This is Part 4 in a 4-part series. Part 1 covers the self-editing process, while Parts 2–4 dive into common issues to look for as you revise your work-in-progress.
Along with telling a first-rate story in sparkling prose, you also want to create a manuscript that is as error-free as possible. English has a reputation as one of the most difficult languages to master, and this is true even for native English speakers. Based on my experience as a copy editor and proofreader, here are some of the most common errors writers make.
Related: Self-Editing Part 1: Getting Started
Misused Words
Our language is full of words that sound just like each other (accept/except or their/there/they’re). It’s also full of words that are similar in meaning but whose usage depends on context (like lay/lie, affect/effect, or immigrate/emigrate). As someone who works with words, it’s important to use them with as much precision as possible, and that means being aware of commonly misused words and checking that you are using them properly.
Wikipedia has a very thorough compilation of commonly misused words complete with clear definitions. I recommend reviewing it—or other resources like it—regularly to keep this information fresh in your mind and avoid common usage errors.
Misquoted Idioms
Have you ever seen someone write “it’s a doggie-dog world” instead of “dog-eat-dog world?” Or say they have hunger pains rather than hunger pangs? Many idioms are often misquoted or misused. If you use many idioms in your writing, you’ll want to double check that you are using them correctly. To get you started, check out this handy guide.
Unclear Pronouns
Whenever you have multiple characters—especially of the same gender in a scene, or you’re talking about multiple objects, things can get murky fast. Here’s an example:
“John lifted the paper off the table, took a pen, and looked at it. Henry watched, waiting for his reaction. He dropped it and shook his head.”
Here we have a couple of issues. John picked up both a pen and a paper—but which did he look at? What is it meant to refer to in both sentences? And in the last sentence, which person does he refer to—John or Henry? While the reader might be able to infer or guess which pronoun belongs to which object or character based on the context, you don’t want to put that on them. The only guessing the reader should be doing in this little scene is what’s on that paper and what it means to John and Henry.
As you comb your manuscript for errors, examine your pronoun use and eliminate any chances for misunderstanding.
Tense Inconsistency
Problems with tense are also common. You might start writing in present tense, but then a few pages later realize you’d slipped into past tense. As you revise, check that you’ve maintained your chosen tense consistently throughout the manuscript.
Tense can get especially confusing when you’re moving through timelines, such as when the character experiences a flashback or recounts a memory. If you’re writing in present tense, and want to move into a flashback, it’s a simple enough choice to use past tense during the flashback, and then move back to present when it’s concluded. If you’re writing in past tense, however, things can be a little trickier. The general rule of thumb is to establish the time change by using the past perfect tense for one or two sentences. However, you want to avoid using past perfect for an extended period of time—no more than a few sentences—as all those hads quickly becomes exhausting to read.
Small Inconsistencies
Details can be easy to lose track of. Watch out for changes of physical details like hair and eye color or in your descriptions of settings. Check for inconsistencies in your backstories and timelines. And especially double-check any facts you reference.
Punctuation Errors
This is another topic that has filled entire books, so I’m just going to touch on a couple of basics here. Commas can be particularly tricky, and there are multiple approaches to their use, especially in creative writing. Here are some frequently-confused comma rules:
Use a comma after a coordinating conjunction if the conjunction joins two independent phrases (ie clauses that could be separated into their own sentences without adding anything). Do not use a comma if the conjunction joins a dependent clause (ie, the clause would be a fragment if separated from the sentence.)
I went to the store, and I almost left my wallet at the checkout counter.
Comma is correct: “I almost left my wallet at the checkout counter” could be a complete sentence without any changes.
I went to the store and bought three packages of gum.
No comma is correct: “Bought three packages of gum” could not be a complete sentence.
Use a comma after introductory phrases.
When I was eight, I fell out of a tree and broke my arm.
Without enough snow, the ski lodge can’t stay open.
Use a comma to set off nonessential information (ie the phrase could be taken out without losing essential meaning).
The stranger, who was sitting across the table, smiled.
In this sentence, the phrase “who was sitting across the table” could be taken out and the reader would still have the identifying information they need.
The balloon, which was everything Matthias had dreamed of, slipped out of his grasp and into the wind.
Although the information about Matthias certainly adds emotional meaning, taking it out would not cause any confusion. “The balloon slipped out of his grasp and into the wind,” is a perfectly fine sentence.
However, tread carefully when deciding whether information is essential or nonessential, because placing or removing commas could change the meaning of the sentence. Consider the first example I used in this section without the commas:
The stranger who was sitting across the table smiled.
When we take the commas out, it indicates that there are multiple strangers in the room, and the author is directing our attention to one particular stranger—the one sitting across the table.
You can see how comma usage quickly becomes tricky! To learn more about the 8 standard rules of commas, check out this handy guide from Indiana University East. To learn even more about commas and their tricky nature, I recommend The Best Punctuation Book, Period.
Punctuation errors also happen frequently in dialogue, so watch for that as well. Remember:
Punctuation marks—including ellipses and em-dashes—go inside the quotation marks.
“How are you today?” she asked.
If a character is quoting someone within their dialogue, set it off with single quotation marks.
“What was it Thoreau said again? Oh yes, I remember. “‘This world is but a canvas to our imagination.’”
For more on punctuating dialogue, check out this Reedsy article.
Wrapping Up
Obviously, this quick guide is just the tip of the iceberg of all there is to know about grammar and punctuation. There's a reason hundreds of books have been written on the subject! I encourage you to learn as much as you can about correct usage, grammar, and punctuation. While it may not be your cup of tea, a solid foundation in the basics will serve you well as you move toward publication.
This brings us to the conclusion of the Self-Editing Series! I hope the tips I've shared in each post will help you self-edit your manuscript with confidence and creativity.
Happy Writing!
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