Mastering the Essentials of English Grammar - Note on Common Grammatical Errors

Notes on Common Grammatical Errors

Grammatical errors can impact the clarity, credibility, and professionalism of your writing. Understanding and avoiding these errors will improve the quality of your communication.

1. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

Explanation: Subject-verb agreement errors occur when the subject and verb in a sentence do not match in number (singular or plural). Ensuring that subjects and verbs agree is crucial for grammatical correctness.

Examples:

1. The dogs runs in the park. → The dogs run in the park.
2. She don’t like chocolate. → She doesn’t like chocolate.
3. The team are winning the match. → The team is winning the match.
4. He speak three languages. → He speaks three languages.
5. The car were parked outside. → The car was parked outside.
6. They enjoys the concert. → They enjoy the concert.
7. My friend and colleague is coming. → My friend and colleague are coming.
8. Neither the teacher nor the students was late. → Neither the teacher nor the students were late.
9. The news are on. → The news is on.
10. The book on the shelf need to be cleaned. → The book on the shelf needs to be cleaned.
11. The family have a vacation planned. → The family has a vacation planned.
12. The cats in the alley is hungry. → The cats in the alley are hungry.
13. Each of the players have a trophy. → Each of the players has a trophy.
14. The furniture are new. → The furniture is new.
15. Neither of the options are ideal. → Neither of the options is ideal.
16. My mother and father was here. → My mother and father were here.
17. The committee are meeting tomorrow. → The committee is meeting tomorrow.
18. The children plays outside. → The children play outside.
19. The book and the pen is on the desk. → The book and the pen are on the desk.
20. The house in the neighborhood need painting. → The house in the neighborhood needs painting.

2. Run-On Sentences

Explanation: Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions. Proper punctuation or conjunctions should be used to separate independent clauses.

Examples:

1. I went to the store I bought milk. → I went to the store, and I bought milk.
2. She loves to read she never has time. → She loves to read, but she never has time.
3. He was tired he went to bed early. → He was tired, so he went to bed early.
4. The sun is shining the sky is clear. → The sun is shining, and the sky is clear.
5. They went to the beach they forgot their towels. → They went to the beach, but they forgot their towels.
6. The project is due next week I need to start working on it. → The project is due next week; I need to start working on it.
7. She went to the dentist she needs a filling. → She went to the dentist because she needs a filling.
8. We finished dinner we went for a walk. → We finished dinner, and we went for a walk.
9. He called me he wanted to talk about the meeting. → He called me because he wanted to talk about the meeting.
10. I enjoy cooking I don’t like baking. → I enjoy cooking, but I don’t like baking.
11. The car broke down we had to call for help. → The car broke down, so we had to call for help.
12. She bought new shoes she couldn’t wait to wear them. → She bought new shoes, and she couldn’t wait to wear them.
13. The weather was cold we decided to stay inside. → The weather was cold, so we decided to stay inside.
14. I finished my homework I played video games. → I finished my homework, and then I played video games.
15. The restaurant was crowded we waited for a table. → The restaurant was crowded, so we waited for a table.
16. She is a great cook her dishes always taste amazing. → She is a great cook; her dishes always taste amazing.
17. He wanted to go for a run it was raining. → He wanted to go for a run, but it was raining.
18. The movie was long I enjoyed it. → The movie was long, but I enjoyed it.
19. I like coffee I don’t like tea. → I like coffee, but I don’t like tea.
20. They went to Paris they visited the Louvre. → They went to Paris, where they visited the Louvre.

3. Sentence Fragments

Explanation: Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that lack a main clause or fail to express a complete thought. They often miss a subject, predicate, or both.

Examples:

1. Because she was late. → She missed the bus because she was late.
2. Walking down the street. → I saw a cat walking down the street.
3. After the movie ended. → We went for ice cream after the movie ended.
4. When he was young. → When he was young, he loved to play outside.
5. Although I was tired. → Although I was tired, I stayed up to finish my book.
6. Having finished dinner. → Having finished dinner, we went to the park.
7. If you need help. → If you need help, just let me know.
8. In the middle of the night. → In the middle of the night, the power went out.
9. Before the meeting starts. → Before the meeting starts, I need to prepare my notes.
10. With a smile on her face. → With a smile on her face, she opened the gift.
11. After the rain stopped. → After the rain stopped, we went for a walk.
12. Because it was snowing. → We decided to stay home because it was snowing.
13. While I was shopping. → While I was shopping, I found a great sale.
14. During the summer. → During the summer, the days are longer.
15. If you have any questions. → If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
16. Since the store was closed. → Since the store was closed, we went to a different one.
17. While she was cooking. → While she was cooking, the phone rang.
18. Although it was expensive. → Although it was expensive, she bought the dress.
19. Since the project is due tomorrow. → Since the project is due tomorrow, I need to finish it today.
20. Before leaving the house. → Before leaving the house, make sure to turn off the lights.

