Language Proficiency

Lecture Series

Lecture #1
 Why do you think Language Proficiency is
always included in all College Admission Tests?
q Language is a medium for knowledge transmission.
q Language explains concepts and helps us understand a particular
subject.
q The two languages we need to properly master are:
– English since most textbooks were written in this medium of instruction and this
is the most commonly used language when it comes to international
communications;
– Filipino because it is our National Language. We use it in our daily conversations.
q Proficiency in these two languages helps one in appreciating the
things we are about to learn.
UPCAT’s Language
Proficiency usually includes the following categories:
ENGLISH FILIPINO
o Identifying the Error o Pagtutukoy ng Mali
o Sentence Completion o Kasingkahulugan
o Synonyms o Kasalungat
o Antonyms o Pagkakaugnay ng mga
o Sentence Relationship Pangungusap

o Paragraph Organization o Pag-aayos ng Talata

 ENGLISH
In lecture #1, we will only focus on the following:

– Identifying the Error

– Sentence Completion
– Synonyms
– Antonyms
– Sentence Relationship
– Paragraph Organization
1. Identifying the Error
1.1 Verbs
Verbs are words that express state of being or action.
Three types of verbs:
1. Linking verbs (LV)
Ø a.k.a. “being verbs” (emphasizes how/what a subject is, was, or will be)
Ø equal signs of English
• Allen is the head of the organization.
• Allen = head of the organization
• Hence, ”is” is a LV for it links two ideas and shows that these two are the same.
Ø Example of linking verbs:
• forms of the verb to be (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, and been);
• some verbs related to the senses (appear, feel, look, smell, sound, taste) ONLY if they act as an
equalizer in the sentence.
Note: a linking verb sentence must be reversible
• In checking grammatical errors, be mindful that the noun or pronoun after the LV should be the
same noun or pronoun before the LV when the sentence is reversed.
For example:

INCORRECT GRAMMATICAL CORRECT GRAMMATICAL

CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION
Ø The author of the book is her. Ø The author of the book is she.
Ø Her is the author of the book. Ø She is the author of the book.

1. Linking verbs (LV)

2. Action verbs
Ø emphasizes a subject’s action, behavior, or movement
• Nicole blinked her eyes twice. (Blinked is an action verb.)
• Gloria ate the whole cake. (Ate is an action verb.)
1. Linking verbs (LV)
2. Action verbs
3. Helping verbs
Ø usually appears before the main verb
Ø used together with an additional main verb in order to express something
• Meline is (helping verb) going (main verb) to the library. (is helps the main verb,
going)
Ø Examples of helping verbs are modals such as can, could, may, might, must, ought to,
shall, should, will, and would

Note: In order to know whether a verb is a linking or active verb, one should focus at the
main verb and not at the helping verb. If the main verb conveys an action, it is an action verb.
On the other hand, if the main verb expresses a state of being, it is a linking verb.

Example: Princess is (helping verb) writing (main verb) her essay about freedom. (Is writing is
an action verb)
For more information about the three types of verbs: https://www.uvu.edu/writingcenter/docs/handouts/grammar/typesofverbs.pdf
Verb Tenses
o concept of time is related to verbs

Six Tenses of Verbs (that indicate time): Each tense has TWO
FORMS

SIMPLE TENSES Plain Tense Progressive Tense

1. Past Tense 1. Plain Past Tense 1. Past Progressive Tense
(usually express habitual
2. Present Tense action or condition) 2. Plain Present Tense 2. Present Progressive
3. Plain Future Tense Tense
3. Future Tense
3. Future Progressive
Tense
PERFECT TENSES
4. Past Perfect Tense (usually express
completed action or Plain Perfect Tense Perfect Progressive Tense
5. Present Perfect Tense condition) 1. Plain Past Perfect Tense 1. Past Perfect
6. Future Perfect Tense 2. Plain Present Perfect Progressive Tense
Tense 2. Present Perfect
3. Plain Future Perfect Progressive Tense
Tense 3. Future Perfect
Progressive Tense
 Simple Tenses (Past Tense)
Both talk about what happened prior to the present time.

Plain Past Tense Past Progressive Tense

v something that happened before vsomething that was happening before

v a completed or finished action vin the middle of exercising the action for a
particular time period
vsomething that has already started but did not
finish since another different event usually
occurs

Example:
Example:
Marc watched Netflix all night.
Marc was watching Netflix when his girlfriend
called.
 Simple Tenses (Present Tense)
Both talk about what is currently happening or what is always
occurring.

