Understanding the 18 most common grammar mistakes can help you improve your writing. When you know which common grammatical errors to look for, it's easier to act as your own proofreader and editor. If you want to keep a quick reference guide for the most common grammar mistakes handy, you can print and hang this grammar error chart. It features 18 common grammar mistakes with examples of how to correct them. A run-on sentence is a sentence that joins two independent clauses without punctuation or the appropriate conjunction. A comma splice is similar to a run-on sentence, but it uses a comma to join two clauses that have no appropriate conjunction. Fixing a run-on sentence or a comma splice can be accomplished in one of five different ways. Incorrect sentence: “Rachel is very smart, she began reading when she was three years old.”
Some of the most common grammar mistakes are pronoun errors. They occur when pronouns do not agree in number with the nouns to which they refer. If the noun is singular, the pronoun must be singular. If the noun is plural, the pronoun must be plural as well. For example:
Pronoun errors are common in modern English, as writers try to avoid awkward phrasing or the implication of sexist language. Although this is an admirable goal, it is still important to learn the correct grammar and use it in more formal situations. Apostrophes are used to show possession. However, you do not use an apostrophe after a possessive pronoun such as my, mine, our, ours, his, hers, its, their, or theirs. For example:
In the case of it's, the apostrophe is used only to indicate a contraction for “it is.” For example:
Confusion over subject-verb agreement can be the source of many grammatical errors. When speaking or writing in the present tense, a sentence must have subjects and verbs that agree in number. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural as well. For example:
To clearly communicate your ideas, you should place a modifier directly next to the word it is supposed to modify. The modifier should clearly refer to a specific word in the sentence. Misplaced modifiers can create confusion and ambiguity. For example:
Sentence fragments are also common grammar mistakes. A sentence needs to have a subject and a verb. A fragment often happens after another related idea has been expressed. For example:
A compound sentence expresses two complete and related ideas, and it usually includes a conjunction to connect these two parts. There should be a comma before the conjunction to indicate the two ideas are related. If that’s missing, it’s a mistake readers will notice. For example:
An antecedent is a word that comes before a pronoun and helps the reader understand what the pronoun means. Generally, you can clear up this confusion by rearranging the wording. For example:
Another common grammar mistake is ending a sentence with a preposition. A preposition, by its nature, indicates that another word will follow it. In casual conversation, this type of error is no big deal, but you should avoid this mistake in your writing. For example:
Sometimes, it’s not a matter of mixing up the spelling as much as an error in word choice. There are many words that sound similar but have different meanings and spellings. These include the following: For example:
While commas are important for clarity and give the reader a chance to pause in the sentence, it’s possible to use commas when you don’t need them. These unnecessary commas can be confusing to read, and they make writing look less professional. Before you use a comma, think about why you’re using it. If you aren’t sure it’s needed, double-check by reviewing comma rules. For example:
People often get confused when adding an “s” to the end of a word. When do you need an apostrophe? In general, you use an apostrophe before an “s” to show possession or as a contraction, like “that’s” for “that is.” If you’re just trying to say something is plural, you don’t need the apostrophe. Like most rules in the English language, this has some variation. However, if you keep the general guidelines in mind, you’ll be correct most of the time. For example:
One of the most common grammatical errors is mixing up “well” and “good.” In general, “well” is an adverb, while “good” is an adjective. When you aren’t sure which one to use, simply ask yourself whether an adjective or an adverb is appropriate for the situation. For example:
When you use a word that has a comparative aspect, you need to compare it to something else. These common grammatical errors may appear in advertisements or market slogans, but it does not work well in papers or other writing. If the word requires a comparison, you should always provide it. For example:
If you mix up adverbs and adjectives, this can be an embarrassing grammar mistake. This is the kind of error that can annoy a teacher or make the difference between a great grade on an essay and getting marked down. This happens most often with words that end in “-ly.” For example:
Many people mix up “fewer” and “less.” If you’re talking about the amount of something, you need to decide whether the item is all one thing or a group of many things. If it’s a group of many smaller things, you should use “fewer.” If it’s one thing, you should use “less.” For example:
Knowing when to capitalize the words in a title can be very confusing. In general, you should capitalize the first and last words, all nouns and pronouns, all verbs, and all adjectives and adverbs. However, there are specific title capitalization rules depending on the style you are using. For example:
YourDictionary has an extensive listing of links of grammar rules and tips. Taking advantage of easy-to-understand lessons and examples can help you polish your grammatical skills while working at a time that best fits your busy schedule. If English is not your native language, there are also links on YourDictionary to resources that explain the most common grammatical mistakes for ESL students. |