Since and Because

“Because” refers to cause. However, “Since” comes to time.

Examples:

• Since I’ve quitted clubbing, I’ve married and had three children. 
• Because I quit clubbing, I no longer wake up in my vomit. 

Its and It’s

“Its” is a possessive pronoun and it is used to show that someone is the owner of something. On the other hand, “it’s” is an abridgment of “it has” or “it is.”

Between and Among

Let’s face it: The word “among” refers to things that are not explicitly separated because they are part of a group. However, the word “between” refers to two or more things that are explicitly separated.

For instance, you choose between a green beret and a black beret, but you choose among all berets.

Dangling Modifiers

Dangling modifiers occur when a descriptive word does not align well with the accompanying noun. Let’s look at an example below:

• After declining for weeks, Mirabel employed a new strategy to boost sales.

It will help to work around the sentence structure to solve this problem.

• Mirabel employed a new strategy to boost sales after it declined for weeks.

Perfect, right?

Affect and Effect

The word “affect” means to influence or impact. On the other hand, the phrase “effect” is the result of the influence.

Passive Voice

The passive voice occurs the subject becomes the object in a sentence.

Example: The pizza was eaten by Ella.

Example of Active Voice: Ella ate the pizza.

In this context, Ella is the subject and the pizza is the object. Nothing changes that.

It will help to use passive voice sparingly since it causes wordiness.

Nauseous and Nauseated

The word “nauseous” typically refers to a sickening feeling. But it doesn’t have to revolve around that. The phrase “nauseous” could also mean that you can generate nausea in other people.

Example: 

• That cat is nauseous.

Anxious

It will help not to use the word  “anxious” if you are not frightened by someone else. Instead, you should say that “you are eager.” Anxiety implies looming dread.

Moot

Contrary to common misusage, the phrase “moot” doesn’t mean that something is unnecessary. It means that it is a topic open to discussion or debate.

I and Me

The phrase “Me” acts as an object to a verb. On the other hand, the word “I” serves as a subject in a sentence.

Examples:

• I went to the library yesterday.
• My mom scolded me for spilling the coffee. 

Emigrate and Immigrate

The phrase “immigrate” means to arrive in another country to live there. On the other hand,  the word “emigrate” means that you want to leave your country.

Conclusion

Like it or not, words, spelling, and punctuation can leave a lasting impression on others. But even the most educated people often unknowingly make these common flubs. English, like many other languages, has its own set of tricky rules and intricacies. But with a little bit of practice and help from guides like this one, you can become a grammar master.

There are so many grammar mistakes made today, The Elements of Style is on its fourth edition. While most business writers don’t abide by those rules, most PR professionals do.

Having a copy of both (and referring to them) and asking an editor for help (even if it’s informal like Sam does), you’ll never have to worry about the grammar police.