1. 20 Major Grammatical Errors and How to Fix Them
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20 Major Grammatical Errors and How to Fix Them

2. 1 – Using the Wrong Word Check Spelling Errors Clarify Meaning
Check It
Do not confuse the meanings of words with similar spelling. Also, words with similar definitions can have important shares of meaning. Check that words you found in a thesaurus are used correctly.
I always pay attention to the advise advice my mother gives me.
No one beside besides me packed a tent for the camping trip.
Computer spell-checkers often correct a misspelling with a different, similarly spelled word. Be sure to proofread your work carefully to catch these errors. In each of the following examples, the word with a strikethrough represents an inappropriate spell- checker correction.
She told me where there was a tornado watch for the county.
The cause-and-affect effect chart we made for class was due yesterday.
READ Carefully. Take time to read your draft closely. For a double- check, have someone else read your work.
IDENTIFY possible mistakes. Mark any difficult or commonly misused words in you draft.
USE a dictionary. If you are not sure of a word’s meaning, consult a dictionary.

3. 2 – Missing Comma After Introductory Element
Words
Phrases
Clauses
Place a comma after introductory words of direct address, words of permission, and interjections.
Mom, will you drive me pick me up after practice today?
Yes, we will leave soon.
Oh, please bring me my coat.
Place a comma after introductory prepositional, participle, and infinitive phrases.
Before the storm, we boarded our windows.
Speaking quickly, I rushed through my speech.
To write a book, he will need to devote a lot of time.
Introductory adverbial clauses should be followed be a comma.
After we drive to the store, we will buy our groceries.

4. 2 – Missing Comma After Introductory Element
Check It
SCAN your draft. Look for introductory words, phrases, and clauses
IDENTIFY missing commas. Mark sentence starters that might need a comma.
USE the OWL at Purdue. Consult the grammar section of the OWL if you are not sure whether or not to use a comma.
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5. 3 – Incomplete or Missing Documentation
Missing Citations
Incomplete Citations
Check It
Cite sources of direct quotes and statistics. Remember – when in doubt, cite the source.
The mayor said, “We will build a better tomorrow” (Alex 53).
Thomas concluded the work force has been cut back by 15 percent (Thomas 86).
Make sure you citations include complete source information. This information will vary depending on the source and the citation style, but it may include the author’s name, the source’s title, and the page number or other location information.
The author called the review “completely inaccurate” (Donald 14).
Most of its readers claimed to have skimmed the book (Albert 18).
REVIEW your draft. Look for places where you are referencing someone else’s ideas.
USE a style guide. Check the appropriate format and contents for your citations in the style guide on the OWL at Perdue.
MLA.
APA.

6. 4 – Vague Pronoun Reference
Vague Idea
Unclear use of it, they, and you
Check It
Pronouns such as which, this, that, and these should refer to a specific idea. Sometimes, changing a pronoun to an adjective that modifies a specific noun can avoid a vague reference.
The presidential candidate visited his hometown to discuss his goals for office. These goals will either get him elected to be the cause of his defeat.
Be sure that the pronouns it, they, and you have a clearly stated antecedent. Replacing the personal pronoun with a specific noun can make a sentence clear.
The candidate is traveling the country as part of his campaign. It The campaign will be his most effective yet.
When the staff members met with voters, they the voters asked many questions.
To run for president, you a candidate must be willing to devote several months, even years, to campaigning.
READ carefully. Read your draft slowly to locate pronouns.
INDENTIFY possible errors. Mark any vague pronoun references.
REVISE your draft. Rewrite sentences with vague pronoun- antecedent relationships.

7. 5 – Spelling Error Spell-Check Errors Homophones Check It
Computer spell-checkers often replace misspelled words with other close in spelling but different in meaning. Proofread your work carefully to correct these errors.
When my twin sister gets embarrassed, her checks cheeks turn bright pink!
After the award recipient received a standing ovation, she said think thank you many times.
Words that are pronounced the same but have different spellings and meanings are called homophones. Check that you have used the correct homophones to convey your intended meaning.
My dad’s car was toad towed when it got a flat tire, and he didn’t have a spare.
My aunt says she always sees dear deer in her backyard at dusk.
READ carefully. Read your draft word by word looking for spelling errors.
INDENTIFY possible mistakes. Mark any incorrect words or words that are misspelled.
USE a dictionary. If you are not certain how to spell a word or think a homophone has been used incorrectly, consult a dictionary.

