Grammatical accuracy in EAP writing

Abstract

Abstract Accuracy in use of inflection is a defining feature of native and non-native academic writing. In EAP contexts, non-native texts are dominated by errors in use of tense and agreement, despite accuracy being an important element of text complexity and EAP teaching and assessment. An open question is to what degree the absence of inflection in the EAP learner s L1 resembling English tense and agreement is associated with inaccuracy. This study examined verb form errors in the EAP writing of L1 Chinese learners and assessed the degree to which errors stem from the absence of similar inflection in the L1. The use of three forms that are especially important in native and non-native academic writing, tense/agreement, passives, and modals, was analysed. These forms were especially relevant due to the fact that only modals and passives have cognates in English. Analyses show errors were most frequently omission and misuse. Errors with tense/agreement outnumbered both passives and modals, suggesting the former are especially difficult to master as cognate forms are absent in the L1. Furthermore, similar rates of misuse and omission were found across passives and modals, suggesting these forms are attainable. Implications for teacher-training, materials development, and error-correction are discussed.