4. Misplaced Modifiers

Explanation: Misplaced modifiers are words or phrases that are not placed next to the word they are supposed to modify, leading to confusion or ambiguity.

Examples:

1. She almost drove her kids to school every day. → Almost every day, she drove her kids to school.
2. The dog was chasing the cat in the backyard with a broken leg. → The dog with a broken leg was chasing the cat in the backyard.
3. Covered in chocolate, I ate the cake. → I ate the cake covered in chocolate.
4. I saw the man walking his dog in the park with a telescope. → With a telescope, I saw the man walking his dog in the park.
5. The teacher almost gave everyone an A on the test. → The teacher gave almost everyone an A on the test.
6. He almost sold his old car to a friend in New York. → He sold his old car to a friend who lives in New York.
7. Reading the book, the cat slept on the bed. → Reading the book, I found the cat sleeping on the bed.
8. The woman wearing the red dress is my aunt. → My aunt is the woman wearing the red dress.
9. Walking through the door, the book fell off the shelf. → As I was walking through the door, the book fell off the shelf.
10. She found a wallet lying on the ground with $100. → She found a wallet with $100 lying on the ground.
11. The man in the suit is my uncle. → My uncle is the man in the suit.
12. We saw a car in the parking lot with a flat tire. → We saw a car with a flat tire in the parking lot.
13. Eating breakfast, the newspaper was read by him. → While eating breakfast, he read the newspaper.
14. The chef prepared the meal with a smile on his face. → With a smile on his face, the chef prepared the meal.
15. The child wearing a red hat played in the yard. → The child who wore a red hat played in the yard.
16. Running through the park, the flowers were beautiful. → Running through the park, I saw that the flowers were beautiful.
17. The company launched the product with great excitement. → The company launched the product and did so with great excitement.
18. She served the meal to the guests in her new kitchen. → In her new kitchen, she served the meal to the guests.
19. The letter was delivered to the wrong address with a postmark. → The letter with a postmark was delivered to the wrong address.
20. The package was left on the doorstep with a note. → The package with a note was left on the doorstep.

5. Dangling Participles

Explanation: A dangling participle is a participial phrase that is not clearly related to the noun or pronoun it is supposed to modify, leading to confusion about what is being described.

Examples:

1. Walking through the park, the flowers were beautiful. → Walking through the park, I found the flowers to be beautiful.
2. Hoping to finish the project, the deadline seemed too short. → Hoping to finish the project, I found the deadline to be too short.
3. After reading the book, the movie was disappointing. → After reading the book, I found the movie to be disappointing.
4. Having finished the exam, the teacher was pleased. → Having finished the exam, I was pleased.
5. While running down the street, the car nearly hit me. → While I was running down the street, a car nearly hit me.
6. Excited about the trip, the weather was perfect. → Excited about the trip, I thought the weather was perfect.
7. After making the dinner, the guests arrived. → After I made the dinner, the guests arrived.
8. While driving to work, the radio was playing loudly. → While I was driving to work, the radio was playing loudly.
9. Seeing the sunset, the sky was colorful. → Seeing the sunset, I noticed that the sky was colorful.
10. Confused by the instructions, the task was difficult. → Confused by the instructions, I found the task difficult.
11. Having finished her report, the office seemed quiet. → Having finished her report, she noticed that the office seemed quiet.
12. Reading the letter, the message was clear. → Reading the letter, I found that the message was clear.
13. After painting the room, the walls looked fresh. → After painting the room, I saw that the walls looked fresh.
14. While shopping at the mall, the car broke down. → While I was shopping at the mall, my car broke down.
15. Excited by the news, the celebration began. → Excited by the news, we began the celebration.
16. Running late, the bus was missed. → Running late, I missed the bus.
17. Having been informed of the changes, the meeting was rescheduled. → Having been informed of the changes, we rescheduled the meeting.
18. Seeing the movie, the plot was fascinating. → Seeing the movie, I found the plot to be fascinating.
19. Having completed the course, the certification was awarded. → Having completed the course, she was awarded the certification.
20. Looking at the painting, the colors were vibrant. → Looking at the painting, I noticed that the colors were vibrant.

