Review and Mistakes
Learn
In this lesson, you will learn to identify and fix common grammar mistakes. Understanding these errors will help you catch them in your own writing and on tests.
Common Grammar Mistakes
- Run-on Sentences: Two complete sentences joined without proper punctuation.
- Sentence Fragments: Incomplete sentences missing a subject or verb.
- Double Negatives: Using two negative words when only one is needed.
- Wrong Word Usage: Confusing words like their/there/they're or your/you're.
- Misplaced Modifiers: Describing words placed too far from what they describe.
Examples
Example 1: Run-on Sentence
Incorrect: I went to the park I played on the swings.
Correct: I went to the park. I played on the swings.
Also Correct: I went to the park, and I played on the swings.
Example 2: Double Negative
Incorrect: I don't have no homework tonight.
Correct: I don't have any homework tonight.
Practice Quiz
Find and fix the error in each sentence, then click to reveal the answer.
1. Find the error: "I cant wait to go to the party it will be so much fun."
Show Answer
Two errors: Missing apostrophe in "can't" and run-on sentence. Correct: "I can't wait to go to the party. It will be so much fun."
2. Fix this fragment: "Running through the field of flowers."
Show Answer
Add a subject: "She was running through the field of flowers." or "The children were running through the field of flowers."
3. Choose the correct word: "(Their/There/They're) going to the movies tonight."
Show Answer
They're - It's a contraction of "they are."
4. Fix the double negative: "She doesn't never finish her vegetables."
Show Answer
She never finishes her vegetables. OR She doesn't ever finish her vegetables.
5. Choose the correct word: "Put (your/you're) books on the desk."
Show Answer
your - "Your" shows possession. "You're" means "you are."
6. Fix the misplaced modifier: "I saw a bird walking to school."
Show Answer
Walking to school, I saw a bird. (The bird wasn't walking to school - you were!)
7. Fix the run-on: "The dog barked loudly the cat ran away."
Show Answer
The dog barked loudly, and the cat ran away. OR The dog barked loudly. The cat ran away.
8. Choose the correct word: "The book is over (their/there/they're)."
Show Answer
there - "There" refers to a place.
9. Fix the fragment: "Because I was tired from the long hike."
Show Answer
I went to bed early because I was tired from the long hike. OR Because I was tired from the long hike, I went to bed early.
10. Find all errors: "Their going to they're house over their."
Show Answer
They're going to their house over there. (All three words were used incorrectly!)
Check Your Understanding
Review your answers above. If you got 8 or more correct, you're ready for the final mixed practice! If not, review the common mistakes and try again.
Next Steps
- Create a "common mistakes" checklist for your own writing
- Practice proofreading your work before turning it in
- Move on to Lesson 6: Mixed Practice Set