100 Common Mistakes of Spelling, Usage, Grammer and Punctuation

This article is for writers who want to avoid the most common errors of written English without spending a lot of time looking things up. The list of 100 spelling, usage, and punctuation errors does not include every possible mistake, but it covers a great many “howlers” that can put off potential customers and clients.

A few entries feature a spelling or usage that differs in British and American English, or an expression or rule on which thoughtful people disagree. These entries are marked with an asterisk (*).

Also Read:

Grammar terms and grammatical explanations have been kept to a minimum, but it is expected that the reader will be familiar with the English parts of speech and such basic terms as subject, object, clause, and phrase.

1. accept / except

INCORRECT: Please except this gift.
CORRECT: Please accept this gift.

Except, as a verb, means to exclude or leave out. As a preposition it means “with the exception of.” Accept means “to receive willingly.” For example: We visited every landmark except the Eiffel Tower. The school is accepting only those students who have had their shots; all others are excepted.

2. advice / advise

INCORRECT: He refused to take my advise.
CORRECT: He refused to take my advice.

Advise is a verb. The s has the sound of “z.” Advice is a noun. The c has the sound of “s.”

3. all right / alright

INCORRECT: He’s alright after his fall.
CORRECT: He’s all right after his fall.

Although arguments are advanced for the acceptance of the spelling, alright is still widely regarded as nonstandard. Careful writers avoid it.

4. awhile / a while

INCORRECT: I’ll be staying in Paris for awhile.
CORRECT: I’ll be staying in Paris for a while.

Awhile is an adverb that means “for a while.” While is a noun that means “a period of time.” A while is a phrase that means “for a period of time.” Because awhile means “for a while,” to say for awhile is like saying “for for a while.”

5. alot / a lot

INCORRECT: I like you alot.
CORRECT: I like you a lot.

Despite being used widely, “alot” is not a word. A lot is the correct spelling.

6. allude / elude / illude

INCORRECT: The writer eluded to the Odyssey.
CORRECT: The writer alluded to the Odyssey.

Elude means “to escape,” usually by means of swift or clever action. Allude means “to refer to indirectly.” Illude is an obsolete spelling for delude and elude.

7. cannot / can not

INCORRECT: I can not go with you today.
CORRECT: I cannot go with you today.

In speech and informal writing, cannot is frequently contracted as can’t. In writing the uncontracted form, cannot is preferred.

8. complement / compliment

INCORRECT: I want to complement you on your writing style.
CORRECT: I want to compliment you on your writing style.

Complement, most frequently used as a verb, means “to complete.” Compliment, used as a verb, means “to make a courteous remark.” As a noun, it means “a courteous remark.” For example: The illustrations complement the text. She complimented his singing. Sallie has difficulty accepting compliments.

9. effect / affect

INCORRECT: His death really effected me.
CORRECT: His death really affected me.

The most common use of effect is as a noun meaning “something produced by a cause.” The most common use of affect is as a transitive verb meaning “to act upon.” For example: The disease had a lasting effect on the child. The family’s lack of money affected his plans.

10. every day / everyday

INCORRECT: Dan walks the dog everyday at six p.m.
CORRECT: Dan walks the dog every day at six p.m.

Everyday is an adjective that means “daily.” Every day is a phrase that combines the adjective every with the noun day. For example: Walking the dog is an everyday occurrence. I practice the flute every day.

11. forty / fourty

INCORRECT: She made the check out for fourty dollars.
CORRECT: She made the check out for forty dollars.

The number 4 is spelled four. The number 40 is spelled forty.

12. its / it’s

INCORRECT: Put the saw back in it’s place.
CORRECT: Put the saw back in its place.

It’s is a contraction that represents two words: it is. Its is a one-word third-person singular possessive adjective, like his. For example: The man lost his hat. The dog wagged its tail.

13. irregardless / regardless

INCORRECT: I want you here at six a.m., irregardless of how late you go to bed tonight.
CORRECT: I want you here at six a.m., regardless of how late you go to bed tonight.

Although listed in dictionaries and widely used colloquially, the word “irregardless” is to be avoided as nonstandard usage.

14. *inquire / enquire

These are two spellings of the same word. Enquire tends to be more common in British usage, while inquire is more common in American usage. The British newspaper The Guardian prefers inquire, and the Oxford English Dictionary considers enquire to be “an alternate form of inquire.” The forms inquire and inquiry are the safe choices when no official writing guidelines are being followed.

15. *license / licence

license: verb, “to grant permission
licence: noun, “permission, liberty”

In British usage, licence is the spelling of the noun; license is the spelling of the verb. In American usage, both the noun and the verb are spelled license.

16. lightning / lightening

INCORRECT: The hen house was struck by lightening last night.
CORRECT: The hen house was struck by lightning last night.

