Even the most experienced writers make grammar mistakes—but some errors can distract readers, damage your credibility, or confuse your message. The good news? Most common grammar issues are easy to fix once you know what to watch for.
Here’s a guide to the most frequent grammar mistakes and how to avoid them in your own writing.
Their / There / They’re
These homophones sound the same but have different meanings:
- Their = possessive (Their house is big.)
- There = location or statement (Put it over there. / There is a problem.)
- They’re = contraction of they are (They’re going to the meeting.)
✅ Tip: Read your sentence aloud with “they are” to test if “they’re” fits.
Your / You’re
- Your = possessive (Your idea is great.)
- You’re = contraction of you are (You’re doing a great job.)
❌ Your welcome
✅ You’re welcome
Its / It’s
- Its = possessive (The dog wagged its tail.)
- It’s = contraction of it is or it has (It’s been a long day.)
Tip: If you can replace it with “it is,” then use it’s.
Subject–Verb Agreement
A singular subject needs a singular verb; plural subjects need plural verbs.
❌ The list of items are long.
✅ The list of items is long.
Even when there’s a phrase in between, the verb should match the main subject.
Run-On Sentences
Run-ons occur when two independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation.
❌ She loves writing she reads every day.
✅ Fix options:
- She loves writing. She reads every day.
- She loves writing, and she reads every day.
- She loves writing; she reads every day.
Sentence Fragments
A sentence fragment is an incomplete thought, missing a subject or verb.
❌ Because I went to the store.
✅ Because I went to the store, I didn’t have time to cook.
Fix: Attach it to a complete sentence or revise it to stand alone.
Misplaced Modifiers
Modifiers should be placed next to the word they’re describing. Otherwise, the sentence can be confusing or humorous.
❌ Running down the street, the backpack fell off his shoulder.
✅ As he was running down the street, his backpack fell off his shoulder.
Comma Splices
This happens when two independent clauses are joined by just a comma.
❌ I finished the article, I sent it to the editor.
✅ Fix options:
- Use a period: I finished the article. I sent it to the editor.
- Use a semicolon: I finished the article; I sent it to the editor.
- Use a conjunction: I finished the article, and I sent it to the editor.
Overusing Apostrophes
Use apostrophes only for:
- Contractions: don’t, can’t, we’re
- Possession: Sarah’s phone
❌ The cat hurt it’s paw.
✅ The cat hurt its paw.
Plural nouns don’t need apostrophes.
❌ I saw five car’s today.
✅ I saw five cars today.
Wrong Tense Shifts
Keep your verb tenses consistent within a sentence or paragraph unless a change in time is clearly indicated.
❌ She walks into the room and saw the mess.
✅ She walks into the room and sees the mess.
✅ She walked into the room and saw the mess.
Final Thoughts: Clarity Starts with Grammar
You don’t need to be a grammar expert—but mastering the basics helps your message come through with clarity and confidence. The fewer mistakes, the more your readers can focus on what you’re saying—not how you said it.
Use tools like Grammarly, read aloud, and revisit these rules when in doubt. With awareness and practice, strong grammar becomes second nature.