1. ensure the subject and verb of each condition or phrase agreethat try, that a singular topic has one verb, and a plural subject matter a plural verb. Whenever additional terms come between subject and verb, you could confuse the noun nearest into the verbbefore or afterfor the verb’s real matter.

Faulty: a central section of living purpose have now been to go to legislation college. Best: A central part of my entire life objectives was to go to legislation school.

Incorrect: the earnings obtained from the aesthetic industry is maybe not satisfactory. Best: The profits won from the cosmetic field are not sufficient.

2. getting especially mindful that your subject and verb concur if your subject comprises of two or more areas accompanied by and even or; whenever your matter was a word like panel or jury, that could take either a singular or a plural verb depending on whether it is treated as a product or as a team of people; or if your topic was a phrase like mathematics or measles, which looks plural it is single in meaning.

Incorrect: My brother along with his buddy commutes day-after-day from Louisville. Appropriate: my cousin along with his friend drive each and every day from Louisville.

Awry: The panel was actually using most of the obligation themselves. Correct: The panel are having all of the duty themselves. (keep in mind that the usage your message by themselves reveals that panel is being addressed as several people, never as a unit.)

Incorrect: Measles have grown to be less common in america. Right: Measles is now less frequent in the us.

To check for subject-verb agreement, circle the niche and verb in each phrase and be sure they consent.

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Pronouns

1. A pronoun (like we, it, your, him, this lady, this, by themselves, someone, just who, which) can be used to displace another wordits antecedentso the antecedent shouldn’t have to be repeated.Check each pronoun to make sure that they will follow the antecedent in sex and quantity. Remember that terms like each, either, neither, and one tend to be single; if they are utilized as antecedents, they capture single pronouns. Antecedents comprised of several areas accompanied by or or nor bring pronouns that buy into the nearest antecedent. Collective-noun antecedents (audience, personnel) is single or plural dependent on whether they relate to a single product or several people.

Wrong: all the puppies thrived within their new home. Right: all the pups thrived in its new house.

Incorrect: Neither Jane nor Susan sensed which they was basically handled pretty. Best: Neither Jane nor Susan experienced that she was basically managed pretty.

Awry: The team regularly altered its spots for diverse enjoy. Right: The team regularly changed their jobs in order to get diverse feel.

To check for agreement of pronouns and antecedents, circle each pronoun, diagnose their antecedent, and make certain they agree in sex and number.

2. As noted above, many indefinite pronouns (like each, either, neither, or one) include singular; consequently, they take single verbs. A family member pronoun, like exactly who, which, or that, requires a verb that will abide by the pronoun’s antecedent.

Completely wrong: Each of the products in these models coordinate with the rest. Best: each one of the products in these styles coordinates with all the other individuals.

Completely wrong: he or she is one of the staff just who operates overtime frequently. Correct: he’s among the staff who work overtime regularly. (In this example, the antecedent of that is workers, and then the verb must plural.)

3. a vague pronoun resource takes place when readers shouldn’t be clear on a pronoun’s antecedent. If a pronoun could make reference to multiple antecedent, or if the antecedent is implied although not explicitly claimed, change the sentence to really make the antecedent obvious.

Wrong: Before Mary assaulted Mrs. Turpin, she was a judgmental girl. Correct: Before Mary attacked Mrs. Turpin, aforementioned had been a judgmental woman. (In the first phrase, she could reference either Mary or Mrs. Turpin.)

Faulty: They believe that an egg is as vital as a human staying, but it can not be proved. Correct: They believe an egg is really as crucial as an individual staying, but this type of an assertion cannot be demonstrated. (In the first phrase, the antecedent from it is not clear.)

Different Grammatical Mistakes

Sentence Fragments

1. The phrase fragment was an incomplete sentence punctuated as a sentence. To really make it a complete phrase, join they on the primary clause or rewrite they.

Completely wrong: she’s a great friend. People who we depend on and appreciate. Right: She is a good buddy, one who I trust and appreciate.

Faulty: During The workshop, we learned the worth of discipline. Additionally just how to need good records. Appropriate: within the workshop, we discovered the value of self-discipline. We also discovered ideas on how to bring great notes.

Awry: the existing aluminum watercraft resting on its truck. Right: The old aluminum motorboat was actually seated on the truck.

To proofread for phrase fragments, always check all phrases for an interest, a verb, and at least one term that does not begin with a subordinating keyword like since, although, if, when, that, since, or whom.

Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers

1. Misplaced or dangling modifiers include keywords, terms, or conditions perhaps not obviously attached to the keyword they alter. Push a misplaced modifier closer to the word it talks of, or revise a sentence to give a dangling modifier a word to change.

Awry: they might notice eagles swooping and diving with binoculars. Best: With binoculars, they may start to see the eagles swooping and diving.

Wrong: Nixon told journalists he planned to get out of politics after the guy missing the 1962 gubernatorial race. Correct: After the guy lost the 1962 gubernatorial race, Nixon told reporters that he planned to step out of government.

Faulty: a rabbit’s teeth will never be useful for defense even if cornered. Right: Even when cornered, a rabbit never ever makes use of its teeth for protection.

Wrong: As a young son, his grandma informed stories of this lady years as a country schoolteacher. Correct: As a kid, he read their grandmother tell stories of the woman ages as a nation schoolteacher.

To check for misplaced or dangling modifiers, group all modifiers and draw a line to the keyword they describe; do not forget they cannot incorrectly modify other keyword.

Created by Writing Guide Treatments, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN