Bad Grammar: How to Edit Your Own Writing

The sentence fragment is a common writing error, but did you know it can be used deliberately to enhance your prose style? This lecture gives a nuanced explanation of the sentence fragment.

Decide whether each of the following examples is a complete sentence or a sentence fragment.

This lecture presents easy fixes for another common writing error: the run-on sentence.

Determine whether each of the following examples is a correct sentence or a run-on sentence.

Just like a sentence fragment, the comma splice is one of the most common writing mistakes, but it's also used deliberately by good writers. Confusing? This lecture provides an explanation.

Select the correct answers.

This lecture explains how to avoid errors with subject-verb agreement that even good writers make. Easy-to-follow illustrations.

This lecture talks about why you need to be careful when using the words, "What," "All," and "None."

Every writer should know how to write in parallel structure. This lecture explains it and provides numerous examples.

Determine whether each of the following passages illustrates parallel structure.

This lecture shows you how to avoid the common writing mistake called a dangling modifier.

Determine whether each of the following passages contains a dangling modifier.

Can one word mess up a sentence? This lecture shows you what to be aware of when using the word "myself" in your writing.

Determine whether each of the following sentences illustrates conventional usage of the word "myself."

Personal pronoun reference sounds technical and boring, but this lecture shows you easy-to-follow illustrations of mistakes that even good writers make.

This lecture teaches you how to avoid making fuzzy comparisons in your writing. This mistake is actually easier to make than you might think.

Identify the squinting modifier in each of the following sentences.

Learn how to add clarity to your writing by avoid common problems when using the words "that" and "which."

The lecture shows you how avoid a common pitfall when using the word "This." You might be surprised by how frequent this error of ambiguity occurs in writing.

This written lecture shows you how to avoid problems of ambiguity when it comes to verbs and their objects. Don't worry about the jargon; the examples will make it clear.

It seems like such a small focus: using the words "Not," "Only," and "Also." But the fact is that even experienced writers create ambiguity when using these words. Learn how to avoid these common mistakes in this lecture.

Learn how to avoid using informal language in formal contexts.

Here is a written lecture on some common issues that writers face when writing for an audience.

Learn what to do about the problem of commonly confused words.

This lecture gives you specific tactics for editing and proofreading your work.

Some excellent resources to continue your learning.

This glossary gives you clear definitions of the grammar terms used in this lecture. Refer to this glossary if any of the terms used in this course were confusing or unfamiliar.