Are You Making Common Grammar Mistakes in Your Sentences?

Grammar are a base in effective communications

Ok stop! Do you notice that this sentence looks incorrect?

Basically yes! No proper tense, no correct use of the helping verb, and even incorrect punctuation.

First let me correct this: “Grammar is a base in effective communication.”

However, if you’re writing an email, a blog post, or a report, your grammar should be proper. It makes sure that your message is clear and easy to understand. 

There are many people who ignore grammar rules or simply don’t know them well enough. 

This can lead to confusion and also weaken your writing. 

Well! In this guide, we’ll talk about common grammar mistakes, why they matter, and how to fix them.

So, let’s begin!

Why should you bother with common grammar errors? 

Grammar errors can make you appear careless or unprofessional. 

When I used to write my blogs, I often had grammar issues. But then I paid attention to it, learned the grammar rules, and practiced them. Now I know what to use and what not to use.

Let’s assume you write content that is also valuable. But what if it has grammar mistakes?

It can distract readers from what you're trying to say and make your writing less effective.

it shows that you respect your audience and care about the quality of what you’re saying.

Clear and mistake-free writing improves readability and makes sure that your ideas are conveyed effectively. 

However, checking readability is a great way to find grammar mistakes in your text.

Essentially, it’s not just about avoiding errors; It’s about building credibility and making sure your message comes through clearly.

And if you improve your grammar, it also helps you to improve your confidence as a student, writer, or professional. 

It’s a small effort that yields significant results, so why not take the time to get it right?

20 common English grammar mistakes 

Grammar mistakes can happen to anyone. They’re easy to make but can also be easy to fix. 

Here’s a quick look at some common errors people often neglect in their sentences:

1. Subject and verb don’t match 

One of the most common grammar mistakes is having a subject and verb that don’t agree in number. 

For example:

“She go to the store.” (Incorrect)

“She goes to the store.” (Correct)

This happens when we forget that the verb must match the subject in singular or plural form. 

“They goes” should be corrected to “They go.” 

So, make sure that the verb matches the subject. It helps you write sentences that sound more natural and makes it clear what’s happening.

2. Overuse of passive voice 

Passive voice is when the subject of a sentence is acted upon rather than performing the action. 

For example:

“Mistakes were made.” (Passive voice)

“I made mistakes.” (Active voice)

Using the passive voice too much can make sentences difficult and less direct. It’s better to use the active voice. 

It makes your writing more engaging and straightforward.

To check this, try our passive voice checker. This tool finds the passive sentences in your writing and corrects them to improve clarity and engagement. 

3. Avoid common spelling mistakes 

Speling mistakes can damage your credibility. (Correct: Spelling)

Whereas, words like “definitely” often get spelled as “definately” or “their” as “there.” 

To avoid these errors, slow down and double-check your work. 

Also train yourself to recognize commonly misspelled words so you can easily find them.

4. Understand dangling modifiers 

A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that is poorly placed in a sentence. It creates confusion about what it’s describing. 

For example:

“Walking down the street, the tree caught my eye.” (Incorrect)

“Walking down the street, I noticed a tree that caught my eye.” (Correct)

Make sure the modifier clearly describes what it’s intended to modify to avoid confusion.

5. Fix run-on sentences 

When two or more independent clauses are connected without proper punctuation, they are run-on sentences.

For example:

“I like to write I find it fun” (Incorrect)

“I like to write. I find it fun.” (Correct)

Using punctuation or conjunctions like “and” or “but” can help separate ideas and make sentences more readable.

6. Avoid sentence fragments 

Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that don’t express a complete thought. 

For example:

“Running late.” (Incorrect)

This is not a complete sentence because it doesn’t have a subject or a verb. 

It should be, 

“I was running late.” (Correct)

Always make sure your sentences have both a subject and a verb to convey a complete idea.

7. Spot incomplete comparisons

An incomplete comparison happens when you leave out a key element of the comparison. 

For example:

“She is taller than him.” (Incorrect)

It’s incomplete because it doesn’t specify what she’s taller than. 

It should be, 

“She is taller than her brother.” (Correct)

Always include the missing part to make comparisons clear.

8. Use apostrophes correctly 

Apostrophes are used for contractions and possession. 

For example, 

“It’s” is a contraction for “it is,” but “its” indicates possession. 

Incorrectly using an apostrophe can change the meaning of a word. 

