THE SEVEN MOST COMMON ERRORS

FRAGMENT (FRAG):
    The main clause lacks a subject or verb so that the sentence remains incomplete.

Ex:  My sister, who works in a hospital.
        (What about the sister?  Where is the main verb to complete the clause?)

COMMA SPLICE (CS):
    Two independent clauses (complete sentences) come  together with a comma.

Ex:  Mary and I plan to leave Tuesday for New York, we will spend five days there before sailing.
How to fix:  Use a semi-colon or a period instead of the comma, or add a conjunction
        (i.e., and, or, but, so, for, yet)

Ex:  I studied diligently for the test, however, I failed.
How to fix:   Use a semi-colon instead of first comma.

RUN-ON SENTENCE (RO, fused)
   Two independent clauses run together when they need either a semicolon or separation into
       two sentences.

Ex:  Alan plans to invest in the restaurant he will borrow most of the money from the bank.

FAULTY SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT (SV)
   The subject does not agree in number with its verb.

Ex:  The main problem of most homemakers are all their trips to transport children everywhere.
    Note:  This verb agrees with the noun next to it (homemakers) when it should agree with the
            noun that is the subject of the sentence (problem).

Ex:  Every one of the children have enough clothes for camp.
       Each of the girls own a personal computer.
   Note:  In both cases, the subject is singular (everyone, each [one]); thus the verb must be
            singular too!

FAULTY PRONOUN/ANTECEDENT AGREEMENT (PN AGR)
   The subject does not agree in number with its antecedent (the noun the pn refers to).

Ex:  The theater did not reach their goal of 600 subscribers.
How to fix:  its goal

Ex:  Everyone should bring their book to class.
How to fix:  his or her book
Alternative:  All the students should bring their books to class.

MISPLACED OR DANGLING MODIFIER (MM/DM)
   A sentence fails to convey sense in reading because some descriptive phrase does
        not clearly refer to the word it is intended to describe or modify.

Ex:  As a mother of five children, my ironing board is always up.
        (I want to meet this ironing board!)
How to fix:  As a mother of five children, I am always ironing.

Ex:  The author claims the revolt was caused by corruption in the first chapter.
        (The corruption is not in the first chapter; the claim is.)
How to fix:  In the first chapter, the author claims the revolt was caused by corruption.

 Note: The modifying phrase should usually be next to the word it describes.

Vague or Confusing Pronoun Reference  (REF)
   A pronoun fails to refer accurately to its antecedent (the noun it refers to).

Ex:  Take the cover off the swing and paint it red.  (Should we paint the cover or the swing?)

Note:  The reader will assume the pronoun refers to the noun it most closely follows
        (in this case, the swing).

--PASSIVE VOICE (PV)  Write in active voice.  Let your subject perform the action of the verb.

The ball was hit by Joe.  (PASSIVE)     Joe hit the ball. (ACTIVE)

--Unnecessary "Be" verbs

I was wanting to talk with you. (POOR)       I wanted to talk with you. (BETTER)

These are the men who will join the team. (POOR)    These men will join the team.  (BETTER)

She bought a jewel box which was made with tiny seashells.  (POOR)
She bought a jewel box made with tiny seashells. (BETTER)

The teacher  is saying that prose should be crisp and lively.  (POOR)
The teacher insists [note more precise verb!] that prose should be crisp and lively.  (BETTER)

--EXPLETIVES (EXPL)   (also known as "dummy subjects")
  These  include "it is," "there are," "there were," etc.  Employ such sentence constructions
        only when necessary (e.g., It is raining) or for added emphasis.

Ex:  There are six items in the sack.  (POOR)      The sack contains six items. (BETTER)

Ex:  It is our club that is sponsoring the trip. (POOR)    Our club is sponsoring the trip. (BETTER)