Grammar Review Workshop: Common Errors found on writing placement tests :Grammar Review Workshop: Common Errors found on writing placement tests Brought to you by


Do you have a MySpace or Facebook account? :Do you have a MySpace or Facebook account?


Who looks at MySpace or Facebook accounts? :More people than you may think! Who looks at MySpace or Facebook accounts?


Errors 1-5 :Errors 1-5 Part 1:


Look for the yellow box :Instructions Look at the yellow box? Look for the yellow box Look for the yellow box to find errors addressed on the placement test! Home Browse People Find Friends Forums Music Video More Log In Sign Up Contacting Look for the Yellow box!


Noemi: commas + “however” :Noemi: commas + “however” Error #1


Noemi is trying to look busy doin nuthin at work! :MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/noemi Noemi is trying to look busy doin nuthin at work! “It’s No-EM-I, not Na-O-mi !! “ female 18 years old Virginia United States Last Login: 3/16/2009 View My: Pics | Videos Noemi Noemi’s Blurbs About me: My job sucks!! I hate my stupid boss, however she’s fun to torture! Who I’d like to meet: Jesus, Michelle Obama Noemi’s Friends Home Browse People Find Friends Forums Music Video More Log In Sign Up Contacting Noemi


Did you catch the error I made? :Did you catch the error I made? It should say: I hate my stupid boss; however, she’s fun to torture! Noemi About me: I hate my stupid boss, however she’s fun to torture!


When “however” is between 2 complete sentences, put a semicolon before and a comma after the word “however” ; however, :When “however” is between 2 complete sentences, put a semicolon before and a comma after the word “however” ; however, At one time Noemi worked for me; however, she was recently fired. I thought Noemi was working; however, her MySpace page indicated she was not. Noemi’s boss


Employers often monitor what employees are doing by looking at social networking pages. Noemi thought I was stupid ; however, she was wrong. :Employers often monitor what employees are doing by looking at social networking pages. Noemi thought I was stupid ; however, she was wrong. Noemi’s boss


Paul: Commas & Dependent Clauses :Paul: Commas & Dependent Clauses Error #2


Paul can’t wait to get out of this *@!%$## school!!! :Paul can’t wait to get out of this *@!%$## school!!! “I don’t care what you #@^% did last summer” “ Male 18 years old Virginia United States Last Login: 3/14/2009 View My: Pics | Videos Paul Paul’s Blurbs About me: I‘m a master at the art skipping class. Although, I never go to class; I have only 2 absences so far! Who I’d like to meet: Ferris Bueller, Rihanna, Barack Obama, Will Smith Paul’s Friends Home Browse People Find Friends Forums Music Video More Log In Sign Up Contacting Paul


Did you catch the error I made? :Did you catch the error I made? It should say: Although I never go to class, I have only two absences so far! Paul About me: Although, I never go to class; I have only 2 absences so far! Paul’s Blurbs


Slide 14:The words below commonly begin dependent clauses. When a dependent clause comes first in the sentence, use a comma to pause before the rest of the sentence. Although Because If When Since Unless Until While Paul’s Principal


Slide 15:Unless Paul begins attending class, he may not graduate. Because I randomly check MySpace pages, I discovered Paul’s absences. When Paul’s parents receive my phone call, they will not be happy. Paul’s Principal


Daniel: past tense verbs :Daniel: past tense verbs Error #3


Daniel is still hungover from last nite! :Daniel is still hungover from last nite! “ Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. “ Male 18 years old Virginia United States Last Login: 3/14/2009 View My: Pics | Videos Daniel Daniel’s Blurbs About me: I use to drink liquor but I’m not suppose to drink during training, so I switch to beer. Who I’d like to meet: Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, anybody who can match me drink for drink MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/DanielSerra99 Daniel’s Friends Home Browse People Find Friends Forums Music Video More Log In Sign Up Contacting Daniel


Did you catch the error I made? :Did you catch the error I made? It should say: I used to drink liquor but I’m not supposed to drink during training, so I switched to beer. Daniel About me: I use to drink liquor but I’m not suppose to drink during training, so I switch to beer. Daniel’s Blurbs


Past tense verbs require “-ed” at the end :Past tense verbs require “-ed” at the end I used to ignore MySpace pages, but now I use them to check on my athletes. He is supposed to stay away from alcohol. I switched my choice for MVP to another athlete. Grammar wasn’t Daniel’s only error… Daniel’s Coach


College recruiters often look at more than an athlete’s stats and grades. :College recruiters often look at more than an athlete’s stats and grades. Daniel’s Coach


Jamie: its/it’s :Jamie: its/it’s Error #4


Jamie is always livin large :Jamie is always livin large “21K in debt“ female 18 years old Virginia United States Last Login: 3/14/2009 View My: Pics | Videos Jamie Jamie‘s Blurbs About me: I love to shop!!! (Especially with other people’s money!) My credit card has most of it’s lettering rubbed off already. Oh yeah, if you work for a credit agency, I died last week, so stop calling!!! Who I’d like to meet: An accident-prone old rich guy :.) , someone to pay off my huge credit card debt MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/ Jamie‘s Friends Home Browse People Find Friends Forums Music Video More Log In Sign Up Contacting Jamie


Did you catch the error I made? :Did you catch the error I made? It should say: My credit card has most of its lettering rubbed off already. Jamie About me: My credit card has most of it’s lettering rubbed off already.


