1. Common Grammatical Errors PSYC3530 Spring 2014

2. Using Commas John Smith, who won the contest, is in my class. The student who won the writing contest is in my class. I wanted to go on the trip, but I couldn’t afford the ticket. I wanted to go on the trip but couldn’t afford the ticket. In summary, the study had significant methodological problems. Even though he knew he shouldn’t, he decided to leave early. I had planned to enroll over the summer; however, I missed the deadline. I had planned to enroll over the summer, but I missed the deadline. I had planned to enroll over the summer but missed the deadline.

3. Possessives & Apostrophes Simon decided to join the men’s group. We were concerned about the students’ grades. We were concerned about the student’s grades. It’s easy to see why she is always late. Its fur was soft and shiny.

4. You’re and Your They’re and Their Your semester is difficulty because you are taking PSYC 3530. You’re the winner! They’re laughing at you. We ruined their party.

5. Parallel structure Incorrect Biology is my major because the subject is challenging, interesting, and excites me. My favorite sports are baseball, basketball, and playing tennis. Correct Biology is my major because the subject is challenging, interesting, and exciting. My favorite sports are baseball, basketball and playing tennis.

6. Fragments Incorrect GSU will have to raise tuition next year. Because the state government will not raise taxes. “Because the state government will not raise taxes” is the fragment Correct GSU will have to raise tuition next year because the state government will not raise taxes. OR Because the state government will not raise taxes, GSU will have to raise tuition next year.

7. Subject/Verb agreement Incorrect One of my professors always spill coffee on my papers. Some of the water are missing. She started to cry, then almost falls. The participants filled out a form then would begin the experiment. Correct One of my professors always spills coffee on my papers. Some of the water is missing. She started to cry, then almost fell. The participants filled out a form then began the experiment.

8. Passive vs. Active Voice Passive Voice Forms were filled out by the participants. Many methodological problems were corrected by the authors. Active Voice The participant filled out a form. The authors corrected many methodological problems.

9. Affect vs. Effect Affect Verb “To influence” Example: “The price of gasoline affects the economy.” Effect Noun “A result” Example: “The effect of his missing class was getting assigned to Saturday detention.”

10. Anthropomorphism When a writer gives human abilities or characteristics to something that is not human Example: “The library gave me three additional days to return the book.” Corrected: “The library staff gave me three additional days to return the book.”