If you’re like me—you love writing, but don’t have an advanced degree in English— memorize these most common grammar-errors and few readers will even guess. I know, I know … some of these seem to make no sense, they just are; they’re just part of the lingo that educated people speak, and write.
Common Mistake |
Correct Usage |
| I’m adverse to that idea | I’m averse to that idea, I have a real aversion to that idea. |
| “ “ | The trip will have some adverse road conditions |
| On page three, I sight Plato’s quote… | …I cite Plato’s quote |
| Siteseeing is good in Germany | Sightseeing is good… |
| “ “ | I like this job-based site |
| I use to like Elvis, I was suppose to like Mozart | I used to like… I was supposed to like… |
| It’s a good concept, we should flush it out | …we should flesh it out (add flesh to those bare bones) |
| “ “ | Get the dog to flush the quail out |
| Here, here – I’ll vote for that. | Hear, hear… (as in, “now hear this”) |
| I’m loathe to dental visits | I’m loath to dental visits, because I loathe the pain |
| I’ve got to go, we can dialogue later. | … we can have a dialogue later. |
| Me and you are the best… | You and I are the best (You wouldn’t say “Me is the best.”) |
| That plan is better for both you, and I. | …better for both you, and me. (not “That plan is better for I”) |
| There’s less people here today. | There are fewer people.. 1,2 3.. (fewer numbers) |
| “ “ | There’s less milk in the carton this morning. (less volume of milk) |
| For all intensive purposes… | For all intents and purposes |
| The special affects were awesome, | Special effects were awesome |
| but they effected the audience in a weird way. | they affected the audience… |
| It was obvious that the actress was effecting an English accent | …the actress was affecting … (it was an affectation) |
| Sorry, I did that on accident. | … I did that by accident. |
| I like latte, cappuccino, ex ceterta | …cappuccino, et cetera
or cappuccino, etc. |
| Come here, I’ll give you a sneak peak. | …I’ll give you a sneak peek. (like peek-a-boo) |
| In regards to your letter of… | In regard to… As regards… With regard to… |
| I could care less.
|
I couldn’t care less. (statement), I could care less? Could I care any less? (as a question) |
| I hope you don’t mind me asking… | I hope you don’t mind my asking… “asking” is a noun (gerund) it names a person, place or thing. (the thing being “the act of asking”) so use the possessive my asking. |
| We could of had money if we would of worked harder. We should of. | …could have (or could’ve) …would have (or would’ve) …should have (or should’ve) |
| Just go ahead and say your peace. | …say your piece (your piece of info) |
| I’ll give you a case and point… | … case in point |
| They’re giving out samples, get in the cue. | …get in the queue. |
| She likes that guy, supposably. | …likes that guy, supposedly. (She’s supposed to like that guy,) |
| Reign in your enthusiasm, | Rein in… (like grab the horse’s reins) |
| He’s honing in on the target. | …homing in on the target. Honing is for knives. |
| Waiting with baited breath | …with bated (abated) breath, holding your breath |
| Bate and switch tactics | Bait and switch (dangle the bait of a low price then switch to expensive goods) |
| Their stories didn’t jive. | …didn’t jibe. (Didn’t match) |
Writers Class 