Can You Spot What’s Wrong With This Sentence?
Have you ever read your own CV, email, or exam answer twice, felt confident it was correct, then later discovered an obvious mistake sitting right there in plain sight? This happens to almost every Nigerian student and job seeker at some point, and it is not a sign of poor English. It is a sign that nobody ever taught you how to actually spot errors in a sentence, not just write one. In this guide, I will teach you a simple, repeatable method for finding mistakes in any English sentence, correcting them confidently, and avoiding them in the first place, whether you are answering a JAMB sentence correction question or proofreading a job application email.
Quick Promise: I have explained this to hundreds of students, and one lesson I always teach is this: sentence correction is not about knowing every grammar rule by heart. It is about training your eye to notice when something feels wrong, then knowing exactly where to look.
Why Spotting Errors Is Harder Than Writing Correctly
Many Nigerian students struggle more with finding mistakes than avoiding them in the first place, and there is a simple reason for this.
We read what we expect to see: When you write something yourself, your brain already knows what you meant to say, so it quietly “corrects” the mistake as you read, without you noticing.
Error-spotting was never taught as its own skill: Most students were taught grammar rules, but never specifically trained to hunt for errors in a sentence that already looks mostly correct.
Exam pressure causes rushed reading: Over the years, I have noticed that many students lose marks in JAMB and WAEC sentence correction questions simply because they read too quickly under time pressure.
Remember: You are not alone if you struggle with this. Even advanced English speakers miss mistakes in their own writing. This is exactly why professional writers use editors, and why you need a system, not just good eyesight.
The 5-Step Sentence Correction Method
Here is a simple system I recommend to my students. Use this same order every time you check a sentence, whether in an exam or a real email.
Step 1: Check Subject-Verb Agreement First
Ask yourself: does the subject match the verb in number? A singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb.
Example: “The list of candidates were released yesterday.” The subject here is “list” (singular), not “candidates,” so the correct sentence is “The list of candidates was released yesterday.”
Step 2: Check the Tense Consistency
Ask yourself: does the sentence stay in one clear time frame, unless it is deliberately describing a shift in time?
Example: “She went to the market and buys some rice.” This mixes past and present tense incorrectly. The correct sentence is “She went to the market and bought some rice.”
Step 3: Check Articles and Prepositions
Ask yourself: are “a,” “an,” and “the” used correctly, and are prepositions like “in,” “on,” “at,” and “for” attached to the right words?
Example: “I am seeking for a job in Uyo.” The correct sentence is “I am seeking a job in Uyo,” since “seeking” does not need “for” after it.
Step 4: Check Punctuation and Capitalisation
Ask yourself: are commas, full stops, and capital letters placed correctly, especially around names, days, and the start of new sentences?
Example: “my brother works at first bank in port harcourt.” The correct sentence is “My brother works at First Bank in Port Harcourt,” since proper nouns and the start of a sentence always take capital letters.
Step 5: Read the Sentence Aloud, Slowly
My advice is simple: after checking the four steps above, read the sentence aloud one final time. Your ear will often catch what your eyes missed, especially awkward phrasing that is technically correct but sounds strange.
Expert Tip: Here’s an easy way to remember the steps: S-T-A-P-R, Subject-verb, Tense, Articles/prepositions, Punctuation, Read aloud. Go through them in this exact order every time.
Practice Set 1: JAMB and WAEC-Style Sentence Correction
Below are sentences with common errors, similar to what you will see in JAMB Use of English and WAEC exam questions. Try to find the mistake before checking the answer.
Sentence with Error Corrected Sentence Error Type
Neither of the students have submitted their assignment. Neither of the students has submitted their assignment. Subject-verb agreement (“neither” is singular).
She is one of the student who passed the exam. She is one of the students who passed the exam. Singular/plural noun mismatch.
By the time I got to school, the lesson has already started. By the time I got to school, the lesson had already started. Incorrect tense (should be past perfect).
He is more taller than his younger brother. He is taller than his younger brother. Double comparative.
Each of the applicants were given a form. Each of the applicants was given a form. Subject-verb agreement (“each” is singular)
Quick Exercise: Find the Error
Identify and correct the error in each sentence below.
- “The news of his promotion were shocking to everyone.”
- “If I was you, I would apply for that job.”
- “She don’t like waking up early for NYSC parade.”
Answers: 1. “The news of his promotion was shocking to everyone” (news is singular). 2. “If I were you, I would apply for that job” (subjunctive mood). 3. “She doesn’t like waking up early for NYSC parade.”
Practice Set 2: CV and Job Application Sentence Errors
These are real patterns I have seen in hundreds of CVs and job applications. The correct way to write these sentences can make the difference between a shortlisted candidate and a rejected one.
Sentence with Error Corrected Sentence
“I have strong communication skill and good time management.” “I have strong communication skills and good time management.”
“I am a graduate of Economics from University of Uyo.” “I am a graduate of Economics from the University of Uyo.”
“I posses excellent customer service skills.” “I possess excellent customer service skills.”
“I am look forward to hearing from you.” “I am looking forward to hearing from you.”