Lightning means the flashing caused by an electrical discharge in the atmosphere. Lightening means “state of becoming brighter,” or “lessening the weight of something.” Mixing in some white is one way of lightening the dark blue paint. The camel driver is lightening the load by removing the trunk.

17. loose / lose

INCORRECT: I’m afraid you’ll loose your way in the dark.
CORRECT: I’m afraid you’ll lose your way in the dark.

As an adjective, loose means “not tight.” Lose is a verb with such meanings as “go astray from,” “fail to keep up with,” “suffer deprivation.” For example: Athletes prefer loose clothing for exercise. He frequently loses his car keys. Note: The s in loose has a soft sound. The s in lose has the sound of z.

18. passed / past

INCORRECT: The car past the train.
CORRECT: The car passed the train.

Past is used as an adverb of place, or as a preposition. Passed is the past tense of the verb to pass. For example: The past few days have been hectic. The deadline has passed. He passed her the biscuits. The boys ran past the gate. As we stood in the doorway, the cat ran past.

19. pore / pour

INCORRECT: The students were up until midnight, pouring over their books.
CORRECT: The students were up until midnight, poring over their books.

Pore is a verb meaning “to look at attentively.” Pour is a verb meaning “to cause to flow.”

20. prescibe / proscribe

INCORRECT: What did the doctor proscribe for your headache?
CORRECT: What did the doctor prescribe for your headache?

Prescribe in this context means “to give directions for.” Proscribe means “to condemn or forbid as harmful.” The use of any kind of drug is proscribed in the workplace.

21. principle / principal

INCORRECT: The principle kept us after school.
CORRECT: The principal kept us after school.

As a noun, principle means “a general truth.” As a noun referring to a person, principal means “the person in authority.” The cloying but useful mnemonic for this one is “The principal is your pal.”

22. pronunciation / pronounciation

INCORRECT: I have trouble understanding his pronounciation.
CORRECT: I have trouble understanding his pronunciation.

Although the verb is pronounce, the noun is pronunciation.

23. quiet / quite

INCORRECT: We spent a quite evening reading.
CORRECT: We spent a quiet evening reading.

Quiet is an adjective meaning “marked by little or no activity.” Quite is an adverb meaning “to a considerable extent.” Example: The children are quite amiable today. Quiet can also be used as a noun. For example: We enjoyed the quiet by the lake. (The suffix “ness” should never be added to the abstract nouns quiet and calm.)

24. then / than

INCORRECT: I have more eggs then you.
CORRECT: I have more eggs than you.

Then is an adverb that indicates time. It can go anywhere in a sentence. For example: The man paused by the door and then entered. Then the noise started. As conjunction or preposition, than will always be followed by a noun or a pronoun. I like Melville better than Hawthorne.

25. thought / tough / through / though

The ough spelling in each of these words represents a different vowel sound: thought, ough= [aw]; tough, ough= [uh]; through: ough= [oo], and though: ough= [ō].

thought: “the action or process of thinking”: He was lost in thought. As a verb, it is the past tense of think: I thought you had already gone.

tough: adjective, “not easily broken or taken apart”: The hide of the rhinoceros is extremely tough. Figuratively one can speak of “a tough person” or “a tough job.”

through: preposition expressing the relation of movement within something, from one end to the opposite end or side. The train passed through the tunnel. The needle went through the cloth.

though: conjunction, “although” or “in spite of the fact that.” Though he had a broken leg, he managed to reach the fort. As an adverb, though can mean “nevertheless” She said she would not attend the wedding. She did, though.

26. there / they’re / their

INCORRECT: They parked there car on the lawn.
CORRECT: They parked their car on the lawn.

There is an adverb of place. It can stand anywhere in a sentence. They’re is a contraction of “they are.” Their is a possessive adjective. It must be followed by a noun. For example: I don’t know why they’re always late. Tell them to put their coats on the bed. I don’t want to go there.

27. to / two / too

INCORRECT: I’m to tired to go out again.
CORRECT: I’m too tired to go out again.

To is a preposition that indicates direction. It is also a particle used with a verb infinitive. Too is an adverb used to indicate excess. Two is the spelling of the numeral 2. For example: Let’s all go to the lobby. Remember to brush your teeth. They ate too much pizza. You may have two pieces.

28. weather / whether / wether

INCORRECT: He never knows weather to phone or just drop by.
CORRECT: He never knows whether to phone or just drop by.

Weather is a noun that refers to the state of the atmosphere. (It can also be used, literally or figuratively, as a verb with the meaning “to stand up to and survive.”)

Whether is a function word with various uses. A wether is a castrated sheep or goat. Examples: When will you know whether or not you can come? The weather should be mild this weekend. The passengers weathered the storm without too much sickness. The bell-wether led the flock.

29. wreck / wreak

INCORRECT: The wizard plans to wreck vengeance on the outlanders.
CORRECT: The wizard plans to wreak vengeance on the outlanders.

