A large number of English native speakers frequently make grammar mistakes without even realising. For many, this is simply due to a lack of proper teaching when they were at school. Don’t worry, though, help is at hand! We have compiled a list of 10 mistakes people make when speaking and writing in English. Learn them all and you’ll have better grammar than many Brits! Though this guide has been written with an international audience in mind, you can still benefit as a native. Want to know more about our proofreading services? Click here for more information.
1. Could/Should/Would of
This mistake is made because the contracted form of “could have” or “could’ve” sounds like “could of” when you say it out loud. This happens across all three words.
How not to do it:
I could of gone to the shop
I should of gone to the shop
I would of gone to the shop
How to do it:
I could have gone to the shop
I should have gone to the shop
I would have gone to the shop
2. There/Their/They’re
Here we have an instance of words that sound the same, but are spelled differently. Use ‘there’ to refer to a place that is not here, but rather, ‘over there’ or to state something e.g. “there are no crisps left”. Use ‘their’ to refer to possession i.e. something belonging to them. Use ‘they’re’ when you want to say ‘they are’.
How not to do it:
Their going to be here soon
We should get in touch with they’re parents
Can we use there car?
How to do it:
They’re going to be here soon
We should get in touch with their parents
Can we use their car?
3. It’s/Its
This is another one that often confuses people. You can only use “it’s” when you want to say “it is”, whereas you use “its” when referring to something belonging to something that isn’t masculine or feminine.
How not to do it:
Its raining outside
The car looks great with it’s new wheels
How to do it:
It’s raining outside
The car looks great with its new wheels
4. To/Two/Too
It’s easy to see why people may get this wrong, but once you understand the difference, it’ll be easy for you. “To” is an infinitive form of a verb, such as “to eat” and can also mean ‘towards’. “Too” means “also” or “as well”. “Two” refers to the number 2.
How not to do it:
I’m to cold
I’m going two the cinema
He bought too of them
How to do it:
I’m too cold
I’m going to the cinema
He bought two of them
5. Then/Than
This is a very common mistake that we as proofreaders see a lot. To put it simply, “than” is used when you are making a comparison. “Then” is used to indicate something following something else in time e.g. when planning a schedule.
How not to do it:
I’ve had more then enough
She was better at it then him
How to do it:
I’ve had more than enough
She was better at it than him
We’ll go shopping first, then we’ll go to the bakery
6. Me/Myself/I
The question of how to refer to oneself causes all manner of conundrums, particularly when referring to another person in the same sentence. When referring to yourself and someone else in a sentence, always put their name first. Choose “me” or “I” by removing their name and seeing which sounds right. You would also use “me” if it comes after a preposition. You only use ‘myself’ if you’ve already use “I” to make you the subject of the sentence.
How not to do it:
Me and Bob are going to the cinema tonight
Give it to Bob and I to look after
On behalf of my wife and I
Myself and Bob are going to the football game
How to do it:
Bob and I are going to the cinema tonight
Give it to Bob and me to look after
On behalf of my wife and me
7. Affect/Effect
Affect is a verb – “to affect” – meaning to influence or have an impact on something.
Effect is the noun – “a positive effect” – referring to the result of being affected by something. There is also a verb “to effect”, meaning to bring something about – “to effect a change”.
How not to do it:
He waited for the paracetamol to have an affect
They were directly effected by the fire
How to do it:
He waited for the paracetamol to have an effect
They were directly affected by the fire
8. Fewer/Less
It seems like even supermarkets do not know the difference between “fewer” and “less”. “Fewer” refers to items you can count individually, such as supermarket items. “Less” refers to a commodity, such as water or coffee, that can’t be counted individually.
How not to do it:
There are less cars in the factory now
You must have 5 items or less to use this isle
How to do it:
There are fewer cars in the factory now
You must have 5 items or fewer to use this isle
Less coffee
9. Your/You’re
Put simply, “your” indicates possession, whereas “you’re” means “you are”. Learn this easy distinction and you’ll never make this mistake again.
How not to do it:
I don’t know what your talking about
Your looking really nice today
Please try on you’re clothes
How to do it:
I don’t know what you’re talking about
You’re looking really nice today
Please try on your clothes
10. Who/Whom
In short, “who” refers to the subject of a sentence, whereas “whom” refers to the object of a sentence. To help you with this one, “who” and “whom” work in the same way as “he” and “him”. “Who did this? He did” – so “who” is correct. “Whom should I invite? Invite him” – so “whom” is correct.
How not to do it:
Who shall I invite to my party?
Whom is responsible for organising this?
How to do it:
Whom shall I invite to my party?
Who is responsible for organising this?
We hope you’ve found this a useful reference for making sure your English grammar is tip top. As a translation and proofreading agency, we love improving texts and helping people hone their English skills. If you’re interested in some of the services we offer, please get in touch.
