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Common Grammar Mistakes in Letter Writing and Examples

WritingSkills.web.id - The following is a grammar guide in writing letters. I will explain some grammar mistakes, their examples both correct and incorrect, and the reason why they are not correct or mistakes.

Common Grammar Mistakes in Letter Writing & Examples

These are 6 common grammar mistakes in letter writing:

Subject and Verb Disagreement

Examples of subject and verb disagreement:
  1. In reference to your recent letter, your address in our files are correct. (INCORRECT)
  2. An order form, as well as a post-paid envelope, are enclosed. (INCORRECT)

The correct sentences are as follows:
  1. In reference to your recent letter, your address in our files is correct.
  2. An order form, as well as a post-paid envelope, is enclosed.

The reason why:
  • The subject of the sentence is "address", not "files".

Noun and Pronoun Disagreement

Examples of noun and pronoun disagreement:
  1. Each supervisor must complete their personnel reviews by Friday. (INCORRECT)

The correct sentences are as follows:
  1. Each supervisor must complete his or her personnel reviews by Friday.
  2. Supervisors must complete their personnel reviews by Friday.

The reason why:
  1. "Supervisor" is singular, so it takes a singular verb.
  2. Make "supervisors" plural to avoid cumbersome "his" and "her".

Problematic Pronouns

Examples of problematic pronouns:
  1. John, George, and me met to discuss the job. (INCORRECT)
  2. We met with Mr. Brown, Mr. Smith, and yourself in New York. (INCORRECT)

The correct sentences are as follows:
  1. John, George, and I met to discuss the job.
  2. We met with Mr. Brown, Mr. Smith, and you in New York.

The reason why:
  • Remove the first subjects and read the sentence: "me met?" Obviously not.

Dangling Modifiers

Examples of dangling modifiers:
  • After finding the missing report, the search was ended by the secretary. (INCORRECT)

The correct sentence is as follows:
  • After finding the missing report, the secretary ended the search.

The reason why:
  • Since the "search" didn't do any finding, the secretary had to find the report.

Misplaced Modifiers

Examples of misplaced modifiers:
  • The payroll teller recommended First Carrier over Federated, whose delivery service is very prompt. (INCORRECT)

The correct sentences are as follows:
  • The payroll teller recommended First Carrier, whose delivery service is very prompt, over Federated.

The reason why:
  • If First Carrier is recommended, it must be the prompt company, not Federated.

Run-On Sentences

Examples of run-on sentences:
  • Your projected cost for fiscal 1991 is $650,000, however, this figure may vary because of a variety of factors. (INCORRECT)

The correct sentences are as follows:
  • Your projected cost for fiscal 1991 is $650,000; however, this figure may vary because of a variety of factors.

The reason why:
  • The "however" is the start of a whole new thought with its own subject and verb.


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