ProofreadingSheet.pdf

Professor Tony Alessandrini

Proofreading Sheet

On this sheet, you will find different kinds of errors that can occur in your sentences. Whenever you
proofread your final draft, be sure to look for the following kinds of errors:

1. Awkward Language: These are sentences that can’t be understood because of the words being
used—sometimes it’s just a matter of choosing different words. Here are some examples:

• When writing he said this is important but why.

• Her grandmother is whom she respected most.

• I tired hard but not getting so quit.

2. Run-On Sentence: This is a sentence that is incorrect because it is really two full sentences that
are not separated correctly—remember, complete sentences need to be separated by either a full
stop (period [.], question mark [?], or exclamation point [!]); or by a semi-colon [;]; or by a
conjunction plus a comma [and,/or,/but,]. Here are some examples of run-on sentences:

• I teach this class it is really good.

• The lawyer talked about three of his workers, he has nicknames for all three.

• After third period I have a break I go to the cafeteria and sometimes then I go outside.

3. Sentence Fragment: This is a sentence that is incorrect because it is a phrase that is not a
complete sentence—remember, complete sentences must have both a subject and a verb. Often
writers wind up with a sentence fragment by beginning a sentence with words like “but,” “when,”
“until,” etc and then not finishing the thought that has been begun with these words. Here are some
examples of sentence fragments:

• When this class is over.

• Until one day when he was asked to join the rest of the students.

• It was a beautiful day; a day like any other day.

4. Verb Tense: This kind of error is caused by choosing the wrong verb tense for a particular
sentence, or by changing verb tense in the same sentence—for example, starting in the present tense
and then suddenly going into the past tense. Here are some examples of verb tense errors:

• It made me feel good that I am helping.

• Last night I am talking to my friend instead of studying.

• I go there all the time last winter to hang out.

5. Subject-Verb Agreement: This kind of error is caused by not matching up the right subject with
the right verb: it might be a case of using the wrong verb tense, or of using a singular subject when
you need a plural one. Often this happens in sentences where the subject and verb are separated by
other words. Here are some examples of subject-verb agreement errors:

• They was too slow.

• Each of the different desserts are delicious.

• That group of students study hard.

6. Problems with Commas: These are some of the most common problems in any writing, since
there are lots of different rules for when to use commas—we will talk about this throughout the
semester, but as a guide, try reading your sentences out loud, and only use commas in places where
there is a short pause (shorter than when you would need a period or semi-colon); never connect
two full sentences with a comma; and be sure to use commas to separate different items in a series.
Here are some examples of errors in comma use:

• I am studying algebra economics politics and literature.

• He realizes, that he owns the office and there is no reason, to leave.

• The essay “My Mother,” was interesting to me because, of the author’s style.

7. Problems with Other Punctuation: This would include errors caused by misusing punctuation
marks such as semi-colons, periods, apostrophes, or quotation marks. Here are some examples of
sentences with these kinds of errors:

• It does’nt matter if you do’nt do it.

• What is wrong with this sentence.

• The author wrote: Once upon a time there were three bears.

8. Problems with Articles: This would include problems using “a,” “an,” and “the” properly, or
not using them when they are necessary. Here are some examples of these kinds of errors:

• When I saw her she looked like a angel.

• I asked for background of incident.

• “You are a best one in the class,” teacher said to me.

9. Spelling: This one would be self-explanatory—rather than correct your spelling errors, I will
point them out and expect you to correct them. Get used to using a dictionary, remember that the
spell-check on your computer won’t catch everything, and be sure to keep track of words that you
look up in your writing journal.

10. Problems Using or Not Using Plurals: This kind of error involves being aware of when to use
the singular and when to use the plural. It often involves choosing the right pronoun to match the
noun that is being described. Here are some examples of these kinds of errors:

• Child everywhere enjoy opening presents.

• A student might not like coming to class every day, but they have to do it.

• The job of a citizen is to speak up when something is wrong; they should not be afraid.

Proofreading Sheet