8. 6 – Punctuation Error with Quotation Marks
Direct and Indirect Quotations
Quotation Marks with Other Punctuation
Check It
A direct quotation is enclosed in quotation marks. Indirect quotations do no need quotation marks.
Maria said, “I like to volunteer at soup kitchens.”
Maria said she likes to volunteer at soup kitchens.
When commas or periods end a quotation, the punctuation goes inside the quotation marks. Question marks and exclamation points go either inside or outside the quotation marks, depending on the sentence structure. Colons and semicolons used after quoted material should be placed outside the quotation marks.
“Students who want to volunteers this weekend must sign up today,” the director said.
Sami said, “You have to sign up right now if you want to go on this trip!”
Did she say, “Only ten students can volunteer”?
Mr. Jacobsen said, “Volunteering is a great way to help your community”; we all agree!
READ carefully. If you used indirect quotations, make sure that they are not set in quotation marks.
IDENTIFY direct quotations. Mark each direct quotation in your work. Is each quotation punctuated correctly?
REVISE your sentences. Correct all punctuation errors in your quotations.
How to Use Quotation Marks from OWL l/resource/577/01/

9. 7 – Unnecessary Commas Essential Elements Compound Predicate Check It
Appositives, participial phrases, and adjectival clauses that are essential to the meaning of the sentence are not set off by commas.
My friend Latoya is rehearsing her part in the upcoming school musical.
The student singing the solo is a junior in high school.
The musical that many students are participating in takes place in Paris.
Commas should not break apart a compound predicate.
He traveled to Thailand but lived in Japan.
The author visited many schools and signed many copies of his book.
SCAN mentor texts. Notice how professional writers use commas.
IDENTIFY essential elements. Did you use commas to indicate these elements?
REVISE your sentences. Delete any commas that set off essential elements.
Commas with Nonessential Elements
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10. 8 – Unnecessary or Missing Capitalization
Proper Nouns
Titles of Works of Art
Check It
Names, geographical locations, and organizations are examples of nouns that should be capitalized.
Neil Armstrong was a NASA astronaut who landed on the moon.
I saw a space shuttle take off when I was in Florida.
The first word and all other key words in the titles of books, poems, stories, plays, paintings, and other works of art are capitalized.
We were assigned to read The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck.
Have you ever seen the painting The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh?
SCAN your draft. Look for words that are capitalized.
IDENTIFY incorrect capitalization. Mark words that might be capitalized incorrectly.
USE a style book. Consult the OWL at Purdue to find out if a word should be capitalized.
A Little Help with Capitals
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11. 9 – Missing Words Articles Key Ideas Check It
In order to make sure that ideas follow smoothly and sentences are coherent, you must proofread your work. A missing word, even a missing article (a, an, the) is enough to confuse a reader.
The heavy snowfall caused the airport to cancel the flight I was scheduled to take home.
When copying and pasting text, you might miss moving a word in a sentence. If that word is central to the main idea of the sentence, the intended meaning could be lost.
The police force was outfitted with a new uniform this past week.
Some of the officers preferred the style of the old uniforms, but they welcomed the change.
READ carefully. Read your draft word by word to make sure that you did not omit a word.
IDENTIFY unclear sentences. Mark any sentences you find that do not make sense. Are they unclear because of a missing word?
REVISE your sentences. Add words to your sentences to make the meaning clear.

12. 10 – Faulty Sentence Structure
Faulty Parallelism
Faulty Coordination
Check It
In order to make sure that ideas follow smoothly and sentences are coherent, you must proofread your work. A missing word, even a missing article (a, an, the) is enough to confuse a reader.
The heavy snowfall caused the airport to cancel the flight I was scheduled to take home.
When copying and pasting text, you might miss moving a word in a sentence. If that word is central to the main idea of the sentence, the intended meaning could be lost.
The police force was outfitted with a new uniform this past week.
Some of the officers preferred the style of the old uniforms, but they welcomed the change.
SCAN Mentor Texts. Notice how professional writers present complex ideas.
IDENTIFY possible mistakes. Mark any sentences that have faulty parallelism or faulty coordination.
REVISE your sentences. Rewrite any sentences that do not have correct sentence structure.

13. 11 – Missing Comma with a Nonessential Element
Appositive
Participial Phrase
Adjectival Clause
If an appositive is not essential to the meaning of a sentence, it should be set off by commas.
Thomas Jefferson, a United States President, built a home in Virginia.
A participial phrase not essential to the meaning of a sentence is set off by commas.
The Louisiana Purchase, completed in 1803, was a memorable event in Jefferson’s presidency.
Use commas to set off an adjectival clause if it is not essential to the meaning of a sentence.
Jefferson, who signed the Declaration of Independence, was the third U.S. president.

