The Most Common Major Errors in University Level Writing

The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005 1

The Most Common Major Errors in University Level Writing

Adapted from The Writing Centre, Ryerson University


…Subject-Verb Agreement (Singular / Plural)…

These tend to occur if the subject is separated from the verb by some descriptive words.


EXAMPLE

“The process of tabulating these results were begun by inputting the values into the spreadsheet.”


What’s wrong?How do you fix it?


CORRECTED

“The process of tabulating these results was begun by inputting the values into the spreadsheet.”



EXAMPLE

“In 1820, there was new plansproposed for the site.”




CORRECTED

“In 1820, there were new plans proposed for the site.”



…Sentence Fragment….

Part of a sentence is punctuated as a complete sentence.


EXAMPLE

“During this planning time, when the final choice of a computer system is made.”




CORRECTED

“During this planning time the final choice of a computer is made.”

(You may also correct this by finishing the incomplete sentence.)

“During this planning time, when the final choice of a computer system is made, you should consult with all the potential users.”



EXAMPLE

“They came with a proposal. A proposal too good to refuse.”




CORRECTED

“They came with a proposal, a proposal too good to refuse.”



…Comma Splice or Run-on Sentence…

Two separate sentences are joined with a comma, or run together without any punctuation.



EXAMPLE

“The new buildings would be expensive, the estimated cost of renovating existing offices was half as much.”



CORRECTED

“The new buildings would be expensive. The estimated cost of renovating existing offices was half as much.”

or

“The new buildings would be expensive and the estimated cost of renovating existing offices was half as much.”



,Sentence Sentence

You can use:• period• semi colon• comma plus “and” or “but” (a joining word)

How do you fix it?



…Misuse of the Semi-Colon…

The semi-colon (;) joins two sentences into one, without an and or but. This can be a very effective construction, but you must have a complete sentence on either side of the ;

Therefore and however frequently begin the second sentence.



EXAMPLE

“In 1886, 36,000,000 tonnes of cargo moved through the St. Lawrence Seaway; in contrast to the average of 11,000,000 tonnes in the 1950s.”



CORRECTED

“In 1886, 36,000,000 tonnes of cargo moved through the St. Lawrence Seaway; in contrast, an average of only 11,000,000 tonnes moved through in the 1950s.”



…Dangling Modifier…

This occurs when a sentence begins with a verb form ending in -ing or -ed.

This -ing or -ed word should refer to the subject of the sentence, which will usually follow the comma.




EXAMPLE

“By spending time with their children in play, the children can develop their language ability.”


CORRECTED

“By spending time with their children in play, parents can help them develop their language ability.”

(It is the parents who are spending the time.)



Pronoun Errors - Agreement

Pronouns refer to nouns. Errors often occur when a pronoun does not agree with the noun that it is referring to or represents.


EXAMPLE

One of the boys who was involved confessed to being at the scene. They said that it was only meant to be a prank.


…Pronoun Errors – Agreement…


…Pronoun Errors – I or me?…

Often writers confuse the proper use of “I” or “me” in the predicate of a sentence.


EXAMPLE

“John went to the movie with Ann and I.”




Hint: Split the compound phrase Ann and me

John went to the movie with I.versus

John went to the movie with me.)

CORRECTED

John went to the movie with Ann and me.



Word ConfusionSome common examples…


where / were Where are you? Where asks about location.

They were angry.Were is the past form of the verb “to be”.

…Word Confusion Some common examples…


There is a . . .There indicates something exists.

Put it there.There indicates location.

(Hint: Remember where and there both refer to place and both have the same ending.)

They argued their case.Their indicates possession.

They’re going out together.There is short for They are.

…Word ConfusionSome common examples… there / their / they’re


…Word Confusion…Some common examples

Then / than Then she went to the store. Then indicates time.

He is faster than his friend. Than indicates comparison.


too / to Try to sleep. To is the infinitive form of the verb.

Go to the store. To is a preposition.

He came too. Too means also.

It was too late. Too is the comparative form.



its / it’s It’s not right it’s = it is

The apostrophe means a letter is omitted.

(Hint: Think of his, her, & its as a group.No apostrophe.)

The dog found its bone. Its refers to possession.



would have / would of

I would have come.

Would of doesn’t exist. It’s just our slurring of have when we speak.

wanna I wanna learn English.

“wanna” is not a word!I want to learn English


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The Most Common Major Errors in University Level Writing