Grammatical Challenges for Second Language Writers Pre-Course 66 USASMA

Most common errors for second language writers: 1. subject-verb agreement 2. verb tense 3. verb form 4. singular/plural noun endings 5. word form 6. sentence structure 7. articles a. indefinite b. definite 8. Prepositions (in, at, on) “Editing Line by Line,” Linville, 2004

1. Subject-verb agreement When the subject does not agree with the verb in person or number Example: He walk every morning. Every teenager knows how to choose clothes that flatters her figure. Practical tip: Read the sentence out loud; you may hear the error rather than just see it written down. Isolate the subject and verb and determine if you have the right form.

2. Verb tense When incorrect time marker is used Example: I was working on my paper since 6:00 AM. Even though this is my first day on the job, I have already found that there were so many different people here. Practical tip: Use a highlighter or pen to underline or circle all the verbs and time markers (such as 6:00 AM) in a given sentence. When editing an essay for tense, use a highlighter or pen and circle each verb. Go through each paragraph systematically and determine if the tense matches throughout.

3. Verb form When a verb is incorrectly formed Example: I will driven to the airport next week. I was cook dinner last night when you called. Practical tip: Know your grammar rules. Modal verbs (shall, should, can, could, will, would, may, might) take only the base form of the verb Progressive tenses have to have some form of to be and some verb with -ing

4. Singular/plural noun endings Singular and plural errors = confusion about countable and noncountable nouns. Example: I have turned in all my homeworks this week. I set up six more desk for the afternoon. Practical tip: Be aware of nouns that are countable/noncountable. Often you will find that a noun that is countable in your native language does not translate as countable, and vice versa.

5. Word form When the wrong part of speech is chosen Example I’m happy to live in a democracy country. I feel very confusing this morning. Practical tip: Isolate the noun and words that describe it (adjective). Look at the ending of the adjective to determine if it’s in fact an adjective ending. Learn the difference between many of the feeling words: Amazed/amazing Excited/exciting Confused/confusing

6. Sentence structure A broad range of errors that occur for a variety of reasons A word is left out An extra word is added Word order is incorrect Incorrect punctuation

7a. Articles: indefinite A/An(Adjective) Noun I will look forabook. I will look foranarticle. (some)(Adjective) Noun I need to annotatesomearticles from Google Scholar. I need to dosomeresearch. Plural Count Nouns/Non-count Nouns Singular Count Nouns “A” before consonant sounds (chair, book, relationship, etc.) “An” before vowel sounds (old, apple, hour) Use when you do not have a specific person, place, or thing in mind.

7b. Articles: definite The(Adjective) Noun I will readthearticle. I will annotatethelongest article. The(Adjective) Noun I will readthearticles about my topic. I will write abouttheresearch. Plural Count Nouns/Non-count Noun Use when you have a specific thing in mind. Use when the context makes it clear which person, place, thing, etc. The noun is mentioned for the second time. Singular Count Nouns

8. Prepositions According to second language acquisition research, prepositions are one of the last things L2 speakers master.

Practice Using feedback received on either the Man on Wire summary or the country brief, identify some grammatical errors. 1.What is the error? 2.What type of error is it? 3.How can you change it to make it better?