Slide 24:"It's" is a contraction. It is short for "it is"– Otherwise, the word its does not require an apostrophe A credit score reflects a lot about its owner. My company is known for its credit checks on all employees. It’s likely that Jamie has damaged her credit rating for the next seven years. Hiring manager who is considering Jamie as an employee


Slide 25:My company often looks at social networking sites in its hiring process. Employers may not want to hire someone who takes irresponsible spending so lightly. Hiring manager who is considering Jamie as an employee


Slide 26:After seeing Jamie’s MySpace page, my company would probably not consider her for a position. Hiring manager who is considering Jamie as an employee


Colleen: Sentence Parallelism :Colleen: Sentence Parallelism Error #5


Colleen is feelin freaky!!!!!!! :Colleen is feelin freaky!!!!!!! “Don’t you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?“ female 18 years old Virginia United States Last Login: 3/14/2009 View My: Pics | Videos Colleen Colleen’s Blurbs About me: I like to make people happy! My many talents include dancing dirty, giving hot massages, and guys love to flirt with me! Who I’d like to meet: Will Smith, Corbin Bleu, Yung Berg, Pharrell Wiliams Colleen’s Friends Home Browse People Find Friends Forums Music Video More Log In Sign Up Contacting Colleen


Did you catch the error I made? :Did you catch the error I made? It should say: My many talents include dancing dirty, giving hot massages, and flirting with guys! Colleen About me: My many talents include dancing dirty, giving hot massages, and guys love to flirt with me!


Slide 30:Colleen’s sentence is not parallel. All parts should line up with the beginning: My many talents include: dancing dirty giving hot massages flirting with guys! Nursing School admissions chair Notice how dancing, giving, and flirting are similar now. My many talents include flirting with guys makes sense. My many talents include guys love to flirt with me does not make sense.


Slide 31:Colleen recently applied to Central Nursing School . The admissions committee reviews applications, browses social networking sites, and rejects applicants whose character seems questionable. Central Nursing School admissions chair Notice how the sentence above is parallel: The admissions committee reviews applications, browses social networking sites, and rejects applicants whose character seems questionable.


Slide 32:If Colleen’s MySpace page reflects who she really is, she probably would not be a good fit for our program. Central Nursing School admissions chair


Errors # 6 – 10 :Errors # 6 – 10 Part 2:


Instructions are below :Instructions are below Look for the small yellow box next to the wall post. Look at the yellow box right next to me! Here it is!!!!


Stacy: Comma + Conjunction :Stacy: Comma + Conjunction Error #6 –


Comma Errors :Comma Errors Andrea Logue Wow—I am impressed with all your volunteer work! How do you do find the time for everything? Stacy Cole made a comma error below Stacy Cole I don’t really do the volunteer work but I pretend to for college applications! Error: Missing Comma


Sentence, but sentence. :Sentence, but sentence. Stacy should have used a comma with the coordinating conjunction “but” I don’t really do the volunteer work, but I pretend to for college applications! College admissions committee


Sentence, and sentence. :Sentence, and sentence. Colleges often look at social networking sites, and they are not impressed by phony volunteer work. When a coordinating conjunction separates 2 complete sentences, you must use a comma before the conjunction. College admissions committee


Comma Errors :Comma Errors Stacy Cole Use a comma with Sentence, and sentence. Sentence, but sentence. Sentence, or sentence. Sentence, nor sentence. Stacy Cole understands how to use commas better now, and my writing will benefit. Andrea Logue Sentence, for sentence. Sentence, so sentence. Sentence, yet sentence.


Andrea: Comma + non-essential information :Andrea: Comma + non-essential information Error #7 –


Comma Errors :Comma Errors Maria Soper Can’t you buy another one from the site you told me about? Or did the prof. turn you in for the last one? Andrea Logue is stressing about this History paper!! Andrea Logue That site which is usually open is down tonight! There’s another problem too. Students, who have been caught plagiarizing, must have their papers checked by the dean. 2 Comma Errors!


Comma Errors :Comma Errors Andrea Logue That site, which is usually open, is down tonight! Andrea Logue sees one of the comma errors!!! Jenna Alexander Good! I think one of the commas in the second sentence is wrong too.


