Five Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Learn the most frequent errors in English writing and practical strategies to fix them. Simple tips that make an immediate difference.
Why These Mistakes Matter
Good writing isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being clear. When you make these five mistakes, your readers get confused. Your ideas lose power. Your message gets lost in translation.
We’ve worked with hundreds of writers in Malaysia learning English. We’ve seen these same errors again and again. The good news? They’re all fixable. Once you understand what’s happening, you’ll spot these mistakes instantly — and you’ll know how to correct them.
1. Subject-Verb Disagreement
This is the most common error we see. Your subject and verb don’t match. It happens more than you’d think.
Here’s what happens: “The group of students are meeting tomorrow.” Sounds right, doesn’t it? But it’s wrong. “Group” is singular. The verb should be “is,” not “are.” So it’s “The group of students is meeting tomorrow.”
The fix is simple. Find your subject. Count it — is it one thing or many things? Then match your verb to that count. Singular subjects get singular verbs. Plural subjects get plural verbs. That’s it.
Pro tip: When you have a subject with a prepositional phrase attached (like “of students”), ignore the phrase. Look at the main subject word only.
2. Comma Splices and Run-On Sentences
You’re writing. Ideas flow. You keep typing. Then you realize — did you even use any punctuation? That’s a run-on sentence. Or maybe you used a comma instead of a period. That’s a comma splice.
Wrong: “I studied hard, I still failed the test.” The comma isn’t strong enough. Two independent clauses need stronger separation.
Correct options: Use a period. Use a semicolon. Use a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or). Or restructure the sentence entirely. “I studied hard, but I still failed the test.” Much better. Now the ideas connect properly.
The rule: If you can put a period there, you probably should. Test yourself. Read it aloud. If you naturally pause for a full stop, that’s where a period belongs.
3. Unclear Pronoun References
Pronouns are lazy words. They replace nouns. But sometimes they’re TOO lazy. You don’t know which noun they’re replacing.
Unclear: “Sarah told Emma that she needed to study harder.” Who needs to study? Sarah or Emma? You don’t know. The “she” is ambiguous.
Clear: “Sarah told Emma that Emma needed to study harder.” Or better yet: “Sarah told Emma, ‘You need to study harder.'” Now it’s obvious.
The solution: Use the actual noun instead of a pronoun when there’s any confusion. Yes, it’s slightly repetitive. But it’s clear. And clarity beats style every time.
4 & 5. Misplaced Modifiers and Weak Verb Choices
Two mistakes that undermine your credibility instantly
Misplaced Modifiers
Wrong: “Walking to school, the rain started falling.” Who’s walking? The rain? No. You are. But the modifier is in the wrong place.
Right: “As I walked to school, the rain started falling.” Or: “Walking to school, I noticed the rain starting.” Now the modifier clearly attaches to the right subject.
The pattern: Descriptive phrases need to sit next to the thing they’re describing. Otherwise you get confusing — sometimes hilarious — sentences.
Weak Verb Choices
Weak: “The team was able to win the game.” Passive. Weak. Forgettable.
Strong: “The team dominated the game.” One strong verb beats five weak words. It’s more direct. More powerful. More memorable.
Replace “was able to” with a real verb. Replace “went down” with “dropped” or “plummeted.” Replace “is very good” with “excels.” Your writing becomes 10 times more compelling.
How to Practice These Fixes
Reading about mistakes is one thing. Actually catching them is another. Here’s what works: Edit ruthlessly. Read your writing out loud. Your ear catches things your eyes miss.
Go through one paragraph at a time. Check for subject-verb agreement. Look for comma splices. Make sure pronouns are clear. Hunt for misplaced modifiers. Replace weak verbs.
Do this for 2-3 weeks straight. Then you’ll start seeing these mistakes automatically. You won’t even have to think about it. You’ll just know.
Start Fixing Your Writing Today
These five mistakes are common. But they’re fixable. You don’t need a degree in English. You don’t need to memorize grammar rules. You just need to understand these patterns.
Pick one mistake. Focus on it for a week. Catch it in your own writing. Then move to the next. By the end of a month, you’ll be a better writer. Your ideas will be clearer. Your message will land harder.
Want to dive deeper? Explore more grammar fundamentals and writing techniques.
Explore More ArticlesEducational Information
This article provides educational information about common English writing errors and general grammar principles. These guidelines represent standard conventions in English writing. Your specific writing needs may vary depending on context, audience, and purpose. For formal writing assignments, always follow your institution’s or organization’s specific style guide requirements. If you’re learning English as a second language, working with a qualified tutor or taking structured courses can provide personalized feedback for your unique learning journey.
