Identifiiyng errors

Sentence correction
Correct usage

Identifiiyng errors

Tactics:
- The error is in the underlined part and is always present even if the sentence feels correct.

Mr. Brown is one of the commuters. Independent Clause

Who takes the 7:30 train from Brook town every morning.

-Use your ear for the language

In my history class I learned why the American colonies opposed the British, how they organized the
militia, and the work of the continental Congress.
(why & how (subordinate clause) the work…. (noun) FAULTY PARALLELISM)

-Look for the most common error

Marilyn and I ran as fast as we could, but we missed our train which made us late for work.

- Not every sentence has an error

- Eliminate any choice that repeats the incorrect sentence

- If you don’t spot the error look for the changes in the choices

- Make sure that all parts of the sentence are logically connected

- Pay particular attention to the short answer questions ( for it to not be wordy)

The run on sentence - fussed sentence (no commas or periods) & comma splice (comma no
conjunction)

; separates independent clauses

, coordinating conjunction
Use subordination (cause and effect)

Fragment
Group of words that does not
express a complete thought
Incomplete sentences
Phrase
Group of words that act as
another part of speech
Clause
Group of words with its own
subject, its own verb and may
or may not act as a complete
sentence in itself

Error in the case of a noun or a pronoun

Nominative Objective Possesive
Subj./ PN DO, IO, OP, OV Shows ownership

Compound personal pronounce (reflexive, intensive)

 Number
 Person
 Gender
 Case

Pronounce in Comparison

Rita thinks that she has more shoes than him. = Rita thinks that she has than he does.
IC SC SC
Elliptical clause - adverb clause with an element missing

Their They’re There

Improper Anteceents - nound substituted by the pronounce.

He is a wizard I want to learn it = He is a wizard. I want to become one.

Intensive Reflexive
Intensifies/ emphasizes the nouns in the Reflects back something in the sentence
sentence

-Do not abuse reflexive pronouns

Ambigous pronouns - makes the sentence unclear

Pronoun consistency - if its singular use singular if its plural use plural

Error in subject verb agreement

-singular subject singular verb, plural subject plural verb

The owner and directress of the school (is, are) absent.

Choices:
Or, either or, nether not

The old man with all the dogs walks down our street.
^
Parenthetical phrases/ clauses

The jury has retired for the night, but it will resume its deliberations early.

Indefinite pronouns - pronouns that don’t refer to anything specific

Plural Singular - both, few, several, many, others, all, none, any, more, most, some

Amounts and measurements are singular

Money is singular, currency is plural

Inverted sentences - does not follow the normal word order ( subject 1st then verb)
Always plural nouns - ends in “S” and always plural

Pronoun Antecedent Agreement

Every one of the girls on the team is trying to do their best. (her)

Error in the Tense on form of a Verb

Basic Progressive Emphatic

Simple Personal Present Progressive Pres. Emphatic
Past Past Past. Emphatic
Future Future
Present Perfect Present Perfect
Past Past
Future Future

Needless shift in voice

Active Passive
Loyd bought flowers Flowers were bought by Loyd

Failure to use the subjunctive when needed

MOOD
 Indicatice
 Imperative
 Subjunctive

The rooms on the second floor are larger than (those at) the first floor

Misplaced and dangling modifiers - modifiers are there without describing something
Law of proximity - transposing words

Hanging from the highest branch, the man with binoculars eyed the monkey
=
The man with the binoculars eyed the hanging monkey