The 30 Most Common Errors in Students’ Writing
Created by Hunter Brown
Summer 2013
1.
The -wise suffix
The suffix -wise has long meant “in the manner or direction of,”
as in
▪ clockwise,
▪ otherwise,
▪ slantwise.
However, in recent years, -wise has come to mean “with respect
to,” as in
▪ sales-wise,
▪ interface-wise,
▪ aesthetics-wise.
These usages are generally considered informal and somewhat
awkward. Try to avoid them, especially in academic writing.
“-wise” TheFreeDictionary. Farlex Inc., n.d. Web. 16 July 2013.
2.
The “type” and “type of” habit
“Type” is often incorrectly used to replace "sort” or “kind.” Even when used
correctly, it often sounds clichéd and should be avoided.
NOT: I have the type father who loses his temper.
BUT: I have a father who loses his temper.
OR: My father has a quick temper.
NOT: She wasn’t that type of girl.
BUT: She wasn’t that kind of girl.
NOT: She wore a Spanish-type costume.
BUT: She wore a Spanish costume.
OR: Her costume had a Spanish look.
NOT: He was a Charles Chaplin-type actor.
BUT: His acting was Chaplinesque.
OR: Like Charles Chaplin, he . . .
3. “Manner” and “nature” phrases
Manner and nature phrases often sound pompous and
redundant:
▪ “In a polite manner” means “politely.”
▪ “Comprehensive in nature” or “of a comprehensive nature” means
“comprehensively.”
Using such phrases can give the impression that you are trying
to sound dignified or trying to increase your word count.
4. As far as—As far as must be followed by is concerned, or
it is meaningless.
NOT: As far as studying, I’ve worked hard.
BUT: As far as studying is concerned, I’ve worked hard.
5. Center around—Not possible. You can only center on.
6.
Different—Use different than only if a clause (a subject and a verb)
follows. Use different from in all other cases.
He is different from me.
That model is different from the rest.
He is different than I am.
That model is different than the rest are.
7.
Disinterested/uninterested—If you are disinterested, you are
interested but unbiased. If you are uninterested, you take no interest at
all.
8.
Due to—Use due to only when it follows a be verb (am, is, are, was,
were, be, been, being). Otherwise, use as a result of or because of.
CORRECT: His poor health is due to his strenuous job.
INCORRECT: The class was cancelled due to the storm.
CHANGE TO: The class was cancelled as a result of the storm.
OR: The class was cancelled because of the storm.
9. Enthuse—A back formation from the noun enthusiasm,
enthuse is a verb meaning “to become or cause to
become enthusiastic.” Avoid using it in formal writing.
10. Fabulous—Overuse has robbed this word of some of its
power. Instead of using it to describe everyday things—
fabulous cars, fabulous neckties, fabulous meatballs—
save it for that which is truly extraordinary and
unbelievable.
11. Feel bad/feel badly—If you are sick or unhappy, you feel
bad. If your fingers lack sensitivity, you feel badly.
12. Fewer/less—Fewer refers to numbers, less to amounts.
 fewer minutes, less time
 fewer notes, less music
 fewer vegetables, less produce
13. Imply/infer—To imply means to suggest or indicate: “The essay implies
[suggests] that scientists are out of touch.” To infer means to draw a
conclusion from: “I infer [draw the conclusion that] the author doesn’t
know any real scientists.” Words and pictures imply; only people can
infer.
14. Indefinite pronouns (each, everyone, everybody, either, neither,
nobody)—All these pronouns are singular and must be treated
consistently as such.
NOT: Everybody brought their own lunch.
BUT: Everybody brought his or her own lunch.
NOT: Neither a dog nor a cat are allowed in the apartments.
BUT: Neither a dog nor a cat is allowed in the apartments.
15. Irregardless—Irregardless is not a word. The ir- is
redundant; it means the same thing as -less. Saying
irregardless is like saying irreckless or irruthless: obviously
irridiculousless.
16. Like/as—Don’t use like when you can substitute it with
as though, as, as if, or in the way.
She acts like a queen.
(No substitute is possible here, so “like” is used correctly.)
She acts like she thinks she’s a queen.
(A substitute is possible here, so use it: She acts as though she thinks she is a queen.)
She acts like a queen would act.
(Use another substitute: She acts in the way a queen would act.)
Never use like if one of the substitute phrases will work.
17. Mixed Metaphor—Don’t mix one metaphor with
another. The result may be comic.
He climbed the ladder of success across a sea of troubles and left his footprint on the
face of time.
You’ve buttered your bread; now lie in it.
18. Off—Always “off,” never “off of.”
19. Perfect/unique—If a thing is perfect, it’s perfect. If it’s
unique, it’s unique. It can’t be more perfect or more
unique. Never use more or most with these words.
20. Plus—Do not use plus in place of and. Don’t say “He was
hungry, plus he was penniless.” Save plus for problems in
addition.
21.
Redundancies—Remove words that don’t add meaning. Each of the phrases below is
redundant:









a distance of ten yards
future prospects
advanced forward
in addition, he also
an actual fact
inside of
another one
outside of
at the present time









past history
equally as good as
retreat back
false illusion
small in size
few in number
usual custom
free gift
young teenager
These are only a few of the redundancies that clutter English usage. Look for others in your own
writing, and avoid them.
22.
Regarding—This word is a substitute for concerning or respecting, but is often misused.
NOT: Regarding meals, the cafeteria will be open at noon. (The cafeteria seems to be regarding the meals.)
BUT: The cafeteria will open for lunch at noon.
NOT: Regarding tardiness, the company’s policies are very forgiving. (The policies seems to be regarding
tardiness.)
BUT: The company’s policies toward tardiness are very forgiving.
Even when used correctly, regarding can sound overly formal.
22.
Similar to—If you mean “like,” say “like.” Why beat around the bush?
23.
Slang—Some students use slang words and phrases, such as those below, believing that
it will make their writing sound more conversational and relatable. However, such
expressions are not appropriate in academic writing.
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
22.
out of whack
bent out of shape
under the weather
off the hook
down in the dumps
legit
grungy
good vibes
pain in the neck
piece of cake
So—Don’t use so as a substitute for very, as in “Exercise is so exhausting.” You can get by
with this usage in speech, but not in writing. A reader expects a so in this position to be
followed by that: “Exercise is so exhausting that I quit before I start.”
26.
Split Infinitive—Avoid putting words between the two parts of an infinitive.
NOT: to not think
BUT: not to think
NOT: to suddenly stop
BUT: to stop suddenly
27.
The Reason Is—Never say “the reason is because .” Reason already means “cause” in this context, so
the expression is repetitive.
NOT: The reason for all these delays is because there was a wreck.
BUT: The reason for all these delays is that there was a wreck.
28.
Trite Expressions—Avoid overused and clichéd expressions such as those in the list below:
• acid test
• green with envy
• as luck would have it
• last but not least
• better late than never
• Mother Nature
• bitter end
• needless to say
• busy as a bee
• rich and varied experience
• depths of despair
• ripe old age
• easier said than done
• sadder but wiser
• festive occasion
• slow but sure
• few and far between
• untold agony
• finer things in life
• words cannot express
29. Try—Don’t use try and when you mean try to.
NOT: I will try and be there.
BUT: I will try to be there.
30. While—While means “time” or “at the time.” Never use it as a
substitute for and, but, or although.
NOT: Tolstoy was a Russian writer, while Hemingway was an American
writer. (Tolstoy died when Hemingway was twelve years old, so they
could not have been writers at the same time.)
BUT: Tolstoy was a Russian writer, and Hemingway was an American
writer.
Use while only if you can substitute at the time in its place.