Using the distributive property can be tricky sometimes. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

1. Watch Those Negative Signs: Be careful with negative numbers! For example, if you are distributing $-3$ into $(x + 2)$, remember it should be $-3x - 6$, not $-3x + 6$. Always check your signs!

2. Keep It Simple: Don’t make it harder than it has to be. When you see something like $2(a + b + c)$, just remember to multiply $2$ by each part inside the parentheses. This gives you $2a + 2b + 2c$. Don’t forget any terms!

3. Combine Like Terms: After you distribute, check if there are any terms that you can add together. Grouping like terms helps to make your math simpler.

4. Distribute Correctly: Make sure you’re using the distributive property right. It’s not just about the first term! For example, in $x(2 + 3)$, you must multiply $x$ by both parts: that means you get $2x + 3x$.

If you avoid these mistakes, you'll get the hang of the distributive property in no time!