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Key Takeaways

Credibility Impact: A 2026 survey of academic and professional recruiters found that 74% of respondents judge a candidate’s attention to detail based on grammar and spelling accuracy.
The Limit of AI: Data from late 2026 indicates that even advanced AI grammar tools still miss roughly 18% of contextual errors, such as homophones (their/there/they’re) used in complex scientific sentences.
Acceptance Rates: Manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals with zero grammatical errors are twice as likely to move past the initial editorial screen compared to those with frequent “minor” slips.

The following infographic from copyblogger.com presents 15 common grammar mistakes to avoid.

15 Grammar Goofs That Make You Look Silly (And How to Fix Them)

We’ve all been there. You send a text, post a status, or email your boss, and then you see it: a typo.

Writing online is usually casual and fun, but making simple grammar mistakes can make you look a bit silly—and not in a good way! Whether you are writing a blog post or just chatting with friends, getting these small details right makes a big difference.

Here are 15 common “grammar goofs” to watch out for, so you can write with confidence.

1. Your vs. You’re

This is the classic mix-up!

Your belongs to you (like your car or your blog).
You’re is short for “you are” (like you’re welcome). If you can say “you are” in the sentence, use this one.

2. It’s vs. Its

It’s is short for “it is” or “it has” (like it’s an apple).
Its shows ownership (like a dog wagging its tail). If you aren’t saying “it is,” you probably want its.

3. There vs. Their vs. They’re

There is a place (put it over there).
Their belongs to them (that is their house).
They’re is short for “they are” (they’re going to the store).

4. Affect vs. Effect

Affect is usually a verb (an action). Your mood can affect your work.
Effect is usually a noun (a thing). The effect of good sleep is feeling rested.

5. Then vs. Than

Then is about time (we went to the store, then home).
Than is for comparing (I am taller than you).

6. Loose vs. Lose

Don’t lose your mind over this one!

Loose means not tight (your pants are too loose).
Lose means you can’t find something (don’t lose your keys).

7. Me, Myself, and I

Use “Me” or “I” depending on the sentence. A simple trick: remove the other person from the sentence. You wouldn’t say “Me went to the store,” so don’t say “Me and John went to the store.”
Myself is only used when you do something to yourself (I bought myself a gift).

8. The Apostrophe (’)

You only need this little mark for two reasons:

Contractions: To hide missing letters (don’t, can’t).
Possession: To show something belongs to someone (Frank**’**s car).

9. Could of, Would of, Should of

This is a “sound-alike” mistake. When we speak, “could’ve” sounds like “could of.”

Wrong: I could of done that.
Right: I could have done that (or could’ve).

10. Complement vs. Compliment

Complement adds to something (that wine complements the meal).
Compliment is saying something nice (he gave her a compliment).

11. Fewer vs. Less

Use Fewer if you can count the items (fewer cookies, fewer dollars).
Use Less if you can’t count it individually (less milk, less money).

12. Historic vs. Historical

Historic means an important event (a historic battle).
Historical just means something that happened in the past (a historical romance novel).

13. Principal vs. Principle

Principal is a head of a school or the main person in a group. Remember: The Principal is your pal.
Principle is a rule or a truth (a fundamental principle).

14. Literally

Be careful with this word! Literally means exactly what you say is true—no metaphors.

Wrong: “I’m literally dying of shame.” (Unless you are actually dying, don’t say this!)
Right: “The box is literally empty.”

15. The Dangling Participle

This happens when you order a sentence in a confusing way.

Confusing: “After rotting in the cellar for weeks, my brother brought up some oranges.” (This sounds like your brother was rotting in the cellar!)
Better: “My brother brought up some oranges that had been rotting in the cellar for weeks.”

Why These Small Errors Matter in Research

It is easy to think that a small grammar mistake here and there won’t matter if your research is strong. However, in my years of helping researchers across Malaysia, I have seen how these small slips can change how an editor feels about a whole paper. When a document is full of tiny errors, it makes the reader wonder if the researcher was also careless with the data or the methodology. Grammar isn’t just about rules; it’s about building trust with your audience.

I always suggest that you don’t try to catch every mistake in one sitting. Your eyes get tired, and your brain starts to fill in the blanks, making you see what you *meant* to write rather than what is actually on the page. Using a guide like the infographic above is a great first step, but it is also helpful to have someone else look at your work. A fresh pair of eyes can see the things you have become “blind” to after weeks of writing.

The goal is to make your writing so smooth that the reader doesn’t even notice the grammar. They only notice your brilliant ideas. By taking the time to fix these 15 common mistakes, you are clearing the path for your research to be understood and respected. At PM Proofreading, we specialize in catching these subtle issues so that your professional reputation remains as strong as your findings.

English can be tricky, but avoiding these common mistakes will keep your writing clear and professional. Happy writing!

Further Reading:

The Definitive Guide to Thesis Formatting & Citation Styles in Malaysia (2026 Edition)

The Ultimate Guide to Postgraduate Thesis Writing in Malaysia (Master’s & PhD)

15 Grammar Mistakes to Avoid

Key Takeaways