Aperocho (2017) investigated fifty freshmen B.S.

Crimonology from The University of

Mindanao in terms of their writing ability using the English language. In order to identify the
errors committed by the respondents, she made use of Chanquoy’s classification of writing
errors. On the other hand, Hourani’s Common reasons of grammatical errors checklist was
adapted so the cause of these errors may be distinguished. The researcher assigned the
respondents to write their own argumentative essay about their affirmation or negation towards
the topic “Boys are smarter than girls”. Through this essay it was discovered that the selected
freshmen, has difficulties in properly using punctuation marks and using the language
grammatically accurate, specifically in utilizing the verb aspect (tenses, subject agreement, and
auxiliary and linking choice). Behind these errors, the mother-tongue interference along with
incomprehensibility of the grammar rules and writing mechanics were the reasons identified by
the respondents.