Writing Class: Error Correction Codes with Examples

Writing Corrections

I have learned from my experiences teaching English composition that if I simply correct student errors, they are quite likely to make the same mistakes again and again. Instead, using Google Docs, I highlight a portion of their text and comment with a code that indicates the type of correction needed. Below are the codes that I use, along with explanations and examples.

Error Code Explanation and Examples
A missing or incorrect article or other determiner

  • Error: I went to library to study.
  • Correction: I went to the library to study.
C collocation, words don’t go together   

  • Error: I did a mistake on my homework.
  • Correction: I made a mistake on my homework.
F inappropriate level of formality, too colloquial or casual

  • Error: The dude in the book was totally clueless.
  • Correction: The character in the book was unaware of the situation.
G grammar issue

  • Error: She don’t like pizza.
  • Correction: She doesn’t like pizza.
L logic issue, something doesn’t make sense

  • Error: She decided to swim across the desert.
  • Correction: She decided to walk across the desert.
M missing word or words

  • Error: He asked me bring some coffee.
  • Correction: He asked me to bring some coffee.
MP major problems

  • Error: i  usually do in my free time, sometime..  Go to the movie theater with my friend and watching movie and i like repair car 
  • Correction.  In my free time, I usually watch movies with my friend.  I also like to repair cars. 
MT make tighter (try to use few words, eliminate unnecessary ones)

  • Error: In the event that you are unable to attend the meeting that is scheduled to take place on the aforementioned date, kindly provide us with advanced notice as soon as possible.
  • Correction: If you can’t attend the scheduled meeting, please let us know in advance.
N Noun related (countable/uncountable, incorrect form, plural)

  • Error: *I have many furnitures in my room.*
  • Correction: *I have much furniture in my room.*
NP lack of parallel structure

  • Error: I like to read, write, and playing video games.
  • Correction: I like to read, write, and play video games.
NS not smooth

  • Error: I will take a year off and save enough money for using while traveling from doing part-time job for about 5 months.
  • Correction: I will take a year off, so that I can work a part-time job and save enough money to travel for about five months. 
P punctuation  

  • Error: After finishing the project i went home.
  • Correction: After finishing the project, I went home
PR preposition

  • Error: She’s been interested to becoming a doctor since many years. .
  • Correction:  She’s been interested in becoming a doctor for many years.
R unclear reference (usually for a pronoun)

  • Error: The library and the museum both have excellent exhibits, but I prefer visiting it on weekends.
  • Correction: The library and the museum both have excellent exhibits, but I prefer visiting the museum on weekends”
RO run-on sentence

  • Error: We were on a road trip, the sun was setting in a spectacular display of colors, the sky was painted with hues of orange and pink, and we were driving along the scenic coastline, with the waves crashing against the shore, so we decided to stop and take pictures to capture the beauty of the moment and as a result we felt grateful for the amazing experience.
  • Correction: We were on a road trip, and the sun was setting in a spectacular display of colors. The sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as we drove along the scenic coastline, with waves crashing against the shore. We decided to stop and take pictures, and as the camera clicked, it captured the beauty of the moment. We felt grateful for the amazing experience.
S sentence structure issue (not a complete sentence, strange word order, or sentences should be combined)

  • Error: Running in the morning for better health.
  • Correction: Running in the morning contributes to better health.*
SP spelling

  • Error: I like to eat choclate.
  • Correction: I like to eat chocolate.
SV subject-verb agreement

  • Error: The cats is playing in the yard.
  • Correction: The cats are playing in the yard.
T transition issues (inappropriate conjunction, awkward transition. FANBOYS) 

  • Error: I wanted to go to the party. But I had a lot of work to finish.
  • Correction: I wanted to go to the party, but I had a lot of work to finish.
U usage

  • Error: I could of gone to the store.
  • Correction: I could have gone to the store.
V verb related 

  • Error: I eated all the pizza.
  • Correction: I ate all the pizza.
WF word form

  • Error: Her encourage speech really motivated me.
  • Correction: Her encouraging speech really motivated me.
WO word order

  • Error: Yesterday, he met at the park his friend.
  • Correction: Yesterday, he met his friend at the park.
WC word choice, word is inappropriate or a better option is available

  • I am in the third grade of university. 
  • I am in the third year of university. 
X unnecessary, can be deleted without loss of meaning or new information

  • Error: In my personal opinion, I believe that he is the best candidate for the job.
  • Correction: In my opinion, he is the best candidate for the job.
# number related – singular, plural

  • Error:  I used to read many book. 
  • Correction: I used to read many books. 

 

Views: 101

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.