Students from various backgrounds and walks of life come to us to learn fluent English speaking. The blog today deals with one of the most common questions that aspiring English learners ask our tutors. How to avoid common grammar mistakes? So, here we have a compiled a list of some common grammar errors that most of us commit, unconsciously. Let's have a look at them.
1. Who or whom
We have discussed this topic at length in our previous blog (http://english.eagetutor.com/english/1-spoken-english/552-who-or-whom-learn-the-right-usage-with-examples.html). Who and whom both are pronouns but 'who' is a subjective pronoun and 'whom' is an objective case. The same goes for 'whoever' and 'whomever'. The difference is that whom is the objective form of who. A simple chart will help you understand when to use what.
From whom/who did you get my number?
I got it from him, therefore, going by the above formula, whom is the right option.
This is one of the most common grammatical errors that can be avoided. All one takes to be correct with it is a calm mind. Your is a possessive pronoun while you're is a contraction of you are. Your car is parked in the basement and you're parking the car in the basement. In spoken English, it may not sound incorrect but one has to be cautious when it comes to writing. Your is not a substitute to You're.
3. Its or it's
Do you get confused between the two? Don't worry, here's how to use them in the correct form. Its is a possessive pronoun, it means, more or less, of it or belonging to it. It's on the other hand is a contraction of it is. Having said this, here's a simple way you can decide which to use when.
Its/it's my pen.
Now replace, it's with it is or it has, if the sentence is complete then 'it's' is the right.
It is my pen. Therefore, 'it's' is the right answer.
Now, let us look at another example.
This flower is known for its/it's long lasting fragrance.
Now, can you replace it's with it is or it has. A definite NO.
Therefore, 'its' is the right choice.
Hope, the concept is clear.
4. Their, there or they're
More than 60% of people get confused between the use of their, there and they're.
"They're riding their bikes over there"
Observe this sentence closely. When you read this sentence, all the three would sound the same. However, there is a difference in their meanings. Here's how our English language institute helps students to understand the difference.
They're stands for they are – it's a contraction.
There is a possessive adjective.
There refers to a place or location.
Here is an exercise for you, choose the right option:
We shall look at more such common grammatical errors in our next blog; stay tuned for our next English tutorial.