Plain Present Tense Present Progressive Tense

v something that is repeatedly happening vsomething that is happening at the time of
speaking
vimplies a process

Example: Example:
The rain usually pours at 5:00 in the afternoon The rain is pouring badly.
during rainy season.
 Simple Tenses (Future Tense)
Both talk about what will happen ahead of time and use helping verbs to express meaning.

Plain Future Tense Future Progressive Tense

v Action is expected to occur in the future and v Action is expected to occur in the future and
be completed. continue for an expected length of time.
v will + the present participle of the main verb v will + be + the present participle of the main
verb (the root verb + -ing)
v It has a duration.

Example:
Example:
Mikaela will be entering Harvard by the time his
Mikaela will enter Harvard next Academic Year. younger brother graduates in High School.

Note: Future progressive tense is only used with action verbs. This is because action verbs are the only verbs that are possible
to be done in duration.
Incorrect: I will be knowing the answer once I ask her out. (know is a linking verb; future progressive tense is not applicable)

Correct: I will know the answer once I ask her out. (know is a linking verb; plain future tense is then more suitable)

Correct: I will be reciting the speech I made yesterday for tomorrow’s program. (reciting is an action verb; future progressive tense is applicable)
 Perfect Tenses (Past Perfect Tense)
Both talk about an action or state of being that happened continuously
and ended in the past.

Plain Past Perfect Tense Past Perfect Progressive Tense

v used when the first past action finishes before the v used when the first past action continues until the second
past action
second past action
v had (past auxiliary verb ) + been (the past participle
v had (past auxiliary verb) + the past participle of the auxiliary verb) + the present participle form (-ing) of the
main verb main verb

Example: Example:
The maids had prepared all the tableware by the time the The maids had been preparing all the tableware for thirty
owner of the house arrived. minutes by the time the owner of the house arrived.

7:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM

The maids prepared The owner of the The maids were 7:30 PM
the tableware. house arrived. preparing the tableware The owner of the
for 30 minutes. house arrived.
 Perfect Tenses (Present Perfect Tense)
Both talk about an action or state of being that started in the past but
is still going on in the present.

Plain Present Perfect Tense Present Perfect Progressive Tense

v used when the activity continues from the past until v used when the activity is still happening or just stopped
the present time v importance of activity rather than the result

v importance of a visible result or something has been v has or have + been (the past participle auxiliary verb) +
finished the present participle form (-ing) of the main verb

v has or have + past participle of the main verb v Example: has been playing, have been travelling

v Example: has found, have eaten

Example: Example:

Simon has written eighteen letters for his lover’s Simon has been writing love letters for his lover since 2000.
eighteenth birthday.
 Perfect Tenses (Future Perfect Tense)
Both talk about an action or state of being that will happen
continuously and will end at a certain point in the future.

Plain Future Perfect Tense Future Perfect Progressive Tense

v used when you think the first future action will finish v used when you think the first future action will continue
until the second future action
before the second future action
v will (future modal) + have (the base verb) + been (the past
v will (future modal) + have (the base verb) + the past participle) + -ing form of the main verb
participle of the main verb
Example:
Example:
The maids will have prepared all the tableware by the time
The maids will have been preparing the tableware for thirty
the owner arrives tonight.
minutes by the time the owner of the house arrives tonight.

7:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM

The maids will The owner will The maids will prepare 7:30 PM
finish preparing the arrive. the tableware for 30 The owner of the
tableware. minutes. house will arrive.
1.2 Subject
§ Someone or something being talked about in the sentence.
§ The one who/that carries out the action that the verb is implying in the sentence.
§ It could be a noun (a person, place, thing, or idea) or a pronoun (substitute of noun).

