NOVIE ADA B.

URBIS, PhD
Common Errors: Exercise
 Direction: Answer by following the instructions provided.
1. Nobody (like, likes) my attitude.
 Nobody likes my attitude.
2. I have a free gift for you. (underline the redundant word)
 I have a free gift for you.- I have a gift for you.
3. Everyday after school (write a possible continuation to this fragment)
 E veryday after school, I would buy a drink. (possible answer)
4. It’s really hot today [comma (,) or dot (.)] we’re going to the ocean.
 It’s really hot today(.) Were going to the ocean.
5. The surroundings (is, are) amazing.
 The surroundings are amazing.
6. Tomorrow, I (am lying, will lie, will be lying) on the beach.
 Tomorrow, I will be lying on the beach.
7. (Do, Does, Did) you love carrots?
 Do you love carrots?
8. Steven (play, plays) volleyball.
 Steven plays volleyball.
9. I should do this A.S.A.P. (using abbreviation)
 I should do this as soon as possible.
10. He likes running, and basketball. (not using parallelism)
 He likes running, and playing basketball.
 Common Error No. 1
TIP
Not having the proper parts of an essay.
!the parts of an essay.
 Study
• What is an Essay? Introduction
It hooks the reader’s attention.
 An organized piece of writing that focuses on a
Body Paragraphs
single topic. This is where you will state or describe the topic or
your point.
 Sometimes referred to as a “story”. Conclusion
It sums up the entire essay.
 Introduction
 a number of Body paragraphs (most lengthy
part)
 Conclusion
 Essay: Introduction
TIP
Start!
It catches the attention and makes your reader
with a quotation,
engaged right from the very start. question, anecdote,
Example: description or a definition.
When people from different places with different background,
culture, gender and language communicate with each other, they
form a unique kind of relationship, it could be the start of a
friendship that breaks away from discrimination sensitivity and
awareness.
Vanessa Corpuz
 Essay: Body Paragraphs
TIP
Follow!
A group of related sentences about a particular the 3 major components
topic or idea. of a body paragraph.
Example: • Topic sentence
I’ve learned from experience that good friendship are base on a delicate balance.
When friends are on par, personally and professionally, it’s easier for them to • Supporting details
root for one another. It’s taken me a long time to realize that not all of my
“friends” wish me well. Someone who wants what you have and may not be able • Conclusion
to handle your good fortune: If you find yourself apologizing for you hard-
earned raise or soft-pedalling your long-awaited promotion, it’s a sure sign
that the friendship is off balance. Real friends are secure enough in their own
live to share each other’s successes – not begrudge them
 3 Major Components of a Body Paragraph

• Topic Sentence
The topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph, and states the main
idea to be discussed in the paragraph. It could be a claim, an assertion, or a
fact needing explanation. It is generally a statement or a declarative
sentence.
• Supporting Details
Supporting details include concrete examples, rather than explanation or
metacommentary. In common essays, or five-paragraph essays, this is just a
one-sentence example from everyday life.
• Conclusion
Summarizes the main point or rephrase the topic sentence.
 Essay: Conclusion
TIP
A conclusion provides a thoughtful end to a !
Create an interesting final
piece of writing. impression. You can use a
Considered as the last chance to persuade your quotation in ending your essay.

readers to your point of view.

Example:
To make a big difference, we have to start change from ourselves, we
have to learn to appreciate diversity and respect people who are
different in any way, and as youths, we have to individually apply
the golden rule from the bible “Do unto others what you want others do
unto you”, respect others if you want others to respect you.
Vanessa Corpuz
 Common Error No. 2
Using fragments and run-on sentences.
TIP
• Fragment- group of words that does not express a complete

!
Know the kinds of sentences
according to structure.
thought.
• Simple Sentences
Example: • Compound Sentences
o My sister’s cat. (fragment) • Complex Sentences
 My sister’s cat is adorable (possible answer) • Compound-Complex Sentences

• Run-on sentence- this occurs when two or more independent

clauses are not joined correctly.
Example:
o She is beautiful, her name is Donna, (run-on)
 She is beautiful. Her name is Donna. (possible
answer)
 Sentences according to structure

Simple Sentence- a sentence consisting of only one independent clause containing a subject and a verb, and it
expresses complete thought.
Example: Noel is working on his plates.
Compound Sentence- a sentence with two independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunction.
Example: I helped him, and he became happy.
Complex Sentence- a sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause joined by subordinating
conjunction or relative pronoun.
Example: He is playing well although he is ill. (independent + dependent)
Although he is ill, he is playing well. (dependent + independent)
Compound-Complex Sentence- a sentence consisting at least two independent and one or more dependent clauses.
Example: I want to be an architect, and my brother wants to be an engineer, because he likes mathematics.
 Common Error No. 3
TIP
Not considering the subject-verb 
!
The Golden Rule
If there’s a singular subject, it means the verb
agreement. ends in ’s’.
• Subject-Verb Agreement- the subject and verb must agree Ex. My mom respects me.

