Did you know that a staggering 59% of recruiters will reject a candidate because of poor grammar or a spelling error?1 In today’s competitive job market (and in life), your writing should be impeccable.
Avoiding common word blunders ensures your writing is always on point and cringe-free. Here’s 16 common grammar mistakes to avoid.
1. There, Their, & They’re
One of the most common mistakes is mixing up these three homophones. “There” refers to a place, “their” indicates possession, and “they’re” is a contraction of “they are.”
To avoid confusion, consider the meaning of your sentence. If you can replace the word with “they are,” use “they’re.” If it’s referring to a place, opt for “there.” And if it’s showing ownership, go with “their.”
2. Affect & Effect
One of the most common grammatical mistakes is confusing “affect” and “effect.” In most cases, “affect” is used as a verb meaning to influence or change, while “effect” is used as a noun referring to the result or consequence of a change.
A simple way to remember the difference is to replace the word with “impact” or “result.” If “impact” makes sense in the context, use “affect.” If “result” fits better, go with “effect.”
However, there are some rare exceptions to this rule. In certain contexts, “effect” can be used as a verb meaning to bring about change (e.g., to effect change), and “affect” can be used as a noun referring to an emotional state (e.g., a flat affect).
3. Loose & Lose
“Loose” and “lose” are two words that are often confused due to their similar spelling and pronunciation. “Loose” is an adjective that means not tightly fastened or attached, while “lose” is a verb that means to misplace something or to fail to win.
Remember, the difference is that “loose” has a double “o,” which can be associated with a loose knot, while “lose” only has one “o,” as in losing a single game.
4. Using “i.e.” & “e.g.” Interchangeably
These two Latin abbreviations are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings. “i.e.” stands for “id est,” meaning “that is,” and is used to clarify or rephrase a statement. “e.g.,” stands for “exempli gratia,” meaning “for example,” and is used to provide examples.
A helpful way to remember the difference is that “i.e.” is used for restating something in simpler terms, while “e.g.” is used for giving examples. By using them correctly, you can add clarity and precision to your writing.
5. Than & Then
“Than” and “then” are two words that are often confused due to their similar spelling and pronunciation. “Than” is used for comparisons, while “then” refers to time or sequence. A simple substitution trick can avoid mixing up these words.
For “than,” try replacing it with “compared to.” If the sentence makes sense, you’ve used “than” correctly. For “then,” see if you can substitute it with “next” or “afterward.” If the sentence remains logical, you’re on the right track.
Remember, you use “than” to compare two things (e.g., “She is taller than me”) and “then” to indicate a sequence of events or actions (e.g., “We had dinner, then watched a movie”).
6. Fewer & Less
“Fewer” and “less” are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference between the two. “Fewer” is used for countable nouns, while “less” is used for uncountable nouns.
For example, you would say “fewer calories” when referring to a specific number of calories but “less sugar” when referring to a quantity of sugar that cannot be individually counted. A simple rule to remember is that if you can count the items individually, use “fewer,” if you can’t, use “less.”
Using “fewer” and “less” correctly may seem like a minor detail, but it can significantly improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing.
Remember, you would write, “This recipe uses less sugar” when referring to an uncountable quantity and “Fewer than 20 people attended” when discussing a countable number of individuals.
7. Who & Whom
“Who” is used as a subject pronoun, while “whom” is used as an object pronoun. A simple trick to remember the difference is to replace the word with “he” or “him.” If “he” fits, use “who.” If “him” fits, use “whom.”
For example, “Who ate the last cookie?” is correct because you could say, “He ate the last cookie.” On the other hand, “To whom should I address this letter?” is correct because you could say, “I should address this letter to him.”
8. Peek, Peak, & Pique
These three homophones are often mixed up but have very different meanings. “Peek” means to take a quick look, “peak” refers to the highest point, and “pique” means to stimulate interest or curiosity.
To keep them straight, remember that you “peek” through a keyhole, reach the “peak” of a mountain, and “pique” someone’s interest with a fascinating story.
9. Could of, Would of, Should of
This one makes grammar enthusiasts shudder. Using “could of,” “would of,” or “should of” is 100% wrong. They’re not even real phrases!
What you mean to write is could’ve (could have), would’ve (would have), and should’ve (should have). The -ve ending sounds like “of” when spoken, leading to this common mixup.
But now you know you have no excuse for continuing to make this mistake.
10. Me vs. I
The question of whether to use “me” or “I” comes up a lot when you have a compound subject like “Sarah and I went to the store.” The trick is to remove the other person and see if your sentence still makes sense. You wouldn’t say, “I went to the store,” not “Me went to the store,” so “I” is correct.
Another way to check is to see if you would say “us” or “them” if you flipped the sentence around: “The teacher scolded Sarah and me.” You wouldn’t say, “The teacher scolded I,” so “me” is right in this case.
11. Principle & Principal
“Principle” refers to a fundamental truth or belief, while “principal” can mean the head of a school or the most important thing. Mixing up these two words is a common mistake, but using them correctly is important.
An easy way to remember the difference is that “principle” ends with “-le,” like “rule,” while “principal” ends with “-al,” like “pal.” By keeping this distinction in mind, you can ensure you use the right word in the context.
12. Imply & Infer
“Imply” means to suggest something indirectly, while “infer” means to deduce or conclude something based on evidence. Many people use these words interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings.
To remember the difference, think of the speaker as implying and the listener inferring. The speaker implies a message, and the listener infers meaning from that message.
13. Complement & Compliment
“Complement” means to complete or enhance something, while “compliment” refers to a word of praise or admiration. Although they sound similar, misusing them can change the meaning of your sentence.
To keep them straight, remember that “complement” is related to “complete,” while “compliment” is related to being “polite” or offering praise.
14. Farther & Further
“Farther” refers to physical distance, while “further” refers to metaphorical or figurative distance. For example, you would say, “I walked farther than I planned,” but “Let’s discuss this further.”
A helpful way to remember the difference is that “farther” has the word “far” in it, which relates to physical distance. “Further” is used for more abstract or conceptual distances.
15. Assure, Ensure, & Insure
These three words are often used interchangeably but have slightly different meanings. “Assure” means to remove doubt or anxiety, “ensure” means to make certain, and “insure” means to provide insurance coverage.
To use them correctly, think of “assuring” someone with comforting words, “ensuring” something by taking necessary steps, and “insuring” something by purchasing an insurance policy.
16. Nauseous & Nauseated
Many people say, “I feel nauseous” when they’re feeling sick, but this is technically incorrect. “Nauseous” means causing nausea, while “nauseated” means feeling sick.
To avoid this mistake, say “I feel nauseated” when you’re feeling ill, and reserve “nauseous” for things that make you feel sick, such as a nauseous odor or a nauseous ride.
Source:
Read Next:
Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
