The English language has come to be the most diffused language on earth. It is followed closely only by the Mandarin language, spoken mainly in China within the landmass of the nation of China.
The universality of the use of English has made it possible for the subject to be featured in any major examination. One of the reasons Jamb students make mistakes in the use of English is due to the fact that the Use of English is governed by many rules. In this article, I will be listing the top 10 common mistakes students make in English and the correct form.
What's in this guide?
Common Mistakes People Make In Jamb Use Of English
The sentences used in this article as examples of improper use of the English language are sentences I saw in past questions, heard on the radio or television, from pulpits and interpersonal discussions. You may also click here to see the recent Jamb syllabus for English.
1. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
The subject and verb of a sentence must agree with one another in number whether they are singular or plural. If the subject of the sentence is singular, its verb must also be singular; and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Example 1:
Incorrect: An important part of my life have been the people who stood by me.
Correct: An important part of my life has been the people who stood by me.
Example 2:
Incorrect: The two best things about the party was the food and the music.
Correct: The two best things about the party were the food and the music.
2. Sentence Fragments
Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that don’t have one independent clause. A fragment may lack a subject, a complete verb, or both. Sometimes fragments depend on the proceeding sentence to give it meaning.
Example 1:
Incorrect: He gave his mother an extravagant gift after the argument. In spite of everything.
Correct: In spite of everything, he gave his mother an extravagant gift after the argument.
Example 2:
Incorrect: The boys snuck home late that night. Then waited for the consequences.
Correct: The boys snuck home late that night, then waited for the consequences.
3. Missing Comma After Introductory Element
A comma should be used after an introductory word, phrase, or clause. This gives the reader a slight pause after an introductory element and often can help avoid confusion.
Example 1:
Incorrect: In case you haven’t noticed my real name doesn’t appear in the article.
Correct: In case you haven’t noticed, my real name doesn’t appear in the article.
Example 2:
Incorrect: Before she had time to think about it Sharon jumped into the icy pool.
Correct: Before she had time to think about it, Sharon jumped into the icy pool.
4. Misusing The Apostrophe With “Its”
You use an apostrophe with it’s only when the word means it is or it has. Without the apostrophe, its means belonging to it.
Example 1:
Incorrect: I don’t believe its finally Friday.
Correct: I don’t believe it’s (it is) finally Friday.
Example 2:
Incorrect: The cat was licking it’s tail.
Correct: The cat was licking its tail.
5. No Comma In A Compound Sentence
A comma separates two or more independent clauses in a compound sentence separated by a conjunction. The comma goes after the first clause and before the coordinating conjunction that separates the clauses.
Example 1:
Incorrect: The man jumped into a black sedan and he drove away before being noticed.
Correct: The man jumped into a black sedan, and he drove away before being noticed.
Example 2:
Incorrect: She was beautiful and she was happy and she was full of life.
Correct: She was beautiful, and she was happy, and she was full of life.
6. Misplaced Or Dangling Modifier
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies or describes. Sentences with this error can sound awkward, ridiculous, or confusing. A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence.
Example 1:
Incorrect: While walking on the sidewalk, Mary found a sparkly girl’s bracelet.
Correct: While walking on the sidewalk, Mary found a girl’s sparkly bracelet.
Example 2:
Incorrect: After finally setting off on the trail, the morning felt more exciting.
Correct: After finally setting off on the trail, he felt the morning was more exciting.
7. Vague Pronoun Reference
A pronoun can replace a noun, and its antecedent should be the person, place, or thing to which the pronoun refers. A vague pronoun reference (including words such as it, that, this, and which) can leave the reader confused about what or to whom the pronoun refers.
Example 1:
Incorrect: When Jonathan finally found his dog, he was so happy. (The dog or Jonathan?)
Correct: Jonathan was so happy when he finally found his dog.
Example 2:
Incorrect: Don felt a lot of anger and bitterness as a result of Marie’s decision. This is what ended everything. (What ended everything? Don’s anger and bitterness or Marie’s decision?)
Correct: Don felt a lot of anger and bitterness as a result of Marie’s decision. Her choice ended everything.
