10 Common Grammar Mistakes in English (and How to Fix Them)
English learners around the world often struggle with grammar, even after years of study. The problem is not always a lack of effort but rather confusion around tricky rules and exceptions. In this article, we will look at 10 common grammar mistakes, explain why they happen, and show you how to correct them. Mastering these will make your writing and speaking clearer, more professional, and more confident.
1. Subject–Verb Agreement
❌ She go to school every day.
✅ She goes to school every day.
👉 Tip: If the subject is singular, the verb usually takes -s in the present tense.
2. Misusing Articles (a, an, the)
❌ He is engineer.
✅ He is an engineer.
👉 Tip: Use a/an for general things, the for specific ones.
3. Confusing "Its" and "It’s"
❌ Its a beautiful day.
✅ It’s a beautiful day.
👉 Tip: It’s = it is; its shows possession.
4. Wrong Prepositions
❌ Marry is married with a doctor.
✅ Marry is married to a doctor.
👉 Tip: Prepositions change meaning — always check usage in reliable dictionaries.
5. Overusing Commas
❌ I like reading, and, writing, and, traveling.
✅ I like reading, writing, and traveling.
👉 Tip: Avoid unnecessary commas that break the flow.
6. Using the Wrong Tense
❌ I have seen him yesterday.
✅ I saw him yesterday.
👉 Tip: Don’t mix past simple with time markers like yesterday, last year.
7. Double Negatives
❌ I don’t know nothing about it.
✅ I don’t know anything about it.
👉 Tip: Only use one negative word in standard English.
8. Misplaced Modifiers
❌ She almost drove her kids to school every day.
✅ She drove her kids to school almost every day.
👉 Tip: Place modifiers close to the word they describe.
9. Apostrophe Confusion (Plural vs. Possessive)
❌ The teacher’s are busy.
✅ The teachers are busy.
👉 Tip: ’s shows possession, not plural.
10. Run-on Sentences
❌ I love grammar it makes me happy.
✅ I love grammar because it makes me happy.
👉 Tip: Use conjunctions (because, and, but) or punctuation (period, semicolon).
Grammar mistakes can weaken communication, but the good news is they are easy to fix once you recognize them. Start by correcting one or two at a time, practice daily, and soon your English will sound more natural and accurate.
