Introduction
Common grammar mistakes in English are something every learner faces—whether beginner, intermediate, or even advanced. Grammar is the backbone of any language, and errors in grammar can change the meaning of a sentence or make communication unclear. Even native speakers often make small mistakes in speaking or writing English.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most frequent grammar mistakes, explain why they happen, and show you how to fix them with examples. By avoiding these mistakes, you can write and speak English with confidence.
Table of Contents
1. Subject-Verb Agreement Mistakes
Rule: The subject and verb must agree in number (singular/plural).
❌ Incorrect: She go to school every day.
✅ Correct: She goes to school every day.
❌ Incorrect: The players runs fast.
✅ Correct: The players run fast.
👉 Tip: Always check whether your subject is singular or plural.
2. Misuse of Articles (a, an, the)
Articles are one of the most common areas of error.
❌ Incorrect: He is an university student.
✅ Correct: He is a university student.
❌ Incorrect: We saw a sun in the sky.
✅ Correct: We saw the sun in the sky.
👉 Tip: Use a/an for non-specific nouns, and the for specific or unique nouns.
3. Confusing Tenses
❌ Incorrect: Yesterday, I go to the market.
✅ Correct: Yesterday, I went to the market.
❌ Incorrect: I am study English.
✅ Correct: I am studying English.
👉 Tip: Match the tense with the time expression (yesterday = past tense, now = present continuous).
4. Wrong Word Order
English follows Subject + Verb + Object order.
❌ Incorrect: Always she is happy.
✅ Correct: She is always happy.
❌ Incorrect: To the park went they.
✅ Correct: They went to the park.
5. Using Double Negatives
❌ Incorrect: I don’t know nothing.
✅ Correct: I don’t know anything.
❌ Incorrect: She can’t hardly wait.
✅ Correct: She can hardly wait.
👉 Tip: One negative is enough in English.
6. Apostrophe Misuse
Apostrophes are often misplaced in writing.
❌ Incorrect: Its a beautiful day.
✅ Correct: It’s a beautiful day. (It’s = It is)
❌ Incorrect: The boy’s are playing.
✅ Correct: The boys are playing.
👉 Tip: Use ’s for possession, it’s for “it is,” and never add an apostrophe to plurals.
7. Confusion Between Their / There / They’re
- Their = possession
- There = place
- They’re = they are
❌ Incorrect: There going to the park with they’re dog.
✅ Correct: They’re going to the park with their dog.
8. Using Wrong Prepositions
Prepositions are tricky in English.
❌ Incorrect: She is married with a doctor.
✅ Correct: She is married to a doctor.
❌ Incorrect: He discussed about the issue.
✅ Correct: He discussed the issue.
9. Misplaced Modifiers
❌ Incorrect: She nearly drove her kids to school every day.
✅ Correct: She drove her kids to school nearly every day.
👉 Tip: Place modifiers close to the word they describe.
10. Wrong Use of Comparatives & Superlatives
❌ Incorrect: She is more taller than her brother.
✅ Correct: She is taller than her brother.
❌ Incorrect: This is the most easiest exam.
✅ Correct: This is the easiest exam.
11. Capitalization Errors
❌ Incorrect: i like english.
✅ Correct: I like English.
❌ Incorrect: We visited the taj mahal.
✅ Correct: We visited the Taj Mahal.
12. Sentence Fragments
❌ Incorrect: Because I was tired.
✅ Correct: I went to bed early because I was tired.
👉 Tip: Every sentence needs a subject and verb to be complete.
13. Run-On Sentences
❌ Incorrect: I love reading it makes me happy.
✅ Correct: I love reading because it makes me happy.
👉 Tip: Use commas, conjunctions, or periods to break long sentences.
14. Wrong Pronoun Usage
❌ Incorrect Usage: Me and John went to the park.
✅ Correct: John and I went to the park.
❌ Incorrect: Him is my best friend.
✅ Correct: He is my best friend.
15. Common Spelling Errors
❌ Incorrect: Definately, recieve, accomodation
✅ Correct: Definitely, receive, accommodation
👉 Tip: Use spell-check tools, but also learn common confusing spellings.
Exercises – Correct the Mistakes
- She go to office daily.
- I saw a stars in the sky.
- They is playing football.
- Its raining outside.
- Me went to the market.
✅ Answer Key:
- She goes to office daily.
- I saw the stars in the sky.
- They are playing football.
- It’s raining outside.
- I went to the market.
FAQs on Grammar Mistakes
Q1: Why do learners make grammar mistakes?
Because English has many rules and exceptions, learners often confuse tenses, articles, or prepositions.
Q2: How can I avoid grammar mistakes?
Practice daily, read books, and double-check your writing.
Q3: Do native speakers also make grammar mistakes?
Yes, even native speakers sometimes make errors in casual speech.
Q4: What is the most common grammar mistake in English?
Subject-verb agreement and article misuse are the most frequent mistakes.
Read Also- What are Proverbs with Examples? | Meaning, Types, and Usage
Conclusion
Grammar mistakes are natural when learning English, but they can be reduced with practice. Some of the most common errors include subject-verb agreement, misuse of articles, tense confusion, wrong prepositions, and punctuation errors.
By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you can write and speak English clearly, confidently, and correctly.