in number. This means both need to be singular or both If there’s a plural subject, then the verb does
not end in ’s’.
need to be plural.
Ex. My mom and dad respect me.
Example:
o Edel (sing, sings) in their church every
Sunday.
 (answer: sings)
o Neither the teacher nor the students (care,
cares) about what happened on the trip.
 (answer: care)
 SUBJECT
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules VERB

1.) If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular too and if the subject is plural, the
verb must be plural too.
Ex. She writes everyday- They write everyday
2.) When the subject of the sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected
by and, use a plural verb.
Ex. The student and the teachers study every day.
3.) When there is one subject and more than one verb, the verbs throughout the sentence must
agree with the subject.
Ex. Interviews are one way to collect data and allow researchers to gain an in-depth
understanding of participants.
4.) When a phrase comes between the subject and the verb, remember that the verb still agrees
with the subject, not the noun or pronoun in the phrase following the subject of the sentence.
Ex. The student, as well as the faculty members, is excited..
5.) When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by (or, nor) use a singular
verb.
Ex. The President or the Vice president approves the proposal before proceeding.
 SUBJECT
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules VERB

6.) When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined
by or nor, the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is closest to the verb. This
is also called the rule of proximity.
Ex. The student or the committee members write every day.
The committee members or the student writes every day.
7.) The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, nobody,
somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb.
Ex. Each of the participants was willing to be recorded.
8.) Non-count nouns take a singular verb.
Ex. Education is the key to success.
Diabetes affects many people around the world.
9.) Some countable nouns in English such as earnings, goods, odds, surroundings, proceeds,
contents, and valuables only have a plural form and take a plural verb.
Ex. The surroundings are beautiful.
 SUBJECT
Subject-Verb Agreement Rules VERB

10.) In sentences beginning with there is or there are, the subject follows the verb. Since
there is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows the verb.
Ex. There are many factors affecting student behaviour.
11.) Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but are considered singular
and take a singular verb. Some examples are group, team, committee, family, and class.
Ex. The group studies every week.
 Common Error No. 4
TIP
Not using proper tenses.
! the types of tenses.
 Know
• Tenses- a verbal category relating the time of a narrated
event to the time of the speech event.
• Simple

Example: • Progressive
o Shaina (buy) a gift for her mother last week. • Perfect
 Shaina bought a gift for her mother last week. • Perfect-Progressive
o Jacky and William (go) to the cinema last
Monday.
 Jacky and William went to the cinema last
Monday.
 Use of Tenses
 Short forms used in patterns. • had = past tense form  Short forms for verb forms.

K •
•
s = subject
v = verb •
of have
shall/will = for future
• V = present tense form of
verb
• Be = present tense form
of “to be”.
• o = object tense • v+ed = past tense form • Ex. am, is, are
E • to be = the forms of to
be
of verb
• V+en = past participle
• Be+ed =past tense form
of “to be”.
Y • have/has = forms of
have
form of verb
• V+ing = present
• Ex. was, were

participle form

TENSES PRESENT PAST FUTURE

SIMPLE S + V+O S + V+ed + O S + Shall/Will + V + O

Example: He writes a letter Example: He wrote a letter Example: He will write a letter

PROGRESSIVE S + To be + V+ing +O S + To be+ed + V+ing + O S + Shall/Will + Be + V+ing+ O

Example:. They are taking notes. Example: They were taking notes. Example: They will be taking notes.

PERFECT S + Have/Has + V+en + O S + Had + V+en + O S + shall/will + have + V+en + O

Example: I have written a letter. Example: I had written a letter Example: I shall have written a letter.
I have lived in Abra since 2010. I had lived in Abra years ago. I will have lived in Abra in 2022.
PERFECT- PROGRESSIVE S + have/has + been + V+ing + O S + had been + V+ing + O S + shall/will + have been + V+ing +O
Example: I have been writing a letter. Example: I had been writing a letter. Example: I shall have been writing a letter
 Use of Tenses: Ex. 1
TENSES PRESENT PAST FUTURE

SIMPLE I take pictures everyday. I took a picture of you last I will take a picture of you
night. later.

PROGRESSIVE I am taking pictures of I was taking pictures I will be taking pictures of

these animals. when I saw you. you when I see you.

PERFECT I have taken my medicine. I had taken my medicine I will have taken my
when you came. medicine by 9 p.m.
I have started reading
when you came.
PERFECT- PROGRESSIVE I have been taking I had been taking I will have been taking
maintenance since 2015. maintenance for a week maintenance for a month
when the doctor visited. by the time that you
arrive.
 Use of Tenses: Ex. 2
TENSES PRESENT PAST FUTURE

SIMPLE I eat pizza everyday. I ate pizza yesterday. I will eat pizza tomorrow.

PROGRESSIVE I am eating pizza right now. I was eating pizza when you I will be eating pizza when
arrived. you arrive.

