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Common Grammar Related ErrorsWatch 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 a lot < Correct allot < Correct alot < Wrong accept - except affect - effect awhile - a while bated breath < Correct baited breath < Wrong biding his time < Correct biting his time < Wrong bring - take buck naked - butt naked Why say either? Just say naked. chicken pox < Correct chicken pops < Wrong continual - continuous could have - could of dependent - dependant dog-eat-dog < Correct doggy dog < Wrong due to 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 for - four - fore fringe benefit < Correct French benefit < Wrong A French benefit is something that actually exists, but if you mean a generic additional benefit, then French benefit is wrong. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary good - well have - of Presbyterian College Glossary of Usage here - hear its - it's jibe - jive just - only kind of - sort of lay - lie library < Correct lieberry < Wrong libary < Wrong lose - loose (losing - loosing) maybe - may be moot point < Correct mute point < Wrong 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 It's two words, not one. Example: I saw no one at noon. 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 If you mean the border, use perimeter. Searching along the border or the edge is searching the perimeter. Parameter is a mathematics and computer science term. probably < Correct prolly < Wrong probally < Wrong probly < Wrong regardless < Correct irregardless < Wrong Sanskrit < Correct (talking about the classical language) Sandskrit < Wrong Sanscript < Wrong sense - since so - sew - sow state of the art < Correct state of the ark < Wrong statute of limitations < Correct statue of limitations < Wrong There might be a "statue of limitations" somewhere in the world that pigeons poop on daily, but you probably mean statute, not statue. supposed to - used to supposedly < Correct supposably < Wrong take it for granted < Correct take it for granite < Wrong than - then their - there - they're to - too - two were - where - we're - wear Common Errors in English (were/where) whose - who's your - you're
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Pages in this Section Common Grammar Related Errors Related Links How to use colons, semicolons and commas (HumbleApostrophe.com).
Those usages people keep telling you are wrong but which are actually standard in English.
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..
A standardized style sheet for use in print and on public web pages.
Dictionary of Sound-Alike Words
Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike
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