level: Intermediate
Title: Common Grammar Mistakes – How to Avoid Them
Subtitle: Tips for Intermediate Learners of English
Introduction
Grammar is an essential part of any language, and English is no exception. Making mistakes in grammar can lead to confusion and misunderstanding, so it’s important to get it right. But even intermediate English learners can make mistakes. In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the most common grammar mistakes and how to avoid them.
Body
1. Misusing ‘it’s’ and ‘its’
One of the most common grammar mistakes is confusing ‘it’s’ and ‘its’. ‘It’s’ is a contraction of ‘it is’ or ‘it has’, while ‘its’ is a possessive pronoun. For example:
It’s raining outside. (It is raining outside.)
The cat licked its paw. (The cat’s paw.)
2. Misusing ‘me’ and ‘I’
Another common mistake is misusing ‘me’ and ‘I’. ‘I’ is the subject of a sentence, while ‘me’ is the object. For example:
I went to the store. (Subject)
She gave me a gift. (Object)
3. Misplacing modifiers
A modifier is a word or phrase that describes or modifies another word or phrase. When misused, modifiers can make a sentence confusing or even nonsensical. For example:
I saw a big blue bird. (Correct)
I saw a blue big bird. (Incorrect)
4. Misusing ‘lay’ and ‘lie’
‘Lay’ and ‘lie’ are often confused, as they have similar meanings. ‘Lay’ is a transitive verb, meaning it requires an object, while ‘lie’ is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not require an object. For example:
I laid the book on the table. (Correct)
I lie down on the bed. (Correct)
5. Misusing ‘than’ and ‘then’
‘Than’ is used to compare two things, while ‘then’ is used to describe a sequence of events. For example:
I am taller than my brother. (Correct)
I went to the store and then I went home. (Correct)
FAQ Section
Q: What is the difference between ‘it’s’ and ‘its’?
A: ‘It’s’ is a contraction of ‘it is’ or ‘it has’, while ‘its’ is a possessive pronoun.
Q: What is the difference between ‘me’ and ‘I’?
A: ‘I’ is the subject of a sentence, while ‘me’ is the object.
Q: What is a modifier?
A: A modifier is a word or phrase that describes or modifies another word or phrase.
Q: What is the difference between ‘lay’ and ‘lie’?
A: ‘Lay’ is a transitive verb, meaning it requires an object, while ‘lie’ is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not require an object.
Q: What is the difference between ‘than’ and ‘then’?
A: ‘Than’ is used to compare two things, while ‘then’ is used to describe a sequence of events.
Summary
Grammar is an essential part of any language, and making mistakes can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. Even intermediate English learners can make mistakes, so it’s important to be aware of the most common grammar mistakes and how to avoid them. In this blog post, we looked at five common grammar mistakes—misusing ‘it’s’ and ‘its’, misusing ‘me’ and ‘I’, misplacing modifiers, misusing ‘lay’ and ‘lie’, and misusing ‘than’ and ‘then’—and provided tips for avoiding them.