6. Confused Homophones

Explanation: Confused homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Using the wrong homophone can lead to misunderstandings.

Examples:

1. I need to buy a new car for my brother. → I need to buy a new car for my brother. (not by)
2. The cat sat on the mat. → The cat sat on the mat. (not matte)
3. Their house is on the corner. → Their house is on the corner. (not there)
4. She accepted the job offer. → She accepted the job offer. (not excepted)
5. The weather is nice today. → The weather is nice today. (not whether)
6. The teacher is in charge of the class. → The teacher is in charge of the class. (not clase)
7. We will meet at the café. → We will meet at the café. (not cafe)
8. I need to write a letter to my friend. → I need to write a letter to my friend. (not right)
9. She found a new pair of shoes. → She found a new pair of shoes. (not shooes)
10. The dog chased its tail. → The dog chased its tail. (not tale)
11. We went to the park to play. → We went to the park to play. (not plea)
12. He told me about his new car. → He told me about his new car. (not care)
13. She’s a very good cook. → She’s a very good cook. (not cooke)
14. The bank is next to the store. → The bank is next to the store. (not banc)
15. She wore a beautiful dress to the party. → She wore a beautiful dress to the party. (not dres)
16. He’s going to the beach. → He’s going to the beach. (not beech)
17. Their cat is very playful. → Their cat is very playful. (not there)
18. We need to prepare for the exam. → We need to prepare for the exam. (not prepair)
19. She spoke softly to the baby. → She spoke softly to the baby. (not softely)
20. The sale starts next week. → The sale starts next week. (not sail)

7. Incorrect Use of Apostrophes

Explanation: Apostrophes are used to indicate possession or contractions. Incorrect use of apostrophes can alter the meaning or make sentences confusing.

Examples:

1. Its a beautiful day. → It’s a beautiful day. (contraction of “it is”)
2. The cats toy is missing. → The cat’s toy is missing. (possession)
3. She has two dogs but they’re toys are different. → She has two dogs, but their toys are different. (possession)
4. The childrens books are on the shelf. → The children’s books are on the shelf. (possession)
5. Its going to rain tomorrow. → It’s going to rain tomorrow. (contraction of “it is”)
6. The Smiths’ house is on the left. → The Smiths’ house is on the left. (possession for plural)
7. The teacher gave the students’ their grades. → The teacher gave the students their grades. (no apostrophe needed)
8. He’s going to buy a new car for his wife’s birthday. → He’s going to buy a new car for his wife’s birthday. (possession)
9. The dogs bone was lost. → The dog’s bone was lost. (possession)
10. I love reading children’s books. → I love reading children’s books. (possession)
11. The company’s are expanding. → The companies are expanding. (no apostrophe needed)
12. Her dress’s color is bright. → Her dress’s color is bright. (possession)
13. Its’ not what I expected. → It’s not what I expected. (contraction of “it is”)
14. The girls room is decorated. → The girl’s room is decorated. (possession)
15. The hotels prices have increased. → The hotel’s prices have increased. (possession)
16. They’re going to the friends’ party. → They’re going to the friends’ party. (possession for plural)
17. I have three cats, all of their names are unique. → I have three cats; all of their names are unique. (no apostrophe needed)
18. She’s known for her artist’s talent. → She’s known for her artistic talent. (adjective form, not possession)
19. The birds cage was empty. → The bird’s cage was empty. (possession)
20. My brothers’ car is fast. → My brother’s car is fast. (possession for singular)

8. Improper Use of Commas

Explanation: Improper use of commas can lead to misreading or confusion in sentences. Proper comma placement helps clarify meaning and improve readability.

Examples:

