Connectives: Avoiding Common Errors

Part 1: What’s the Problem? The following sentences or pairs of sentences

CONTAIN ERRORS. They are NOT examples of proper writing. What is the problem
in each sentence/ pair of sentence? Write the number (problem) that corresponds
to the error. Then correct the mistakes.

PROBLEM

1. There is a preposition that is not followed by a noun.

2. The wrong preposition or transition has been used.

3. This is a run-on sentence.

4. This is a sentence fragment (incomplete sentence).

5. The comma is in the wrong place.

ERRORS (INCORRECT EXAMPLES)

1. There are many ways for people to contribute to the betterment of their
community. For example, having a fundraiser.

2. In spite of, all the hot weather we’ve had there seems to be quite a few people
enjoying the outdoors.

3. Many people choose to move to Southern California because of the weather is

very mild.

4. In Spain, it is common to eat dinner around 9:00 P.M. However families, generally
eat dinner much earlier in the United States.

5. My parents’ flight was cancelled due to it snowed.

6. A new restaurant opened up in our neighborhood, as a result, there has been a lot
more foot traffic.

7. Dangerous sandstorms are common in Dubai. Therefore, they are not common in
Los Angeles.
8. There are many ways to enjoy an international flight such as you can read, watch
a movie or take a long nap.

9. Many languages have influenced the English language. Latin, for example.

10. Mary spent hours at work on Facebook and Instagram, consequently, she was
fired.

Part 2: Choose the correct completion.

For each item, one of the completions is correct and one is incorrect. Choose the
correct completion.

1. Life is much more meaningful when it is shared with other s____.

a. such as family and friends b. for example, family and friends

2. Louisiana is a very humid state. New Mexico, _____, has a rather arid climate.

a. in contrast to c. in contrast

3. _____ the severe drought, many residents have seen more ants searching for water
inside their houses.

a. Therefore b. Due to

4. _____ providing several hours of energy, coffee is also a rich source of healthy
antioxidants.

a. In addition to b. In addition

5. In Los Angeles, most working individuals drive cars to and from their places of
employment. Fewer people, _____, travel to work on their bikes.

a. however b. in spite of

6. Wearing sunscreen every day can prevent you from getting skin cancer. _____, it
can delay the visible signs of aging.

a. In addition to b. Moreover
7. Many words and expressions that are common in American English actually came
from the Spanish language. _____, the word “saloon”, which is an old western bar,
came from the Spanish word “salón,” which is simply a meeting place.

a. For instance b. Such as

8. _____ Italian, French and Spanish, the Catalonian language is a Romance language.

a. Similar to b. Similarly

9. Sally’s car broke down halfway to work. _____, she had to call a taxi and ended up
arriving late.

a. As a result, b. Due to

10. _____ the mother’s efforts, she could not stop her child from throwing a tantrum
at the toy store.

a. However b. Despite