13 ENGLISH MISTAKES THAT DRIVE US CRAZY

Recently, I have been noticing a remarkable event taking place with American English in the written word.  I am sure that many others have noticed it, too.


Look closely and you'll see it just about everywhere; on Facebook, blogs, signs, classified ads, professional websites, email, etc.


The following list is just an example of some of these findings:


1. Using "your" instead of "you're" 

• Incorrect: "Don't tell me your still packing your suitcase!"
• Correct: "You're going to have to bring your passport on this trip."

2. Since when does "anyways" have an "s" it in, anyway?

• Incorrect: "Anyways, I just called to say hi."

3. Using "of" rather than "have"

• Incorrect: "I Could of had better grades" "if I would of studied" and "I should of done my homework."
• Correct: "I could have flunked my class," "if I would have ignored my teacher" and "when I should have been paying attention."

4. Confusing "lose" with "loose"

• Incorrect: "His lose morals helped to him to loose the election."
• Correct: "You are going to lose that balloon if it's tied too loose around your wrist."

5. Using "then" when they should have used "than"

• Incorrect: "Easier said then done."
• Correct: "Easier said than done." 

6. Improper use of "their," "there" and "they're"

• Incorrect: "There back their with there kids."
• Correct: "They're back there with their kids."

7. Mistaking "it's" for "its"  (I have been guilty of this, too)

• Incorrect: "Its too late to check it's oil. Its going to need a new engine now."
• Correct: "It's too late to check its oil. It's going to need a new engine now."

8. Using went rather than "gone"

• Incorrect: "By then, he had went to the store."
• Correct: "By then, he had gone to the store."

9. Using "real" instead of "really"

• Incorrect: "The sunset is real pretty tonight."
• Correct: "The sunset is really pretty tonight."

10. Not seeming to know the difference between "site" and "sight"

• Incorrect: "Staring at this sight all day is affecting my site."
• Correct: "Staring at this site all day is affecting my sight."

11. Not seeming to know the difference between "effect" and "affect"

• Incorrect: "The reflective affect of that window tint is effecting my ability to see while driving."
• Correct: "The reflective effect of that window tint is affecting my ability to see while driving."

12. Using "complimentary" when they should have used "complementary"

• Incorrect: "One of the reasons why they are such a complimentary couple is that they are so complementary to each other's friends."
• Correct: "One of the reasons why they are such a complementary couple is that they are so complimentary to each other's friends."

13. "Acrossed" "irregardless" and "allright" (I actually dated a guy who said all three of these in one sentence!)

• Incorrect: "Allright. Just hang that picture acrossed here, irregardless of where the stud is."
• Correct: "Alright. Just hang that picture across here, regardless of where the stud is."

So, what other grammar mistakes drive YOU crazy?

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