On The Write Track

On the Write Track Twenty Common Errors and Ways to Correct Them: A Guide to Better Writing

1. Fragments are incomplete thoughts. Sentences must be complete thoughts. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

2. Run-ons = two sentences “run together” ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

3. Comma splices are two sentences “spliced” (joined) with a comma. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

4. Commas should precede coordinating conjunctions when joining sentences. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

5. Commas should be used correctly when joining independent and dependent clauses containing a subordinating conjunction. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Common Subordinating Conjunctions ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

6. Sentences connected by a conjunctive adverb must be separated by a semicolon or period, not just a comma. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Common Conjunctive Adverbs ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

7. Subjects and verbs must agree in number. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

8. Pronouns and their antecedents must agree in gender and number. Pronoun references should be clear, not vague. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

9. Do not shift or change the tenses of verbs. Choose a tense and stay with it. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

10. Do not use the 2 nd person pronoun “you” in formal writing. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

11. Avoid using passive voice verbs. The subject of the sentence should do the “verbing.” ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

12. Avoid “there are,” “there is,” and “it is.” Let the subject of the verb precede it. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

13. Avoid using “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those” as nouns. Try to use them as adjectives followed by nouns. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

14. Avoid these expressions: is where, is how, is when, is because, and is why. Especially avoid “the reason… is because…” ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

15. Avoid misplaced, dangling, or appended participial phrases. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

16. Avoid thesaurus goofs—use the proper meaning of a word. Check spelling. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

18. Use apostrophes, semicolons, and colons correctly. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

19. Use commas after an introductory word, expression, or phrase. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

20. Use quotes around the titles of articles, short stories, songs, and poems; use italics or underline for magazines, newspapers, movies, books, novels, record albums, or plays. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Be concise and direct in writing. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

On The Write Track

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On The Write Track