The Chinese University of Hong Kong

The Independent Learning Centre

Resource Guide: Avoiding Common Grammar Errors

STRATEGIES
1. Study some

useful
grammar
reference
books

SUGGESTIONS & RESOURCES

You should first study some useful grammar references for the fundamentals of English grammar. Read
reference materials extensively. The more you read the more you will understand correct grammar
usage.

Resources:

- A University Grammar of English. by R. Quirk & S. Greenbaum (advanced level) (PE1112.Q52 1979)
- Cambridge Grammar of English by R. Carter & M. McCarthy (comprehensive) (PE1112 .C28 2006)
- Grammar and Context: an advanced resource book by A. Hewings & M. Hewings (P201 .H48 2005)
- Collins COBUILD active English grammar by Gwyneth Fox ... et al. (intermediate) (PE1112 .C655
2003)

2. Learn to

locate your
errors
(diagnostic)

3. Make a list of
your common
grammatical
mistakes

Familiarize yourself with the mistakes you commonly make by looking over writing that has already
been marked. The following resources give you tips on how to find the most common grammar errors.

Resources:

- Proofreading for Common Surface Errors: Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar

http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/proofing_grammar.shtml#verbs
- Correct writing by Eugenia Butler ... [et al.]. (PE1112.C67 1995)
- Correct grammar (electronic resource) by Cambridge, MA (PE1074.5 .C67 1995)
- The birds and bees of words: a guide to the most common errors in usage, spelling, and grammar by
Mary Embree. (PE1460 .E44 2007)
- Errors in English and ways to correct them by Harry Shaw. (PE1460.S516 1993)
You should make a list of your errors, and check your writing for each of them.
Read your writing carefully, sentence by sentence, to check your spelling, punctuation, grammar (e.g.
tense/voice, agreement, prepositions, articles, word choice, run-on sentences, sentence fragments, etc.).

Resources:

- GrammarErrors.com: A guide to the most common errors in the usage of English language
http://www.grammarerrors.com
- A Checklist of Common Mistakes http://www2.ulg.ac.be/facphl/uer/d-german/remed/check.htm
- HK.English.com: Business Writing Common Grammar Mistakes
http://www.hkenglish.com/business-english-writing-common-grammar-mistakes.html
- Common Grammar Errors (PDF) http://acme.highpoint.edu/~dlunsfor/grammar.pdf
- The UVic Writers Guide: A Summary of Common Errors
http://web.uvic.ca/wguide/Pages/SentCommProbs.html
- When Bad Grammar Happens to Good People: How to Avoid Common Errors in English by Anna Batko
(Access via NetLibrary or Access via Books24x7)
- Common English errors in Hong Kong by David Bunton. (PE1130.C4 B86)
- Common Errors in English Usage by Paul Brians (PE1464 .B75 2003)
- Common Errors by Mike Munro & Kay Cullen (PE1460 .C65 2005)

4. Consult
grammar

Borrow grammar practice books from the library and do exercises selectively according to your most
common grammatical mistakes. Test yourself from time to time to see your improvement.

2009 The Independent Learning Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

practice books,

and do

- Advanced Grammar in Use by M. Hewings (self-reference and practice book) (PE1112 .H48 2005)

exercises to

- English Grammar in Use by R. Murphy (intermediate, self-reference and practice) (PE1112 .M8 2004)

gain more
practice

- Oxford Practice Grammar by J. Eastwood (intermediate level with a starting test) (PE1112 .E2778 1999)

Resources:

- Common mistakes at proficiency-and how to avoid them by Julie Moore. (PE1128 .M64 2005)

- The 76 most-common grammar errors and how to avoid them by Frank Grazian (PE1460 .G69 1992)
5. Visit some

good
grammar
websites for
further
strategies and
exercises

Visit the following suggested websites with the strategies and exercises for your grammar
improvement.

Resources:

- Common Errors compiled by the Virtual Language Centre, The HK Polytechnic University (interactive
exercises; very useful for Hong Kong students) http://vlc.polyu.edu.hk/common

- The Write Site Module 1 Grammar (common mistakes, strategies and exercises for improvement)
http://writesite.elearn.usyd.edu.au/m1/m1u1/default.htm#

- Guide to Grammar & Writing Interactive Quizzes (grammar, style, spelling & vocabulary)
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/GRAMMAR/quiz_list.htm
- Learn English Online with Common Mistakes Free Resources (grammar exercises of beginner,
intermediate and advanced levels ) http://www.common-mistakes.net
- Student Media Grammar Review: How to avoid errors in grammar (examples and suggestions)
http://jourgrammar.blogspot.com/2007/04/how-to-avoid-errors-in-grammar.html
- George Mason University English Writing Guide: Avoiding Common Grammar Mistakes (especially
for essay writing) http://classweb.gmu.edu/WAC/EnglishGuide/Critical/grammar.html

6. Seek advice

and use
feedback to
improve your
grammar

Have a friend or tutor read your writing, and ask them to give you comments on your grammar and
language style in particular. Use their feedback to improve your grammar by doing more relevant
practice.
Bring a piece of your writing to an ILC language counselor to get suggestions for grammar
improvement.

Resources:

- The ILC consultation service

- Free online grammar checker http://www.whitesmoke.com/free-online-checker

More recommended text resources:

-

Common mistakes, corrected (especially for Hong Kong students) by Chan Sui Wa (PE1460 .C434 2005)

The most common mistakes in English usage by Thomas Elliott Berry. (PE1460 .B4635)

The Broadview book of common errors in English: a guide to righting wrongs by Don LePan. (PE1460 .L42 1998)

Writing skills problem solver: [101 ready-to-use writing process activities for correcting the most common errors] by Carol H.
Behrman. (LB1576 .B427 2000)

English Grammar in Focus by C. F. Green (PE1130.C4 G73 1995)

Grammar Dimensions by D. Larsen-Freeman ( PE1128 .G724 1997)

Correcting common errors in English by R. D. Tracey (PE1460.C67)

2009 The Independent Learning Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong