The Most Common Major Errors
in University Level Writing
Adapted from
The Writing Centre, Ryerson University
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
1
…Subject-Verb Agreement
(Singular / Plural)…
These tend to occur if the subject
is separated from the verb by some
descriptive words.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
2
…Subject-Verb Agreement (Singular / Plural)…
EXAMPLE
“The process of tabulating these results
were begun by inputting the values into the
spreadsheet.”
What’s wrong?
How do you fix it?
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
3
…Subject-Verb Agreement (Singular / Plural)…
CORRECTED
“The process of tabulating these results
was begun by inputting the values into
the spreadsheet.”
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
4
…Subject-Verb Agreement (Singular / Plural)…
EXAMPLE
“In 1820, there was new plans
proposed for the site.”
What’s wrong?
How do you fix it?
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
5
…Subject-Verb Agreement (Singular / Plural)…
CORRECTED
“In 1820, there were new plans
proposed for the site.”
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
6
…Sentence Fragment….
Part of a sentence is punctuated as a
complete sentence.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
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…Sentence Fragment….
EXAMPLE
“During this planning time, when the final
choice of a computer system is made.”
What’s wrong?
How do you fix it?
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
8
…Sentence Fragment….
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.”
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
9
…Sentence Fragment….
EXAMPLE
“They came with a proposal. A proposal
too good to refuse.”
What’s wrong?
How do you fix it?
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
10
…Sentence Fragment….
CORRECTED
“They came with a proposal, a proposal
too good to refuse.”
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
11
…Comma Splice or Run-on Sentence…
Two separate sentences are joined with a
comma, or run together without any
punctuation.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
12
…Comma Splice or Run-on Sentence…
EXAMPLE
“The new buildings would be expensive, the
estimated cost of renovating existing offices
was half as much.”
What’s wrong?
How do you fix it?
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
13
…Comma Splice or Run-on Sentence…
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.”
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
14
…Comma Splice or Run-on Sentence…
How do you fix it?
Sentence
,
Sentence
You can use:
• period
• semi colon
• comma plus “and” or “but” (a joining word)
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
15
…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.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
16
…Misuse of the Semi-Colon…
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.”
What’s wrong?
How do you fix it?
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
17
…Misuse of the Semi-Colon…
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.”
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
18
…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.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
19
…Dangling Modifier…
EXAMPLE
“By spending time with their children in
play, the children can develop their
language ability.”
What’s wrong?
How do you fix it?
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
20
…Dangling Modifier…
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.)
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
21
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.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
22
…Pronoun Errors – Agreement…
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.
What’s wrong?
How do you fix it?
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
23
…Pronoun Errors – I or me?…
Often writers confuse the proper
use of “I” or “me” in the
predicate of a sentence.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
24
…Pronoun Errors – I or me?…
EXAMPLE
“John went to the movie with Ann and I.”
What’s wrong?
How do you fix it?
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
25
…Pronoun Errors – I or me?…
CORRECTED
John went to the movie with Ann and me.
Hint: Split the compound phrase Ann and me
John went to the movie with I.
versus
John went to the movie with me.)
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
26
Word Confusion
Some common examples…
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
27
…Word Confusion
Some common examples…
where / were
Where are you?
Where asks about location.
They were angry.
Were is the past form of the verb “to be”.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
28
…Word Confusion
Some common examples…
there / their / they’re
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.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
29
…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.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
30
…Word Confusion…
Some common examples
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.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
31
…Word Confusion…
Some common examples
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.
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
32
…Word Confusion…
Some common examples
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
The Writing Centre, StFX University 2005
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