Language is not merely a tool for communication; it’s a reflection of our intellect, culture, and attention to detail. Proper grammar is crucial in today’s world, where emails, messages, and other written forms of communication dominate personal and professional interactions. It’s the scaffolding on which our ideas are built, providing clarity and precision. Unfortunately, common grammatical errors can detract from our message and, inadvertently, make us appear less educated or attentive than we actually are.
Their vs. They’re vs. There
Their is possessive: “This is their car.”
They’re is a contraction of “they are”: “They’re going to the store.”
There indicates a place or introduces a noun: “Look over there.”
Your vs. You’re:
Your is possessive: “Your book is on the table.”
You’re is a contraction of “you are”: “You’re looking well today.”
Its vs. It’s
Its is possessive: “The cat licked its paw.”
It’s is a contraction of “it is” or “it has”: “It’s raining.”
Using “less” instead of “fewer”
Use “fewer” for countable items and “less” for uncountable items.
Incorrect: “I have less books than you.”
Correct: “I have fewer books than you.”
Incorrect verb agreement
Ensure the subject and verb agree in number.
Incorrect: “The team are playing well.”
Correct: “The team is playing well.”
Double negatives
Avoid using two negatives in a single statement, as it can make the sentence unclear.
Incorrect: “I don’t need no help.”
Correct: “I don’t need any help.”
Me vs. Myself
Incorrect: “John and myself went to the store.”
Correct: “John and I went to the store.”
Ending sentences with prepositions
While it’s sometimes acceptable in casual speech, it’s best avoided in formal writing.
Casual: “Who are you going with?”
Formal: “With whom are you going?”
Affect vs. Effect
Affect is usually a verb: “The rain will affect my plans.”
Effect is a noun: “The effect of the rain was noticeable.”
Could of, Should of, Would of
These are incorrect forms. The right ones are “could’ve,” “should’ve,” and “would’ve,” which are contractions of “could have,” “should have,” and “would have” respectively.
Split infinitives
While the rule is debated, traditionalists prefer not to split an infinitive (to + verb).
Controversial: “To boldly go where no man has gone before.”
Traditional: “To go boldly where no man has gone before.”
Misplaced modifiers
Place modifiers close to the word they modify.
Confusing: “She almost drove her kids to school every day.”
Clear: “She drove her kids to school almost every day.”
Using “irregardless”
This is not a standard word. Instead, use “regardless.”
“I” vs. “Me” confusion
Incorrect: “He gave the tickets to my friend and I.”
Correct: “He gave the tickets to my friend and me.”
“Then” vs. “Than”
Then indicates a sequence in time: “First this, then that.”
Than is used for comparison: “This is better than that.”
“Lay” vs. “Lie”
Lay requires a direct object: “Lay the book on the table.”
Lie doesn’t require a direct object: “I need to lie down.”
Misusing “who” and “whom”
Use “who” as a subject and “whom” as an object.
“Who is there?” vs. “To whom should I address this letter?”
Using “alot” instead of “a lot”
“Alot” is not a word. Always use the two-word form: “a lot.”
Avoiding these 18 common grammatical errors will enhance your communication skills, making your speech and writing appear more educated and polished. Always take a moment to proofread and refine your work, as small slip-ups can make a significant difference in perception.
16 ANNOYING PHRASES THAT MAKE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY HATE YOU!
We wanted to know the most irksome things someone can say that turns you off! These Reddit users didn’t hold back!
16 ANNOYING PHRASES THAT MAKE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY HATE YOU!
OBSOLETE MILLENNIALS: 14 SKILLS THEY LEARNED IN THE 90S THAT HAVE NO PLACE IN TODAY’S WORLD
A lot has changed since the turn of the century – just ask this nostalgic lot!
OBSOLETE MILLENNIALS: 14 SKILLS THEY LEARNED IN THE 90S THAT HAVE NO PLACE IN TODAY’S WORLD
THE FALL FROM GRACE: 12 PROFESSIONS THAT WERE ONCE REVERED, NOW A TOTAL JOKE
These 12 professions that are now obsolete show how much the times have changed.
THE FALL FROM GRACE: 12 PROFESSIONS THAT WERE ONCE REVERED, NOW A TOTAL JOKE
FROM ‘OKAY BOOMER’ TO ‘UGH BOOMER’: 10 HABITS THAT IRRITATE MILLENNIALS
Each generation has its quirks. Most label it as an “old person thing” when asked why grandpa or grandma does something unusual. The defense from the other side is that “it was the way things were back in our day.”
FROM ‘OKAY BOOMER’ TO ‘UGH BOOMER’: 10 HABITS THAT IRRITATE MILLENNIALS
