Some mistakes are common when writing sentences in English. Each of these 10 common sentence mistakes provides correction information as well as links to more detailed information.
Incomplete Sentence or Sentence Fragment
One common mistake many students make is the use of incomplete sentences. Each sentence in English must contain at least a subject and a verb, and should be an independent clause. Examples of incomplete sentences without a subject or a verb might include an instruction or a prepositional phrase. For example
- Through the door.
- In the other room.
- Over there.
These are phrases we may use in spoken English. These phrases shouldn't be used in written English as they are incomplete.
Sentence fragments caused by dependent clauses used without an independent clause are more common. Remember that subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses. In other words, if you use a subordinating clause beginning with a word such as 'because, though, if, etc.' there must be an independent clause to complete the thought. This mistake is often made on tests asking a question with 'Why'.
For example:
Because Tom is the boss.
Since he left work early without permission.
These sentences might answer the question: "Why did he lose his job?" However, these are sentence fragments. The correct answer would be:
He lost his job because Tom is the boss.
He lost his job since he left work early without permission.
Other examples of incomplete sentences introduced by subordinating clauses include:
Even though he needs help.
If they study enough.
As they had invested in the company.
Run-on Sentences
Run-on sentences are sentences that:
- Are not connected by appropriate linking language such as conjunctions.
- Use too many clauses rather than using periods and linking language such as conjunctive adverbs.
The first type leaves out a word — usually a conjunction — that is required to connect a dependent and independent clause. For example:
The students did well on the test they didn't study very much.
Anna needs a new car she spent the weekend visiting car dealerships.
We went to the store and bought some fruit, and we went to the mall to get some clothes, and we had lunch at McDonald's, and we visited some friends.
The continuous chain of clauses using 'and' should be avoided. In general, do not write sentences that contain more than three clauses to ensure that your sentences do not become run-on sentences.
Duplicate Subjects
Sometimes students use a pronoun as a duplicate subject. Remember that each clause takes only one sentence. If you have mentioned the subject of a sentence by name, there is no need to repeat with a pronoun.
Example 1:
Tom lives in Los Angeles.
NOT
Tom, he lives in Los Angeles.
Example 2:
The students come from Vietnam.
NOT
The students they come from Vietnam.
Incorrect Tense
Tense usage is a common mistake in student writing. Make sure that the tense used corresponds to the situation. In other words, if you are speaking about something that happened in the past do not use include a tense that refers to the present. For example:
They fly to visit their parents in Toronto last week.
Alex bought a new car and drives it to her home in Los Angeles.
Another common mistake is the use of an incorrect verb form when combining with another verb. Certain verbs in English take the infinitive and others take the gerund (ing form). It's important to learn these verb combinations. Also, when using the verb as a noun, use the gerund form of the verb.
He hopes finding a new job. / Correct -> He hopes to find a new job.
Peter avoided to invest in the project. / Correct -> Peter avoided investing in the project.
The first sentence should use either a conjunction 'but', or 'yet' or a subordinating conjunction 'although, even though, or though' to connect the sentence. In the second sentence, the conjunction 'so' or the subordinating conjunction 'since, as, or because' would connect the two clauses.
The students did well, yet they didn't study very much.
Anna spent the weekend visiting car dealerships since she needs a new car.
Another common run on sentence occurs when using too many clauses. This often occurs using the word 'and'.
We went to the store and bought some fruit, and we went to the mall to get some clothes, and we had lunch at McDonald's, and we visited some friends.
The continuous chain of clauses using 'and' should be avoided. In general, do not write sentences that contain more than three clauses to ensure that your sentences do not become run-on sentences.
Duplicate Subjects
Sometimes students use a pronoun as a duplicate subject. Remember that each clause takes only one sentence. If you have mentioned the subject of a sentence by name, there is no need to repeat with a pronoun.
Example 1:
Tom lives in Los Angeles.
NOT
Tom, he lives in Los Angeles.
Example 2:
The students come from Vietnam.
NOT
The students they come from Vietnam.
Incorrect Tense
Tense usage is a common mistake in student writing. Make sure that the tense used corresponds to the situation. In other words, if you are speaking about something that happened in the past do not use include a tense that refers to the present. For example:
They fly to visit their parents in Toronto last week.
Alex bought a new car and drives it to her home in Los Angeles.
Incorrect Verb Form
Another common mistake is the use of an incorrect verb form when combining with another verb. Certain verbs in Enkglish take the infinitive and others take the gerund (ing form). It's important to learn these verb combinations. Also, when using the verb as a noun, use the gerund form of the verb.
He hopes finding a new job. / Correct -> He hopes to find a new job.
Peter avoided to invest in the project. / Correct -> Peter avoided investing in the project..
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