Common Grammar Mistakes in Essays: How To Avoid Them

Published by EssayWriters on October 26, 2023October 26, 2023

It’s very important to avoid grammar mistakes in your essays if you want to make a good impression on your professor. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common grammar mistakes students make and show you how to avoid them.

1. Wrong verb tense

Using the wrong verb tense is one of the most common grammar mistakes students make. For example, using the present tense when you should be using the past tense, or vice versa.

2. Misuse of articles

The misuse of articles is another common mistake students make. For example, using a/an when you should be using the definite article, or vice versa.

3. Misuse of pronouns

Pronoun misuse is another common mistake students make. For example, using he/she when you should be using they, or vice versa.

Common Grammar Mistakes

Grammar plays a crucial role in effective essay writing. However, there are several common grammar mistakes that students often make. Let’s explore these mistakes and learn how to avoid them.

1. Sentence Fragments:

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, verb, or both. Fragments can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of your essay. For example: “Running late for class.” To correct this, you can say: “I was running late for class.”

2. Run-on Sentences:

Run-on sentences occur when two or more independent clauses are joined together without proper punctuation or conjunctions. These sentences can be overly long and difficult to read. To avoid run-on sentences, ensure each independent clause is properly separated. For instance: “I went to the store the other day I bought some groceries.” This can be revised as: “I went to the store the other day. I bought some groceries.”

3. Subject-Verb Agreement:

Subject-verb agreement refers to the correct matching of a subject with its corresponding verb form. Mistakes can occur when the subject and verb do not agree in number, tense, or person. For example: “The books was on the table.” The correct version is: “The books were on the table.”

4. Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers:

Misplaced modifiers are words or phrases that are positioned incorrectly in a sentence, causing confusion about what they are modifying. Dangling modifiers are similar, but they don’t have a clear word or phrase to modify. Both can lead to unclear or ambiguous sentences. Take this sentence for instance: “After eating the meal, the dishes were washed.” To clarify, you can say: “After eating the meal, I washed the dishes.”

💡 key Takeaway: Understanding and avoiding common grammar mistakes, such as sentence fragments, run-on sentences, subject-verb agreement issues, and misplaced and dangling modifiers, is essential for clear and coherent essay writing.

Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, verb, or both. It does not express a complete thought and can confuse readers. To avoid sentence fragments, ensure that each sentence has a subject and a verb. Here are some common types of sentence fragments to watch out for:

1. Dependent clauses: These are groups of words that contain a subject and verb but cannot stand alone as complete sentences. They rely on an independent clause to make sense. For example: “Although I studied all night for the exam.” This fragment lacks an independent clause and should be connected to a complete sentence.

2. Verbless phrases: These are phrases that lack a verb but can function as subjects or objects in a sentence. Example: “In the park.” This fragment does not have a verb and needs to be connected to a complete sentence.

3. Appositives: An appositive is a word or phrase that renames or identifies a noun. While they can provide additional information, they should not stand alone as sentences. Example: “My best friend, a talented musician.” This fragment needs to be combined with a complete sentence.

To avoid sentence fragments, read your sentences carefully and ensure that each one expresses a complete thought. Connect sentence fragments to independent clauses or rewrite them to form complete sentences.

💡 key Takeaway: Avoid sentence fragments by ensuring that each sentence has a subject and a verb, and can stand alone as a complete thought.

Run-on Sentences

Run-on sentences can be a common grammar mistake in essays, causing confusion for readers and negatively impacting the overall clarity of your writing. A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are improperly joined together without the appropriate punctuation or coordinating conjunction.

To avoid run-on sentences, it is important to understand the different types of run-ons and how to correct them. Here are some examples:

1. Comma Splices: These occur when two independent clauses are separated by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. For example: “I went to the store, I bought some groceries.” To fix this, you can either use a semicolon to separate the two clauses or add a coordinating conjunction such as “and” or “but” after the comma: “I went to the store; I bought some groceries” or “I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.”

2. Fused Sentences: Also known as a run-together sentence, this happens when two independent clauses are joined together without any punctuation or coordinating conjunction. For example: “I went to the store I bought some groceries.” To correct this, you can simply add a period to create two separate sentences: “I went to the store. I bought some groceries.”

