Correct grammar is critical for clarity and professionalism, whether you’re writing in English for academic purposes or crafting a business email.
Even native speakers sometimes struggle with grammar rules.
To help you avoid common grammar mistakes in your writing, we’ve compiled a list of 35 of the most frequently made errors.
Understanding and correcting these mistakes can significantly enhance your writing skills.
Here’s the rundown on vocab mix-ups—words that sound alike but mess you up if you pick the wrong one:
- Your vs. You’re
- There vs. Their vs. They’re
- Its vs. It’s
- Affect vs. Effect
- Then vs. Than
- Loose vs. Lose
- To vs. Too vs. Two
- Accept vs. Except
- Passed vs. Past
- Principal vs. Principle
- Who vs. Whom
- Less vs. Fewer
- Me vs. I
- Good vs. Well
- Lay vs. Lie
- Between vs. Among
- Farther vs. Further
- Who’s vs. Whose
- Alot vs. A lot
- Could of vs. Could have
- Compliment vs. Complement
- Advice vs. Advise
- Stationary vs. Stationery
- Elicit vs. Illicit
- Ensure vs. Insure
- Breath vs. Breathe
- Capitol vs. Capital
- Discreet vs. Discrete
- Adverse vs. Averse
- Lead vs. Led
- Peak vs. Peek vs. Pique
- Cite vs. Site vs. Sight
- Everyday vs. Every day
- Irregardless vs. Regardless
And here’s the little hiccups that make your sentences stumble:
- Allude vs. Elude
- Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
- Misusing Apostrophes
- Run-On Sentences
- Comma Splices
- Dangling Modifiers
- Misplaced Modifiers
- Incorrect Pronoun Case
- Double Negatives
- Sentence Fragments
- Incorrect Tense Switching
Your vs. You’re
“Your” is all about possession–like when something belongs to you, such as your book or your car. “You’re,” on the other hand, is short for “you are,” so it’s used when you’re describing something you’re doing or being, like being late or being tired.
To pick the right one, think about whether you’re talking about ownership or if you could swap in “you are” without it sounding off. If it’s about “you are,” slap that apostrophe in there for “you’re.”
- Examples:
- “Your jacket is on the chair.” (The jacket belongs to you.)
- “You’re going to love this movie.” (You are going to love it.)
There vs. Their vs. They’re
“There” is for pointing–could be a place, like over by the door, or just a way to say something exists, like “there’s a problem.” “Their” is possessive, meaning it belongs to a group, like their house or their ideas–it’s the plural version of “his” or “her.”
“They’re” is “they are,” so it’s about what a group is doing or being, like running or sleeping. To figure it out, see if you’re locating something (there), showing ownership (their), or could say “they are” (they’re).
- Examples:
- “The keys are over there.” (A spot where the keys are.)
- “Their kids are loud.” (The kids belong to them.)
- “They’re playing outside.” (They are playing.)
Its vs. It’s
“It’s” is a shortcut for “it is” or “it has,” so you need that apostrophe every time–like when it’s raining or it’s been a long day. “Its” is possessive, showing something belongs to “it,” like a dog’s tail being “its tail”–no apostrophe, which trips people up since we usually add one for possession.
The trick is to test it: if you can say “it is” or “it has” and it makes sense, go with “it’s”; if it’s about ownership, stick to “its.” Confusing, but you’ll get the hang of it!
- Examples:
- “It’s time to leave.” (It is time.)
- “The bird flapped its wings.” (The wings belong to the bird.)
Affect vs. Effect
“Affect” is a verb, so it’s about doing something–it means to change or influence, like how noise messes with your sleep. “Effect” is a noun, the thing that happens because of that change, like the effect of noise being you’re groggy.
Most of the time, “affect” is what’s happening, and “effect” is what you’re left with after. If you’re stuck, think: am I describing an action (affect) or the result of one (effect)? That’ll sort it out fast.
- Examples:
- “Cold weather can affect your mood.” (It changes your mood.)
