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 7th, 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 18th.

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)