FIFTEEN COMMON ERRORS

Dr. Andrea Lunsford’s research identified the following error patterns as among the most common found in the writing of U.S. college students. They are listed in order of fequency.

Sentences containing the relevant errors, marked in red, are given first; corrections, marked in green, follow. Follow the arrow [⇒] for more information.

 

1) Missing comma after an introductory element

Determined to get the job done we worked all weekend.
Determined to get the job done, we worked all weekend.
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2) Vague pronoun reference

Company policy prohibits smoking, which many employees resent. (Does which refer to the policy or the smoking?)
Company policy prohibits smoking, a policy many employees resent.
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3) Missing comma in a compound sentence

The words "I do" sound simple but they mean a life commitment.
The words "I do" sound simple, but they mean a life commitment.
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4) Wrong word choice

Paradise Lost contains many illusions to classical mythology.
Paradise Lost contains many allusions to classical mythology.
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5) Missing comma with a non-restrictive element

The so-called civet cat which is not really a cat produces highly valued musk.
The so-called civet cat, which is not really a cat, produces highly valued musk.
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6) Comma splice

Many are called, however few are chosen.
Many are called; however, few are chosen.
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7) Missing or misplaced possessive apostrophe

Overly ambitious parents can be harmful to a childs development.
Overly ambitious parents can be harmful to a child's development.
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8) Unnecessary shift in pronoun

When one sees a Dürer woodcut, you recognize it immediately.
When one sees a Dürer woodcut, s/he recognizes it immediately.
or
When you see a Dürer woodcut, you recognize it immediately.
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9) Sentence fragment

We ventured closer to the shoreline. Where the bluefish waited.
We ventured closer to the shoreline, where the bluefish waited.
or
We ventured closer to the shoreline. There the bluefish waited.
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10) Missing comma in a series

Sharks eat squid, shrimp, crabs and small fish with equal gusto.
Sharks eat squid, shrimp, crabs, and small fish with equal gusto.
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11) Lack of agreement between pronoun and antecedent

Each of the boys thrived in their new home.
Each of the boys thrived in his new home.
or
All of the boys thrived in their new home (or homes).
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12) Unnecessary comma with a restrictive element

People, who want to preserve wilderness, oppose development.
People who want to preserve wilderness oppose development.
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13) Fused sentence

The current was swift I could not swim to shore.
The current was swift. I could not swim to shore.
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14) Misplaced modifier

We watched the eagles swoop and dive in awe and admiration.
In awe and admiration, we watched the eagles swoop and dive.
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15) Its/It's confusion

The car was lying on it's side in a ditch.
The car was lying on its side in a ditch.
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Adapted from Andrea Lunsford’s The Everyday Writer, 3rd edition, Bedford/St. Martin’s.