03+Writing+-+Grammar+Support

subject verb agreement | comma splice | comma rules | dangling preposition | sentence variety | most common errors | Run on sentences | Active Voice

<<back to writing support bit.ly/mrgogram

= =

= = = Who should use this page? = Even the most proficient of writers are constantly working toward improving their grammar. Both students whose mother tongue is English and those who are **English Language Learners** (formerly "ESL") can both benefit from grammar review. Poor grammar in your writing can leave readers with the impression that you either **do not care** about what you are writing or you **did not take the time** to edit your work (and therefore do not care about your poor reader who is left confused from having to weed through your work for your intended meaning).

= Tips on Improving Grammar overall =
 * **Read widely**. Read strong writers in fiction to improve grammar.
 * **Keep a journal.** Writing, like any other skill, requires much practice.
 * __**10 Tips from Grammar Girl**__
 * **Comma Rules**

= Sites on Grammar and Spelling Support =
 * ** OWL@Purdue grammar ** (most common errors)
 * **OWL - mechanics** (comma rules**,** punctuation, parallel structure, sentence fragments and run-ons, spelling)
 * [[file:Building_Vocabulary - prefix suffix root.pdf]] (know your prefixes, suffixes, and root words)
 * Know homonyms (words that sound alike), more commonly misspelled words (Oxford)
 * **Grammar Girl** - a fun website on grammar tips. Includes a great podcast.
 * **Hypergrammar** (from U of T )
 * **Dave's ESL cafe**
 * **Dave's ESL cafe**

 =Mr. Go's list of Most Common Grammar Errors: = Though this list varies slightly from year to year, these are the most common errors Mr. Go encounters. Try to read the links to avoid making grammatical errors that interfere with the meaning you are trying to convey to readers.
 * Review these **commonly misspelled words** (often homonyms)


 * 1) 1. **Subject-verb agreement (S-V agt)**. (to correct this, you will have to be able to recognize the //subject// and verb/verb phrases of your sentences. This is not always that simply when attempting more sophisticated wording.


 * 1) 2. **Comma Splice** ** (cs) ** (know your comma rules! The comma splice splits two complete sentences and it can be rectified with either a semicolon, period, or conjunction). Find more here. Review all punctuation here.


 * 1) 3. Sentence Fragments (be sure you have a subject and predicate in all sentences).


 * 1) 4. **Sentence Variety** ** (sent var) ** (Learn the different //types// of sentences to avoid consecutive simple or complex sentences). Click here for more - look at the "Structure of a sentence" section and memorize the difference between **simple, compound, and complex sentences**. Avoid too many consecutive simple sentences which creates a juvenile tone.


 * 1) 5. **Count and Non-count nouns** (e.g., "imagery" refers to both the singular //and plural// instances; so "imageries", should not be used).


 * 1) 6. **Misplaced articles (a/an/the) -** read more and notice the placement of these words.


 * Other Grammatical Errors **




 * ** Run on sentences: ** where two or more independent clauses (each with their own subject and predicate - doer and action) appear in the same sentence without proper punctuation. // http://goo.gl/tz2fg //
 * **Example**: Pi becomes an animal he begins to rely more heavily on his instincts.


 * **Three solutions:**
 * a) use a **semicolon** to separate the independent clauses.
 * **Ex:** Pi becomes an animal; he begins to rely more heavily on his instincts.
 * // Obviously, the ideas themselves should make sense juxtaposed against one another as seen here. //
 * b) use a **period** to split the sentences into smaller ones.
 * **Ex:** Pi becomes an animal. He begins to rely more heavily on his instincts.
 * //Again the smaller sentences should still follow from one another logically. The danger is to have too many consecutive//
 * //simple sentences, so be sure that you vary your sentence types.//
 * c) use a **conjunction** to connect your ideas with purpose.
 * **Ex:** Pi becomes an animal and he begins to rely more heavily on his instincts.
 * // Be judicious about your selection of conjuctions. Use the right one that will serve your argument's purpose. //
 * **Ex:** Pi becomes an animal and he begins to rely more heavily on his instincts.
 * // Be judicious about your selection of conjuctions. Use the right one that will serve your argument's purpose. //

 
 * **DanglPrep** (Dangling or Terminal Preposition): Ending your sentence with a preposition (on, with, to, at). Check out the GrammarGirl entry on this subject. Though it is not always incorrect, terminal prepositions can lead to ugly sentences **Example**: Pi finds comfort in the unfamiliar places that he is situated in.
 * Check for **redundant prepositions**: First, "situated" does not require the preposition "in" after it. So always check for those first. Many are redundant: enter into, on top of,
 * **Replace "that"** with " which OR where": One easy way to correct the matter is to find the "that" that precedes your phrase and replace it with the "  + which". So in our example: Pi finds comfort in the unfamiliar places where he is situated."
 * Active vs. Passive Voice: **
 * Generally, you should aim to use mostly **active voice** in your writing for a more direct and clear tone.
 * Read more about active vs. passive voice here.