Grammar is the backbone of clear and effective communication, but even the most confident writers and speakers can stumble over common mistakes. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who wants to improve their language skills, KIS Academics english tutors can help you with some of the most frequent grammar errors and tips on how to avoid them:
1. Your vs. You’re
- Mistake: “Your going to love this movie.”
- Correct: “You’re going to love this movie.”
- Tip: “Your” shows possession (e.g., “Your book”), while “you’re” is a contraction of “you are.”
2. There vs. Their vs. They’re
- Mistake: “Their going to the park over they’re.”
- Correct: “They’re going to the park over there.”
- Tip:
- “There” refers to a place.
- “Their” shows possession (e.g., “Their car”).
- “They’re” is a contraction of “they are.”
3. Its vs. It’s
- Mistake: “The cat licked it’s paws.”
- Correct: “The cat licked its paws.”
- Tip: “Its” shows possession (e.g., “Its tail”), while “it’s” is a contraction of “it is.”
4. Then vs. Than
- Mistake: “She is taller then him.”
- Correct: “She is taller than him.”
- Tip: Use “then” for time (e.g., “We went to the park, then we ate lunch”) and “than” for comparisons.
5. Affect vs. Effect
- Mistake: “The new policy will effect everyone.”
- Correct: “The new policy will affect everyone.”
- Tip:
- “Affect” is usually a verb meaning “to influence.”
- “Effect” is usually a noun meaning “the result.”
6. Misplaced Apostrophes
- Mistake: “The dog’s are barking.”
- Correct: “The dogs are barking.”
- Tip: Apostrophes are used for possession (e.g., “The dog’s bone”) or contractions (e.g., “It’s raining”), not for plurals.
7. Run-On Sentences
- Mistake: “I love pizza it’s my favorite food.”
- Correct: “I love pizza; it’s my favorite food.”
- Tip: Use punctuation like periods, semicolons, or conjunctions to separate ideas.
8. Subject-Verb Agreement
- Mistake: “The list of items are on the table.”
- Correct: “The list of items is on the table.”
- Tip: The verb should agree with the subject, not the object (e.g., “list” is singular, so use “is”).
How to Improve Your Grammar
- Read Regularly: Exposure to well-written texts helps you internalize correct grammar.
- Practice Writing: Write essays, journals, or even social media posts to apply what you’ve learned.
- Use Grammar Tools: Apps like Grammarly or Hemingway can help you spot and correct mistakes.
- Ask for Feedback: Have a teacher, tutor, or friend review your writing.
By being mindful of these common mistakes and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your grammar and communicate more effectively.
