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.
These are 6 common grammar mistakes in letter writing:
Subject and Verb Disagreement
Examples of subject and verb disagreement:
- In reference to your recent letter, your address in our files are correct. (INCORRECT)
- An order form, as well as a post-paid envelope, are enclosed. (INCORRECT)
The correct sentences are as follows:
- In reference to your recent letter, your address in our files is correct.
- 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:
- Each supervisor must complete their personnel reviews by Friday. (INCORRECT)
The correct sentences are as follows:
- Each supervisor must complete his or her personnel reviews by Friday.
- Supervisors must complete their personnel reviews by Friday.
The reason why:
- "Supervisor" is singular, so it takes a singular verb.
- Make "supervisors" plural to avoid cumbersome "his" and "her".
Problematic Pronouns
Examples of problematic pronouns:
- John, George, and me met to discuss the job. (INCORRECT)
- We met with Mr. Brown, Mr. Smith, and yourself in New York. (INCORRECT)
The correct sentences are as follows:
- John, George, and I met to discuss the job.
- 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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