A. In identifying error, one must be familiar in forming the plural of different singular
nouns.
Ø Regular Plural Nouns are:
q formed by adding “s” at the end of the word (for most singular nouns);
§ bag (singular) – bags (plural)
q formed by adding “es” if the singular noun ends on either s, ch, sh, or x;
§ fox (singular) – foxes (plural)
q formed by adding ”s” if the singular noun ends in y and the letter before y is a vowel;
§ key (singular) – keys (plural)
q formed by changing “y” to “i” and adding ”es” at the end if the singular noun ends in y and the letter
before y is a consonant.
§ candy (singular) – candies (plural)
Ø Irregular Plural Nouns are:
q formed by changing vowels;
§ crisis (singular) – crises (plural)
q formed by changing the word;
§ mouse (singular) – mice (plural)
q formed by adding a different ending (“f” changes to “ves”);
§ elf (singular) – elves (plural)
q formed by not changing anything.
§ Equipment (singular) – equipment (plural)

Note: Take time to research other examples of irregular nouns for it may look like it is easy at first
glance but it is really tricky during the test.

Ø Hyphenated Plural Nouns are

q formed by adding “s” or “es” to the important word.
§ brother-in-law (singular) – brothers-in-law (plural)
§ vice-president (singular) – vice-presidents (plural)
B. In identifying error, one must know that a sentence can never begin with a number figure. It
should always begin with a capital letter.
Ø Wrong: “2020 has been a horrible year.”
Ø Right but awkward: “Twenty twenty has been a horrible year.”
Ø Right and the most preferred: “The year 2020 has been a horrible year.”

C. In identifying error, one must be mindful of pairing pronouns with nouns.

Ø The given noun in a sentence should have an appropriate pronoun in terms of number, gender, and
other considerations.
o Singular pronouns replace singular nouns.
o Plural pronouns replace plural nouns.
o Singular pronouns replace other singular pronouns.
o Plural pronouns replace other plural pronouns.
Ø Example:
o Troy and Rizza will meet their friends before flying back to London. (The plural possessive pronoun “their”
refers to the plural noun, Troy and Rizza).

Note: We suggest for you to do an in-depth research regarding the list of pronouns and possessive pronouns in
their singular and plural forms.
1.3 Prepositions
§ A word or group of words that relate either a noun or a pronoun to another word in a given sentence.
§ Relationship words such as in front, about, under, etc.

“Without her, I would not have reached where I am today”.

preposition object
of the
preposition

Prepositional phrase

Remember that an object of the preposition can either be noun or a pronoun. In the case of pronouns, only object
pronouns like me, him, her, you, it, us, them, whom, and whomever are allowed to act as objects of prepositions.
Another tricky thing about prepositions is when to use “on” and when to use “in”.

“in” “on”
§ when you are indicating a position for spaces with § when you are denoting a position for surfaces or a
limitations (something is contained or inside) position just above or outside an area
Ø in the room Ø on a map
§ used to denote a moment enclosed in time (parts § used with days, dates, special parts of the day, and
of the day, with months, with years, with seasons). special holidays
Ø in the afternoon Ø on Christmas day
§ used with names of cities, towns, provinces, § used with street names
states, and countries Ø on Oxford Street
Ø in Pangasinan
1.4 Subject-Verb Agreement
Ø A subject-verb pair is usually the main idea in a sentence (English).
§ Mel and Ramona hid their relationship from the public last year. (Main idea and subject-verb pair = Mel and
Ramona hid)
Ø Subject and verb should agree with each other in terms of numbers
§ singular subject should have singular verb
ü Mae eats a lot during breakfast. (Mae is a singular subject and eats is a singular verb)
§ plural subject should have plural verb
ü Mae and Ray eat a lot during breakfast. (Mae and Ray is a plural subject and eat is a plural verb)

A. Verb Tenses
Ø not all tenses have different singular and plural forms

Tenses that have similar singular and plural forms

Tenses that have different singular and plural forms § Plain Past Tense
§ Past Progressive Tense § Plain Future Tense
§ Plain Present Tense § Future Progressive Tense
§ Present Progressive Tense § Plain Past Perfect Tense
§ Plain Present Perfect Tense § Past Perfect Progressive Tense
§ Present Perfect Progressive Tense § Plain Future Perfect Tense
§ Future Perfect Progressive Tense

To check whether this is true, go back to the discussion of verb tenses. Take a look at their
forms. Does it now make sense?
 Tenses that have different singular and plural forms
§ Past Progressive Tense
§ Plain Present Tense
§ Present Progressive Tense
§ Plain Present Perfect Tense
§ Present Perfect Progressive Tense