3. Dependent Clauses: Sometimes run-on sentences occur when a dependent clause is incorrectly connected to an independent clause. For example: “Because I was late I missed the bus.” To fix this, you can either separate the dependent and independent clause into two sentences or use a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction: “Because I was late, I missed the bus” or “I missed the bus because I was late.”

It is crucial to pay attention to sentence structure and ensure that each thought is expressed clearly and concisely. By avoiding run-on sentences, your writing will become more coherent, making it easier for your readers to follow your ideas.

💡 key Takeaway: Run-on sentences can be avoided by using appropriate punctuation, such as commas, semicolons, or periods, to separate independent clauses and maintain clarity in your writing.

Subject-Verb Agreement

One of the most common grammar mistakes in essays is subject-verb agreement. This error occurs when the subject and the verb in a sentence do not match in number (singular or plural). To avoid subject-verb agreement mistakes, it’s crucial to ensure that the subject and verb are in harmony.

Here are some examples of subject-verb agreement mistakes and how to correct them:

1. Mistake: “The group of students is going on a field trip.”

Correction: “The group of students are going on a field trip.”

2. Mistake: “Each of the books belong to me.”

Correction: “Each of the books belongs to me.”

3. Mistake: “One of the factors affecting the outcome were the weather conditions.”

Correction: “One of the factors affecting the outcome was the weather conditions.”

To improve subject-verb agreement, remember these key rules:

– For singular subjects, use singular verbs.

– For plural subjects, use plural verbs.

– Be cautious when dealing with subject phrases that come between the subject and the verb.

Keeping subject-verb agreement consistent throughout an essay enhances the clarity and professionalism of the writing while ensuring accurate grammar usage.

💡 key Takeaway: Subject-verb agreement is a common grammar mistake in essays. To avoid this error, writers should ensure that the subject and verb in a sentence match in number.

Common Grammar Mistakes in Essays

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Modifiers are words or phrases that provide additional information about a subject or action in a sentence. However, misplaced or dangling modifiers can lead to confusion and ambiguity.

1. Misplaced Modifiers:

These occur when a modifier is not positioned correctly in relation to the word or phrase it is intended to modify. This can result in a sentence that is grammatically incorrect or has a different meaning than intended. For example:

– Incorrect: “Running through the park, my keys fell out of my pocket.”

– Correct: “While I was running through the park, my keys fell out of my pocket.”

To avoid misplaced modifiers, ensure that the modifier is placed as close as possible to the word or phrase it modifies, providing clarity and accuracy to the sentence.

2. Dangling Modifiers:

Dangling modifiers are modifiers that do not have a clear subject to modify, leading to a confusing or awkward sentence structure. For example:

– Incorrect: “After studying all night, the test was aced.”

– Correct: “After studying all night, I aced the test.”

To fix dangling modifiers, it is important to clearly identify the subject of the sentence and ensure that the modifier logically refers to the subject. By doing so, you can improve the clarity and coherence of your writing.

Key takeaway: Misplaced modifiers occur when a modifier is not properly positioned in the sentence, while dangling modifiers lack a clear subject to modify. To write effectively, make sure to place modifiers close to the words they modify and ensure a clear and logical connection between the modifier and the subject.

Common Punctuation Mistakes

Proper punctuation is essential for clear and effective communication in your essays. Unfortunately, many students make common punctuation mistakes that can undermine the coherence and readability of their writing. To ensure your punctuation is on point, here are some mistakes to watch out for:

1. Misuse of Commas: One of the most frequent punctuation errors is the misuse of commas. Students often place commas where they are not needed or omit them where they are necessary. Remember that commas are used to separate items in a list, to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence, and to set off introductory and nonessential elements.

2. Misuse of Apostrophes: Another common mistake is the misuse of apostrophes. Students often struggle with using apostrophes to indicate possession or to form contractions correctly. Remember that apostrophes are used to show ownership (e.g., John’s book) and to indicate contractions (e.g., can’t, don’t).

3. The Use of Semicolons: Semicolons can be useful for connecting related clauses and balancing sentence structures. However, students often misuse semicolons, either by using them instead of commas or by not using them when they are needed. Remember that semicolons are used to join two independent clauses that are closely related in content.