14. 11 – Missing Comma with a Nonessential Element
Check It
SCAN mentor texts. Notice how professional writers use commas to set off non essential elements.
IDENTIFY nonessential elements. Did you use commas to indicate these words, phrases, or clauses?
REVIEW your sentences. Use commas to set off nonessential elements.
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15. 12 – Unnecessary Shift in Verb Tense
Sequence of Events
Subordinate Clause
Check It
Do not shift tenses unnecessarily when showing a sequence of events.
We will buy a house, and then we (will) move to Colorado.
She watered the plants in the front of the house for 15 minutes and waters (watered) the plants in the back of the house for 30 minutes.
The verb in the subordinate clauses should follow logically from the tense of the main verb. The verbs require a shift in tense if one event happens before or after another.
She thinks that she dances (danced) better as a young girl in Lisbon.
Abby know that we (will) go to the theaters without her this weekend.
SCAN Mentor Texts. Notice how professional writers use consistent tenses within a sentence.
IDENTIFY possible mistakes. Mark any shift in verb tense within a sentence.
USE a style guide. Consult the OWL at Purdue if you are unsure that you have used consistent tenses.
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16. Compound Subjects & Verbs
13 – Missing a Comma in a Compound Sentence
Main Clauses
Brief Clauses
Compound Subjects & Verbs
Place a comma before a coordinating conjunction (e.g. and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) in a compound sentence.
Ms. Jennings is running for mayor, and she has a lot of support from the city.
The main clause in some compound sentences are brief and do not need a comma if the meaning is clear.
He parked the car and she got out.
Commas should not be used to separate compound subjects and compound verbs in a sentence.
The men and women were all dressed for the occasion.
He walked to his new neighbor’s house and knocked on the front door.

17. 13 – Missing a Comma in a Compound Sentence
Check It
SCAN your draft. Look for compound sentences.
IDENTIFY missing commas. Mark any compound sentences that should be punctuated with a comma.
REVISE your sentences. Add commas before coordinating conjunctions to separate main clauses.
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18. 14 – Unnecessary or Missing Apostrophe
Singular Nouns
Plural Nouns
Possessive Pronouns
To show the possessive case of most singular nouns, add an apostrophe and –s.
The university’s team colors were not his favorite to wear.
Add an apostrophe to show the possessive case for most plural nouns ending in –s or –es. For plural nouns that do no end in –s or –es, add an apostrophe and –s.
All of the phones’ batteries need recharging.
The women’s locker rooms was noisy and crowded.
Possessive pronouns (e.g. his, hers, its, our, their) show possession without the use of an apostrophe. Remember that the word it’s means “it is” while its shows possession.
The restaurant is our favorite because of its view.

19. 14 – Unnecessary or Missing Apostrophe
Check It
SCAN mentor texts. Notice when professional writers use apostrophes to indicate possession.
IDENTIFY possible mistakes. Mark each apostrophe in your draft. Did you use them correctly to show possession?
REVISE your sentences. Make sure to delete any apostrophes you used with possessive pronouns.
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20. 15 – Run-on Sentence Fused Sentence Run-on Sentence Check It
A fused sentence contains two or more sentences joined with no punctuation. To correct a fused sentence, place a period (and capitalize the following word) or a semicolon (;) between the main clauses.
The figure skater will not be able to compete in tomorrow’s competition (. She) she sprained her ankle during practice
The fans were on the edge of their seats; the game was going into overtime.
Make sure you place a comma before coordinating conjunctions that join main clauses to avoid run- on sentence.
My library books are overdue, and I seem to have misplaced one.
SCAN your draft. Look for run-on sentences.
IDENTIFY missing punctuation. Mark sentences that might need a period or a semicolon to separate main clauses.
REVISE your sentences. When correcting fused sentences, vary your sentence structure.
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21. Coordinating Conjunction
16 – Comma Splice
Period
Semicolon
Coordinating Conjunction
Replace the comma with a period (and capitalize the following word) to separate two complete thoughts.
My mom’s favorite season is winter, she likes to ski more than she likes to swim.
CORRECTION: My mom’s favorite season is winter. She likes to ski more than she likes to swim.
Replace the comma with a semicolon if the ideas are similar.
He was the best tennis player on our team, he practiced for three hours every day.
CORRECTION: He as the best tennis player on our team; he practiced for three hours every day.
A comma splice can be corrected by placing a coordinating conjunction (e.g. and, or, but, nor, for, yet) after the comma.
The wind blew my map away, I think I remember how to get to her house.
CORRECTION: The wind blew my map away, but I think I remember how to get to her house.

