Study Guide · 25+ Mistakes

25+ Common English Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even advanced English learners make these mistakes. Learn what they are and how to avoid them.

Grammar Pronunciation Word Usage

TL;DR

The most common mistakes: forgetting articles (a/an), mixing up prepositions (in/on/to), wrong verb forms with third person, and confusing similar words (your/you're, their/there/they're).

1 Articles

Wrong:

I am teacher

Correct:

I am a teacher

Why? Use 'a' before singular countable nouns.

Wrong:

She is doctor

Correct:

She is a doctor

Why? Singular professions need an article.

Wrong:

I went to school yesterday

Correct:

I went to school yesterday

Why? Articles are omitted with school, hospital, church, etc. (when referring to their purpose).

Wrong:

I need an umbrella. It is rain outside

Correct:

I need an umbrella. It is raining outside

Why? Use the -ing form for ongoing weather.

2 Prepositions

Wrong:

I will call you in Monday

Correct:

I will call you on Monday

Why? Use 'on' with days of the week.

Wrong:

I arrived to London

Correct:

I arrived in London

Why? Use 'in' with cities, 'to' with verbs of motion.

Wrong:

She is married with John

Correct:

She is married to John

Why? 'Married to' is the standard collocation.

Wrong:

I am good in math

Correct:

I am good at math

Why? 'Good at' is the correct collocation for skills.

Wrong:

Listen the radio

Correct:

Listen to the radio

Why? 'Listen' always takes 'to' as a preposition.

3 Verb Forms

Wrong:

She don't understand

Correct:

She doesn't understand

Why? Third person singular requires 'does' (not 'do').

Wrong:

I have went to Paris

Correct:

I have gone to Paris

Why? Use 'gone' (not 'went') after 'have/has.'

Wrong:

If I was you

Correct:

If I were you

Why? Use 'were' for hypothetical conditions (subjunctive mood).

Wrong:

I used to going to the gym

Correct:

I used to go to the gym

Why? 'Used to' is followed by the base form, not -ing.

Wrong:

He made me to do it

Correct:

He made me do it

Why? 'Make' + object takes infinitive without 'to.'

4 Pronunciation

Wrong:

W sound for V

Correct:

V is for victory, not wictory

Why? Many learners confuse V and W sounds. Press your lip against your upper teeth for V.

Wrong:

Schedule as SKED-yule

Correct:

Schedule as SHED-yule (UK) or SKED-yule (US)

Why? British and American English pronounce this differently.

Wrong:

Wednesday spelled out

Correct:

Say it as one syllable: WENZ-day

Why? Do not pronounce all the letters. English has silent letters.

5 Word Usage

Wrong:

I am interesting in learning

Correct:

I am interested in learning

Why? Use 'interested' (feeling), not 'interesting' (causing interest).

Wrong:

The book is his

Correct:

This book is his

Why? 'His' as a determiner requires context: 'his book' or 'this is his.'

Wrong:

My name is John

Correct:

My name is John / I am John

Why? Both are correct. 'My name is' and 'I am' are both natural introductions.

Wrong:

I have 25 years old

Correct:

I am 25 years old

Why? Use 'be' (am/is/are) for age, not 'have.'

6 Common Confusions

Wrong:

Their/There/They are

Correct:

Their = possession / There = place / They are = contraction

Why? Their (possessive), There (location), They are (contraction).

Wrong:

Your/You are

Correct:

Your = possession / You are = contraction

Why? You are = You're. Your = belonging to you.

Wrong:

Its/It is

Correct:

Its = possession / It is = contraction

Why? It is = It's. Its = belonging to it (no apostrophe for possession).

Wrong:

Than/Then

Correct:

Than = comparison / Then = time

Why? Than (comparing), Then (time/sequence).

How to Avoid These Mistakes

Read Native Content

Read articles, books, and news in English. This helps you internalize correct patterns naturally.

Practice Speaking

Use apps like iTalki to practice with native speakers who can correct your mistakes in real-time.

Keep an Error Diary

Write down mistakes you make. Review them weekly to build awareness of your common errors.

Focus on One Category

Do not try to fix everything at once. Master one category (e.g., prepositions) before moving to the next.

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