Common Writing
Errors
Sentence Errors
Run-Ons

A run-on sentence consists of two or more sentences separated only
by a comma or by no mark of punctuation.

Comma splice: If you put a comma where a period needs to be, it is
still a run-on!

Three ways to correct them:

1. Make two separate sentences by using a period.

2. Make a compound sentence by using a comma and a
conjunction—for, and, nor, but, or, yet.

3. Use a semi-colon where the two sentences are fused.
Examples of Corrected Run-ons
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Run-On: In 1952 Japan’s gross national product was one third of that of
France by the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France and
Britain combined.
Comma Splice (still wrong): In 1952 Japan’s gross national product was
one third of that of France, by the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs
of France and Britain combined.
Two Sentences: In 1952 Japan’s gross national product was one third of
that of France. By the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France
and Britain combined.
Semi-colon: In 1952 Japan’s gross national product was one third of that
of France; by the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France and
Britain combined.
Compound sentence: In 1952 Japan’s gross national product was one
third of that of France, but by the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs
of France and Britain combined.
Fragments

A sentence fragment is written as a separate sentence, but it does
not express a complete thought.

To correct them, add a subject or a verb, or combine it with another
sentence.
Examples of Corrected Fragments

Ex. Tests of the Shroud of Turin have produced some curious findings.
For example, the pollen of forty-eight plants native to Europe and
the Middle East.

Corrected: Tests of the Shroud of Turin have produced some curious
findings. For example, the cloth contains the pollen of forty-eight
plants native to Europe and the Middle East.

Adding the subject “the cloth” made it a complete sentence
Making Corrections

Hint: Read your paper aloud to yourself. You will have a better
chance of finding the errors, especially if you don’t pause for
breath.
Comma Errors
Omitted Commas

Use commas to signal nonrestrictive or nonessential material to
prevent confusion and to indicate relationships among ideas and
sentences parts.

Ex. When it comes to eating people differ in their tastes.

Ex. Let’s eat grandma.

Don’t be a psycho—use some commas.

When it comes to eating, people differ in their tastes.

Let’s eat, grandma.
Too Many (superfluous) Commas

Unnecessary commas make sentences difficult to read.

If you aren’t sure where to put a comma, just don’t stick them
randomly in a sentence.

Ex. Field trips are required, in several courses, such as botany and
geology.

Field trips are required in several courses, including botany and
geology.
Missing commas after introductory
elements

If a prepositional or introductory phrase contains 4 or more words,
you must have a comma.

When she went to the grocery story while she was hungry, Madeline
spent twice as much money as she had budgeted for the week.
Commas with the word “because”

You can begin a sentence with the word “because,” but there must
be a comma after the introductory clause or phrase.

Ex. Because she shopped when she was hungry, she spent twice as
much money as she had planned.

However, if because falls in the middle of the sentence, then there
will NOT be a comma.

Ex. She spent twice as much money as she planned because she
went to the store when she was hungry.
Commas after first words

If you begin a sentence with the word “however,” you need a
comma.

However, the jury found that there was reasonable doubt and
voted to acquit.

If you begin a sentence with the word “although” or “while”, then
you do NOT place a comma after that word. It will come at the end
of the phrase or clause.

Although Prohibition had been over since 1933, many people
believe that the War on Drugs is a modern form of Prohibition.
Other Words that Need Commas
when they begin a Sentence

Meanwhile,
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Furthermore,
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On the other hand,
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Besides,
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As a matter of fact,
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Not only,
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Rather, Granted,
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Thus,
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Finally,
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Eventually,
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Incidentally,
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Previously,
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HINT: These are all transitions that would help make your writing more polished
Use commas in a series

Use commas to separate words and word groups in a series of three
or more.

Ex. My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and
nephew.
Commas and Dates

Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year, and
always put one after the year as well.

On December 7th, 1942, Pearl Harbor was attacked.
When NOT to use a comma

If you have a sentence that looks like a compound sentence but
doesn’t have a subject after the verb, then a comma is not
necessary.

Ex. Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station early, but they
waited until noon for the bus.

This is a compound sentence because there is a subject (they)
following the conjunction.

Ex. Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station early but waited
until noon for the bus.

No comma is needed to separate verbs.
One more time…..

You do NOT need a comma after words such as because and
although if they appear in the middle of the sentence.

He was grounded because he got home hours after curfew.

He went to the concert although he was grounded.
Pronoun Errors
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Review: Pronouns are words that replace nouns in sentences.

Ex. Obama delivered his State of the Union Address on February 18th.

His is the pronoun. Obama is the antecedent—or the noun to which the
pronoun refers.

Ex. Please make sure your child brings their backpack and reading logs to
school each day.
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“Child” is singular, and “their” is plural, so this is WRONG.

Correct way:

Ex. Please make sure your children bring their backpack……(Plural—always
safe)
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Please make sure your child brings his backpack……(singular masculine
and correct)
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Please make sure your child brings her backpack……(singular feminine and
correct)

Please make sure your child brings his or her backpack… (PC form—also
correct)