Serious Writing Mistakes
Serious Writing Mistakes
1. Incomplete Sentences
The main clause is left incomplete.
- Wrong: The man, whom I met yesterday.
- Correct: The man, whom I met yesterday, is called Robert.
2. Comma Splices
Joining two independent clauses with only a comma.
- Wrong: I am a monk, he is a worker.
- Correct: I am a monk and he is a worker.
3. Missing Verbs
- Wrong: He good. I happy.
- Correct: He is good. I am happy.
4. Subject-Verb Agreement
The verb conjugation must agree with its subject.
- Wrong: He do. (except subjunctive)
- Correct: He does.
5. Singular-Plural Agreement
- Wrong: I see many dog there.
- Correct: I see many dogs there.
6. Pronoun-antecedent Agreement
When it is not clear what the pronoun refers to.
- Wrong: The man came and took it from her. (without mentioning what “it” refers to beforehand)
- Correct: She had a book. The man came and took it from her. (“it” refers to the book)
7. Tense Consistency
Changing the tense unnecessarily within the text.
- Wrong: Once upon a time, a man ordained as a monk and practices meditation.
- Correct: Once upon a time, a man ordained as a monk and practiced meditation.
8. Wrong Tense
Using the wrong tense or aspect for the situation.
- Wrong: I am needing this. (stative verbs are not used in the continuous form)
- Correct: I need this.
9. Mixing Direct and Indirect Speech
- Wrong: He said that “I will go there”.
- Correct:
- He said, “I will go there.”
- He said: “I will go there.”
- He said that he would go there.
10. Double Subject
- Wrong: John he did it.
- Correct: John did it.
11. Lack of Capitalization
Not capitalizing first letters, proper names, etc.
- Wrong: his name is john and he is from laos.
- Correct: His name is John and he is from Laos.