Wreck, as a verb, means “to reduce to a ruinous state by violence.” It is pronounced with a short e, rhyming with neck. Wreak means “to inflict” or “bring about.” It is pronounced with a long e, rhyming with sneak.

30. who’s / whose

INCORRECT: I don’t know who’s dog you’re talking about.
CORRECT: I don’t know whose dog you’re talking about.

Who’s is the contracted form of “who is.” Whose is the possessive adjective form of who. For example: Who’s your daddy? Whose car are we going in?

31. your / you’re

INCORRECT: Give me you’re advice.
CORRECT: Give me your advice.

You’re is a contraction that represents the words “you are.” Your is the second person plural possessive adjective. For example: You’re my best friend. Is that your key on the ground?

32. averse / adverse

INCORRECT: I’m not adverse to a glass of wine at dinner
CORRECT: I’m not averse to a glass of wine at dinner.

Averse is an adjective meaning “having an active feeling of repugnance or dislike.” Adverse is an adjective meaning “being in opposition to one’s interests.” For example: Is he averse to eating meat? Do you think the judge will deliver an adverse opinion?

33. abstract nouns ending with -ness

INCORRECT: Anwar Sadat was admired for his courageousness.
CORRECT: Anwar Sadat was admired for his courage.

The suffix -ness is correctly added to many adjectives to form an abstract noun. For example, good/goodness, red/redness. However, many English adjectives have abstract noun forms that are not formed with a suffix.

With a few exceptions, it is a weakness of style to create a “ness” form when a distinctive form already exists.

Examples: silent/silence, curious/curiosity, brave/bravery, courageous/courage, valiant/valor, cowardly/cowardice, greedy/greed, mature/maturity.

34. a / an

INCORRECT: Meet me here in a hour.
CORRECT: Meet me here in an hour.

The rule is to use the article a before words beginning with a consonant sound, and an before words beginning with a vowel sound: a dog, an eel, an hour.

Only a few English words begin with an unvoiced h: an heir to the throne, an honest man, an honorable man.

The same principles of pronunciation apply to abbreviations, acronyms and the like: a URL, an @ symbol, an SUV.

35. anyway / anyways / any way

INCORRECT: Who reads my paper anyways?
CORRECT: Who reads my paper anyway?

Anyway is an adverb, and it means “regardless” or “in any event”: Penelope never completes her homework assignments, but she expects to go to college anyway. Any way is a phrase meaning “any particular course, direction, or manner”: Our dog tries to get out of his pen any way he can.

“Anyways” is a nonstandard form to be avoided by careful speakers and writers.

36. bring / take

Both bring and take indicate the conveyance of something from one place to another. Which to use depends upon context. A mother organizing her family for a trip to the zoo, for example, might say “Everybody bring a jacket.” She’s going too. If, however, she’s staying home, she would say “Everybody take a jacket.” Something going away from the speaker is taken. Something going to or with the speaker is brought.

37. between you and me / I

INCORRECT: Keep this information just between you and I.
CORRECT: Keep this information just between you and me.

Between is a preposition. Me is the object form of the pronoun I. When a pronoun follows a preposition, the object form is required.

38. before / ago

INCORRECT: He left his money to a woman he had met many years ago.
CORRECT: He left his money to a woman he had met many years before.

Ago means “at a certain time before now.” It refers to a time before the present. Before means “at any time before now.”

When the event referred to occurred at a specific time in the past, the simple past form of the verb is used:

Alexander the Great lived many years ago.
Five years ago, my brother worked in Detroit.

If the event referred to occurred before another past event, then the choice of adverb should be before, earlier, or previously:

We learned that our favorite tree had been cut down many years before.

39. beg the question / raise the question

INCORRECT: His position on tax reform begs the question, does wealth redistribution really help the poor?
CORRECT: His position on tax reform raises the question, does wealth redistribution really help the poor?

To beg the question is a rhetorical term to describe the logical fallacy of assuming the truth of an unsupported assertion. For example, Dr. Locke grades unfairly because he never gives me any grade higher than a C on my papers. The unproved assumption is that the papers are of a quality to merit a higher grade. The student is “begging the question.” If you find yourself following “beg the question” with a question, you are using the expression incorrectly. The expression you are looking for is “raise the question.”

40. *could care less / couldn’t care less

Much breath and ink are expended in arguing about this expression, yet both forms of it have been in the language for more than half a century, and both are used with exactly the same meaning.

Pedants argue that “I could care less” is illogical because if one could care less, one therefore cares a little.

When it comes to idiom, logic is frequently irrelevant. Whether the “not” appears or not, speakers who use the expression are not chopping logic. What they mean is that they don’t care. Linguist Mark Liberman estimates that in American English anyway, the use of “could care less” exceeds that of “couldn’t care less” by a ratio of about 5 to 1. Nevertheless, the proponents of “couldn’t care less” can be quite excitable. If you’re going to be graded, better go with the negative form.

