Common Mistakes

Identify and fix the most frequent writing errors that weaken your work.

Grammar Mistakes

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

Error: Subjects and verbs don't match in number.

Rule: Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs.

Tricky: Ignore phrases between subject and verb.

2. Pronoun-Antecedent Disagreement

Error: Pronouns don't match their antecedents.

Modern solution: Use plural to avoid gender issues.

• Everyone → All students must bring their books.

3. Run-on Sentences

Error: Two independent clauses joined incorrectly.

Wrong: I love writing it helps me think clearly.

Fixes:

• Period: I love writing. It helps me think clearly.
• Semicolon: I love writing; it helps me think clearly.
• Comma + Conjunction: I love writing, and it helps me think clearly.
• Subordination: I love writing because it helps me think clearly.

4. Comma Splices

Error: Two independent clauses joined with only a comma.

Wrong: I write daily, it improves my skills.

Fixes: (Same as run-ons)

• Period
• Semicolon
• Comma + conjunction
• Subordination

5. Sentence Fragments

Error: Incomplete sentence missing subject, verb, or complete thought.

Wrong:

• Because I was tired.
• Running down the street.
• A beautiful day in the park.

Right:

• I left early because I was tired.
• I saw him running down the street.
• It was a beautiful day in the park.

Exception: Fragments are OK in informal writing for emphasis.

• Question? Answer.
• Can't find words? Try this.

6. Misplaced Modifiers

Error: Modifier is too far from what it modifies.

Rule: Place modifiers next to what they modify.

7. Dangling Modifiers

Error: Modifier has nothing to modify.

Rule: Make sure the modifier's subject is in the sentence.

8. Wrong Verb Tense

Error: Inconsistent or incorrect tense use.

Wrong: I walked to the store and buy bread. Then I go home.

Right: I walked to the store and bought bread. Then I went home.

Rule: Keep tense consistent unless time actually changes.

9. Incorrect Pronoun Case

Error: Using wrong pronoun form.

Trick: Remove the other person to check.

• "Between I" ✗ → "Between me" ✓

10. Its vs. It's

Error: Confusing possessive with contraction.

Remember: Possessive pronouns never have apostrophes (its, yours, hers, theirs).

Punctuation Mistakes

1. Comma Before "And" in Compound Sentences

Error: Missing comma before coordinating conjunction.

Wrong: I wrote the draft and she edited it.

Right: I wrote the draft, and she edited it.

Rule: Use comma before and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet when joining two complete sentences.

No comma: I wrote the draft and edited it. (one subject)

2. Apostrophe Errors

Common mistakes:

Rules:

• Plurals: no apostrophe (dogs, cats, books)
• Possessives: add 's (dog's bone, James's book)
• Contractions: use apostrophe (don't, it's, you're)

3. Semicolon Misuse

Error: Using semicolons incorrectly.

Wrong: I love writing; because it helps me think.

• "Because it helps me think" isn't independent.

Right: I love writing; it helps me think.

• Both sides are independent clauses.

Wrong: Dear Sir; I am writing to apply. Right: Dear Sir: I am writing to apply. (use colon in salutation)

Rule: Semicolons join two independent clauses or separate complex list items.

4. Quotation Mark Placement

American English: Periods and commas go inside quotation marks.

Right: He said, "I'm leaving." Right: She wrote an article called "Writing Tips," which was popular.

Wrong: He said, "I'm leaving". Wrong: She wrote "Writing Tips", which was popular.

Exception: Question marks and exclamation points go inside only if they're part of the quote.

• He asked, "Are you coming?"
• Did he say "I'm leaving"?

Word Choice Mistakes

1. Commonly Confused Words

2. Redundant Phrases

Error: Using two words when one suffices.

3. Weak Intensifiers

Error: Using weak modifiers instead of strong words.

Rule: Choose stronger base words instead of propping up weak ones.

4. Vague Words

Error: Using generic words instead of specific ones.

5. Clichés

Error: Using overused phrases that lack impact.

Style Mistakes

1. Passive Voice Overuse

Error: Using passive when active is clearer.

When passive is OK:

• Unknown actor: "The window was broken."
• Unimportant actor: "The product was recalled."
• Emphasis on receiver: "The president was elected."

2. Wordiness

Error: Using more words than necessary.

3. Monotonous Sentence Structure

Error: Every sentence has the same pattern.

Monotonous:

I woke up. I made coffee. I checked email. I started work. I took a break. I finished the project.

Varied:

I woke up and made coffee. After checking email, I started work. An hour later, I took a break before finishing the project.

4. Inconsistent Tone

Error: Switching between formal and informal randomly.

Wrong:

The research methodology employed rigorous protocols. But honestly, the results were pretty dang cool.

Right (formal):

The research methodology employed rigorous protocols. The results were significant and compelling.

Right (informal):

We used solid research methods. And honestly, the results were pretty cool.

