Even the best writers can make grammar mistakes—it happens to everyone! But in creative writing, grammar is more than just rules and commas; it’s about making sure your story is clear, smooth, and easy to read. A small mistake can confuse your reader or pull them out of your story, and we definitely don’t want that.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most common grammar mistakes in creative writing and share simple tips on how to avoid them. By catching these little slip-ups, you’ll make your writing stronger, cleaner, and far more enjoyable to read.

1. Mixing Up ‘Your’ and ‘You’re’

This is one of the most common grammar slip-ups, and it’s easy to do when you’re writing quickly.

• Your: Shows possession (Your book, your idea, your friend).
• You’re: A contraction of you are.

Example:

• Incorrect: Your going to love this story!
• Correct: You’re going to love this story!

Quick Tip: If you can replace the word with “you are”, use you’re.

2. Confusing ‘There’, ‘Their’, and ‘They’re’

These three words sound the same but mean completely different things.

• There: Refers to a place (over there).
• Their: Shows possession (their house, their dog).
• They’re: A contraction of they are.

Example:

• Incorrect: Their going to the park over they’re.
• Correct: They’re going to the park over there.

Quick Tip: Replace they’re with they are in your head to check if it fits.

3. Using ‘Its’ and ‘It’s’ Incorrectly

Another classic grammar mistake!

• Its: Shows possession (The dog wagged its tail).
• It’s: A contraction of it is or it has.

Example:

• Incorrect: The cat licked it’s paw.
• Correct: The cat licked its paw.

Quick Tip: If you mean it is or it has, use it’s.

4. Sentence Fragments

A fragment is an incomplete sentence. It might be missing a subject or a verb, or it might just be a stray thought left hanging.

Example:

• Incorrect: Ran through the dark forest.
• Correct: She ran through the dark forest.

Fragments can be used stylistically in creative writing, but they should be intentional, not accidental.

Quick Tip: Every sentence needs a subject (who/what is doing something) and a verb (what they’re doing).

5. Run-On Sentences

A run-on sentence happens when two or more independent clauses are squashed together without the proper punctuation or linking words.

Example:

• Incorrect: Tom grabbed his coat he ran out the door.
• Correct: Tom grabbed his coat, and he ran out the door.

Quick Tip: Use a full stop, a comma with a conjunction (like and or but), or a semicolon to fix run-ons.

6. Misusing Apostrophes

Apostrophes are often misused, especially when showing possession or creating contractions.

• To show possession: This is Sarah’s book.
• To create contractions: Don’t (do not), Can’t (cannot).

Common Mistake: Adding an apostrophe to plurals.

• Incorrect: I have three dog’s.
• Correct: I have three dogs.

Quick Tip: Apostrophes are never used to make a word plural.

7. Confusing ‘Effect’ and ‘Affect’

These two words are often mixed up because they sound similar, but they have different roles.

• Affect: Usually a verb (to influence something).
  • The weather will affect our plans.
• Effect: Usually a noun (the result of something).
  • The new rules had a positive effect.

Quick Tip: Affect is an action (A = Action), and Effect is usually an outcome (E = End result).

8. Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers

A modifier is a word or phrase that adds detail to a sentence, but if it’s in the wrong place, it can make your sentence confusing—or even silly!

Example:

• Incorrect: Running through the field, the flowers were beautiful.
• Correct: Running through the field, she admired the beautiful flowers.

Quick Tip: Make sure your modifier is close to the word it’s describing.

9. Overusing Adverbs

Adverbs are words that describe verbs, like quickly, loudly, or happily. While they can be useful, using too many can make your writing feel weak or repetitive.

Example:

• Weak: He shouted loudly.
• Stronger: He bellowed.

Quick Tip: Often, a strong verb can replace an adverb.

10. Inconsistent Tenses

Switching between past tense and present tense can confuse your reader.

Example:

• Incorrect: She walked into the room and sees the mess on the floor.
• Correct: She walked into the room and saw the mess on the floor.

Quick Tip: Choose a tense (past, present, or future) and stick with it unless you have a clear reason to switch.

11. Too Many Dialogue Tags

Dialogue tags (like he said or she asked) help readers follow who’s speaking, but overusing them—or using overly fancy ones—can feel clunky.

Example:

• Clunky: “Stop!” he exclaimed loudly.
• Better: “Stop!” he shouted.

Quick Tip: If it’s clear who’s speaking, you don’t always need a tag.

12. Misusing ‘Less’ and ‘Fewer’

• Less: Used for things you can’t count (less water, less noise).
• Fewer: Used for things you can count (fewer apples, fewer chairs).

Example:

• Incorrect: There are less people here today.
• Correct: There are fewer people here today.

Quick Tip: If you can count it, use fewer.

13. Proofread Your Work

Even professional writers make mistakes—that’s why proofreading is so important! After finishing a piece of writing:

• Read it aloud.
• Look for the common mistakes in this list.
• Ask someone else to read it.

Fresh eyes often spot mistakes you’ve missed.

Make Your Writing Shine

Grammar might not be the most exciting part of writing, but it’s one of the most important. Clear, mistake-free writing helps your readers stay focused on your story instead of getting distracted by errors.

Next time you’re writing, keep an eye out for these common mistakes. With practice, catching them will become second nature. Remember, everyone makes errors—it’s fixing them that makes you a great writer. Now go, write confidently, and let your words shine!