- “The effect of the cold was shivering.” (Shivering was the result.)
Then vs. Than
“Then” is about time or what comes next–like you do one thing, then another, keeping stuff in order. “Than” is for comparing, when you’re sizing things up, like taller than or less than–it’s all about differences.
People mix them up because they sound close, but here’s the deal: if it’s a sequence or when something happens, use “then”; if it’s pitting one against another, go “than.” Simple check–does it fit a timeline or a matchup?
- Examples:
- “We studied, then took a break.” (Break came after studying.)
- “This test is harder than the last one.” (Comparing difficulty.)
Loose vs. Lose
“Loose” is an adjective meaning something’s not tight–like a shirt that’s baggy or a screw that’s wobbly. It’s got nothing to do with dropping something, which is where people trip up. “Lose” is a verb, all about misplacing stuff or not winning, like losing your keys or a game.
- Examples:
- “My jeans are too loose after washing.” (Not tight.)
- “Don’t lose your ticket–it’s your only way in.” (Misplace it.)
To vs. Too vs. Two
“To” is super flexible–use it for direction (going to school) or as part of a verb (to run), but it’s not about amounts. “Too” means excess, like too much noise, or it can tag along like “me too,” while “two” is just the number 2, plain and simple. They get jumbled because they sound alike.
- Examples:
- “I’m going to the store.” (Direction.)
- “It’s too hot, and I’m tired too.” (Excess and also.)
- “Two dogs ran by.” (Number 2.)
Accept vs. Except
“Accept” is a verb–you’re taking or agreeing to something, like accepting a gift or a job offer–it’s about saying yes. “Except” is usually a preposition meaning “not including,” like leaving someone out of a group, and it’s the odd one out in the mix.
People swap them because they sound similar, but here’s the trick: if you’re receiving or okaying something, it’s “accept”; if you’re excluding or leaving something aside, use “except”–context is your friend here.
- Examples:
- “I’ll accept the award tomorrow.” (Agree to take it.)
- “Everyone came except Tom.” (Tom’s excluded.)
Passed vs. Past
“Passed” is the past tense of “pass”–it’s a verb for moving by or handing something over, like passing a car or a test. “Past” is about time (the past year) or position (walking past a house), working as a noun, adjective, or preposition, not an action.
They’re confused a lot since they’re tied to movement, but check this: if it’s something you did (moved by), it’s “passed”; if it’s a spot or old times, it’s “past”–keep the action separate from the place or history.
- Examples:
- “She passed me on the highway.” (Moved by.)
- “The past few days flew by.” (Time gone.)
Principal vs. Principle
“Principal” is the head honcho–like the school principal–or the main thing, like the principal reason; it’s a person or a top priority. “Principle” is a belief or rule you stick to, like honesty being a principle, and it’s never a person.
Mix-ups happen because they sound the same, but here’s how to split them: if it’s a leader or the biggest deal, use “principal”; if it’s a guideline or value, go “principle”–think “pal” for the person to cue “principal.”
- Examples:
- “The principal called a meeting.” (School leader.)
- “I stick to my principles.” (Personal rules.)
Who vs. Whom
“Who” is for the subject–the one doing something, like who’s calling or who’s running–it’s the star of the sentence. “Whom” is for the object, the one getting acted on, like you gave it to whom or it’s about whom, and it’s trickier to spot.
People overuse “who” because “whom” feels old-school, but swap it with “he/she” (who) or “him/her” (whom) to test: if “he” fits, it’s “who”; if “him” works, it’s “whom”–takes a sec but nails it.
- Examples:
- “Who wrote this?” (He wrote it.)
- “To whom did you speak?” (You spoke to him.)
Less vs. Fewer
“Less” is for stuff you can’t count individually–like less water or less time–it’s about amounts that don’t come in pieces. “Fewer” is for things you can tally up, like fewer cookies or fewer people, where numbers make sense.
Folks blur them since they both mean “not as much,” but here’s the deal: if you’d use a number (three cookies), it’s “fewer”; if it’s a blob or mass (some water), it’s “less”–keeps it precise.
