Top 10 Most Common Grammar Mistakes in English
Common Grammar Mistakes in English: A Comprehensive Guide for Students
Are you learning English? Even experienced students make grammar mistakes. Here are the top 10 most common errors and simple ways to correct them.
1. “Its” vs “It’s” Confusion
The mistake: Mixing up “its” (possession) and “it’s” (it is).
How to fix it:
- Use “it’s” only when you can replace it with “it is”
- Use “its” for showing possession
Examples:
- ❌ The dog chased it’s tail.
- ✅ The dog chased its tail.
- ✅ It’s raining today. (It is raining today.)
2. “Your” vs “You’re” Mix-up
The mistake: Confusing “your” (possession) with “you’re” (you are).
How to fix it:
- If you can say “you are,” use “you’re”
- If showing possession, use “your”
Examples:
- ❌ Your going to love this movie.
- ✅ You’re going to love this movie.
- ✅ Is this your book?
3. “Their,” “There,” and “They’re”
The mistake: Using these three similar-sounding words incorrectly.
How to fix it:
- Their = ownership
- There = location
- They’re = they are
Examples:
- ❌ Their going to the store.
- ✅ They’re going to the store.
- ✅ Their house is big.
- ✅ Put it over there.
4. Subject-Verb Agreement
The mistake: The subject and verb don’t match in number.
How to fix it:
- Singular subject → singular verb
- Plural subject → plural verb
Examples:
- ❌ The list of items are on the table.
- ✅ The list of items is on the table.
- ❌ She and Mary is going shopping.
- ✅ She and Mary are going shopping.
5. Double Negatives
The mistake: Using two negative words in one sentence.
How to fix it:
- Use only one negative word per sentence
- Replace the second negative with a positive word
Examples:
- ❌ I don’t have no money.
- ✅ I don’t have any money.
- ❌ She never said nothing.
- ✅ She never said anything.
6. “Me” vs “I”
The mistake: Using “me” when it should be “I” or vice versa.
How to fix it:
- Use “I” when it’s the subject (doing the action)
- Use “me” when it’s the object (receiving the action)
Examples:
- ❌ Me and John went to the store.
- ✅ John and I went to the store.
- ❌ Please give it to John and I.
- ✅ Please give it to John and me.
7. “Who” vs “Whom”
The mistake: Not knowing when to use “who” or “whom”.
How to fix it:
- Use “who” when asking about the subject
- Use “whom” when asking about the object
Examples:
- ❌ Who did you see?
- ✅ Whom did you see?
- ✅ Who is calling?
- ✅ To whom should I give this?
8. “Less” vs “Fewer”
The mistake: Using “less” with countable nouns.
How to fix it:
- Use “fewer” for things you can count
- Use “less” for things you can’t count
Examples:
- ❌ There are less people here today.
- ✅ There are fewer people here today.
- ✅ I need less water.
- ✅ I need fewer cups of water.
9. Question Formation
The mistake: Wrong word order in questions.
How to fix it:
- Start with the helping verb
- Then the subject
- Then the main verb
Examples:
- ❌ You are coming to the party?
- ✅ Are you coming to the party?
- ❌ When you will arrive?
- ✅ When will you arrive?
10. “Then” vs “Than”
The mistake: Mixing up “then” (time) and “than” (comparison).
How to fix it:
- Use “then” when talking about time
- Use “than” when comparing things
Examples:
- ❌ She is taller then me.
- ✅ She is taller than me.
- ✅ First do this, then do that.
Quick Tips to Improve Your Grammar
- Read English texts regularly
- Practice writing every day
- Learn from your mistakes
- Use grammar checking tools
- Listen to native speakers
Common Questions
Q: What’s the fastest way to improve my grammar? A: Practice daily, read a lot, and keep track of your mistakes.
Q: Which mistakes do English learners make most often? A: Confusing similar words (their/there/they’re), subject-verb agreement, and question formation.
Q: How can I remember these rules? A: Practice with simple exercises, create your own examples, and use memory tricks.
Need More Help?
- Use grammar checking tools
- Practice with online exercises
- Read English books and articles
- Watch English videos with subtitles
Remember: Everyone makes mistakes while learning English. The key is to practice and learn from them!
Want to improve your English? Bookmark this guide and practice these rules daily!