Common Writing Errors
for
7th Grade Language Arts
I.
Writing with Numbers:
Incorrect: 200 years is two centuries.
Correct: Two hundred years is two centuries.
Rule: Write out numerals at beginning of a sentence.
Incorrect: The 5 winners were called to the podium.
Correct: The five winners were called to the podium.
Rule: Write out numerals under 10. (Some rules include numerals under 20)
II.
Use of Symbols and Abbreviations for Words:
Incorrect: My friends & I go to the movies w/ our free passes.
Correct: My friends and I go to the movies with our free passes.
Rule: Formal writing should not use symbols and shorthand abbreviations to replace words.
III.
Use of Commas and Semi-Colons in Compound Sentences
Incorrect: My dog has fleas he wishes to get rid of them.
Correct: My dog has fleas; he wishes to get rid of them.
Correct: My dog has fleas, and he wishes to get rid of them
Rule: When connecting two independent clauses (which could each be their own sentence) use either a semi-colon or a comma with a conjunction.
IV.
Use of "Because" at the Beginning of a Sentence
Incorrect: Because the bus was late this morning.
Correct: Because the bus was late this morning, I had to carry breakfast in my book bag.
Rule: It is ok to start a sentence with "because" as long as you finish it! It is a fragment until you put an independent clause with it.
V.
Use of "That" and "Who"
Incorrect: We work with people that are trying to get overtime.
Correct: We work with people who are trying to get overtime.
Rule: Use "who" when referring to a person; use "that" when referring to a thing or animal.
VI.
Clearly Identifying the Antecedent
(Antecedent definition: Noun to which a pronoun refers)
Incorrect: Bob and Larry lost their pencils, but he found his in time for class.
Correct: Bob and Larry lost their pencils, but Bob found his in time for class.
Rule: Sometimes an antecedent is unclear because two or more nouns could be the antecedent. Make sure your reader knows to which person or thing your pronoun refers.
VII.
Use of "I" and "Me"
Incorrect: Bill and me found the seashell.
Correct: Bill and I found the seashell.
Rule: Use "I" as a subject; use "me" as an object.
Also remember to put the other person's name before your "I"- It's polite and correct!
VIII.
Correct Forms of Verbs
Incorrect: I seen the book in Mr. Martin's room earlier.
Correct: I saw the book in Mr. Martin's room earlier.
Rule: Use the correct form of the verb you are using, especially important with irregular verbs such as "see" - Today I "see," yesterday I "saw," and I "have seen."
IX.
Passive Voice
"Active voice" is more effective and efficient than "passive voice"
Passive: Sour milk should never be poured into the sink.
Active: Never pour sour milk into the sink.
Passive: The speech was given by Rebecca.
Active: Rebecca gave the speech
Passive voice is not grammatically incorrect, but active voice tends to be more vigorous and less wordy. Passive voice should be reserved for times when the thing acted on is more important than who did it.
X.
Apostrophe Use
Incorrect: The wallet has a rip in it's side.
Correct: The wallet has a rip in its side.
Rule: Use "it's" to mean "it is" and use no apostrophe in the possessive pronouns "its" or "yours."
Incorrect: The senators car is ready.
Correct: The senator's car is ready.
Rule: Use an apostrophe to show possession of an item.
Incorrect: The senators cars are ready.
Correct: The senators' cars are ready.
Rule: Use the apostrophe after the plural s when there are more than one.