Common English Writing Mistakes (With Real Corrections)

When you're learning English, writing can be tricky. Even native speakers make mistakes! But don't worry. In this guide, we'll look at common mistakes and how to fix them. Let's get started!

Simple Sentence Structure Mistakes

Subject-Verb Agreement

In English, the subject and verb must agree. This means if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb should be plural.

Examples:

Incorrect: She walk to school every day.
Correct: She walks to school every day.

Incorrect: The dogs barks loudly.
Correct: The dogs bark loudly.

Incorrect: They is my friends.
Correct: They are my friends.

How to Fix It

1. Identify the subject in your sentence.
2. Decide if the subject is singular or plural.
3. Choose the correct verb form that matches the subject.

Using Articles (a, an, the)

Articles can be confusing. Use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound, "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound, and "the" for specific things.

Examples:

Incorrect: I saw an dog in the park.
Correct: I saw a dog in the park.

Incorrect: She is reading a interesting book.
Correct: She is reading an interesting book.

Incorrect: The sun is an star.
Correct: The sun is a star.

How to Fix It

1. Look at the word after the article.
2. Decide if the word starts with a vowel or consonant sound.
3. Use "a," "an," or "the" correctly.

Word Choice Confusion

Their, There, They're

These words sound the same but have different meanings.

• Their: Possessive, meaning something belongs to them.
• There: Refers to a place.
• They're: Contraction of "they are."

Examples:

Incorrect: There going to the store.
Correct: They're going to the store.

Incorrect: Put the book over their.
Correct: Put the book over there.

Incorrect: Their coming to dinner tonight.
Correct: They're coming to dinner tonight.

How to Fix It

1. Determine the meaning you want.
2. Choose the correct word based on its meaning.
3. Replace the incorrect word with the correct one.

Affect vs. Effect

These words are often confused.

• Affect: Usually a verb, meaning to influence something.
• Effect: Usually a noun, meaning the result of something.

Examples:

Incorrect: The movie had a big affect on me.
Correct: The movie had a big effect on me.

Incorrect: The cold weather effected my mood.
Correct: The cold weather affected my mood.

Incorrect: How did the changes affect?
Correct: How did the changes affect you?

How to Fix It

1. Decide if you need a noun or a verb.
2. Use "affect" for verbs and "effect" for nouns.
3. Replace the incorrect word with the right one.

Punctuation Errors

Comma Splices

A comma splice is when two complete sentences are joined with just a comma. This is incorrect.

Examples:

Incorrect: I like pizza, it's delicious.
Correct: I like pizza. It's delicious.

Incorrect: She sings beautifully, everyone loves her voice.
Correct: She sings beautifully, and everyone loves her voice.

Incorrect: The sun is hot, we should wear sunscreen.
Correct: The sun is hot; we should wear sunscreen.

How to Fix It

1. Identify where the sentences are joined.
2. Use a period, semicolon, or conjunction to separate them.
3. Check your sentence again.

Apostrophe Misuse

Apostrophes show possession or create contractions.

• It's: It is or it has.
• Its: Possessive form of "it."

Examples:

Incorrect: The cat hurt it's paw.
Correct: The cat hurt its paw.

Incorrect: Its a beautiful day.
Correct: It's a beautiful day.

Incorrect: The company announced it's new product.
Correct: The company announced its new product.

How to Fix It

1. Determine if you need a contraction or possessive.
2. Use "it's" for contractions and "its" for possessive forms.
3. Replace the incorrect form.

Comparison Table

Incorrect	Correct	Why?
She walk to school.	She walks to school.	Subject-verb agreement.
An dog barked.	A dog barked.	"Dog" starts with a consonant sound.
Their going to the store.	They're going to the store.	"They're" is the correct contraction.
The cold effected my mood.	The cold affected my mood.	"Affect" is the verb form needed.
I like pizza, it's delicious.	I like pizza. It's delicious.	Two sentences need separation.

Common Mistakes

Using the Wrong Article

• Wrong: She has an unique style.
• Right: She has a unique style.
• Why: "Unique" starts with a "yu" sound, a consonant sound.

Incorrect Possessive Form

• Wrong: That is the dogs toy.
• Right: That is the dog's toy.
• Why: Use an apostrophe to show possession.

Misplaced Commas

• Wrong: Let's eat, grandma.
• Right: Let's eat grandma.
• Why: The comma changes the meaning. Use commas wisely.

Quick Summary / Cheat Sheet

• Always match subjects and verbs.
• Use "a," "an," and "the" correctly.
• Know the difference between "their," "there," and "they're."
• "Affect" is a verb; "effect" is a noun.
• Avoid comma splices; use periods or conjunctions.
• "It's" is a contraction; "its" shows possession.

FAQ

What is a common writing mistake?

A common mistake is mixing up "their," "there," and "they're." They sound similar but mean different things.

How can I improve my writing?

Practice regularly and use tools like Blindspot to find grammar blind spots. Check your work for common errors.

Why are articles like "a," "an," and "the" important?

Articles help clarify whether you're speaking about something specific or general.

Can punctuation change the meaning of a sentence?

Yes! Punctuation like commas can completely change the meaning, so use them carefully.