As an English grammar guru, I am here to help you navigate through the common mistakes that many people make in their writing. By understanding these do's and don'ts, you can improve your writing skills and communicate more effectively.

Subject-Verb Agreement

One common mistake that people often make is incorrect subject-verb agreement. This occurs when the subject and verb do not agree in number. For example:

• Incorrect: The dog runs in the park.
• Correct: The dog run in the park.

In this example, the subject "dog" is singular, so the verb "run" should also be singular.

Punctuation Marks

Punctuation marks are essential in writing as they help to convey meaning and structure. However, there are some common mistakes that people make when using punctuation marks.

Commas

One common mistake is the misuse of commas. For instance:

• Incorrect: I went to the store, and bought milk.
• Correct: I went to the store and bought milk.

In this example, the comma before "and" is not necessary as it is not separating two independent clauses.

Apostrophes

Another common mistake is improper use of apostrophes. Consider the following example:

• Incorrect: The book is Johns.
• Correct: The book is John's.

In this case, the apostrophe is needed to indicate possession.

Word Choice

Choosing the right words is crucial in conveying your ideas accurately. Misusing words can lead to confusion or completely change the intended meaning.

Their, There, They're

These three words sound the same but have different meanings. Take a look at this example:

• Incorrect: Their going to the party later.
• Correct: They're going to the party later.

In this instance, "they're" is the contraction of "they are."

Effect, Affect

Effect and affect are two words that are often confused. Let's see an example:

• Incorrect: The medicine had an affect on her.
• Correct: The medicine had an effect on her.

In this case, "effect" is the appropriate word to use as it means the result or influence.

About Linguix Grammar Checker

Linguix Grammar Checker is an excellent tool that can help you improve your grammar skills and avoid common mistakes. It can provide real-time suggestions and corrections, enhancing the overall quality of your writing.