As a TOEFL instructor, I often see the following grammar mistakes in independent and in integrated essays.
1. Comma Splice
A comma splice is a common grammatical mistake made by test-takers whose languages are Latin-based, such as Spanish and Portuguese. Look at the following example.
I think zoos are a really good idea, we need more zoos to protect rare animals.
Notice how the comma comes between two independent clauses. The comma is splicing (trying to connect) these two clauses or complete ideas. Avoid this problem by replacing the comma with a period.
I think zoos are a really good idea. We need more zoos to protect rare animals.
Or a semi-colon...
I think zoos are a really good idea; we need more zoos to protect rare animals.
Or a subordinating conjunction...
I think zoos are a really good idea because we need more zoos to protect rare animals.
2. Sentence Fragment
Another common grammatical error is the sentence fragment. This type of error is common to all language groups. Look at the following example.
A new airport would be great for my town. Because it will create new jobs.
In this example, the test-taker thinks he/she has written two complete sentences. However, there is only one complete idea-sentence: A new airport would be great for my town. This sentence is grammatically complete because it has a main subject and a main verb. In contrast, Because it will create new jobs does not have a main subject or a main verb thus it does not make sense. Look at it in isolation, and you will see what I mean.
Because it will create new jobs.
By itself, what is "it?" And why will "it" create new jobs? In this case, "it" depends on a previous subject-noun for meaning thus it is an dependent clause. In this dependent clause, "it" is reaching back to connect to "new airport," but the period blocks the connection. If a period blocks the grammatical connection, you end up with an incomplete idea (a piece of a sentence) called a sentence fragment. Avoid this problem by simply deleting the period.
A new airport would be great for my town because it will create new jobs.
2. Idiom Word Order
An idiom is a fixed phrase. Fixed means the words in an idiom and the word order do not change. Look at the following idiom. The words are in the right place (order) and the words themselves are correct. This is how a native English speaker would say or write this idiom.
The early bird catches the worm.
Now look at this example.
The morning bird gets the worm.
In this example, the writer has changed "early" to "morning." By doing so, the writer has changed the meaning of the idiom. Morning does not necessarily mean "early." Morning could be late morning or morning in general. The idiom, however, does not say that. The idiom is specific. It emphasizes early morning. This, in turn, suggests sunrise thus "early" cannot be changed. Change it and you change the meaning (and the lesson) of the idiom.
Notice also how the writer has changed the verb "catches" to "gets." In English, birds do not "get" worms. Birds "catch" worms. Why catch and not get or grab or snatch or attack or jump on? I have no idea. It is simply usage.
Look at the next example.
In the early morning, the bird catches the worm.
Reading this sentence, a writing rater would say, "Okay, makes sense but is this an idiom (in this case, one that teaches a lesson, a moral) or is it simply a statement of fact? Hmmm." This is confusing because the writer has ignored the fact that you can't change an idiom's word order. Avoid this problem by always writing (or saying) an idiom in its original (fixed) word order. If not, you will change the meaning and the message. This, in turn, will demonstrate a lack of language use = a lack of coherence = a lower score.
Want to learn more about grammar and idioms? Check out my TOEFL text Speaking and Writing Strategies for the TOEFL iBT.
Got a TOEFL question? Ask the Pro!
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- Writing raters find a fragment -
© Bruce Stirling 2010-11
