{"id":747,"date":"2017-08-21T04:32:51","date_gmt":"2017-08-21T04:32:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/?p=747"},"modified":"2017-08-21T04:32:51","modified_gmt":"2017-08-21T04:32:51","slug":"twelve-common-errors-a-student-self-editing-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/twelve-common-errors-a-student-self-editing-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Twelve Common Errors: A Student Self-Editing Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Writing Center,\nwriting.wisc.edu\n<\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The following list contains only brief examples and explanations intended for you to use as reminders while you are editing your papers. To learn more:<\/p>

  • Take a free grammar or punctuation review class offered by the Writing Center.<\/li>
  • Set up an appointment for an individual conference in the Writing Center.<\/li>
  • Confer with your course instructor.<\/li>
  • Look at the grammar and punctuation materials on the Writing Center\u2019s Web site.<\/li>
  • Consult a handbook for additional examples and compete explanations.<\/li><\/ul>

    Sentence Fragments.<\/strong> Make sure each word group you have punctuated as a sentence contains a grammatically complete and independent thought that can stand alone as an acceptable sentence.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    Tests of the Shroud of Turin have produced some curious findings. For example, the pollen of forty-eight plants native to Europe and the Middle East.<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    Tests of the Shroud of Turin have produced some curious findings. For example, the cloth contains the pollen<\/em> of forty-eight plants native to Europe and the Middle East.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    Scientists report no human deaths due to excessive caffeine consumption. Although caffeine does cause convulsions and death in certain animals.<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    Scientists report no human deaths due to excessive caffeine consumption, although caffeine does cause convulsions and death in certain animals.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>


    Sentence Sprawl.<\/strong> Too many equally weighted phrases and clauses produce tiresome sentences.<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    The hearing was planned for Monday, December 2, but <\/em>not all of the witnesses could be available, so<\/em> it was rescheduled for the following Friday. [There are no grammatical errors here, but the sprawling sentence does not communicate clearly and concisely.]<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    The hearing, which had been planned for Monday, December 2, was rescheduled for the following so that all witnesses would be able to attend.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>


    Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers.<\/strong> Place modifiers near the words they describe; be sure the modified words actually appear in the sentence.<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    When writing a proposal,<\/em> an original task is set for research [Who<\/em> is writing a proposal?]<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    When writing a proposal, a scholar<\/em> sets<\/em> an original task for research.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    Many tourists visit Arlington National Cemetery, where veterans and military personnel are buried every day from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    Every day from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., many tourists visit Arlington National Cemetery, where veterans and military personnel are buried.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>


    Faulty Parallelism.<\/strong> Be sure you use grammatically equal sentence elements to express two or more matching ideas or items in a series.<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    The candidate\u2019s goals include winning the election, a health program, and education.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    The candidate\u2019s goals include winning <\/em>the election, enacting <\/em>a national health program, and improving<\/em> the educational system.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    Some critics are<\/em> not so much opposed to capital punishment as postponing <\/em>it for so long.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    Some critics are<\/em> not so much opposed to sentencing convicts to capital punishment as they are <\/em>to postponing<\/em> executions for so long.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>


    Unclear Pronoun Reference.<\/strong> Pronouns must clearly refer to definite referents [nouns]. Use it, they, that, these, those, and which carefully to prevent confusion.<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    Einstein was a brilliant mathematician. This <\/em>is how he was able to explain the workings of the universe.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    Einstein, who <\/em>was a brilliant mathematician, used his quantitative ability<\/em> to explain the workings of universe.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    Because Senator Martin is less interested in the environment than in economic development, she sometimes neglects it.<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    Because of her interest in economic development, Senator Martin sometimes neglects the environment.<\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>


    Pronoun Agreement.<\/strong> Be sure that each pronoun agrees in number (singular or plural) with the noun to which it refers (its antecedent or referent).<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    When a candidate<\/em> runs for office, they <\/em>must expect to have their<\/em> personal life scrutinized.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    When candidates <\/em>run for office, they <\/em>must expect to have their<\/em> personal lives scrutinized.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    According to tenets of the \u201cnew urbanism,\u201d everyone<\/em> needs to consider the relationship of their<\/em> house to the surrounding community.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    According to tenets of the \u201cnew urbanism,\u201d everyone<\/em> needs to consider the relationship of his or her<\/em> house to the surrounding community.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>


