Grammar errors can sneak into our writing no matter how experienced we are. These common mistakes can be a source of embarrassment, and avoiding these pitfalls can significantly improve your communication. These are the 19 most common grammar errors everyone seems to make.
Your vs. You’re
As Grammarly notes, “the word you’re is a contraction of you and are, while your is a possessive adjective” – yet many people still make this common error. To avoid confusion, try replacing “your” with “you are” in the sentence. If it doesn’t make sense, then “your” is the correct choice.
There, Their, and They’re
“There,” “their,” and “they’re” are homophones, which means they sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. “There” refers to a place or position; “their” is a possessive adjective, meaning it shows ownership; and “they’re” is a contraction of “they are,” such as in “they’re coming to the party.”
Its vs. It’s
“Its” is a possessive form of “it,” used to show that something belongs to “it,” while “it’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has”. A helpful tip is to try substituting “it is” in place of “it’s” in a sentence. If it fits, then “it’s” is correct.
Affect vs. Effect
Confusing “affect” and “effect” is a common error, but remember that “affect” is usually a verb, meaning to influence something, while “effect,” is a noun, meaning the result of a change. A good way to remember this is that “affect” is an action, and “effect” is an end result.
Then vs. Than
“Then” and “than” are often misused, but they have distinct meanings. “Then” relates to time, indicating what happens next, like “First, we went to the store, then we went home.” “Than” is used in comparisons, such as “She is taller than her brother.” Mixing these up can lead to confusing sentences.
To, Too, and Two
Other commonly confused words are “to,” “too,” and “two”; “to” is a preposition used to indicate direction or purpose, like “I’m going to the park.” “Too” means also or excessively, as in “I want to go too” or “It’s too hot.” “Two” is the number 2.
Who vs. Whom
Using “who” and “whom” correctly can be tricky because they are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. “Who” is a subject pronoun, used when the pronoun is doing the action; conversely, “whom” is an object pronoun, used when the pronoun is receiving the action.
Which vs. That
Choosing between “which” and “that” can throw people off, but remember that “that” is used in restrictive clauses, which are essential to the meaning of the sentence, while “which” is used in non-restrictive clauses (usually preceded by a comma), which add extra information.
Less vs. Fewer
“Less” and “fewer” are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct uses. “Less” is used for uncountable nouns, things you can’t count individually, like “less water” or “less time.” “Fewer” is used for countable nouns, things you can count individually, such as “fewer apples”.
Me vs. I
When you’re deciding when to use “me” and “I”, it can be daunting, but “I” is a subject pronoun, used when the pronoun is the subject of the verb, and “me” is an object pronoun, used when the pronoun is the object of the verb or preposition.
Could of vs. Could Have
Another one many people mistakenly write: “could of” instead of “could have.” This error likely arises from the contraction “could’ve,” which sounds like “could of” when spoken. However, the correct phrase is “could have,” as in “I could have gone to the party.”
Who’s vs. Whose
“Who’s” and “whose” can be easily mixed up. “Who’s” is a contraction for “who is” or “who has,” whereas “Whose” is a possessive pronoun, indicating that something belongs to someone. To find out which to use, try substituting “who is” or “who has” in the sentence.
Lay vs. Lie
The verbs “lay” and “lie” are often used incorrectly – “lay” means to put or place an object down, like “I lay the book on the table”; “lie” means to recline or be in a resting position and does not take a direct object, as in “I lie down on the couch.”
Bring vs. Take
Another common grammar mistake is between “bring” and “take”. “Bring” is used when an object is being moved toward the speaker, while “take” is used when an object is being moved away from the speaker. You can remember that “bring” involves coming to a place, while “take” involves going from a place.
Good vs. Well
Using “good” and “well” correctly can be challenging, but just think that “good” is an adjective, describing nouns, and “well” is an adverb, describing verbs. However, “well” can also be an adjective when referring to health, such as “I feel well.” If you’re describing how something is done, use “well.”
Farther vs. Further
Often used interchangeably, “farther” and “further” have different meanings: “farther” refers to physical distance, but “further” means the figurative distance or more in-depth, as in “we need to discuss this further.” An easy way to remember is that “farther” has “far” in it, hinting at physical distance.
Everyday vs. Every Day
Even though they might seem very similar – and sound identical, of course – “everyday” and “every day” have distinct uses. “Everyday” is an adjective meaning common or ordinary. “Every day” means each day. If you can replace it with “each day,” then “every day” is the correct choice.
Compliment vs. Complement
“Compliment” and “complement” may sound the same, but they mean something quite different. “Compliment” means to praise or express admiration, like “she gave me a nice compliment.” “Complement” means to complete or enhance something, as in “the wine complements the meal.”
Principal vs. Principle
And finally, another common grammatical error is the mixup of “principal” and “principle” due to their similar spelling. “Principal” can mean the head of a school, an important person, or the main amount of money in finance. “Principle,” on the other hand, means a fundamental truth or belief.
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