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I wouldn’t really classify myself as a Grammar Nazi, because I don’t troll social media correcting spelling and grammar in people’s statuses and comments. (It pains me to ignore them sometimes, but it’s just social media.) However, people who write for a living should know better. Many, many times I have started reading a new blog that I found via Pinterest, only to click away before finishing the first paragraph because it was full of spelling errors or using words incorrectly. How you right is just as important as what you write. See what I did there? 😉 I’m certain I have errors here and there on my own blog, and no one is perfect, but learning and applying a few basic rules will improve your writing and present a more professional voice to your readers (and sponsors). Check out these seven grammar mistakes that may be costing you readers right now!
1. Affect vs. Effect
Affect: verb, used with objects
1. To act on, produce an effect or change in: Cold weather affected the crops.
2. To impress the mind or move the feelings of: The music affected him deeply.
Effect: noun
1. Something that is produced by an agency or cause; result; efficacy; force; validity; influence: His protest had no effect.
Affect is a verb (an action) so you can’t say , “This had a big affect on me.” Please, just don’t! 
You could say, “It affected me.” It’s a little tricky, and you may even need to double check if you commonly get them mixed up, but paying attention to detail goes a long way in winning the confidence of your readers.
2. Loose vs. Lose
Loose: adjective
3. There, They’re, Their and You’re, Your
These are so common and I’m pretty sure everyone knows how to use them properly, but we often let our fingers run faster than our brains. 🙂 But just in case: They’re looking at their favorite photo over there. You’re going to be happy when you get your package in the mail.
4. Anxious vs. Eager
Anxious: adjective
1. Full of mental distress or uneasiness
Anxious means to look forward to with dread. So it’s really not correct to say you’re anxiously awaiting a package in the mail, or a visit from family (unless you really don’t like them.) 🙂 You are anxious about an upcoming test and eager to spend time with friends.
5. Good vs. Well
This is one I catch myself using incorrectly all the time.
Good is an adjective while well is an adverb answering the question how. Sometimes well also functions as an adjective pertaining to health. You did a good job. Good describes job, which is a noun, so good is an adjective.
You did the job well.
Well is an adverb describing how the job was performed.
I feel well.
Well is an adjective describing I.
6. Then vs. Than
Than is used for comparison. “I like chocolate better than peanut butter.”
Then is for everything else. It’s usually used to denote time or order. “First, I will write this post. Then, I will publish it.”
7. Accept vs. Except
Accept: verb (used with object)
1. To take or receive something offered: I accept your lovely gift.
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Jennifer says
As a sixth grade teacher, I see many errors. At the beginning of each year we go over the mistakes you mentioned and words that students use that are not actual words – wanna and it’s cousins coulda, shoulda, woulda, hafta and gonna. One of my pet peeves is alot instead of a lot.
Nicole Burkholder says
Mine, too! A little. A lot. It’s not too tough, people. 🙂
Steph from fangswandsandfairydust.com says
I may anxiously be waiting for a letter with my important test scores or grades. That might or might not fill one with mental distress. But I would be eager to get most packages, you’re right.
Those are great tools though. And, it IS usually our fingers going faster than our internal monologue.
I LOVED the book Eats Shoots and Leaves.
Nicole Burkholder says
Punctuation could fill another post, easily! That’s a great book 🙂
Claresa says
Any time I see one of those mistakes, I stop reading immediately. I think it makes you lose your credibility as a writer/blogger. Thank you for writing this!
Nicole Burkholder says
I completely agree with you. I feel bad, but I have better things to do with my time!
Rene - Together we roam says
Excellent tips and wish I read this before pressing publish. My grammar is horrible! I posted a blog last night “There are worst places to be stranded than Dubai” luckily a mum pulled me up on it. I appreciate those mums that point out my mistakes. I just hope I haven’t lost her for good.
Thanks for sharing, keep them coming.
xo
Nicole Burkholder says
I have family members that will send me a text message if they see a mistake in my posts. I’m happy for the heads up! I’m sure if she took the time to help, she’ll stick around. 🙂
Charlotte says
Oh, yes yes yes… YES!! I can’t tell you how much it drives me crazy when I see spelling and basic grammar mistakes not only in the blog world but also on professional websites. Completely destroys any sort of credibility, in my opinion . I’m glad I’m not the only stickler (that being said, I seem to have a really terrible relationship with my phone and I botch spellings when I update my social media from my phone. All. The. Time. No one is perfect, but these are important things to keep in mind).
Thank you so very much for this. Pinned!
Nicole Burkholder says
The worst in when you see it in advertising, like a huge billboard. Don’t people get paid to check those things? I won’t do business with a company that won’t pay attention to details like that!
kayleigh says
I know that i struggle with these things sometimes so its great to refresh and hear some tips.
Nicole Burkholder says
I still stop and think every time I use affect or effect. 🙂
Veronica says
I teach my students RAVEN:
Remember
Affect is a
Verb
Effect is a
Noun
🙂
Nicole Burkholder says
I love that mnemonic! I’ve never heard it before but I’ve already used it this week!
Yulunda Gladney says
OMG! I posted that exact picture on my socials sometime back as I am a Gramma Nazi. I use to think that I was just being way too Type A and then I had the revelation that it really does matter and says a lot about us, especially as bloggers.
With all of the resources all around us, we really do not have any excuses for not getting it right.
I LOVE THIS POST!
Visiting from SITS
Nicole Burkholder says
You’re right- when it’s as easy as doing a quick internet search, there’s no excuse!
Alli says
I admit that I am the grammar police on FB. I correct the grammar silently. What bugs me the most is the incorrect usage of to, too and two. Your and You’re could almost tie for first place. 🙂
Of course, we all make mistakes from time to time. And I usually look past one or two errors. When the entire post is full of them, I just say no.
Nicole Burkholder says
Just say no! 🙂 We can join together, silently correcting.
DivaScript says
A few years ago, I taught art history classes at a local university. After receiving paper after paper riddled with mistakes, I dedicated 15 minutes of each class to grammar. I covered six of the seven topics you discussed, and I went over the proper use of the comma and semicolon. Oh, and the misuse of it’s vs its really bugs me.
I agree with other commenters that we are all human, and we can make mistakes. You can figure out pretty quickly, though, who knows grammar and who doesn’t.
Nicole Burkholder says
That’s very true! It’s sad that people can get up to the university level without a basic understanding of grammar.