Every day, many people engage in writing for work, school, personal reasons, or leisure activities. Yet, the majority do not consider themselves writers. Even experts in grammar occasionally make typical writing errors! Certain errors carry more weight than others. While it’s unrealistic to expect everyone to grasp the complexities of the English language, a professional writer is held to a higher standard of accuracy. In this blog post, we outline 10 common writing mistakes that are essential to avoid in your writing.
10 Common Mistakes in Writing to Watch For
Regardless of your confidence in your writing abilities, you may still encounter some typical writing errors. So, here is the list from Nicole Hardy of common writing mistakes to avoid:
Using the Wrong Words
Errors involving incorrect word usage can manifest in various ways. They might convey a meaning that is slightly off from what you intended (using “compose” instead of “comprise”), or they could suggest a completely different idea altogether (like saying “prevaricate” instead of “procrastinate”). Additionally, these mistakes can be as simple as a wrongly placed preposition or the use of an incorrect word in a phrase. Tackle this problem using a thesaurus and spell checker, but proceed with caution. Selecting a word from a thesaurus without grasping its exact meaning or relying on a spell checker for automatic corrections can lead to errors. If you’re struggling with prepositions and idiomatic expressions, familiarize yourself with their standard usage.
Using Incorrect Punctuation
While you’re engaged in writing, it’s common to forget about adding the final punctuation. Sentences can end with a period, a question mark, or an exclamation mark. Most sentences are declarative or make statements, and these should be concluded with a period. Questions must always end with question marks. Exclamatory statements convey strong feelings such as excitement, astonishment, or anger, and should be punctuated with exclamation points.
Spelling Errors
Despite the fact that technology now handles the majority of our spelling corrections, spelling mistakes still rank among the 20 most common errors. Spell checkers often fail to identify numerous misspellings, especially homonyms (such as presence/presents), incorrectly separated compound words, and proper nouns, including names. It’s important to proofread thoroughly for typos after utilizing the spell checker.
Mixing up Hyphens and Dashes
Hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes are three different types of punctuation marks. A hyphen (-) is a slender line used to link two or more words or parts of words (for example, ex-boyfriend, merry-go-round, skin-tight). An en dash (-) is used to indicate a timeline, numerical range, or sequential order. For instance, it can be seen in expressions like January-March, 2000-2005, or an alphabetical range like Ca-Ch. It is longer than a hyphen but shorter than an em dash. An em dash (—) serves many purposes. It is equivalent in length to two hyphens, but it is incorrect to simply place two hyphens together. Certain software will automatically convert two hyphens into an em dash, while others may not. If you have a numeric keypad, you can type it using the alt code.
Quotation Error
When we reference the work of other authors, we blend their viewpoints with our own. The use of quotation marks is crucial as they indicate the boundary between their words and ours. Quotation marks should be used in pairs, so make sure to both open and close them. In most documentation styles, such as MLA Style, block quotes do not need quotation marks. To learn how to format block quotes, refer to the style guide approved by your professor.
Unnecessary use of the comma
We often have the choice of whether or not to use a comma. Nevertheless, if we place commas in situations where they aren’t needed, we may end up confusing our message rather than making it clearer. For instance, when writing cover letters for scholarships, it’s crucial to use commas appropriately to ensure clarity and professionalism. Commas should not be placed between limiting modifiers that are crucial to the meaning of the words they modify. When coordinating conjunctions (such as and, but, for, nor, or, so, still), do not connect parts of a compound phrase, avoid using a comma before it. Additionally, do not place a comma before or after the first or last items in a list.
Subject–Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreements are common grammar mistakes in writing. Verbs can change form based on the subject. Be careful to use the correct verb form corresponding to the subject. Here are a few illustrations. Incorrect: She runs quickly. She does run quickly. We go to the cinema every week. True: We go to the movies once a week. The examples provided illustrate how straightforward subject-verb agreement can be. Nonetheless, there are instances when opting for a singular verb instead of a plural one can be challenging. Rather than trying to recall all the grammatical rules from memory, consider using writing tools to assist you with your writing.
Fault in Sentence Structure
If a sentence starts with one grammatical structure and then changes to another, it may confuse readers. It’s important to maintain consistency in grammatical structure throughout the sentence. Every sentence should contain both a subject and a verb, and the subjects and predicates should be logically connected. For example, “The information given to university students regarding courses, their outlines, and additional activities is often insufficient.” Considering the classes mentioned in the previous example does not help the reader grasp the information accessible to families. Utilizing parallel structures can enhance the reader’s understanding of the relationships among your ideas. A more effective approach is: “University students receive insufficient information regarding courses, including their outlines and additional activities.”
Lack of pronunciation
Pronouns typically align in gender (male or female, as needed) and number (singular or plural) with their antecedents. Certain indefinite pronouns, like “everyone” and “each,” are always treated as singular. Nevertheless, they can be used to promote inclusive or gender-neutral language alongside a single antecedent. When two antecedents are connected by “or,” the pronoun should match the one closest to it. Additionally, a collective noun, such as “team,” may be considered singular or plural depending on whether the members are viewed as a unit or as individual entities.
Wordiness
Even if your grammar and spelling are perfect, too much wordiness can make your writing hard to understand. Aim to write clearly and concisely.
Final Thoughts on Writing Mistakes
In writing, even small mistakes can impact clarity, professionalism, and reader engagement. By recognizing and addressing common errors—like misuse of punctuation, incorrect word choice, or subject-verb disagreements—writers can significantly improve their work’s effectiveness. Consistently checking for these issues fosters stronger, more cohesive communication. Utilizing tools like spell checkers and grammar aids can help, but ultimately, careful proofreading and practice are essential to mastering clear, concise, and impactful writing. Remember, every word matters. Eliminating unnecessary details and refining sentence structure leads to writing that not only conveys ideas but also resonates with readers.