Grammatical Errors & Corrections applications

The students was excited for the field trip.

The subject and verb do not agree. "Students" is plural, so change the verb to "were." Correct: The students were excited for the field trip.

Each of the players have a jersey.

The subject is "Each," which is singular. Change "have" to "has." Correct: Each of the players has a jersey.

The bouquet of flowers smell wonderful.

The subject is "bouquet," which is singular. Change "smell" to "smells." Correct: The bouquet of flowers smells wonderful.

Neither of the answers are correct.

"Neither" is singular. Change "are" to "is." Correct: Neither of the answers is correct.

Everyone brought their notebook.

On the SAT, singular indefinite pronouns should take singular pronouns. Correct: Everyone brought his or her notebook. (Modern English often accepts "their," but SAT questions may test formal agreement.)

My friend and neighbor is moving away.

If "friend and neighbor" refers to one person, this is correct. If referring to two people, use "are." Determine meaning from context.

The dog wag its tail happily.

The possessive pronoun is "its," not "it's." Correct: The dog wagged its tail happily.

Its raining outside.

Use the contraction "it's" (it is). Correct: It's raining outside.

Your going to enjoy this movie.

Use the contraction "you're" (you are). Correct: You're going to enjoy this movie.

Their going to the museum tomorrow.

Use "They're" (they are). Correct: They're going to the museum tomorrow.

The book lost it's cover.

Possessive "its" does not use an apostrophe. Correct: The book lost its cover.

I have less pencils than you.

Use "fewer" with countable nouns. Correct: I have fewer pencils than you.

She has fewer patience than her brother.

Use "less" with uncountable nouns. Correct: She has less patience than her brother.

This problem will effect your grade.

"Effect" is usually a noun. Use the verb "affect." Correct: This problem will affect your grade.

The new rule had a positive affect.

"Affect" is usually a verb. Use the noun "effect." Correct: The new rule had a positive effect.

I would rather lay on the couch.

Use "lie" when no object is involved. Correct: I would rather lie on the couch.

Please lie the book on the desk.

Use "lay" when placing an object somewhere. Correct: Please lay the book on the desk.

The scientist which won the award thanked her team.

Use "who" for people. Correct: The scientist who won the award thanked her team.

The car who sped past us was red.

Use "that" or "which" for things. Correct: The car that sped past us was red.

The painting that hangs in the museum, is priceless.

Do not place a comma before the verb when the modifier is essential. Correct: The painting that hangs in the museum is priceless.

My brother who lives in Texas is visiting.

If you have only one brother, the clause is nonessential and needs commas. Correct: My brother, who lives in Texas, is visiting.

The experiment was successful however the results were unexpected.

Two independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb require a semicolon before and a comma after. Correct: The experiment was successful; however, the results were unexpected.

I finished my homework, I watched television.

This is a comma splice. Use a period, semicolon, or comma with a coordinating conjunction. Correct: I finished my homework, and I watched television.

She loves science, therefore she studies biology.

Use a semicolon before "therefore." Correct: She loves science; therefore, she studies biology.

Because the weather was cold.

This is a sentence fragment. Add an independent clause. Correct: Because the weather was cold, we stayed inside.

Running through the park.

This is a fragment because it lacks an independent clause. Correct: Running through the park, she smiled.

The teacher graded the papers the students celebrated.

This is a fused sentence. Separate the clauses. Correct: The teacher graded the papers, and the students celebrated.

The team practiced hard they won the championship.

This is a run-on sentence. Correct: The team practiced hard, so they won the championship.

She enjoys swimming, to run, and biking.

Items in a series must be parallel. Correct: She enjoys swimming, running, and biking.

He likes to read, writing, and painting.

Use parallel structure. Correct: He likes reading, writing, and painting.

The company hired people who were creative, hardworking, and who had experience.

Maintain parallel structure. Correct: The company hired people who were creative, hardworking, and experienced.

Walking down the street, the rain soaked Maria.

This is a dangling modifier because the rain was not walking. Correct: Walking down the street, Maria was soaked by the rain.

Covered in frosting, Sarah ate the cupcake.

The modifier incorrectly describes Sarah. Correct: Sarah ate the cupcake, which was covered in frosting.

She almost drove her kids to school every day.

The modifier "almost" is misplaced. Correct: She drove her kids to school almost every day.

After reading the novel, the movie seemed disappointing.

The modifier incorrectly describes "movie." Correct: After reading the novel, I found the movie disappointing.

The committee have reached a decision.

On the SAT, collective nouns are usually singular. Correct: The committee has reached a decision.

One of the students are absent.

The subject is "One." Correct: One of the students is absent.

The reason for the delays are unclear.

The subject is "reason." Correct: The reason for the delays is unclear.

There is many reasons to study.

The verb must agree with the true subject. Correct: There are many reasons to study.

The number of applicants have increased.

"The number" is singular. Correct: The number of applicants has increased.

A number of applicants has arrived.

"A number of" is plural. Correct: A number of applicants have arrived.

Neither John nor his friends is coming.

The verb agrees with the noun closest to it. Correct: Neither John nor his friends are coming.

Neither the students nor the teacher are ready.

The verb agrees with the nearest subject. Correct: Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.

The cat chased it's tail.

Use the possessive "its." Correct: The cat chased its tail.

I seen the movie yesterday.

Use the correct past tense. Correct: I saw the movie yesterday.

She has went to the library.

Use the past participle after "has." Correct: She has gone to the library.

If I was taller, I would play basketball.

Use the subjunctive mood. Correct: If I were taller, I would play basketball.

He is one of the smartest student in the class.

The noun should be plural. Correct: He is one of the smartest students in the class.

The teacher gave the award to Sarah and I.

Use the objective pronoun. Correct: The teacher gave the award to Sarah and me.

Me and Jake went to the concert.

Use the subject pronoun. Correct: Jake and I went to the concert.

Who did you give the package to?

In formal grammar, use "whom" as the object. Correct: Whom did you give the package to?

The essay was well wrote.

Use the correct past participle. Correct: The essay was well written.

He did good on the SAT.

Use the adverb. Correct: He did well on the SAT.