Download Grievous Grammar Errors

Grievous Grammar Errors
Although this list is not an exhaustive one, here are some of the most common grammar mistakes
students make. Try to avoid these grammar pitfalls by studying the problems and solutions.
1. sentence fragments
Key elements that make up a sentence are missing. Either the subject or the predicate is
missing. Typically, students write fragments that are essentially subordinate clauses or
prepositional phrases. An easy fix for this problem is to simply add the phrase or clause
to another sentence.
frag Allie has two crystal bracelets. Which she bought at the store.
Solution: Combine the fragment with another sentence: Ali has two crystal bracelets,
which she bought at the store.
2.
run-ons
A run-on is exactly as the name implies. Two or more sentences are run together without
proper punctuation. Two sentences should be separated by a period, a semi colon, or a
comma plus a conjunction. If two sentences are joined with a comma, a comma splice
occurs.
run-on Jonathan ran the hurdles in record time Shawna placed second.
Solution 1: Repair the sentence by placing a semicolon between the two sentences:
Jonathan ran the hurdles in record time; Shawna placed second.
Solution 2: Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction between the main clauses:
Jonathan ran the hurdles in record time, but Shawna placed second.
3.
subject-verb agreement
Subjects must agree in number with their verbs. Plural subjects must have plural verbs
and singular subjects must have singular verbs. Beware the phrase that separates the
subject from the verb, and make certain that the verb agrees with the subject, not another
noun in the sentence.
s-v agr error: The arrangement (of those colorful pictures) make a vivid, exciting
combination. The verb should be makes.
Subject after the verb: On the sun deck there was several chairs and a table. The verb
should be were to agree in number with chairs and table (more than one or plural).
4.
comma splices
This problem occurs when two sentences are joined by a comma. This problem is
corrected by adding a conjunction after the comma or by replacing the comma with a
semi colon or a period.
cs: I don’t know where the oil paints are, they were over by the easel.
Solution: Correct by replacing the comma with one of the following: a period, a
semicolon, or a comma plus a conjunction.
5.
pronoun-antecedent agreement
Pronouns must agree in number and in person with their antecedents.
ant Mary and Jodi prefer the new bridle trail because you get long stretches for
galloping. (Do not use second person to refer to an antecedent in the third person.)
Replace you with they.
ant Each of the women in the boat received a rowing medal for their victory.
Solution: Each of the women in the boat received a rowing medal for her victory.
6.
possessive apostrophe error
Apostrophes should be used in nouns only if they are possessive. If the noun is singular
and possessive, add an apostrophe and an s. If the noun is plural and possessive,
ending with an s, add an apostrophe. If the noun is plural and does not end in s, add an
apostrophe s.
singular possessive: Charles’s car/the car’s tires/his boss’s secretary
plural possessive (ending in s): the trees’ cool shade/the students’ backpacks/the
teachers’ meeting
plural possessive (not ending in s): The children’s movies/The men’s department/the
sheep’s wool
7.
tense shift
Check all of your verbs in your writing to make certain that you maintain verb tense
consistency throughout. Avoid shifting from past to present to prevent your reader from
becoming confused.
shift t Kelly waits for the bus and worked on the computer. Change worked to works.
shift t By the time the movie finally started, we waited impatiently through ten minutes of
commercials. If events being described occurred at different times, shift tenses to show
that one event precedes or follows another. Solution: By the time the movie finally
started, we had waited impatiently through ten minutes of commercials.
8.
dangling or misplaced modifier
A dangling modifier occurs usually at the beginning of the sentence. Students often
begin a sentence with a participial phrase followed by a main clause that is missing a
noun for the phrase to modify so that the sentence makes sense.
mod Sarah won the jumping contest with her mother’s horse, wearing western riding
gear. To correct the error, place the modifying phrase close to the word it modifies:
Wearing western riding gear, Sarah won the jumping contest with her mother’s horse.
mod Branches swaying in the breeze, we rested in the shade. Here there is no word in
the sentence for the modifier to modify.
Solution: Branches swaying in the breeze, the tree provided us with shade.
9.
missing commas: after introductory element, in compound sentence, to set off
items in a series
Remember to follow all introductory elements (prepositional phrases of four words or
more at the beginning of the sentence, items in a series, and before the conjunction in a
compound sentence.
commas in a series: Sailing on the Great Lakes can be as challenging, adventurous,
and rewarding as sailing on the ocean.
commas with nonessential elements:
The palomino, a beautiful horse with almost golden hair, is often seen in parades.
Lois, scowling fiercely, turned her back on Clark.
The sailboat, which looked like a toy in the storm, rounded the point into the breakwater.
commas after introductory elements:
 introductory prepositional phrase of four or more words: Before the start of
the meeting, the committee chairman spoke to the honored guests.

introductory subordinate clause: When Sarah confirmed her decision to
attend Vanderbilt University, her parents were extremely pleased.
10. vague pronoun reference
Every time a pronoun is used in a piece of writing, the student must make certain that the
pronoun’s antecedent is clear.
Avoid the use of this as a subject: This is the reason for the town hall meetings.
Replace this with a specific noun: The misunderstanding surrounding the proposed bill is
the reason for the town hall meetings.
Unclear antecedent: The wind was fair and the water calm, and that made sailing
across the lake a relaxing, enjoyable experience.
Solution: The wind was fair and the water calm, and those conditions made sailing
across the lake a relaxing, enjoyable experience.
Indefinite uses of you and they: In those hills you rarely see mountain lions.
In some movies they have too much violence.
Substitute a noun for the pronoun: In those hills, visitors to the area rarely see mountain
lions.
Eliminate the pronoun entirely: Some movies have too much violence.