Transcript ppt Most Common Errors in Writing

Common Errors and Ways to Correct
Them: A Guide to Better Writing
X My parents are strict. Like when they won’t let me
stay out late.
 My parents are strict; they won’t let me stay out late.
X The school has many rules. For example not
chewing gum.
 The school has many rules. For example, chewing
gum is not allowed.
X We went to the mall. But didn’t see the movie.
 We went to the mall but didn’t see the movie.
The current was swift he could not swim.
The current was swift. He could not swim.
The current was swift, and he could not
swim.
The current was swift; he could not swim.
I like her very much, she has a sense of humor.
Correct comma splices the way you would a run-on.
 I like her very much. She has a sense of humor.
 I like her very much, and she has a sense of humor.
 I like her very much; she has a sense of humor.
Use a comma before the words and, or, but, nor,
for, yet, or so when these words join two
independent clauses.
He wanted to work, but no job was available.
When the dependent clause comes first, a comma
should be used.
Because the roads were icy, school was closed.
A comma is not necessary when the dependent
clause follows an independent clause.
School was closed because the roads were icy.
X John flunked math, therefore he didn’t graduate.
 John flunked math; therefore, he didn’t graduate.
 John flunked math. Therefore, he didn’t graduate.
X One of my goals have been to go to law school.
 One of my goals has been to go to law school.
X Neither of the children like spinach.
 Neither of the children likes spinach.
X Here’s the keys you wanted.
 Here are the keys you wanted.
X Someone forgot their keys.
 Someone forgot his or her keys.
X Every student should have their textbook.
 Every student should have his or her textbook.
 All students should have their textbooks.
X She works hard but made little money.
 She works hard but makes little money.
 She worked hard but made little money.
Write formal essays about literature in the present
tense.
Shakespeare characterizes Hamlet as a man of
indecision. He can not decide whether “to be or
not to be.”
X Good writers make you want to read more.
 Good writers make one want to read more.
X TV commercials try to make you buy products.
 TV commercials try to make viewers buy products.
Passive voice verbs are weak and can obscure
responsibility.
“Mistakes were made. Slaves were brought to
America.”
passive: The ball was hit by Sally.
active: Sally hit the ball.
Writing is better when it contains active, strong,
and precise verbs. Avoid the verb “seems.”
X Rising over the hill, the men saw the bright red
sun.
 The men saw the bright red sun rising over the
hill.
X Breaking his leg, he fell down the steps.
 Falling down the steps, he broke his leg.
 He fell down the steps and broke his leg.
X In winter we should wear tepid clothes.
How does sunlight effect/affect plants?
Will you lend/loan me a dollar?
I love you since/because you are kind.
She is taller then/than her brother.
Misspelled words may show laziness or carelessness.
definate/definite
seperate/separate
posses/possesses
alot/a lot
alright/all right
Its shows possession. The cat licked its fur.
It’s is a contraction meaning “it is.” It’s raining.
There is an adverb. Let’s go there after lunch.
Their shows possession. Let’s go to their house.
They’re is a contraction. They’re going to be late.
To is a preposition or part of an infinitive.
Let’s go to the movie. I want to see the movie.
Two tells how many. Let’s see two movies.
Too means “very” or “also.”
That cake is too sweet. Let’s invite her too.
Everyday is an adjective; every day is an adjective + a
noun.
An apostrophe (’) shows possession.
John’s coat is on the chair. That coat is John’s.
The coach’s advice helped the team win the game.
A semicolon (;) joins two independent clauses.
The bus will leave soon; students should be ready.
A colon (:) introduces a list or replaces “namely” in an
explanation or example. Never use a colon after a verb.
X The seasons of the year are: winter, spring, summer, and fall.
 The year has four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall.
 Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!
 Gradually, he climbed the mountain.
 In fact, only you can decide.
 Frustrated, he quit the team.
 Trying his best to understand, John read slowly.
X While we were eating the dog began to bark.
X Two years before the peace treaty had been
signed.
“The Raven” poem
“Eveline” short story
“Teen Drug Use” article
“When Doves Cry” song
Macbeth play
Rebecca novel
Newsweek magazine
Purple Rain album
X The reason that we are meeting is that we need to
consider revising the constitution.
 We are meeting to consider revising the
constitution.
Don’t be redundant.
X He didn’t return the book back to the library.
X As a rule, the hero usually triumphs over the villain.