TWENTY MOST COMMON ERRORS

Dr. Andrea Lunsford’s research identified the following error patterns to be the most common among U.S. college students.

Sentences containing the relevant errors, marked in red, are given first; corrections, marked in green, follow.

 

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.
[]

2) 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.
[]

3) Comma splice

Many are called, however few are chosen.
Many are called; however, few are chosen.
[]

4) Fused sentence

The current was swift I could not swim to shore.
The current was swift. I could not swim to shore.
[]

5) 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.
[]

6) 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.
[]

7) Unnecessary comma with a restrictive element

People, who want to preserve wilderness, oppose development.
People who want to preserve wilderness oppose development.
[]

8) 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.
[]

9) Misplaced modifier

We watched the eagles swoop and dive in awe and admiration.
In awe and admiration, we watched the eagles swoop and dive.
[more info ]

10) Wrong word choice

Paradise Lost contains many illusions to classical mythology.
Paradise Lost contains many allusions to classical mythology.

11) Vague pronoun reference

Company policy prohibits smoking, which many employees resent.
(Does which refer to the policy or the smoking?)

12) Wrong or missing preposition

Richard Nixon compared the U.S. with a "helpless giant."
Richard Nixon compared the U.S. to a "helpless giant."

13) Missing or misplaced apostrophe

Overly ambitious parents can be harmful to a childs development.
Overly ambitious parents can be harmful to a child's development.

14) 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.

15) Wrong or missing verb ending

The civet cat, which is not really a cat, produce valuable musk.
The civet cat, which is not really a cat, produces valuable musk.

16) Unnecessary shift in verb tense

I watched the plane lift off, and then it glides silently westward.
I watched the plane lift off, and then it glided silently westward.

17) Wrong tense or verb form

He lied like a dog in the middle of Main Street.
He lay like a dog in the middle of Main Street.

18) Lack of subject/verb agreement

My peer reviewers or my instructor catch my errors.
My peer reviewers or my instructor catches my errors.
but
My instructor or my peer reviewers catch my errors.

19) 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).

20) Unnecessary shift in pronoun

When one sees a Durer woodcut, you recognize it immediately.
When one sees a Durer woodcut, s/he recognizes it immediately.
or
When you see a Durer woodcut, you recognize it immediately.

 

Adapted from Andrea Lunsford’s The Everyday Writer, 3rd edition, Bedford/St. Martin’s.