Spread the love

Top 100 Common Mistakes in English Grammar

Top 100 Common Mistakes in English Grammar – English grammar is notoriously complex, with rules that sometimes seem designed to confuse. From mixing up “your” and “you’re” to constructing sentences that leave readers scratching their heads, these mistakes can distract from your message.

This guide breaks down the top 100 grammar mistakes that plague writers at all levels. Each entry includes incorrect and correct examples, simple explanations, and practical tips to improve your writing. Whether you’re writing professionally or casually, mastering these rules will help you communicate more effectively and confidently.

Let’s clear up the confusion and elevate your writing!

Top 100 Common Mistakes in English Grammar

Fundamental Grammar Errors

Table of Contents

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

Incorrect: The group of students are studying.

Correct: The group of students is studying.

Explanation: Collective nouns take a singular verb.

2. Misuse of Pronouns

Incorrect: Me and John went to the store.

Correct: John and I went to the store.

Explanation: Use “I” when it’s the subject of the sentence.

3. Dangling Modifiers

Incorrect: Walking down the street, the trees were beautiful.

Correct: While walking down the street, I saw beautiful trees.

Explanation: The modifier must clearly refer to the subject.

4. Confusing Their/They’re/There

Incorrect: Their going to the park.

Correct: They’re going to the park.

Explanation:

Their: Possessive
They’re: Contraction of “they are”
There: Location

5. Comma Splices

Incorrect: I love grammar, I study it every day.

Correct: I love grammar; I study it every day.

Alternative: I love grammar, and I study it every day.

Explanation: Use a semicolon or coordinating conjunction to join independent clauses.

6. Misplaced Apostrophes

Incorrect: Apple’s for sale

Correct: Apples for sale

Explanation: Plurals don’t require apostrophes.

7. Impact vs. Affect/Effect

Incorrect: The decision will impact me strongly.

Correct: The decision will affect me strongly.

Explanation:

Affect (verb): To influence
Effect (noun): The result

8. Double Negatives

Incorrect: I don’t got no money.

Correct: I don’t have any money.

Explanation: Avoid using multiple negative words in a sentence.

9. Fewer vs. Less

Incorrect: I have less books.

Correct: I have fewer books.

Explanation:

Fewer: For countable items
Less: For uncountable quantities

10. Comparative and Superlative Errors

Incorrect: More faster

Correct: Faster

Explanation: Some adjectives don’t need “more” before the comparative form.

Top 100 Common Mistakes in English Grammar

Advanced Grammar Mistakes

11. Passive Voice Overuse

Incorrect: The report was written by John.

Correct: John wrote the report.

Explanation: Active voice is usually clearer and more direct.

12. Split Infinitives

Incorrect: To quickly run

Correct: To run quickly

Explanation: Avoid placing adverbs between “to” and the verb.

13. Who vs. Whom

Incorrect: Whom is going to the party?

Correct: Who is going to the party?

Explanation: Use “who” for subjects, “whom” for objects.

14. Misuse of Lay and Lie

Incorrect: I’m going to lay down.

Correct: I’m going to lie down.

Explanation:

Lay: Requires a direct object
Lie: To recline (no object needed)

15. Incorrect Verb Tenses

Incorrect: I have went to the store.

Correct: I have gone to the store.

Explanation: Use the correct past participle form.

Punctuation Errors

16. Misuse of Semicolons

Incorrect: I love cooking; pizza.

Correct: I love cooking; I especially enjoy making pizza.

Explanation: Semicolons connect related independent clauses.

17. Unnecessary Commas

Incorrect: I bought, apples, bananas, and oranges.

Correct: I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.

Explanation: Avoid excessive commas.

18. Quotation Mark Placement

Incorrect: He said “hello”.

Correct: He said, “Hello.”

Explanation: Punctuation typically goes inside quotation marks.

Sentence Structure Errors

19. Fragments

Incorrect: Because it was raining.

Correct: Because it was raining, we stayed inside.

Explanation: Ensure every sentence has a subject and verb.

