Examples of common grammar and stylistic errors

(particularly applicable to formal writing, but still potentially relevant in creative writing of any kind).

1. About sentence fragments

2. Don't write a run-on sentence you got to punctuate it.

3. Join clauses good like conjunctions should.

4. Each pronoun agrees with their antecendent.

5. In letters reports articles papers and stuff like that we use commas to keep a string of items apart.

6. Don't use commas, which aren't necessary.

7. Its important to use apostrophe's right.

8. The smothering of verbs is a cause of the weakening of sentence impact.

9. As far as incomplete constructions, they are wrong.

10. Perform a functional iterative analysis to root out third generation transitional buzzwords.

11. Don't abbrev.

12. Shun and avoid unnecessary excess extra words you don't need.

13. When one is writing, it is important to maintain your point of view.

14. Always be more or less precise.

15. Last but not least, lay off cliches.

(From The European English Messenger, V, 1, Spring 1996, 45)