8 Very Common Grammatical Mistakes We Often Make
I try to be very accurate with my grammar, but, I do at times get confused. As authors, we constantly need to be aware of how we write. It is a reflection back on us (or is it to us :)... Here are 8 very common grammatical errors.
1) They're Or Their Or There? This gets mixed up a lot.
- They're is a contraction for: they are. The apostrophe replaces the "a". - There is where? Just kidding, we know there...over there, meaning a place.
- Their is something that is owned by more than 1 person (that would be his).
2) Your Or You're
- You're is a contraction, the apostrophe replaces the "a", meaning you re. So, if you can replace "your are" for you're in a sentence it's the right one!
- Your is ownership... you could replace with "my book" "his book" or "your book"
3) Its Or It's. This one used to get me all the time.
It's is the short form of 2 words: it is, or it has. If you can use these phrases, then it's the right choice.
Its is a lot like "his, or her" It is possessive.
4) If You Use Comparison Words...Finish By Telling Us What You Are
Comparing To...
My dog is smarter. Well, don't forget to tell us "smarter than what"! Your mother, your brother, or another dog, the neighbors dog?
5) Gotta Love The Dangling Modifiers
When you are describing something make sure you are placing the description to the relevant noun!
The young girl was walking the dog in a short skirt. Hmmm, I think the "short skirt" is on the girl, not the dog. At least, I hope so ;)
Here are some very funny dangling modifiers
6) Affect Or Effect. This is one I have a problem with. I really have to think about which one to use. They can explain this one much better than I could at Monster Grammar
7) Who Or That. Another tricky one.
To make it simple, when you are talking about a person, use "who", or when you are talking about an object use "that".
8) Alot Or A lot
This one is easy. the "alot" does not exist, it's slang. What the author usually means is a lot, meaning much, many.
And to end, here is a great site where you can update your grammar skills, add new skills, or just use as research.
http://www.grammar-monster.com/
Phew, Grammar can be difficult. But we should constantly be upgrading our ability to use it properly.
Recent Comments
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Good stuff for everyone to read! I have to be constantly reminded of these too! Thanks for the post!
You know I love this stuff! I'm going to do one tonight that I saw a TON of today. Stay tuned. We should put together an everyday grammar guide, Ruth!
A funny that sometimes occurs in my multilingual country is; "I threw him with a stone" (mistranslation from another language:) Thanks for practical post!
I used to use "alot" but finally learned it wasn't correct and I still do have a problem with "affect and effect". Thanks for the info.
Thanks a lot. All the grammar information I can have will be useful when writing content. Blessings!
Hilda
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Great tips! I just made the affect/effect error yesterday!