to check or not to check – that is the question!

not checking is to hand errors to your examiner/reader on a plate!

native speakers need to check – errors happen

a well-controlled piece of writing will have minimal errors but they need to be routed out and disposed of!!

How to check

read out loud – whenever you stumble you will find a problem (in an exam do it quietly – under your breath)

have your own personal error check-list – you build this up from marked work – check for these things first (ideally you should check these as you use them)

common mistakes even for advanced students are: articles, third person ‘s’, agreement subj and verb, present perfect usage etc.

if you really have no time then look at the introduction and conclusion – a good introduction makes an impression and a good conclusion can wash away some of the mistakes in the middle!

Try the error analysis exercise.