20. Run-on Sentences

Incorrect: I love grammar it is fascinating.

Correct: I love grammar. It is fascinating. Alternative:* I love grammar, which is fascinating.

Explanation: Separate independent clauses.

Top 100 Common Mistakes in English Grammar

Pronoun Usage Errors

21. Unclear Pronoun References

Incorrect: John told Mike that he was failing the class.

Correct: John told Mike, “I am failing the class.”

Explanation: Ensure pronouns clearly refer to a specific noun.

22. Reflexive Pronoun Misuse

Incorrect: Myself and the team will do it.

Correct: The team and I will do it.

Explanation: Use reflexive pronouns (myself, yourself) only when reflecting back to the subject.

23. Whom vs. Who in Complex Sentences

Incorrect: She is someone whom I trust.

Correct: She is someone who I trust.

Explanation: In conversational English, “who” is often preferred over “whom”.

Verb-Related Mistakes

24. Inconsistent Verb Tense

Incorrect: I was walking to the store and then I take a taxi.

Correct: I was walking to the store and then I took a taxi.

Explanation: Maintain consistent verb tense within a narrative.

25. Subjunctive Mood Errors

Incorrect: I wish I was taller.

Correct: I wish I were taller.

Explanation: Use “were” for hypothetical or wishful statements.

26. Irregular Verb Conjugation

Incorrect: I seed the movie yesterday.

Correct: I saw the movie yesterday.

Explanation: Memorize irregular verb forms.

Preposition Mistakes

27. Preposition Confusion

Incorrect: I’m different than others.

Correct: I’m different from others.

Explanation: Choose the correct preposition for the context.

28. Unnecessary Prepositions

Incorrect: Where are you at?

Correct: Where are you?

Explanation: Avoid redundant prepositions.

29. Idiom-Specific Preposition Errors

Incorrect: I’m waiting on you.

Correct: I’m waiting for you.

Explanation: Some phrases require specific prepositions.

Modifier Errors

30. Misplaced Modifiers

Incorrect: Walking down the street, the tree caught my attention.

Correct: While walking down the street, I noticed a beautiful tree.

Explanation: Ensure modifiers are close to the words they describe.

31. Comparative Modifier Mistakes

Incorrect: More clearer

Correct: Clearer

Explanation: Some adjectives don’t need “more” before the comparative form.

32. Double Comparatives

Incorrect: More better

Correct: Better

Explanation: Avoid redundant comparative forms.

Sentence Construction Errors

33. Parallel Structure Violations

Incorrect: He likes swimming, to run, and cycling.

Correct: He likes swimming, running, and cycling.

Explanation: Use consistent grammatical forms in lists.

34. Misuse of Conjunctions

Incorrect: I went to the store, and bought milk.

Correct: I went to the store and bought milk.

Explanation: Ensure proper use of conjunctions.

35. Unnecessary Words

Incorrect: The reason why is because…

Correct: The reason is…

Explanation: Eliminate redundant phrases.

Advanced Grammatical Nuances

36. Collective Noun Agreement

Incorrect: The team are playing well.

Correct: The team is playing well.

Explanation: Treat collective nouns as singular in American English.

37. Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns

Incorrect: I have less people in my class.

Correct: I have fewer people in my class.

Explanation: Use “fewer” for countable nouns, “less” for uncountable quantities.

38. Pseudo-Possessives

Incorrect: Johns car

Correct: John’s car

Explanation: Use apostrophe-s for possessive forms.

Punctuation and Capitalization

39. Colon and Semicolon Misuse

Incorrect: I have three favourite foods; pizza, pasta, and salad.

Correct: I have three favourite foods: pizza, pasta, and salad.

Explanation: Use colons to introduce lists.

40. Capitalization Errors

Incorrect: i went to new york last summer.

Correct: I went to New York last summer.

Explanation: Capitalize proper nouns and the first word of sentences.

Top 100 Common Mistakes in English Grammar

Verb Complexities

41. Mixed Conditional Structures

Incorrect: If I would have known, I came.

