The document discusses several common types of sentence errors: comma splices, run-on sentences, non-parallel structure, and sentence fragments. It provides examples of each error type and the corrections. For instance, comma splices incorrectly join two independent clauses with a comma instead of using a period or conjunction. The corrections separate the clauses into two complete sentences.

1. COMMON SENTENCE
ERRORS
Mustafa Kabataş
265614
BA/ Evening

2. Definition
• The word error entails different meanings and usages relative to
how it is conceptually applied. The concrete meaning of the Latin
word "error" is "wandering" or "straying". Unlike an illusion, an
error or a mistake can sometimes be dispelled through knowledge
(knowing that one is looking at a mirage and not at real water does
not make the mirage disappear). For example, a person who uses
too much of an ingredient in a recipe and has a failed product can
learn the right amount to use and avoid repeating the mistake.
However, some errors can occur even when individuals have the
required knowledge to perform a task correctly. Examples include
forgetting to collect change after buying chocolate from a vending
machine, forgetting the original document after making
photocopies, and forgetting to turn the gas off after cooking a
meal. Some errors occur when an individual is distracted by
something else.

3. Comma Splice
• I got up late this morning, I didn't have time for breakfast.
• I got up late this morning. I didn't have time for breakfast.
• They have a course of economics here, the students like it.
• They have a course of economics here. The students like it.
• J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit, he also wrote The Lord of the
Rings.
• J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit. He also wrote The Lord of the
Rings.

4. • The bridge collapsed into the river, fortunately no one was
injured.
• The bridge collapsed into the river, but fortunately no one
was injured.
• Mustafa arrived late, his car wouldn’t start.
• Mustafa arrived late; his car wouldn’t start.
• I completed my essay. However, I have not submitted it.
• I completed my essay; however, I have not submitted it.
• It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark.
• It is nearly half past five, so we cannot reach town before
dark.

5. • It is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before dark.
• Because it is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before
dark.
• The air was soggy, the season was exhausted.
• The air was soggy. The season was exhausted.
• We have hundreds of pages of reading to do, it will be
impossible to finish it all before the exam.
• We have hundreds of pages of reading to do; it will be
impossible to finish it all before the exam.

6. Run-on Sentence
• Our university was established in 1863 makes it one of the oldest
universities in our country.
• The fact that our university was established in 1863 makes it one of
the oldest universities in our country.
• Scientists were convinced by the evidence, however, the Food and
Drug Administration was slow to respond.
• Scientists were convinced by the evidence; however, the Food and
Drug Administration was slow to respond.
• The hurricane damaged the arena, nevertheless, the game was
played on schedule.
• The hurricane damaged the arena. Nevertheless, the game was
played on schedule.

7. • Folic acid appears to exert a protective effect, for example, one study
showed that it cut the rate of neural tube defects by two-thirds.
• Folic acid appears to exert a protective effect. For example, one study
showed that it cut the rate of neural tube defects by two-thirds.
• They gossiped about many things at lunch, they always have the most
to say about their coworkers.
• Although they gossiped about many things at lunch, they always have
the most to say about their coworkers.
• Corruption is widespread in Turkey is something most of the people
complain about.
• Corruption, which is widespread in Turkey, is something most of the
people complain about.

8. • We all like the Verbal forum we all like SC posts.
• We all like the Verbal forum; we like SC posts.
• My car is out of gas we cannot reach town before dark.
• My car is out of gas; we cannot reach town before dark.
• I went to school in Ankara it is the capital of Turkey.
• I went to school in Ankara. It is the capital of Turkey.
• Mr. Kemal used to teach arts in Memorial High School I
used to be a student there.
• Mr. Kemal used to teach arts in memorial High
School, where I used to be a student.

9. Non-parallel Sentences
• What counts isn't how you look but your behavior.
• What counts isn't how you look but how you behave.
• The president promised to reform health care, preserve social
security, and a balanced budget.
• The president promised to reform health care, preserve social
security, and balance the budget.
• Hasan has in the past and will in the future continue to
support the measure.
• Hasan has in the past supported, and will in the
future continue to support, the measure.

10. • Sibel prepared the speech on the plane, and it was
delivered by her at the conference.
• Sibel prepared the speech on the plane and delivered it at
the conference.
• We expected not only to be late but also we expected to be
exhausted.
• We expected to be not only late but also exhausted.
• They acted as either individual citizens or as members of
the committee.
• They acted either as individual citizens or as members of
the committee.

11. • I have neither the patience to complete the assignment nor do I
have the time complete it.
• I have neither the patience nor the time to complete the
assignment.
• Either I like the job or not.
• Either I like the job or I don't like it.
• The scientists disputed not only the newspaper article but
also they disputed the university's official statement.
• The scientists disputed not only the newspaper article but
also the university's official statement.
• The administration approved the student's right to drop the
class but not meeting with the professor.
• The administration approved the student's right to drop the
class but not to meet with the professor.

12. Sentence Framents
• Confusing and distracting to readers.
• Sentence fragments are confusing and distracting to
readers.
• Because they are confusing and distracting to readers.
• Because they are confusing and distracting to readers,
writers should generally avoid sentence fragments.
• The dog was waiting in the window when his owner got
home. Then, excited, wagging his tail. He went to greet her
at the door.
• The dog was waiting in the window when his owner got
home. Excited, he wagged his tail and went to greet her at
the door.

13. • Gamze's car being the only one that could carry all of our
equipment.
• Gamze's car was the only one that could carry all of our
equipment.
• Going with our biology teacher to visit the marine
aquarium research lab.
• We are going with our biology teacher to visit the marine
aquarium research lab.
• Although we booked our reservations four months in
advance.
• Although we booked our reservations four months in
advance, we still lost our seats through overbooking.

14. • The best car in the race.
• The best car in the race was a Lotus XKG driven by Mortimer
Mulrose.
• Being sound of lung and limb and basically an exhibitionist.
• Being sound of lung and limb and basically an
exhibitionist, Prunella sang and danced her way across the
gymnasium.
• Büşra leaving the building without a sound.
• Büşra was seen leaving the building without a sound.
• At the bottom of the staircase, in a calm and dignified pose.
• At the bottom of the staircase, in a calm and dignified
pose, Harriet stood waiting for her date to pick himself up
fromthe floor.