Let's eat grandma: 5 common grammar mistakes to avoid

Some grammar mistakes can be embarrassing (or horrify your dinner guests). Avoid these grammar errors to save yourself from awkward moments.

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Let's be honest — English is packed with grammatical rules (and sometimes, it doesn't even follow its own rules... but that's a blog post for another time). Here are a few of the most common mistakes to watch out for.

1. Using commas incorrectly

Commas might seem insignificant, but using them incorrectly (or not using them) can lead to some hairy situations. Consider how different these two sentences are:

Let's eat, grandma!

Let's eat grandma!

One implies a family dinner. The other... well, it's a little more macabre. Whilst the latter is unlikely to be your intention, it's an example of how leaving out a simple comma completely changes your friendly intention into a bold exclamation that reveals your cannibalistic tendencies.

Commas help your reader take a natural pause and avoid misunderstandings. Another example:

I'm going to buy bread, peanut butter, snacks and a drink at Woolies.

The commas help separate the list items. When reading the sentence aloud, you'd pause after each item.

2. Mixing up 'your' and 'you’re'

'Your' shows ownership.

Your fridge is empty. (Whose fridge? It's yours.)

'You're' is simply short for 'you are'.

You're getting food delivered tonight.

You are getting food delivered tonight.

💡 Tip: If you're unsure which word to use, try reading your sentence aloud and replacing 'you're' with 'you are'. If it sounds weird, you've got the wrong one.

3. Confusing 'there', 'their' and 'they’re'

'There' is a place.

There is a bakery down the street that sells doughnuts. (Where? Down there.)

'Their' shows ownership.

Their doughnuts are the best. (Whose doughnuts? It's theirs.)

'They're' is short for 'they are'.

They're going to run out of doughnuts if they keep making them this tasty.

They are open until 5 pm, but you should go there now before they sell out.

💡 Tip: To help you remember which is which: Place = here, there, everywhere Ownership = his, her, their They are = they're

4. Incorrect use of 'me' and 'I'

Using 'me' vs. 'I' at the start of a sentence

Which one of these examples is correct?

Me and Tom went to the movies.

Tom and me went to the movies.

I and Tom went to the movies.

Tom and I went to the movies.

Rule 1: Always list yourself last. Whilst technically not a grammatical rule, it's an unspoken etiquette where it's more polite to mention others first before yourself. (Good manners, good grammar.)

Me and Tom went to the movies. ❌

Tom and me went to the movies. ✅

I and Tom went to the movies. ❌

Tom and I went to the movies. ✅

Rule 2: Remove the other person and test if the sentence sounds right. If we take out Tom:

Tom and Me went to the movies. (That sounds wrong ❌)

Tom and I went to the movies. (Much better ✅)

So, 'Tom and I' is the correct way of writing it.

Tom and I went to the movies. ✅

Using 'me' vs. 'I' at the end of a sentence

Which of these is correct?

The cinema attendant gave the best seats to Tom and I.

The cinema attendant gave the best seats to Tom and me.

The same rules apply. List yourself last (Rule 1). Then, take Tom out as a test (Rule 2).

The cinema attendant gave the best seats to I. (Sounds weird ❌)

The cinema attendant gave the best seats to me. (Bingo ✅)

Therefore, the correct one is:

The cinema attendant gave the best seats to Tom and me. ✅

Using 'me' vs. 'I' in a sentence with multiple people

Finally, which do you use when there are more than two people involved?

After the movie, Tom, Dee, Ali and me went out to dinner.

After the movie, Tom, Dee, Ali and I went out to dinner.

Rule 1 (listing yourself last) is already in place in both examples. Apply Rule 2 and remove the other people:

Tom, Dee, Ali and Me went out to dinner. ❌

Tom, Dee, Ali and I went out to dinner. ✅

So, the correct option is 'I'.

After the movie, Tom, Dee, Ali and I went out to dinner. ✅

5. Using 'then' vs. 'than' incorrectly

A little more than just spelling, this one also involves logic and time.

'Than' is about comparisons — weighing two (or more) things.

Charlie's taller than me.

This book is more interesting than the last one.

I'd rather have coffee than tea.

They ran faster than all of the zombies.

'Then' is about time or sequence — what happens next.

I'll pick you up, and then we'll go for a drive.

Jane finished her work, then went out for a walk.

You need to do the dishes. Then you can watch TV.

Let's eat dinner first. Then we'll crack some beers.

Don't get caught in the trap of writing something like, 'I would rather go then stay' — not only is it bad grammar, but you'd also be bending the laws of physics.

💡 Tip: Here's a neat trick to remember which one to use: Comparison = than Time or sequence = then

Final thoughts

Grammar slip-ups are easy to make, but they're just as easy to catch — if you take a moment to check. A quick proofread can save you from awkward mistakes, regret and being banned from future family dinners. If grammar just isn't your thing, call in a professional proofreader to help. Better safe then sorry. Or should that be 'better safe than sorry'?

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Stella Logan is a freelance Australian proofreader and grammar lifeguard, helping to keep the English language afloat.