To write well, you need help in understanding and avoiding the four types of mistakes: spelling, punctuation, grammar and usage.
There are many types of writing mistakes as you will find out in this chapter.
1. Spelling mistakes.
2. Run-on sentences ( no commas before coordinating conjunction)
3. Sentence fragments
4. No comma after an introductory phrase
5. Wordiness? Verbose.
6. Comma splicing
7. Comma misuse (Inside a compound subject)
8. No commas around interrupters
9. Squinting modifiers
10. Subject-verb agreement.
Spelling mistakes:
Spelling mistakes do not affect the understanding what the ideas, but create a negative impression. You should avoid them. Write on the computer and use a spellcheck or use a dictionary. You can find a qualified teacher to read through for written CVs, applications etc.
Extensive reading is a very good way to learn English spelling patterns, so that mistakes are less likely.
Punctuation mistakes:
You need to learn the punctuation system. Punctuation mistakes are caused by lack of a clear understanding of what a sentence is, resulting in fragments (incomplete sentences) or run-ons ('sentences' that do not end when they should).
These mistakes can often be realized if you read the writing aloud. If a natural pause in the reading does not correspond with, say, a comma or a full-stop in the written text, then it is likely that the punctuation is wrong.
Read widely understand the concept of the sentence as the basis of good writing.
Grammar mistakes:
Test takers fail to choose the correct English verb tense to express an idea or do not use it in its correct form. Verb conjugation is usually a problem. They at times fail to use the articles (a/the) correctly, or place words in the wrong order in a sentence.
When you read your essay aloud, you can easily identify the grammar mistakes. Other grammar mistakes might be hard to find because the learner does not yet know the correct way to express an idea in English.
In the long term most grammar mistakes will disappear by themselves, particularly if you do extensive reading in English.
Usage mistakes
A usage mistake does not break a grammar "rule", but is a word or string of words that would not particularly be used in correct grammar to make a meaning.
Usage mistakes are poor diction or word choice. For example, because the surgeon is going to operate on your mother, you write, “My mother has an appointment with her operator tomorrow.” Here, the writer uses “operator” in place of “surgeon” and thus will not be understood.
Misusing the Apostrophe With “Its”
You use an apostrophe with it’s only when the word means it is or it has. Without the apostrophe, it means belonging to it.
Incorrect: The dog was licking it’s tail.
Correct: The dog was licking its tail.
No Comma in A Compound Sentence
A comma separates two or more independent clauses in a compound sentence separated by a conjunction. The comma goes after the first clause and before the coordinating conjunction that separates the clauses.
Incorrect: She was beautiful and happy and full of life.
Correct: She was beautiful, happy, and full of life.
Misplaced Or Dangling Modifier
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is separated improperly from the word it modifies or describes. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence.
Incorrect: After finally setting off on the trail, the morning felt more exciting.
Correct: After finally setting off on the trail, he felt the morning was more exciting.
Superfluous Commas
Using commas when they aren’t necessary.
Incorrect: The boy never went into the city, because he was scared of the traffic.
Correct: The boy never went into the city because he was scared of the traffic.
Incorrect: She wants to get a degree in engineering, or medicine.
Correct: She wants to get a degree in engineering or medicine.
Lack of Parallel Structure
Faulty parallelism is when two or more parts of a sentence are similar in meaning but not parallel (or grammatically similar) in form, especially with paired constructions and items in a series.
Incorrect: He wanted to learn more about careers in programming, engineering, biochemist, and research scientist.
Correct: He wanted to learn more about careers in programming, engineering, biochemistry, and research science.
Sentence Sprawl
A sentence can become a burden to read when there are too many equally weighted phrases.
Incorrect: Joan was planning to attend her friend’s birthday party on May 10th, but at the last minute she found out she had an appointment with her doctor, so she couldn’t attend the birthday party, and she felt really guilty about it.
Correct: Unexpectedly Joan had an appointment with her doctor and couldn’t attend her friend’s May 10th birthday party. She felt guilty about missing it.
Vague Pronoun Reference
A pronoun can replace a noun, and its antecedent should be the person, place, or thing to which the pronoun refers. A vague pronoun reference can leave the reader confused about what or to whom the pronoun refers.
Incorrect: When Gregory finally found his cat, he was so happy. (The dog or Jonathan?)
Correct: Gregory was so happy when he finally found his cat.
Wrong Word Usage
Sundry words and phrases that are commonly confused and misused in sentences. Misusing these words can change the meaning of the sentence or simply reflect carelessness on the writer’s part. When in doubt, check the definition and correct spelling of the word.
Incorrect: Mary excepted his offer to drive her home.
Correct: Mary accepted his offer to drive her home.
Run-On Sentence
A run-on sentence occurs when you connect two main clauses with no punctuation.
Incorrect: James tried to sneak out of the house his mother saw him leaving.
Correct: James tried to sneak out of the house, but his mother saw him leaving.
Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
The subject and verb of a sentence must agree with one another in number, whether they are singular or plural. If the subject of the sentence is singular, its verb must also be singular; and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Incorrect: The two great things about the carnival was the dance and the music.
Correct: The two great things about the carnival were the dance and the music.
Sentence Fragments
Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that don’t have one independent clause. A fragment may lack a subject, a complete verb, or both. Sometimes fragments depend on the proceeding sentence to give them meaning.
Incorrect: He gave his girlfriend an extravagant gift after the argument. In spite of everything.
Correct: In spite of everything, he gave his girlfriend an extravagant gift after the argument.
Missing Comma after Introductory Element
A comma should be placed after an introductory word, phrase, or clause. Using a comma gives the reader a slight pause after an introductory element and can help avoid confusion.
Incorrect: Before he had time to think about it James jumped into the river.
Correct: Before he had time to think about it, James jumped into the river.
Comma Splice
A comma splice occurs when two separate sentences are joined with a comma rather than a period or semicolon. It is common to create comma splices when using transitional words, such as however, therefore, moreover, nevertheless, or furthermore.
Incorrect: My sisters and I love to go shopping, we then have lunch together when we’re done.
Correct: My sisters and I love to go shopping. We then have lunch together when we’re done.
Colon Mistakes
A colon is used after a complete sentence to introduce a word, phrase, clause, list, or quotation. The colon signals that what follows proves or explains the sentence preceding the colon.
Incorrect: People move to South Africa for: the warmer weather, the beach, and the theme parks.
Correct: People move to South Africa for three reasons: the warmer weather, the beach, and the theme parks.
Split Infinitives
An infinitive is the word “to” with a verb. A split infinitive separates the word “to” and the verb with another word (often an adverb). There are no grammar rules that prohibit split infinitives, but many experts disapprove of them. If the sentence sounds awkward by correcting the split, our rule of thumb is to go with what makes the most sense in the context of your writing and for the ease of reading.
Incorrect: He tried to quickly finish the book before he had to leave.
Correct: He tried to finish the book quickly before he had to leave.