8. Wrong Word Usage
There are a variety of words and phrases that are commonly confused and misused in sentences. Using them incorrectly can change the meaning of the sentence or simply reflect carelessness on the writer’s part. There are hundreds of these commonly confused words, so when in doubt, always check the definition and correct spelling of the word.
Example 1:
Incorrect: She excepted his offer to drive her home.
Correct: She accepted his offer to drive her home.
Example 2:
Incorrect: It was a breathe of fresh air to meet someone so genuine.
Correct: It was a breath of fresh air to meet someone so genuine.
9. Run-On Sentence
A run-on sentence occurs when you connect two main clauses with no punctuation.
Example 1:
Incorrect: She tried to sneak out of the house her mother saw her leaving.
Correct: She tried to sneak out of the house, but her mother saw her leaving.
Example 2:
Incorrect: He ran through the field as fast as he could all the while rain was soaking him to the bone.
Correct: He ran through the field as fast as he could. All the while rain was soaking him to the bone.
10. Superfluous Commas
It’s common writing mistake to throw commas around liberally when they aren’t necessary. There are dozens of examples of this error, but here are a few common mistakes.
Example 1:
Incorrect: The woman never went into the city, because she didn’t feel comfortable driving in traffic.
Correct: The woman never went into the city because she didn’t feel comfortable driving in traffic.
Example 2:
Incorrect: He wants to get a degree in engineering, or medicine.
Correct: He wants to get a degree in engineering or medicine.
Example 3:
Incorrect: Sam knew immediately, what was going to happen next.
Correct: Same knew immediately what was going to happen next.
Example 4:
Incorrect: Old cars, that have been left in a junkyard, are an eyesore.
Correct: Old cars that have been left in a junkyard are an eyesore.
Example 5:
Incorrect: The bouquet of flowers on the table, belongs to Mary.
Correct: The bouquet of flowers on the table belongs to Mary.
11. Lack Of Parallel Structure
Faulty parallelism occurs when two or more parts of a sentence are similar in meaning but not parallel (or grammatically similar) in form. It often occurs with paired constructions and items in a series.
Example 1:
Incorrect: He wanted to learn more about careers in programming, engineering, biochemist, and research scientist.
Correct: He wanted to learn more about careers in programming, engineering, biochemistry, and research science.
Example 2:
Incorrect: The key directives of his boss were clear:
- Meet monthly sales quotas.
- Aggressive marketing techniques.
- Reporting in every day.
Correct: The key directives of his boss were clear:
- Meet monthly sales goals.
- Practice aggressive marketing techniques.
- Report in every day.
12. Sentence Sprawl
A sentence can become a burden to read when there are too many equally weighted phrases.
Example 1:
Incorrect: Jason was planning to attend his friend’s wedding on June 30, but at the last minute he found out he had jury duty, so he couldn’t attend the wedding, and he felt really guilty about it.
Correct: Unexpectedly Jason was called for jury duty and couldn’t attend his friend’s June 30 wedding. He felt guilty about missing it.
13. Comma Splice
A comma splice occurs when two separate sentences are joined with a comma rather than a period or semicolon. Writers often create comma splices when using transitional words, such as however, therefore, moreover, nevertheless, or furthermore.
Example 1:
Incorrect: My intention was to take her out to dinner, however I decided not to invite her after all.
Correct: My intention was to take her out to dinner; however, I decided not to invite her after all.
Example 2:
Incorrect: My sisters and I love to go shopping, we then have lunch together when we’re done.
Correct: My sisters and I love to go shopping. We then have lunch together when we’re done.
14. Colon Mistakes
A colon is used after a complete sentence to introduce a word, phrase, clause, list, or quotation. The colon signals that what follows proves or explains the sentence preceding the colon.
Example 1:
Incorrect: People move to Florida for: the warmer weather, the beach, and the theme parks.
Correct: People move to Florida for three reasons: the warmer weather, the beach, and the theme parks.
15. Split Infinitives
An infinitive is the word “to” with a verb. A split infinitive separates the word “to” and the verb with another word (often an adverb). There are no grammar rules that prohibit split infinitives, but many experts disapprove of them.
