The Most Common Grammatical Mistakes and How to Fix Them Easily
Every English learner makes mistakes, and that’s completely normal. Grammar can feel confusing at first, but most errors come from just a few common problems. The good news? These mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
This guide explains the most frequent grammatical mistakes English learners make and gives simple solutions you can start using today.
1. Subject–Verb Agreement Errors
Many students forget to change the verb when the subject changes.
Common mistakes
❌ He go to school every day.
❌ She don’t like coffee.
How to fix it
- Add -s to verbs with he/she/it in the present simple.
- Use doesn’t instead of don’t for he/she/it.
Correct
✔ He goes to school every day.
✔ She doesn’t like coffee.
2. Incorrect Use of Articles (“a,” “an,” “the”)
Articles confuse many learners, especially if their language doesn’t use them.
Common mistakes
❌ I have the car. (You mean any car.)
❌ She is a engineer.
❌ I went to the home.
How to fix it
- a/an = any (not specific)
- the = specific
- Use an before vowel sounds.
Correct
✔ I have a car.
✔ She is an engineer.
✔ I went home.
3. Using the Wrong Verb Tense
Learners often mix up past simple, present perfect, and present simple.
Common mistakes
❌ I am living here since 2020.
❌ I have seen her yesterday.
❌ I go to Paris last year.
How to fix it
- Present perfect = experience or unfinished time
- Past simple = finished time
- Present simple = habits or facts
Correct
✔ I have lived here since 2020.
✔ I saw her yesterday.
✔ I went to Paris last year.
4. Confusing Adjectives and Adverbs
Learners sometimes use adjectives when they need adverbs.
Common mistakes
❌ She speaks very good.
❌ He drives slow.
How to fix it
- Adjectives describe nouns: good, slow, happy
- Adverbs describe verbs: well, slowly, happily
Correct
✔ She speaks very well.
✔ He drives slowly.
5. Forgetting the -ing Form After Certain Verbs
Some verbs must be followed by -ing, not infinitives.
Common mistakes
❌ I enjoy to cook.
❌ She finished to do her homework.
How to fix it
After these verbs, use verb + ing:
enjoy, finish, avoid, mind, suggest, consider, recommend
Correct
✔ I enjoy cooking.
✔ She finished doing her homework.
6. Wrong Prepositions
Prepositions are small, but mistakes make sentences confusing.
Common mistakes
❌ I am married with him.
❌ I am good in English.
❌ We arrived to the airport.
How to fix it
Learn common preposition combinations:
- married to
- good at
- arrive at (a place), arrive in (a city/country)
Correct
✔ I am married to him.
✔ I am good at English.
✔ We arrived at the airport.
7. Missing Plural “-s”
Students often forget to make nouns plural.
Common mistakes
❌ There are three person.
❌ I bought two book.
How to fix it
Add -s or -es to show more than one.
Correct
✔ There are three people.
✔ I bought two books.
8. Using “Much” Instead of “Many,” and Vice Versa
❌ How much apples do you want?
❌ I don’t have many time.
How to fix it
- Many = countable nouns
- Much = uncountable nouns
Correct
✔ How many apples do you want?
✔ I don’t have much time.
9. Double Negatives
Some languages use double negatives; English does not.
Common mistakes
❌ I don’t have no money.
❌ She didn’t go nowhere.
How to fix it
Use only one negative in English.
Correct
✔ I don’t have any money.
✔ She didn’t go anywhere.
10. Using “Very” with Extreme Adjectives
Learners often say:
❌ very amazing
❌ very delicious
How to fix it
Extreme adjectives don’t need “very.”
Correct
✔ That movie was amazing.
✔ The food was delicious.
11. Incorrect Word Order in Questions
Students sometimes place the subject in the wrong position.
Common mistakes
❌ You are coming?
❌ Where you went?
How to fix it
Use auxiliary verb + subject + main verb.
Correct
✔ Are you coming?
✔ Where did you go?
12. Using “Will” After “If” in Conditional Sentences
❌ If it will rain, we will stay home.
How to fix it
Never use will in the if clause.
Correct
✔ If it rains, we will stay home.
How to Fix Grammar Mistakes Faster
Here are simple techniques that work:
✔ 1. Read out loud for 5 minutes per day
You will hear your errors.
✔ 2. Keep a “mistake notebook”
Write errors + corrections.
✔ 3. Learn grammar through real examples
Use movies, stories, or conversations.
✔ 4. Practice writing short messages daily
Even 5 sentences a day helps.
✔ 5. Use tools like ChatGPT for instant correction
Ask: “Check my grammar and explain my mistakes.”
Mistakes are part of learning, not something to fear. When you know the most common errors—and how to correct them—you speak with more clarity and confidence. Focus on one mistake at a time, practice regularly, and your grammar will improve faster than you think.
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