7 Common Grammar Goofs
I have made my fair share of grammar goofs over the years, and I can assure you that even the most proficient writers occasionally make them. While some errors are forgivable, others can alter the meaning of a sentence or cause confusion. In this blog post, I will discuss some of the most common grammar goofs and how to avoid them – perfect for those who need a cure for insomnia!
Subject-Verb Agreement. Another frequent mistake is a subject-verb agreement. When writing a sentence, the subject and the verb must agree in number. For example, "The cat runs fast" is correct because the subject "cat" is singular, and the verb "runs" is also singular. However, "The cat runs fastly" is incorrect because the adverb "fastly" modifies the verb "runs" instead of the adjective "fast" modifying the subject "cat."
Misusing Commas. Using commas correctly can be tricky. One common mistake is using a comma splice, which occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. For example, "I went to the supermarket, I bought some bread" is incorrect. The correct sentence would be "I went to the supermarket, and I bought some bread."
Using "less" instead of "fewer". Using "less" instead of "fewer" is a common mistake in English. "Less" is used when referring to quantity, while "fewer" is used when referring to a number of individual items. For example, "I have fewer pencils than you" is correct because pencils can be counted individually. On the other hand, "I have less homework than you" is correct because homework cannot be counted individually. Using "less" instead of "fewer" in this context would be incorrect.
Misusing Homophones. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings. Using the wrong homophone can cause confusion. For example, "I'll meet you their" is incorrect. The correct sentence would be "I'll meet you there."
Apostrophes. One of the most common mistakes people make is misusing apostrophes. Apostrophes are used to indicate possession or to create contractions. A common error is using an apostrophe to make a word plural. For example, "I have three cat's" is incorrect. The correct sentence would be "I have three cats."
Run-on Sentences. A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are connected without proper punctuation or conjunctions. For example, "I went to the store I bought some bread and milk" is a run-on sentence. The correct sentence would be "I went to the store, and I bought some bread and milk."
Dangling Modifiers. A dangling modifier is a phrase that modifies a word that is not clearly stated in the sentence. For example, "Walking down the street, the buildings looked impressive" is a sentence with a dangling modifier. The phrase "walking down the street" is modifying the wrong subject. The correct sentence would be "Walking down the street, I saw some impressive buildings."
In conclusion, grammar goofs are common, but they can be easily avoided. By paying attention to apostrophes, subject-verb agreement, commas, pronouns, and homophones, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and error-free. Remember, grammar is the foundation of language, and mastering it can make you a better writer and communicator.