Correct: If I had known, I would have come.

Explanation: Use proper conditional sentence structures.

42. Modal Verb Misuse

Incorrect: I must to go to the store.

Correct: I must go to the store.

Explanation: Modal verbs don’t require “to” before the main verb.

43. Auxiliary Verb Errors

Incorrect: Do you know where is he?

Correct: Do you know where he is?

Explanation: Maintain correct word order with auxiliary verbs.

Pronoun Complexity

44. Indefinite Pronoun Agreement

Incorrect: Everyone have their book.

Correct: Everyone has his or her book. Alternative:* Everyone has their book. (Modern usage)

Explanation: Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs.

45. Pronoun Case in Complex Sentences

Incorrect: Between you and I, this is difficult.

Correct: Between you and me, this is difficult.

Explanation: Use objective case after prepositions.

46. Relative Pronoun Placement

Incorrect: This is the book which I told you about.

Correct: This is the book about which I told you.

Explanation: Avoid ending sentences with prepositions in formal writing.

Advanced Syntax Errors

47. Infinitive Phrase Confusion

Incorrect: My desire is for traveling.

Correct: My desire is to travel.

Explanation: Use proper infinitive constructions.

48. Gerund vs. Infinitive

Incorrect: I like to swim and running.

Correct: I like to swim and to run.

Explanation: Maintain consistent grammatical structures.

49. Verb Phrase Consistency

Incorrect: He likes swimming and to play basketball.

Correct: He likes swimming and playing basketball.

Explanation: Use consistent verb forms in lists.

Idiomatic Expressions and Phrasal Verbs

50. Phrasal Verb Misuse

Incorrect: I looked forward the meeting.

Correct: I looked forward to the meeting.

Explanation: Understand specific prepositions with phrasal verbs.

51. Idiom Misinterpretation

Incorrect: Make the homework.

Correct: Do the homework.

Explanation: Use culturally appropriate verb-noun combinations.

52. Metaphorical Language Errors

Incorrect: He is laying down the law.

Correct: He is laying down the law. (This is correct)

Explanation: Some idioms don’t follow standard grammatical rules.

Complex Sentence Structures

53. Subordinate Clause Errors

Incorrect: I know that he will come although it’s raining.

Correct: I know that he will come even though it’s raining.

Explanation: Use appropriate subordinating conjunctions.

54. Parallel Structure in Complex Sentences

Incorrect: He likes to swim, running, and cycle.

Correct: He likes to swim, to run, and to cycle.

Explanation: Maintain grammatical consistency in complex lists.

55. Elliptical Construction Mistakes

Incorrect: He is taller than me.

Correct: He is taller than I (am).

Explanation: Understand implied words in comparative structures.

Tense-Related Nuances

56. Present Perfect vs. Simple Past

Incorrect: I live in this city since 2010.

Correct: I have lived in this city since 2010.

Explanation: Use present perfect for ongoing actions from the past.

57. Future Perfect Confusion

Incorrect: By next week, I finish the project.

Correct: By next week, I will have finished the project.

Explanation: Use future perfect for actions completed before a future time.

58. Continuous Tense Misuse

Incorrect: I am knowing the answer.

Correct: I know the answer.

Explanation: Some verbs (like know, understand) aren’t typically used in continuous forms.

Passive Voice Complications

59. Inappropriate Passive Voice

Incorrect: Mistakes were made by the team.

Correct: The team made mistakes.

Explanation: Avoid passive voice that obscures responsibility.

60. Passive Voice with Inappropriate Verbs

Incorrect: He was having a car.

Correct: He had a car.

Explanation: Some verbs don’t work well in passive constructions.

Top 100 Common Mistakes in English Grammar

Advanced Grammatical Nuances

61. Noun Countability Errors

Incorrect: I have less students this year.

Correct: I have fewer students this year.

Explanation: Use “fewer” for countable nouns, “less” for uncountable quantities.

62. Abstract Noun Agreement

Incorrect: Happiness are important.

