The 10 Most Common Grammar Mistakes Students Make

The English language is tricky for young students to learn. Words that look similar mean very different things. It takes practice to get this right. Here are the most common grammar mistakes kids make and links to our free worksheets that you can print out for your child to practice.

To vs. Too vs. Two

The words to, too and two are homonyms. A homonym is a word that sounds like another word but has a different meaning.

To means toward a point, person, place or thing.

Too means also

Two is a number, 1 + 1

Try your hand at these sentences:

There are ____ kittens in the basket.
Shall we meet at _____ o’clock?

Here are some more worksheets for practice (answers are included on a second page): 
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #3
Worksheet #4
Worksheet #5
Worksheet #6

I vs. Me

Kids understand the difference between these words, but when it comes to putting either in a sentence – especially in combination with other people – it’s hard to make the distinction.

The word I is used in the subject of a sentence.

The word me is used in the predicate of a sentence.

Try these sentences:

When you finished the worksheet, can you bring it to dad and _____ ?
My brother and ____ make a great team.

Here are some more worksheets for practice (answers are included on a second page): 
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #3
Worksheet #4
Worksheet #5
Worksheet #6

Its vs. It’s

This one is really confusing to young students. How can one small apostrophe make such a big change in the meaning of that word?

.

Its is a possessive noun – belonging to someone

It’s is a contraction that means ‘it is’.

Try these sentences:

_____ dark at night.
The cat licked ____ paw.

Here are some more worksheets for practice (answers are included on a second page): 
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #3
Worksheet #4
Worksheet #5
Worksheet #6

There vs. They’re vs. Their

There is used to refer to a place. Their means belonging to someone.
They’re is a contraction meaning ‘they are’.

Try these sentences:

Where’s Matthew? Over _______ !
The boys put ______ toys away after the game.
_______ going to win the hockey game.

Here are some more worksheets for practice (answers are included on a second page): 
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #3
Worksheet #4
Worksheet #5
Worksheet #6

Your vs. You’re

Your is a possessive noun. You’re is a contraction that means ‘you are’.

Try these sentences:

Did you tell _____ parents where ______ going?
I like _____ blue boat.

Here are some more worksheets for practice (answers are included on a second page): 
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #3
Worksheet #4
Worksheet #5
Worksheet #6

Lose vs. Loose

Lose is a verb meaning to misplace or no longer possess.

This one’s a tough one. How can one extra ‘o’ make a word mean something completely different? You can understand why kids get this one wrong.

Loose is an adjective meaning not firm, not tight, not contained.

Try these sentences:

Susan has a _____ tooth.
Don’t _____ your new hat.

Here are some more worksheets for practice (answers are included on a second page): 
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #3
Worksheet #4
Worksheet #5
Worksheet #6

Hear vs. Here

Hear is a verb meaning to listen to, or pay attention to. Here is an adverb meaning in this place or at that place.

Try these sentences:

I didn’t ______ you call my name.
My uncle Ted is flying _____ today.

Here are some more worksheets for practice (answers are included on a second page): 
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #3
Worksheet #4
Worksheet #5
Worksheet #6

Accept vs. Except

These words sound almost the same and kids often confuse the two.

Accept is a verb meaning to agree, to believe or receive something.

Except is a preposition, conjunction or noun meaning to leave out.

Try these sentences:

All the students scored an A in the math quiz, _______ for Ben.
Thank you, I will _________ your offer.

Here are some more worksheets for practice (answers are included on a second page): 
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #3
Worksheet #4
Worksheet #5
Worksheet #6

Affect vs. Effect

Even some adults struggle with this one, so no wonder kids get these two wrong.

Affect is a verb meaning to act on, change or influence.

Effect is a noun meaning a result, an impression or something that comes into being.

Try these sentences:

Studying for a test can _______ your final grade.
Studying for tests can have a positive ________ on your final grade.

Here are some more worksheets for practice (answers are included on a second page): 
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #3
Worksheet #4
Worksheet #5
Worksheet #6

Than vs. Then

Do you see the mistake in this sentence? My bike is bigger then my brother’s. This is a common mistake.
Than is a conjunction meaning in comparison to. So the sentence should read: My bike is bigger than my brother’s. Then can be an adverb meaning in that case, in addition – or a noun meaning a moment, specific time.

Try these sentences:

I’ll drop by later; see you ______ !
Skating is more fun _______ rollerblading.

Here are some more worksheets for practice (answers are included on a second page): 
Worksheet #1
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #3
Worksheet #4
Worksheet #5
Worksheet #6