Common Grammar and Punctuation Errors GCSE Students Should Know.

Strong grammar and accurate punctuation can make a huge difference to your GCSE English grades; even small errors can distract from your ideas or cost you marks for technical accuracy. Here are 5 common mistakes students often make, along with examples and tips to help you fix them.

1 - Mixing up “there”, “their”, and “they’re”

These three little words sound the same but mean very different things:

• There refers to a place or position

  • Put your bag over there.

• Their shows possession (something belongs to them)

  • Their coats are hanging on the hooks.

• They’re is a contraction of they are.

  • They’re going to the cinema later.

2 - Confusing “your” and “you’re”

Another pair that often trips people up:

• Your shows ownership.

  • Your lunch is on the table.

• You’re is a contraction of you are.

  • You’re doing brilliantly!

3 - Forgetting apostrophes for possession

Apostrophes are used to show that something belongs to someone or something:

• Incorrect: The dogs tail was wagging.

• Correct: The dog’s tail was wagging.

You add ‘s after the owner to show possession but if the owner is plural, and already ends in s, just add an apostrophe at the end:

• The dogs’ bowls were empty.

4 - Using apostrophes for plurals when they’re not needed

A very common mistake! Apostrophes are for contractions and possessions, not plurals:

• Incorrect: Banana’s for sale.

• Correct: Bananas for sale.

Apostrophes only show ownership (the teacher’s book) or missing letters (don’t, it’s). Never use them to make a word plural.

5 - Confusing “its” and “it’s”

This one can be tricky because it’s looks like possession, but it’s actually a contraction:

• It’s = it is or it has

  • It’s been a long day.

• Its = shows possession

  • The dog wagged its tail.

You can check your accuracy by replacing the word with it is. If it doesn’t fit, use its without the apostrophe.

Final Thoughts

Getting grammar and punctuation right might seem small, but it’s crucial for clear, confident writing. Examiners notice when your ideas flow smoothly and your punctuation supports your meaning. Make a habit of proofreading your work as even a quick check can catch many of these common errors.