Correct: Happiness is important.

Explanation: Abstract nouns typically take singular verbs.

63. Compound Noun Possessives

Incorrect: My mother-in-law’s car.

Correct: My mother-in-law’s car. (Correct as is)

Explanation: Hyphenated compound nouns add the possessive ‘s to the last word.

Verb Mood and Voice Complexities

64. Subjunctive Mood Misuse

Incorrect: I suggest that he is careful.

Correct: I suggest that he be careful.

Explanation: Use subjunctive mood for suggestions and hypothetical situations.

65. Mixed Voice Errors

Incorrect: The project was being completed by the team quickly.

Correct: The team was completing the project quickly.

Explanation: Avoid awkward passive constructions.

66. Causative Verb Confusion

Incorrect: I make him to study.

Correct: I make him study.

Explanation: Causative verbs don’t require “to” before the verb.

Preposition and Conjunction Challenges

67. Preposition Stranding

Incorrect: Who did you go with?

Correct: With whom did you go?

Explanation: In formal writing, avoid ending sentences with prepositions.

68. Conjunction Placement

Incorrect: I went to the store, and bought milk.

Correct: I went to the store and bought milk.

Explanation: Avoid unnecessary commas with coordinating conjunctions.

69. Correlative Conjunction Errors

Incorrect: Both John and Mary they went to the store.

Correct: Both John and Mary went to the store.

Explanation: Use correlative conjunctions correctly without redundancy.

Modifier and Adjective Complexities

70. Comparative Adjective Overuse

Incorrect: More faster Correct: Faster

Explanation: Some adjectives have irregular comparative forms.

71. Misplaced Intensifiers

Incorrect: I literally died laughing.

Correct: I almost died laughing.

Explanation: Use intensifiers accurately and literally.

72. Cumulative Adjective Order

Incorrect: A blue big car.

Correct: A big blue car.

Explanation: Follow the correct order of adjectives in English.

Top 100 Common Mistakes in English Grammar

Verb Tense Intricacies

73. Mixed Tense Errors

Incorrect: I was walking to the store and then I take a taxi.

Correct: I was walking to the store and then I took a taxi.

Explanation: Maintain consistent verb tense within a narrative.

74. Sequence of Tenses

Incorrect: He said that he is going to the store.

Correct: He said that he was going to the store.

Explanation: Use proper sequence of tenses in reported speech.

75. Perfect Continuous Tense Misuse

Incorrect: I am working here since 2010.

Correct: I have been working here since 2010.

Explanation: Use present perfect continuous for ongoing actions.

Punctuation and Structural Errors

76. Comma Splice

Incorrect: I love grammar, it is fascinating.

Correct: I love grammar; it is fascinating. Alternative: I love grammar, and it is fascinating.

Explanation: Use appropriate punctuation to connect independent clauses.

77. Semicolon Misuse

Incorrect: I have three favourite foods; pizza, pasta, and salad.

Correct: I have three favourite foods: pizza, pasta, and salad.

Explanation: Use semicolons to connect related independent clauses.

78. Quotation Mark Placement

Incorrect: He said “hello”.

Correct: He said, “Hello.”

Explanation: Place punctuation inside quotation marks.

Sentence Structure Challenges

79. Sentence Fragment

Incorrect: Because it was raining.

Correct: Because it was raining, we stayed inside.

Explanation: Ensure complete sentences with subject and verb.

80. Run-on Sentence

Incorrect: I love grammar it is fascinating.

Correct: I love grammar. It is fascinating. Alternative: I love grammar, which is fascinating.

Explanation: Separate or properly connect independent clauses.

Top 100 Common Mistakes in English Grammar

Advanced Grammatical Subtleties

81. Quantifier Confusion

Incorrect: Each of the students have a book.

Correct: Each of the students has a book.

Explanation: Quantifiers like “each” take a singular verb.

82. Absolute Phrase Errors

Incorrect: Him being late, we started without him.

Correct: He being late, we started without him.

Explanation: Use the nominative case in absolute phrases.

