Well, you can start by reading through this post to see which common grammar mistakes resonate with you the most. (It’s okay — we’re all guilty of at least one.) Make a mental note to avoid that mistake in the future, or heck, just bookmark this page to remind yourself of them over and over (and over) again.
Misplaced apostrophes:
Apostrophes aren’t difficult to use once you know how, but putting them in the wrong place is one of the most common grammar mistakes in the English language. Many people use an apostrophe to form the plural of a word, particularly if the word in question ends in a vowel, which might make the word look strange with an S added to make it plural.
Rules:
Apostrophes indicate possession — something belonging to something or someone else.
To indicate something belonging to one person, the apostrophe goes before the ‘s’. For instance, “The girl’s horse.”
To indicate something belonging to more than one person, put the apostrophe after the ‘s’. For example, “The girls’ horse.”
Apostrophes are also used to indicate a contracted word. For example, “don’t” uses an apostrophe to indicate that the word is missing the “o” from “do not”.
Apostrophes are never used to make a word plural, even when a word is in number form, as in a date.
1) They’re vs. Their vs. There
One’s a contraction for “they are” (they’re), one refers to something owned by a group (their), and one refers to a place (there). You know the difference among the three — just make sure you triple check that you’re using the right ones in the right places at the right times. I find it’s helpful to search through my posts (try control + F on PC or command + F on Mac) for those words and check that they’re being used in the right context.
Correct Usage: They’re going to love going there — I heard their food is the best!
2) Your vs. You’re
The difference between these two is owning something versus actually being something:
You made it around the track in under a minute — you’re fast!
How’s your fast going? Are you hungry?
See the difference? “Your” is possessive and “you’re” is a contraction of “you are.” Again, if you’re having trouble keeping them straight, try doing another grammar check before you hit publish.
3) Its vs. It’s
This one tends to confuse even the best of writers. “Its” is possessive and “it’s” is a contraction of “it is.” Lots of people get tripped up because “it’s” has an ‘safter it, which normally means something is possessive. But in this case, it’s actually a contraction.
Do a control + F to find this mistake in your writing. It’s really hard to catch on your own, but it’s a mistake everyone can make.
Mistakes While You Are Speaking:
Below are some of the most common English mistakes made by ESL students, in speech and in writing. Go through the examples and make sure you understand the corrections. Then try the grammar test at the end to check your progress.
Wrong: I have visited Niagara Falls last weekend.
Right: I visited Niagara Falls last weekend.
Wrong: The woman which works here is from Japan.
Right: The woman who works here is from Japan.
Wrong: She’s married with a dentist.
Right: She’s married to a dentist.
Wrong: She was boring in the class.
Right: She was bored in the class.
Wrong: I must to call him immediately.
Right: I must call him immediately.
Wrong: Every students like the teacher.
Right: Every student likes the teacher.
Wrong: Although it was raining, but we had the picnic.
Right: Although it was raining, we had the picnic.
Wrong: I enjoyed from the movie.
Right: I enjoyed the movie.
Source: Engvid, hubspot
Check Your Grammar: Grammar Check