Want to Sound Smarter? Avoid These 17 Grammar Mistakes That Make People Cringe
We all make grammar mistakes now and then, but some slip-ups are so common that they’ve become major pet peeves for many. Misusing “your” and “you’re” or mixing up “affect” and “effect” might seem minor, but these errors can impact how others perceive your intelligence and attention to detail.
Understanding these frequent pitfalls can help you communicate more effectively and leave a stronger impression. Here are 17 grammar mistakes that are easy to avoid but make all the difference.
Mixing Up “Your” and “You’re”
Confusing “your” and “you’re” is one of the most common mistakes. “Your” is possessive, as in “your book,” while “you’re” is a contraction of “you are.”
Mixing them up can make your writing look rushed or careless.
Confusing “Its” and “It’s”
“Its” is possessive, as in “the cat licked its paw,” while “it’s” is a contraction of “it is.” Remembering this distinction can save you from a very noticeable error that makes sentences look sloppy.
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
Misusing “There,” “Their,” and “They’re”
These homophones often cause confusion. “There” refers to a place, “their” is possessive, and “they’re” is a contraction for “they are.”
Misusing them can make your sentences hard to follow and appear less polished.
Incorrectly Using “Affect” and “Effect”
“Affect” is typically a verb meaning “to influence,” while “effect” is usually a noun meaning “the result.” This mix-up is common but can easily be avoided with a quick check.
Saying “Less” Instead of “Fewer”
“Less” refers to things that are uncountable, while “fewer” is used for items you can count. For example, you’d say “fewer cookies” but “less milk.”
Using them interchangeably can sound awkward and grammatically incorrect.
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
Misplacing Apostrophes
Apostrophes indicate possession or create contractions, not plural forms. For instance, “the dog’s bone” shows possession, while “dogs” is simply plural.
Misplacing apostrophes can change the meaning and make your writing confusing.
Using “Then” Instead of “Than”
“Than” is used for comparisons, while “then” relates to time. Saying “I’d rather go than stay” versus “I went to the store, then home” demonstrates the difference.
Mixing them up can alter the meaning of your sentence.
Saying “I Could Care Less” Instead of “I Couldn’t Care Less”
If you could care less, it means you still care to some extent. “I couldn’t care less” is the correct phrase, showing you have zero interest.
Misusing this phrase can make your intention unclear and sound uninformed.
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
Incorrectly Using “Me” and “I”
People often say “John and me went to the store” when it should be “John and I.” Use “I” as the subject of a sentence and “me” as the object.
This rule is simple but commonly overlooked.
Confusing “Who” and “Whom”
“Who” is used for the subject, and “whom” for the object of a sentence. For example, “Who is coming to dinner?” but “Whom did you invite?” Mixing them up can sound awkward and formal writing might suffer from this error.
Overusing or Misplacing Commas
Commas can drastically change the meaning of a sentence when misused. Knowing where to place them correctly, especially in lists or complex sentences, can improve clarity and make your writing look professional.
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
Using Double Negatives
Saying “I don’t need no help” is a double negative and means the opposite of what’s intended. Standard English avoids double negatives, so try “I don’t need any help” instead.
Misusing “Lie” and “Lay”
“Lie” means to recline, while “lay” requires an object (as in “lay down the book”). Many people say “I’m going to lay down” when they mean “lie down.” Understanding this distinction can avoid a common grammar blunder.
Using “Literally” Incorrectly
“Literally” means something that is exactly true, yet people often use it to exaggerate. For example, saying “I’m literally starving” when you’re not. Using “literally” correctly shows a good grasp of language.
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
Saying “Irregardless” Instead of “Regardless”
“Irregardless” is not a standard word; “regardless” is correct. The prefix “ir-” is unnecessary and makes the word redundant. Using “regardless” will keep your language clean and accurate.
Using “Less Than” for Time Periods Incorrectly
“Less than” works for quantities, but time periods require “under.” For example, “under 30 minutes” rather than “less than 30 minutes.”
This small tweak makes a big difference in sounding accurate.
Forgetting About Subject-Verb Agreement
The subject of a sentence and its verb must agree in number. For example, “He run” should be “He runs.”
Maintaining subject-verb agreement keeps your sentences smooth and grammatically correct.
More from IEPMommy
- Younger Workers Refuse to Follow These 15 Outdated Office Rules
- 16 Reasons Employers Don’t Want to Hire Gen X Candidates Anymore
- The Harsh Realities Boomers Lived That Millennials Didn’t Have to Face
- These 21 Job Skills Are Now Completely Useless in Today’s Workforce
- 19 Old-Fashioned Beliefs That Boomers Cling to but Are Harmful Today
Like iepmommy's content? Follow us on MSN.
