Top Grammar Issues Quick tip Reference (add the page # of

a text or a resource)
Subject Verb Agreement Singular subjects need singular verbs, and plural subjects need plural verbs. (He runs.
They run)
Fragments and Run Ons Fragments are incomplete sentences. Usually correct them by removing the period
and adding or connecting the main clause.
Run-ons are two independent clauses which are joined together with no connecting
word or punctuation to separate the clauses. Usually correct by adding in punctuation.
Parrallel structure Use the same pattern of words. Errors occur most often in a series. Check that all
words are the same tense, have the same ending, or follow the same pattern.
Active and passive voice Active voice is preferred. In active voice the subject performs the action. (The dog bit
the man.) In passive voice the action is performed on the subject. (The man was bit by
the dog.)
Tense Shifts Do not change tense forms.
Misplaced/ dangling modifier Modifiers should come next to the word they modify ( refer to)
(INCORRECT: Screaming all the way, the roller coaster thrilled us.) Reads as if the
roller coaster is screaming.
Missing or misplaced possessive For possession, add ‘s or just an apostrophe if the word ends in s
apostrophe (That is Jim’s bag. That is Ross’ bag)
Vague pronoun reference Pronouns (she, yourself, her, he, it, they, who, etc.) need to be clear about the word or
words they are replacing.
(INCORRECT:The restaurant prohibitted smoking, which many customers resented.)
Do the customers resent the restaurant or smoking?
Comma after introductory element Use a comma after an introductory phrase.
(Determined to pass the test, we studied all night.)
Comma in a compound sentence Compound sentences have two or more parts that can stand as their own sentences.
If they are joined by a conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) the use a
comma before the conjunction.
Comma with a nonrestrictive A nonrestrictive element is one that is not necessary to make basic meaning in a
element sentence. When these appear, use commas before and after.
(John, who was a culinary student, prepared us a meal.)
Comma splice When a comma acts as end punctuation basically making a run on sentence.
Comma in a series Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu

REMOVE CONDENSE for conciseness 100 Commonly Misspelled Words

In my personal opinion Instead of writing… Write….
As far as I’m concerned is able to can Absence Discipline Harass Neighbor
In this paper I intend to has the ability to can Acceptable Effect Height Necessary
I would like to say that due to the fact because Accidentally Eighth Heroes Occasionally
I think for the reason that because Accommodate Eliminate Hoping Occurrence
I believe this is why because Amateur Embarrass Humorous Perseverance
I suppose at all times always Argument Emphasize Immediately Personnel
On the subject of in spite of the fact that though Achieve Encouragement Intelligence Practically
In regards to call your attention to the fact that Remind you Appropriate Environment Interesting Privilege
As far as… the question as to whether whether Attendance Equipment Irrelevant Receive
It should be noted that the reason why is that because Beginning Especially Irresistible Recommend
Believe Exaggerate Jewelry Reference
TRY TO AVOID (add your own words to this list) Business Exceed Judgment Restaurant
There are (is, were, was) Calendar Excellence Kindergarten Rhythm
Very Cemetery Exercise Knowledge Schedule
A lot Choose Existence Laboratory Separate
So Chose Experience Leisure Sophomore
Collage Familiar Liaison Succeed
College February License Surprise
Column Foreign Lightning Technique
Commitment Forty Maneuver Tragedy
It’s = it is Its = possessive
Conscience Fourth Marriage Unnecessary
Who’s = who is Whose =possessive
Conscious Government Mathematics Usually
To = preposition Too = also, excessive Convenient Grammar Miniature Vacuum
You’re = you are Your = possessive Definitely Grateful Mischievous Weird
They’re = they are Their = possessive There =place,abstract Desperate Guarantee Misspell Writing
Then = time Than = comparison
 would of Would have
Commonly Confused Words
could of Could have
should of Correct Should have
affect (verb) to cause something to change
effect (noun) a result brought about by a cause use to Used to
alright All right
all ready prepared alot A lot
already previously

allusion referencing something else

illusion a false vision or fantasy QUICK TIPS for Improving STYLE
bad adjective (We own a bad dog)
badly adverb (He plays tennis badly)
□ Avoid cliches
□ TAKE RISKS
between shared by only two people or things
among shared by more than two people of □ Provide details
things  Add imagery (use the senses)
 Replace abstract nouns with concrete nouns
breath Noun (I can hold my breath.)
 Focus on active verbs and precise nouns
breathe Verb (I breathe in the smoke.)
 Avoid adjectives as much as possible—use
capital uppercase letters nouns that imply the description
capitol legislative body building  Avoid adverbs as much as possible
compare to similarity between the things compared o played loudly (use “blared”)
compare with similarity or difference □ No exclamation points. Your word choices,
sentence structure, and content should provide
complement to go well with
compliment a flattering statement (or act of making one) the reader the emphasis.
□ Avoid “started to” beginning writers often
further time or degree
use these phrases which bog down writing.
farther physical distance
Ex. “He started to look around the room..”
good adjective- describes a noun Use…He scanned the room.
well adverb – describes a verb □ Make your first sentence count.
lay when the subject acts on a direct object □ Cut What Does Not Bleed- In other words, look
lie used when there is no direct object at each word in each piece of writing. If you can
take something out and it doesn’t take anything
less quantities that cannot be counted
away from the piece—then get rid of it.
fewer quantities that can be counted
□ Your work is never done only due. Real
much quantities that cannot be counted writing happens in revision. Don’t put your pen
many quantities that can be counted down and say you’re done when you finish the
principle An idea, moral precept first draft. Revise. Revise. Revise
principal High rank,importance (the school’s principal Specifically In fiction
is your pal) □ Watch for psychic distance When writing in
real adjective- describes a noun first person the reader is closer to the action.
really adverb – describes a verb Ex. ”I saw her standing by the bench…”(the
reader is looking at the narrator looking at the woman)
whether situations of speculation or uncertainty
(I wonder whether the plane will arrive soon.)
Change to: “She stood by the bench…” (the reader
if on the condition that sees what the narrator sees)
(I can go if I get my homework done.) □ CONFLICT CONFLICT CONFLICT Many new
writers do not provide a conflict or their conflict
who is a subject (Who is coming to the party?)
is weak. Use the “Somebody-Wanted-But-So”
whom is an object (Whom should I invite?)
formula to help develop a plot.
etc. and so forth Ex. Cinderella (somebody) wanted to go to the
e.g. for example ball (wanted) but her jealous step-sisters and evil
i.e. that is
step-mother prevented her from going (so) her
fairy godmother helped (but) she only had until
midnight…etc.