- Examples:
- “I have less patience today.” (Can’t count patience.)
- “She ate fewer chips than me.” (Chips are countable.)
Me vs. I
“I” is the subject, the one doing the action–like I run or I said–so it’s up front calling the shots. “Me” is the object, getting hit by the action, like give it to me or he saw me–it’s on the receiving end.
People mess this up in pairs (like “me and him went”), but strip it down: if you’re doing it alone, is it “I did” or “me did”? If it’s “I,” use that; if it’s being done to you, “me” fits–simple solo check.
- Examples:
- “I wrote the essay.” (I’m doing it.)
- “She helped me with it.” (I’m helped.)
Good vs. Well
“Good” is an adjective describing a thing–like a good book or good weather–it’s about quality. “Well” is an adverb, telling how something’s done, like running well or sleeping well, or it’s about health (I feel well).
They get swapped because “good” feels catch-all, but ask: is it a noun being described (good) or an action/health (well)? That’s your split–don’t say “I did good” unless you mean charity!
- Examples:
- “This is a good plan.” (Plan’s quality.)
- “He writes well under pressure.” (How he writes.)
Lay vs. Lie
“Lay” is a verb meaning to put something down–you lay a book on the table, and it needs an object. “Lie” is about resting or reclining, like you lie down, and it doesn’t take an object–plus, its past is “lay,” which confuses everyone.
To sort it, think: are you placing something (lay) or just chilling (lie)? Past tense trips folks up–“lay” yesterday becomes “laid,” but “lie” becomes “lay”–check if there’s something being set down.
- Examples:
- “I lay the phone on the desk.” (Placing it.)
- “I lie on the couch all day.” (Resting.)
Between vs. Among
“Between” is for two things–like picking between tea and coffee or splitting cash between friends–it’s a duo deal. “Among” is for three or more, like mingling among a crowd or sharing among teammates, spreading it wider.
People use “between” too much, but here’s the rule: if it’s just two options or people, stick to “between”; if it’s a group or pile, “among” fits–count the players to decide.
- Examples:
- “I chose between red and blue.” (Two colors.)
- “She hid among the trees.” (More than two.)
Farther vs. Further
“Farther” is about physical distance–like walking farther down the road–it’s measurable stuff. “Further” is for abstract things, like further discussion or further delays, or it means “more” without miles involved.
They’re close cousins, so here’s the trick: if you can measure it with a ruler or steps, it’s “farther”; if it’s ideas, time, or extent, “further” is your pick–keeps it straight.
- Examples:
- “The park is farther than I thought.” (Distance.)
- “Let’s discuss this further tomorrow.” (More talk.)
Who’s vs. Whose
“Who’s” is “who is” or “who has”–a contraction with an apostrophe, like who’s there or who’s got it. “Whose” is possessive, showing ownership, like whose bag or whose fault, and it skips the apostrophe trap.
People flub it because “whose” looks odd without one, but test it: if “who is” fits, use “who’s”; if it’s about belonging, “whose” is right–don’t let the apostrophe fool you.
- Examples:
- “Who’s knocking at the door?” (Who is knocking.)
- “Whose coat is this?” (Belongs to whom?)
Alot vs. A lot
“Alot” isn’t a word–people write it by mistake when they mean “a lot,” which means a bunch of something, like a lot of work. It’s two words, always, no matter how fast you type.
The mix-up’s just lazy fingers, but here’s the fix: “a lot” is the only legit way–think of it like “a bunch,” not some mashed-up single term; “alot” gets you nowhere.
- Examples:
- “I have a lot of homework.” (Lots of it.)
- “She talks a lot in class.” (Frequently.)
Could of vs. Could have
“Could of” is a common goof–it’s not real; people hear “could’ve” and guess wrong. “Could have” is the right phrase, showing something possible in the past, like could have gone.
It’s a sound-alike trap, but here’s how to catch it: “have” pairs with “could” for past options–“of” doesn’t fit; say “could have” out loud to hear the difference.
