10 Common Grammar Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Introduction

Even advanced English speakers make these common grammar mistakes. In this post, we'll look at the top 10 errors I see most frequently in my classes and provide clear explanations on how to avoid them.

1. Your vs. You're

Your is a possessive pronoun (e.g., "Your book is on the table"). You're is a contraction of "you are" (e.g., "You're doing great!").

2. Their vs. There vs. They're

Their shows possession. There indicates a place. They're means "they are".

3. Its vs. It's

Its is possessive, while it's is a contraction of "it is" or "it has".

4. Effect vs. Affect

Effect is usually a noun, and affect is usually a verb. "The effect of the new policy was positive." vs "The new policy will affect everyone."

5. Subject-Verb Agreement

Make sure your subject and verb agree in number: "The list of items is long" (not "are").

Conclusion

Practice these rules daily and you'll see improvement in no time!