Become a better writer: 15 common errors made in writing

Here are 15 common errors made in writing formal diction. How many of these usage errors have you made?

1. A lot / lots of

Colloquial: Diana likes her apartment a lot.

Formal: Diana likes her apartment very much.

Colloquial: There are lots of books in our library.

Formal: There are many books in our library.

Note: Alot is not an English word.

2. Among / between (Tip: Among involves more than two; between involves only two)

Colloquial: Discussions between our group members were often very lively.

Formal: Discussions among our group members were often very lively.

3. Everyday/Every day (Tip: Everyday is an adjective meaning ‘typical’ or ‘not special’; every day specifies a habit)

Incorrect: We buy lunch there everyday.

Correct: We buy lunch there every day.

Correct: Our manager told us to wear everyday clothes to the Saturday meeting.

4. Loan/lend vs. Borrow. In some English dialects, the word “borrow” is substituted for “loan” or “lend,” as in, “Can you borrow me that book?” In Standard English, the person providing an item lends/loans it, but the person receiving it borrows it.

Colloquial: Borrow me that pen, please.

Formal: Lend me that pen, please.

Formal: Loan me that pen, please.

5. Based off of

Colloquial: Based off of that information, we can move ahead with the plan.

Formal: Based on that information, we can move ahead with the plan.

6. Kids/Mom/Dad (tip: When referring to family members or children, use the formal style in academic writing.)

Colloquial: His mom and dad took all of the kids to the park.

Formal: His mother and father took all of the children to the park.

7. Guys

Colloquial: I hope you guys can join me at the restaurant.

Formal: I hope all of you can join me at the restaurant.

8. Infer / imply (Tip: To infer is an act of thinking; to imply is an act of saying something.)

Incorrect: I saw your memo about a noon meeting. Are you inferring that we should have lunch together?

Correct: I saw your memo about a noon meeting. Are you implying that we should have lunch together?

9. It’s / its (Remember that it’s always means it is)

Incorrect: The committee has reached it’s goals this year.

Correct: The committee has reached its goals this year.

10. Less than / fewer than (Tip: Use less than only with uncountable nouns.)

Colloquial: There are less people in the store today than yesterday.

Formal: There are fewer people in the store today than yesterday.

11. Like / as (Tip: Use as when comparing actions, like when comparing things.)

Colloquial: Alan wants to write a new essay, just like Sarah does.

Formal: Alan wants to write a new essay, just as Sarah does.

12. Like / maybe (Tip: Avoid using like and maybe when estimating; use approximately, perhaps, or about instead.)

Colloquial: There were like thirty people at my birthday party.

Formal: There were approximately thirty people at my birthday party.

13. Meantime

Colloquial: Meantime, the rain continued to pour.

Formal: In the meantime, the rain continued to pour.

Formal: Meanwhile, the rain continued to pour.

14. Plenty

Colloquial: It has been plenty warm all week.

Formal: It has been very warm all week.

15. They’re / their / there (You’re / your) (Tip: remember that they’re always means they are, and you’re always means you are)

Incorrect: Do you know if their going to the party?

Correct: Do you know if they're going to the party?

Incorrect: You’re lunch is on the counter.

Correct: Your lunch is on the counter.

Incorrect: What is there address?

Correct: What is their address?