Would you want anyone to highlight grammar mistakes in your work? Is it okay for you to be ashamed of linguistic errors caught in your writing by others? If not, you must stay vigilant to common grammatical errors in your write-ups.
Remember, you are not the only one who makes such blunders while stringing up words. Even expert writers might fall victim to lingual flaws in their written text. So, instead of fearing stating your ideas just because you might make errors, learn how to fix them.
Now that you have landed on this page, there is no need to go anywhere to improve your writing. Because we will provide you with some practical tips on how to eliminate the errors that mostly sneak in during writing unintentionally. So, let’s get started.
Spot And Fix Subject-Verb Disagreement
One of the most common mistakes that many writers, students, and professionals make is incorrect subject-verb agreement. This mistake usually occurs when you associate a singular subject with a plural verb or vice versa. So, when writing text, it’s essential that you remain aware of whether the subject is singular or plural.
Another thing to remember in this regard is to not rely on prepositional phrases when deciding on the correct verb. Instead, focus on the main subject. It’s better that you read the text aloud to instantly notice the area where the subject and verb disagree.
Example:
Incorrect: Oliver write a fictional novel.
Correct: Oliver writes a fictional novel.
Find And Correct Run-on Sentences
Having a run-on sentence in your written text is not a new thing because this mistakes happen unintentionally. The main reason behind this mistake is the improper joint between two complete thoughts (independent clauses). This blunder makes it hard for the reader to identify how ideas relate to each other.
Run-on sentences are usually of two types; one is called comma splices, and the second one is known as a fused sentence. You must watch out for both types and fix them by correctly using commas and coordinating conjunctions.
Example:
Incorrect: Thomas likes Harry Porter it’s his favorite novel.
Correct: Thomas likes Harry Potter; it’s his favorite novel.
Identify And Adjust Misused Homophones
Another common grammatical error that many commit is confusing words that sound similar. This error is mostly seen in the work of beginners, non-native speakers, and students who have dealt with academic assignments for the first time. Apart from that, experts might use words that have different meanings and spellings but sound similar.
An effective technique to identify misused homophones is to proofread your work ruthlessly. Read every sentence and pay close attention to each word and check if it fits the context. In case you have doubts on any word, instantly get assistance from a dictionary and see if it has the same meanings that you have used it for.
Example:
Incorrect: Their are mice in their backyard.
Correct: There are mice in their backyard.
Look For Apostrophe Errors And Fix Them
Whether writing academic, web, or professional content, sometimes, you have to show possession of something over the other. For this purpose, an apostrophe is usually utilized in sentences. It’s a small punctuation mark that indicates ownership. However, the problem arises when it comes to using it with possessive nouns.
In such cases, people either miss it or use it in the wrong place. Make sure that it’s present before the “s” in singular nouns and after the “s” in plural nouns where you need to show possession. Any other placement of apostrophes will be considered a grammatical mistake.
Example:
Incorrect: This is Mark car and he loves it.
Correct: This is Mark’s car, and he loves it.
Example:
Incorrect: Columbus streets are wide and clean.
Correct: Columbus’ streets are wide and clean.
Notice And Resolve Incorrect Pronoun Usage
Using a pronoun in the place of a noun is common in writing. However, it often happens when you either write an inappropriate or wrong pronoun. This usually happens when a pronoun has multiple antecedents. In simple words, incorrect use of pronouns is when a singular pronoun refers to more than one thing, place, or person, or a plural pronoun refers to the singular noun.
So, when reviewing your work, don’t forget to verify that the singular pronoun comes with the singular noun and the plural with the plural one. To accurately identify the misuse of pronouns, you must have a proper understanding of singular and plural nouns. Otherwise, you may fail to rectify this particular issue.
Example:
Incorrect: Everyone must bring their own vehicle.
Correct: Everyone must bring his or her own vehicle.
Recognize Dangling Modifiers And Correct Them
Sometimes, you inadvertently put a modifier with the wrong noun, which makes the sentence confusing or illogical. In grammar, this mistake is called a dangling modifier and is common among writers, students, marketers, and business professionals. So, no matter which field you belong to, if you write frequently or occasionally, you must identify this error in your writing.
To identify misplaced mistakes, it’s better that you read the text aloud. When you hear a quality being associated with a wrong noun, it is more likely that you will recognize the modifier issues. This helps you ensure that no noun has been represented with a trait that it doesn’t own in reality.
Example:
Incorrect: Emma and Amelia walked through the street dressed in costumes.
Correct: Emma and Amelia, dressed in costumes, walked through the street.
Capitalize On An AI-Powered Grammar Checker
The list of common grammar errors is pretty long. The above ones are just a few of them. And the fact is, it’s quite hard to watch out for all the frequent grammatical mistakes manually. So, it’s an excellent idea to utilize the power of an AI-driven grammar corrector to quickly identify and eliminate everyday linguistic blunders.
Using an online grammar-checking tool enables you to find out all the lingual mistakes at once. And the best thing is that most tools provide a single-click option to remove all flaws from your text in just one click. This not only speeds up your proofreading but also lowers the risk of leaving any hidden typo unidentified.
So, if you don’t want to burn your time and energy in manually identifying common grammar errors, don’t hesitate to capitalize on an online grammar checker. However, make sure that you choose a reliable one that is both secure and free to use.
To Sum Up
In short, making grammar mistakes is common, but you must ensure that you fix them before they become a problem. Above, we have introduced you to some of the most common grammatical mistakes that you might commit during writing. Also, we have mentioned how you can avoid each of them. We hope that you will apply these tips and avoid grammar mistakes in your next write-up.
