11 Uncommon Grammar Mistakes We're Still Making In Emails

The longer we’ve waved goodbye to dissertations, the more pointless grammar rules seem. It’s hard to blame some of us, as a cleared Inbox is as rare as an open seat on the MTR in Hong Kong.

While many of us have completely diverged from the conventions of grammar, it’s important to point out that improper usage of grammar affect’s the reader’s ability to process the information you’re communicating and also negatively affects your credibility as a whole.

Read on as we list some common grammar mistakes the we still make, assuming we’re all smart enough to discern between their, they’re, and there. How many are you guilty of?

NOT HYPHENATING MODIFIERS (CHANGING A NOUN TO BE MORE THAN ONE WORD)

Incorrect: She’s always been a very open minded person. Correct: She’s always been a very open-minded person.   

USING THAT INSTEAD OF WHO WHEN REFERRING TO A PERSON.

Incorrect: She’s the type of person that always comes prepared. Correct:She’s the type of person who always comes prepared.

EXCESSIVE USE OF ING.

Incorrect: She was writing on her laptop. Correct: She wrote on her laptop.

USING WHICH (AS A DESCRIPTOR) WITHOUT A COMMA.

Incorrect: He rode his bike home which was all the way across town.Correct: He rode his bike home, which was all the way across town.

USING A PASSIVE VOICE (I.E. WHEN THE OBJECT IS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SENTENCE INSTEAD OF THE END)

Incorrect: The package was received by him. Correct: He received the package.

MISPLACING A DESCRIPTIVE PHRASE.

Incorrect: After seeing it sit there for months, I decided to clear the cluttermyself. *— The noun (clutter) should immediately follow description (sit there for months) Correct: I cleared the clutter myself after seeing it sit there for months.

MISPLACING APOSTROPHES FOR POSSESSIVE NOUNS.

Incorrect: Jess’ dog is very cute. * — In this case, Jess is not plural Correct:Jess’s dog is very cute.

USING ‘I’ AS THE OBJECT OF A SENTENCE.

Incorrect: When you’re done with the extension cord, can you pass it to Jane and I? * — The best way to test this is to Jane and see if the sentence makes sense. Correct: When you’re done with the extension cord, can you pass it to Jane and me?

USING ‘LESS’ (NOT QUANTIFIABLE) INSTEAD OF ‘FEWER’ (QUANTIFIABLE)

Incorrect: Please order no less than 100 units of each item. Correct: Please order no fewer than 100 units of each item.

USING ‘IN REGARDS TO’ INSTEAD OF ‘IN REGARD TO”

Incorrect: In regards to your last email, I think we should take the following actions. Correct: In regard to your last email, I think we should take the following actions.

ENDING THE SENTENCE WITH A PREPOSITION

Incorrect: I collect vintage posters, so I had to have it. Correct: I bought the vintage poster to add to my collection.