Mechanical Conventions
Meaning-changing errors
Mechanics covers sentence boundaries, agreement, pronoun reference, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. The highest-value issues are the ones that change meaning: fragments, comma splices, run-ons, subject-verb disagreement, and unclear pronoun reference. A fragment lacks a main clause ('Because the requirement is new.'). A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma ('The program is new, it needs funding.'). Fix it with a period, a semicolon, or a conjunction.
Traps
- Agreement across intervening words. 'The list of requirements is long,' not 'are long.'
- Pronoun-antecedent mismatch. 'Every student must complete their hours' - in formal writing, use 'his or her' or recast as plural.
- Confused homophones. its/it's, their/there, could of/could have.
- Comma misuse. Commas set off introductory clauses and nonrestrictive information but should not separate a subject from its verb.
- Tense shifts. Keep a consistent tense unless time genuinely changes.
Worked example
'The district requires service, it hopes students will continue volunteering.' Two independent clauses joined by a comma create a splice. Revised: 'The district requires service; it hopes students will continue volunteering.' Or: 'Because the district requires service, it hopes students will continue volunteering.'
Rule of thumb
For every comma, name its job: introductory element, list, nonrestrictive clause, or joining clauses with a conjunction. If you cannot name the job, delete the comma.