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Common Errors in Style, Grammar, and Punctuation Errors in style, grammar, or punctuation can make an essay difficult to read and cause the writer to look unprofessional. The longer it has been since a writer took high school English classes, the easier it is to forget some important rules that apply to grammar. Some errors are more common than others, but with a little practice, they are easily fixed.
Lack of agreement
• This error occurs when the plurality of the subject and verb do not agree in a sentence.
• Example: Paramedics saves lives when called to an emergency.
• When the subject is plural, the noun must also be plural.
• Example: Paramedics save lives when called to an emergency.
Sentence Fragments
• This happens when a sentence does not have both a subject and a verb.
• Example: The operating room was busy. That is where the nurse went.
• Reread the sentence to determine if it explains what both the subject and verb are.
• Example: The nurse went into the operating room when things became busy.
Overly Long Sentences
• Sometimes called a run-on, these sentences tend to ramble.
• Example: We are going to the fair today and then over to grandma’s house where we will have pie and play with the other kids who are also there.
• Add a period, if necessary, to break the sentence down into several smaller ones.
• Example: We are going to the fair today. Afterward, we will go to grandma’s house for pie and to play with the other kids.
Overuse of Passive Voice
• This is a sentence where a passive verb is used when an active verb would make the sentence stronger.
• Example: Gifts were given to the faculty by the girls who were involved.
• Use of passive voice is not always wrong, but it should not be used too much in a paragraph.
• Example: The girls that were involved gave gifts to the faculty.
Faulty Parallelism
• This happens when a phrase that explains a component of the subject is misplaced and sounds incorrect.
• Example: He is never home and he is very dedicated to his work.
• Rearrange the sentence parts so the phrase complements the subject it is describing.
• Example: Although he is very dedicated to his work, he is never home.
Vague Pronouns
• Vague pronouns do not describe specifically who the subject is.
• Example: They say you shouldn’t have too much sodium in your diet.
• Consider who the subject is and replace the pronoun with a noun if necessary.
• Example: The doctors at my office say you shouldn’t have too much sodium in your diet.
Dangling Modifiers
• Modifiers are words that give explanation and make the subject more interesting. When used incorrectly, it can be difficult to determine what the subject is.
• Example: After finishing this book, the meal will be served.
• Add a subject to the first part of the sentence to determine who is finishing the book and who is serving the meal.
• Example: After I finish this book, the meal will be served.
Squinting Modifiers
• This happens when it is unclear which subject the modifier is describing.
• Example: Going shopping frequently can cause debt.
• Determine what the modifier is supposed to describe and alter the sentence to clarify.
• Example: Going shopping can frequently cause debt.
Mixed or Dead Metaphors
• A metaphor is a figure of speech or a phrase used to contrast things.
• Example: Flashing a brilliant smile, she was bursting with news of her new raise.
• Review the sentence for structure and remove extra metaphors.
• Example: It was obvious that she was happy, for she was bursting with news of her raise.
Faulty Word Choice or Diction
• This happens when a word used to describe a subject is an incorrect choice of word.
• Example: The doctors found that Samuel had termitary cancer.
• When using a word that is unclear in definition, use a dictionary to clarify.
• Example: The doctors found that Samuel had terminal cancer.
Wordiness
• This is the use of many extra words to explain one theme.
• Example: He came out his building into the bright sunlight glaring off the sheer, clean windows of the enormous structures surrounding him on all sides.
• Remove extra words and reduce the length of the sentence.
• Example: He came out of his building into the sunlight that was glaring off the windows of the buildings around him.
Comma Splices
• Overuse of commas make a sentence too long and difficult to read.
• Example: After going to see a show, we will have dinner, and then we can decide if we want to go bowling, to the park, or home.
• Add a period and break up the sentence to avoid overuse of commas.
• Example: After going to see a show, we will have dinner. Then we can decide if we want to go bowling, to the park, or go home.
Misuse of Comma, Semicolon, and Colon
• Commas can be overused when a colon or semicolon should be used instead.
• Use commas to describe a series of events.
• Example: Do you want ice cream, cake, or pizza?
• A semicolon can be inserted when two phrases could stand alone.
• Example: He fixed the sink and the bathtub; two long and difficult projects.
• Use a colon to preface a list.
• Example: There are three things you must remember about this house: keep the lights on, turn up the heat, and wipe your feet at the door.
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