Common

Grammatical Errors
 Topic Sentences
Although lead sentences (general statements) are expected in
an introduction paragraph to an essay, formal paragraphs
do not get lead sentences. This is because lead sentences
distract from topic sentences.
Find the error:
Poetry has inspiring messages. These messages have
influenced many people throughout history. In D.P.S., the
students are inspired by poetry, which is demonstrated by
Neil and Todd.
Example correction:
In D.P.S., the students are influenced by poetry’s inspiring
messages, which is demonstrated by Neil and Todd.
 P.E.E.
In literary papers, the main evidence and explanation comes
from the text.
Find the error:
One reason schools frown upon freethinking is the danger to
students’ safety. If the students were harmed as a result of
freethinking, this would hurt the school’s reputation.
Example correction:
One reason schools frown upon freethinking is the danger to
students’ safety. Parents expect school to be a safe place for
their children, which is why Mr. Perry demands the school
take responsibility for Mr. Keating’s teachings and the school
takes action. Mr. Keating’s carpe diem teaching put the
students at risk, resulting in Neil’s suicide.
 Transitions
In paragraphs, transitions are essential to smoothly connect
ideas together. Transition phrases, pronouns and
repetition are three ways to improve flow in writing.

Example transition words:

• first/second/third, next, then, after, finally
• after, before, during, since
• for example, for instance, such as
• as well, furthermore, in addition, moreover
• likewise, similarly
• although, however, in contrast, nevertheless
• as a result, consequently, therefore, thus
• finally, in conclusion, in summary, overall
 Formal Diction
Avoid the first person pronoun, and do not
draw attention to the task.
Find the errors:
In this paragraph, I will demonstrate that
poetry inspires the students in D.P.S..
Example correction:
Poetry inspires the students in D.P.S..
 Formal Diction
Avoid contractions, colloquialisms, cliché,
and slang.
Find the errors:
Todd’s shy at the beginning but, later, he
comes out of his shell.
Example correction:
Todd is shy at the beginning but, later, he
gains confidence.
 Formal Diction
Avoid second person pronoun “you.”
Find the errors:
You should live life to the fullest or you will
regret it.
Example correction:
People should live life to the fullest or else
they will regret it.
 Run-On Sentences
Run-ons occur when two or more independent
clauses (sentences) are joined together w/o a
conjunction or correct punctuation.
Find the error:
Mr. Keating really enjoys poetry he uses his lessons
to inspire a love of poetry in his students.
Example correction:
Mr. Keating really enjoys poetry, which is why he
uses his lessons to inspire a love
of poetry in his students.
 Comma-Splice Errors
Comma-splices occur when one attempts to fix a run-
on sentence by joining two or more independent
clauses (sentences) with a comma.
Find the error:
Poetry inspires Neil to act, poetry inspires
Knox to woo Chris.
Example correction:
Poetry inspires Neil to act while poetry inspires Knox to
woo Chris.
 Sentence Fragments
Sentence fragments occur when either a dependent
clause or group of words lacking either a subject
and/or a verb is punctuated as a complete
sentence.
Find the dependent clause error:
Carpe diem is a key idea in the film so get out there and
live life. If you dare.
Example correction:
Carpe diem is a key idea in the film so get out there and
live life, if you dare.
 Sentence Fragments
Sentence fragments occur when either a dependent
clause or group of words lacking either a subject
and/or a verb is punctuated as a complete
sentence.
Find the error:
Mr. Keating reads the students’ poetry. Reading
voraciously.
Example correction:
Mr. Keating read the students’ poetry, reading
voraciously.
 Faulty Tense
in Object Writing
Present tense is used to describe literary works or films
in academic essays or in reviews. It is also used to
express general knowledge, scientific truths, or a
repeated action.
Find the error:
Todd gained confidence thanks to poetry.
Example correction:
Todd gains confidence thanks to poetry.
 Faulty Tense Change
Do not switch between tenses.
Find the error:
Poetry inspires the students. Todd gained
confidence thanks to poetry.
Example correction:
Poetry inspires the students. Todd gains
confidence thanks to poetry.
 Faulty Parallelism
Parallelism occurs by using similar grammatical patterns of
words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. These sentences
sound rhythmic and balanced. Faulty parallel structure
occurs when there is an error in the pattern.
Find the error:
Neil decides to act, Knox decides to woo the girl, and a life-
changing experience happens to Todd too.
Example correction:
Neil decides to act, Knox decides to woo
the girl, and Todd decides to speak up.
Vague Pronoun References
Pronouns replace nouns or other pronouns and can be
effective to avoid repetition of names. The antecedent
(word being replaced) must be clear to the reader.

Find the error:

Neil’s father is angry at him, which is why he decides that he
should go to military school so he will become a doctor.
Example correction:
Neil’s father is angry at him, which is why Mr. Perry
decides Neil should go to military school so he will
become a doctor.
 Vague Pronoun References

It, this, and that are especially vague pronouns. Often it is better
to use a different word or change the order for clarity.
Find the error:
Mr. Keating loves poetry. It is inspiring.
Example correction:
Mr. Keating loves poetry because he finds it inspiring.
 Homophones/Homonyms
Words that sound alike but
have different spellings
and meanings
its, it’s; your, you’re; too, to,
two; there, their, they’re;
which, witch; passed,
past; weather, whether
Tip: where there here
What’s the whether like?
What’s the weather like?
It’s snowing, witch is good
for skiing later.
It’s snowing, which is good
for skiing later.
Your going to need to study
for the exam.
You’re / you are going to
need to study for the
exam.

Remember contractions should not appear in formal, scholarly

writing anyway! Easy fix!
 Apostrophes
Used to show possession / ownership
Neil’s inspiration; Todd’s timidity
Used to create a contraction
do not/don’t; cannot/can’t; I will/I’ll
Exception – it’s (short for it is, not ownership)
Never used to show plurals!
Students’ = plural, student’s = one student owns something

Remember contractions should not appear in formal, scholarly

writing anyway! Easy fix!
 Title Punctuation
• Major Works (plays, novels, full length
feature films, albums, epic poems, book of
poems, sitcom series, master’s thesis, etc.)
• “Minor Works” (one act plays, short stories,
short films, songs, poems, sitcom episodes,
essays, etc.)