22. 16 – Comma Splice
Check It
READ carefully. Take time to read you draft carefully. Have someone else read your work for a double- check.
IDENTIFY possible mistakes. Mark any comma splices you find.
REVISE your sentences. Fix comma splices in different ways to vary your sentence structure.
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23. Gender Neutral Antecedents
17 – Lack of Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Gender Neutral Antecedents
Or, No, And
Indefinite Pronouns
When gender is not specific use his or her to refer to the singular antecedent.
Each driver must pass a written and practical exam before their driver’s license is issued.
CORRECTION: Each driver must pass a written and practical exam before his or her driver’s license is issued.
When two or more singular antecedents are joined by or or nor, use a singular personal pronoun. Use a plural personal pronoun when two or more antecedents are joined by and.
Either Mary or Susie will sign up for their violin lessons.
CORRECTION: Either Mary or Susie will sign up for her violin lessons.
Dave and Charlie wish that he could play the saxophone as well as Carlos.
CORRECTION: Dave and Charlie wish that they could play the saxophone as well as Carlos.
When a plural indefinite pronoun is an antecedent, use a plural personal pronoun to agree with it. When a singular indefinite pronoun is the antecedent, use a singular personal pronoun to agree with it.
All of the girls left her sheet music at home.
CORRECTION: All of the girls left their sheet music at home.
One of the female musicians had their clarinet tuned before the concert.
CORRECTION: One of the female musicians had her clarinet tuned before the concert.

24. 17 – Lack of Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Check It
READ carefully. Take time to read your draft carefully. For a double- check, have someone else read your work.
IDENTIFY possible mistakes. Mary any pronouns that do not agree with their antecedents in a sentence.
USE a style guide. Consult the OWL at Purdue if you are not sure whether your pronouns and antecedents agree.
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25. 18 – Poorly Integrated Quotation
Quote in a Sentence
Quote as a Sentence
Check It
Prepare the reader for the information contained in the quote by introducing the quote’s idea.
In her book review, the critic spoke about the conclusion: “The ending was abrupt and did not provide closure for each of the character’s lives” (24).
Victoria says that highly motivated students should be recognized: “We need to take time to notice the students who do their best in the classroom.”
Place an introductory phrase before or after a quotation that stands alone. In most cases, this phrase should identify the quote’s author or speaker.
According to Mr. Thompson, “The cost of attending a private school is steadily increasing” (Thompson 12).
SCAN mentor texts. Notice how professional writers integrate quotations into their work.
IDENTIFY quotes. Mark each quote in your work. Does each quote flow smoothly with the surrounding sentence?
REVISE your sentences. Add explanatory information and introductions as needed.
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26. 19 – Unnecessary or Missing Hyphen
Compound Words
Compound Adjectives
Check It
Hyphens can connect tow or more words that are used as one compound word. Some compound words do not require a hyphen. Check a current dictionary if you are unsure about hyphenating a word.
That high-rise building is the newest skyscraper in the city.
My stepmother went to the parent- teacher conference.
A compound adjective that appears before a non should be hyphenated. Remember not to hyphenate a compound proper noun acting as an adjective.
The blue-eyed dog was the prettiest I have ever seen.
The World War II attack on Pearl Harbor occurred in 1941.
INDENTIFY possible errors. Mark any compound adjectives before a noun that are not hyphenated.
REVISE your sentences. Add a hyphen to words that should be hyphenated.
USE a dictionary. Consult a dictionary if you are not sure if a word should be hyphenated.

27. Lacking a Subject or Verb
20 – Sentence Fragment
Lacking a Subject or Verb
Subordinate Clause
Check It
A complete sentence must have a subject and a verb.
The doctor was known as the best pediatrician in town. And always had a long list of patients to prove it!
CORRECTION: The doctor was known as the best pediatrician in town. She always had a long list of patients to prove it!
The flamingo in the pond standing on one leg.
CORRECTION: The flamingo in the pond had been standing on one leg.
A subordinate clause cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought.
Ariel was chosen to be the team captain. Because she was the most responsible person on the team.
CORRECTION: Ariel was chosen to be the team captain because she was the most responsible person on the team.
SCAN your draft. Look for incomplete sentences.
IDENTIFY missing words. Mark sentences that have missing subjects or verbs.
REVISE your sentences. Rewrite any sentences that are missing subjects or verbs or that are subordinate clauses standing on their own.
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