Even the most insightful research can lose credibility if it’s full of grammatical errors. Grammar mistakes distract readers, confuse meaning, and make your work seem less professional. The good news is that most errors are easy to avoid once you know what to look for. This guide highlights common grammar mistakes in research writing — and how to fix them.
Why Grammar Matters in Research Writing
Strong grammar ensures your writing is:
- Clear → ideas are easy to follow.
- Professional → reflects attention to detail.
- Credible → helps readers focus on your findings, not your errors.
➡️ ResearchPal’s AI-Powered Text Editor helps identify and fix grammar, punctuation, and clarity issues while preserving your academic tone.
1. Subject–Verb Agreement Errors
❌ Common mistake:
“The results of the experiment shows a significant difference.”
✅ Correct:
“The results of the experiment show a significant difference.”
Tip:
The verb must agree with the subject in number. If the subject is plural, the verb should be plural too.
2. Overuse of Passive Voice
Passive voice is common in research papers but can make sentences long or unclear.
❌ Overused:
“The data was collected, and the results were analyzed by the author.”
✅ Improved:
“The author collected the data and analyzed the results.”
Tip:
Use active voice when clarity matters, but keep passive voice when the focus is on the process (e.g., “Data were analyzed using SPSS”).
3. Misplaced or Dangling Modifiers
A modifier should clearly describe the word it refers to.
❌ Incorrect:
“After reviewing the data, the results were surprising.”
(This implies the results reviewed the data!)
✅ Correct:
“After reviewing the data, the researcher found the results surprising.”
4. Incorrect Use of Articles (“a,” “an,” “the”)
Articles are tricky for non-native writers.
❌ Common mistake:
“The students collected data using the survey.” (when multiple surveys exist)
✅ Correct:
“The students collected data using a survey.”
Tip:
- Use a/an for general references.
- Use the when referring to something specific.
5. Confusing “Which” and “That”
That introduces essential clauses; which adds non-essential details.
❌ Incorrect:
“The method which was used in this study provided accurate results.”
✅ Correct:
“The method that was used in this study provided accurate results.”
6. Comma Misuse
Commas can completely change meaning.
❌ Incorrect:
“Before analyzing, the data was cleaned and standardized.”
(Implies “analyzing” happened before cleaning!)
✅ Correct:
“Before analyzing the data, it was cleaned and standardized.”
Tip:
Use commas for clarity — not after every phrase.
7. Sentence Fragments
A sentence needs a subject and a verb. Fragments often occur when writers separate dependent clauses.
❌ Incorrect:
“Although the sample size was small.”
✅ Correct:
“Although the sample size was small, the results were statistically significant.”
8. Overly Long Sentences
Academic writers often pack too much into one sentence. Long sentences lose clarity.
❌ Incorrect:
“This research aims to evaluate the impact of digital learning platforms on student engagement in higher education institutions across multiple regions including Asia, Europe, and North America, with emphasis on technology adoption and digital literacy.”
✅ Correct:
“This research evaluates how digital learning platforms impact student engagement across multiple regions. It also examines technology adoption and digital literacy.”
9. Tense Inconsistency
Switching between past and present tense confuses readers.
Tip:
- Use past tense for methods and results.
- Use present tense for established facts or when discussing tables and figures.
Example:
“Data were collected in March 2024. The findings suggest that students benefit from online feedback.”
10. Incorrect Prepositions
Common errors include “discuss about,” “comprise of,” or “based off.”
❌ Incorrect:
“This paper discusses about the results.”
✅ Correct:
“This paper discusses the results.”
11. Redundancy and Wordiness
Academic writing should be precise. Avoid unnecessary words.
❌ Wordy:
“Due to the fact that the sample size was limited, the research could not include all participants.”
✅ Concise:
“Because the sample size was limited, the research could not include all participants.”
➡️ Use ResearchPal’s Writing Enhancer to simplify and rephrase lengthy academic sentences without losing meaning.
Related Reading
- Improving Coherence and Flow in Academic Writing
- How to Avoid Plagiarism in Academic Writing (With Examples)
From the Web
Final Thoughts
Avoiding common grammar mistakes in research writing makes your work clearer, more credible, and easier to read. By focusing on subject–verb agreement, transitions, article use, and sentence clarity, you’ll dramatically improve your academic writing. With ResearchPal’s AI-powered tools, you can refine grammar and tone instantly — helping your writing sound polished and professional every time.
