Common Errors
There are a few common mistakes that are one in essays. By avoiding these, you can help your writing a lot.
01
Comma Splices
A comma splice is when two independent clauses are joined by a comma.
e.g. I do not like pizza, I like hot dogs.
(you can tell that they are both independent clauses because they could both stand alone in a sentence.)
There are three ways to fix a comma splice.
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Add a conjunction directly after the comma. e.g. I do not like pizza, but I like hot dogs.
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Change the comma to a semicolon. e.g. I do not like pizza; I like hot dogs.
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Make two seperate sentences. e.g. I do not like pizza. I like hot dogs.
02
Run-on Sentences
Similar to a comma splice, a run-on sentence is when two independent clauses are combined into one sentence without any punctuation or conjunction.
e.g. TV shows are good however, movies are better.
The best way to fix a run-on sentence is to make the clauses into their own sentences.
e.g. TV shows are good. However, movies are better.
03
Incorrect Verb Tenses
This may seem like a simple mistake, but it is easy to miss them.
Incorrect: I went to the movies with my sister. We will see the new comedy starring my favorite actor.
Correct: "I went to the movies with my sister. We saw the new comedy starring my favorite actor."
A good way to check for incorrect verb tenses is to read over your essay aloud. When reading aloud, mistakes that may have been missed often become more obvious.
04
Unclear Pronouns
An unclear pronoun is when it is unclear who a pronoun is refering to.
e.g. Bill and Joe were eating cake and he thought it was tasty.
In this case, it is unclear whether Bill or Joe thought the cake was tasty. To correct this, replace "he" with "Bill" or "Joe" to clarify.
05
Parallel Sentence Structure
When listing something, it is important to list each item in the same (parallel) way.
Incorrect: For dinner, I ate chicken, potatoes, drank water, and salad.
Correct: For dinner, I ate chicken, potates, and salad. I also drank water.