Even the best research can lose its impact if your writing is unclear or filled with grammatical errors. Academic writing requires clarity, precision, and correctness to communicate ideas effectively. Yet, many scholars unknowingly make avoidable grammar mistakes that can confuse readers and frustrate reviewers. At Your PhD Partner, we help researchers refine their writing for publication success. Here are some of the most common grammar mistakes in academic writing—and how to avoid them.

Common Grammar Mistakes to Watch Out For

• 1. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors: Ensure the subject and verb match in number.
  Incorrect: “The results shows…”
  Correct: “The results show…”
• 2. Incorrect Tense Usage: Use the correct tense for describing previous studies (past tense) and universal facts (present tense).
  Example: “Smith (2019) found that…”
• 3. Run-On Sentences: Break long sentences into clear, concise thoughts.
  Incorrect: “The data was analyzed it was inconclusive.”
  Correct: “The data was analyzed, but it was inconclusive.”
• 4. Improper Use of Articles (a, an, the): Watch for missing or unnecessary articles.
  Incorrect: “Researchers found solution.”
  Correct: “Researchers found a solution.”
• 5. Misplaced Modifiers: Place descriptive words or phrases next to the words they modify.
  Incorrect: “The students conducted research on climate change wearing lab coats.”
  Correct: “Wearing lab coats, the students conducted research on climate change.”
• 6. Passive Voice Overuse: Use passive voice sparingly. Active voice is clearer.
  Passive: “The experiment was conducted by the team.”
  Active: “The team conducted the experiment.”
• 7. Incorrect Prepositions: Common errors occur with words like “on,” “in,” “at,” and “to.”
  Incorrect: “Discuss about the results.”
  Correct: “Discuss the results.”

Final Tip:

Always proofread your work or use a professional editing service. Even experienced writers benefit from a second pair of eyes to catch errors and improve clarity. At PhDWise, our editors help you present your research with clarity, precision, and grammatical excellence—giving your work the professional polish it deserves.