41. can / may

INCORRECT: He wants to know if he can borrow the car tonight.
CORRECT: He wants to know if he may borrow the car tonight.

The difference between can and may is one of ability versus permission. Not everyone observes the distinction, but it is a graceful usage.

42. double negative

INCORRECT: I don’t get no respect.
CORRECT: I don’t get any respect.

Although common in regional dialects and in earlier forms of English, the use of a double negative is considered to be incorrect in modern standard English. Double negative: a construction that contains two negative elements such as no and not.

43. disinterested / uninterested

INCORRECT: Charlie is totally disinterested in algebra.
CORRECT: Charlie is totally uninterested in algebra.

Disinterested implies impartiality. Uninterested implies lack of interest. For example: The financial dispute was settled by a disinterested third party. Many students are uninterested in their assignments.

44. *different from / different to / different than

Preferred by H. W. Fowler in his landmark Modern English Usage, different from is considered by many speakers, both British and American, to be the only correct form of the comparative phrase. According to AskOxford, “There is little difference in sense between different from, different to, and different than.

Different from is generally regarded as the correct use in British English, while different than is largely restricted to North America.” Different to is also common in British speech.

45. either is / either are

INCORRECT: Either Jack or Joan are correct.
CORRECT: Either Jack or Joan is correct.

Either, which may be either a pronoun or an adjective, is singular. Its modern meaning is “one or the other of two.”

When either introduces a choice between two things, the verb must be singular: Either the Honda or the Ford belongs to Harry. Either one of the books is a good choice.

Confusion arises when either introduces an either…or construction in which one of the choices is singular and one is plural. In such a case, the verb will agree with the nearer noun: Either hot dogs or pizza is on the menu for tonight. Either pizza or hot dogs are on the menu for tonight.

Neither, like either, is a singular word that usually takes a singular verb. In a neither…nor construction that contains a singular noun and a plural noun, the verb agrees with a plural noun that comes before it: Neither bad morals nor hypocrisy is wanted in a public official. Neither hypocrisy nor bad morals are wanted in a public official.

46. *each / their

Each writer should have their own computer.
All writers should have their own computers.

Because each is singular, words relating back to each should be singular. Their is plural and therefore does not agree in number with each. The same goes for everyone, everybody, and all singular nouns. However, many speakers and writers have been breaking this rule in certain contexts since at least the 16th century.

In the past, no objection was made to the use of singular his in a construction like this one: Each writer should have his own computer. Concerns about gender equality have made this use of “his” unacceptable when the antecedent is perceived to include women as well as men. Bottom line: each/their is no longer perceived as a gross grammatical fault. Writers who still shudder at the yoking of each and their can rewrite such sentences in the plural.

47. economic / economical

INCORRECT: Eating at home is more economic than dining out.
CORRECT: Eating at home is more economical than dining out.

Economic refers to economics and the economy. Economical refers to getting the most value for one’s money.

The government must address serious economic problems. Families living on reduced means must make economical food choices.

48. e.g. / i.e.

INCORRECT: Boswell asked Dr. Johnson about every trivial detail, e.g., he made himself a daily nuisance.
CORRECT: Boswell asked Dr. Johnson about every trivial detail, i.e., he made himself a daily nuisance.

The abbreviation e.g. stands for the Latin expression exempli gratia and means “for example. The abbreviation i.e. stands for the Latin expression id est (“it is”) and is used in English to mean “in other words.” The farmer grows several kinds of soft fruit, e.g., strawberries, blueberries, and grapes.

49. free rein / free reign

INCORRECT: Unfortunately, their parents give them free reign on the weekends.
CORRECT: Unfortunately, their parents give them free rein on the weekends.

Free rein is a term that originated with riding. It refers to holding the horse’s reins loosely, so as to permit the horse to move more freely. The figurative sense relates to any kind of unimpeded freedom. Reign refers to the authority of a monarch. Although commonly seen, “free reign” is incorrect.

50. flammable / inflammable

INCORRECT: These pajamas can’t burn because they’re inflammable.
CORRECT: These pajamas CAN burn because they’re inflammable.

Both words, flammable and inflammable, mean “capable of bursting into flames.” In modern usage the term inflammable is being dropped because the prefix -in, which means “into” in inflammable, is often confused with the prefix -in which means “not.” The better practice is to use nonflammable as the opposite of flammable.

51. *farther/further

Farther is the comparative of the adjective far. It is used as an adverb to mean “to or at a more advanced point.” For example: He rode farther down the road. Some speakers argue a difference between the adverbial uses of farther and further. In general usage, however, the choice between farther and further is a matter of preference. He rode further down the road.

As a verb, further means “to help forward, to assist.” He would stop at nothing to further his ambition.

52. good / better / best

INCORRECT: Who’s the best runner, Jack or Jill?
CORRECT: Who’s the better runner, Jack or Jill?

