The Writing Centre, StFX University The Most Common Major Errors in University Level Writing Adapted from The Writing Centre, Ryerson University

The Writing Centre, StFX University …Subject-Verb Agreement (Singular / Plural)… These tend to occur if the subject is separated from the verb by some descriptive words.

The Writing Centre, StFX University EXAMPLE “The process of tabulating these results were begun by inputting the values into the spreadsheet.” …Subject-Verb Agreement (Singular / Plural)… What’s wrong? How do you fix it?

The Writing Centre, StFX University CORRECTED “The process of tabulating these results was begun by inputting the values into the spreadsheet.” …Subject-Verb Agreement (Singular / Plural)…

The Writing Centre, StFX University EXAMPLE “In 1820, there was new plans proposed for the site.” …Subject-Verb Agreement (Singular / Plural)… What’s wrong? How do you fix it?

The Writing Centre, StFX University CORRECTED “In 1820, there were new plans proposed for the site.” …Subject-Verb Agreement (Singular / Plural)…

The Writing Centre, StFX University …Sentence Fragment…. Part of a sentence is punctuated as a complete sentence.

The Writing Centre, StFX University EXAMPLE “During this planning time, when the final choice of a computer system is made.” …Sentence Fragment…. What’s wrong? How do you fix it?

The Writing Centre, StFX University CORRECTED “During this planning time the final choice of a computer is made.” (You may also correct this by finishing the incomplete sentence.) “During this planning time, when the final choice of a computer system is made, you should consult with all the potential users.” …Sentence Fragment….

The Writing Centre, StFX University EXAMPLE “They came with a proposal. A proposal too good to refuse.” …Sentence Fragment…. What’s wrong? How do you fix it?

The Writing Centre, StFX University CORRECTED “They came with a proposal, a proposal too good to refuse.” …Sentence Fragment….

The Writing Centre, StFX University …Comma Splice or Run-on Sentence… Two separate sentences are joined with a comma, or run together without any punctuation.

The Writing Centre, StFX University …Comma Splice or Run-on Sentence… EXAMPLE “The new buildings would be expensive, the estimated cost of renovating existing offices was half as much.” What’s wrong? How do you fix it?

The Writing Centre, StFX University CORRECTED “The new buildings would be expensive. The estimated cost of renovating existing offices was half as much.” or “The new buildings would be expensive and the estimated cost of renovating existing offices was half as much.” …Comma Splice or Run-on Sentence…

The Writing Centre, StFX University , Sentence You can use: period semi colon comma plus “and” or “but” (a joining word) How do you fix it? …Comma Splice or Run-on Sentence…

The Writing Centre, StFX University …Misuse of the Semi-Colon… The semi-colon (;) joins two sentences into one, without an and or but. This can be a very effective construction, but you must have a complete sentence on either side of the ; Therefore and however frequently begin the second sentence.

The Writing Centre, StFX University …Misuse of the Semi-Colon… EXAMPLE “In 1886, 36,000,000 tonnes of cargo moved through the St. Lawrence Seaway; in contrast to the average of 11,000,000 tonnes in the 1950s.” What’s wrong? How do you fix it?

The Writing Centre, StFX University CORRECTED “In 1886, 36,000,000 tonnes of cargo moved through the St. Lawrence Seaway; in contrast, an average of only 11,000,000 tonnes moved through in the 1950s.” …Misuse of the Semi-Colon…

The Writing Centre, StFX University …Dangling Modifier… This occurs when a sentence begins with a verb form ending in -ing or -ed. This -ing or -ed word should refer to the subject of the sentence, which will usually follow the comma.

The Writing Centre, StFX University …Dangling Modifier… What’s wrong? How do you fix it? EXAMPLE “By spending time with their children in play, the children can develop their language ability.”

The Writing Centre, StFX University CORRECTED “By spending time with their children in play, parents can help them develop their language ability.” (It is the parents who are spending the time.) …Dangling Modifier…

The Writing Centre, StFX University Pronoun Errors - Agreement Pronouns refer to nouns. Errors often occur when a pronoun does not agree with the noun that it is referring to or represents.

The Writing Centre, StFX University EXAMPLE One of the boys who was involved confessed to being at the scene. They said that it was only meant to be a prank. What’s wrong? How do you fix it? …Pronoun Errors – Agreement…

The Writing Centre, StFX University …Pronoun Errors – I or me?… Often writers confuse the proper use of “I” or “me” in the predicate of a sentence.

The Writing Centre, StFX University EXAMPLE “John went to the movie with Ann and I.” What’s wrong? How do you fix it? …Pronoun Errors – I or me?…

The Writing Centre, StFX University Hint: Split the compound phrase Ann and me John went to the movie with I. versus John went to the movie with me.) CORRECTED John went to the movie with Ann and me. …Pronoun Errors – I or me?…

The Writing Centre, StFX University Word Confusion Some common examples…

The Writing Centre, StFX University where / were Where are you? Where asks about location. They were angry. Were is the past form of the verb “to be”. …Word Confusion Some common examples…

The Writing Centre, StFX University There is a... There indicates something exists. Put it there. There indicates location. (Hint: Remember where and there both refer to place and both have the same ending.) They argued their case. Their indicates possession. They’re going out together. There is short for They are. …Word Confusion Some common examples… there / their / they’re

The Writing Centre, StFX University …Word Confusion… Some common examples Then / than Then she went to the store. Then indicates time. He is faster than his friend. Than indicates comparison.

The Writing Centre, StFX University too / to Try to sleep. To is the infinitive form of the verb. Go to the store. To is a preposition. He came too. Too means also. It was too late. Too is the comparative form. …Word Confusion… Some common examples

The Writing Centre, StFX University its / it’s It’s not right it’s = it is The apostrophe means a letter is omitted. (Hint: Think of his, her, & its as a group. No apostrophe.) The dog found its bone. Its refers to possession. …Word Confusion… Some common examples

The Writing Centre, StFX University would have / would of I would have come. Would of doesn’t exist. It’s just our slurring of have when we speak. wanna I wanna learn English. “wanna” is not a word! I want to learn English …Word Confusion… Some common examples