18 Common Grammatical Errors to Avoid in Writing

Strong writing is an essential skill in today's world, whether you're crafting a professional email, an academic paper, or a creative story.

One of the keys to effective writing is avoiding common grammatical errors that can undermine your message and credibility.

In this article, we'll explore 18 of the most prevalent grammatical mistakes writers tend to make, providing clear explanations and practical tips to help you elevate your writing.

1. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors Ensuring subject-verb agreement - that the subject and verb in a sentence match in number (singular or plural) - is a fundamental grammatical principle.

Common errors include using a singular verb with a plural subject (e.g., "The dogs runs in the park") or a plural verb with a singular subject (e.g., "The dog run in the park").

To avoid these mistakes, carefully proofread your writing and double-check that your subjects and verbs agree.

2. Pronoun-Antecedent Disagreement Pronouns (such as "he," "she," "it," "they") should clearly and unambiguously refer back to their antecedents (the nouns they replace).

Problems arise when the pronoun does not match the antecedent in number or gender, or when the antecedent is unclear.

For example, "Everyone brought their lunch to the picnic" is incorrect because "everyone" is singular, but "their" is plural. The correct phrasing would be "Everyone brought his or her lunch to the picnic."

3. Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma, rather than a conjunction (e.g., "and," "but," "so") or a semicolon. Run-on sentences are similar, combining two or more independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunctions.

Both of these errors create lengthy, unwieldy sentences that can confuse the reader. To fix them, either add the appropriate conjunction or split the clauses into separate sentences.

4. Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers Modifiers (words, phrases, or clauses that describe or qualify another part of the sentence) should be placed as close as possible to the word or phrase they're modifying.

When a modifier is separated from its target, it can create a dangling modifier (e.g., "Walking through the park, the trees were beautiful") or a misplaced modifier (e.g., "The student was essay assigned a lengthy"). Carefully review your writing to ensure modifiers are properly positioned.

5. Improper Use of Apostrophes Apostrophes have two primary uses: to indicate possession (e.g., "the cat's toy") and to show contractions (e.g., "don't," "can't").

Incorrectly using apostrophes, such as adding them to plurals (e.g., "apple's" instead of "apples") or omitting them in contractions, is a common grammatical error.

Refer to style guides or online resources to ensure you're applying apostrophes correctly.

6. Incorrect Use of Lay vs. Lie The verbs "lay" and "lie" are frequently confused, even by experienced writers. "Lay" is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object (e.g., "I will lay the book on the table"). "Lie," on the other hand, is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object (e.g., "I will lie down on the bed").

Memorizing the proper usage of these two verbs can help you avoid this common grammatical slip-up.

7. Improper Use of Who vs. Whom The choice between "who" and "whom" depends on the role the word plays in the sentence.

"Who" is a subject pronoun, used when the word is the subject of the sentence or clause (e.g., "Who is coming to the party?"). "Whom" is an object pronoun, used when the word is the object of a verb or preposition (e.g., "To whom did you give the gift?").

Paying close attention to the sentence structure can help you determine the correct pronoun to use.

8. Confusion Between Its and It's The possessive pronoun "its" (e.g., "The dog wagged its tail") is often mistaken for the contraction "it's," which means "it is" (e.g., "It's a beautiful day").

Remembering that "it's" is always a contraction, while "its" indicates possession, will help you avoid this common grammatical error.

9. Incorrect Use of Fewer vs. Less "Fewer" should be used when referring to countable nouns (e.g., "There are fewer apples in the basket"), while "less" should be used for quantities or non-countable nouns (e.g., "There is less sugar in the recipe").

Paying attention to whether the noun can be counted or not will guide you in selecting the appropriate word.

10. Misuse of Affect vs. Effect "Affect" is usually a verb, meaning "to influence" (e.g., "The weather affected our picnic plans"). "Effect," on the other hand, is most commonly a noun, meaning "the result" (e.g., "The weather had a significant effect on our picnic plans").

Remembering that "affect" is generally a verb and "effect" is generally a noun can help you choose the correct word.

11. Incorrect use of Farther vs. Further "Farther" should be used when referring to physical distance (e.g., "I ran farther than you did"), while "further" should be used for abstract or metaphorical distance (e.g., "We need to discuss this matter further").

Keeping this distinction in mind will ensure you use these words properly.

12. Inconsistent Verb Tense Maintaining consistent verb tense throughout a piece of writing is essential for clarity and coherence. Switching between past, present, and future tenses within the same paragraph or sentence can confuse the reader.

Review your work to ensure you're using the appropriate tense and, if necessary, make adjustments to maintain consistency.

13. Fragmented Sentences A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that is missing a subject, a verb, or both. These fragments can occur when writers try to add emphasis or create a specific style, but they can also be the result of careless writing.

To avoid sentence fragments, make sure each of your sentences has a subject and a verb and forms a complete thought.

14. Incorrect Use of Commas in a Series When listing three or more items in a series, commas should be used to separate each item, including the final two items (e.g., "I bought apples, oranges, and bananas").

This is known as the Oxford or serial comma. Omitting the final comma is a common error that can sometimes lead to ambiguity or confusion.

15. Misuse of Commas with Introductory Phrases Introductory phrases (e.g., "In the morning," "On the other hand," "Nevertheless") should be set off from the main clause with a comma.

Failing to do so can create awkward or unclear sentences. Remember to use a comma after these introductory elements to improve the flow and clarity of your writing.

16. Improper Use of Colons and Semicolons Colons (:) are used to introduce a list, a quotation, or an explanation, while semicolons (;) are used to connect two independent clauses.

Misusing these punctuation marks can result in sentences that are confusing or grammatically incorrect. Review the proper uses of colons and semicolons to ensure you're applying them correctly.

17. Redundant or Unnecessary Words Concise writing is often more effective than verbose, wordy sentences. Look out for redundant or unnecessary words and phrases that don't add meaningful information, such as "free gift," "future plans," or "unexpected surprise." Eliminating these extraneous elements can tighten your writing and make your point more clearly.

18. Incorrect Use of Homophones Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings, such as "their/there/they're," "to/two/too," or "brake/break."

Mixing up these easily confused words is a common grammatical error. Pay close attention to the context of the sentence to ensure you're using the correct homophone.

Mastering these 18 common grammatical errors is an essential step in developing strong, polished writing skills.

By learning to identify and avoid these pitfalls, you'll be able to communicate your ideas more effectively, whether in academic, professional, or personal contexts.

Remember, improving your grammar is an ongoing process. Continue to educate yourself, proofread your work carefully, and seek feedback from others to sharpen your writing abilities.

With practice and dedication, you can elevate your writing and make a meaningful impact through clear, well-crafted communication.