Writing Lessons & Advice: Common Writing Errors
- Katie Johns
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
One of my aims with Writing Lessons & Advice is to give you plenty of direction on what to do in and with your writing. In this post, I’m aiming for a different approach by trying to discuss what not to do. Here are twelve common writing errors (in no particular order) according to several highly-regarded writing sources.
Error: incorrect or missing words
Incorrect word errors typically occur with easily confused words, be it with homophones, homonyms, homographs or more nuanced vocabulary faux pas, like compose versus comprise. Missing words can sometimes be as minuscule as overlooking a preposition or article.
Error: comma misuse
Since commas have several rules to follow, using them correctly is understandably tricky. Nonetheless, they still need to be practiced for the readability and understanding of your message.
Error: Pronouns without an antecedent
Simply put, using a pronoun without an obvious antecedent or antecedent at all makes a message unclear. The subject of an idea needs to be established before pronouns take its place. (Find a brief review on pronouns as parts of speech in this post.)
I even have a “real-world” example of this: I’ll have a phone conversation at work and a caller says something like, “She said...” or “They say...” without much pretext. Since the caller didn’t establish their antecedent first, more often than not, I have no idea who “she” or “they” are! While I can ask for clarification in a verbal conversation, the written word does not always have quite the same luxury.
Error: misspellings
Misspellings are in a similar vein to wrong words and other mistakes so far, tending to happen due to ignorance, forgetfulness, or second-guessing. Like most grammar elements, spelling also has a fair share of rules which can be learned and/or lost in one’s mind. Not to mention there are slews of lists dedicated to commonly misspelled words. Luckily, spell checking features are pretty standard and note right away if i and e or something of that nature need to be switched in a word. However, they won’t always catch more subtle mistakes like compound word typos, commonly confused words, or words outside of the processor’s default language. Conversely, auto-correct or auto-fill features could make unnecessary changes or additions in the text. (What the duck, anyone?)
Unchecked spelling can confuse readers, affect their impression of the writer, and ripple into other areas too. For instance, those dealing with data entry--like me at work—may assume most received information is correct/accurate as is, especially since someone usually signs, initials, or checks a box as confirmation of it being so. (Keep an eye out for that question/request on the next form you complete!) There is typically no way for the data entry personnel to know whether it truly is valid as is unless a problem comes to attention. These problems can take the form of delayed processes, errors on official paperwork, waylaid emails or physical mail, difficult record searches, or denied applications. Then by extension, one or all parties may feel confused, embarrased, frusturated, and/or obliged to do more work to address the corrections. So, believe it or not and like it or not, spelling quality affects everyone! (A separate lesson on that soon.)
Error: Unnecessary or missing capitalization
The likeliest harbingers of these errors are also oversight and confusion. Most at least know the basics of this element but may just forget or second-guess. Maybe our “texting lingo” --like LOL, OMG, BRB, IYKYK, and other related acronyms--has perpetuated some bad writing habits as well. Also, certain formats (like APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) may dictate their own rules for the big and little letters. More still, our fingers may just miss the caps or shift keys whilst typing. Not to mention, messages typed in all caps portray an angry tone in most contexts.
If the basics are needed, here are a couple of reference sites to learn or review: https://writer.com/blog/capitalization-rules/; https://www.grammarly.com/blog/capitalization-rules/
Error: Unnecessary shifts
Verb tenses have a trickiness similar to capitalization and punctuation. That trickiness is detailed in another lesson, but the gist of this error is word forms, tenses, and sometimes even voice do not align or transition properly in the greater context of the writing.
Error: Unnecessary or missing apostrophes
Apostrophes have some of their own rules as well. So they are another understandable punctuation predicament, if not typing mishaps on occasion as well.
Some Lessons & Advice on apostrophes are on the way soon, but until then, here are a couple of reference sites to check out: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/apostrophe/, https://www.suu.edu/writingcenter/undergraduate/pdf/tip-sheets/apostrophe.pdf
Error: Run-on sentences
Some run-on sentence errors can result from a sentence idea being too long or involved. Other times might be typing trip-ups as well.
Error: Sentence fragments/incomplete sentences
In contrast to run-on sentences, fragment errors result from the idea of a sentence missing its subject or predicate. I can imagine these errors happening if a writer gets distracted or carried away on a train of thought and forgets to finish the message of the line in question.
Error: Wordiness
This error often starts with good intentions, especially in descriptive writing. According to the Outranking.io blog, a SEO content writing software, “Many people make the mistake of using too many qualifiers (or modifying words) in their writing, but they can sometimes distract readers from what you are trying to say.” These attempts to sound ornate tend to result in filler, redundancy, and an unnatural voice. Wordiness can weaken writing too, which will be discussed in a later lesson.
Error: Sentence sprawls
Sentence sprawls are like wordiness. They result from too many clauses strung together in one sentence, muddying the intended message. Conversely, sprawls could also result from an unedited (or under-edited) stream of consciousness.
If this list shows anything else, it is a greater error in not proofreading enough, if at all. As many proverbs, adages, and clichés point out, we humans are not perfect and prone to mistakes. Our own writing tools are the same way at times too. Regardless of writing knowledge and experience, blunders of ignorance, confusion, or accident will still get in the way. So drafting first and following through with a revision process is an easier thing to do for addressing them. Our written expression needs careful review before it’s out of our hands. In academic, professional, or competitive settings, significant errors will, of course, impact grades, reception, or evaluation. More still, they taint the message, presentation, and reader’s perception of the author--as mentioned a few times before. Like personal data on applications, no one or nothing else knows the writer’s intentions and info better than the writer. So, the responsibility of addressing errors ultimately falls to them.
If unfamiliar or if a refresher is needed, proofreading is an act of reviewing a piece of writing to find and fix errors. Proofreading is synonymous and often interchanged with editing and revising. Editing addresses spelling or grammar errors--like many on this list while revising addresses content issues, like wordiness or sprawls. Regardless of the name, completing the actions is crucial and not difficult to do. In fact, it could be managed in a variety of ways, like:
Rereading your work--either silently, out loud, or read to you.
Having someone else read it to note any mistakes.
Working with a tutor.
Learning how to use any writing checkers in your word processor or attaining any apps/extensions/add-ons/software for this purpose.
Submitting to a website like Grammarly.
Consulting reference guides for any questions.
Learning or brushing up on any tricky spelling, grammar, or punctuation rules; then keeping notes of them that you can refer to as you draft and proofread.
Using proofreading marks on a printed copy.
Doing even just one or two of these editorial tasks will make a world of positive difference in your writing before it's finalized! Remember many of these will primarily point out needed corrections, so don’t forget to see that they are implemented!
Hope this increases your awareness of common writing errors and encourages you to proofread your work more often!
Which of these writing errors do you make the most? (I think I’m guilty of wordiness and sprawls.) What proofreading tactics do you use? If there's a topic you want me to cover in the future, you're welcome to reach out to me on the web chat feature or socials!
sources/further reading
Comments