Always double-check to ensure you’re using them correctly, whether it’s “they’re,” “there,” or “their.”

9. Use commas properly 

Commas help separate ideas in a sentence. 

They’re used to indicate pauses, list items, and separate clauses. 

For example:

“She went to the store, bought apples, and came back.” 

Missing commas or putting them in the wrong place can confuse readers, so it’s important to know how and when to use them correctly.

10. Distinguish colons from semicolons 

Colons introduce a list, a quote, or an explanation. 

For example:

“There are many fruits: apples, oranges, and bananas.” 

Semicolons connect closely related ideas. 

For example:

“I have apples; she prefers oranges.” 

Misusing these punctuation marks can alter the meaning of your sentence, so understand their proper use.

11. Avoid incorrect capitalization 

capitalization mistakes can make your writing look unprofessional. (Capitalization)

Always capitalize the first word of a sentence and proper nouns (names, places, days, months). 

Common mistakes include “monday” instead of “Monday” or “new york” instead of “New York.” 

Double-check to maintain consistency.

12. Mix hyphens and dashes correctly 

Hyphens and dashes have different uses. 

A hyphen joins words (e.g., “well-known”), while a dash sets off information or adds emphasis (e.g., “He’s the CEO—he makes the rules”). 

Mixing them up can make your writing confusing, so pay attention to the context.

13. Place periods correctly 

Periods end sentences. So place it carefully. 

They should go after complete thoughts. 

For example:

“I like to read.” 

Don’t place a period after abbreviations with a space (e.g., “Dr.”). 

Correct placement keeps sentences clear and concise.

14. Ensure pronouns match correctly

Pronouns must match their antecedents in number, gender, and case. 

For example:

"The teacher handed their test papers to them." (Incorrect)

"The teacher handed their test papers to the students." (Correct)

Avoid mismatching “he” and “they” to keep sentences consistent and easy to follow.

15. Misuse of present participles 

Present participles end in “-ing” and should be used correctly to describe actions happening now. 

Avoid using them to replace verbs in past or future tense. 

For example:

“I am reading a book yesterday.” (Incorrect)

“I am reading a book.” (Correct)

16. Confusion between adverbs and adjectives 

Adjectives describe nouns (e.g., “a tall building”), while adverbs describe verbs (e.g., “run quickly”). 

Mixing them up can change the meaning of a sentence. 

For example: 

“She sings beautiful.” (Incorrect)

“She sings beautifully.” (Correct)

17. Maintain consistent verb tenses 

Using inconsistent verb tenses can confuse readers. 

Stick to one tense throughout a paragraph or passage. 

For example: 

“He is walking to the store when he notice a bird. He sees it every day now.” (Incorrect)

“He was walking to the store when he noticed a bird. He sees it every day now.” (Correct)

18. Mix up commonly confused words 

Commonly confused words like “affect” and “effect,” “its” and “it’s,” or “your” and “you’re” are often mixed up. 

These mistakes can change the meaning of a sentence. 

Take the time to learn the differences to improve clarity in your writing.

19. Clarify i.e. vs. e.g. usage 

“I.e.” means “that is,” and “e.g.” means “for example.” 

Don’t use them interchangeably. 

For example:

“I love citrus fruits, e.g., oranges, lemons, and limes.”

“I love one type of citrus fruit, i.e., oranges.”

20. Choose between “who” and “that”

Use “who” for people and “that” for things or animals. 

For example:

“The teacher who helped us is retiring” 

“The book that I read was interesting.” 

Keeping this distinction clear avoids confusion.

Some easy tips to correct common grammar errors 

• Proofread your text to find awkward phrases and errors that you might miss during writing.
• Take your time to review your work carefully as rushing through writing often leads to more errors. 
• Learn from your mistakes. So, keep a list of commonly mixed-up words or common mistakes you make and pay extra attention to them.
• Use Qozex’s grammar checker that highlights mistakes and suggests fixes, but always use your judgment.
• Practice regularly! Because the more you write, the more you’ll become aware of common grammar mistakes and how to avoid them.

Correct your common grammatical errors!

Grammar might seem like a small thing, but it is very important for clear communication.

When you understand and fix common mistakes, your writing improves. 

Everyone makes mistakes, and that's okay. With a little effort and awareness, you can avoid them and write better.

Keep learning and improving your skills. Great writing comes from focusing on the details.