10 Common Sentence Mistakes in English

10 Common Sentence Mistakes in English 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 shouldnt 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 didnt study very much. Anna needs a new car she spent the weekend visiting car dealerships. 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 didnt 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 McDonalds, 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 English take the infinitive and others take the gerund (ing form). Its 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. Parallel Verb Form A related issue is the use of parallel verb forms when using a list of verbs. If you are writing in the present continuous tense, use the ing form in your list. If you are using the present perfect, use the past participle, etc. She enjoys watching TV, play tennis, and cook. / Correct - She enjoys watching TV, playing tennis, and cooking. Ive lived in Italy, working in Germany and study in New York. / Correct - Ive lived in Italy, worked in Germany, and studied in New York. Use of Time Clauses Time clauses are introduced by the time words when, before, after and so on. When speaking about the present or future use the present simple tense in time clauses. If using a past tense, we usually use the past simple in a time clause. Well visit you when we will come next week. / Correct - Well visit you when we come next week. She cooked dinner after he was arriving. / Correct - She cooked dinner after he arrived.   Subject-Verb Agreement Another common mistake is to use incorrect subject-verb agreement. The most common of these mistakes is the missing s in the present simple tense. However, there are other types of mistakes. Always look for these mistakes in the helping verb. Tom play guitar in a band. / Correct - Tom plays guitar in a band. They was sleeping when she telephoned. / Correct - They were sleeping when she telephoned.   Pronoun Agreement Pronoun agreement mistakes take place when using a pronoun to replace a proper noun. Often this mistake is a mistake of use of a singular form rather than a plural or vice versa. However, pronoun agreement mistakes can occur in object or possessive pronouns, as well as in subject pronouns. Tom works at a company in Hamburg. She loves his job. / Correct - Tom works at a company in Hamburg. He loves his job. Andrea and Peter studied Russian at school. He thought they were very difficult. Correct - Andrea and Peter studied Russian at school. They thought it was very difficult.   Missing Commas After Linking Language When using an introductory phrase as linking language such as a conjunctive adverb or sequencing word, use a comma after the phrase to continue the sentence. As a result children should start studying math as early as possible.  /  Correct -  As a result, children should start studying math as early as possible.