Common Grammar Errors That Drive Examiners Nut
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In this side of the world, we call this “Gbagan”.…………… Although Gbagan may be spelt in different ways Thou. Poor grammar reveals laziness and a lack of respect for the person reading it. Poor grammar is the literal form of bad manners and exposes the writer. This can be very serious as it makes people play down on you. As a blogger, you have to do everything possible to win the hearts of your readers. Grammatical errors can often reduce patronage. Furthermore, when your readers are distracted by grammatical errors, they wont likely visit again. Also, it is important to avoid grammatical errors as much as possible in your write ups.
Common Grammar Errors That Drive Examiners Nut
Sentence Fragment
These are incomplete sentences that don’t have one independent clause. It may lack a subject, a complete verb or both in some cases. At times, fragments depends on the preceding statement to give it meaning. Lets see an example of this common grammar Error
Sample
Wrong:- She gave her father a fanciful gift after the brawl. In spite of everything.
Right:- In spite of everything, she gave her father a fanciful gift after the brawl.
When Subject and Verb Do not Agree
Right from primary school, we have been taught the importance of making sure the subject of a sentence agrees with the verb. The subject and verb must agree with one another whether singular or plural. This is the rule below
if the subject of a sentence is singular, its verb must be singular. Likewise, if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Sample
Wrong:- The two best things about the dinner was the food and the togetherness.
Right:- The two best things about the dinner were the food and the togetherness.
Forgetting To Add Comma Where Necessary Especially After The Introductory Element
It is very important to use comma after an introductory word, clause or phrase. This will help
- Avoid confusion
- Give the reader a light pause after an introductory element.
Sample
Wrong:- In case you haven’t noticed my sisters name didn’t appear in the jackpot.
Right:- In case you don’t know, my sister’s name didn’t appear in the jackpot.
When We Misuse The Apostrophe With “its”
Using the apostrophe with it’s means it is pr it has. Although, without the apostrophe, it means belonging to it.
Sample
Wrong:- I don’t believe its finally my graduation day.
Right:- I don’t believe it’s(it is) finally my graduation day.
When You Don’t Use Comma In A Compound Sentence
Compound statements typically appear as the body of another statement, such as the (if) statement. A comma is used to separate two or more independent clauses in a compound sentence separated by a conjunction. The comma goes after the first clause and before the coordinating conjunction that separates the clauses.
Sample
Wrong:- The young lady hopped into a blue jeep and she drove away before being recognized.
Right:- The young lady hopped into a blue jeep, and she drove away before being recognized.
Misplaced modifiers
We all know what modifiers re for right?. if you don’t, a modifier is simply a word, clause or phrase that describes another word, clause or phrase. When we make sentences with these errors, it sounds really
- Confusing
- Awkward
- Laughable
A misplaced modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word that is not clearly stated in the sentence.
Wrong:- After finally setting off on the chase, the afternoon felt more thrilling.
Right:- After finally setting off on the chase, she felt the afternoon was more thrilling.
Wrong Usage Of Words
There are several words and phrases that are commonly confused. See a list of some of them below
- All intensive purpose and all intents and purposes
- Compliment and complement
- Elicit and illicit
- Hone and Home
- In a Sense and In essence
- Its and it’s
- Precede and Proceed
- Stationary and Stationery
- Taut and Taunt
- Affect and Effect………………………See others here
Using words incorrectly can entirely change the meaning of the intended speech or sentence. It could also expose that he writer is careless. I recommend you check the meaning of words when you are not sure of them.
Wrong:- He excepted his offer to drive him to the market.
Right:- He accepted his offer to drive him to the market.
Comma Splice.
The English speakers say a comma splice occurs when two separate sentences are joined with a comma rather than a Semicolon. English speakers and writers often create comma splices when using transitional words such as therefore, moreover, however, furthermore, nevertheless etc.
Wrong:- I intended taking her out for launch, however I decided not to invite her after all.
Right:- I intended taking her out for lunch; however, I decided not to invite her after all.
Making Colon Mistakes
A colon is a punctuation mark (:) used to precede a list of items, quotation, expansion or explanation. A colon is used after a complete sentence to introduce a phrase,clause word, etc. The colon shows that what immediately follows proves or explains the sentence preceding it.
Wrong:- People come to Benin city: to see the ancient king of Benin, to see the city structure.
Right:- People come to Benin City for two reasons: to see the ancient king of Benin and to see the city structure.
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