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Common Usage Errors

 
The following is a list of some common usage errors. It is very important that you study this material carefully. Your mastery of English usage will help you greatly in your writing.
 

  1. Sentence Fragment – A sentence fragment is a sentence that is incomplete. Examples:
    1. Because I was afraid.
      Here, the word because indicates that this is a clause, as in "I hid under the bed because I was afraid." or "Because I was afraid, I closed my eyes."
    2. Having bought a new stereo.
      Again, having indicates that this is a clause, as in "Having bought a new stereo, Steve then went CD shopping." or "Steve can't afford any CD's, having spent all his money on a new stereo."
    3. Even though I was sick.
      This, also, cannot stand alone. It modifies something else, as in "Even though I was sick, I went to the ball game." or "I studied all night even though I was sick."

  2. Fused Sentence – a fused sentence is two sentences together with no punctuation between them. Examples:
    1. Frank wanted to go to the movies we went shopping instead.
      Correction: Frank wanted to go to the movies, but we went shopping instead.
    2. Titanic is not the only movie there are several others.
      Correction: Titanic is not the only movie. There are others.

  3. Lack of Subject-Verb Agreement – Subjects and verbs must agree. Examples:
    1. The unpredictable events which overwhelms the players are frightening.
      Correction: …events which overwhelm…
    2. Each of the women are likely to agree.
      Correction: …each of the women is…
    3. There is too many people in the park.
      Correction: …there are too many…

  4. Wrong Pronoun Case – Pronouns must be in the correct case. Examples:
    1. He told we children to go to bed.
      Correction: He told us children to go to bed.
    2. She gave the cake to Frank and I.
      Correction: She gave the cake to Frank and me.
    3. Frank and me went to Ireland together.
      Correction: Frank and I went to Ireland together.

  5. Wrong Plural Form – English has a variety of irregular plural forms. Examples:
    1. I bought two new hunting knifes.
      Correction: …knives.
    2. All Freshman should come to the auditorium at three o’ clock.
      Correction: Freshmen…
    3. There was a flock of sheeps in the field.
      Correction: …flock of sheep…