Good has the irregular comparative forms better and best. The word better is used to compare two people or things: This rope is better than that one. The word best used to compare three or more people or things: Charlie is the best player on the football team.

53. good / well

INCORRECT: I hope I did good on the exam.
CORRECT: I hope did well on the exam.

Good is an adjective. Well is an adverb. When describing an action, the word to use is well. A great many English speakers cringe when they hear “I’m doing good” as the response to the polite question “How are you doing?” Writers aiming at standard usage acceptable to a wide audience will do well to avoid using good as an adverb.

54. historic / historical

INCORRECT: The signing of the bill today will be a historical event.
CORRECT: The signing of the bill today will be a historic event.

Historical is an adjective that refers to anything that has happened in the past. Historic is an adjective to describe an event or invention that had or will have a major impact on future events. For example: The novel is based on historical events in the settling of the American West. The driving of the Golden Spike was a historic event.

Note: Some speakers use an before the words historical and historic.

55. incident / incidence

INCORRECT: The witness described the incidence to the police.
CORRECT: The witness described the incident to the police.

Incidence is a noun meaning “the extent of something’s influence.” Incident is a noun meaning “an occurrence or an event.” For example: The incident involved a trailer truck and a Miata. What is the incidence of poverty among women?

56. imply / infer

INCORRECT: His use of that word infers that he doesn’t trust you.
CORRECT: His use of that word implies that he doesn’t trust you.

The verb imply means to suggest a meaning. The person who implies something hints at it without saying it directly. The verb infer means to take meaning from. The person who infers draws a conclusion by interpreting words or actions. For example: Because you are always late, I infer that you don’t want to work here.

57. in / on

INCORRECT: The ship is sailing in the water.
CORRECT: The ship is sailing on the water.

The use of prepositions in English is frequently idiomatic. General guidelines exist, but they cannot cover all the expressions involving prepositions. In denotes “state of being somewhere within.” On indicates “proximity and position, above or outside.”

58. less / fewer

INCORRECT: This box contains less fire crackers.
CORRECT: This box contains fewer fire crackers.

Less is used with uncounted nouns: less soup, less intelligence, less forage.

Fewer is used with countable nouns: fewer voters, fewer apples, fewer commercials.

59. lend / loan / borrow

INCORRECT: Will you loan me a pencil?
CORRECT: Will you lend me a pencil.

The verbs lend and loan both mean “to grant the temporary possession of a thing.” The verb borrow means “to take a thing with the intention of returning it.” In a business transaction, lend, loan, and borrow all imply an exchange of money and securities.

In a non-business context, lend and borrow do not imply the existence of a financial transaction. May I borrow the car for the evening? Will you lend me a pencil? However, for many speakers, the connotation of lending for hire clings to the word loan. For that reason lend is preferable to loan in an informal situation.

60. Miss / Mrs / Ms

INCORRECT: Address the letter to Miss Jones.
CORRECT: Address the letter to Ms. Jones.

Miss, denoting an unmarried woman, is an honorific no longer considered acceptable in common use because it identifies a woman according to marital status.

Mrs., denoting a married woman, is considered unacceptable for the same reason.

Ms. is an honorific that pertains to any woman, without indicating marital status.

NOTE: In American usage, both Ms. and Mrs. are written with periods. In British usage the periods are omitted.

61. *mankind / humankind

The word mankind has been used for many generations with the meaning of “all humankind.” In recent years, however, many English speakers have come to feel that mankind excludes women. Modern usage prefers the use of the word humankind.

62. people / persons

INCORRECT: I don’t know any of the persons in this room.
CORRECT: I don’t know any of the people in this room.

Although the word person has the plural persons, in most non-legal contexts people is the preferred plural of person.

63. Scotch / Scots / Scottish

INCORRECT: The Scotch people value education.
CORRECT: The Scottish people value education.

Scotch is an adjective still used in certain established expressions such as Scotch whisky or Scotch broth. In other contexts, however, it is considered unacceptable. For example: “Scotchmen” or “the Scotch government.”

Use Scots or Scottish in a general context to convey the idea of belonging to or being from Scotland: a Scotswoman, The Scotsman (newspaper), the Scottish weather, the Scottish parliament. The word for the nationality is Scots. Example: Robert the Bruce is a hero to the Scots.

64. sooner than / when

INCORRECT: No sooner had the dogcatcher turned his back when the boy released the stray.
CORRECT: No sooner had the dogcatcher turned his back than the boy released the stray.

Modern usage prefers than to when as the conjunction to be used in this expression.

65. there is / are

INCORRECT: There’s some children at the door.
CORRECT: There are some children at the door.

There’s is a contraction of “there is.” When the word there used to begin a sentence, the verb that follows it should agree with the true subject of the sentence. For example, There is a cat on the fence. (“cat” is the true subject) There are some children at the door. (“children” is the true subject.)

