PROOFREADING
Grammar
For business and technical documents, follow standard, formal, English grammar rules found in handbooks, the Purdue OWL, and many textbooks. Writers whose background does not include an upbringing and education in standard English should use online English as a second language (ESL) resources for assistance.
The following is a short list of frequent concerns that, if in error on assignments, will detract from the grade.
Sentences shall be complete (not fragments), not fused (run-on), and conclude with a period or other appropriate punctuation. For assistance with understanding sentence structure, click here or use a handbook.
Subjects and verbs will agree. Follow standard English grammar rules for agreement in number (singular or plural) and tense.
Pronouns must have a clear antecedent and agree in number and case with their antecedent. In particular avoid pronouns with no reference such as these two examples: There are many ways to solve this problem. It is clear that this solution will not work.
The preceding examples violate two rules: (a) the grammatical rule that pronouns refer to a previous noun or proper name and (b) the register rule for specific rather than general phrasing. The fix for this pronoun error is easy: Select the appropriate subject out of the existing sentence and put it in the subject position. Select a more active verb. The edited versions of the examples might look like these: The security problem may be solved many ways. New software will not fix our situation.
Parallel construction means that paired or listed elements are grammatically the same. For more information, consult a handbook or click here.
To form plurals, add an -s or -es without an apostrophe. This applies to the plurals of abbreviations (e.g. IQs, Eds, vols) and numbers (e.g. 1s and 2s). Use Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary or Webster's Third New International Dictionary. If the dictionary provides choices, use the first spelling listed.
Misplaced or dangling modifiers most often occur in sentences starting with a gerund (-ing word). Make sure an introductory phrase refers to the same subject as the main sentence. For more about modifiers, refer to your handbook or click here.
The following is a short list of frequent concerns that, if in error on assignments, will detract from the grade.
Sentences shall be complete (not fragments), not fused (run-on), and conclude with a period or other appropriate punctuation. For assistance with understanding sentence structure, click here or use a handbook.
Subjects and verbs will agree. Follow standard English grammar rules for agreement in number (singular or plural) and tense.
Pronouns must have a clear antecedent and agree in number and case with their antecedent. In particular avoid pronouns with no reference such as these two examples: There are many ways to solve this problem. It is clear that this solution will not work.
The preceding examples violate two rules: (a) the grammatical rule that pronouns refer to a previous noun or proper name and (b) the register rule for specific rather than general phrasing. The fix for this pronoun error is easy: Select the appropriate subject out of the existing sentence and put it in the subject position. Select a more active verb. The edited versions of the examples might look like these: The security problem may be solved many ways. New software will not fix our situation.
Parallel construction means that paired or listed elements are grammatically the same. For more information, consult a handbook or click here.
To form plurals, add an -s or -es without an apostrophe. This applies to the plurals of abbreviations (e.g. IQs, Eds, vols) and numbers (e.g. 1s and 2s). Use Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary or Webster's Third New International Dictionary. If the dictionary provides choices, use the first spelling listed.
Misplaced or dangling modifiers most often occur in sentences starting with a gerund (-ing word). Make sure an introductory phrase refers to the same subject as the main sentence. For more about modifiers, refer to your handbook or click here.
For Discussion
Review the grammar section of your handbook, list the topics you do not know, and list those topics. Once a week study one topic for thirty minutes using three resources (your handbook plus two online sources). How long will it take you to master your list of study topics?
Copyright 2012
Ida L. Rodgers, See terms on Course Style Guide Home page.
Copyright 2012
Ida L. Rodgers, See terms on Course Style Guide Home page.