Correcting Common Sentence Errors
Here we will practice correcting some of the most common errors in English, including those involving verbs (subject-verb agreement and tense) and pronouns (agreement and reference).
Fifteen Common Errors & How to Fix Them
Even professional writers get tripped up now and then by some commonly confused words: look-alikes and sound-alikes that our spell checkers will never recognize. Here are 15 of the most commonly confused words.
Even professional writers get tripped up now and then by some commonly confused words: look-alikes and sound-alikes that our spell checkers will never recognize. Here are 15 of the most commonly confused words.
Editing Checklist
After revising an essay until we are satisfied with its basic content and structure, we still need to edit our work. This checklist can serve as a guide when editing paragraphs and essays.
After revising an essay until we are satisfied with its basic content and structure, we still need to edit our work. This checklist can serve as a guide when editing paragraphs and essays.
Phony Rules of Writing
Behind each one of these phony rules of writing lies a good idea, but there are also good reasons why these so-called rules should sometimes be broken.
Behind each one of these phony rules of writing lies a good idea, but there are also good reasons why these so-called rules should sometimes be broken.
Using the Different Forms of Pronouns
Used correctly and effectively, pronouns can help to make our writing concise and coherent. Here we'll review the different forms of pronouns.
Used correctly and effectively, pronouns can help to make our writing concise and coherent. Here we'll review the different forms of pronouns.
Using the Different Forms of Pronouns: Practice Exercise 1
If you have studied the guidelines for "Using the Different Forms of Pronouns," you should be well prepared for this short practice exercise.
If you have studied the guidelines for "Using the Different Forms of Pronouns," you should be well prepared for this short practice exercise.
Correcting Errors in Subject-Verb Agreement
Here we will practice applying one of the most basic and yet also most troublesome rules of grammar: in the present tense, a verb must agree with its subject.
Here we will practice applying one of the most basic and yet also most troublesome rules of grammar: in the present tense, a verb must agree with its subject.
Review Exercise: Basic Subject-Verb Agreement
If you have studied the guidelines for "Correcting Errors in Subject-Verb Agreement," you should now be well prepared for this short review exercise.
If you have studied the guidelines for "Correcting Errors in Subject-Verb Agreement," you should now be well prepared for this short review exercise.
Tricky Cases of Subject-Verb Agreement
Although the basic principle of subject-verb agreement is fairly simple, certain cases can trip up even the most experienced writers. Here we will focus on three of those cases: (1) making the verbs "have," "do," and "be" agree with their subjects; (2) making subject and verb agree when words come between them; and (3) reaching agreement when the subject is an indefinite pronoun.
Although the basic principle of subject-verb agreement is fairly simple, certain cases can trip up even the most experienced writers. Here we will focus on three of those cases: (1) making the verbs "have," "do," and "be" agree with their subjects; (2) making subject and verb agree when words come between them; and (3) reaching agreement when the subject is an indefinite pronoun.
Review Exercises: Subject-Verb Agreement
These review exercises will give you practice in applying the rules of subject-verb agreement. When you have completed the exercises, compare your responses with the answers at the bottom of the page.
These review exercises will give you practice in applying the rules of subject-verb agreement. When you have completed the exercises, compare your responses with the answers at the bottom of the page.
Forming the Past Tense of Regular Verbs
Because all regular verbs in the past tense have the same ending, these verb forms are the easiest to remember.
Because all regular verbs in the past tense have the same ending, these verb forms are the easiest to remember.
The Present-Perfect Tense: Using Auxiliaries with the Past Participle
Once you understand how to form the past tense of regular verbs, you shouldn't find it difficult to use verbs in the present-perfect tense. All you'll need to add is an auxiliary verb--"has" or "have."
Once you understand how to form the past tense of regular verbs, you shouldn't find it difficult to use verbs in the present-perfect tense. All you'll need to add is an auxiliary verb--"has" or "have."
Using Correct Forms of the Verb "Be"
The irregular verb "be" is an important auxiliary verb (also known as a "helping verb"). In both the present tense and the past, "be" changes its form to agree with the subject.
The irregular verb "be" is an important auxiliary verb (also known as a "helping verb"). In both the present tense and the past, "be" changes its form to agree with the subject.
Proofreading for Errors in Verb Tense
After you have reviewed our pages on regular and irregular verbs, give these five proofreading exercises a try.
After you have reviewed our pages on regular and irregular verbs, give these five proofreading exercises a try.
Sites for Correcting Common Sentence Errors
The five websites described here focus on the most common errors in English: how to recognize those errors and (more importantly) how to correct them.
The five websites described here focus on the most common errors in English: how to recognize those errors and (more importantly) how to correct them.