💡 key Takeaway: Pay close attention to your punctuation in your essays, as common mistakes can lead to a breakdown in clarity and coherence. Misuse of commas, apostrophes, and semicolons are some of the most common errors to be aware of.

Misuse of Commas

Commas are an essential punctuation mark used to separate ideas, phrases, or items in a sentence. However, they are often misused, leading to confusion and altering the intended meaning of a sentence. Here are some common comma mistakes to avoid:

1. Comma splices: This error occurs when a comma is used to join two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or). For example: “I went to the store, I bought some groceries.” To fix this, you can either separate the clauses into two separate sentences or use a coordinating conjunction: “I went to the store. I bought some groceries” or “I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.”

2. Unnecessary commas after introductory phrases: When starting a sentence with an introductory phrase, such as “In addition,” or “However,” avoid placing a comma immediately after it unless it is necessary for clarity. Incorrect: “In addition, the conference was informative.” Correct: “In addition, the conference was informative.”

3. Comma misuse with restrictive and non-restrictive clauses: Restrictive clauses provide essential information about the subject, while non-restrictive clauses offer additional information. When a non-restrictive clause appears in a sentence, it requires commas to set it apart. Incorrect: “The book that you recommended was interesting.” Correct: “The book, which you recommended, was interesting.”

4. Serial comma confusion: The serial comma, also known as the Oxford comma, is used before the conjunction in a list of three or more items. Its usage can vary depending on the style guide. However, it is essential to maintain consistency throughout your writing. Incorrect: “She bought apples, oranges, and bananas.” Correct: “She bought apples, oranges, and bananas.”

💡 key Takeaway: Proper comma usage is crucial for clear and effective writing. Avoid comma splices, unnecessary commas after introductory phrases, confusion with restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, and remember to use the serial comma consistently.

Misuse of Apostrophes

One of the common grammar mistakes that many writers make is the misuse of apostrophes. Apostrophes are often used incorrectly in two main instances: to indicate possession and to create contractions.

Here are some examples of how apostrophes can be misused:

1. Incorrect use in possessive nouns:

– Incorrect: The dog’s wag its tail.

– Correct: The dog wagged its tail.

In the incorrect example, the apostrophe is used before the “s” in “dog’s” even though it is not necessary since we are not indicating possession.

2. Incorrect use in contractions:

– Incorrect: Dont’t you agree?

– Correct: Don’t you agree?

In the incorrect example, the apostrophe is added in “dont’t” which creates a non-existent contraction.

To avoid making these apostrophe mistakes, remember these guidelines:

1. Use apostrophes to show possession:

– Correct: The cat’s food bowl is empty.

– Correct: Sarah’s car is parked outside.

2. Use apostrophes in contractions:

– Correct: I don’t have time to go out tonight.

– Correct: It’s raining heavily outside.

By properly using apostrophes in your writing, you can ensure that your essays are grammatically correct and convey your ideas clearly.

💡 key Takeaway: Avoid the misuse of apostrophes in your writing to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity in your essays.

The Use of Semicolons

Semicolons can be confusing for many writers, but they serve an important purpose in connecting related ideas within a sentence. Understanding when and how to use semicolons correctly can elevate your writing and make it more sophisticated. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. Linking Independent Clauses: One of the primary functions of a semicolon is to link two independent clauses that are closely related. For example: “She studied hard for the exam; however, she didn’t perform well.” The semicolon allows for a smooth transition between the two clauses that share a common theme.

2. Separating Items in a Semicolons can also be used to separate items in a list when those items already contain commas. This helps to avoid confusion and clarify the individual components of the list. For instance: “The ingredients for the cake include flour, sugar, and butter; eggs, milk, and vanilla extract; and finally, baking powder.”

3. Emphasizing Contrast: Semicolons can be used to emphasize a contrast or contradiction between two ideas within a sentence. For example: “The weather was hot and humid; nevertheless, they decided to go for a long hike.”

Remember, while semicolons can add sophistication to your writing, they should be used sparingly and only when the relationship between the two independent clauses is clear.

💡 key Takeaway: Semicolons are useful for linking independent clauses, separating items in a list, and emphasizing contrast. Use them sparingly and ensure the relationship between the clauses is clear.

