You can use you word processor's Search or Find function to locate all instances of irregular verbs you have particular trouble with. For example, if you routinely type brung instead of brought, you can have the computer locate all examples of brung and change them to brought. Consider keeping track of your verb tense errors so that you can take advantage of this feature to simplify your editing.
You can use your word processor's Search or Find function to help yo edit pronoun case. If you often misuse I in place of me or vice versa, have the computer locate all instances of both I and me so that you can be sure you've used them correctly. Or if you want to be sure you've used who and whom correctly, search for every instance of each of these words.
You can use your word processor's Search or Find function to locate some habitual problems with pronoun-verb agreement. Since indefinite pronouns as subjects often cause difficulties with subject-verb agreement, you can search for all instances of each or few (or whatever your particular bugaboo is) and make sure you've used the correct form of the verb. Consider keeping track of your pronoun-antecedent agreement errors so that you can take advantage of this feature to simplify your editing.
If you have a serious problem with sentence fragments, you may need to find a way to focus on each individual sentence in your writing rather than reading through your paper quickly. A word processor can help. Make a duplicate of your document. Then use the Replace function to find each period and replace it with a period followed by two returns. This technique will put each sentence (or each group of words punctuated as a sentence) on its own line. Now you go through each sentence and make sure you can find a subject and verb. Starting from the end of the paper, read aloud to see if it makes sense on its own. Be on the lookout for any "sentences" that are especially short; they may lack essential sentence elements. These techniques may help you locate sentence fragments in your writing.
You can use your word processor's Search or Find function to help you edit for correct adjective and adverb use. You can have the computer search for -ly at the ends of words to make sure that you have used adverb forms correctly. (This won't help with the instances where you should have used an -ly adverb but did not.) Since these common modifiers often cause problems, consider having the computer search for quickly(ly), slowly(ly), really(ly), and slow(ly). Consider keeping track of your adjective and adverb errors so that you can take advantage of this feature to simplify your editing.
