Strong grammar is more than a formality—it’s the backbone of clear communication. Whether you’re writing a blog post, email, resume, or social media caption, using correct grammar helps your message come across as polished and professional.
Let’s dive into ten of the most common grammar mistakes people make, complete with examples and easy strategies to avoid them.
1. Your vs. You’re
- Common Mistake: Your going to love this movie.
- Correct Version: You’re going to love this movie.
Why it’s wrong:
“Your” is a possessive adjective that shows ownership (e.g., your phone).
“You’re” is a contraction of you are.
Tip: Read the sentence aloud using “you are.” If it makes sense, “you’re” is correct.
Example:
❌ Your the best friend ever.
✅ You’re the best friend ever.
2. Its vs. It’s
- Common Mistake: The company changed it’s policy.
- Correct Version: The company changed its policy.
Why it’s wrong:
“It’s” is a contraction of it is or it has.
“Its” is possessive (just like his or hers).
Tip: If you can replace the word with it is, use “it’s.”
Example:
❌ The dog wagged it’s tail.
✅ The dog wagged its tail.
✅ It’s been a long day. (Correct use of “it’s” = “it has”)
3. There, Their, and They’re
- Common Mistake: There going to bring their books over they’re.
- Correct Version: They’re going to bring their books over there.
Why it’s wrong:
These three words sound the same but have different meanings:
- There = a place or direction (Put the keys over there.)
- Their = possessive (Their house is beautiful.)
- They’re = contraction for they are (They’re excited to go.)
Tip: Test by expanding “they’re” to they are. If it doesn’t work, it’s the wrong word.
4. Affect vs. Effect
- Common Mistake: The new rule will effect how we work.
- Correct Version: The new rule will affect how we work.
Why it’s wrong:
- Affect is usually a verb (to influence).
- Effect is usually a noun (the result of something).
Examples:
✅ Lack of sleep can affect your mood. (verb)
✅ The new law had a positive effect. (noun)
Quick check: If it’s an action, use “affect.” If it’s a thing/result, use “effect.”
5. Then vs. Than
- Common Mistake: I’d rather drive then fly.
- Correct Version: I’d rather drive than fly.
Why it’s wrong:
- Than is used when comparing things.
- Then refers to time or what happens next.
Examples:
✅ She’s taller than her brother. (comparison)
✅ We’ll eat, then go to the movies. (sequence)
6. Run-On Sentences
- Common Mistake: I like coffee I drink it every morning.
- Correct Version: I like coffee, and I drink it every morning.
Why it’s wrong:
A run-on sentence happens when two independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or a conjunction.
How to fix it:
- Use a period: I like coffee. I drink it every morning.
- Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction: I like coffee, and I drink it every morning.
- Use a semicolon: I like coffee; I drink it every morning.
7. Misplaced Apostrophes
- Common Mistake: The banana’s are ripe.
- Correct Version: The bananas are ripe.
Why it’s wrong:
Apostrophes are for contractions (don’t, it’s) and possessives (John’s book), not for plurals.
Examples:
❌ The dog’s are barking.
✅ The dogs are barking.
✅ That is the dog’s toy. (Correct possessive use)
8. Who vs. Whom
- Common Mistake: Whom is going to the event?
- Correct Version: Who is going to the event?
Why it’s confusing:
- Who is used as a subject (doing the action).
- Whom is used as an object (receiving the action).
Trick: Replace with he/she or him/her.
- If he/she fits → use who.
- If him/her fits → use whom.
Example:
✅ Who is coming to dinner? (He is.)
✅ To whom should I send the email? (Send it to him.)
9. Dangling Modifiers
- Common Mistake: While jogging, the trees looked beautiful.
- Correct Version: While jogging, I noticed the trees looked beautiful.
Why it’s wrong:
The sentence makes it seem like the trees were jogging. That’s the dangling modifier.
Fix it: Make sure the subject is clearly stated and matches the descriptive phrase.
10. Less vs. Fewer
- Common Mistake: There were less people at the meeting today.
- Correct Version: There were fewer people at the meeting today.
Why it’s wrong:
- Use fewer for countable nouns (people, apples, books).
- Use less for uncountable nouns (water, time, money).
Examples:
✅ Fewer cars on the road today.
✅ We have less traffic overall.
Even the most skilled writers make grammar mistakes from time to time. The key is to stay aware of the common pitfalls and practice regularly. Tools like grammar checkers and proofreading apps can help catch errors before you hit “send” or “publish.”