Grammar Check Like a Pro: 10 Common Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Were Making

Good grammar is essential for clear, professional, and engaging writing. Yet, even experienced writers unknowingly make grammar mistakes that can weaken their message. Fortunately, modern grammar checkers help identify and correct these errors, but knowing what to look for can make you an even stronger writer. In this guide, we’ll explore 10 common grammar mistakes and how to fix them like a pro.

1. Misusing “Your” and “You’re”

The Mistake:

"Your going to love this book."

"I like you’re idea."

The Fix:

"Your" is possessive (e.g., "Your book is on the table").

"You’re" is a contraction for "you are" (e.g., "You’re going to love this book").

2. Confusing “Their,” “There,” and “They’re”

The Mistake:

"Their going to the park."

"I left my keys over their."

The Fix:

"Their" indicates possession (e.g., "Their house is beautiful").

"There" refers to a place (e.g., "The keys are over there").

"They’re" is a contraction for "they are" (e.g., "They’re going to the park").

3. Incorrect Use of “It’s” vs. “Its”

The Mistake:

"Its a beautiful day."

"The dog wagged it’s tail."

The Fix:

"It’s" is a contraction for "it is" (e.g., "It’s raining outside").

"Its" is possessive (e.g., "The cat licked its paw").

4. Overusing Commas or Misplacing Them

The Mistake:

"Let’s eat, Grandma!" vs. "Let’s eat Grandma!"

"I love cooking, my family, and my pets."

The Fix:

Use commas to separate items in a list and to avoid ambiguity.

Avoid unnecessary commas in short sentences.

5. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

The Mistake:

"The team are playing well."

"She don’t like coffee."

The Fix:

Ensure the subject and verb agree in number: "The team is playing well." "She doesn’t like coffee."

6. Dangling Modifiers

The Mistake:

"Running down the street, my hat blew away."

The Fix:

Rewrite for clarity: "As I ran down the street, my hat blew away."

7. Confusing “Affect” vs. “Effect”

The Mistake:

"The weather had a big affect on our trip."

"This decision will effect you."

The Fix:

"Affect" is a verb (e.g., "The weather affects my mood").

"Effect" is a noun (e.g., "The new law has a major effect").

8. Misplacing Apostrophes

The Mistake:

"The cat’s chased the dog’s."

"Its’ a wonderful day."

The Fix:

Apostrophes show possession, not plurals: "The cat’s toy is missing."

"Its" never takes an apostrophe unless it’s a contraction for "it is."

9. Using the Wrong Verb Tense

The Mistake:

"Yesterday, I go to the store."

"She was writing when he calls her."

The Fix:

Keep verb tenses consistent: "Yesterday, I went to the store." "She was writing when he called her."

10. Double Negatives

The Mistake:

"I don’t have no money."

"She didn’t see nothing."

The Fix:

Use a single negative for correct meaning: "I don’t have any money." "She didn’t see anything."

Final Thoughts: Why Grammar Checkers Are Essential

Even the best writers make grammar mistakes. Grammar checkers help identify these errors, but understanding why they happen makes you a better writer. By mastering these common mistakes, you can communicate more clearly, enhance your credibility, and ensure your writing is polished and professional.

Want to Improve Your Writing?

Start using a grammar checker today and pair it with these tips for flawless writing!