- Examples:
- “I could have stayed longer.” (Possible action.)
- “She could have called earlier.” (Missed chance.)
Compliment vs. Complement
“Compliment” is praise–like saying you look nice or giving a compliment on a job well done. “Complement” is about completing or matching, like wine complementing dinner–it’s a fit, not flattery.
They sound the same, so here’s the split: if it’s a kind word, it’s “compliment”; if it’s about pairing or adding up, “complement”–think “I like you” vs. “it goes with you.”
- Examples:
- “He gave me a sweet compliment.” (Praise.)
- “The scarf complements her outfit.” (Matches it.)
Advice vs. Advise
“Advice” is a noun–the tips or guidance you get, like good advice from a friend. “Advise” is a verb, the act of giving that guidance, like I advise you to study–it’s what you do.
People flip them because they’re close, but check this: if it’s the stuff being said, it’s “advice” (ends in “s” sound); if it’s the saying, “advise” (ends in “z” sound)–listen to it.
- Examples:
- “Her advice saved my grade.” (The tip itself.)
- “I advise you to start early.” (Giving the tip.)
Stationary vs. Stationery
“Stationary” means not moving–like a stationary bike that stays put–it’s about stillness. “Stationery” is paper and pens, the stuff you write with, like fancy stationery for letters.
The “a” vs. “e” trips folks up, so here’s the key: “stationary” with an “a” is for staying (anchor); “stationery” with an “e” is for envelopes–link “e” to writing gear.
- Examples:
- “The car stayed stationary in traffic.” (Not moving.)
- “I bought new stationery for notes.” (Writing stuff.)
Elicit vs. Illicit
“Elicit” is a verb meaning to draw out–like eliciting a laugh or a confession–it’s about getting a response. “Illicit” is an adjective for illegal or shady stuff, like illicit deals, totally unrelated to asking.
They sound alike, but here’s the deal: if you’re pulling something out of someone, it’s “elicit”; if it’s against the rules, “illicit”–one’s an action, the other’s a label.
- Examples:
- “Her joke elicited a big laugh.” (Drew it out.)
- “He ran an illicit side hustle.” (Illegal.)
Ensure vs. Insure
“Ensure” means to make sure something happens–like ensuring a plan works–it’s about guaranteeing. “Insure” is for insurance, like insuring a car, tied to money and coverage, not just certainty.
People blur them since they overlap a bit, but split it like this: “ensure” is for confidence in any outcome; “insure” is for financial protection–think “sure” vs. “insurance.”
- Examples:
- “I’ll ensure the project’s done.” (Make it happen.)
- “Did you insure your phone?” (Get coverage.)
Breath vs. Breathe
“Breath” is a noun–the air you take in, like a deep breath after running–it’s the thing itself. “Breathe” is a verb, the act of sucking in that air, like breathe deeply–it’s what you do.
That extra “e” throws people, but here’s the fix: “breath” is short and static (the gulp); “breathe” is longer and active (the gulping)–match the action to the word.
- Examples:
- “Take a deep breath before speaking.” (The air.)
- “I need to breathe after that sprint.” (The act.)
Capitol vs. Capital
“Capitol” is a building–where lawmakers meet, like the U.S. Capitol with a dome–it’s super specific. “Capital” is everything else: money, a city (capital of a state), or an uppercase letter–it’s broader.
The “o” vs. “a” is the clue: “Capitol” with an “o” is only that one place (dome = o); “capital” with an “a” is all the rest–stick to buildings vs. everything else.
- Examples:
- “We toured the Capitol in D.C.” (The building.)
- “Paris is the capital of France.” (The city.)
Discreet vs. Discrete
“Discreet” means secretive or low-key–like a discreet meeting that’s hush-hush–it’s about subtlety. “Discrete” means separate, like discrete parts of a project, things split apart, not sneaky.
The double “e” vs. single messes folks up, but here’s how: “discreet” keeps it quiet (ee for sneaky); “discrete” cuts it up (e-t-e for apart)–match the meaning to the “e”s.
