Common Grammar Mistakes Learners Make & How To Fix Them

Common Grammar Mistakes Learners Make (And How to Fix Them)

English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, but it can be full of traps for learners. Even advanced speakers sometimes make small but common grammar mistakes that can change the meaning of a sentence or make it sound unnatural.

Most of these errors come from differences between English and the learner’s native language. When grammar rules don’t match, it’s easy to transfer patterns from your first language into English — often leading to mistakes without realizing it.

The good news is that by recognizing these common mistakes, you can actively work on fixing them. In this article, we’ll break down each mistake with examples, explanations, and quick tips so you can start improving right away.

Learning English is an exciting journey, but along the way, many learners face similar challenges with grammar. Grammar mistakes can be frustrating and sometimes embarrassing, but the good news is that most errors are easy to fix once you understand the rules behind them. This guide will explore the most common grammar mistakes learners make and show you how to avoid and correct them. Whether you’re writing emails, chatting with friends, or preparing for exams, mastering these tips will boost your confidence and make your English shine.

1. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

One of the most frequent mistakes is mixing up singular and plural forms, especially in the verb. The verb must agree with the subject in number:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
The people is here.	The people are here.	"People" is plural, so use "are".
She like pizza.	She likes pizza.	Third person singular requires "likes".
The dog run fast.	The dog runs fast.	Singular subject takes "runs".

Tip: Identify the subject first. If it’s singular, the verb usually ends with -s or -es. If plural, the verb does not have -s in the present tense.

2. Misuse of Articles: “A”, “An”, and “The”

Articles can be tricky because they are small but very important words. The most common mistakes involve:

• Using “a” before vowel sounds.
• Missing “the” before specific nouns.
• Unnecessary use of “the” with general nouns.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I saw a elephant.	I saw an elephant.	“Elephant” starts with a vowel sound, so use “an”.
The dogs are friendly.	Dogs are friendly.	No “the” for general statements.
She is a best player.	She is the best player.	“Best” requires the definite article “the”.

Tip: Use a before consonant sounds, an before vowel sounds, and the for specific or known things.

3. Confusing “Their”, “There”, and “They’re”

These homophones are often mixed up because they sound alike but have different meanings and spellings:

Word	Meaning	Example
Their	Shows possession (belonging to them)	Their car is new.
There	Refers to a place or introduces a sentence	There is a book on the table.
They’re	Contraction of “they are”	They’re going to the park.

Tip: Try replacing “they’re” with “they are” in your sentence to check if it fits.

4. Incorrect Use of Tenses

Tense mistakes confuse the timing of actions. Here are some common errors and corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I go to the store yesterday.	I went to the store yesterday.	Past time requires past tense verb.
She is cooking when I arrived.	She was cooking when I arrived.	Past continuous tense needed.
They have went to the cinema.	They have gone to the cinema.	Past participle of “go” is “gone”.

Tip: Learn the past, present, and past participle forms of irregular verbs. Use time expressions to help choose the right tense.

5. Overusing Commas or Missing Commas

Commas help clarify meaning but many learners misuse them. Here are examples of common comma mistakes:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I like apples, and bananas.	I like apples and bananas.	No comma needed between two items in a simple list.
Before we leave, let’s check the door.	Before we leave, let’s check the door.	Correct use of comma after introductory phrase.
My brother who lives in London is a doctor.	My brother, who lives in London, is a doctor.	Non-essential information is separated by commas.

Tip: Use commas to separate introductory phrases, non-essential information, and items in lists. Avoid unnecessary commas between simple items.

6. Mixing Up “Much” and “Many”

“Much” and “many” both mean “a lot,” but they are used with different types of nouns:

• Much: Used with uncountable nouns (e.g., water, money)
• Many: Used with countable nouns (e.g., apples, cars)

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
There isn’t many milk left.	There isn’t much milk left.	Milk is uncountable.
She has much books.	She has many books.	Books are countable.

7. Incorrect Use of Prepositions

Prepositions (e.g., in, on, at, for) can be confusing because they don’t always translate directly from other languages. Some common mistakes:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I am good in English.	I am good at English.	“Good at” is the correct phrase.
She is married with a doctor.	She is married to a doctor.	“Married to” is the correct phrase.

8. Using “Less” Instead of “Fewer”

“Less” and “fewer” both refer to smaller quantities, but they are used with different types of nouns:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
There are less apples in the basket.	There are fewer apples in the basket.	“Fewer” is used for countable nouns like apples.
We have fewer water than before.	We have less water than before.	“Less” is used for uncountable nouns like water.

9. Double Negatives

In English, two negatives make a positive meaning, so using them together can be confusing:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I don’t have no money.	I don’t have any money.	Replace the second negative with a positive form.
She can’t find nothing.	She can’t find anything.	“Anything” avoids a double negative.

10. Incorrect Word Order in Questions

English questions require inversion of the subject and auxiliary verb, but learners sometimes forget this:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
You are going where?	Where are you going?	In questions, the auxiliary verb comes before the subject.
She likes what?	What does she like?	Use “does” for present simple questions (except with “be”).

Conclusion

English grammar mistakes are normal during the learning process, but they don’t have to hold you back. By understanding these common errors and practicing the corrections, you’ll improve your writing and speaking skills quickly. Remember to read often, listen carefully, and write regularly. Grammar is a skill like any other — the more you practice, the better you get.

If you found this guide helpful, share it with your friends or bookmark it for quick reference. Keep learning and stay confident!

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