{"id":19355,"date":"2024-09-12T11:43:03","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T06:13:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/explore\/?p=19355"},"modified":"2024-09-12T11:43:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T06:13:03","slug":"grammar-mistakes-in-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/explore\/learn-english\/grammar-mistakes-in-english\/","title":{"rendered":"23 Common Grammar Mistakes in English to Avoid From Now On"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Grammar mistakes in English: <\/strong>With each passing day, the English vocabulary<\/strong> is evolving. However, it can be embarrassing when someone finds a grammatical mistake in your content. After all, we often neglect some very common grammar mistakes in English<\/strong> such as punctuation marks, daily used English words<\/strong>, spelling errors, not knowing the difference between two similar words etc. To save you from the embarrassment, we have compiled a blog on common grammar mistakes in English that are made by people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Learn English Grammar from Scratch: A Beginner’s Guide<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is a Grammar Mistake?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A grammar mistake is an incorrect usage of a word or a punctuation when writing in English. In simple words, it is a deviation from pre-existing grammatical rules. To avoid making any mistakes, it is very crucial to understand the usage of each word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are two sentences where one of them has a grammatical mistake. By looking at them, you will understand the usage of that word correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incorrect: <\/strong>Every student likes the teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Correct:   <\/strong>Every student likes the teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Read: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your English Writing<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

List of Grammar Mistakes in English You Should Drop Right Away<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Check the following list of the 30 most common grammar mistakes that you might be making in your everyday life and need to stop from today onwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Who vs Whom<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Your vs You\u2019re<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Who\u2019s vs Whose<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Affect vs Effect<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. That vs Which<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Then vs Than<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Me vs I<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Less vs Fewer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. May vs Might<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. A lot vs Allot vs Alot<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Like vs Such as<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Farther vs Further<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. Who vs That<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. Each and every<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  15. More than vs Over<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  16. Past vs Passed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  17. Based off vs Based on<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  18. Passive Voice<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  19. Commas<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  20. Semicolons<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  21. Apostrophes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  22. Em dash vs en dash vs hyphen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  23. Misplaced Modifiers<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How to Correct These English Grammar Mistakes?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    By understanding the usage behind these grammar mistakes, no one can stop you from becoming a grammar nazi<\/strong>. To progress, you must learn the correct as well as incorrect grammar usage behind each word. Here is a further explanation behind all the common mistakes and how they should be used correctly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Who vs Whom<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The main difference between these two is that \u2018who\u2019<\/strong> is used as the subject of a sentence whereas \u2018whom\u2019<\/strong> is used as the object of the sentence. Here are some examples which will help you avoid making this mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: Who<\/strong> will be the host of tomorrow\u2019s party?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: <\/strong>To whom<\/strong> should I address this email?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Your vs You\u2019re<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Both \u2018your\u2019<\/strong> and \u2018you\u2019re\u2019<\/strong> are homophones. This means that they both sound the same when spoken but both have different meanings. Nonetheless, \u2018Your\u2019<\/strong> is a possessive pronoun. It means that something belongs to a singular second person. While \u2018you\u2019re\u2019<\/strong> is a contraction of you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example:<\/strong> You<\/strong> forgot your earphones at the office yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example:<\/strong> You\u2019re<\/strong> expected to be in the office by 10 am. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Who\u2019s vs Whose<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2018Who\u2019s\u2019 <\/strong>is for to who is. Whereas, the word \u2018Whose\u2019 <\/strong>is a possessive form of who, which is a relative pronoun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example:<\/strong> Who\u2019s<\/strong> ready for the English exam on Friday?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: Whose<\/strong> laptop is this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. Affect vs Effect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2018Affect<\/strong>\u2019 is used as a verb which means \u2018to cause an effect\u2019. The word \u2018effect<\/strong>\u2019 is a noun that symbolises the result that has happened. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: <\/strong>What effect<\/strong> does the cold have on you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example:<\/strong> The passing of her rabbits affected<\/strong> her a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. That vs Which<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The word \u2018that<\/strong>\u2019 is used to introduce a clause which adds necessary information to a sentence. The word \u2018which<\/strong>\u2019 is used to introduce something that adds details but isn\u2019t important to the sentence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: One of my cats, the one that<\/strong> ate a rock needs to see the vet immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: My other cat, which<\/strong> is a German Shepherd, also needs to see the vet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    6. Then vs Than<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The word \u2018then<\/strong>\u2019 is used in the future tense where something\/ an action will occur. Whereas, the word \u2018Than<\/strong>\u2019 is used for comparing people or things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: First we\u2019ll go over the coursework; then<\/strong> we\u2019ll study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: My brother is taller than<\/strong> me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    7. Me vs I<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Both \u2018I<\/strong>\u2019 and \u2018Me<\/strong>\u2019 are first-person singular pronouns. The usage of \u2018I<\/strong>\u2019 in the sentence is done when you\u2019re the subject of the sentence. \u2018Me<\/strong> \u2018 is used in the sentence when you (yourself) are the subject in the sentence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: It was almost midnight, so I<\/strong> didn\u2019t stop to pick up my