Past Progressive Plain Present Present Plain Present Present Perfect

Tense Tense Progressive Tense Perfect Tense Progressive Tense
§ was/ were + present For regular verbs: § is/ are + present § has or have + past § has or have + been
participle form (-ing) § base form + s for participle form participle of the (the past participle
of the main verb singular subject; (-ing) of the main main verb auxiliary verb) + the
§ “was” for singular § base form only for verb § “has” for singular present participle
subject including “I” plural subject; § “is” for singular subject form (-ing) of the
§ “were” for plural § base form for subject § “have” for plural main verb
subject pronouns “I” and § but “am” when the subject § “has” for singular
§ “were” when the “you” subject is “I” § ”have” when the subject
subject is “you” § “are” when the subject is either “I” § “have” for plural
subject is “you” or “you” subject
§ “are” when the § ”have” when the
subject is plural subject is either “I”
or “you”
Singular: Singular: Singular: Singular: Singular:
I was happy. She hates milk. Linda is reading. Simon has written Simon has been writing
I hate milk. I am reading. eighteen essays. essays since last night.
Plural: I have written eighteen I have been writing
We were happy. Plural: Plural: essays. essays since last night.
They hate milk. Linda and Lino are
reading. Plural: Plural:
They have written They have been writing
eighteen essays. essays since last night.
 Tenses that have similar singular and plural forms
§ Plain Past Tense
§ Plain Future Tense
§ Future Progressive Tense
§ Plain Past Perfect Tense
§ Past Perfect Progressive Tense
§ Plain Future Perfect Tense
§ Future Perfect Progressive Tense

EXAMPLE

Plain Past Tense

Ø Singular: Marc watched Netflix all night.

Ø Plural: Marc, Jenny, and Roy watched Netflix all night.

As you can see, this tense has the same singular and plural form. This also
applies to other tenses included in the upper box.
B. Other rules
Ø Compound subjects joined by “and” usually takes a plural verb.
§ Nicca and Mels are talking about their grades. (Nicca and Mels is a compound subject joined by “and”,
hence it takes a plural verb, are talking.)
Ø There is also an instance when compound subject joined by “and” takes a singular verb. This is when a
compound subject is considered as a single item or idea.
§ Example: bread and butter, ham and egg
§ Ham and egg is my favorite breakfast meal. (Ham and egg refers to a single dish.)
Ø Phrases regarding measurements, amounts, and quantities are subjects in plural form but is thought to be
single items, hence taking a singular verb.
§ One teaspoon of stevia makes my coffee remarkable. (One teaspoon of stevia indicates measurement,
hence taking a singular verb, makes.)
Ø Compound subjects joined by “or”, “nor”, “either . . . or”, or “neither . . . nor” may take singular or plural
verbs.
Ø When both subjects are singular, use a singular verb; if both subjects are plural, use a plural verb.
§ Neither Meline nor Nicole is their dad’s favorite. (Both Meline and Nicole are singular and agree
with the singular verb is.)
§ Either dogs or cats are considered the best pets at home. (Dogs and cats are plural and agree with
the plural verb are.)
Ø When one subject is singular and the other is plural, the verb agrees with the subject that is closest to
it.
§ Either the children or their mother is buying the cake for Father’s day. (The singular subject
mother is closest to the verb so the singular verb is is used.)
§ Neither the principal nor the teachers are going to the seminar on Wednesday. (The plural subject
teachers is closest to the verb so the plural verb are is used.)
Ø “percent of” + plural noun = use a plural verb
§ About 75% of the Filipino families are affected by the Typhoon Bora. (Filipino families is a plural
noun so the plural verb are affected is used.)
Ø “percent of” + singular noun = use a singular verb
§ About 75% of the class is not attending the field trip. (Class is acting as one unit so the singular
verb is not attending is used.)
Ø “fraction of” + plural noun = use a plural verb
§ One-fourth of the students have finished their given tasks.
Ø “fraction of” + singular noun = use a singular verb
§ Half of the cake has been eaten.
Ø any of, each of, either of, neither of, or none of + plural noun = use singular verb
§ None of the required textbooks is fun to read.
Ø a majority of, the majority of, a number of, a lot of, plenty of, all (of), or some (of) + plural noun =
use plural verb
§ A number of beauty queens have shown their willingness to create something meaningful using
their platforms.
Ø the number of + plural noun = use singular verb
§ The number of participants is increasing in numbers.
Ø each or every + singular noun = use singular verb
§ Each student has a unique potential.
Ø everyone, everybody, everything, anyone, anybody, anything, someone, somebody, something, no
one, nobody, nothing, and other pronouns ending in “bodies”, “things”, and “ones” use singular verb
§ No one wants sadness. (No one takes a singular verb wants.)
Ø Plural indefinite pronoun subjects take plural verbs.
§ Examples: several, few, both, many
§ Both lead a good example in terms of governance.
Ø Some indefinite pronouns may be either singular or plural: with uncountable, use singular;
with countable, use plural.
§ Examples: some, any, none, all, most
§ Some of you hair is color white. (Hair is uncountable; therefore, the sentence has a singular verb is.)
§ Some of the towels are still dry. (Towels are countable; therefore, the sentence has a plural verb are.)
Ø Some nouns ending in -s, although plural in form, are actually singular in meaning and number and usually
take singular verb.
§ Examples: news, measles, mumps, calculus, rickets, billiards, molasses, dizziness, diabetes, means, etc.
§ Rickets is the softening and weakening of bones in children, usually because of an extreme and
prolonged vitamin D deficiency.
Ø There are certain words ending in -ics that are singular when they refer to principles, a system, or a field of
study / academic discipline.
§ Examples: Economics, Statistics, Politics
§ Statistics is an extremely difficult degree program to take. (Statistics here refers to an academic
discipline.)
Ø There are also certain words ending in -ics that are plural when they refer to individual practice,
application, or activities
§ Examples: Economics, Statistics, Politics
§ The latest statistics show an increasing population of migrants from the West. (Statistics here refers to
a numerical information.)
Ø Titles of single entities (books, organizations, countries, etc.) are always singular.
§ The Grapes of Wrath arouses sympathy for the struggles of migrant farmworkers.
C. Distractions between Subject and Verb
Ø There are times when phrases do show up between the subject and the verb which cause a lot of
confusions.
Ø These phrases = distractions.
Ø These distractions do not affect the number of the subject.
Ø Solution: Disregard those phrases and focus on the subject alone in order to get the correct verb
form.

