Correct and Incorrect Syntax

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 514.

• Incorrect - While watching a movie, people who text on their phone are very annoying.
• Correct - People who text on their phone while watching a movie are very annoying.

The phrase "while watching a movie" modifies the noun phrase "People who text on their phone" by explaining when they text. The modifier should follow the noun phrase of the sentence.

• Incorrect - Happy about her upcoming promotion, the trip home was full of singing.
• Correct - Happy about her upcoming promotion, Sammie sang all the way home.

The phrase "Sammie sang all the way home" is more descriptive than "the trip home was full of singing.

• Incorrect - Come for a visit I have plenty of food.
• Correct - Come for a visit! I have plenty of food.

Breaking the words into two sentences allows for an exclamation mark which increases the impact of "Come for a visit!"

• Incorrect - Before we go to the movies.
• Correct - I need to rest before we go to the movies.

"Before we go to the movies" is a sentence fragment. Adding "I need to rest" makes the words a complete sentence.

• Incorrect - I gave him money I stole from the store.
• Correct - I gave him the money I stole from the store.

Adding the word "the" further explains which money was given.

• Incorrect - To the movies we are going.
• Correct - We are going to the movies.

Reversing the order of the words makes this a more direct sentence.

• Incorrect - You can't go the movies. Or buy popcorn without any money.
• Correct - You can't go the movies or buy popcorn without any money.

Expressed as two sentences, it says you cannot go to the movies. It doesn't say why. It also leaves a sentence fragment of "Or buy popcorn without any money. By combining the two sentences it makes it clear that the money is needed for both the movies AND the popcorn.

• Incorrect - Did you ever speak to him? Yes, I was speaking to him yesterday.
• Correct - Did you ever speak to him? Yes, I spoke to him yesterday.

Verb tense was changed.

• Incorrect - Having learned Italian in a few months, the vacation to Italy was a success.
• Correct - Having learned Italian in a few months, John was successful during his vacation to Italy.

By adding "John was successful during his" it becomes clear that John was the success, not the vacation.

• Incorrect - Her mother made her to call and thank him for the present.
• Correct - Her mother made her call and thank him for the present.

The "to" is not necessary.

• Incorrect - If I took the bus, I will get there in 20 minutes.
• Correct - If I took the bus, I would get there in 20 minutes.

Verb tense was changed.

• Incorrect - We are not allowed smoking in the restaurant.
• Correct - We are not allowed to smoke in the restaurant.

Verb tense was changed.

• Incorrect - I'm getting the car right now. I can be there in no time.
• Correct - I'm getting the car right now. I should be there in no time.

"Can" means I am able. "Should" is projecting that I am able.

• Incorrect - Gary lives on the Elm Street.
• Correct - Gary lives on Elm Street.

The "the" is not necessary.

• Incorrect - This house is dusty filthy and stinky.
• Correct - This house is dusty, filthy and stinky.

A comma is necessary in a list of adjectives in order to set them apart from each other.

• Incorrect - She is not interested to buy jewelry.
• Correct - She is not interested in buying jewelry.

Verb tense was changed.

• Incorrect - Looking over Charlie's exam, several mistakes became evident immediately.
• Correct- Looking over Charlie's exam, the teacher noticed several mistakes.

The correction adds a subject to the sentence.

• Incorrect - Have you went to the library lately?
• Correct - Have you been to the library lately?

The verb was corrected.

• Incorrect - We had lived at this address for ten years.
• Correct - We have been living at this address for ten years.

Verb tense was changed.

• Incorrect - The musical piece the choir sung was lovely.
• Correct - The musical piece the choir sang was lovely.