Top 16 Errors in Boettger’s Editing Test Sample
1. Wrong word
• The subcontracting was distributed between three firms.
• I did not realize that half the accounting staff had a severe allegory to peanuts.
2. Misspelling
• Our analyses do not correlate with the preliminary test cores
• During the meeting, she sited data from the latest research study
3. Unnecessary or missing capitalization
• The principal agency involved is the department of agriculture; however, the budget bureau
is also peripherally concerned.
4. Misplaced or dangling modifier
• (a) We almost lost all of the files; (b) We lost almost all of the files.
5. Hyphen, en-, em-dash error
• Using 12 point leading with a 10 point font opens up the text, making it look more inviting.
6. Redundant, expendable, or incomparable language
• The cells were red in color.
• Nevertheless, it is important to note that the monomers of proteins, lipids, and
carbohydrates are neither energetically nor nutritionally equivalent, and that tracer
molecules belonging to the same class may be allocated and used differently in the body.
• Asia's situation is somewhat unique, in that many of the culture ponds are owned and
managed by small-scale farmers rather than by large corporations.
7. Unnecessary shift in verb tense
• We take great pleasure in welcoming you to our staff. We hope our relationship is one of
mutual understanding and support. The owners had many years of experience in the
operation of successful and profitable businesses. We were fortunate in the past with our
choices for our staff, and we sincerely hope that you will follow in this path.
8. Lack of subject-verb agreement
• The facts in that complex case is questionable.
9. Missing or wrong article
• A/the package was delivered yesterday (Whether it was a package or the package would
depend on the context of the surrounding narrative)
10. Missing comma with a nonrestrictive element
• This instrument which is called a backscatter gauge fires beta particles at an object and
counts the particles that bounce back.
11. Inconsistent terminology
• The BAL program calculates the weight of every passenger’s bag to the amount of jet fuel
used during the flight. We believe this BAL solution provides an accurate estimate of how
much luggage we can safely carry.
12. Unnecessary or missing apostrophe
• As McAuliffe pointed out, its a good thing that the auditors talked to the department before
making the findings public
13. Lack of pronoun/antecedent agreement
• When an a employee is hired, they must review the policy manual.
14. Incorrect number format
• 15 of the study's participants took 50 mg of caffeine and 110 mg of aspirin along with 25 mg
of ephedrine twice daily.
15. Faulty parallel structure
• The new boss is a smart strategist, an effective manager, and works hard.
16. Missing comma in a series
• (a) Michele left for her business trip with the accounting team, Mary and Jane; (b) Michele
left for her business trip with the accounting team, Mary, and Jane.
Prepared by Ryan K. Boettger, December 2012. Examples come from a variety of texts, including
Handbook of Technical Writing by Alred, Brusaw, and Oliu, Technical Editing by Rude & Eaton, and
Editing for Writers by Rew.