The English language is easy to use and hard to master.  Some errors are common enough to identify easily and eliminate.  The following list of Common Errors is a good place to start:

Pronouns

Use the proper case.  Who/whom/whomever,  me/my, etc.

That and Which

That begins a clause that defines, identifies, or limits the meaning of the sentence.

Which gives additional or descriptive information begins a clause that should be set off by commas .

Compose and Comprise

Two words commonly used, rarely used correctly.

Compose - to make up

The whole is composed of the parts.

Comprise - contains, consists of, made up of

The parts comprise the whole.

Data

Data is a plural noun (although it is becoming acceptable, through common misuse, as a singular noun).

The data indicate (not - the data indicates).

Compared

Compared to is used with dissimilar elements.

The management of the company can be compared to a bunch of pirates.

Compared with is used with similar elements

Earnings were five million compared with two million one the year-ago.

Different

Different From - Something differs from something else.  Vanilla is different from Chocolate.

Different Than - Doesn't exist.  Don't ever use it.

Effect and Affect

Affect - To influence

Effect- Noun: result   Verb: to bring about

Farther and Further

Farther - implies physical distance

Further - implies quantity or time

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