Common Mistakes in English Grammar

English grammar can be tricky, and even native speakers make mistakes from time to time. However, by being aware of some common errors, you can improve your writing and communication skills. In this article, we will explore a few of those mistakes and provide examples to help you understand how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Subject-Verb Agreement

One of the most prevalent grammatical errors is subject-verb agreement. It occurs when the subject and verb in a sentence do not match in number.

• Incorrect: The book was interesting.
• Correct: The books were interesting.

To avoid this mistake, always ensure that the verb agrees with the subject in terms of both number and person.

Mistake 2: Misusing Its and It's

Confusion often arises with the usage of "its" and "it's." "Its" is a possessive pronoun, while "it's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has."

• Incorrect: The dog wagged it's tail.
• Correct: The dog wagged its tail.

Remember, if you can substitute "it is" or "it has" in the sentence, then "it's" is the correct choice.

Mistake 3: Using There, Their, and They're Incorrectly

Another common error is the misuse of "there," "their," and "they're."

• Incorrect: They're going to the park with there friends and picking up they're picnic basket.
• Correct: They're going to the park with their friends and picking up their picnic basket.

Be careful to use "there" to indicate a place, "their" to show possession, and "they're" as a contraction of "they are."

Mistake 4: Misplacing Apostrophes

Apostrophes are commonly misused in English writing. One common mistake is using an apostrophe to indicate a plural noun.

• Incorrect: I have two cat's.
• Correct: I have two cats.

Apostrophes should be reserved for contractions, possessive forms, or denoting missing letters.

Note: Linguix grammar checker is a valuable tool that can help identify these and many other grammar mistakes. It provides suggestions and explanations to improve your writing skills.

By familiarizing yourself with these common grammatical mistakes, you can enhance your writing abilities and avoid unnecessary errors. Remember to proofread your work thoroughly or use a reliable grammar checker like Linguix to ensure your writing is error-free and clear.