Word Choice

One of the most common areas where students make mistakes in their essays is word choice. Using the wrong word or phrase can significantly impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. Here are a few common word choice mistakes to avoid:

1. Homonyms: Homonyms are words that sound the same but have different meanings. Examples include “their” and “there,” “your” and “you’re,” or “it’s” and “its.” Using these words incorrectly can confuse your readers and undermine your credibility. Always double-check the meaning and usage of homonyms to ensure accuracy.

2. Slang and Clichés: While slang and clichés may be acceptable in informal conversations, they have no place in formal writing. These expressions can make your essay seem unprofessional and detract from your message. Instead, opt for clear, precise language that effectively communicates your ideas.

💡 key Takeaway: Choosing the right words is crucial in essay writing. Avoid homonyms and resist the temptation to use slang or clichés for a more professional and effective essay.

Homonyms

Homonyms are words that have the same pronunciation or spelling but different meanings. This can often lead to confusion and incorrect usage in essays. It is essential to understand the distinctions between homonyms and use them correctly to ensure clear and effective communication. Here are some common homonyms to watch out for:

1. There/Their/They’re:

– “There” refers to a place or location.

– “Their” indicates possession by a group.

– “They’re” is a contraction of “they are.”

2. Your/You’re:

– “Your” shows possession, indicating something belongs to the person you are addressing.

– “You’re” is a contraction of “you are.”

3. It’s/Its:

– “It’s” is a contraction of “it is.”

– “Its” indicates possession by something that is not human.

4. To/Too/Two:

– “To” indicates direction.

– “Too” means also or excessively.

– “Two” refers to the number 2.

5. Bear/Bare:

– “Bear” is a large mammal.

– “Bare” means naked or uncovered.

Proper usage of homonyms is crucial for conveying your intended meaning accurately. Always double-check which homonym is appropriate in the context of your sentence. A thorough understanding of these homonyms will help you avoid common grammar mistakes and enhance the clarity and professionalism of your essays.

💡 key Takeaway: Pay attention to homonyms to ensure accurate and effective communication in your essays.

Slang and Clichés

When writing essays, it is important to avoid the use of slang and clichés. Slang refers to informal language that is unique to a particular group or community. While it may be acceptable in casual conversations, using slang in your essays can make your writing appear unprofessional and detract from the clarity of your message. Instead, strive for clear and concise language that effectively communicates your ideas.

Clichés, on the other hand, are overused expressions or phrases that have lost their originality and impact. Using clichés can make your writing seem clichéd and lacking in originality. It is best to avoid them and opt for fresh and unique expressions that better capture your intended meaning.

To avoid slang and clichés, consider the following tips:

1. Use formal language: Instead of relying on informal expressions or slang, choose formal language that is appropriate for academic writing.

2. Be specific and precise: Rather than using generic phrases or clichés, aim to provide concrete examples and specific details that support your arguments.

3. Edit and revise: Take the time to review your essay and identify any instances of slang or clichés. Replace them with more precise and original language that is tailored to your specific topic and audience.

💡 key Takeaway: When writing essays, it is crucial to avoid slang and clichés as they can undermine the professionalism and originality of your work. Instead, opt for formal and specific language that effectively communicates your ideas.

Spelling Mistakes

Spelling mistakes can significantly undermine the credibility of your essay, so it’s crucial to pay attention to this aspect of your writing. Here are some common spelling errors to watch out for:

1. Use of Spell-Check: While spell-check can be a helpful tool, it’s important not to solely rely on it. Automated spell-checkers may not catch certain errors, especially if a misspelled word is still a valid word. Take the time to manually review your writing to ensure accuracy.

2. Double Check Your Work: Even after using spell-check, it’s essential to proofread your essay for spelling mistakes. Carefully read through your work and pay close attention to every word. It’s easy to overlook spelling errors, so taking the time for this step is crucial.

By being diligent about spelling, you demonstrate your attention to detail and enhance the overall professionalism of your essay.

💡 key Takeaway: Paying careful attention to spelling is essential to maintain the credibility of your essay and enhance its professionalism.

Use of Spell-Check

Spell-check can be a helpful tool in proofreading your essay, but it should not be solely relied upon to catch all spelling mistakes. While it can detect obvious errors, it may not identify contextual errors or homonyms. For example, if you mistakenly use “their” instead of “there,” spell-check may not flag it because both are correctly spelled words. It is important to carefully review your essay even after running spell-check to ensure accuracy.

