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TOP 10 GRAMMAR ERRORS
MARIJA KRZNARIĆ
2013
TOP 10 GRAMMAR ERRORS
Common Grammar Errors
39% simple spelling mistakes
10% forgetting to add a comma before a coordinating conjunction
5% using sentence fragments without complete thought
3% sentence with omitted verb
2% “wordiness” or using more words instead of concise language
1
Missing commas to set off nonessential/extra/additional information:
 John Smith, who won the writing contest, is in my class.
John Smith who won the writing contest is in my class.
2
Missing commas before coordinating conjunction combining two independent clauses:
 I wanted to go to the beach, but I couldn’t afford to pay for a hotel room.
I wanted to go to the beach but I couldn’t afford to pay for a hotel room.
2
3
Missing commas after introductory element:
 Furthermore, everyone must wait thirty minutes after eating before they go swimming.
Furthermore everyone must wait thirty minutes after eating before they go swimming.
4
Unnecessary commas to set off essential information:
 The student who won the writing contest is in my class.
The student, who won the writing contest, is in my class.
5
Comma splice:
 I had planned to enrol over the summer; however, I couldn’t find any classes to fulfil my major requirements.
I had planned to enrol over the summer, however, I ...
6
Semicolon (not a comma) is used to separate two main clauses:
 John should enrol in an upper-level sociology class; he has fulfilled all the prerequisites, and he is interested in the topic.
John should enrol in an upper-level sociology class, he has fulfilled...
3
7
Possessives mistakes (singular possessives ‘s, plural s’, irregular ‘s):
 Simon decided to join the men’s group.
8
Colon mistake (: introduces a list of items or a quotation):
 Students choose GSU* for its urban environment, its diverse student body, and its rigorous academic reputation.
Students choose GSU for: its urban environment,
9 Wrong word:

You’re semester is difficult because you’re taking too many classes.
10 Lack of parallel structure:
 Biology is my major because the subject is challenging, interesting and (excites me)exciting.
* Georgia State University
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IMPORTANCE OF CORRECT GRAMMAR – SPELLING AND RECRUITMENT
72.2% of recruiters said they had discarded CVs as a result of seeing one or more
spelling mistakes
71.3% said they would think twice about employing an applicant if their CV
contained incorrectly spelt words, even if the candidate fulfilled all other desired
credentials
57.9% of recruiters responded that spelling proficiency was VITAL for candidates
employed within the industry they represent
2.3% of respondents agreed that “Poor spelling is a reflection of low intelligence.”
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COMMAS or NO COMMAS
1 Do you remember the woman who used to work in the bookshop? She’s a teacher now.
2 The first caller who was from the London area didn’t give the correct answer.
The first caller, who was from the London area, didn’t give the correct answer.
3 Our new boss who seems to be nice has said nothing about Mr Bell.
Our new boss, who seems to be nice, has said nothing about Mr Bell.
4 A bachelor is a man who has never been married.
5 Samuel Clemens who most people know as Mark Twain was a major American writer.
Samuel Clemens, who most people know as Mark Twain, was a major American writer.
6 A landlord is a person who you rent a room or flat from.
7 Do you have a thing that measures temperature? You mean a thermometer? Sorry, I don’t.
8 The Mini which some people initially laughed at soon became the most popular car.
The Mini, which some people initially laughed at, soon became the most popular car.
9 The first caller who can give the correct answer will win the prize.
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10 An iceberg the largest part of which is below the surface of the water is a solid mass of ice floating in the ocean.
An iceberg, the largest part of which is below the surface of the water, is a solid mass of ice floating in the ocean.
11 A referee is an official who controls a sports game.
12 The US President who followed Abraham Lincoln was Andrew Johnson.
13 Tuvalu which consists of nine islands is a country in the south Pacific.
Tuvalu, which consists of nine islands, is a country in the south Pacific.
14 President Andrew Johnson who followed Lincoln was extremely unpopular.
President Andrew Johnson, who followed Lincoln, was extremely unpopular.
15 The roses in the living room which Lucy bought only yesterday are all dead.
The roses in the living room, which Lucy bought only yesterday, are all dead.
16 Laurel and Hardy were a pair of comedy actors who made over 100 films from 1926 to 1940.
17 Stan Laurel who was born in Britain and Oliver Hardy an American were first successful in silent films.
Stan Laurel, who was born in Britain, and Oliver Hardy, an American, were first successful in silent films.
18 Hilary Mason who supported my idea didn’t manage to convince the others.
Hilary Mason, who supported my idea, didn’t manage to convince the others.
19 The people who borrowed our flat left it in a shocking condition.
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