How to Write a Grammatically Error Free Thesis at a Higher Education Institution (HEI)

Writing a thesis at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) requires precise grammar, clarity, and coherence. However, many students make common grammatical errors that can affect the readability and professionalism of their work. Below are some frequent grammatical mistakes and strategies to overcome them.

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1. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

Error:

• "The data shows that..." (Incorrect)

• "The data show that..." (Correct)

Reason:

• "Data" is plural; hence, it requires a plural verb.

Solution:

• Identify whether the subject is singular or plural.

• Use tools like Grammarly or read aloud to spot agreement errors.

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2. Incorrect Use of Articles (a, an, the)

Error:

• "She conducted a experiment." (Incorrect)

• "She conducted an experiment." (Correct)

Reason:

• "An" is used before vowel sounds, "a" before consonant sounds.

Solution:

• Revise article usage in every sentence.

• Refer to English grammar guides for article rules.

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3. Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers

Error:

• "After analyzing the results, the hypothesis was proven wrong." (Incorrect)

• "After analyzing the results, I concluded that the hypothesis was wrong." (Correct)

Reason:

• The first sentence suggests that "the hypothesis" analyzed the results.

Solution:

• Ensure the modifying phrase clearly refers to the correct subject.

• Restructure sentences for clarity.

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4. Incorrect Use of Prepositions

Error:

• "She is interested on AI research." (Incorrect)

• "She is interested in AI research." (Correct)

Solution:

• Learn common verb + preposition and adjective + preposition combinations.

• Use online grammar checkers for preposition mistakes.

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5. Overuse of Passive Voice

Error:

• "It was observed that the reaction slowed down." (Passive)

• "We observed that the reaction slowed down." (Active)

Solution:

• Use active voice to improve clarity unless passive voice is necessary.

• Rewrite sentences using a clear subject.

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6. Pronoun-Antecedent Disagreement

Error:

• "Each student must submit their thesis." (Incorrect)

• "Each student must submit his or her thesis." (Correct)

Solution:

• Ensure pronouns match their nouns in number and gender.

• Use plural forms when possible: "All students must submit their theses."

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7. Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices

Error:

• "The experiment was successful, the results were as expected." (Incorrect)

• "The experiment was successful. The results were as expected." (Correct)

Solution:

• Use a period (.) or semicolon (;) to separate independent clauses.

• Avoid excessive comma usage.

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8. Incorrect Use of Tenses

Error:

• "The study finds that AI has potential." (Incorrect – mixed tenses)

• "The study found that AI has potential." (Correct – past tense for research)

Solution:

• Keep tense consistency throughout the thesis.

• Use past tense for completed research and present tense for general truths.

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9. Unclear Referencing (Ambiguous Pronouns)

Error:

• "This proves the theory is correct." (What does "this" refer to?)

• "This result proves the theory is correct." (Clear reference)

Solution:

• Replace vague pronouns with specific nouns.

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10. Inconsistent Formatting and Punctuation

Error:

• "AI is transforming healthcare, education, and, business." (Incorrect comma use)

• "AI is transforming healthcare, education, and business." (Correct)

Solution:

• Follow a consistent punctuation style (Oxford comma if required).

• Refer to the thesis formatting guidelines of the university.

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How to Overcome These Errors?

1. Proofreading – Read your thesis multiple times.

2. Grammar Tools – Use tools like Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, or MS Word grammar check.

3. Academic Writing Guides – Refer to books like The Elements of Style by Strunk & White.

4. Peer Review – Ask peers or supervisors to review your work.

5. University Writing Centers – Utilize resources provided by your institution.

By being mindful of these errors and implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve the quality of your thesis.