To effectively use spell-check, consider the following:

1. Customize your dictionary: Add words that are specific to your essay topic or field of study to avoid unnecessary red underlines. For instance, if you are writing a paper on biology, scientific terms may show up as incorrect unless you add them to your dictionary.

2. Be cautious of homonyms: Spell-check cannot distinguish between words with similar spellings but different meanings, such as “their” and “they’re.” Take the time to review these words manually to ensure you are using the correct one in your essay.

3. Proofread manually: After running spell-check, carefully read through your essay word by word. This will help you catch any spelling errors that were not identified by the automated tool. It is also a good opportunity to check for other grammar mistakes and ensure overall clarity.

Remember, while spell-check can be a valuable tool, it should not be solely relied upon. Manual proofreading and editing are crucial to ensure the accuracy and clarity of your essay. Take the time to review your work thoroughly to avoid spelling mistakes that may negatively impact your message or grade.

💡 key Takeaway: Spell-check is a useful tool for catching spelling mistakes, but it should not be the sole method of proofreading. Manual review and editing are essential to ensure accuracy and clarity in your essay.

Common Grammar Mistakes in Essays And Ways To Avoid Them

Double Check Your Work

To ensure the quality of your essays, it is crucial to double check your work for any mistakes before submitting them. Even small errors can greatly impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. Here are some important areas to focus on when reviewing your work:

1. Grammar and Syntax

– Make sure your sentences are complete and grammatically correct, avoiding fragments and run-on sentences.

– Check for subject-verb agreement, ensuring that the subject and verb match in number.

– Review your use of modifiers, ensuring they are correctly placed and not dangling.

2. Punctuation

– Pay attention to the proper use of commas, as they can greatly affect the meaning of a sentence.

– Verify that you are using apostrophes correctly for contractions and possessives.

– Familiarize yourself with the appropriate situations to use semicolons, avoiding the common mistake of using them incorrectly.

3. Word Choice

– Watch out for homonyms, words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Make sure you use the correct word in context.

– Avoid the use of slang and clichés, as they can weaken the impact of your writing and make it less formal.

4. Spelling

– Relying solely on spell-check is not enough. While it can catch some errors, it may miss others or even suggest incorrect replacements. Take the time to review and manually correct any spelling mistakes.

– After proofreading your work, it is a good practice to double check your spelling to catch any overlooked errors.

5. Writing Style

– Be aware of passive voice constructions and strive to use active voice whenever possible. Active voice makes your writing more concise and engaging.

– Ensure that your pronouns are clear and refer unambiguously to their intended antecedents.

– Avoid excessive use of formal language, as this can make your writing sound stilted and unnatural. Instead, aim for a balanced tone that is both professional and engaging.

💡 key Takeaway: Double checking your work is a crucial step in ensuring the quality and correctness of your essays. By paying attention to grammar, punctuation, word choice, spelling, and writing style, you can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.

Common Writing Style Mistakes

1. Passive Voice:

Using passive voice in your writing can make your sentences sound dull and less engaging. It often creates ambiguity about who is performing the action. Instead, opt for active voice to make your sentences clear and direct. For example:

Passive Voice: The book was read by me.

Active Voice: I read the book.

2. Unclear Pronouns:

Using pronouns without clear antecedents can confuse your readers and make it difficult for them to understand your message. Be specific and provide clear references to avoid any confusion. For example:

Unclear Pronoun: John told Sarah that he would be late, but he never arrived.

Clear Pronoun: John told Sarah that he would be late, but John never arrived.

3. Too Much Formal Language:

While it’s important to maintain a level of professionalism in your writing, using excessive formal language can make your content sound stiff and unapproachable. Aim for a balanced tone that is easy for your readers to understand and engage with. For example:

Excessive Formal Language: Furthermore, we shall address the aforementioned issues in order to rectify and resolve any lingering discrepancies.

Balanced Tone: Additionally, we will discuss these issues to resolve any remaining problems.

💡 key Takeaway: Avoid common writing style mistakes such as using passive voice, unclear pronouns, and excessive formal language to ensure your writing is clear, engaging, and easy to understand.

