Correct grammar is the most concerning thing for a content writer. Not just freshers but many experienced writers also make some basic grammar mistakes in their content. For any content writer, making grammar mistakes should not be the case. If you are the one who just started your career, then you should not make some basic grammar mistakes in your content. In this article, we will tell you some basic mistakes that all writers must avoid.
10 Basic Grammar Mistakes Should Avoid
Here are 10 grammar mistakes that every writer must avoid in their content. Doesn’t matter what type of content you are writing, their should be these mistakes.
Subject-Verb Agreement
One of the most fundamental rules of grammar is ensuring that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number. A singular subject should have a singular verb, and a plural subject should have a plural verb. This mistake is a common stumbling block for many fresher content writers.
Example of Correct Usage: “The cat eats” (singular subject, singular verb). Mistake: “The cat eat” (subject and verb do not agree in number).
To avoid this mistake, always double-check the number of your subjects and verbs and make sure they match.
Tense Consistency
Maintaining consistent verb tenses within a sentence and throughout your content is crucial. Inconsistent tenses can confuse your readers and disrupt the flow of your writing.
Correct: “She writes articles every day.” Mistake: “She writes articles every day but was editing yesterday.”
In the mistake example, there’s a shift from the present tense (“writes”) to the past tense (“was editing”). To maintain consistency, you can rewrite it as: “She writes articles every day but edited yesterday.”
Sentence Fragments
Every sentence you write should be a complete thought with a subject and a verb. Sentence fragments that lack one of these elements should be avoided as they can confuse readers.
Correct: “Running through the park is my favorite pastime.” Mistake: “Running through the park.”
In the mistake example, the sentence fragment lacks a subject or verb and doesn’t convey a complete thought. Make sure every sentence you write is a complete idea.
Run-on Sentences
On the opposite end of the spectrum, excessively long sentences that lack proper punctuation or conjunctions are also problematic. They can make your content difficult to follow. Aim for balance by using appropriate punctuation and breaking up lengthy sentences when necessary.
Correct: “She enjoyed the hike, but the weather turned bad, so they had to turn back.” Mistake: “She enjoyed the hike the weather turned bad they had to turn back.”
In the mistake example, there are no commas or conjunctions to separate the ideas, resulting in a run-on sentence.
Comma Splices
Comma splices occur when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or). Correct this by using a semicolon, adding a conjunction, or separating the clauses into two sentences.
Correct: “She enjoys writing; it’s her passion.” Mistake: “She enjoys writing, it’s her passion.”
In the mistake example, a comma splice joins two independent clauses without a conjunction.
Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
Modifiers are words or phrases that provide additional information in a sentence. Ensure that descriptive words and phrases are correctly placed next to the words they modify. Misplaced modifiers can lead to confusion.
Correct: “After eating, the family took the dog for a walk.” Mistake: “After eating, the dog was taken for a walk.”
In the mistake example, the modifier “After eating” is incorrectly placed, making it seem like the dog did the eating.
Also Read: Not Getting Shortlisted For Freelance Jobs: Here’s The Reason
Apostrophe Misuse
Apostrophes should not be used to form plurals (e.g., “apple’s” for apples). They are reserved for possessives and contractions.
Correct: “The cat’s tail is fluffy.” Mistake: “The cat’s like to play.”
In the mistake example, the apostrophe is used incorrectly in the plural form of “cats.”
Confusing Homophones
Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Using the wrong one can alter the meaning of your sentences.
Correct: “Their house is blue.” Mistake: “They’re house is blue.”
In the mistake example, “They’re” (a contraction for “they are”) is used instead of “Their” (possessive form).
Wordiness
Fresher content writers often fall into the trap of using excessive words and phrases that don’t add value to their content. Be concise and get straight to the point, eliminating unnecessary language that may dilute your message.
Wordy: “In spite of the fact that it was raining heavily, we decided to go for a walk.” Concise: “Despite the heavy rain, we decided to go for a walk.”
In the concise example, unnecessary words have been removed to make the sentence more straightforward.
Lack of Parallelism
When listing items or creating comparisons, ensure that the structure of your sentences is parallel. Parallel structure enhances the readability of your content.
Non-parallel: “She likes hiking, swimming, and to ride bikes.” Parallel: “She likes hiking, swimming, and riding bikes.”
In the parallel example, to make the sentence more coherent, all three activities are present in the same grammatical form.
Conclusion
Mastery of grammar is an ongoing journey for content writers. These mistakes can seem annoying but do not lose hope. Learning from your errors and seeking feedback from experienced writers or editors can greatly accelerate your progress.
With time, practice, and dedication, you’ll develop a strong command of grammar that will enhance your writing and captivate your readers. As you hone your grammar proficiency, your writing will become not only error-free but also more engaging and impactful. So, embrace the challenge of mastering grammar—it’s a journey well worth taking on your path to becoming a successful content writer.
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