The following abbreviations or symbols may be used when evaluating your written work. If you are not sure what these terms mean or how to fix the problem, check any writing handbook (such as those used in English 101 or 102), grammar aid, or see your instructor.

ABBREVIATIONS:
agr = incorrect subject/verb or pronoun agreement awk = awkward sentence construction
cs = comma splice ffq = free-floating quote error
frag = sentence fragment mm = misplaced modifier
ref = incorrect referent ro = run-on sentence
wss = weak sentence structure ww = wrong word

SYMBOLS:
^ = add something above where this symbol is pointing
___ " = portions underlined or circled without comment indicates a mechanical problem


The following are 10 of the most common mechanical or stylistic errors found in student writing. If you want your writing to be more precise and reflect a more polished level of writing, you will learn to avoid these errors.

1. Most plural nouns are formed by simply adding -s.
          girls, boys, cats, dogs - NOT girl's, boy's, cat's, dog's

2. Use of apostrophe in possessive nouns.
Apostrophes are used to show the possessive form of a noun, not the plural form of a noun. Use the possessive form of the noun when that noun is followed by a second noun which the first noun modifies.
          a. If a word does not end in -s, add 's
            girl's book, boy's nose, cat's claw, women's organization, men's shoes, people's ideas
          b. If a word ends in -s, add only '
            girls' gym, boys' club, cats' collars, doctors' insurance

3. However, the word "its" is an exception to #2 above and does not contain an apostrophe when it is a possessive. An apostrophe only appears when used to indicate the contraction for "it is"
          The lamp needed its light changed. NOT The lamp needed it's light changed.
          It's a long time before I graduate. NOT Its a long time before I graduate.

4. Commas and periods always go inside the final quotation mark.
          She said, "I aced my chemistry test." NOT She said, "I aced my chemistry test".

5. Affect is a verb; effect is a noun.
          The effect of the radiation was deadly. OR Radiation affected all the white rats.

6. Free-floating quotes weaken your writing because they do not clearly integrate the evidence from your sources into the context of your own ideas. For example, the quote used in the following passage is only vaguely related to the previous sentence:
          Many popular musicians, including John Lennon, try to teach a moral in their song lyrics. "Speaking words
          of wisdom: Let it be." (free-floating quote error).

          A more effective method of saying this would be:
          Many popular musicians, including John Lennon, try to teach morals in their song lyrics.
          For example, one of Lennon's most famous songs uses the moralistic refrain "Speaking words of wisdom: Let it be."

7. Although some recent grammar aids may tell you differently, in formal, conventional writing "everyone," "someone," and "no one" are singular nouns which must be followed by singular pronouns.
          Everyone has her/his story. NOT Everyone has their story.
          No one refuses to sacrifice for her/his beliefs. NOT No one refuses to sacrifice for their beliefs.

8. Hopefully is an adverb meaning "full of hope"; it should not be used as a transitional element in a sentence.
          I hope that world peace will be achieved. NOT Hopefully, world peace will be achieved.

9. The -ly suffix denotes an adverb and should not be used as a transitional element to begin a sentence. Avoid "secondly," "firstly," "seldomly," etc. (Hint: If you turn the sentence around and place the transition at the end of the sentence, you will see how awkward and incorrect the -ly form is.)
          Last, the doctors considered surgery. NOT Lastly, the doctors considered surgery.
                                                                      (The doctors considered surgery lastly)
          Second, the lawyer argued his new case. NOT Secondly, the lawyer argued his new case.
                                                                      (The lawyer argued his new case secondly)

10. To make your writing sharp and concise, avoid passive verbal constructions wherever possible in written sentences. We form such constructions with forms of the verb "to be" (am, are, is, was, were, been, have, etc.). In addition, "do" is a common passive verb most properly used as a verbal element for emphasis in oral speech. In writing, it is generally unnecessary, wordy and, therefore, should be avoided whenever possible.
          Homer used extended similes. NOT Homer was accustomed to using extended similes.
          All of us really want to be superior writers. NOT All of us really do want to be superior writers.