Photo by Sergey Zolkin on Unsplash
In this day and age, web content and blog writing are more popular than ever. Whether you’re googling how to change a tire or what’s the best breed of cat for an apartment, there are bound to be hundreds of articles written on the subject. When you write one of these thought-provoking articles, you want to make sure you don’t make any grammar mistakes.
Most common grammar mistakes
As you are probably well aware, there is no shortage of cringe-worthy grammar throughout the blogging world. Let’s run through the most common mistakes.
LET’S EAT GRANDMA vs. LET’S EAT, GRANDMA.
Commas are so important and are the most commonly misused piece of punctuation. Where you add a comma, always double check the content on each side.
If there are two complete sentences, the comma is a no-go.
Incorrect: I like Nutella, I also like bananas.
Correct: I like Nutella; I also like bananas.
Never put a comma after a conjunction. Put the comma before.
Incorrect: I enjoy running but, only once in awhile.
Correct: I enjoy running, but only once in a while.
An adverb or clause followed by one complete sentence requires a comma.
Example: Usually, I go to bed at 9 PM.
Semicolons/colons
Colons and semicolons are tricky, but if you remember these simple rules you will never misuse them again. A semicolon is like a period. It can only be used to separate two complete sentences. A colon can only be used if introducing a list or an example.
Fanboys
For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. These are your coordinating conjunctions. The acronym FANBOYS can help you remember them.
Always use your FANBOYS after a comma.
Do not use FANBOYS after a semicolon.
Apostrophes
Apostrophes are used for contractions or possession. A contraction is when you combine two words to make one. Now, be sure not to confuse contractions with compound words. Remember, a contraction throws in an apostrophe to eliminate some of the letters. For example:
do not = don’t
is not = isn’t
As for possession, that poor apostrophe is thrown all over the place without a second thought on a daily basis! Here’s a brief cheat sheet.
Girl’s lollipop = one girl possesses one lollipop
Girl’s lollipops = one girl possesses multiple lollipops
Girls’ lollipops = multiple girls possess multiple lollipops
Parallelism
When you are writing, take down this important mental note before you even begin. Ask yourself, what point of view you are writing in: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person? Next, ask yourself if you are writing in past or present tense. Once you decide, don’t change! Whichever way you begin, you need to end the same way. If you begin a sentence in present tense, it needs to end is present tense. Make sense?
There’s mistakes in you’re writing
People often forget that “there’s” is a contraction for “there is”. The word “is” is a verb used when referring to a singular subject and “are” is a verb used when referring to a plural subject. Confused? Here’s an example:
Incorrect: There’s deer jumping over the fence. (There is deer jumping over the fence.)
Correct: There are deer jumping over the fence.
Collective nouns
Collective nouns are sneaky. Why? Because they’re singular… but they’re not. Take a look at the word “group.” There are many people or things in a group, but there is only one group.
Example: The group, with their fancy hats, is late for brunch.
You might think that the word “are” would sound better, but “is” is proper because “group” is singular. The group is late for brunch.
We sincerely hope these tips and tricks helped you; stay tuned for Top Grammar Mistakes Part Two!