5 More Common Grammar Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

If you're preparing for your GCSE exams, you've probably noticed how much emphasis teachers place on clear, accurate writing. Grammar is a key part of that. While we’ve already covered some of the most common grammar mistakes in a previous blog post, there are plenty of others that pop up frequently in students' writing. Knowing these mistakes - and how to fix them - can make your writing stronger, clearer, and more professional.

Here are five more common grammar mistakes and how to fix them

1. Apostrophes in Plural Nouns

Apostrophes can be tricky, especially when it comes to plural nouns. A common mistake is using an apostrophe to form plurals (which is incorrect). Remember, apostrophes are primarily used to show possession or to create contractions, not to make a word plural.

• Incorrect: The book’s are on the shelf.

• Correct: The books are on the shelf.

The only time you should use an apostrophe with a plural noun is when you’re showing possession.

• Example (possessive plural): The dogs’ owner is very friendly. (This means the owner of more than one dog.)

How to avoid the mistake: Ask yourself if the apostrophe is showing possession or creating a contraction (e.g., "it's" for "it is"). If neither is the case, don’t use the apostrophe!

2. Who vs. Whom

The "who vs. whom" debate can stump even advanced writers, but it’s simpler than it seems. "Who" is used as the subject of a sentence (the person doing the action), and "whom" is used as the object of a sentence (the person receiving the action).

Examples:

• Who is going to the party? (Who is the subject—"who" is doing the action.)

• To whom did you give the book? (Whom is the object—the book was given to "whom.")

How to avoid the mistake: A quick trick to help: If you can replace the word with "he" or "she," use "who." If you can replace it with "him" or "her," use "whom."

Example:

• He is going to the party. → Who is going to the party?

• I gave the book to him. → To whom did you give the book?

3. Fewer vs. Less

This is a subtle mistake that can sometimes slip by unnoticed, but examiners will pick up on it. The words "fewer" and "less" are often used interchangeably in casual speech, but they actually serve different purposes.

• Fewer is used for things you can count.

• Less is used for things you can’t count (or for singular nouns).

Examples:

• There are fewer apples in the basket. (Apples can be counted.)

• You should drink less water before bed. (Water can’t be counted individually.)

How to avoid the mistake: Ask yourself whether the noun you’re describing is something you can count. If it is, use "fewer." If not, use "less."

4. Misplaced Modifiers

A modifier is a word or phrase that describes something else in the sentence. When these modifiers are misplaced, they can cause confusion or unintentionally change the meaning of the sentence. For example:

• Incorrect: Running quickly, the homework was finished by Jamie. (This makes it sound like the homework is running quickly!)

• Correct: Running quickly, Jamie finished the homework.

How to avoid the mistake: Place the modifier as close as possible to the word it’s supposed to describe. This keeps the sentence clear and makes sure the meaning is correct.

Example:

• Incorrect: Covered in sauce, Sarah ate the pizza. (This makes it sound like Sarah is covered in sauce.)

• Correct: Sarah ate the pizza, which was covered in sauce.

5. Run-on Sentences

Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses (complete thoughts) are joined without proper punctuation or connecting words. This can make writing hard to follow and can overwhelm the reader.

Example:

• Incorrect: I finished my homework I went to the park.

• Correct: I finished my homework, and I went to the park.

There are several ways to fix run-on sentences:

1. Separate them into two sentences:

   • Example: I finished my homework. I went to the park.

2. Use a coordinating conjunction (remember FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) after a comma:

   • Example: I finished my homework, so I went to the park.

3. Use a semicolon:

   • Example: I finished my homework; I went to the park.

How to avoid the mistake: When proofreading, look for places where you’ve crammed multiple ideas into one sentence. If each part could stand alone as a sentence, use one of the methods above to break them up.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bonus Tip: Read Your Work Out Loud

One of the best ways to catch grammar mistakes is to read your work out loud. This can help you hear things that might not stand out when you're reading silently. If a sentence sounds awkward or confusing, chances are there’s a grammatical error lurking in there. Reading out loud can also help you catch run-on sentences and misplaced modifiers.

Final Thoughts

Good grammar isn’t just about following rules - it’s about making your writing clearer and more effective. GCSE examiners will be looking for not only your understanding of content but also your ability to express that content clearly and accurately. By avoiding these common grammar mistakes, you’ll be in a stronger position to ace your writing assignments and impress in exams.

And remember, everyone makes mistakes - even professional writers - and editing your own work is really difficult. The key is to learn from them and practice. Whether you’re preparing for GCSEs or just trying to improve your day-to-day writing, keep these tips in mind, and you’ll see progress in no time.