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Common Grammatical Errors

No matter how well educated or well read we are, most writers make grammatical errors from time to time. Usually such errors are the result of rushing to meet deadlines, as opposed to ignorance. But, whatever the reason, we look bad and are embarrassed when our mistakes show up in print!

One common error involves subject-verb disagreement, which can occur when prepositional phrases come between the subject and the verb in the sentence.

Example: “The letter written by several of the victim’s relatives explain the motive for the crime.” (news syndicate writer)

Obviously, the subject of the sentence is the word “letter” and not the word “relatives,” which is the object of the proposition.

Tip: Disregard the propositional phrases when proofreading for subject-verb agreement.

Misplaced modifiers also rank high on the list of common grammatical errors. These occur when phrases or clauses appear too far from the words they are supposed to modify.

Example: “A wreck occurred this morning on Orange Avenue between a Rural Metro ambulance and a county fire truck.” (network affiliate news reader)

Tip: Always place modifying phrases and clauses as near as possible to the words they modify.

The verbs “lie” and “lay” confound both speakers and writers. “Lie” means to recline (lie, lying, lay, have lain) and does not take an object.

Example: “She lay out beside the pool yesterday.”

The word “lay” means to put or place (lay, laying, laid, have laid) and does take an object.

Example: “He laid the hammer down somewhere.”

Tip: Memorize the darn things!

If your grammar is shaky in some areas, find a good reference book such as the Associated Press Stylebook or the Chicago Manual of Style to keep on your desk.

Guidelines for Book-Length Manuscripts

Whether you are writing a non-fiction or a fiction book, there are guidelines you must follow, both in creating your text and formatting your manuscript. Help is available in the form of stylebooks that give writers such information as when to capitalize certain words, how to cite sources in text, where to use italics, and so forth.

If you have written and sold newspaper or magazine articles, you are no doubt familiar with the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual, the mainstay of reporters everywhere.

Although AP style is acceptable for book-length publications, the Chicago Manual of Style, published by the University of Chicago Press was recently updated for users who also work with electronic publications. As does the AP stylebook, the 956-page Chicago manual covers subject matter from word usage to parts of speech; from quoting without permission to how to read an editor's proof marks on your hard copy; and from punctuation to common terminology. Both books are well designed for quick and easy reference and certainly worth purchasing.

Following style and formatting guidelines will quickly become second nature to new writers.