, non-essential information , :Use commas to surround non -essential information. Non-essential information can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence , non-essential information , That site, which is usually open, is down tonight! That site is down tonight! (which is usually open is not essential to the meaning to the sentence) Andrea’s professor


, non-essential information , :In the 2nd sentence, all of the information is needed, so no commas are necessary: Students who have been caught plagiarizing must have their papers checked by the dean. , non-essential information , If you take out “who have been caught plagiarizing” the sentence reads: Students must have their papers checked by the dean. But not all students must have their papers checked by the dean, only those who have been caught plagiarizing. Andrea’s professor


, non-essential information , :Read the sentences below for more examples of non-essential information , non-essential information , Andrea’s professor , non-essential information , Andrea, who has been caught plagiarizing, should not buy another online essay. Professors can check social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, to find out more about students.


, non-essential information , :Read the sentences below for examples of essential information (No commas) , non-essential information , (no comma) essential information (no comma) Andrea’s essays that seem plagiarized will be reviewed by a committee. Information which is posted on Andrea’s Facebook site may be used in the plagiarism hearing. Andrea’s professor


, non-essential information , :Andrea’s statements about buying papers online would definitely hurt her in an academic discipline hearing. , non-essential information , Andrea’s professor


Mark: Pronoun Agreement :Mark: Pronoun Agreement Error #8 –


Pronoun Errors :Pronoun Errors Nathan Meade Where have u been staying? Mark Vallin is looking for a new place to stay. Mark Vallin I was staying with friends in the dorm to save money. Now admin says each student must have their own official address. Nathan Meade Your pronouns are just wrong… Mark Valllin *You* are just wrong!!! Pronoun Error!


Slide 50:Sorry Mark, but Nathan is right. The pronoun “their” is plural, but “each student” is singular. I’ve corrected your sentence below… Pronoun Errors Now admin says each student must have his/her own official address. - or - Now admin says all students must have their own official addresses. Housing administrator


Slide 51:“they” and “their” cannot be used to replace singular nouns. Pronoun Errors Any student without an official address will have his/her (not their) privileges suspended. or – Students without an official address will have their (students) privileges suspended. Housing administrator


Slide 52:Thanks to Facebook, Mark has just been placed at the top of the list of students who need address verification. Pronoun Errors Housing administrator


Ellen: Unclear Pronoun Reference :Ellen: Unclear Pronoun Reference Error #9 –


Pronoun Errors :Pronoun Errors Jon Ruiz What’s up? I thought you liked our English class. Ellen Noski hates English!! Ellen Noski I can’t stand the teacher’s rules about outlines. They just don’t make sense. Jon Ruiz What doesn’t make sense—the rules or the outlines? Ellen Noski The rules! I didn’t do the outline and the teacher would not accept the essay at all. I told her my grandmother died so I could have an extension! I can’t believe she fell for that one! Pronoun Error!


Pronoun Errors :Pronoun Errors Ellen used an unclear pronoun – “They “ “They just don’t make sense. ” She needed to clarify what “they” meant. Ellen’s English professor I can’t stand the teacher’s rules about outlines. The rules just don’t make sense. I can’t stand the teacher’s rules about outlines. The outlines just don’t make sense.


Pronoun Errors :Pronoun Errors Ellen frequently tries to avoid penalties by using excuses or even lying. Her behavior can be frustrating. Ellen’s English professor Here is the same statement with an unclear pronoun: Ellen frequently tries to avoid penalties by using excuses or even lying. This can be frustrating. What is “This”? The general behavior? The lying specifically?


Pronoun Errors :Pronoun Errors Ellen’s Facebook page confirmed many of my suspicions about her excuses being fake. I printed out a page for my records. Ellen’s English professor


Chris: Subject-Verb Agreement :Chris: Subject-Verb Agreement Error #10 –


Subjects & Verbs :Subjects & Verbs Steve Graham Didn’t you get in trouble for posing with guns before? Chris Haynes is smokin hot Chris Graham Yeah. A group of local cops are still asking questions. Jon Ruiz Is that a real gun Error: Subject-Verb agreement Chris Graham Real, like it exists? Yeah, real like that


Subjects & Verbs :Subjects & Verbs Yes, we’re still watching Chris . We just learned that Chris doesn’t realize “a group” is singular. group = singular groups = plural A group of local cops are still asking questions. A group are – wrong! A group of local cops is still asking questions. A group is – correct!


Slide 61:In general, posing with a gun does not impress too many people. But, if you’re looking for extra attention from me, you’ve got it!


Many errors exist… :Many errors exist… These are not ALL of the errors, but you have just reviewed some very common ones found on placement tests.


Want more? Check out the practice test! :Want more? Check out the practice test! End of presentation.