The 10 most common errors
Your writing will improve
greatly if you master the following points. None of them
is difficult (Yes, none...is, because none
means not one.) but all of them are common in
students' essays. Click on the links for guidance. Good
luck!
1. Its
and it's. Its
means belonging to it (or belonging to whatever
'it' stands for). It's means it is.
2. Use
of commas to separate sentences. Many people
string two sentences together with a comma instead of
using a full stop. If you must
string two sentences together, then use a semicolon.
3. Use
of commas to separate a verb from its subject or object.
Many people go wrong by inserting commas in long
sentences, and end up writing the equivalent of Dogs,
bark. or I like, dogs.
4. Make
the verb 'agree' with the noun. Many people
lose track in sentences with long or complex
constructions. For example, 'The list of species are
endless'. It is still one list,
even if it contains millions of species, so The list
of species is endless.
but it's certainly true that Examples of this error
are endless!
5. Faulty
spelling. Again, examples of this are
endless, but the common errors are listed and explained.
6. Latin
and Greek word endings. Guidance on all
those words that end in -um, -us, -a,
-ae, -i, etc.
7. But, however,
for example, etc. But, however, for example,
and many other such linking or qualifying words need
correct punctuation. For example, it is wrong to write:
'The dog barked, however we did not mind.' but
you can write 'The dog barked, but we did not mind'.
Click here for
guidance.
8. Making lists.
Guidance on several correct ways of listing things.
9. Referring
to published works. Guidance on how to cite
references, and on how to make a reference list.
10. Some
common little problems. Either...or; which
and that; imply and infer; I, me and myself, etc.
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