5. Weak Openings

Error: Starting with filler or obvious statements.

Weak openings:

• "In today's society..."
• "Since the beginning of time..."
• "The dictionary defines X as..."
• "This essay will discuss..."
• "I am going to write about..."

Strong openings:

• Hook with question, statistic, or bold statement
• Jump straight to your point
• Start with compelling anecdote

Organization Mistakes

1. No Clear Thesis

Error: Reader doesn't know your main point.

Vague: This paper is about writing.

Clear: Daily practice, combined with active reading, dramatically improves writing skills.

2. Burying the Lead

Error: Important information comes too late.

Wrong structure:

[5 paragraphs of background] [Finally, the main point]

Right structure:

[Introduction with main point] [Supporting details]

3. Lack of Transitions

Error: Abrupt jumps between ideas.

Abrupt:

Practice improves writing. Reading is also important. Feedback helps too.

Smooth:

Practice improves writing. In addition, reading exposes you to effective techniques. Finally, feedback reveals blind spots and accelerates improvement.

4. Paragraphs Without Topic Sentences

Error: Reader doesn't know what the paragraph is about.

Solution: Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence.

5. Weak Conclusions

Error: Ending abruptly or just repeating the introduction.

Weak endings:

• "In conclusion, I have shown..."
• "As you can see..."
• "That's all I have to say."
• [Exact repetition of introduction]

Strong endings:

• Synthesize main points
• Call to action
• Broader implications
• Memorable final thought

Revision Mistakes

1. Not Taking Breaks

Error: Revising immediately after writing.

Why it's a problem: You're too close to see issues.

Solution: Wait 24 hours before revising.

2. Only Fixing Typos

Error: Proofreading without addressing big-picture issues.

Solution: Edit structure first, then sentences, then mechanics.

3. Over-Editing

Error: Revising indefinitely, losing your voice.

Solution: Set a limit (e.g., 5 revisions) and know when to stop.

4. Ignoring Feedback

Error: Dismissing reader comments because you disagree.

Solution: Listen without defending. Look for patterns.

5. Trusting Tools Blindly

Error: Accepting every Grammarly suggestion without thinking.

Solution: Understand why the tool suggests changes. You decide.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fix Grammar Errors

Correct the errors:

1. The team are ready to start.
2. Between you and I, this is difficult.
3. Everyone must bring their pencil.
4. I love writing it helps me think.
5. Walking down the street, the buildings looked tall.

Answers:

1. The team is ready to start.
2. Between you and me, this is difficult.
3. Everyone must bring his or her pencil. (Or: Students must bring their pencils.)
4. I love writing because it helps me think. (Or: I love writing. It helps me think.)
5. Walking down the street, I saw tall buildings.

Exercise 2: Fix Word Choice

Replace vague/weak words:

1. The thing was very good.
2. I got a new job.
3. The weather was nice.
4. She felt bad about the situation.

Sample Answers:

1. The solution was excellent.
2. I secured a new job.
3. The weather was pleasant and sunny.
4. She felt guilty about the situation.

Exercise 3: Cut Wordiness

Make these concise:

1. In order to succeed, you must practice.
2. Due to the fact that I was tired, I went home.
3. At this point in time, we have no information.

Answers:

1. To succeed, you must practice.
2. Because I was tired, I went home.
3. Currently, we have no information.

Exercise 4: Fix Punctuation

Correct the punctuation:

1. Its been a long day.
2. The dogs bone is missing.
3. I need milk eggs and bread.
4. She said "I'm leaving".

Answers:

1. It's been a long day.
2. The dog's bone is missing.
3. I need milk, eggs, and bread.
4. She said, "I'm leaving."

Quick Reference: Most Common Errors

Top 10 errors to watch for:

1. ✓ Subject-verb agreement
2. ✓ Its vs. it's
3. ✓ Their, there, they're
4. ✓ Your vs. you're
5. ✓ Run-on sentences and comma splices
6. ✓ Missing commas in compound sentences
7. ✓ Apostrophe misuse
8. ✓ Wrong pronoun case (I vs. me)
9. ✓ Vague word choice
10. ✓ Passive voice overuse

Summary

Most common mistakes:

• Grammar: subject-verb agreement, pronoun errors, fragments, run-ons
• Punctuation: comma splices, apostrophe errors, misplaced commas
• Word choice: confused words, redundancy, weak intensifiers, clichés
• Style: passive voice overuse, wordiness, monotony, inconsistent tone
• Organization: unclear thesis, no transitions, weak conclusions

Prevention strategies:

• Learn the rules
• Use grammar checkers (but don't trust blindly)
• Read your work aloud
• Take breaks before revising
• Get feedback from others

Remember:

• Everyone makes mistakes
• The goal is improvement, not perfection
• Revision fixes most errors
• Learn from your mistakes

Next: 10-practice-exercises.md. Put everything together with practical writing exercises and prompts.