How to Avoid Common Grammar Mistakes

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By ShannonBeineke
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Avoid Common Grammar Mistakes

Writers need to know how to avoid common grammar mistakes. They look unprofessional and weaken the author's credibility. All the tools you need to write like a professional are right at your fingertips. Here's how to avoid common grammar mistakes:

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

The first step you can take toward being a better writer is reading. Seeing proper English every day makes avoiding common grammar mistakes much easier. Reading can really help further writing skills, especially for those who speak English as a second language.
Step 2

Avoid comma splices. Two complete sentences should never be connected with a comma. If you don't want to use a period, the correct way to express your point would be with a semicolon.

Incorrect .. I like bananas, they taste so good.
Correct .... I like bananas; they taste so good.
Alternate .. I like bananas. They taste so good.
Step 3

Learn where apostrophes go. "It's" is a contraction, short for "it is" while the word "its" shows ownership (his/her/its). "S" at the end of a words makes it plural (more than one). "Apostrophe s ('s)" shows ownership. "S apostrophe (s')" shows ownership when words end in "s".

Correct: It's sunny outside (it is sunny outside).
Correct: The dog is chasing its tail (shows ownership).

Correct: There are many girls outside (plural, no apostrophe).
Correct: I met one girl's friend (friend belongs to the girl).
Correct: I went to the Jones' party (party belongs to Jones').
Step 4

Learn the difference between your and you're. Also learn how to use the words they're, their, and there properly. Always check when you're unsure! Sentences to help you see the differences in meaning:

Correct: You're (you are) eating your (ownership) food really fast.
Correct: They're (they are) taking their (ownership) time.
Correct: Look over there (location)!
Step 5

• Use spell-check and grammar-check! Check check check!
• Do not EVER capitalize whole words. It looks TERRIBLE.
• If you're not sure about definitions, look them up at dictionary.com.
• Read your sentences out loud because run-on sentences sound terrible and writers really need to add more punctuation sometimes.

Comments

blindsquirrel said

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on 8/9/2009 Thanks for posting this article. It really does reduce the author's credibility when they misuse the language. Here's hoping I'm not guilty of this on eHow.