Passive Voice

The use of passive voice is a common writing mistake that can weaken the clarity and impact of your essay. Passive voice occurs when the subject of a sentence is acted upon, rather than taking action. It often results in wordy and awkward constructions.

Examples of passive voice:

– “The essay was written by the student.”

– “Mistakes were made in the research process.”

To avoid passive voice, you should aim for active voice, where the subject performs the action. This makes your writing more direct and engaging.

Examples of active voice:

– “The student wrote the essay.”

– “We made mistakes in the research process.”

Using active voice not only improves the readability of your writing, but it also enhances the clarity of your ideas. It allows you to clearly indicate who or what is responsible for the actions in your sentences.

💡 key Takeaway: Avoid using passive voice in your essays to improve clarity and make your writing more engaging. Opt for active voice to clearly show who or what is performing the actions in your sentences.

Unclear Pronouns

When writing essays, it’s important to be mindful of your pronoun usage to ensure clarity and avoid confusion for your readers. One common mistake is the use of unclear pronouns, where the pronoun does not have a clear antecedent or its referent is ambiguous. This can lead to readers struggling to understand who or what the pronoun is referring to. To avoid this mistake, consider the following tips:

1. Clearly establish the antecedent: Ensure that the noun the pronoun is referring to is explicitly mentioned before using the pronoun. For example, instead of writing “He said it was good,” specify who “he” is referring to, such as “John said it was good.”

2. Use pronouns sparingly: While pronouns can be useful for avoiding repetitive language, excessive use can lead to confusion. Be cautious when using pronouns and consider if using the noun instead would provide more clarity.

3. Avoid pronoun reference errors: Ensure that the pronoun you use matches the gender and number of its antecedent. For example, if the antecedent is singular and masculine, the pronoun should be “he” or “him,” not “she” or “her.”

4. Revise for clarity: After completing your essay, review it with a critical eye specifically looking for unclear pronouns. Make any necessary changes to clarify the reference and ensure smooth readability.

💡 key Takeaway: Clear and precise pronoun usage is vital in essay writing to avoid confusion and maintain coherent communication with readers.

Too Much Formal Language

When writing essays, it’s important to strike the right balance in your language and avoid using too much formal language. While it’s crucial to maintain a certain level of professionalism in your writing, using excessively formal language can make your essays seem stiff and impersonal. Here are a few tips to help you avoid this common writing style mistake:

1. Use Contractions: Contractions are a natural part of spoken language and can add a more conversational tone to your writing. Instead of saying “I do not agree,” try using “I don’t agree.” This simple change can make your writing feel more approachable and engaging.

2. Limit Passive Voice: Passive voice can make your writing sound more formal and less direct. Instead of saying “The decision was made by the committee,” try using “The committee made the decision.” By using active voice, you create a sense of action and clarity in your writing.

3. Vary Sentence Length: Long, complex sentences can make your writing appear more formal, while shorter sentences can add a sense of urgency or emphasis. Aim for a mix of sentence lengths to create a balanced and engaging writing style.

4. Avoid Overly Technical Language: While it’s important to demonstrate your understanding of the subject matter, using excessive technical jargon can be off-putting for readers who may not be familiar with the terminology. Strive for clarity by using plain language and providing explanations when necessary.

Remember, the goal of your essay is to effectively communicate your ideas to your audience. By using a more conversational tone and avoiding overly formal language, you can create an engaging and accessible essay that is both informative and enjoyable to read.

💡 key Takeaway: Avoid using excessive formal language in your essays by using contractions, limiting passive voice, varying sentence length, and avoiding overly technical language. Strive for a balanced and conversational writing style that engages your readers.

Conclusion

A well written essay is essential for a successful academic career. However, if your grammar is flawed, your essay can be rejected without hesitation. Here are four of the most common grammar mistakes and how to avoid them.1. Using incorrect verb tense.The verb tense you use should match the tense of the sentence you are writing. For example, you should use the present tense when describing a recent event, and use the past tense when describing an event that happened in the past.2. Misusing modals.Modals are words that show whether an action is possible or not. They are often used to show politeness or emphasis.3. Incorrect use of articles.An article is a word that shows you are referring to a specific noun. You must use articles when you are writing about a general topic, but you can omit them when you are referring to specific details.4. Making basic mistakes with pronouns.