If the sentence sounds awkward by correcting the split, our rule of thumb is to go with what makes the most sense in the context of your writing and for the ease of reading. (For example, “To boldly go where no man has gone before” would sound awkward and less powerful as, “To go boldly where no man has gone before.”)
Example 1:
Incorrect: She tried to quickly finish the book before she had to leave.
Correct: She tried to finish the book quickly before she had to leave.
Example 2:
Incorrect: He wanted to gradually improve his strength by increasing the weight.
Correct: He wanted to improve his strength gradually by increasing the weight.
Reference: ENGVID
50 GRAMMAR MISTAKES TO AVOID
- WrongI have visited Niagara Falls last weekend.RightI visited Niagara Falls last weekend.
- WrongThe woman which works here is from Japan.RightThe woman who works here is from Japan.
- WrongShe’s married with a dentist.RightShe’s married to a dentist.
- WrongShe was boring in the class.RightShe was bored in the class.
- WrongI must to call him immediately.RightI must call him immediately.
- WrongEvery students like the teacher.RightEvery student likes the teacher.
- WrongAlthough it was raining, but we had the picnic.RightAlthough it was raining, we had the picnic.
- WrongI enjoyed from the movie.RightI enjoyed the movie.
- WrongI look forward to meet you.RightI look forward to meeting you.
- WrongI like very much ice cream.RightI like ice cream very much.
- WrongShe can to drive.RightShe can drive.
- WrongWhere I can find a bank?RightWhere can I find a bank?
- WrongI live in United States.RightI live in the United States.
- WrongWhen I will arrive, I will call you.RightWhen I arrive, I will call you.
- WrongI’ve been here since three months.RightI’ve been here for three months.
- WrongMy boyfriend has got a new work.RightMy boyfriend has got a new job. (or just “has a new job”)
- WrongShe doesn’t listen me.RightShe doesn’t listen to me.
- WrongYou speak English good.RightYou speak English well.
- WrongThe police is coming.RightThe police are coming.
- WrongThe house isn’t enough big.RightThe house isn’t big enough.
- WrongYou should not to smoke.RightYou should not smoke.
- WrongDo you like a glass of wine?RightWould you like a glass of wine?
- WrongThere is seven girls in the class.RightThere are seven girls in the class.
- WrongI didn’t meet nobody.RightI didn’t meet anybody.
- WrongMy flight departs in 5:00 am.RightMy flight departs at 5:00 am.
- WrongI promise I call you next week.RightI promise I’ll call you next week.
- WrongWhere is post office?RightWhere is the post office?
- WrongPlease explain me how improve my English.RightPlease explain to me how to improve my English.
- WrongWe studied during four hours.RightWe studied for four hours.
- WrongIs ready my passport?RightIs my passport ready?
- WrongYou cannot buy all what you like!RightYou cannot buy all that you like!
- WrongShe is success.RightShe is successful.
- WrongMy mother wanted that I be doctor.RightMy mother wanted me to be a doctor.
- WrongThe life is hard!RightLife is hard.
- WrongHow many childrens you have?RightHow many children do you have?
- WrongMy brother has 10 years.RightMy brother is 10 (years old).
- WrongI want eat now.RightI want to eat now.
- WrongYou are very nice, as your mother.RightYou are very nice, like your mother.
- WrongShe said me that she liked you.RightShe told me that she liked you.
- WrongMy husband engineer.RightMy husband is an engineer.
- WrongI came Australia to study English.RightI came to Australia to study English.
- WrongIt is more hot now.RightIt’s hotter now.
- WrongYou can give me an information?RightCan you give me some information?
- WrongThey cooked the dinner themself.RightThey cooked the dinner themselves.
- WrongMe and Johnny live here.RightJohnny and I live here.
- WrongI closed very quietly the door.RightI closed the door very quietly.
- WrongYou like dance with me?RightWould you like to dance with me?
- WrongI go always to school by subway.RightI always go to school by subway.
- WrongIf I will be in London, I will contact to you.RightIf I am in London, I will contact you.
- WrongWe drive usually to home.RightWe usually drive home.
Reference: English Resources
