Some problems are seen time after time in students' writing. Familiarise yourself
with these examples, and you will avoid many common pitfalls.
Problem
|
Example
|
Explanation
|
|
The use of "only"
Only is often said to be a capricious word. It often deserts its real position
and takes place next to a verb, irrespective of what the writer wants it to qualify.
|
He only spoke for ten minutes,
when the writer probably intends to say,
He spoke for only ten minutes.
|
The former indicates he spoke and did nothing else. In the latter, the only
qualifies the ten minutes, and therefore, indicates that the length of time he
spoke for was no more than ten minutes. |
| Positioning of 'however' |
More girls than boys play netball, however boys outnumber girls on the football
field
when the writer should have written
More girls than boys play netball. However, boys outnumber girls on the
football field.
OR
More girls than boys play netball. Boys outnumber girls, however, on the
football field.
|
However contrasts the sentence against the preceding sentence. We do not use however to join two sentences. If used in the middle of a sentence, however should be separated by the comma. |
| Its and it's |
Its too late to book a ticket for that opera on it’s opening night.
should be
It’s too late to book a ticket for that opera on its opening night.
|
It's is short for the verb combination 'it is'.
Its is the possessive adjective form. |
| Data is or are |
The data is in Table 1. It shows that there are differences between boys
and girls.
should be
The data are in Table 1. They show that there are differences between boys
and girls.
|
Data is Latin plural with a singular datum. |
| Affect and effect |
That music seemed to effect you.
should read
That music seemed to affect you.
The emotional intensity of that music seemed to have an affect on you.
should read
The emotional intensity of that music seemed to have an effect on you.
Those workers affected real change in the workplace.
should read
Those workers effected real change in the workplace.
|
Affect is a verb "to affect" something, to make an impact on something.
Effect, in its most common usage, is a noun and is usually followed by the preposition "on". |
| Possessives singular and plural |
The kitten ate Sam the dogs’ dinner.
should read
The kitten ate Sam the dog’s dinner.
although
The kitten ate all three dogs’ dinners.
The peoples’ choice was not the best candidate for the job.
should read
The people’s choice was not the best candidate for the job.
Mens’ voices are generally deeper than womens’.
should read
Men’s voices are generally deeper than women’s.
|
Dog's is singular possessive form; dogs' is plural possessive form. |
| Dependent and dependant |
The dependant variable in the study was the number of dependents in each
family.
should read
The dependent variable in the study was the number of dependants in each
family.
Our ability to draw that conclusion is dependant upon our knowing all the
facts.
should read
Our ability to draw that conclusion is dependent upon our knowing all the
facts.
|
|
| First and firstly |
There are three important points to note. Firstly, they showed remorse.
should read
There are three important points to note. First, they showed remorse.
|
|
| Principle and principal |
The principle is an important administrator in any school.
should read
The principal is an important administrator in any school.
The principle finding was that the drug altered memory.
should read
The principal finding was that the drug altered memory.
|
Principal is an adjective meaning main, primary, most important.
Principle is a noun meaning a rule, a law, a fundamental assumption. |
|
Phenomenon or phenomena
|
That phenomena is fascinating.
should read
That phenomenon is fascinating.
although
Those phenomena are fascinating.
|
Phenomenon is plural of phenomena. |
|
Criterion or criteria
|
The decision was based on the criteria of height.
should be
The decision was based on the criterion of height.
|
Criteria is plural of criterion. |
|
Subjunctive
|
He insisted that she goes to school.
should read
He insisted that she go to school.
It is critical that they are together.
should be
It is critical that they be together.
|
|