3 Most Common Distractions found between subject and verb:

Prepositional Phrase Phrases that start with who, Participles

-a phrase that contains a that, or which Two types:
preposition and an object of -Present Participle (swimming,
laughing, and playing)
the preposition Example: -Past Participle (laughed, played,
The bag, which contains swum)
Example: millions of dollars, is missing.
Allen, along with his other Example:
classmates, is joining the bag = subject (singular) The songs written by Anna are the
contest for Sabayang millions of dollars ≠ subject most heartbreaking songs I have
Pagbigkas. Thus, heard.
is = verb (singular) songs = subject (plural)
Allen = subject (singular) Anna ≠ subject
his other classmates ≠ subject Thus,
Thus, are = verb (plural)
is = verb (singular)
1.5 Pronouns
Three Types of Pronouns:
Possessive Pronouns
Subject Pronouns Object Pronouns -these pronouns show possession
-these pronouns act as subject in a -these pronouns act as object of -my, your, his, her, its, our, their,
sentence or clause verbs and object of prepositions in mine, yours, hers, ours, theirs,
-I, you, he, she, it, we, they, who, a sentence or clause whose
whoever -me, you, him, her, it, us, them,
whom, whomever
Example:
The stakes are high and the water is
Example: Example:
rough but this love is ours. (The
Ria and I have not talked yet. The conversation among Nicole,
love belongs to us.)
Allen, and me is too deep to
Note: Sentences that involve understand. (Me is one of the
Note: Pronouns that are placed
comparison usually use subject objects of the preposition among.)
before the nouns ending in –ing
pronouns.
called gerunds must be possessive
Incorrect: Toni is as beautiful as her. pronouns.
Correct: Toni is as beautiful as she.
Rio pays attention to his writing.
(This is another way of saying, “Toni
(not him writing)
is as beautiful as she is.” and not
“Toni is as beautiful as her is.”)
1.6 Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