PERFECT I have eaten all of the pizza. I had eaten all the pizza I will have eaten all of the
when you arrived. pizza by the time you
arrive.
PERFECT- PROGRESSIVE I have been eating pizza for I had been eating pizza for I will have been eating pizza
2 hours. 2 hours when you arrived. for 2 hours when you
arrive.
 Common Error No. 5
TIPS
Not considering basic grammar
! yourself to the basic
 Familiarize
points.
grammar points. It is useful in
a. did, do, does + basic form of the verb
Example: writing an essay or even doing a
o Did you ate last night? speech.
 Did you eat last night?
b. could, should, would + base form of the verb
Example:
o I could saw you.
 I could see you.
c. to + base form of the verb.
Example:
o I need to passed.
 I need to pass.
 (to be passed is a different structure)
 Common Error No. 6
TIPS
Starting sentences with
!
 Use good transitional words.
• Nevertheless
ungrammatical conjunctions (and,
• Additionally

so, but, also). • However

Example: • In addition
o So, I always want to play computer games. (error) • As a result of
 Nevertheless, I always want to play computer games. • Although
(possible answer)
 Common Error No. 7
TIP
Having improper diction. !
When writing an essay,
• Diction- a style in writing, determined by the choice of
always remember that it is
words by writer.
best to use formal words.
Example:
 Use appropriate words in
o This is wrong. (informal)
 This is incorrect. (formal)
context

o He is an idiot. (informal)
 He is incapable. (formal)

 Use appropriate words in context

You have massive eyes.
You have big eyes.
 Common Error No. 8
TIP
Improper use of the mechanics.
 If you!
get a feedback from your
o Mechanics- the rules of the written language, such as
capitalization, punctuation and spelling. instructor which includes errors
Example for capitalization... in your use of mechanics, make
o I live in the philippines. (capitalization) note of these errors.
 I live in the Philippines.
o I am 20 year old. (punctuation)
 I am 20 year-old.
o I am going to the aquaintance party.
(spelling)
 I am going to the acquaintance party.
 Common Error No. 8
TIP
Improper use of the mechanics.
 If you!
get a feedback from your
o Mechanics- the rules of the written language, such as
capitalization, punctuation and spelling. instructor which includes errors
Example for capitalization... in your use of mechanics, make
o I live in the philippines. (capitalization) note of these errors.
 I live in the Philippines.
o I am 20 year old. (punctuation)
 I am 20 year-old.
o I am going to the aquaintance party.
(spelling)
 I am going to the acquaintance party.
Punctuations
Two uses of a comma (,)
1. To show the separation of
ideas in a sentence.
Ex. I like drawing, reading, and

writing

2. Can be used before a

conjunction, or after
introductory words
Ex. She is singing, and I am
dancing.
Ex. Moreover, she is beautiful.

*It is important to put comma before

conjunctions*
 Common Error No. 9
TIP
Using abbreviation.
 Don’t!
use abbreviations
• Abbreviation- shortened form of words or lengthy
phrases. specially in formal writings

Example: such as essays, because it can

o They need you A.S.A.P. be obscure and unfamiliar to
 They need you as soon as possible. some readers.
o I work in the fire dept.
 I work in the fire department.
 Common Error No. 10
TIP
Having redundant ideas.
! of Pleonasm:
 Beware
• Redundancy- using more words than necessary to
use of redundant words
express something, especially words and/or phrases in
the same sentence that mean the same thing. like the ones in the
Example: example.
o I’ll be home at 12 midnight. (redundant)
 I’ll be home at midnight.
o They look exactly the same. (redundant)
 They look the same.
o I want each and every flavor of Milkita.
 I want each flavor of Milkita.
o I want to be with you more longer.
 Common Error No. 11
TIP
Not considering parallelism. 
!
Watch out for the following:
• Mixing tenses
• Parallelism- balance within one or more sentences of
• Mixing verbals
similar phrases or clauses that have the same
• Mixing verbals and nominals
grammatical structure.
• Mixing different types of noun clauses
Example: • Mixing prepositions
o He likes baseball and running. • Paired joining terms
 He likes playing baseball and running.
 He likes to play baseball and to run.
o She likes cooking, jogging, and to read.
 She likes cooking, jogging, and reading.
 She likes to cook, to jog, and to read.
 Parallelism: Things to watch out for
• Parallelism is used to balance nouns with nouns, prepositional phrases with
prepositional phrases, participles with participles, infinitives with
infinitives, clauses with clauses.
• Parallelism is used with elements joined by coordinating conjunctions.
My mother likes cooking and to read. (ungrammatical)
My mother likes cooking and reading. (correct)

• Parallelism is used with elements in lists or in a series.

This task can be done individually, in pairs, or can be done in groups of four.
(ungrammatical)

This task can be done individually, in pairs, or in groups of four. (correct)

 Parallelism: Things to watch out for
• Parallelism is used with elements being compared.
She is mad about watching TV more than to read a book. (ungrammatical)

She is mad about watching TV more than reading a book. (correct)

• Parallelism is used with elements joined by a linking verb.

To learn is understanding the world. (ungrammatical)
To learn is to understand the world. (correct)

• Parallelism is used with elements joined by linking words.

The teacher not only wants his students to keep quiet but also to do the task.
(ungrammatical)
The teacher wants his students not only to keep quiet but also to do the task.
(correct)