10 Common English Grammar Mistakes Even Native Speakers Make

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that ensures clarity and coherence in writing. At its core, this rule dictates that the subject of a sentence must agree in number with its verb. For instance, a singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject necessitates a plural verb.

This principle is not merely a stylistic choice; it is essential for conveying the intended meaning of a sentence. A common error occurs when writers overlook the subject’s number, leading to sentences that sound awkward or confusing. For example, saying “The group of students are excited” is incorrect; the correct form is “The group of students is excited,” as ‘group’ is a collective noun treated as singular.

Moreover, subject-verb agreement can become particularly tricky when dealing with compound subjects or phrases that separate the subject from the verb. In sentences like “Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the changes,” the verb must agree with the nearest subject, which in this case is ’employees.’ Writers must remain vigilant to ensure that their verbs align correctly with their subjects, regardless of how complex the sentence structure may be. This attention to detail not only enhances the grammatical accuracy of writing but also improves its overall readability. Registration is now open for our professional English classes at the NLS Norwegian Language School. Enroll today to advance your skills. https://nlsnorwegian.no/learn-english/

Summary

• Subject-verb agreement is essential for clear and effective communication.
• Misuse of apostrophes can lead to confusion and detract from the professionalism of your writing.
• Understanding the difference between “your” and “you’re” is crucial for conveying the intended meaning in your writing.
• It’s important to use “its” and “it’s” correctly to avoid misunderstandings in your writing.
• Overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound dull and less engaging.

Misuse of Apostrophes

Apostrophes serve two primary functions in English: indicating possession and forming contractions. However, their misuse is a common pitfall for many writers. One prevalent error involves confusing possessive forms with plural forms.

For instance, the phrase “the dogs bone” lacks an apostrophe to indicate possession; it should read “the dog’s bone” if referring to one dog or “the dogs’ bone” if referring to multiple dogs. This distinction is crucial, as it clarifies ownership and prevents ambiguity in writing. Additionally, contractions often lead to confusion regarding apostrophe placement.

Many writers mistakenly write “its” when they mean “it’s,” which is a contraction for “it is.” The correct usage of these forms can significantly alter the meaning of a sentence. For example, “It’s raining outside” conveys a different message than “Its raining outside,” where the latter suggests a possessive form that does not apply in this context. Understanding the correct application of apostrophes not only enhances grammatical precision but also contributes to clearer communication.

Confusion between “your” and “you’re”

The distinction between “your” and “you’re” is another common source of confusion in English writing. “Your” is a possessive adjective, used to indicate ownership, while “you’re” is a contraction of “you are.” This subtle difference can lead to significant misunderstandings if not properly recognised. For instance, in the sentence “Your going to love this movie,” the writer incorrectly uses “your” instead of “you’re,” which would correctly convey the intended meaning: “You are going to love this movie.” This confusion often arises from the similar pronunciation of the two terms, leading writers to overlook their distinct functions.

To avoid such errors, it can be helpful to mentally substitute “you are” in place of “you’re.” If the sentence still makes sense, then “you’re” is appropriate; otherwise, “your” should be used. By mastering this distinction, writers can enhance their clarity and professionalism in written communication.

Incorrect use of “its” and “it’s”

The difference between “its” and “it’s” often perplexes even seasoned writers. As previously mentioned, “it’s” is a contraction for “it is” or “it has,” while “its” denotes possession. This confusion can lead to sentences that are grammatically incorrect and potentially misleading.

For example, saying “The cat chased it’s tail” incorrectly implies possession when it should read “The cat chased its tail,” indicating that the tail belongs to the cat. To navigate this common pitfall, writers should remember that if they can replace the term with “it is” or “it has,” then “it’s” is appropriate. Conversely, if they are indicating possession, then “its” should be used without an apostrophe.

By internalising this rule, writers can avoid unnecessary errors and enhance their grammatical accuracy.

Overuse of Passive Voice

While passive voice has its place in writing, overusing it can lead to vague and convoluted sentences. In passive constructions, the subject receives the action rather than performing it, which can obscure clarity and weaken the impact of the writing. For instance, saying “The book was read by Mary” places emphasis on the book rather than on Mary, who is the one performing the action.

A more direct approach would be to say, “Mary read the book,” which clearly identifies the subject and action. Moreover, excessive reliance on passive voice can create a sense of detachment in writing. It often leads to longer sentences that may confuse readers or dilute the intended message.

Striking a balance between active and passive voice is essential for effective communication. Writers should aim to use active voice whenever possible to create more engaging and dynamic prose.

Improper use of “whom” and “who”

The distinction between “who” and “whom” can be particularly challenging for many English speakers. “Who” serves as a subject pronoun, while “whom” functions as an object pronoun. This grammatical nuance often leads to confusion, especially in informal contexts where many people default to using “who” regardless of its grammatical role.