- Examples:
- “She was discreet about the surprise.” (Quiet.)
- “The report has discrete sections.” (Separate.)
Adverse vs. Averse
“Adverse” is an adjective for bad stuff–like adverse weather or effects–it’s the tough situation itself. “Averse” is being against something, like risk-averse, meaning you don’t like it–it’s a feeling.
They sound close, so here’s the split: “adverse” is the problem out there; “averse” is your attitude in here–think “bad vibes” (adverse) vs. “nah, not for me” (averse).
- Examples:
- “Adverse conditions delayed us.” (Bad situation.)
- “I’m averse to loud parties.” (Don’t like them.)
Lead vs. Led
“Lead” (sounds like “leed”) is present tense, meaning to guide–like I lead the team today–or it’s the metal (sounds like “led”). “Led” is past tense of guiding, like she led us yesterday, not the heavy stuff.
People write “lead” for past because of the metal confusion, but check: if it’s now or future guiding, “lead” (leed); if it’s done, “led”–say it to catch the tense.
- Examples:
- “I lead the group every Monday.” (Guiding now.)
- “She led us to victory last week.” (Guided then.)
Peak vs. Peek vs. Pique
“Peak” is the top–like a mountain peak or peak performance–it’s the high point. “Peek” is a quick look, like peeking at a gift, while “pique” is sparking interest, like piquing curiosity–they’re sneaky sound-alikes.
To nail it: “peak” is height (think mountain); “peek” is eyes (peep); “pique” is a spark (irritation or intrigue)–picture the scene to pick the right one.
- Examples:
- “We hit peak sales this month.” (Top level.)
- “I took a peek at her notes.” (Quick look.)
- “That book piqued my interest.” (Sparked it.)
Cite vs. Site vs. Sight
“Cite” is to quote or reference–like citing a source in a paper–it’s about pointing to info. “Site” is a place, like a website or construction site, while “sight” is seeing, like a pretty sight–they all sound the same.
Here’s the breakdown: “cite” is for books or facts (think citation); “site” is a spot (think location); “sight” is eyes (think vision)–match the job to the spelling.
- Examples:
- “Cite your sources in the essay.” (Reference them.)
- “The site was under construction.” (Place.)
- “The sunset was a beautiful sight.” (View.)
Everyday vs. Every day
“Everyday” is one word, an adjective for normal stuff–like everyday chores or clothes–it describes something routine. “Every day” is two words, meaning each day, like it happens every day–it’s about frequency.
People mash them together wrong, but split it like this: if it’s a thing being normal, “everyday”; if it’s how often, “every day”–test if “each day” fits to catch it.
- Examples:
- “These are my everyday shoes.” (Regular ones.)
- “I walk every day to school.” (Each day.)
Irregardless vs. Regardless
“Irregardless” isn’t a proper word–people say it, but it’s a mistake; “regardless” means “despite” or “anyway,” like moving on regardless of rain. The “ir-” gets tacked on by habit, but it’s redundant.
Stick to “regardless”–it’s the real deal; “irregardless” just muddies it up since “ir-” and “-less” cancel out. If you mean “no matter what,” one “r” is all you need–keep it clean.
- Examples:
- “I’ll go regardless of the weather.” (Despite it.)
- “She smiled regardless of the news.” (Anyway.)
Allude vs. Elude
“Allude” means to refer to something indirectly, like hinting at a topic without mentioning it outright. For example, an author might allude to historical events in their writing, giving readers a deeper understanding without explicitly stating the details. On the other hand, “elude” means to evade or escape from something, often used in the context of avoiding capture or detection.
To remember the difference: think of “allude” as a way to give a nod to something (like a subtle reference), while “elude” is about slipping away or escaping (like a fugitive evading the police).
- Examples:
- “In her speech, she alluded to her childhood experiences.” (Hinted at them.)
- “The criminal managed to elude the police for weeks.” (Evaded them.)
Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
The subject and verb need to match–singular subject gets a singular verb, plural gets plural. People trip up when the subject’s tricky, like a group or a phrase, and they mismatch the verb.
Think of it this way: strip out extra words and check what’s doing the action–“team” is one unit, so “is,” not “are.” Keeps it tight.
- Examples:
- Incorrect: "The team are playing tomorrow."
- Correct: "The team is playing tomorrow."
Misusing Apostrophes
Apostrophes show possession or contractions, not plurals–“dog’s bone” means it belongs to the dog, “dogs” is just more than one. Folks slap them on randomly, especially with plurals, and it muddies things.
Here’s the fix: if it owns something, add “‘s” (or just “’” for plural possessors); if it’s just plural, skip it–“bones” not “bone’s.”
- Examples:
- Incorrect: "The dogs bone’s were missing."
- Correct: "The dog’s bones were missing."
Run-On Sentences
Two full sentences jammed together without a break–no comma, no period–just keep going, and it’s a mess. People do it when ideas flow fast but don’t pause.
Split it up: use a period or a conjunction (like “and”) with a comma–gives each thought room to breathe.
- Examples:
- Incorrect: "I went to the store I bought some milk."
- Correct: "I went to the store, and I bought some milk."
Comma Splices
Two complete sentences stuck together with just a comma–it’s like forcing a handshake that doesn’t fit. Happens when ideas are related but standalone.
Fix it with a semicolon or a conjunction–if they’re full thoughts, give them space or a proper link.
- Examples:
- Incorrect: "She loves swimming, she goes every weekend."
- Correct: "She loves swimming; she goes every weekend."
Dangling Modifiers
A descriptive phrase hangs out front with no clear target–sounds like the house is running, not you. People miss who’s doing what.
Tie it to the subject right after the phrase–make it obvious who’s acting, no guesswork.
- Examples:
- Incorrect: "Running down the street, the house came into view."
- Correct: "Running down the street, I saw the house come into view."
Misplaced Modifiers
Words meant to clarify get stuck in the wrong spot–“almost drove” isn’t the same as “drove almost.” Sloppy placement shifts the meaning.
Move the modifier next to what it describes–keep it close, keep it clear.
- Examples:
- Incorrect: "He almost drove the car for six hours."
- Correct: "He drove the car for almost six hours."
Incorrect Pronoun Case
“I” does the action, “me” takes it–“me went” sounds off because it’s not the doer. Pairs like “me and him” confuse folks into picking wrong.
Test it solo: “I went” works, “me went” doesn’t–same for receiving, “he saw me,” not “he saw I.”
- Incorrect: "Me and him went to the park."
- Correct: "He and I went to the park."
Double Negatives
Two negatives–“don’t” and “no”–cancel out, meaning you do need help, not the intent. Common in casual talk, but it flips the point.
Stick to one negative–“don’t” with “any” keeps it straight and clear.
- Examples:
- Incorrect: "I don’t need no help."
- Correct: "I don’t need any help."
Sentence Fragments
A chunk that’s not a full thought–“because I was tired” leaves you hanging with no main point. People drop these in casual writing.
Hook it to a complete idea–make it stand or join it up, no loose ends.
- Examples:
- Incorrect: "Because I was tired."
- Correct: "I stayed home because I was tired."
Incorrect Tense Switching
Jumping tenses mid-story–“walks” to “knocked”–jars the flow, like time travel gone wrong. Happens when focus drifts.
Pick a tense and stick it–past or present, keep the rhythm steady.
- Examples:
- Incorrect: "She walks to the door and knocked."
- Correct: "She walked to the door and knocked."
Conclusion
Grammar slip-ups happen to everyone, but nailing them can make your writing pop—whether it’s an email, essay, or just a quick note. From vocab mix-ups like "your" vs. "you’re" to grammar hiccups like dangling modifiers, this list of 45 common mistakes gives you the tools to spot and fix them fast.
Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be dodging these errors like a pro, leaving your words clear, sharp, and totally on point. Happy writing!