Education & Career

Common mistakes I have observed people making in English.

Common mistakes I have observed people making in English.

Before I begin, I would like to clear that English isn't my first language and it isn't too hard to get a grip on it if you look keenly on it.

Here are some common mistakes I have seen people making on here, on other social media and in real life too.

1. Than or then:

Than

It is used when there is a comparison done between two or more things.

For example: It is warmer today than it was yesterday.

Then

It is used to depict a sense of time or a happening or to express what comes next.

For example: I was planning to go for a walk, but then I changed my mind.

See? There's a huge difference between the meaning of those two.

An example of the most common mistake and its correction:

He is shorter then I am. <wrong

He is shorter than I am. <correct

2. It's or its:

It's

Although it may seem by the looks of the apostrophe (') in it's that it is used in a possessive case, it is certainly not so.

The word it's is always short for it is or it has.

For example:

1. It is

It's really heavy.

2. It has

It's been raining since yesterday.

Its

It's its what you use when you show a sense of belonging or a possessive case.

For example:

Guess its colour.

Examples of the most common mistakes and their corrections:

Its really good to meet you. <wrong

It's really good to meet you. <correct

Every dog has it's day. <wrong

Every dog has its day. <correct

Here are some interesting cases that just clicked my mind:

1. It's always been mine.

In the above sentence, although it's a possessive case, but still its is incorrect here since the words 'it has' have been shortened to 'it's'.

2. I believe it's yours.

Conspicuously, again, it is a possessive case, but on looking keenly on it, it'll be clear that here, it's is used instead of it is so the sentence is correct.

And same is the case in the third sentence,

3. It's mine.

I myself used to get confused with the usage of the two words but thanks to the internet and some meaningful conversations with @sarahhcmarie, it's all good now.

To make it easier, go for knowing whether the word is used as a shortened term or not, forget about the possessive case for once.

P.S. There is no such word as Its'. Its wrong to write this but you can use that if you want to be rebellious lol, it won't cause you any physical harm.

3. Complement or compliment:

Though these words may again, sound alike, they have different meanings. Also, talking about the two words when used as a verb individually.

Complement

(Not taking into consideration the meaning of it as in the group of proteins present in blood plasma which does stuff lol.)

It means to add something in order to enhance or improve.

For example: This dress complements your looks.

Compliment

Used as an expression to praise, admire or commend someone about something.

For example: She complimented him on his suit.

An example of the most common mistake and its correction:

He gets complemented on his hairstyle quite often. <wrong

He gets complimented on his hairstyle quite often. <correct

4. Your or you're:

I dunno what's really hard to understand about the difference in this case. Still, a lot of people are confused with these two.

Your

Used as a second person adjective to describe something belonging to you.

For example: Here is your bag.

You're

A shortened term for you are.

For example: You're really dumb.

An example of the most common mistake and its correction:

Your good at fishing. <wrong

You're good at fishing. <correct

5. Quite or quiet:

Quite

Used as an adverb meaning 'a little or a lot, but not completely' or 'to an extent/degree'.

For example: I'm quite busy today.

Quiet

Used as an adjective giving the meaning of 'having little activity' or 'making little sound'.

For example: It's really quiet in here.

An example of the most common mistake and its correction:

She is a quite girl. <wrong

She is a quite girl. <correct

This reminded of the song

Remember to use proper grammar before roasting someone πŸ˜‰. Peace.

Let me know if you wanna add something.

That's all people.

Thank you for reading it.

Hope it helped.

-Eryxx

Common mistakes I have observed people making in English.
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