What is it for?
Learn five simple steps to check your writing and fix common mistakes.
What to include
- Check the content first: answer the task and include the information.
- Check grammar next: make sure every sentence has a verb.
- Check capital letters and full stops or question marks.
- Check verb forms: am, is, are, has, have, and -s with he or she.
- Check spelling and read the text aloud once.
How to organise it
- Step 1: Check the content.
- Step 2: Check that every sentence has a verb.
- Step 3: Check capital letters and end marks.
- Step 4: Check verb forms.
- Step 5: Check spelling and read aloud once.
Model text
A learner checks a short text
Before
My name is lina. I student from Kenya. I like music and my brother like football. My friend is very nice
After
My name is Lina. I am a student from Kenya. I like music, and my brother likes football. My friend is very nice.
Key language
| Rule or pattern | Example | Another example |
|---|---|---|
| Check the content first. | I answer the task. | I include all the information. |
| Every sentence needs a verb. | I am a student. | My sister likes music. |
| Use a capital letter for I and names. | I am Lina. | My friend is Omar. |
| Use am, is, or are with the subject. | She is my friend. | They are students. |
| Use -s with he or she in the present simple. | He likes football. | She works at home. |
| Use don't or doesn't with like. | I don't like tea. | She doesn't like coffee. |
| Check spelling and end marks. | My name is Ana. | Are you from Peru? |
UK / US: Both British and American English use capital letters and full stops. A full stop is also called a period in American English.
Practice
Fix six common mistakes
Write each sentence correctly. Check the whole sentence.
1.I student.
A sentence needs a verb, and this sentence needs am.
2.my name is ana.
Start the sentence with a capital letter and use a capital letter for Ana.
3.She are my friend.
Use is with she.
4.He like music.
Use likes with he in the present simple.
5.I no like tea.
Use don't before like to make a negative sentence with I.
6.I have a sister
Use a full stop at the end of this sentence.
Choose the correct sentence
Choose the sentence that follows the checking step.
1.You write about your family. Which sentence includes information about your sister?
The sentence about your sister gives information about your family.
2.Which sentence has a verb?
The verb is makes the sentence complete.
3.Which sentence has correct capital letters and an end mark?
The sentence starts with a capital letter, uses a capital for Sara, and ends with a full stop.
4.Which sentence has the correct form of be?
Use are with they.
5.Which sentence has the correct verb form?
Use likes with she in the present simple.
6.Which sentence has correct spelling and punctuation?
Friend is spelled correctly, and the sentence ends with a full stop.
Check the five steps
Read each statement. Choose true or false.
1.Check the content first.
First, check that you answer the task and include the information.
2.Spelling is the first step.
Check the content before you check spelling.
3.Every sentence needs a verb.
A verb helps make a complete sentence.
4.Use small letters for names.
Names start with capital letters.
5.Check am, is, are, has, and have.
These verb forms must match the subject.
6.Read your text aloud twice as step five.
Read your text aloud once in the fifth step.
Build correct sentences
Put the words in the correct order.
1.Put the words in order:
student.Iama
The sentence needs I, the verb am, and the words a student.
2.Put the words in order:
Omar.Mynameis
Start with My name, add is, and finish with Omar.
3.Put the words in order:
likesmusic.She
Use likes with she in the present simple.
4.Put the words in order:
tea.Ilikedon't
Use don't before like to make a negative sentence with I.
Now write
Your task
Choose one text from an earlier lesson, or write four new sentences about yourself. Check your text with all five steps in order. Correct any mistakes you find.
Word bank
Step 1: check the contentStep 2: check every verbStep 3: check capital letters and end marksStep 4: check verb formsStep 5: check spelling and read aloudI student → I am a student.my name is ana. → My name is Ana.She are nice. → She is nice.He like music. → He likes music.
Sentence starters
- My name is ...
- I am from ...
- I like ...
- My friend is ...