83. Nominative Absolute Construction

Incorrect: The weather being cold, I wore a jacket.

Correct: The weather being cold, I wore a jacket.

Explanation: This construction is grammatically complex but correct.

Nuanced Verb Constructions

84. Verb Complement Errors

Incorrect: I suggest him to study.

Correct: I suggest that he study.

Explanation: Use proper verb complement structures.

85. Infinitive Phrase Misuse

Incorrect: My desire is for traveling.

Correct: My desire is to travel.

Explanation: Use correct infinitive constructions.

86. Gerund vs. Infinitive Confusion

Incorrect: I enjoy to swim.

Correct: I enjoy swimming.

Explanation: Some verbs require gerunds, others infinitives.

Idiomatic and Contextual Challenges

87. Phrasal Verb Complexity

Incorrect: I looked forward the meeting.

Correct: I looked forward to the meeting.

Explanation: Understand specific prepositions with phrasal verbs.

88. Indirect Speech Errors

Incorrect: He said me that he will come.

Correct: He told me that he would come.

Explanation: Use correct verb forms in reported speech.

89. Pragmatic Language Nuances

Incorrect: More less.

Correct: More or less.

Explanation: Use idiomatic expressions correctly.

Advanced Syntactical Structures

90. Elliptical Construction

Incorrect: He is taller than me.

Correct: He is taller than I (am).

Explanation: Understand implied words in comparative structures.

91. Cleft Sentence Mis formation

Incorrect: What I want is to go home.

Correct: What I want is that I go home.

Explanation: Construct cleft sentences carefully.

92. Pseudo-Cleft Sentence Errors

Incorrect: What he did was laugh.

Correct: What he did was to laugh.

Explanation: Use appropriate infinitive constructions.

Punctuation and Structural Refinements

93. Parenthetical Expression Punctuation

Incorrect: The book which I read it was fascinating.

Correct: The book, which I read, was fascinating.

Explanation: Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions.

94. Appositional Phrase Punctuation

Incorrect: My brother John is here.

Correct: My brother, John, is here. (If only one brother)

Explanation: Use commas to distinguish restrictive and non-restrictive appositions.

95. Dash and Hyphen Usage

Incorrect: The well-known writer — Mark Twain — was brilliant.

Correct: The well-known writer—Mark Twain—was brilliant.

Explanation: Use appropriate punctuation for parenthetical expressions.

Top 100 Common Mistakes in English Grammar

Final Grammatical Refinements

96. Register and Formality Errors

Incorrect: Me and him went to the store.

Correct: He and I went to the store.

Explanation: Adjust language based on context and formality.

97. Dialect vs. Standard Grammar

Incorrect: I ain’t got no money.

Correct: I don’t have any money.

Explanation: Distinguish between dialectal and standard grammatical forms.

98. Prescriptive vs. Descriptive Grammar

Incorrect: Who did you go with?

Correct: With whom did you go? (Formal)

Explanation: Understand the difference between formal and informal language.

99. Contextual Grammatical Variations

Incorrect: Literally everyone was there.

Correct: Virtually everyone was there.

Explanation: Use intensifiers and qualifiers accurately.

100. Linguistic Evolution

Outdated: Whom shall I say is calling?

Modern: Who shall I say is calling?

Explanation: Language grammar evolves over time.

Final Note

Grammar is a living, breathing system that continually evolves. While these rules provide a solid foundation, language is ultimately about effective communication.

Mastery Strategies

Embrace continuous learning
Read diverse literature
Listen actively
Practice without fear of mistakes
Understand context is key

Recommended Resources

Style guides (Strunk & White)
Online grammar resources
Language learning communities
Professional writing workshops

Conclusion: Keep Growing

Grammar isn’t about perfection—it’s about clarity. The 100 mistakes we’ve covered represent common pitfalls, but remember that language is always evolving.

Think of this guide as your reference tool, not a list of rigid rules. Context matters; what works in a text message might not work in a business proposal. The most important thing is that your meaning comes across clearly to your audience.