Three Common Punctuation and Grammar Mistakes

In my work as an editor, I have observed a number of common punctuation and grammar mistakes. Every writer-myself included-makes mistakes. Having a sharp set of eyes behind you can help catch mistakes you miss during your self-editing phase because you're too familiar with your own words. Nevertheless, self-editing is an important step in the writing process.

Why Pay Attention to Common Punctuation and Grammar Mistakes

The cleaner your copy, the more appeal your work can hold when you submit your writing to traditional publications. Even for avenues such as Associated Content, clean copy is important. Mistakes won't help your pieces to be featured. Plus, readers who know better may dismiss your writing because of mistakes they notice. And in some cases, common punctuation and grammar mistakes can not only make you look bad but can also confuse your readers.

List of Three Common Punctuation and Grammar Mistakes

Here are three common punctuation and grammar mistakes I've observed numerous times in the work I've edited or read:

• Commas and periods outside closing quotation marks
• Misplaced modifiers
• Misuse of its and it's

Commas and Periods outside Closing Quotation Marks

Different style guides contain differing guidelines on some matters. For instance, Chicago style recommends a final comma in a series (i.e., red, white, and blue), while AP style never uses a final comma unless necessary to avoid confusion (i.e., red, white and blue). However, the major style guides all place commas and periods inside quotation marks. (See AP entries for comma and period, Chicago 6.8, or MLA 3.7.7.)

If the first of these common punctuation and grammar mistakes is a habit you identify in your writing, jot it down on your self-editing list. Or leave yourself a sticky note by your computer or writing tablet where you draft and edit articles.

Incorrect: She says cinnamon rolls are "perfectly scrumptious".
Correct: She says cinnamon rolls are "perfectly scrumptious."

Incorrect: Although I like "Amazing Grace", I do not care for Newton's other hymns.
Correct: Although I like "Amazing Grace," I do not care for Newton's others hymns.

Misplaced Modifiers

Sometimes misplaced modifying phrases simply look sloppy, but your readers will understand what you mean with no problems. Other times, misplaced modifiers can confuse the meaning you intend to convey. Either way, why not avoid this second item on my list of common punctuation and grammar mistakes? Often the best way to avoid misplaced modifiers is to place the modifying phrase closest to the noun it describes.

Poor: Jenny watched the cat, brushing her hair. (The cat is brushing its own hair? The cat is brushing Jenny's hair? Jenny is brushing her own hair while she watches the cat?)
Better: Brushing her hair, Jenny watched the cat.

Sometimes the positioning of a modifying phrase is ambiguous. In such a case, try to move the phrase to a position where the meaning is clear.

Ambiguous: Jeff told me on Tuesday he would take over the book club. (Did Jeff make the announcement on Tuesday, or did he say that the coming Tuesday would be the day he would start leading the book club?)
Clearer: On Tuesday, Jeff told me he would take over the book club.
Or: Jeff told me he would take over the book club on Tuesday.

Misuse of Its and It's

Perhaps because these two words are so small, they are easy to miss. They appear on numerous lists of common punctuation and grammar mistakes. Its works as a possessive. It's is only a contraction for it is. If you don't believe me, check any good dictionary.

Incorrect: The dog ate it's food.
Correct: The dog ate its food.

Incorrect: Its a beautiful day.
Correct: It's a beautiful day.

A Note on Self-Editing

No matter your particular weak spots, writing is not the time to think of common punctuation and grammar mistakes. Writing is the time to get your ideas out of your head and onto the paper or screen. Save your correct/incorrect and poor/better thinking for the self-editing stage.

Sources:
The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2003.
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 6th ed. New York: The Modern Language Association of America, 2003.
Norm Goldstein, ed., The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law. 42nd ed. New York: Basic Books, 2007.