clothes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: You want me<\/strong> to come with you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    8. Less vs Fewer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2018Less<\/strong>\u2019 is used in sentences to describe an abstract or uncountable amount of items. \u2018Fewer<\/strong>\u2019 is used for something\/items that can be counted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: The students had less<\/strong> time to work on the assignment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: Fewer<\/strong> people used disposable plates to eat at the function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    9. May vs Might<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Generally, \u2018may<\/strong>\u2019 is used in the present tense to ask for permission and to indicate that something is likely to happen. \u2018Might<\/strong>\u2019 is used in the past tense to describe that things will most probably not happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: May<\/strong> I bring a glass of water for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: There might<\/strong> be some time left for questions at the end of the discussion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    10. A lot vs Allot vs Alot<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The word \u2018A lot\u2019<\/strong> can be both a pronoun and an adverb. It speaks of something that happens \u2018often\u2019 or in \u2018large amount\u2019 While \u2018allot<\/strong>\u2019 is a verb which means \u2018to distribute\u2019. Finally, \u2018alot<\/strong>\u2019 is not a word. It should be avoided in writing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: There are a lot <\/strong>of fish in the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: Each student was allotted<\/strong> one seat each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    11. Like vs Such as<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2018Like<\/strong>\u2019 is used to make a comparison while \u2018such as<\/strong>\u2019 is used to provide examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: That couch has black and white spots like<\/strong> a Dalmatian dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: We have many pizza toppings, such as<\/strong> pepper, capsicum, pineapple etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    12. Farther vs Further<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2018Farther<\/strong>\u2019 is for literal distance. \u2018Further<\/strong>\u2019 on the other hand, is used when something is happening in a lot of quantity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: The island is quite near than it looked farther<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: We want no further<\/strong> communication with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    13. Who vs That<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2018Who<\/strong>\u2019 is used for a person. \u2018That<\/strong>\u2019 is used to symbolise an inanimate object or can be used for a group of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: My sister is the one who<\/strong> solved the mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: We\u2019re part of the organisation that<\/strong> promotes climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    14. Each and every<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2018Each<\/strong>\u2019 is used in sentences when one wants to talk about individual items in a group. On the other hand, \u2018every<\/strong>\u2019 is used to talk about two or three items or groups as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: Each<\/strong> of my children makes me Mother\u2019s Day cards every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: Every<\/strong> one of my coworkers is going to the corporate dinner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    15. More than vs Over<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2018More than<\/strong>\u2019 indicates the literal quantity of things which are being talked about. \u2018Over<\/strong>\u2019 describes an object’s physical position or a figurative amount larger than the other one as mentioned in the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: He owns more than<\/strong> 10 pants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: She came over<\/strong> to my house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    16. Past vs Passed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2018Past<\/strong>\u2019, as the word suggests is used for something that has already taken place. This word can be a noun, a preposition, an adjective or a preposition. \u2018Passed<\/strong>\u2019 is a verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: My grandmother used to tell us stories in the past<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: The Mercedes passed<\/strong> on our right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    17. Based off vs Based on<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u2018Based off<\/strong>\u2019 is a new word that is currently not considered grammatically correct, but will, one day. Till then, \u2018based on<\/strong>\u2019 is the correct word which should be used. However, both these words are used to indicate the facts or circumstances that led to a particular conclusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: Based on<\/strong> today\u2019s weather forecast, I have decided to carry an umbrella with me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    18. Passive Voice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Using passive voice in sentences isn\u2019t inherently incorrect but many writers use it when the active voice would be more clearer and accurate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: Dinner was prepared by me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    19. Commas (,)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Commas are one of the most used punctuation marks, so it becomes very easy that they might be used incorrectly. They are used to create short pauses within sentences, such as for lists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example: I went to the grocery store to buy vegetables, tissue rolls, and milk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    20. Semicolons (;)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Semicolons are frequently used in English sentences to separate independent clauses. They\u2019re also used to separate a list of items that are used in a serial order along with their punctuation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: Mark is taking ten credits this semester; his goal is to graduate early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong>: I need the weather forecast for the following cities: London, Paris, Scotland; Perth and France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    21. Apostrophes<\/strong> (‘)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Apostrophes are used to create a few types of words. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    22. Em dash (\u2014) vs en dash (-) vs hyphen (\u2013)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These three are often mixed up in the English language. \u2018Em dash<\/strong>\u2019 is used to function like a comma, parenthesis or a colon. They set off extra information such as examples, supplemental facts etc. \u2018En dash<\/strong>\u2019 is used to show a date or time in sentences. Meanwhile, a \u2018hyphen<\/strong>\u2019 is used to connect<\/span> words.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong> (em dash): She is afraid of two things \u2014 spiders and senior prom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong> (en dash): We\u2019re open Monday-Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/strong> (hyphen): Antonio Luis\u2013Rodr\u00edguez just finished writing his most attention\u2013grabbing novel yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid in English Writing <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Here are some common grammar mistakes in English writing that you should avoid:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1.<\/strong> Subject-Verb Agreement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The subject and verb must agree in number (singular\/plural).<\/p>\n\n\n\n