Grammar Tips You Can Use Today
Ever feel stuck when you try to write something that sounds right? You’re not alone. Most people mix up a few rules here and there, but fixing them is easier than you think. Below are the most useful pointers that will help you write clearer, faster, and with fewer headaches.
Common Grammar Mistakes to Avoid
First up, subject‑verb agreement. It sounds boring, but it’s the reason sentences feel off. If the subject is singular, use a singular verb: She runs fast. If it’s plural, the verb goes plural: They run fast. A quick trick is to pause before the verb and see if the subject feels like "he/she/it" or "they."
Next, watch out for its vs. it’s. It’s is a contraction for "it is" or "it has." If you can replace it with "it is," you need the apostrophe. Otherwise, stick with its for the possessive form.
Another common slip is the misuse of who and that. Use who for people: The manager who called you is out. Use that for things or groups: The team that won the cup celebrated.
Finally, don’t forget the difference between fewer and less. Countable items get fewer ("fewer tickets"), uncountable get less ("less water"). Swapping them can make a sentence sound off.
Easy Punctuation Rules
Commas are the usual suspects in punctuation woes. A simple rule: use a comma to separate items in a list ("apples, oranges, and bananas"). Also, put a comma after introductory words or phrases: After the meeting, we went for coffee.
When you join two independent clauses with a conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet), add a comma before the conjunction: I wanted to go, but the weather was bad.
Apostrophes show possession or missing letters. For singular nouns, add ’s: the dog’s leash. For plural nouns that already end in s, just add the apostrophe: the teachers’ lounge. Remember, “its” (no apostrophe) is possessive, while “it’s” (with) is a contraction.
Quotes need punctuation inside the quotation marks in American English. Example: She said, "I’m ready." If the quote ends a sentence, place the period inside.
Finally, the dash – use it sparingly to add emphasis or an aside. It works like a stronger comma: She finally arrived – after three hours of traffic.
Practice these tips in everyday writing – emails, texts, social posts – and you’ll notice a big improvement. The more you spot the errors, the faster you’ll fix them. Good grammar isn’t about being perfect; it’s about making your ideas easy to understand.
Got a specific rule that trips you up? Drop a comment, and we’ll break it down together. Happy writing!