A tendency in spoken English is to begin “there” sentences with the contraction “there’s,” regardless of whether the subject word is singular or plural. In writing, however, there’s no reason not to make the verb “to be” agree in number with the true subject of the sentence. Note: Sentences that begin with there can usually be improved by putting the true subject first and replacing is or are with a more vivid verb.

66. these / those

INCORRECT: Do you see these books over there?
CORRECT: Do you see those books over there?

These is the plural of this. Used as either a demonstrative adjective or a demonstrative pronoun, these indicates objects or persons nearby.
Those is the plural of that. Used as either a demonstrative adjective or a demonstrative pronoun, those indicates objects or persons at a distance.

Used together, the words these and those indicate contrast or opposition: Do you want these or those? Note: The same is true of the singular forms this and that: Eat this, not that.

67. waiting on / waiting for

INCORRECT: We waited on the bus, but it never came.
CORRECT: We waited for the bus, but it never came.

The expression wait on means “to serve,” as in a business establishment: The woman waited on the customer.

Wait for implies expectation or anticipation. The child is waiting for Santa Claus.

68. dangling participle

INCORRECT: Reported missing a month ago, police have recovered the body of a young girl.
CORRECT: The body of a young girl reported missing a month ago has been recovered by police.

Verb forms ending in -ing or -ed are called participles. They can be used as adjectives, either alone, or as the first word in a descriptive phrase. A common error is to follow a participial phrase with the wrong noun, as in the example above. The noun being described by “reported” is “girl,” not “police.”

69. if I was / if I were

INCORRECT: If I was a rich man, I’d buy houses for all my children.
CORRECT: If I were a rich man, I’d buy houses for all my children.

Although more and more English speakers fail to observe the use of were in an if clause that makes a statement contrary to fact, it’s a usage that careful writers will probably continue to observe for a while yet. If the statement is contrary to fact, use were. In some contexts the if clause may contain a factual statement for which “was” is the suitable choice: If I was listening at the door, I had my reasons. (The speaker had in fact been listening at the door.)

70. if I would / if I had / if I did

INCORRECT: If I would have known about the party, I would have gone to it.
CORRECT: If I had known about the party, I would have gone to it.

When speaking of an event that might have happened in the past but didn’t, we use an if clause containing the helping verb “had” followed by a main clause containing “would”: If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake. This use is sometimes called the “third conditional.”

Another error made with the third conditional is to use the auxiliary “did” in the if clause:

INCORRECT: If Captain Jones didn’t pull me from that burning car, I would be dead.
CORRECT: if Captain Jones hadn’t pulled me from that burning car, I would be dead.

71. lay / lie (to recline)

INCORRECT: I think I’ll lay down for a few minutes.
CORRECT: I think I’ll lie down for a few minutes.

Lay is the past tense of the verb to lie, “to recline.” For example: Today I lie in the hammock. Yesterday I lay in the hammock. I have lain in the hammock for hours. I am lying there because I like it.

72. lay / lie (“to place”)

INCORRECT: Lie the book on the table.
CORRECT: Lay the book on the table.

Lay is the present tense of the verb to lay, “to place.” For example: Today I lay the book on the table.

Yesterday I laid the book on the table. I have already laid the book on the table. I am laying the book on the table. Note: When lay means “to place,” it will always have an object.

73. *Microsoft is/are

American usage: Microsoft is settling with another software distributor.
British usage: Microsoft are settling with another software distributor.

In British English, collective nouns and the names of organizations can take either a singular or plural verb, depending upon whether the entity is being thought of as a single thing or as a collection of individual things or persons. In American usage, such words almost always take a singular verb.

74. me / I

INCORRECT: Me and Jamie are going to Mexico.
CORRECT: Jamie and I are going to Mexico.

Me is the object form of the pronoun I. It should never be used as the subject of a verb. The same applies to the other object pronoun forms him, her, us, and them.

This error occurs most frequently in compound subjects:

INCORRECT:

Him, Sallie, and Fred moved to Arizona.
Her and her children live behind the stadium.
Laurie and them said “hello.”

CORRECT:

Sallie, Fred,and he moved to Arizona.
She and her children live behind the stadium.
Laurie and they said “hello.”

75. myself / I

INCORRECT: Sophie and myself volunteer three days a month at the homeless shelter.
CORRECT: Sophie and I volunteer three days a month at the homeless shelter.

Myself is a pronoun whose function is to restate the subject I: I cut myself shaving. Sometimes I talk to myself as I work. I wouldn’t have believed it myself. It is never correct to use myself as the subject of a verb, or anywhere in a sentence in which I is not the subject.

76. none is / none are

INCORRECT: None of the boys are qualified to play.
CORRECT: None of the boys is qualified to play.

None is a singular word. It means “not one.” It takes a singular verb.

