10 Common Grammar Mistakes in English and How to Fix Them

Whether you’re learning English as a second language or it’s your first language, grammar mistakes can sneak into your writing and speaking. The good news? Once you know them, you can fix them easily! Here are 10 common grammar mistakes English speakers make and how to avoid them:

1. Your vs. You’re
   • Wrong: Your going to love this book.
   • Right: You’re going to love this book.
   Tip: “You’re” is short for “you are.” If you can say “you are,” then use “you’re.”
2. Its vs. It’s
   • Wrong: Its a beautiful day.
   • Right: It’s a beautiful day.
   Tip: “It’s” means “it is.” “Its” shows possession (like “its color”).
3. Their vs. There vs. They’re
   • Wrong: Their going over there with there books.
   • Right: They’re going over there with their books.
   Tip: They’re = they are
   There = a place
   Their = possession
4. Subject-Verb Agreement
   • Wrong: She go to school every day.
   • Right: She goes to school every day.
   Tip: The verb must match the subject. “She” is singular, so use “goes.”
5. Misplaced Apostrophes
   • Wrong: The boy’s are playing outside.
   • Right: The boys are playing outside.
   Tip: Apostrophes show possession (the boy’s bag) or contractions (it’s cold), not plurals.
6. Then vs. Than
   • Wrong: I’m taller then my brother.
   • Right: I’m taller than my brother.
   Tip: “Than” is for comparisons. “Then” is for time/order.
7. Me vs. I
   • Wrong: She gave the book to Jane and I.
   • Right: She gave the book to Jane and me.
   Tip: Remove the other name and test it. Would you say “She gave the book to I”? No.
8. Double Negatives
   • Wrong: I don’t need no help.
   • Right: I don’t need any help.
   Tip: Two negatives make a positive in English grammar. Use one.
9. Who vs. Whom
   • Wrong: Who did you give the gift to?
   • Right: Whom did you give the gift to?
   Tip: “Who” is the subject, “Whom” is the object. (Pro tip: If you’d say “him,” use “whom.”)
10. Less vs. Fewer
    • Wrong: There were less people at the event.
    • Right: There were fewer people at the event.
    Tip: Use “fewer” for countable things (like people), “less” for uncountable things (like water).

Final Thoughts
Mistakes are part of learning, so don’t be discouraged. The key is to keep practicing and paying attention. If you need a tutor to practice with, book one here. You can also buy a course to practice at your own pace.
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