Learn on PengiElements of Language, 2nd CourseChapter 17: Correcting Common Errors: Key Language Skills Review

Lesson 1: Common Errors Review

In this Grade 5 lesson from Elements of Language, 2nd Course, students review and correct common usage errors including subject-verb agreement, pronoun case, irregular verb forms, and modifier placement. The lesson also covers mechanics errors such as capitalization of proper nouns, comma usage, end punctuation, and spelling. Through two proofreading exercises, students practice identifying and marking corrections in sentences and a paragraph using standard proofreading marks.

Section 1

Identifying Usage Errors

Definition

Errors in your writing can confuse and distract your readers.

Explanation

Usage errors are mistakes in how we use our words. It's important to proofread to make sure your writing is clear! Always check that your subjects and verbs agree, your pronouns are correct (like using I instead of me for a subject), and your verb tenses match the time of the action.

Examples

  • For our class project last month, my friend and me builds a model volcano. [The pronoun me is part of the subject and should be changed to the subject form, I. The words last month show past action, so the verb should be the past tense, built, not the present tense, builds.]
  • We goed to the library, and we returned the books that were more better. [The past tense of the irregular verb go is went, not goed. The comparative form of the modifier good is better, not more better.]

Section 2

Identifying Mechanics Errors

Definition

When you write, always check your capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

Explanation

Mechanics are the "rules of the road" for writing that make it easy to follow. Make sure every sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with the right punctuation (like a period or question mark). Remember to capitalize all proper nouns (specific names of people, places, and things)!

Examples

  • my family visited the grand canyon a national park in arizona last summer. [The sentence should begin with a capital letter. Grand Canyon and Arizona are proper nouns and must be capitalized. The phrase "a national park in Arizona" gives extra information and should be set off by commas. The sentence is a statement and needs a period at the end.]
  • When my teacher mr evans read the book charlottes web we all listened quietly. [The proper noun Mr. Evans must be capitalized. The book title Charlotte's Web should be capitalized. A comma is needed after the introductory clause. The sentence needs a period at the end.]

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Section 1

Identifying Usage Errors

Definition

Errors in your writing can confuse and distract your readers.

Explanation

Usage errors are mistakes in how we use our words. It's important to proofread to make sure your writing is clear! Always check that your subjects and verbs agree, your pronouns are correct (like using I instead of me for a subject), and your verb tenses match the time of the action.

Examples

  • For our class project last month, my friend and me builds a model volcano. [The pronoun me is part of the subject and should be changed to the subject form, I. The words last month show past action, so the verb should be the past tense, built, not the present tense, builds.]
  • We goed to the library, and we returned the books that were more better. [The past tense of the irregular verb go is went, not goed. The comparative form of the modifier good is better, not more better.]

Section 2

Identifying Mechanics Errors

Definition

When you write, always check your capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

Explanation

Mechanics are the "rules of the road" for writing that make it easy to follow. Make sure every sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with the right punctuation (like a period or question mark). Remember to capitalize all proper nouns (specific names of people, places, and things)!

Examples

  • my family visited the grand canyon a national park in arizona last summer. [The sentence should begin with a capital letter. Grand Canyon and Arizona are proper nouns and must be capitalized. The phrase "a national park in Arizona" gives extra information and should be set off by commas. The sentence is a statement and needs a period at the end.]
  • When my teacher mr evans read the book charlottes web we all listened quietly. [The proper noun Mr. Evans must be capitalized. The book title Charlotte's Web should be capitalized. A comma is needed after the introductory clause. The sentence needs a period at the end.]

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 17: Correcting Common Errors: Key Language Skills Review

  1. Lesson 1Current

    Lesson 1: Common Errors Review

    LearnPractice