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Writing for a business blog or other social media should be simple, conversational, and above all informal. It’s OK to stretch grammar rules a bit in order to write in a relaxed tone. However, there is no excuse for sloppiness.  An incorrect word, misplaced punctuation, or run-on sentence might repel  potential clients.  After all, if you can’t get the punctuation right, how can you get the product right?

I’ve had my share of typos. Each one made me wince.  Below are several grammar errors to avoid if you want to maintain your credibility, and avoid the pain of somebody pointing them out to you.

1.  There vs. Their vs. They’re

• There is used as a reference to place. (Put the book there.)  Or, as a pronoun. (There is plenty.)

• Their is a plural possessive pronoun. (Their shoes are wet.)

• They’re is a contraction, or short for they are. (They’re going to the store.)

2.  It’s vs. Its

• It’s is a contraction for it is or it has.  (It’s going to rain on Sunday.)

• Its is a possessive pronoun meaning of it or belonging to it. (Place the box there, along with its contents.)

Still don’t know which to use? Try this. If you can replace it’s in your sentence with it is or it has, then use it’s; otherwise, use its.

3.  Your  vs. You’re

• Your is a possessive adjective used to describe something as belonging to you. Your is usually followed by a noun. (Your shoes are on the stairs.)

• You’re is the contraction of you are and is often followed by a verb ending in ing. (You’re walking a fine line.)

4.  Whose vs. Who’s

• Whose is the possessive of who. (Whose bag is this?)

• Who’s is a contraction for who is. (Who’s going to the store?)

If you can replace the word with who is or who has, use who’s. If not, use whose.

5.  Affect vs. Effect

• Affect is a verb, meaning to influence, touch the emotions, or simulate.  (Your actions affect all of us.)

• Effect is commonly used as a noun.  (What was the effect of her actions?)  As a verb, to effect means “to bring about, lead to a result.” (What is the best way to effect change?)

6.  Ensure vs. Insure

• Ensure means to make sure or certain. (His watchfulness ensured our safekeeping.)

• Insure means to provide insurance coverage against a specific loss. (The car was insured when the accident happened.)

Those are just a few of the common grammar errors I frequently see. When I have an uneasy feeling that something is incorrect, I visit the Grammar Girl blog. Writer Mignon Fogarty comments about common grammar mistakes and how to fix them.

I love grammar!  Or maybe I’m just paranoid about making mistakes in print. Send me your favorite grammar errors.

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