77. *preposition at the end of a sentence

Many writers go to great lengths in the effort to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition in the mistaken belief that to do so is to break a rule of “good English.”

This superstition arose from the practice of 17thcentury writers like John Dryden (1631-1700) whose familiarity with and admiration for Latin led them to apply rules of Latin grammar to the writing of English. The result was often at odds with English idiom. Whether or not to end a sentence with a preposition is a stylistic choice, not an unforgivable sin.

78. ran/run

INCORRECT: The dog has ran away.
CORRECT: The dog has run away.

Run is an irregular verb whose past participle form (run) is the same as the present form. The simple past is ran. Examples: Today I run. Yesterday I ran. I have run every day this week.

A common error is to use the simple past (ran) when the past participle (run) is called for. The form ran should never be used with the helping verbs has, have, or had. Other irregular verbs susceptible to the same kind of error with the past participle are go, come, write, give, and eat. The correct use of these verbs: have gone, have come, have written, have given, have eaten.

79. should have / should of

INCORRECT: I should of listened to my instincts.
CORRECT: I should have listened to my instincts.

The contraction should’ve combines the words should and have.

80. superlatives

INCORRECT: This movie is the most awesomest I’ve ever seen.
CORRECT: This movie is the most awesome I’ve ever seen.

Adjectives have three forms:

Positive: the adjective’s “plain” form. Example: awesome.
Comparative: the form used to compare two things. Example: more awesome.
Superlative: the form used to compare more than two things. Example: most awesome.

Adjectives of one or two syllables usually form their comparisons by adding the endings -er and -est: This is a fine story. This is a finer story than that one. This is the finest story of all. This is a simple solution. This is a simpler solution. This is the simplest solution of all.

Adjectives of three or more syllables form their comparisons by preceding the adjective with more and most: This is a beautiful flower. This is a more beautiful flower than that one. This is the most beautiful flower of all.

The most common error in the use of the comparative forms is to use more and most in combination with -er and -est forms. Constructions like “the most awesomest” are often seen on the web. They may be meant to be humorous, but they come across as babyish.

81. suppose to / supposed to

INCORRECT: I’m suppose to wash the windows on Saturday.
CORRECT: I’m supposed to wash the windows on Saturday.

Suppose is a verb. Used with a helping verb it takes the past participle ending: -ed. The participle form in -ed can also be used as an adjective, as in the expression “an old-fashioned girl.”

82. *toward / towards

Towards may be more common among British speakers, but, used prepositionally, both are acceptable: The child ran towards the road. The child ran toward the road.

83. went / gone

INCORRECT: Fame had went to his head.
CORRECT: Fame had gone to his head.

The verb go has irregular past and past participle forms. The simple past is went. The past participle form is (had) gone. Never use went with had.

84. who / whom

INCORRECT: Whom shall I say is calling?
CORRECT: Who shall I say is calling?

Whom is the object form of who. Like me, him, her, us, and them, its correct grammatical use is to serve as the object of a verb or a preposition:

Whom do you mean? (direct object of the verb “do mean”)
To whom shall I give this puppy? (object of the preposition “to”)
That is the man whom I saw running away. (object of the verb “saw.”)

Because so many speakers and writers of standard English have come to use who as both subject and object, it’s not necessary to use whom at all. However, some speakers and writers mistakenly try to use whom as a subject. This is a nonstandard use to avoid.

The example given above is incorrect because the sentence is made up of two clauses: I shall say and Who is calling. As the subject of “is calling,” who requires the subject form.

85. which / who

INCORRECT: That’s the boy which started the fire.
CORRECT: That’s the boy who started the fire.

The relative pronoun which stands for inanimate things only.

86. who / that

INCORRECT: The woman that sold you the car didn’t own it.
CORRECT: The woman who sold you the car didn’t own it.

Although many speakers and writers consider the words who and that be interchangeable, others prefer to reserve who for speaking of humans or humanized creatures, and that for referring to inanimate entities.

Sometimes there are stylistic reasons to use that to stand for a person, but in general, use who when referring to people.

87. apostrophe to form plural

INCORRECT: King Alfred the Great lived in the 800’s.
CORRECT: King Alfred the Great lived in the 800s.

The use of an apostrophe to form the plural of letters or numerals is to be avoided. The only time that it can be justified is with lower-case letters.

88. comma splice

INCORRECT: The fire truck tore around the corner, flames spurted from the burning car.
CORRECT: The fire truck tore around the corner. Flames spurted from the burning car.

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma.

89. comma missing after introductory clause

INCORRECT: If I were you I’d do what you have done.
CORRECT: If I were you, I’d do what you have done.

An adverbial clause that begins a sentence is set off by a comma: When the rains came, everyone stayed inside.

90. comma missing after introductory words/phrases

INCORRECT: To be perfectly honest I don’t like her one bit.
CORRECT: To be perfectly honest, I don’t like her one bit.

