The Top 5 Grammar Mistakes That Can Cost You Credibility

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Have you ever read something and immediately noticed a mistake that made you cringe? Whether it’s a typo in an important email or a glaring error in a professional document, grammar mistakes can leave a lasting impression—and not the good kind. These errors can make your writing seem careless and even damage your credibility. But don’t worry! Here are five of the most common grammar mistakes to look out for and tips on how to avoid them.

1. Mixing Up “Their,” “There,” and “They’re”

This one’s a classic. These homophones may sound the same, but they mean very different things.

• Their: Possessive (e.g., Their car is red.)

• There: Refers to a place or position (e.g., The keys are over there.)

• They’re: A contraction of “they are” (e.g., They’re going to the park.)

Quick Fix: Take an extra second to double-check which word fits the sentence. Reading it out loud can help!

2. Confusing “Your” and “You’re”

This mistake pops up all the time, especially in quick messages.

• Your: Possessive (e.g., Is that your coffee?)

• You’re: A contraction of “you are” (e.g., You’re looking great today!)

Quick Fix: If you can replace the word with “you are,” then “you’re” is the correct choice.

3. Misusing Apostrophes

Apostrophes often cause confusion, especially when it comes to plurals and possessives.

• Don’t add an apostrophe to make a word plural (e.g., Apples, not apple’s).

• Use an apostrophe to show possession (e.g., That’s Sarah’s notebook.)

Quick Fix: If in doubt, remember that apostrophes are about ownership or missing letters, not making something plural.

4. Run-On Sentences

Sometimes, we get so caught up in our thoughts that we forget to break them up into manageable pieces. A run-on sentence crams too many ideas together without proper punctuation, making it hard to follow.

Quick Fix: Add punctuation or split the sentence into two. For example:

• Run-on: I love writing it’s my favorite hobby.

• Fixed: I love writing. It’s my favorite hobby.

  
  

5. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

The subject and verb in a sentence must agree in number. This means singular subjects need singular verbs, and plural subjects need plural verbs.

• Incorrect: The team are ready.

• Correct: The team is ready.

Quick Fix: Pay attention to whether your subject is singular or plural, and choose the verb accordingly.

These common grammar mistakes can sneak up on anyone, but with a little extra attention, you can avoid them and keep your writing polished and professional. Proofreading your work (or hiring a professional proofreader!) can make all the difference in catching these errors before they undermine your credibility.

Got a tricky grammar question or a document that needs polishing? Let’s chat—I’m here to help your writing shine!