Top Writing Mistakes, Grammar, and Syntax

Vocabulary flashcards covering common writing mistakes, grammatical structures, conventions for introducing quotes, and syntax principles.

Second Person Point of View

A writing perspective using words like "you" and "you don't" that makes assumptions, tells the reader what to think, and feels conversational or informal.

Unexplained Demonstrative Pronouns

The use of words like "This" and "That" without clarification (such as "This shows the problem"), which leaves the reader to guess, creating ambiguity and weak connections.

Asking Questions (Writing Error)

A habit in writing (e.g., asking "why does this matter?") that signals uncertainty and removes credibility instead of directly stating "This matters because…".

Contractions

Shortened word forms like "Should'nt", "haven't", and "it's" that are considered informal and treated as slang in academic writing.

Weak Authorial Voice

The use of hesitant phrases such as "it seems", "maybe", or "Sort of", which diminishes authority and fails to convince the reader.

Quote Introduction Formulas

Methods to clarify purpose and smooth flow when integrating textual evidence, including the Author + Verb formula, the context quote formula, and the lead-in sentence + colon formula.

Passive Voice

A sentence construction where the agent comes after the action and hides the subject of the sentence (e.g., "the bull was caught by beau"), producing a weak voice compared to active voice.

Unverified Indefinite Pronouns

Broad statements made with words like "everyone" or "all" (e.g., "everyone knows climate change is real" or "all students hate homeworks") that make sweeping claims without evidence and risk over-generalization.

Fragment

An incomplete sentence lacking either a subject or a predicate, such as "the paper on the desk".

Parallelism

The use of the same grammatical structure for items in a series or for ideas that are meant to be balanced.

Infinitive

A grammatical form consisting of "to + a verb" used to make a verb phrase.

Gerund

An "-ing" verb form that functions as a noun.

Empty Words

Unnecessary "fluff" phrases (such as writing "its kind of clear" instead of "it is clear") that waste space and reduce clarity.

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases; good syntax makes writing clear, logical, and professional, whereas poor syntax creates confusion.

noun

person place or thing

Pronouns

word in place of a noun

antecedent

previously mentioned word

relative

relates information to a noun

Transitive

Action Verb