Ø Comparative Form
§ Used when comparing only two things
§ add the suffix –er at the end of the base word
q Between the two siblings, Nicole is healthier.
§ add more or less before the word
q Between the two siblings, Mikaela is more intelligent.
Ø Superlative Form
§ Used when comparing things that are more than two in numbers
§ add the suffix –est at the end of the base word
q Among the present families in the reunion, Fernandez family is the wealthiest.
§ add most or least before the word
q Among the present families in the reunion, Fernandez family is the least talkative.
Ø There are also words where adding suffixes or adding more, most, less, or least before the word are
not applicable. This is because these words like good, well, bad, many, little, etc. have corresponding
comparative and superlative counterparts.
§ good (base form) – better (comparative form) – best (superlative form)
q Mia is good in public speaking.
q Mia is better than Cheska when it comes to public speaking.
q Mia is the best among all the students in the school when it comes to public speaking.
Two Common Problems in Comparisons:
Ø When identifying errors, be careful of these two cases:

Incomplete Comparisons
Illogical Comparisons
- occurs when a sentence compares two things that aren't
Incorrect: Allen hates biking more than Nicole. of the same type
(The idea is incomplete. It can be misleading
since it can be understood in two ways: either Incorrect: Eya’s dress is more colorful than Shine.
Allen hates biking more than he hates Nicole (The sentence is not comparing ”Eya’s dress" with
”Shine”, instead we are comparing the dresses of Eya and
or Allen hates biking more than Nicole hates Shine.)
biking.)
Correct: Eya’s dress is more colorful than Shine’s.
Correct: Allen hates biking more than Nicole Also correct: Eya’s dress is more colorful than Shine’s
dress.
does. (It is right to compare Eya’s dress and Shine's dress
Also correct: Allen hates biking more than he because they're both things.)
hates Nicole.
Note: You can't compare something of specific type to all
things of that type that is why use other or else when
comparing a thing or a person to other members of the
same group.
Incorrect: Iphone drains more often than any cellphone
brand.
(This comparison implies that Iphone is not a cellphone
brand, although it really is.)
Correct: Iphone drains more often than any other
cellphone brand.
1.7 Common Grammatical Errors
1. Improper Antecedents
Ø Antecedent is a noun or pronoun to which another noun or pronoun refers. In short, it is a word that a
pronoun replaces.
§ Pronoun and antecedents must be interchangeable.
§ Pronoun must have antecedent.

Incorrect: Roy is a famous debater. I want to study it.

Reason: Since pronoun must have an antecedent, the pronoun it does not have an antecedent.
Correct: Roy is a famous debater. I want to become just like him.
Also correct: Roy is practicing debate. I want to learn it too.

2. Sentence Parallelism
Ø It aims for a balance in ideas, especially of two or more similar words or phrases.
§ All qualities mentioned in a sentence should have the same format.
q Incorrect: During this global pandemic, the country needs a leader with transparency and who is
competent. (The two qualities of a leader that the country needs are not stated in a parallel way.
It must be both preposition-noun combination.)
q Correct: : During this global pandemic, the country needs a leader with transparency and
competency.
§ All the verbs should have the same tense.
q Incorrect: I saw Jay from the street, run towards him, and hugged him so tight like
there is no more tomorrow. (The first and last underlined verbs are in simple past
tense while the second underline verb is in simple present tense.)
q Correct: I saw Jay from the street, ran towards him, and hugged him so tight like
there is no more tomorrow. (All underlined verbs are in simple past tense.)
§ All the verbs should have the same voice.
q Incorrect: Sheila drank cans of beer, sang high-pitched songs, and was ashamed by
what she has done. (The first two verbs are in active voice while the last is in passive
voice.)
q Correct: Sheila drank cans of beer, sang high-pitched songs, and got ashamed by
what she has done. (All verbs are in active voice.)
§ All the verbs in each sentence should keep the same person.
q Incorrect: Maila reviews everyday because I want to pass the UPCAT.
q Correct: Maila reviews everyday because she wants to pass the UPCAT.
§ When citing examples, all should be presented in the same way.
q Incorrect: The teacher taught his students reading and how to write.
q Correct: The teacher taught his students reading and writing.
1.8 Common Sentence Errors
1. Faulty Subject-Verb Agreement
Ø The number of subject and verb must agree with each other.

Incorrect: About 75% of the class are not attending the field trip.
Reason: Class is acting as one unit so the singular verb is not attending should be used.
Correct: About 75% of the class is not attending the field trip.

2. Error in Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement

Ø Pronoun must have antecedent.
Ø The number of pronoun and antecedent must agree with each other.

