Most Frequent Writing Errors

Sentence Structure

Sentence Fragments

All sentences need three elements in order to be correct:

  1. a subject or actor
  2. a verb or action
  3. words to complete the thought

Sentence Fragments lack one of the three elements. Even though they look like complete sentences. [The phrase starting with “Even though” is an example of a fragment.] As you can see, fragments often link with other sentences, so when you’re reading them, they seem to flow and be correct.  Correct sentence fragments by:

  • linking them with another sentence, or
  • adding the missing element

Run-On Sentences

Run-on sentences are the opposite of fragments, a run-on consists of two complete sentences linked together without adequate punctuation.  [The sentence starting with “Run-on” is itself an example of a run-on sentence.]  There’s a whole, complete, correct sentence on either side of the comma, but a comma in itself is not adequate to link two sentences.  Correct a run-on sentence by:

  • using a comma + a linking word such as “and,” “but,” or any linking word that makes sense in that sentence
  • using a semi-colon instead of a comma
  • using a period and starting a new sentence [This would be an effective way to fix the sample run-on above.]

Parallel Sentence Structure

Parallel structure means that you use the same format for multiple similar items in a sentence. Look at the following examples:

  • Harold likes reading websites devoted to news, to watch news programs on television, and viewing documentaries about current events.
  • Harold likes reading websites devoted to news, watching news programs on television, and viewing documentaries about current events.

The second sentence uses parallelism—all three verbs are in the same -ing form. Parallel format for multiple similar items makes them easier to read. The lack of parallel format in the first sentence is like experiencing one person walking down an escalator that’s going up; the non-parallel item disrupts the movement of the sentence.

Punctuation

Commas

Commas separate items in sentences: multiple sentences themselves, items in a list, descriptive phrases, dates and places. For example:

  • I like mowing grass in the summer, since it gives me a feeling of satisfaction to see a trim, well-cared-for yard. [The first comma + linking word helps the writer avoid a run-on sentence, while the second comma separates descriptive phrases.]
  • We still talk about the deep-dish pizza, pizza puffs, and jibarito sandwiches we ate during our trip to Chicago, Illinois, in May, 2019. [The first three commas separate items in a series, while the last three commas separate places and dates. Note that if more of the sentence follows after a place or year,  you need a comma after that place or year.]

The following video provides more information on when to use commas. Note: Some content in the video “#Grammar Doctor – Comma Rules” is presented visually. You may listen to this video with audio description.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk8XYgyHZgk

Semi-Colons

There are only two cases in which to use semi-colons:

  1. to connect two complete sentences (two units of subject-verb-words to complete the thought) in order to avoid run-on sentences
  2. to separate items in a list within a sentence when the items themselves contain commas

For example:

  • On our family trip from New York to Orlando, we visited Hershey, Pennsylvania; Williamsburg, Virginia; and Charleston, South Carolina.

Apostrophes

Use apostrophes in three cases only:

  1. to show possession – e.g., the dog’s collar
  2. in a contraction – e.g., can’t, won’t, I’ll, you’re, etc.
  3. to clarify a word or expression – e.g., mind your p’s and q’s

Important Note

Do not use apostrophes to make a word plural. One common error occurs when using apostrophes in names. Many people incorrectly substitute an apostrophe for a plural.  You may see a sign in front of a house that says The Jones’.  If the Jones family meant to indicate that many of them lived there, which is usually the case, then the names should be pluralized: The Joneses.  The apostrophe shows possession, and would need to be clarified by explaining what the Jones’ possession was, e.g., The Jones’ house.

Quotation Marks

Use quotation marks in three cases:

  1. at the start and end of a source that you quote word for word
  2. when you use a word differently or want to call attention to a word, e.g., I always have to look up the spelling of “consensus.”
  3. when you refer to an article within a larger publication, e.g. “The Importance of Voice” article in the journal Technical Writing [the larger publication is usually italicized]