Common Errors
Unfortunately, it is far too easy to write sentences that say things we did not intend.
Here are common errors in sentence construction to help prevent misunderstandings in your writing.
1. Run-On Sentences
Description: Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts) are joined without the appropriate punctuation or conjunctions. They can make sentences confusing and lengthy.
Examples:
- Mary loves to read books she reads one every day.
- I wanted to go to the movies I didn’t have enough money.
Tips:
- Use a period to separate independent clauses into two sentences.
- Alternatively, use a semicolon or a comma with a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or) to connect them.
2. Fragments
Description: Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that lack a subject, verb, or complete thought. They often occur when a dependent clause is treated as a standalone sentence.
Examples:
- Although she was tired.
- Went to the store to buy some groceries.
- Eating pizza on a Friday night.
Tips:
- Ensure every sentence has a naming part (a subject) and a telling part (a predicate, at least one verb) — and expresses a complete thought.
- Connect sentence fragments to nearby complete sentences or revise them to form complete sentences.
3. Dangling Modifiers
Description: Dangling modifiers are words or phrases that don’t logically or grammatically modify the word they intend to modify. This can lead to confusing or unintentionally humorous sentences.
Examples:
- Running to catch the bus, the keys fell from her hand. (The keys weren’t running in her hand, then fell.)
- After eating the pizza, the plate was washed. (The plate wasn’t eating.)
Tips:
- Ensure the modifier clearly relates to the word it’s intended to modify.
- Revise sentences to make the relationship between the modifier and the subject clear.
4. Unclear Pronoun Reference
Description: Unclear pronoun reference occurs when it’s not clear which noun a pronoun is referring to. This can lead to confusion and ambiguity in sentences.
Examples:
- He gave the book to his friend, even though he didn’t like it. (Who didn’t like it?)
- The cat chased the dog because it was fast. (Was the cat or the dog fast?)
Tips:
- Make sure the antecedent (the noun the pronoun refers to) is clear and unambiguous.
- If necessary, repeat the full noun (instead of using a pronoun) to maintain clarity.
5. Misplaced Modifiers
Description: Misplaced modifiers are words or phrases that are not positioned near the word they are meant to modify, leading to confusion or unintended meanings.
Examples:
- She almost drove her kids to school every day. (Did she almost drive or did she drive almost every day?)
- I saw a man with a telescope on the hill. (Who had the telescope — “I” or the man?)
Tips:
- Place modifiers as close as possible to the word they modify.
- Ensure the modifier is positioned to convey the intended meaning.
6. Parallel Structure
Description: Lack of parallel structure occurs when items in a list or a series are not grammatically consistent in form, leading to awkward and confusing sentences.
Examples:
- She likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle. (Inconsistent verb forms)
- He enjoys playing soccer, to run, and reading books. (Mix of verb forms)
Tips:
- Keep the structure of items in a list consistent. Use the same grammatical form for each item.
- Revise sentences to maintain parallel structure for clarity and readability.
7. Double Negatives
Description: Double negatives occur when two negative words are used in the same sentence, canceling each other out and creating a positive meaning. This can lead to confusion.
Examples:
- I don’t need no help. (This actually means “I need help.”)
- He didn’t do nothing wrong. (This means “He did do something wrong.”)
- In formal writing, a common problem is sentences like this: “The problem isn’t that he doesn’t want to do it.” A better way to write that might be to phrase things from a positive point of view, such as, “He wants to do it. Any problems lie elsewhere.”
Tips:
- Use only one negative word or expression to convey a negative meaning.
- Avoid using double negatives to prevent ambiguity.
8. Comma Splices
Description: Comma splices happen when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction or appropriate punctuation. This can create confusion and disrupt the flow of sentences.
Examples:
- I like to read before bed, it helps me relax.
- I watched the movie until the end, it was so long.
- I love writing, I find it fascinating.
Tips:
- Use a period or a semicolon to separate independent clauses in two sentences.
- Alternatively, use a comma with a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or) to connect them.
The comma splice sentences might be written with either a period or semicolon where the comma is:
- I love writing. I find it fascinating.
Alternately, it could be written as, “I love writing; I find it fascinating.” In this way, “it” is clarified as referring to “writing.”
Pro-tip: Some authors don’t like to use semicolons because if the two sentences are next to each other, their relationship should be obvious.
So, in general, the best use for a semicolon is when it’s necessary — when the relationship between the two sentences might otherwise be unclear:
- The Burger King died; Ronald McDonald was sad.
Since they were rivals, readers might not understand why Ronald McDonald was sad had there been a period instead of a semicolon.