Common Grammar Mistakes
Avoid these frequent errors and write with confidence.
Subject-Verb Agreement
The subject and verb must agree in number
The list of items are on the desk.
The list of items is on the desk.
The subject is "list" (singular), not "items"
Each of the students have a book.
Each of the students has a book.
"Each" is singular and requires a singular verb
Neither the teacher nor the students was ready.
Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.
Verb agrees with the nearest subject (students)
Pronoun Usage
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents and be in the correct case
Everyone should bring their own lunch.
Everyone should bring his or her own lunch.
"Everyone" is singular; use "they" in informal contexts
Between you and I, this is difficult.
Between you and me, this is difficult.
Use object pronoun "me" after preposition "between"
The team celebrated their victory.
The team celebrated its victory.
Collective nouns are usually singular in American English
Commonly Confused Words
Words that sound similar but have different meanings
The decision will effect everyone.
The decision will affect everyone.
"Affect" is usually a verb; "effect" is usually a noun
Your going to love this.
You're going to love this.
"You're" = you are; "your" shows possession
I should of studied more.
I should have studied more.
"Should have" (or "should've"), never "should of"
Its a beautiful day.
It's a beautiful day.
"It's" = it is; "its" shows possession
Modifier Placement
Place modifiers next to what they modify
I only ate pizza yesterday.
I ate only pizza yesterday. (or) I ate pizza only yesterday.
Place "only" next to what it modifies for clarity
Walking down the street, the trees were beautiful.
Walking down the street, I saw beautiful trees.
Trees can't walk; fix the dangling modifier
She nearly drove her kids to school every day.
She drove her kids to school nearly every day.
She did drive them, just not every day
Sentence Fragments
Complete sentences need a subject and verb
Because I was tired.
I went to bed because I was tired.
Dependent clauses need an independent clause
Running through the park. She felt free.
Running through the park, she felt free.
Connect the fragment to a complete sentence
The book on the table. It's mine.
The book on the table is mine.
Add a verb to complete the sentence
Run-on Sentences
Don't join independent clauses incorrectly
I love reading I do it every day.
I love reading. I do it every day.
Use a period, semicolon, or conjunction
She studied hard, she passed the test.
She studied hard, so she passed the test.
Comma splice: add a conjunction or use a semicolon
The sun was setting it was beautiful.
The sun was setting; it was beautiful.
Use proper punctuation between independent clauses
Apostrophe Errors
Use apostrophes correctly for possession and contractions
The dog wagged it's tail.
The dog wagged its tail.
"Its" is possessive; "it's" means "it is"
The 1990's were great.
The 1990s were great.
No apostrophe for plural years
Thats not yours, its her's.
That's not yours, it's hers.
Possessive pronouns don't use apostrophes
How to Avoid Grammar Mistakes
Even experienced writers make grammar mistakes. The key is knowing what to look for and developing good editing habits.
Strategies for Better Grammar:
- Read your work aloud to catch awkward phrasing and errors
- Take a break before editing to see your writing with fresh eyes
- Learn the rules for your most common mistakes and practice them
- Use grammar-checking tools, but don't rely on them completely
- Keep a personal list of errors you tend to make and check for them specifically
- Read well-edited writing to internalize correct grammar patterns