Incorrect: Everyone in the company is doing their job properly.

Reason: Everyone is a singular subject while their is a plural pronoun.
Correct: Everyone in the company is doing his or her job properly.

3. Error in Case of a Pronoun

Incorrect: The conversation between Simon and I is too deep to understand.
Reason: Between is a preposition and the object of a preposition must be an object pronoun. It
should be me and not I.
Correct: The conversation between Simon and me is too deep to understand.
4. Error in Comparison
Ø Always remember the concept of comparative and superlative forms.

Incorrect: Among blue, red, and green, blue is the better pick.
Reason: Three things are being compared, hence, superlative form must be used.
Correct: Among blue, red, and green, blue is the best pick.

5. Error in Punctuation
Incorrect: Who am I.
Reason: It should be a question mark and not a period. It does not make sense at all if
period is used.
Correct: Who am I?

6. Error in Capitalization
Ø Every sentence starts with a capital letter.
Ø ”I” should always be capitalized.
Ø Proper nouns like title of a book or song are capitalized.
Ø Quotations starts with a capital letter unless the quotation starts in the middle.
Incorrect: I dedicate the song “tears” to my dear departed wife.
Reason: The first letter of the song title must be capitalized.
Correct: I dedicate the song “Tears” to my dear departed wife.
7. Error in Tense
Ø Verbs must appear in the proper tenses to avoid vagueness in time sequence.
Incorrect: Ara stayed in Baler for a year now.
Reason: Ara is still staying in Baler up until present, hence, the verb must be in present perfect
tense.
Correct: Ara has stayed in Baler for a year now.

8. Fragments
Ø It happens when there is no coherent and complete idea in the sentence. Sometimes a
subject or verb (or both) is missing in the sentence.
Incorrect: Because I was sick.
Correct: I was not able to attend your birthday because I was sick.

9. Error in Diction
Ø Some words are really tricky. They may have the same sound when pronounced but they
are really different in meanings and spellings when used in a sentence.
Incorrect: Please bare with me for I am having a hard time checking all your papers.
Reason: Bare and bear sounds alike. However, bare means naked or raw. It does not
make sense when used in the first sentence.
Correct: Please bear with me for I am having a hard time checking all your papers.
10. Run-ons
Ø It happens when two or more independent clauses are connected inappropriately (either without a proper
conjunction or without a punctuation mark).
Incorrect: I love travelling, I will pursue my dream of becoming a pilot after I earn enough
money for flying school.
Reason: The sentence is not coherent but it can be solved by using a subordinating
conjunction. Using a subordinating conjunction “since” and by turning one of the
independent clauses into a dependent clause, this may improve the relationship of the
clauses.
Correct: Since I love travelling, I will pursue my dream of becoming a pilot after I earn
enough money for flying school.

11. Double Negative Sentences

Incorrect: I did not never call my friend a “bitch”.
Reason: a negative verb, didn't call + negative adverb, never
Correct: : I did not call my friend a “bitch”.
Also correct: : I never call my friend a “bitch”.

12. Redundancy and Useless Modifier

Incorrect: I am far more prettier than my sister.
Reason: The comparative form of pretty is prettier. Hence, there is no need to add more.
Correct: I am far prettier than my sister.
13. Misplaced and Dangling Modifier
Ø Following Laurie Kirszner and Stephen Mandell’s definition of a modifier, it “is a word or
word group that identifies or describes another word or word group in a sentence.”
Ø Misplaced modifier
§ It happens when the modifier modifies the wrong part of the sentence.

Incorrect: Crying on the examination table, the doctor gave the small child his vaccine.
Reason: This is incorrect because it implies that the doctor was crying on the examination
table, when it was the child who was crying.
Correct: The doctor gave the small child crying on the examination table his vaccine.
(The modifier now correctly describes the child as crying, not the doctor.)
Ø Dangling modifier
§ It happens when the modifier does not modify anything in the sentence.
Incorrect: Using the Pythagorean Theorem, the math problem was easily solved.
Reason: The math problem did not use the theorem.
Correct: Using the Pythagorean Theorem, Wendy easily solved the math problem.
(This version is correct because Wendy was the one who used the theorem.)

Reference: https://www.lynchburg.edu/academics/writing-center/wilmer-writing-center-online-writing-lab/grammar/misplaced-and-dangling-modifiers/