Some mistakes are common when writing sentences in English. Each of
these 10 common sentence mistakes provides correction information as
well as links to more detailed information.
Incomplete Sentence - Sentence Fragment
One common mistake many students make is the use of incomplete sentences.
Each sentence in English must contain at least a subject and a verb,
and should be an independent clause. Examples of incomplete sentences
without a subject or a verb might include an instruction or a
prepositional phrase. For example:
Through the door.
In the other room.
Over there.
In the other room.
Over there.
These are phrases we may use in spoken English, but that should not be used in written English as they are incomplete.
Sentence fragments caused by dependent clauses
used without an independent clause are more common. Remember that
subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses. In other words,
if you use a subordinating clause
beginning with a word such as 'because, though, if, etc.' there must be
an independent clause to complete the thought. This mistake is often
made on tests asking a question with 'Why'.
For example, the sentences:
Because Tom is the boss.
Since he left work early without permission.
Since he left work early without permission.
might answer the question: "Why did he lose his job?" However, these are sentence fragments. The correct answer would be:
He lost his job because Tom is the boss.
He lost his job since he left work early without permission.
He lost his job since he left work early without permission.
Other examples of incomplete sentences introduced by subordinating clauses include:
Even though he needs help.
If they study enough.
As they had invested in the company.
If they study enough.
As they had invested in the company.
Run-on Sentences
Run-on sentences are sentences that:
1) are not connected by appropriate linking language such as conjunctions
2) use too many clauses rather than using periods and linking language such as conjunctive adverbs
2) use too many clauses rather than using periods and linking language such as conjunctive adverbs
The first type leaves out a word - usually a conjunction - that is required to connect a dependent and independent clause. For example:
The students did well on the test they didn't study very much.
Anna needs a new car she spent the weekend visiting car dealerships.
Anna needs a new car she spent the weekend visiting car dealerships.
The first sentence should use either a conjunction 'but', or 'yet' or
a subordinating conjunction 'although, even though, or though' to
connect the sentence. In the second sentence, the conjunction 'so' or the subordinating conjunction 'since, as, or because' would connect the two clauses.
The students did well, yet they didn't study very much.
Anna spent the weekend visiting car dealerships since she needs a new car.
Anna spent the weekend visiting car dealerships since she needs a new car.
Another common run on sentence occurs when using too many clauses. This often occurs using the word 'and'.
We went to the store and bought some fruit, and we went to the
mall to get some clothes, and we had lunch at McDonald's, and we visited
some friends.
The continuous chain of clauses using 'and' should be avoided. In
general, do not write sentences that contain more than three clauses to
ensure that your sentences do not become run-on sentences.
Duplicate Subjects
Sometimes students use a pronoun as a duplicate subject. Remember
that each clause takes only one sentence. If you have mentioned the
subject of a sentence by name, there is no need to repeat with a pronoun.
Example 1:
Tom lives in Los Angeles.
NOT
Tom, he lives in Lost Angeles.
Example 2:
The students come from Vietnam.
NOT
The students they come from Vietnam.
Incorrect Tense
Tense usage is a common mistake in student writing. Make sure that
the tense used corresponds to the situation. In other words, if you are
speaking about something that happened in the past do not use include a
tense that refers to the present. For example:
They fly to visit their parents in Toronto last week.
Alex bought a new car and drives it to her home in Los Angeles.
Alex bought a new car and drives it to her home in Los Angeles.
Incorrect Verb Form
Another common mistake is the use of an incorrect verb form when combining with another verb. Certain verbs in English take the infinitive and others take the gerund
(ing form). It's important to learn these verb combinations. Also, when
using the verb as a noun, use the gerund form of the verb.
He hopes finding a new job. / Correct -> He hopes to find a new job.
Peter avoided to invest in the project. / Correct -> Peter avoided investing in the project.
Peter avoided to invest in the project. / Correct -> Peter avoided investing in the project.
Parallel Verb Form
A related issue is the use of parallel verb forms when using a list of verbs. If you are writing in the present continuous tense, use the 'ing' form in your list. If you are using the present perfect, use the past participle, etc.
She enjoys watching TV, play tennis, and cook. / Correct -> She enjoys watching TV, playing tennis, and cooking.
I've lived in Italy, working in Germany and study in New York. / Correct -> I've lived in Italy, worked in Germany, and studied in New York.
I've lived in Italy, working in Germany and study in New York. / Correct -> I've lived in Italy, worked in Germany, and studied in New York.
Use of Time Clauses
Time clauses are introduced by the time words 'when', 'before',
'after' and so on. When speaking about the present or future use the
present simple tense in time clauses. If using a past tense, we usually use the past simple in a time clause.
We'll visit you when we will come next week. / Correct -> We'll visit you when we come next week.
She cooked dinner after he was arriving. / Correct -> She cooked dinner after he arrived.
She cooked dinner after he was arriving. / Correct -> She cooked dinner after he arrived.
Subject - Verb Agreement
Another common mistake is to use incorrect subject - verb agreement.
The most common of these mistakes is the missing 's' in the present simple tense. However, there are other types of mistakes. Always look for these mistakes in the helping verb.
Tom play guitar in a band. / Correct -> Tom plays guitar in a band.
They was sleeping when she telephoned. / Correct -> They were sleeping when she telephoned.
They was sleeping when she telephoned. / Correct -> They were sleeping when she telephoned.
Pronoun Agreement
Pronoun agreement mistakes take place when using a pronoun to replace
a proper noun. Often this mistake is a mistake of use of a singular
form rather than a plural or vice versa. However, pronoun agreement
mistakes can occur in object or possessive pronouns, as well as in
subject pronouns.
Tom works at a company in Hamburg. She loves his job. / Correct -> Tom works at a company in Hamburg. He loves his job.
Andrea and Peter studied Russian at school. He thought they were very difficult. Correct -> Andrea and Peter studied Russian at school. They thought it was very difficult.
Andrea and Peter studied Russian at school. He thought they were very difficult. Correct -> Andrea and Peter studied Russian at school. They thought it was very difficult.
Missing Commas After Linking Language
When using an introductory phrase as linking language such as a conjunctive adverb or sequencing word, use a comma after the phrase to continue the sentence.
As a result children should start studying math as early as possible. / Correct -> As a result, children should start studying math as early as possible.
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