1. Let's eat, Grandma! → Let's eat Grandma! (Comma changes meaning)
2. I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes. → I bought apples, oranges, bananas and grapes. (Last comma is optional but preferred)
3. She is a talented singer, and dancer. → She is a talented singer and dancer. (Remove unnecessary comma)
4. The house, which is old needs repairs. → The house, which is old, needs repairs. (Add comma before “needs”)
5. I went to the store, and I bought milk, eggs, and bread. → I went to the store and bought milk, eggs, and bread. (Comma after “store” is unnecessary)
6. We went to the museum, where we saw the dinosaur exhibit, and then we had lunch. → We went to the museum, where we saw the dinosaur exhibit, and then we had lunch. (Correct use)
7. The cat sat on the windowsill and watched, the birds outside. → The cat sat on the windowsill and watched the birds outside. (Remove unnecessary comma)
8. My brother who lives in New York is visiting. → My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting. (Add commas for non-essential clause)
9. I need to buy groceries, do laundry, and clean the house. → I need to buy groceries, do laundry, and clean the house. (Serial comma is correct)
10. The movie was, in my opinion, fantastic. → The movie was, in my opinion, fantastic. (Correct use)
11. We are having steak, potatoes, and salad for dinner. → We are having steak, potatoes and salad for dinner. (Serial comma is optional)
12. He wanted to visit Paris, France, Rome, Italy, and London, England. → He wanted to visit Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and London, England. (Use semicolons for clarity)
13. My favorite colors are blue, green, red and yellow. → My favorite colors are blue, green, red, and yellow. (Include serial comma)
14. I can't wait for the weekend, to relax, and enjoy my time off. → I can’t wait for the weekend to relax and enjoy my time off. (Remove unnecessary commas)
15. The old man, who was tired, fell asleep. → The old man, who was tired, fell asleep. (Correct use)
16. She said she would come, but she didn’t. → She said she would come but didn’t. (No comma needed before “but”)
17. The book on the desk is mine, but the one on the shelf is hers. → The book on the desk is mine, but the one on the shelf is hers. (Correct use)
18. I finished the project, and I submitted it yesterday. → I finished the project and submitted it yesterday. (Comma not needed before “and”)
19. To be honest I don’t like that movie. → To be honest, I don’t like that movie. (Add comma after “honest”)
20. He said he would be here soon, but he was late. → He said he would be here soon but was late. (Remove unnecessary comma)

9. Incorrect Pronoun Usage

Explanation: Incorrect pronoun usage occurs when pronouns are used improperly, leading to confusion or ambiguity about what or whom the pronoun is referring to.

Examples:

1. Me and him went to the store. → He and I went to the store.
2. The teacher gave Sarah and I the assignment. → The teacher gave Sarah and me the assignment.
3. Each student must bring their own laptop. → Each student must bring his or her own laptop.
4. Her and I went to the movies. → She and I went to the movies.
5. The book is for you and I. → The book is for you and me.
6. He asked my friend and I to help. → He asked my friend and me to help.
7. The dog wagged its tail when it saw me. → The dog wagged its tail when it saw me.
8. Everyone should bring their notebook. → Everyone should bring his or her notebook.
9. This is between you and I. → This is between you and me.
10. They gave the gift to he. → They gave the gift to him.
11. The cat chased its tail but never caught it. → The cat chased its tail but never caught it.
12. It’s not mine, it’s his. → It’s not mine; it’s his.
13. She did better than me on the test. → She did better than I on the test.
14. This is their house, and it’s bigger than ours. → This is their house, and it’s bigger than ours.
15. Him and her are coming to the party. → He and she are coming to the party.
16. The team won their match, and they celebrated. → The team won its match, and it celebrated.
17. None of the students did his homework. → None of the students did their homework.
18. Me and Jane will meet you there. → Jane and I will meet you there.
19. He didn’t tell nobody about the surprise. → He didn’t tell anybody about the surprise.
20. The dog wagged its tail when it saw its owner. → The dog wagged its tail when it saw its owner.

10. Confusing Adjectives and Adverbs

Explanation: Confusing adjectives and adverbs occurs when the wrong form of the word is used, affecting the sentence's clarity and correctness. Adjectives describe nouns, while adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Examples:

1. She sings beautiful. → She sings beautifully.
2. He ran quick to catch the bus. → He ran quickly to catch the bus.
3. The cake tastes goodly. → The cake tastes good.
4. She did her homework real fast. → She did her homework really fast.
5. The movie was boringly. → The movie was boring.
6. He speaks English good. → He speaks English well.
7. The room looks really nice. → The room looks really nice. (Correct use)
8. She danced graceful at the party. → She danced gracefully at the party.
9. They did an excellent job on the project. → They did an excellent job on the project. (Correct use)
10. The puppy is very cutely. → The puppy is very cute.
11. She answered the questions slow. → She answered the questions slowly.
12. The book is interest. → The book is interesting.
13. The car drives smooth. → The car drives smoothly.
14. He looked at me angry. → He looked at me angrily.
15. The dress fits perfect. → The dress fits perfectly.
16. She wrote the letter careful. → She wrote the letter carefully.
17. The soup tastes spicyly. → The soup tastes spicy.
18. He runs very fastly. → He runs very fast.
19. The lecture was interest. → The lecture was interesting.
20. She performed excellently on the test. → She performed excellently on the test. (Correct use)

By paying attention to these common grammatical errors and practicing correct usage, you can significantly improve the clarity and quality of your writing.