Six Common Writing Errors Students make!Sentence Fragments
Sentence Fragments are usually punctuated as a sentence which is grammatically complete; however, the thought has not been completed and therefore is unable to adequately stand alone as an acceptable sentence. |
|
Example:
Incorrect: The increased use of hand sanitizers in the mall.
Correct: The recent increased use of hand sanitizers in the mall is due to the latest flu outbreak.
Informal Language
This term describes broadly the types of speech or writing which is marked by a casual, familiar, and generally colloquial use of language.
Example
Incorrect: Eating healthy is easier said than done.
Correct: Maintaining a healthy diet is quite difficult in practice.
Comma Splices
These occur when a comma is used to join two complete sentences without placing an appropriate joining word between them.
Example
Incorrect: This week’s work schedule was filled with several meetings and deadlines, I am feeling quite exhausted.
Correct: This week’s work schedule was filled with several meetings and deadlines. I am feeling quite exhausted.
Fused Sentences
These occur when there is an absence of appropriate punctuation or coordinating conjunctions between two independent sentences.
Example
Incorrect: The rise in illegal dumping across many rural areas has warranted great concern among residents Town hall meetings have been organised in various rural communities for residents to discuss the issue.
Correct: The rise in illegal dumping across many rural areas has warranted great concern among residents. Town hall meetings have been organised for residents to discuss the issue.
Apostrophe Errors
Students often misuse apostrophes when writing essays. Apostrophes indicate possessives and contractions but not plurals.
Common possessives: its, your, their, and whose (but no apostrophes).
Common contractions: Itʼs, youʼre, theyʼre, and whoʼs
Unclear Pronoun Reference
Quite often, persons often use pronouns inappropriately which leads to some level of confusion when reading essays submitted by students. Pronouns must clearly refer to definite nouns. Use pronouns such as it, they, that, these, those, and which carefully to prevent confusion.
Example
Incorrect: Einstein was a brilliant mathematician. This is how he was able to explain the workings of the universe.
Correct: Einstein, who was a brilliant mathematician, used his quantitative ability to explain the workings of universe.
Incorrect: The increased use of hand sanitizers in the mall.
Correct: The recent increased use of hand sanitizers in the mall is due to the latest flu outbreak.
Informal Language
This term describes broadly the types of speech or writing which is marked by a casual, familiar, and generally colloquial use of language.
Example
Incorrect: Eating healthy is easier said than done.
Correct: Maintaining a healthy diet is quite difficult in practice.
Comma Splices
These occur when a comma is used to join two complete sentences without placing an appropriate joining word between them.
Example
Incorrect: This week’s work schedule was filled with several meetings and deadlines, I am feeling quite exhausted.
Correct: This week’s work schedule was filled with several meetings and deadlines. I am feeling quite exhausted.
Fused Sentences
These occur when there is an absence of appropriate punctuation or coordinating conjunctions between two independent sentences.
Example
Incorrect: The rise in illegal dumping across many rural areas has warranted great concern among residents Town hall meetings have been organised in various rural communities for residents to discuss the issue.
Correct: The rise in illegal dumping across many rural areas has warranted great concern among residents. Town hall meetings have been organised for residents to discuss the issue.
Apostrophe Errors
Students often misuse apostrophes when writing essays. Apostrophes indicate possessives and contractions but not plurals.
Common possessives: its, your, their, and whose (but no apostrophes).
Common contractions: Itʼs, youʼre, theyʼre, and whoʼs
Unclear Pronoun Reference
Quite often, persons often use pronouns inappropriately which leads to some level of confusion when reading essays submitted by students. Pronouns must clearly refer to definite nouns. Use pronouns such as it, they, that, these, those, and which carefully to prevent confusion.
Example
Incorrect: Einstein was a brilliant mathematician. This is how he was able to explain the workings of the universe.
Correct: Einstein, who was a brilliant mathematician, used his quantitative ability to explain the workings of universe.
