1. ensure the topic and verb of each clause or sentence agreethat is, that one matter enjoys a singular verb, and a plural matter a plural verb. When different terminology come-between subject and verb, you may mistake the noun closest for the verbbefore or afterfor the verb’s genuine subject.
Faulty: a central section of my entire life plans were to attend laws class. Right: A central part of my life objectives might to attend law class.
Incorrect: The profits attained of the cosmetic industry is not high enough. Right: The profits received by cosmetic field commonly satisfactory.
2. end up being specifically cautious that your subject matter and verb concur as soon as your subject comprises of 2 or more components accompanied by as well as or; if your subject matter try a word like committee or jury, which could take either one or a plural verb depending on whether it’s treated as a device or as several individuals; or when your subject is a term like mathematics or measles, which looks plural but is single in meaning.
Faulty: my cousin along with his buddy commutes every single day from Louisville. Right: My brother with his buddy travel each day from Louisville.
Incorrect: The committee is getting most of the responsibility on their own. Correct: The committee were using the obligation themselves. (observe that the use of the phrase themselves implies that panel has been addressed as a team of people, not as a unit.)
Incorrect: Measles became less common in america. Best: Measles happens to be less common in the United States.
To check for subject-verb agreement, circle the niche and verb in each sentence and be sure they concur.
Pronouns
1. A pronoun (like I, it, your, your, the lady, this, by themselves, people, who, which) is used to change another wordits antecedentso the antecedent does not have to getting repeated.Check each pronoun to ensure that it agrees with its write my paper antecedent in sex and numbers. Remember that phrase like each, either, neither, and something tend to be single; while they are used as antecedents, they bring singular pronouns. Antecedents comprised of 2 or more portion signed up with by or or nor simply take pronouns that agree with the nearest antecedent. Collective-noun antecedents (readers, group) is generally single or plural based whether or not they consider one product or a team of individuals.
Wrong: each of the puppies thrived in their new house. Correct: Every one of the pups thrived within its new house.
Wrong: Neither Jane nor Susan noticed that they was basically addressed relatively. Right: Neither Jane nor Susan experienced that she was indeed managed fairly.
Incorrect: The team regularly altered their roles getting diverse event. Right: The team usually changed their unique opportunities attain varied knowledge.
To check for agreement of pronouns and antecedents, circle each pronoun, decide their antecedent, and make certain which they consent in gender and number.
2. As noted above, most long pronouns (like each, either, neither, or one) are single; therefore, they capture single verbs. A family member pronoun, like which, which, or that, takes a verb that agrees with the pronoun’s antecedent.
Incorrect: each one of the items in these design coordinate making use of others. Best: all the items in these styles coordinates together with the other individuals.
Completely wrong: he could be among the employees who operates overtime on a regular basis. Correct: he or she is one of many staff members who work overtime regularly. (within instance, the antecedent of who is employees, and therefore the verb must be plural.)
3. a vague pronoun resource takes place when subscribers should not be certain of a pronoun’s antecedent. If a pronoun could consider more than one antecedent, or if the antecedent try implied but not clearly reported, revise the phrase to really make the antecedent obvious.
Completely wrong: Before Mary assaulted Mrs. Turpin, she was a judgmental girl. Appropriate: Before Mary attacked Mrs. Turpin, the latter had been a judgmental woman. (In the first sentence, she could consider either Mary or Mrs. Turpin.)
Awry: They believe an egg is as important as a person getting, nonetheless it cannot be demonstrated. Correct: They believe an egg is really as important as a person becoming, but these an assertion can’t be shown. (in the 1st phrase, the antecedent from it is confusing.)
Various Other Grammatical Errors
Sentence Fragments
1. The phrase fragment was an unfinished sentence punctuated as a sentence. To make it a whole sentence, join they toward biggest condition or rewrite they.
Completely wrong: this woman is an excellent friend. An individual whom I count on and appreciate. Best: she’s good buddy, an individual whom I count on and appreciate.
Wrong: For The working area, we discovered the worth of self-discipline. Also ideas on how to take close notes. Appropriate: In the workshop, we discovered the worth of control. We also discovered how exactly to need good notes.
Incorrect: the existing aluminum ship seated on the truck. Best: the existing aluminum watercraft was actually sitting on the trailer.
To check for sentence fragments, search all phrases for an interest, a verb, and at least one term that will not begin with a subordinating keyword like since, although, if, when, that, since, or exactly who.
Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers
1. Misplaced or dangling modifiers become statement, expressions, or clauses maybe not demonstrably connected to the term they adjust. Move a misplaced modifier nearer to the word they defines, or revise a sentence to provide a dangling modifier a word to change.
Faulty: they might understand eagles swooping and diving with binoculars. Correct: With binoculars, they may look at eagles swooping and scuba diving.
Incorrect: Nixon advised journalists he wanted to step out of government after the guy destroyed the 1962 gubernatorial race. Right: After the guy forgotten the 1962 gubernatorial race, Nixon told reporters which he wanted to escape government.
Faulty: a rabbit’s teeth should never be used for protection even when cornered. Best: Even when cornered, a rabbit never makes use of their teeth for safety.
Incorrect: As a son, their grandmother told stories of their many years as a country schoolteacher. Best: As a young boy, he heard their grandma inform stories of this lady age as a nation schoolteacher.
To check for misplaced or dangling modifiers, circle all modifiers and suck a line on the word they describe; ensure they can not wrongly change other keyword.
Created by Writing Tutorial Solutions, Indiana College, Bloomington, IN