    Incorrect Pronoun Case.<\/strong> Determine whether the pronoun is being used as a subject, object, or possessive in the sentence, and select the pronoun form to match.<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    Castro\u2019s communist principles inevitably led to an ideological conflict between he <\/em>and President Kennedy.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    Castro\u2019s communist principles inevitably led to an ideological conflict between him<\/em> and President Kennedy.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    Because strict constructionists recommend fidelity to the Constitution as written, no one objects more than them<\/em> to judicial reinterpretation.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    Because strict constructionists recommend fidelity to the Constitution as written, no one objects more than they <\/em>[object] to judicial reinterpretation.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>


    Omitted Commas.<\/em><\/strong> Use commas to signal nonrestrictive or nonessential material to prevent confusion, and to indicate relationships among ideas and sentence parts.<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    When it comes to eating people<\/em> differ in their tastes.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    When it comes to eating, people differ in their tastes.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    The Huns who were Mongolian invaded Gaul in 451.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    The Huns, who were Mongolian, invaded Gaul in 451. [\u201cWho were Mongolian\u201d adds information but does not change the core meaning of the sentence because Huns were a Mongolian people; it is therefore nonrestrictive<\/em> or nonessential<\/em> and should be set apart with commas.]<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>


    Superfluous Commas.<\/strong> Unnecessary commas make sentences difficult to read.<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    Field trips are required, in several courses, such as, botany and geology.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    Field trips are required in several courses, such as botany and geology.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    The term \u201cscientific illiteracy,\u201d has become almost a clich\u00e9 in educational circles.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    The term \u201cscientific illiteracy\u201d has become almost a clich\u00e9 in educational circles.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>


    Comma Splice.<\/strong> Do not link two independent clauses with a comma (unless you also use a coordinating conjunction and, or, but, for, nor, so yet). Instead use a period or semicolon, or rewrite the sentence.<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    In 1952 Japan\u2019s gross national product was one third that of France, by the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France and Britain combined.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    In 1952 Japan\u2019s gross national product was one third that of France. By the late 1970s it was larger than the GNPs of France and Britain combined.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    Diseased coronary arteries are often surgically bypassed, however half of bypass grafts fail within ten years.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    Diseased coronary arteries are often surgically bypassed; however, half of bypass grafts fail within ten years.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>


    Apostrophe Errors.<\/strong> Apostrophes indicate possessives and contractions but not plurals. Caution: its, your, their, and whose are possessives <\/em>(but no apostrophes). It\u2019s, you\u2019re, they\u2019re, and who\u2019s are contractions.<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    In the current conflict its<\/em> uncertain who\u2019s <\/em>borders their<\/em> contesting.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    In the current conflict it is<\/em> [it\u2019s] uncertain whose <\/em>borders they are<\/em> [they\u2019re] contesting.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    The Aztecs ritual\u2019s of renewal increased in frequency over the course of time.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    The Aztecs\u2019 rituals of renewal increased in frequency over the course of time.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>


    Words Easily Confused.<\/strong> Effect is most often a noun (the effect) and affect is most often a verb. Other pairs commonly confused: lead\/led and accept\/except. Check a glossary of usage to find the right choice.<\/p>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    The recession had a negative affect<\/em> on sales.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    The recession had a negative effect <\/em>on sales. (or) The recession affected<\/em> sales negatively.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

    Incorrect:<\/p><\/td>

    The laboratory instructor choose <\/em>not to offer detailed advise<\/em>.<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

    Revised:<\/p><\/td>

    The laboratory instructor chose<\/em> not to offer detailed advice<\/em>.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      The Writing Center, writing.wisc.edu The following list contains only brief examples and explanations intended for you to use as reminders while you are editing your papers. To learn more: Take a free grammar or …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[16,116,31,114,117,85],"class_list":["post-747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-coaching-students-to-succeed-with-assignments","tag-advice","tag-examples","tag-general","tag-grammar","tag-students","tag-undergraduate"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=747"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":750,"href":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747\/revisions\/750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/wac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}