For example, in the question “Who did you see?” ‘who’ is correctly used as the subject of the verb ‘did see.’ However, in a sentence like “To whom should I address this letter?” ‘whom’ is appropriate because it acts as the object of the preposition ‘to.’ To determine whether to use ‘who’ or ‘whom,’ one can rephrase the sentence using ‘he’ or ‘him.’ If ‘he’ fits, then ‘who’ is correct; if ‘him’ fits better, then ‘whom’ should be used. By applying this simple test, writers can navigate this grammatical challenge with greater confidence and precision.

Confusion between “affect” and “effect”

The terms “affect” and “effect” are frequently misused due to their similar spelling and pronunciation. However, they serve distinct grammatical functions: “affect” is primarily used as a verb meaning to influence something, while “effect” is typically used as a noun referring to the result of an action. For instance, one might say, “The weather can affect your mood,” where ‘affect’ indicates an influence on mood.

Conversely, one could state, “The effect of the weather on your mood can be significant,” where ‘effect’ refers to the outcome. To avoid confusion between these two terms, writers should remember that ‘affect’ usually involves an action (think ‘A’ for action), while ‘effect’ relates to a result (think ‘E’ for end result). By keeping this distinction clear in their minds, writers can enhance their precision and clarity in communication.

Incorrect placement of adverbs

Adverbs play a crucial role in modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs within a sentence; however, their incorrect placement can lead to ambiguity or confusion. For example, consider the sentence “She almost drove her kids to school every day.” The placement of “almost” suggests that she did not drive them at all rather than implying she regularly did so but missed some days. A clearer construction would be “She drove her kids to school almost every day,” which accurately conveys her regularity in driving them.

Furthermore, adverbs should be placed as close as possible to the words they modify to avoid misinterpretation. In sentences like “He quickly ran to catch the bus,” “quickly” modifies “ran” effectively because it precedes it directly. However, if one were to say “He ran quickly to catch the bus,” while still correct, it may shift emphasis slightly away from “ran.” Writers must pay careful attention to adverb placement to ensure their intended meaning remains clear and unambiguous.

Misuse of prepositions

Prepositions are essential components of English grammar that establish relationships between words in a sentence; however, their misuse can lead to awkward phrasing or unclear meanings. Common errors include using incorrect prepositions or omitting them altogether. For instance, saying “She is good in mathematics” is incorrect; it should be “She is good at mathematics.” Such mistakes can detract from the professionalism of writing and confuse readers about the intended message.

Additionally, some prepositions are idiomatic and do not follow standard rules; thus, they require memorisation for proper usage. Phrases like “interested in” or “capable of” must be used correctly to convey precise meanings. Writers should strive for accuracy in preposition use by familiarising themselves with common collocations and idiomatic expressions within English.

Confusion between “lay” and “lie”

The verbs “lay” and “lie” often cause confusion due to their similar meanings but different usages. “Lay” requires a direct object and means to place something down (e.g., “I lay the book on the table”), while “lie” does not take an object and means to recline (e.g., “I lie down on the bed”). This distinction can lead to errors when writers fail to recognise which verb applies in a given context.

To further complicate matters, both verbs have different forms depending on tense; for example, “lay” becomes “laid” in past tense while “lie” becomes “lay.” Writers must pay close attention to these nuances to avoid mixing up these verbs in their writing. A helpful tip is to remember that if you are placing something down (with an object), use “lay”; if you are reclining (without an object), use “lie.” Mastering these distinctions will enhance clarity and precision in writing.

Errors in plural and possessive forms

Errors involving plural and possessive forms are common pitfalls for many writers. The plural form indicates more than one item (e.g., “cats”), while possessive forms show ownership (e.g., “cat’s” for one cat or “cats’” for multiple cats). Confusion often arises when writers neglect apostrophes or misplace them altogether.

For instance, saying “The dogs bone” incorrectly suggests that ‘dogs’ is plural rather than possessive; it should read “the dog’s bone” if referring to one dog or “the dogs’ bone” if referring to multiple dogs. Additionally, irregular plural forms can complicate matters further; for example, words like “children” or “men” do not follow standard pluralisation rules but still require correct possessive forms (e.g., “children’s toys” or “men’s jackets”). Writers must remain vigilant about these distinctions to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity in their writing.

In conclusion, mastering these common grammatical pitfalls—subject-verb agreement, apostrophe misuse, confusion between similar terms like your/you’re and its/it’s, overuse of passive voice, improper use of who/whom, affect/effect confusion, adverb placement issues, preposition misuse, lay/lie confusion, and errors in plural/possessive forms—can significantly enhance one’s writing quality. For those seeking further assistance in honing their English language skills, NLS Norwegian Language School in Oslo offers comprehensive English courses tailored for various proficiency levels. These courses provide invaluable guidance on grammar rules and practical applications through engaging lessons led by experienced instructors.

Whether you are looking to refine your writing skills or improve your overall command of English grammar, NLS provides an excellent opportunity for learners eager to excel in their language journey.

Registration is now open for our professional English classes at the NLS Norwegian Language School. Enroll today to advance your skills.