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Common Grammar Related Errors

Watch out for these words and phrases.

 

Opinion page by Duane Alan Hahn.

 

 

I'm bad at spelling and grammar and I need to be constantly reminded of even simple things that will just not sink in, such as remembering the correct usage of lay and lie and were and was. Luckily, many others aren't that great at spelling and grammar either, so it's possible to get away with a lot, but there are some things even they will catch. We can seem smarter than we actually are by avoiding some of the more common mistakes because those are the ones most people will recognize (probably from being yelled at so much in school).

 

Below are a list of words and phrases that should help make anyone seem smarter if used properly. I have a hard time remembering some of them, but maybe you'll have better luck. Most of the selections have at least one link leading to an offsite page that will show what's correct, but I also have corrections to words or phrases right here on this page that I have seen or heard people use before.

 

 

a - an

Common Errors in English



a lot < Correct

allot < Correct

alot < Wrong

Common Errors in English



accept - except

Grammar Slammer



affect - effect

Grammar Slammer



awhile - a while

Common Errors in English



bated breath < Correct

baited breath < Wrong



biding his time < Correct

biting his time < Wrong



bring - take

Common Errors in English



buck naked - butt naked

Why say either? Just say naked.



chicken pox < Correct

chicken pops < Wrong



continual - continuous

Common Errors in English



could have - could of

Common Errors in English



dependent - dependant

Bartleby.com



dog-eat-dog < Correct

doggy dog < Wrong



due to

Grammar Slammer



duct tape < Correct

duck tape < Wrong



farther - further



fetal position < Correct

fecal position < Wrong

You can try to get into the fecal position if you want, but you better do it in private so you don't get arrested.



fewer - less

Common Errors in English



for - four - fore

Common Errors in English



fringe benefit < Correct

French benefit < Wrong

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary



good - well

Grammar Slammer



have - of

Presbyterian College Glossary of Usage



here - hear

Common Errors in English



its - it's

Common Errors in English



jibe - jive

Common Errors in English



just - only

Common Errors in English



kind of - sort of

Grammar Slammer



lay - lie

Common Errors in English



library < Correct

lieberry < Wrong

libary < Wrong



lose - loose (losing - loosing)

Common Errors in English



maybe - may be

Common Errors in English



moot point < Correct

mute point < Wrong

Common Errors in English



nip it in the bud < Correct

nip it in the butt < Wrong

Please do not nip at my butt, even if you're a cute little puppy.



no one < Correct

noone < Wrong

Common Errors in English



our - are

The word our as in "give us our freedom" sounds like the word hour. The word are as in "we are free" is pronounced like the letter R. That might help when deciding which word to use.



perimeter - parameter



probably < Correct

prolly < Wrong

probally < Wrong

probly < Wrong



regardless < Correct

irregardless < Wrong

Common Errors in English



Sanskrit < Correct (talking about the classical language)

Sandskrit < Wrong

Sanscript < Wrong



sense - since

Common Errors in English



so - sew - sow

Common Errors in English



state of the art < Correct

state of the ark < Wrong



statute of limitations < Correct

statue of limitations < Wrong

Wikipedia



supposed to - used to

Common Errors in English



supposedly < Correct

supposably < Wrong



take it for granted < Correct

take it for granite < Wrong



than - then

Common Errors in English



their - there - they're

Common Errors in English



to - too - two

Common Errors in English



were - where - we're - wear

Common Errors in English (were/where)



whose - who's

Common Errors in English



your - you're

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Pages in this Section

Related Links

Colons, Semicolons and Commas

How to use colons, semicolons and commas (HumbleApostrophe.com).

 

Non-Errors

Those usages people keep telling you are wrong but which are actually standard in English.

 

Confusing Words

A collection of words that are troublesome to readers and writers.

 

Malaprops and Other Writing Problems

If you want others to treat your work seriously, even if you are an amateur, you must proof-read your work..

 

MIT Libraries House Style

A standardized style sheet for use in print and on public web pages.

 

Dictionary of Sound-Alike Words

 

Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike

 

Plague Words and Phrases

 

Rules for Capitalization

 

 

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