The primary step to correct errors in any language is the identification of errors. Identifying errors is the first step to pointing them out and ultimately correcting them. This process is called editing and is an important step in improving English skills. They can be errors regarding prepositions, conjunctions, articles, punctuation, tenses, etc. The process of detecting errors in transmitted messages and reconstructing the original error-free data is known as error correction. Error correction ensures that the receiver receives corrected and error-free messages. The task of correcting various types of errors in text, such as spelling, punctuation, grammatical, and word choice errors, is known as grammatical error correction (GEC). The most common form of GEC is a sentence correction task.
Identification of errors
In correcting errors in a language, an important step is the identification of errors. Identification of errors refers to picking up errors after carefully proofreading the sentences.
Steps in the identification of errors:
- Carefully read the sentences provided.
- Identify and mark the errors in the sentences.
- Think about the correct alternative for the mistake.
- Write the correct word instead of the error.
- Read the corrected sentence again to confirm it is right.
- You should know how to use adverbs, adjectives, conjunctions, nouns, interjections, and other parts of speech.
These must be used correctly because they aid in the construction of a sentence.
For instance, she is a fantastic cook. (Incorrect) She’s a fantastic cook. (Correct)
- Verify that the sentence is grammatically correct, with the subject agreeing with the verb.
The subject-verb agreement should be present; if it isn’t, the sentence is incorrect. It also serves as a hint for locating a mistake.
- The sentence should not have any parallelism. The various words in the sentence should all be written in the same tense to follow the same concept.
Students, for example, must learn about programming, computing, and how to process. (Incorrect)
Programming, computing, and processing are all required of the student. (Correct)
- A modifier should come after the subject because it modifies the subject. If the modifiers come before the subject, the sentence may be incorrect.
Example:
Jai rescued the puppy from the mud. (Incorrect)
Jai rescued the puppy, which was smothered in mud. (Correct)
- There must be no repetition or redundancy in the sentence.
Example:
He’ll be back the following week. (Incorrect)
He’ll be back the following week. (Correct)
Identification of errors examples:
Below are some examples of identification of errors, i.e., how to locate errors in a sentence and change them according to the correct grammar rules.
- Pulses are a rich source in protein.
Correction: Pulses are a rich source of protein.
2. I go to school every day through the bus.
Correction: I go to school every day by bus.
3. I read your book, but I had not understand it.
Correction: I read your book, but I couldn’t understand it.
4.The sun is up lets pack our bags.
Correction: The sun is up, let’s pack our bags.
5. We all saw it the cat catched the yarn ball.
Correction: We all saw it, the cat caught the yarn ball.
6. It is raining cats or dogs.
Correction: It is raining cats and dogs.
7. Tom is the tall kid in his class.
Correction: Tom is the tallest kid in his class.
8. She packed her lunch, it was only a apple.
Correction: She packed her lunch, it was only an apple.
9. Can you make few coffee for me?
Correction: Can you make some coffee for me?
10. Man is the social animal.
Correction: Man is a social animal.
Conclusion
Mastering the English language also means polishing your skills of identifying and correcting errors and reducing your errors to a minimum. This requires a good eye for identifying errors, a learned mind to remember the grammar rules, and correcting the errors. Remember to proofread the sentences carefully, as identifying errors is the most important rule.
