Common Grammar Problems

Semicolon

·       A semicolon must have two complete sentences on each side.

·       The sentences connected by a semicolon must be closely related ideas

Or

·       The semicolon separates items in a series that have internal punctuation such as commas.

Colon

·       A colon must be preceded by a complete sentence.

·       A colon is followed by a list or by an explanation and/or summary.

Or

·       A colon is used in ratios/proportions, time, salutations, titles and subtitles, and citations/references.

Comma Splices

·       Comma splices are mistakenly substituting a comma for a semicolon or a period.

·       Corrections include

o       substituting a semicolon

o       substituting a period

o       adding a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) after the comma.

Noun, Verb, Pronoun Agreement

·       If the noun is singular, then its corresponding pronouns and verbs need to be singular.

·       If the noun is plural, then its corresponding pronouns and verbs need to be plural.

·       Make sure pronouns and verbs actually refer back to the noun you intend – modifiers can be confusing.