The Terrible 30 The 30 Most Common Errors in

Transcript:The Terrible 30 The 30 Most Common Errors in:
The Terrible 30 The 30 Most Common Errors in Students’ Writing Created by Hunter Brown Summer 2013 The Terrible 30 The -wise suffix The suffix -wise has long meant “in the manner or direction of,” as in clockwise, otherwise, slantwise. However, in recent years, -wise has come to mean “with respect to,” as in sales-wise, interface-wise, aesthetics-wise. These usages are generally considered informal and somewhat awkward. Try to avoid them, especially in academic writing. “-wise” TheFreeDictionary. Farlex Inc., n.d. Web. 16 July 2013. The Terrible 30 The “type” and “type of” habit “Type” is often incorrectly used to replace "sort” or “kind.” Even when used correctly, it often sounds clichéd and should be avoided. NOT: I have the type father who loses his temper. BUT: I have a father who loses his temper. OR: My father has a quick temper. NOT: She wasn’t that type of girl. BUT: She wasn’t that kind of girl. NOT: She wore a Spanish-type costume. BUT: She wore a Spanish costume. OR: Her costume had a Spanish look. NOT: He was a Charles Chaplin-type actor. BUT: His acting was Chaplinesque. OR: Like Charles Chaplin, he . . . The Terrible 30 “Manner” and “nature” phrases Manner and nature phrases often sound pompous and redundant: “In a polite manner” means “politely.” “Comprehensive in nature” or “of a comprehensive nature” means “comprehensively.” Using such phrases can give the impression that you are trying to sound dignified or trying to increase your word count. As far as—As far as must be followed by is concerned, or it is meaningless. NOT: As far as studying, I’ve worked hard. BUT: As far as studying is concerned, I’ve worked hard. Center around—Not possible. You can only center on. The Terrible 30 Different—Use different than only if a clause (a subject and a verb) follows. Use different from in all other cases. He is different from me. That model is different from the rest. He is different than I am. That model is different than the rest are. Disinterested/uninterested—If you are disinterested, you are interested but unbiased. If you are uninterested, you take no interest at all. Due to—Use due to only when it follows a be verb (am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being). Otherwise, use as a result of or because of. CORRECT: His poor health is due to his strenuous job. INCORRECT: The class was cancelled due to