1. Common Sentence Errors
and
How to fix them

2. Run-on sentence- when two or more sentences 
are joined together incorrectly
To Fix you must join the sentences correctly.
You can use one of the following methods:
1. Separate into individual sentences.
2. Join with a semi-colon if the topics of the
sentences are linked.
3. Make one into a subordinate clause (making
one part of the sentence dependent on the
other)
4. Join using an appropriate conjunction.

3. 1. Separate into individual sentences.
The man went to the movies, he got there late.
It was a cold day, I put a sweater on.

4. The flight was horrible, I crashed my car.
2. Join with a semi-colon if the topics of
the sentences are linked.
The flight was horrible, I crashed my car.
My goldfish died, I was sad.

5. 3. Make one into a subordinate clause (making
one part of the sentence dependent on the
other)
I was interrupted, I ended up being late.
Jim studied , he passed with flying colours.

6. 4. Join using an appropriate conjunction.
It was a long day, I was tired.
The sun was shining, it was a glorious day.

7. Sentence fragment
A fragment is caused when either the subject, 
verb, or both are missing in any part of the 
sentence.
To fix- Identify the subjects and the verbs. For 
each possible sentence you must have one of 
each. Add as required.

8. 1. Sally is going. 2. Just kidding. 3. Because I said so. 4. No way.
5. I watched.
6. We are.
helping verb song
HelpingVerbsSong
Imperative
Sentence
-command
-subject is
implied

9. Subject/verb agreement
Subjects and verbs must agree in number- ie. 
singular subjects must have singular verbs and 
plural subjects must have plural verbs. If one is 
singular and the other is plural you must make 
them match.
To fix- identify the subjects- and make sure the 
verbs are the same in number.

10. The doctor, along with his patients, (is/are) attending the seminar.
The doctor and his patients (is/are) attending 
the seminar.
Everybody (is/are) going to the movies.
Tom or his parents (is/are) coming to the lake.
His parents or Tom (is/are) coming to the lake. \

11. Tense agreement
Sentences must be written in the same tense - 
unless the context is such that the time frame 
changes during the sentence. Otherwise, they 
must be made to match.
To fix- identify the subjects and the verbs- make 
sure they are all in the correct tense.

12. I baked a cake this afternoon and later I plan 
to puts it in the oven.
We walked to the marina yesterday and is 
running today.
I go to the store and I bought milk.
I will eat fish for dinner and drank milk with 
my dinner.

13. punctuation apostrophe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlBfnqgnhzw

14. Other ways to improve your writing:
1. Change up the vocabulary. (use thesaurus)
2. Add adverbs and adjectives.
3. Change up the length of your sentences. 
(make some longer and some shorter)
4. Change up the order of your sentences. 
(change where the subject and verb are)
5. Use description (appeal to the 5 senses- 
sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) Show don't 
tell.
6. Add details, facts, reasons, examples and 
explanations to make it more interesting or to 
support what you are saying.