Practice Set 3: Office Email and WhatsApp Sentence Errors
This mistake is extremely common in Nigerian workplace communication, where casual writing habits carry over into formal messages.
Sentence with Error Corrected Sentence
“I will like to inform you that the meeting have been moved.” “I would like to inform you that the meeting has been moved.”
“Please be inform that the office will close by 4pm today.” “Please be informed that the office will close at 4pm today.”
“Am on my way to the office now.” “I am on my way to the office now.”
“Kindly send me the report before end of the day.” “Kindly send me the report before the end of the day.”
The Most Common Error Categories, Explained
Most students were taught these as separate, disconnected rules. Understanding why each one happens makes it far easier to spot and fix, no matter what form it takes in a new sentence.
1. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
Why it happens: the true subject of a sentence is sometimes hidden behind other words, like “the list of candidates,” where “list,” not “candidates,” is the real subject.
2. Tense Consistency Errors
Why it happens: many Nigerian languages express time differently, so tense shifts that feel natural when translating directly from a first language often break English tense rules.
3. Word Form Errors
Why it happens: confusing a noun with its verb form, such as writing “posses” instead of “possess,” or “advice” instead of “advise,” often comes from hearing the words spoken without seeing them written correctly.
4. Double Comparatives and Superlatives
Why it happens: adding “more” before a word that already has “-er,” such as “more taller,” often comes from wanting to add extra emphasis, but English only needs one comparative form at a time.
Pronunciation Tip: Reading Aloud Reveals Errors
Reading a sentence aloud slowly, rather than silently in your head, forces your brain to process every word individually. Silent reading often allows your brain to “autocorrect” errors without you noticing, especially in your own writing.
Daily Practice Exercises for Sentence Correction
The Daily Sentence Hunt: Find one sentence daily, from a newspaper, a WhatsApp group, or your own writing, and check it using the five-step method above.
The 24-Hour Review: Write an email or answer, then leave it for a few hours before proofreading. Fresh eyes catch mistakes that tired eyes miss.
The Read-Aloud Habit: Before submitting any exam answer, application, or email, read it aloud once, slowly, from start to finish.
The Practice Question Habit: Solve five JAMB or WAEC sentence correction past questions weekly, checking your reasoning against the five-step method, not just the final answer.
Quick Revision Summary
Use the five-step method in order: subject-verb agreement, tense, articles/prepositions, punctuation, then read aloud.
The true subject of a sentence can be hidden behind other words, so always identify it carefully.
Avoid double comparatives like “more taller” or “more better.”
Reading aloud reveals errors that silent reading often misses, since your brain tends to autocorrect familiar mistakes.
Practise error-spotting as its own skill, separate from simply learning grammar rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I make mistakes I don’t notice until someone else points them out?
This is one of the most common English mistakes Nigerians make, not in grammar itself, but in self-editing. Your brain already knows what you meant to write, so it often skips over the actual error. Reading aloud and taking a short break before proofreading both help.
What is the fastest way to improve at JAMB sentence correction questions?
Focus on the five-step method in this guide and practise with past questions regularly. Most JAMB sentence correction errors fall into a small number of repeated categories, once you know them, you will spot them faster.
Should I proofread my CV differently from an exam answer?
The same core method applies, but for a CV, pay extra attention to word forms like “possess” versus “posses,” and to consistent tense throughout your work experience section.
Is it okay to use a grammar-checking app instead of learning this myself?
Grammar-checking tools can help, but they sometimes miss context-based errors and occasionally suggest incorrect changes. Learning to spot errors yourself gives you a skill that works even without an app, such as during a written exam.
How can I stop repeating the same errors in my writing?
Keep a short, personal list of the specific mistakes you make most often, rather than a general grammar list. Reviewing your own recurring errors is far more effective than studying errors you don’t actually make.
Conclusion: Every Mistake You Catch Makes You Stronger
My advice is simple: don’t try to memorise every possible error type overnight. Focus on the five-step method, practise it on one sentence a day this week, and let it become automatic over time. This mistake is easier to fix than you think, and with regular practice, you will improve until finding and fixing errors feels natural, in your exams, your CV, your emails, and your everyday writing.
For more lessons on mastering your exams, visit our English for Exams section. If you are preparing your CV or professional writing, explore English for Jobs and Career. For everyday communication skills, check out English Skills and Communication, and visit ExamGuideNG to explore our complete library of lessons.
Reference: Purdue OWL recommends reading writing aloud and reviewing it after a break as effective strategies for catching errors that silent, immediate proofreading often misses.
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Written by Tr. Edidiong Sunday
About Author
Edidiong Sunday is an English educator, communication specialist, and the founder of ExamGuideNG. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a B.Ed. in English Education from the University of Uyo, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in English Education. With years of experience teaching English Language, Diction, and Public Speaking in reputable schools in Uyo, she creates practical, accurate, and learner-focused content to help students, job seekers, and professionals improve their English skills. Edidiong also runs a JAMB English tutorial centre in Uyo and has professional experience in journalism, broadcasting, and public speaking. Every article she publishes is guided by a commitment to clarity, accuracy, and helping learners achieve lasting success in academics, examinations, and everyday communication.
