Common mistakes
Aim to be clear and precise in your writing and avoid writing in the way you would speak to friends. If you can, read your work aloud to check for sense and appropriate tone.
| Common mistake | Put it right |
| This were the worst idea. | This was the worst idea. |
| They was good friends. | They were good friends. |
| I should of/could of/would of/might of. | Should have/could have/would have/might have. |
| Gonna/woulda/coulda. | Going to/would’v/could’v. |
| And I said to him no way José! | I said to him, “No way, José!”. |
| Common mistake | This were the worst idea. |
|---|---|
| Put it right | This was the worst idea. |
| Common mistake | They was good friends. |
|---|---|
| Put it right | They were good friends. |
| Common mistake | I should of/could of/would of/might of. |
|---|---|
| Put it right | Should have/could have/would have/might have. |
| Common mistake | Gonna/woulda/coulda. |
|---|---|
| Put it right | Going to/would’v/could’v. |
| Common mistake | And I said to him no way José! |
|---|---|
| Put it right | I said to him, “No way, José!”. |
Question
How does the text need to change in this example to make the grammar and spelling appropriate for a written piece?
I knew it were gonna be sunny that day. The clouds might of been on holiday themselves as it was so hot. And the beach is so crowded. So I buy alot of ice cream and sit down on the pebbles.
I knew it was going to be sunny that day. The clouds might have been on holiday themselves as it was so hot and the beach was so crowded. I bought a lot of ice cream and sat down on the pebbles.