As a public relations student, I am always obsessing over grammar. My shelves at home are piled with grammar books, which I try to read as often as possible. I am always looking to improve my grammar, as well as searching for opportunities to help others improve their grammar. With that being said, I hope you will take a moment to review some of the most common grammar mistakes I encounter on a daily basis.
Farther vs. Further
I would have to say these two words stand out the most when misused. Whether it is on the radio or in day-to-day conversation, I encounter this mistake AT LEAST once a day. I’ve read my fair share of grammar books and had an amazing PR writing teacher, so please hear me out.
When speaking about physical distance, you use farther. Think about the base word far, which is physical distance. “She lives far away.”
“Is New York City further/farther from Florida than expected?”
Incorrect: New York City is further from Florida than I expected.
Correct: New York City is farther from Florida than I expected.
*Remember, you are referring to physical distance, so the use of farther would be correct in the sentence above.
As for further, think about metaphorical distance. I like to think about the word furthermore, which means in addition.
“Do you have any farther/further questions?”
Incorrect: I have no farther questions.
Correct: I have no further questions.
*You can’t physically measure your questions, so the use of further would be correct in the sentence above.
I vs. Me
It is assumed that whenever speaking about another person and yourself, you always use the word I. Please, don’t assume. It always helps me to take out the second object and see if the sentence sounds correct.
“Bob wanted to take a picture of Chelsea and me.”
Rationalize: Bob would not like to take a picture of “I,” he would me to take a picture of “me.”
Incorrect: Bob wanted to take a picture of Chelsea and I.
Correct: Bob wanted to take a picture of Chelsea and me.
“Chelsea and I are going to the park.”
Rationalize: “ Who is going to the park?” “I am going to the park.” OR “Me is going to the park.”
Incorrect: Chelsea and me are going to the park.
Correct: Chelsea and I are going to the park.
Is vs. Are
The example above leads me to the next common mistake.
This one can be a bit tricky, but the key is to make sure your subjects and verbs agree. Think of it this way, is=singular and are=plural.
One of the cars is red.
Explanation: Even though there are multiple cars you are only referring to ONE.
All the cars are red.
Explanation: You are referring to more than one car.
That vs. Which
When deciding whether to use that or which, the first step is to know exactly what you are trying to say. If your sentence needs the clause that the word in question is connecting, use “that.” If the clause that the word in question is connecting is just extra information, use “which.”
The coffeethat has cream is mine.
The coffee, which has cream, is mine.
Explanation: In sentence one, “that has cream” helps identify the subject (coffee) from the others; therefore, my sentence needs this information.
Explanation: In sentence two, I am telling you additional information about the subject (coffee), but the information does not define the subject.
Who vs. Whom
I used to have a lot of trouble deciding which word was the most appropriate when referring to a person. Now I refer to one simple rule, and my troubles are behind me.
Who= he/she; Whom= him/her
To whom it may concern:
Rationalize: Ask yourself, whom does it concern, HE or HIM? It concerns him.
Who is meeting us here?
Rationalize: Is he meeting us here or is him meeting us here? He is
Together we have mastered five of the most common grammatical mistakes. I think that's worthy of a Barney and Ted high-five.
