Have you ever gone back and reread something you just wrote only to stop halfway through and think, “Wait... is that even right?”
Yeah. You’re not the only one.
The truth is, most of us who’ve spoken English our entire lives still trip over grammar sometimes. It’s not because we’re careless. English is, frankly, strange. The rules are riddled with exceptions, half the punctuation rules seem to contradict each other, and some grammar points are rarely explained well at all. So if you’ve started writing again and you’re finding yourself second-guessing every sentence, you’re in good company.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to memorize a textbook. Most grammar slip-ups are easier to fix than they seem. And once you know what to listen for, they start jumping out at you in all the right ways.
So let’s take the pressure off. No red pens, no lectures. Just five grammar quirks that even lifelong English speakers run into, and how to smooth them out without overthinking everything.
1. “Who” vs. “Whom” (That Word Everyone Tiptoes Around)
Let’s just start here, since this one trips up just about everyone. “Whom” feels like it should be wearing a monocle. It’s the kind of word that shows up in formal invitations or very old books. Most of us avoid it entirely in everyday conversation, and that’s honestly fine. But when you’re writing something more polished or thoughtful, it’s good to at least know how it works.
The short version:
Use who when someone is doing something.
Use whom when something is being done to someone.
If that’s still confusing, here’s an easier trick. Try switching in he or him and see what fits. If he works, go with who. If him makes more sense, you want whom.
For example:
Who is coming to dinner?
(You’d say he is coming. Not him is coming.)
But:
Whom did you invite?
(You’d say you invited him, not you invited he.)
And let’s be real: will anyone notice if you just use “who” every time? Probably not. But when “whom” does fit, and you’re writing something a little more thoughtful, it can be a nice little detail that adds polish.
2. Dangling Modifiers (When Your Sentence Trips Over Itself)
This one sounds more intimidating than it is. A dangling modifier just means your sentence starts with a phrase that doesn’t match what comes after it. It’s a little like throwing a lasso and missing the mark.
Here’s a classic example:
Walking down the path, the trees were in full bloom.
It sounds lovely until you realize... who’s walking? The trees?
The fix is simple. You just need to connect that opening phrase to the person who’s actually doing the walking.
Walking down the path, I noticed the trees were in full bloom.
Here’s another:
After reading the book, the movie was disappointing.
Technically, that makes it sound like the movie read the book.
Better:
After reading the book, she found the movie disappointing.
All you have to do is ask: who’s doing the action? Then make sure that person is clearly in the sentence. It’s a tiny shift, but it makes your writing sound more intentional right away.
3. “Its” vs. “It’s” (The Little Apostrophe That Can’t Be Ignored)
This one gets everyone eventually. These two words look nearly identical, but they mean totally different things—and one tiny apostrophe makes all the difference.
Here’s how it breaks down:
It’s is short for it is or it has.
Its is possessive, like his or her.
Test it by plugging in “it is” and seeing if the sentence still works.
It’s going to be a beautiful day. → It is going to be a beautiful day. Makes sense.
The dog wagged its tail. → The dog wagged it is tail. That one doesn’t work. So you know “its” is right here.
Just remember, if you can’t replace it with “it is,” leave the apostrophe out.
And if you still second-guess yourself? That just means you’re paying attention. That’s not a flaw. That’s a sign you care.
4. Comma Splices and Other Punctuation Woes
Commas are funny. Used well, they help your writing breathe. Used poorly, they either interrupt your thoughts too much or not enough.
One of the most common issues is what’s called a comma splice. That’s when you try to glue two complete sentences together with just a comma.
I went to the store, I bought eggs.
It feels close, but it’s technically incorrect. Those are two full sentences, and they need a stronger connection.
You’ve got a few easy options:
I went to the store. I bought eggs.
I went to the store, and I bought eggs.
I went to the store; I bought eggs.
Any of those will get the job done. Just don’t rely on a single comma to hold two full thoughts together. It’s like asking a paperclip to hold up a bookshelf.
And while we’re on the subject, don’t be afraid to use commas where they actually help the sentence make sense. Especially in lists, or after short introductory phrases.
She brought cookies, lemonade, and napkins.
Before dinner, we went for a walk.
Not sure where to put a comma? Try reading your sentence out loud. If you naturally pause, there’s probably a comma needed.
5. “Less” vs. “Fewer” (Yes, the Grocery Store Sign Is Wrong)
You’ve probably seen a sign at the store that says “10 items or less.” And if you’ve ever said, “Wait, shouldn’t that be ‘fewer’?” then congratulations—you were absolutely right.
Here’s the rule:
Use fewer for things you can count.
Use less for things you can’t.
You can count ten apples, so it should be fewer apples. But you can’t count how much water is in the bottle, so you’d say less water.
There were fewer people at the concert this year.
There was less noise than usual.
Another one:
She ate fewer cookies.
She ate less sugar.
Will the world fall apart if you mess this up? Absolutely not. But if you want your writing to sound clean and confident, it’s a small distinction that goes a long way.
Progress Over Perfection
If you’re writing more lately—whether that’s a novel, a blog, or just little notes to your future self—you’re already doing something worthwhile. Grammar can feel picky, but it’s not supposed to be a barrier to your creativity. It’s just a tool to help your thoughts land exactly the way you meant them to.
So here’s what’s worth remembering:
Read your writing out loud. It’s the best way to hear what’s working and what’s not. Use editing tools if they help, but don’t let them override your gut. Keep a note somewhere with rules that trip you up, so you don’t have to keep looking them up. And most importantly: just keep writing.
You don’t have to sound perfect to be powerful. You don’t have to know every rule to have something worth saying. Every time you sit down to write, you’re building something.
The commas will sort themselves out. Just don’t stop showing up.
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