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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Adjectives - The Complete Guide with Examples and Quiz

What is an Adjective? The Complete Guide with Examples and Quiz

Adjectives are one of the most fundamental building blocks of English grammar, yet many learners struggle to use them correctly. These descriptive words add color and specificity to our language, transforming basic sentences into vivid descriptions. This guide will explain what adjectives are, show you how to use them properly, highlight common mistakes, and provide a quiz to test your understanding.

As shown in the image above, adjectives describe nouns by answering questions like "what kind?" or "how many?" They can appear before nouns or after linking verbs, and they come in many different types. Understanding adjectives is crucial because they appear in nearly every English sentence we speak or write.

The Basic Definition

An adjective is a word that modifies (describes) a noun or pronoun by providing more information about it.

Adjective Function	Example
Describe quality	The beautiful sunset
Indicate color	A red apple
Show size	The large house
Express quantity	Three books

Adjective Placement

Adjectives typically appear in two main positions:

Before Nouns (Attributive Position)

• She wore a beautiful dress.
• He drives a fast car.

After Linking Verbs (Predicative Position)

• The dress is beautiful.
• That car looks fast.

Types of Adjectives

English has several different categories of adjectives:

1. Descriptive Adjectives

These describe qualities or states:
"The tall building" (size)
"A happy child" (emotion)

2. Quantitative Adjectives

These indicate quantity or amount:
"Several books"
"Enough time"

3. Demonstrative Adjectives

These point out specific nouns:
"This car"
"Those houses"

4. Possessive Adjectives

These show ownership:
"My book"
"Their house"

Common Mistakes with Adjectives

Watch out for these frequent errors:

Mistake 1: Wrong Adjective Order

Wrong: She bought a cotton blue lovely dress.
Right: She bought a lovely blue cotton dress.

Remember the order: Opinion > Size > Age > Shape > Color > Origin > Material

Mistake 2: Using Adjectives as Nouns

Wrong: The poors need help.
Right: The poor people need help.

Mistake 3: Confusing -ed and -ing Adjectives

Wrong: I am boring with this lesson.
Right: I am bored with this lesson.
Explanation: Use -ed for feelings, -ing for characteristics

Adjective Degrees: Comparative and Superlative

Adjectives change form to show comparison:

Degree	Formation	Example
Positive	Basic form	This book is interesting.
Comparative	-er or "more" + adjective	This book is more interesting than that one.
Superlative	-est or "most" + adjective	This is the most interesting book.

Practice Quiz

Test your adjective knowledge with these 5 questions:

1. Which sentence uses the adjective correctly?

a) She has a beautifully voice.

b) She has a beautiful voice.

2. Choose the correct adjective order:

a) old small wooden box

b) small old wooden box

3. Which is the comparative form of "good"?

a) gooder

b) better

4. Select the correct -ed/-ing adjective:

a) The bored movie made me boring.

b) The boring movie made me bored.

5. Which is a possessive adjective?

a) their

b) there

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Final Tips for Mastering Adjectives

• Read extensively - Notice how adjectives are used in books and articles.
• Practice describing things - Look around you and describe objects using multiple adjectives.
• Learn adjective order rules - This makes your speech sound more natural.
• Pay attention to -ed vs. -ing endings - This distinction is crucial for accurate communication.

For more comprehensive practice, visit our English Quiz Master page with dozens of grammar and vocabulary quizzes.

There is vs. There are: The Complete Guide with Quiz

One of the most common grammar challenges for English learners is knowing when to use "There is" versus "There are." While the basic rule seems simple, real-life usage often trips people up. This guide will explain the rules clearly, show you common mistakes to avoid, and provide practical examples you can use every day. Plus, test your knowledge with our interactive quiz at the end!

As shown in the image above, the key difference comes down to singular vs. plural nouns. However, many learners struggle with this concept because some nouns can be both countable and uncountable (like "water" or "hair"), and informal speech often breaks the rules. This confusion can make even simple sentences sound unnatural.

What makes this grammar point especially important is how frequently we use these phrases in daily conversation. Whether you're describing what's in your fridge, explaining what's happening in a picture, or giving directions around town, "there is/there are" constructions appear constantly. Mastering them will immediately make your English sound more polished and accurate.

The Basic Rule

The fundamental difference is:

Use	When	Example
There is	With singular nouns	There is a book on the table.
There are	With plural nouns	There are three books on the table.

Real-Life Situations

Let's look at how this works in everyday contexts:

Travel & Directions

• "There's a coffee shop next to the hotel." (singular)
• "There are two ATMs in the airport." (plural)

Home & Office

• "There's some milk in the fridge." (uncountable noun treated as singular)
• "There are many files on my desk." (plural)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even advanced learners make these errors:

Mistake 1: Using "There is" with plural nouns

Wrong: There is many people here.
Right: There are many people here.

Mistake 2: Forgetting about uncountable nouns

Wrong: There are some water in the glass.
Right: There is some water in the glass.

Advanced Usage: Exceptions & Informal Speech

Native speakers sometimes break the rules in casual conversation:

Informal Contractions

"There's" is often used with plurals in speech:
"There's two emails for you." (Technically incorrect but common)

Listing Multiple Items

When listing items, the verb agrees with the first noun:
"There is a pen, two notebooks, and a stapler on the desk."

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with these 5 questions:

1. Which is correct?

a) There is many students in class today.

b) There are many students in class today.

2. Choose the right option:

a) There is some apples in the basket.

b) There are some apples in the basket.

3. What would a native speaker likely say in casual conversation?

a) There's three meetings scheduled.

b) There are three meetings scheduled.

4. Which sentence is grammatically perfect?

a) There is a cat and two dogs in the yard.

b) There are a cat and two dogs in the yard.

5. Select the correct version:

a) There is some coffee in the pot.

b) There are some coffee in the pot.

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Final Tips

• When in doubt, check the noun right after "there is/are" - Is it singular or plural?
• Listen carefully to native speakers - Notice when they use contractions informally.
• Practice daily - Describe what you see around you using "there is/are."

For more comprehensive practice, visit our English Quiz Master page with dozens of grammar and idiom quizzes.