Marking symbols

Symbol What does it stand for? How do I correct the mistake and ensure I don’t make it
again?
sp / Incorrect spelling Look up correct spelling in a dictionary. Careless mistake!!
_____
P Punctuation marks incorrectly Study notes on punctuation, especially when using direct speech.
used
exp / Language usage / Expression Speak English in the class at all times. If you NEVER spoke any
exp other language in class, you would learn to express yourself
properly.
T Incorrect tense used Use ONE tense throughout. When editing, and pay special
attention to all the verbs by underlining them and checking their
tenses. The past tenses are safest! (looked, was/were/had been
looking/ had looked)
‘s Apostrophe ‘s Study the notes! Use only in contractions (I’m) and the
possessive case (Thabo’s sister).
Wo Incorrect word order Reread sentences when editing your writing – sentences should
SOUND acceptable.
Reg Incorrect register / tone Determine who your target audience is – that will tell you how
formal or informal your choice of words and tone should be.
? Unintelligible / Does not make Know what you want to say and use straightforward, to-the-point
sense expressions. DO NOT translate directly from your mother tongue.
Prep Incorrect preposition used Choose the correct preposition before you write the sentence.
Consult your notes on the use of prepositions and learn fixed
expressions off by heart.
Pron Incorrect pronoun used Study the different types of pronouns. Remember that males are
referred to as “he”, “him” or “himself” while females are “she”,
“her” or “herself”. “I” is always written with a capital letter.
Aux Auxiliary used incorrectly After auxiliaries the infinitive form, present or past participle is
used. The auxiliary or “helping word” plus the word mentioned
above is the verb.
conj Conjunction incorrectly used Study the notes on conjunctions. Check that you have also
changed the verbs into the correct form, especially at “while”,
“after”, “before” and “since”. The word order of the sentence
may also need to change.
C/L Capital letter Study the notes.
s/c small caps Study the notes. Words in the middle of a sentence are written in
small caps, unless they are proper nouns or .
Ww Wrong word used Try alternative words and do not use them again in the same
context.
٨ Word omitted Fill in the missing words.
// A new paragraph should be One paragraph, one main idea. A paragraph is a unit of thought
started and when you introduce a new idea, a new paragraph should be
started. Use a new paragraph for a new speaker in direct speech.
Study the notes.
C Concord The noun and verb must agree in all aspects. Underline nouns and
check when going through the checklist. Study notes for tricky
exceptions.
 Marking symbols

sp Incorrect spelling
exp Language usage / Expression
p Punctuation marks incorrectly used
t Incorrect tense used
‘s Apostrophe ‘s
wo Incorrect word order
reg Incorrect register / tone
? Unintelligible / Does not make sense / Illegible
prep Incorrect preposition used
pron Incorrect pronoun used
aux Auxiliary used incorrectly/insert auxiliary
conj Conjunction incorrectly used/insert conjunction
C/L Capital letter
s/c small caps
ww wrong word
٨ Word omitted / should be inserted
// A new paragraph should be started
c concord