Common Grammatical errors
As a millennial and an entrepreneur, it’s very important to present yourself well. Look like you have your shit together when approaching a company, even if you don’t! In the past, I would prepare myself mentally and physically for interviews. I’d make sure I had a nice outfit ready and ironed the night before, and I’d have a bunch of facts memorized about the company I was interviewing with. Although I was always well-dressed and sharp with the facts, my secret weapon was my resume.
I would diligently edit and revise my resume even if it took hours to get it right. I thought of it as my portfolio, it needed to reflect my work ethic on paper, in a sense. Simple spelling and grammar mistakes are common to look over and we don’t always recognize the impact that they may have on employers.
I find myself correcting my friends’ grammar on a daily basis. Honestly, I sometimes have to correct the autocorrect on my phone because it suggests “to” or “too” at the wrong times. So since I am the designated grammar police let's get to it with a simple grammar cheat sheet.
I’ll start with the most common, and then descend from there.
To vs. Too vs. Two
It’s pretty easy to get them confused, and even easier to accidently spell one or the other wrong.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
“To” shows direction.
Example
Wrong Way: “I’m on my way two swoop my sis from school.”
Correct Way: “I’m on my way to swoop my sis from school.”
In the correct example, “to” is describing a direction
“Too” implies “additionally,” “also,” or “as well.” Two is a number.
Example
Wrong Way: “Bro, I’m way to lit right now.”
Correct Way: “Bro, I’m way too lit right now.”
In the correct example, “too” means excessively
“Two” is a number. “2”
Example
Wrong Way: “Sis, It was just the too of us at the function all night like Beyonce.”
Correct Way: “Sis, it was just the two of us at the function all night like Beyonce.”
In the correct example “two” is “2” spelled out
“An” vs. “A”
These two are a pair that I see mismatched way too often, perhaps easier to mix up than “to,” “too,” & “too.”
“A” should be used before any singular word that begins with a consonant sound.
Example
Wrong Way: “My homegirls and I saw an bear in the woods.”)
(Correct Way: “My homegirls and I saw a bear in the woods.”)
“An” should be used before any singular word that begins with a vowel sound.
Example
Wrong Way: “I watched my sis eat a apple to pull her loose tooth.”
Correct Way: “I watched my sis eat an apple to pull her loose tooth.”
Remember, “A/An” can only be used when you’re referring to a singular noun!
“I” vs “i”
When the letter “I” is in a sentence on its own, it should always be capitalized! Anytime you’re referring to yourself as “I”, (i.e. I’ll, I’m, I’d, etc.,) the “I” should be capitalized.
Example
Wrong Way: “When am i supposed to come and meet you?”
Correct Way: “When am I supposed to come and meet you?”
Remember, “I,” “I’m,” “I’ll”, I’d,” etc., should always have a capital “I”!
“Their” vs. “There” vs. “They’re”
This one is less common than the first two, but still too common. I strongly dislike when I read someone’s caption and they use the wrong form of “There.”
“Their” should be used when you are trying to explain that “they” own something
Example
Wrong Way: “They said they were going to there house.”
Correct Way: “They said they were going to their house.”
“There” should only be used when you are referencing a place, opposite of here
Example
Wrong Way: “The remote control is sitting right over they’re.”
Correct Way: “The remote control is sitting right over there.”
“They’re” is a simple contraction (They + Are = They’re)
Example
Wrong Way: “Their on the way here to pick us up right now.”
Correct Way: “They’re on the way here to pick us up right now.”
Remember, “their” belongs to they, “there” is a place, “they’re” = they+are.
“Then” vs. “Than”
Honestly, this is one is the most common, but I didn’t think of it until now so boop!
“Then” is usually only used to indicate time
Example
Wrong Way: “I’m going home later, I’ll drop it off than.”
Correct Way: “I’m going home later, I’ll drop it off then.”
“Than” is only used to make comparisons
Example
Wrong Way: “We have more problems then you could ever imagine.”
Correct Way: “We have more problems than you could ever imagine.”
“Woman” vs. “Women”
This one is definitely the most aggravating, specifically when spotted on social media.
“Woman” is used when you are referring to a singular female human
Example
Wrong Way: “The beautiful women at the front desk told me her name.”
Correct Way: “The beautiful woman at the front desk told me her name.”
“Women” is used when you are to referring to more than one female human
Example
Wrong Way: “There are so many beautiful woman in the building tonight!”
Correct Way: “There are so many beautiful women in the building tonight!”