EGREGIOUS ERRORS, Part Deux

Yes, there are more…

1)DO NOT USE the Personal “I” in formal writing. (This includes using “my.”)
It’s a tough habit to break, but using “I” in formal writing weakens the validity of what you are saying. “I” makes it sound like an opinion, whereas keeping it in the third-person states it more as a fact.

Which sentences sound professional?

  • In my opinion, Victorian fashion is no longer in style today.
  • Today, Victorian fashion is no longer in style.
  • In conclusion, I believe that Charles Dickens uses food imagery as a parallel to Pip’s development into an adult.
  • In conclusion, Charles Dickens uses food imagery as a parallel to Pip’s development into an adult.

2)Use a Comma after an Introductory Words

Introductory words create continuity from one sentence to the next.

  • “The coaches reviewed the game strategy. Meanwhile, the athletes trained on the Nautilus equipment.”
  • “Most of the evidence seemed convincing. Still, the credibility of some witnesses was in question.”

**Clue: Look for these introductory words: however, still, furthermore, meanwhile, first, secondly, moreover, also, etc.

3)Use a Comma after an Introductory Phrases and Clauses

Introductory clauses are dependent clauses that provide background information or "set the stage" for the main part of the sentence, the independent clause. For example:

  • “If they want to win, athletes must exercise every day.”
  • “Because he kept barking insistently, we threw the ball for Rover.”

**Clue: Introductory clauses start with adverbs like after, although, as, because, before, if, since, though, until, when, etc.

4)Contrary to many of your papers, Apostrophes showing Possession are NOT OPTIONAL.

I will start taking off points every time I see this rule being violated.

5)Meanwhile, YEARS do not need apostrophes unless they are showing possession.

1960’s = something belonging to the year 1960.

1960s = the years between 1960-1969.

  • WRONG: “In the 1800’s, Charles Dickens was the most popular writer.”
  • RIGHT: “In the 1800s, Charles Dickens was the most popular writer.”

6)The wordnowadays is TOO COLLOQUIAL (conversational). Take out of your writing.

7)Starting sentences with a FANBOY is also TOO COLLOQUIAL.

Here are some alternative suggestions:

  • “But it was soon over.”  “However, it was soon over.”
  • “And she stopped eating.”  “She stopped eating, as well.”
  • “So the theme is survival of the fittest.” “Thus, the theme is survival of the fittest.”

8)Then vs. Than

  • Then- An adverb that means “at that time.”
  • Example: “Then, I went to Harris Teeter to buy some milk.”
  • Than- A preposition that means “In comparison or contrast with.”
  • Example: “I like soy milk more than I like milk from a cow.”

9)Lead vs. Led

  • Lead- A verb meaning “to give direction to.”
  • Example: “I will lead you to the promised land.”

- A noun meaning “a soft metallic element often used in pencils.”

  • Example:“I couldn’t sharpen the lead in my pencil; the sharpener was broken.”

- An adjective meaning “first, the head of.”

  • Example: “I was the lead actress in the play.”
  • Led-The past tense of “lead.”
  • Example: “The path led them to the cemetery.”

10)Spell out all numbers under 10. Use the actual number for numbers greater than 10 (except for at the beginning of a sentence.)

  • Example: “There are 60 chairs, and each has four legs.”
  • Example: “Sixty chairs? That’s a lot.” (Notice how “a lot” is two words. )

11) Hyphen words that are used adjectivally and when positioned before a noun.

  • Examples:
  • “Seventeenth-century cuisine did not include smoothies.”
  • “Scylla, the 12-legged monster, ate six of Odysseus’s men.”
  • “The 100-pound wrestler was defeated by the giant who weighed 250 pounds.”

A QUIZ ON ALL EGREGIOUS ERRORS WILL BE IN YOUR FUTURE!