Grammar can be defined as "syntax and morphology" in a language. That simply means "how the language users put words together to create meaning." My college students challenged me to give them a list of the top grammar errors to avoid in composition classes and research reports. The list below serves that challenge. It is a list that can serve business writers well in their emails to avoid miscommunication, misinformation, and misunderstanding.
#1-3 Verbs: tense shift, irregular verbs' past participle forms, and subject-verb agreement (number)
#4-6 Pronouns: point-of-view shift, wrong case, and vague reference
#7-9 Sentence Structure: fragment, run-on or comma splice (punctuation problems), and confusing modifiers
#10-12 Usage Errors: diction (right meaning, wrong form), homonyms, and formality
William Strunk and E.B. White's Elements of Style is a superb resource for good writing. The book is condensed with sound rationale and examples for easy reading and simple instructions. In addition to the grammar errors to avoid above, consider using flow factors (transitions, appropriate voice, and parallelism) to improve your own writing and to assist your reader's comprehension.
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