Single words and phrases that begin a sentence are set off by a comma: Yes, you may go. In my opinion, James Fenimore Cooper is unjustly ignored.

91. *comma with lists

Disagreement exists as to whether or not a comma should be placed before the conjunctions and, or, or nor in a list.

I like cats, dogs, birds, and moles.
I like cats, dogs, birds and moles.

The first example illustrates the serial comma. Also called the Oxford comma and the Harvard comma, the serial comma is a comma placed before the conjunction.

Some usage guides, like the Associated Press Stylebook, recommend leaving out the last comma except in cases where confusion might arise because of another conjunction in the sentence: I had orange juice, toast, and ham and eggs for breakfast.

Using the serial comma consistently eliminates the necessity of making decisions on a case by case basis.

92. comma after main clause

INCORRECT: The King of Siam held absolute power over his subjects, when Anna Leonowens lived at his court.
CORRECT: The King of Siam held absolute power over his subjects when Anna Leonowens lived at his court.

When the adverbial clause follows the main clause, a comma is not usually needed.

93. comma instead of semi-colon

INCORRECT: We missed the bus, we did not know what to do.
CORRECT: We missed the bus; we did not know what to do.

Using a semi-colon to join closely-related main clauses is another means of avoiding a comma splice. If the clauses are very short, commas may be used: He came, he saw, he conquered.

94. dash instead of comma

INCORRECT: My best friend – Colin Blakely – is acting at the Old Vic.
CORRECT: My best friend, Colin Blakely, is acting at the Old Vic.

The em dash is frequently used unnecessarily to replace more appropriate punctuation marks. In the example above, the name is in apposition to the word “friend.” Nouns in apposition are set off by commas.

95. multiple end marks

INCORRECT: We’re going to Paris in April!!!! Do you want to go with us???
CORRECT: We’re going to Paris in April! Do you want to go with us?

Multiple exclamation marks or question marks at the end of sentences are unnecessary and amateurish.

96. possessive apostrophe

INCORRECT: Mr. Thomas’ opinion was that the dog should be returned.
CORRECT: Mr. Thomas’s opinion was that the dog should be returned.

Nouns whose singular form does not end in s form the possessive by adding the apostrophe plus an s (‘s): Mary’s veil. The house’s roof. The trunk’s latch. Nouns that form their plurals by adding the letter s form the possessive by adding an apostrophe: The birds’ beaks. The teachers’ salaries. The street lamps’ bulbs. A few nouns do not form the plural by adding s. Their possessive is formed by adding apostrophe s (‘s): The
children’s teacher. The deer’s meadow. The salesmen’s catalogs.

Singular nouns that end in s also form the possessive by adding apostrophe s (‘s): St. James’s Park. Arkansas’s scenic beauty.

Not all authorities agree that the addition of ‘s to a singular noun ending in s should be a hard and fast rule.

For example, with ancient names ending in s, a conventional practice is to add only the apostrophe: Jesus’ name. Achilles’ heel.

Writers who prefer a one-rule-fits-all approach may simply follow the practice of forming the plural of any singular noun by adding ‘s.

97. *punctuation outside or inside the quotation mark

American usage places the period inside the quotation marks whether the quoted material includes a period or not.

Examples of American usage:

Franklin Roosevelt said that the only thing Americans had to fear was “fear itself.”

Winston Churchill said “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

British usage places periods that are not part of the quotation outside the closing quotation mark.

Examples of British Usage:

Franklin Roosevelt said that the only thing Americans had to fear was “fear itself”.

Winston Churchill said “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

98. quotation marks for emphasis

INCORRECT: All “anoraks” are now on sale.
CORRECT: All anoraks are now on sale.

The chief use of quotation marks is to set off the exact words used by a speaker or by another writer: “You can’t be serious,” Percy said. According to Dickens, the year 1775 was “the best of times” and “the worst of
times.”

An additional use of quotations marks is to indicate that the writer is using a word in an ironical sense: Screaming at the top of her lungs, my “meek and mild” nanny sent the burglar running for his life.

Using quotation marks to emphasize a word or phrase is unnecessary and confusing.

99. run-on sentence

INCORRECT: The fishing boat ran aground on a reef all the men were rescued.
CORRECT: The fishing boat ran aground on a reef. All the men were rescued.

A run-on sentence occurs when an independent clause follows another independent clause without punctuation or a joining word.

100. semi-colon instead of colon

INCORRECT: The winners are the following films; The Lion King, Silas Marner, and Kim.
CORRECT: The winners are the following films: The Lion King, Silas Marner, and Kim.

The most common use of a colon is to introduce a list following an independent clause.

The next most common use is to separate an example, explanation, or reason from a preceding independent clause:

It’s over between us: you won’t stop drinking to excess.

I learned a useful mnemonic for remembering the colors of the rainbow: Roy G. Biv.

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