field trips are required in several courses, including botany and geology.

Missing commas after introductory elements  If a prepositional or introductory phrase contains 4 or more words, you must have a comma.  When she went to the grocery story while she was hungry, Madeline spent twice as much money as she had budgeted for the week.

Commas with the word “because”  You can begin a sentence with the word “because,” but there must be a comma after the introductory clause or phrase.  Ex. Because she shopped when she was hungry, she spent twice as much money as she had planned.  However, if because falls in the middle of the sentence, then there will NOT be a comma.  Ex. She spent twice as much money as she planned because she went to the store when she was hungry.

Commas after first words  If you begin a sentence with the word “however,” you need a comma.  However, the jury found that there was reasonable doubt and voted to acquit.  If you begin a sentence with the word “although” or “while”, then you do NOT place a comma after that word. It will come at the end of the phrase or clause.  Although Prohibition had been over since 1933, many people believe that the War on Drugs is a modern form of Prohibition.

Other Words that Need Commas when they begin a Sentence  Meanwhile,  Furthermore,  On the other hand,  Besides,  As a matter of fact,  Not only,  Rather, Granted,  Thus,  Finally,  Eventually,  Incidentally,  Previously,  HINT: These are all transitions that would help make your writing more polished

Use commas in a series  Use commas to separate words and word groups in a series of three or more.  Ex. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew.

Commas and Dates  Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year, and always put one after the year as well.  On December 7 th, 1942, Pearl Harbor was attacked.

When NOT to use a comma  If you have a sentence that looks like a compound sentence but doesn’t have a subject after the verb, then a comma is not necessary.  Ex. Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station early, but they waited until noon for the bus.  This is a compound sentence because there is a subject (they) following the conjunction.  Ex. Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station early but waited until noon for the bus.  No comma is needed to separate verbs.

One more time…..  You do NOT need a comma after words such as because and although if they appear in the middle of the sentence.  He was grounded because he got home hours after curfew.  He went to the concert although he was grounded.

Pronoun Errors

Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement  Review: Pronouns are words that replace nouns in sentences.  Ex. Obama delivered his State of the Union Address on February 18 th.  His is the pronoun. Obama is the antecedent—or the noun to which the pronoun refers.  Ex. Please make sure your child brings their backpack and reading logs to school each day.  “Child” is singular, and “their” is plural, so this is WRONG.  Correct way:  Ex. Please make sure your children bring their backpack……(Plural—always safe)  Please make sure your child brings his backpack……(singular masculine and correct)  Please make sure your child brings her backpack……(singular feminine and correct)  Please make sure your child brings his or her backpack… (PC form—also correct)