Grammar is the backbone of communication, and even minor errors can impact the clarity and professionalism of your writing and speech. While we may not realize it, many of us unknowingly make the same grammar mistakes on a daily basis. These errors can occur in both casual conversations and formal writing, making it important to become aware of them and correct them to improve our communication skills.
In this article, we’ll break down nine common grammar mistakes that people often make without even realizing it. Each error will be explained in detail, with examples, so you can understand the mistake, why it happens, and how to fix it.
1. Misusing Apostrophes in Possession and Contractions
Apostrophes are commonly misused in both possession and contractions, which can lead to confusion in written and spoken communication. People often mix up the possessive form (showing ownership) with contractions (a combination of two words). This is especially true when using words like “it’s” and “its.”
- “It’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has”.
Example: “It’s raining outside” (It is raining outside). - “Its” is the possessive form of “it”.
Example: “The dog chased its tail.”
Why it happens: Since “it’s” and “its” sound the same, it’s easy to confuse them in everyday speech and writing. However, they have very different meanings.
How to fix it:
- Use it’s only when you mean “it is” or “it has.”
- Use its when referring to something belonging to “it.”
Example:
Incorrect: “The company made it’s decision.”
Correct: “The company made its decision.”
2. Double Negatives
Double negatives occur when two negative words are used together in a sentence, which can create confusion or make the sentence sound awkward. In English, double negatives usually cancel each other out, making the sentence positive rather than negative.
Why it happens: Double negatives are commonly used in casual speech, but in formal writing and standard grammar, they’re considered incorrect.
Example:
Incorrect: “I don’t need no help.”
Correct: “I don’t need any help.”
How to fix it:
- Avoid using two negative words in the same sentence unless you intend to express a positive meaning.
- Use any instead of no when you want to negate something.
3. Confusing “There,” “Their,” and “They’re”
One of the most common mistakes in English grammar involves confusing the homophones “there,” “their,” and “they’re.” These words sound the same, but they have different meanings and uses.
- “There” refers to a place or location.
Example: “The book is over there.” - “Their” is the possessive form of “they”, indicating something belongs to them.
Example: “Their house is beautiful.” - “They’re” is a contraction of “they are.”
Example: “They’re going to the park later.”
Why it happens: These words are pronounced the same, so it’s easy to get them confused, especially when writing quickly.
How to fix it:
- There = location or existence.
- Their = possession.
- They’re = contraction of “they are.”
Example:
Incorrect: “Their going to the meeting now.”
Correct: “They’re going to the meeting now.”
4. Incorrect Use of “Fewer” and “Less”
The words “fewer” and “less” are often confused, but they are used differently depending on whether the noun is countable or uncountable.
- “Fewer” is used with countable nouns (things you can count individually).
Example: “I have fewer apples than you.” - “Less” is used with uncountable nouns (things you can’t count individually).
Example: “I have less water than you.”
Why it happens: Many people mistakenly use “less” with countable nouns because they think both words mean “a smaller amount.”
How to fix it:
- Use fewer with things that can be counted (e.g., books, cars, people).
- Use less with things that cannot be counted (e.g., water, air, money).
Example:
Incorrect: “There are less students in the class today.”
Correct: “There are fewer students in the class today.”
5. Using “Me” Instead of “I” (And Vice Versa)
Many people incorrectly use “me” when they should use “I,” or they may use “I” when “me” is the correct choice. The issue typically arises when both subjects and objects are involved in a sentence.
- “I” is the subject pronoun. It is used when the person is performing the action.
Example: “I went to the store.” - “Me” is the object pronoun. It is used when the person is receiving the action.
Example: “She gave me the book.”
Why it happens: This mistake is often made when we use a compound subject (e.g., “John and me” or “John and I”). People may mistakenly think both subjects should be in the same form.
How to fix it:
- Use I when it is the subject of the sentence.
- Use me when it is the object.
Example:
Incorrect: “Me and Sarah are going to the concert.”
Correct: “Sarah and I are going to the concert.”
6. Confusing “Who” and “Whom”
“Who” and “whom” are often confused, but they have different roles in a sentence.
- “Who” is used as the subject of a sentence.
Example: “Who is going to the party?” - “Whom” is used as the object of a sentence, typically after a preposition or verb.
Example: “To whom should I address the letter?”
Why it happens: Many native English speakers use “who” in both cases, as it sounds more natural in everyday speech.
How to fix it:
- Use who for the subject (performer of the action).
- Use whom for the object (receiver of the action) after prepositions like “to,” “for,” or “with.”
Example:
Incorrect: “Who are you going to the concert with?”
Correct: “Whom are you going to the concert with?”
7. Dangling Modifiers
A dangling modifier is a descriptive word or phrase that is not clearly connected to the word it is supposed to modify. This can lead to confusion and awkward sentence construction.
Example:
Incorrect: “Walking down the street, the car passed me.”
(This sentence suggests that the car was walking down the street, which is illogical.)
Correct: “While I was walking down the street, the car passed me.”
Why it happens: This error occurs when the modifying phrase is placed at the beginning of a sentence without a clear subject that it describes.
How to fix it:
- Ensure that the subject of the modifier is clear and directly follows the phrase. Rework the sentence for clarity.
8. Subject-Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to a group of people or things, and they can be tricky because they may sound plural but are treated as singular in certain contexts. The correct subject-verb agreement with collective nouns is essential.
Example:
Incorrect: “The team are practicing for the match.”
Correct: “The team is practicing for the match.”
Why it happens: Collective nouns like “team,” “family,” or “group” can be confusing because they refer to multiple people but are treated as singular subjects in formal English.
How to fix it:
- Use singular verbs with collective nouns unless the sentence emphasizes the individual members of the group.
9. Misplaced Modifiers
A misplaced modifier is a word or phrase that is improperly positioned in a sentence, making the sentence confusing or leading to an unintended meaning.
Example:
Incorrect: “She almost drove her kids to school every day.”
(This sentence implies that she almost drove, but didn’t drive, which isn’t the intended meaning.)
Correct: “She drove her kids to school almost every day.”
Why it happens: Misplaced modifiers happen when the modifier is placed too far from the word it’s meant to modify.
How to fix it:
- Place modifiers as close as possible to the word or phrase they are intended to modify.
Example:
Incorrect: “He nearly drove 100 miles every day.”
Correct: “He drove nearly 100 miles every day.”
Conclusion
Grammar errors can easily slip into our speech and writing without us realizing it. However, by being aware of these common mistakes—misusing apostrophes, using double negatives, confusing “who” and “whom,” and others—you can significantly improve your communication. With practice and attention to detail, these errors can become a thing of the past, allowing you to communicate more clearly and professionally. Make it a habit to review your grammar and correct these mistakes, and you’ll see noticeable improvements in your language skills.