And which one it’s okay to break!

Despite my profession, I'm not obsessed with grammar. My text messages are rife with abbreviations, slang, and missing punctuation, and I really, really don't care.

My creative work breaks a few rules, too! However, knowing the rules in the first place enables you to break them with style.

To keep your content sounding professional and polished, look out for the following, ultra-common grammar mistakes.

1. Your subject is killer, but your subject-verb agreement is killing you.

People typically learn subject-verb agreement naturally as they learn to talk. Most of us know instantly that "he like to eat cheese" doesn't sound right. It's cute if you're two, but when similar mistakes appear in a business proposal...not so much. Incorrect subject-verb agreement can drop your credibility like a hat, but it can be a little tricky when there are multiple subjects. Let's take a closer look.

The Rule: If the subject of the sentence is singular, its verb must also be singular; and if the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural.

Example 1 Incorrect: The best two features of our product is durability and versatility.

Correct: The best two features of our product are durability and versatility.

In this scenario, you're describing the features, plural, of the product, not the product itself. The word "features" is plural, so the verb should be too.

Example 2

Incorrect: An essential part of my success have been my generous supporters and investors.

Correct: An essential part of my success has been my generous supporters and investors.

In the first example, the subject was plural. In this one, it's not. The subject is "part", which is singular.

If You Get Mixed Up...

Identify the subject. Is it singular or plural? Just like that, you know which verb to use.

2. You don’t use enough commas.

Commas aren't optional. They were invented to add clarity, so using them correctly is important!

Rule #1: Commas should always be used after an introductory word or phrase to avoid confusion.

Example 1:

Incorrect: For those who haven't read my bio I founded my business in 2012.

Correct: For those who haven't read my bio, I founded my business in 2012.

Example 2:

Incorrect: Before I opened my business I worked in finance.

Correct: Before I opened my business, I worked in finance.

Rule #2: In a compound sentence, a comma should go after the first independent clause.

No, we're not talking about Santa ditching the toy-making union and moving to Florida. If compound sentences, clauses, and predicates sound like gibberish to you, don't worry about it. Here's the simple version: If you're combining two complete sentences into one, stick a comma in between them.

Example 1:

Incorrect: I write down all my stories and I've published over 20 books. Correct: I write down all my stories, and I've published over 20 books.

Example 2:

Incorrect: I'm hardworking and I'm exceptionally self-motivated.

Correct: I'm hardworking, and I'm exceptionally self-motivated.

3. Alternatively, you use too many commas.

Commas are like raisins. When you throw in too many, things get a little weird. It might seem easier to add commas all over the place, just in case, but unnecessary commas are nearly as bad as missing ones.

The Rule: Only use commas when necessary for clarity and correctness, not just for the hell of it.

Example 1:

Incorrect: I like to read, because it gives me a fresh perspective.

Correct: I like to read because it gives me a fresh perspective.

Example 2:

Incorrect: My next venture will be in marketing, or design.

Correct: My next venture will be in marketing or design.

4. Your pronouns are vague. Who are you even talking about?

Obviously, fuzzy pronouns are problematic. Does Joe have an STD? Or is the doctor confessing? Know one knows! (Besides the shady doctor, of course.)

The Rule: Pronouns are used to replace nouns. They should refer clearly to the noun they're replacing.

Example 1:

Incorrect: When Gabe finally found his pet moose, he was thrilled. (Who was thrilled? Gabe or the snail?

Correct: Gabe was so happy when he finally found his pet moose.

Note: While the grammar above is correct, keeping a moose definitely is not.

Example 2:

Incorrect: I felt a lot of rage and disappointment when I lost my job unfairly. That's what inspired my new chapter. (What inspired her new chapter? Her rage and disappointment, or her lost job?

Correct: I felt a lot of rage and disappointment when I lost my job unfairly. Fortunately, my rage inspired my new chapter.

5. You break perfectly good sentences into fragments.

When you break up sentences. Into little pieces. Without a subject, a verb, or both. They're called sentence fragments. Simply put, sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that lack a complete independent clause. They usually rely on the previous sentence for context.

The Rule: If a phrase doesn't make sense on its own, combine it with the previous or following sentence.

Example 1:

Incorrect: After his cornfield burned down, he built a thriving llama farm. In spite of everything.

Correct: In spite of everything, after his cornfield burned down he built a thriving llama farm.

Example 2:

Incorrect: She worked tirelessly to prepare for her interview. Then prayed her efforts would pay off.

Correct: She worked tirelessly to prepare for her interview, then prayed her efforts would pay off.

A Caveat...

On occasion, breaking this rule might be okay. In creative writing, sentence fragments can be used for emphasis, particularly when the topic is deeply emotional or shocking. If you do dare to make sentence fragments a part of your writing repertoire, use them very, very sparingly.

That's a Wrap!

Now there are five fewer grammar rules for you to eff up. Only about 4,762 left to practice! May the grammar odds be ever in your favor.