You speak English fluently. You chat, text, email, and even dream in it. But despite how often you speak English, there’s a good chance you’re slipping up in ways that native speakers spot instantly. These aren’t the obvious mistakes from your beginner days. These are the sneaky, habitual slip-ups that creep in over time and persist if left unchecked. Don’t worry, though—you’re not alone. Even native speakers make these mistakes. But if you’re trying to speak English confidently and correctly, this article is for you.
Let’s break down 15 of the most common grammar mistakes that English learners (and even native speakers!) make, along with the simple grammar rules that explain them. By the end of this article, not only will you speak English with greater accuracy, but you’ll also impress just about anyone who hears you.
1. “One of my teacher is nice”
- Wrong: One of my teacher is nice
- Right: One of my teachers is nice
- Why? “One of” implies you’re choosing from a group, so the noun after it should be plural. Always.
2. “Me and Sarah went to the store”
- Wrong: Me and Sarah went to the store
- Right: Sarah and I went to the store
- Why? When the phrase is the subject of the sentence, use “I.” Use “me” only when it’s the object (e.g., “He saw Sarah and me”).
3. “More funnier than the last one”
- Wrong: This movie is more funnier than the last one
- Right: This movie is funnier than the last one
- Why? “Funnier” is already comparative. Adding “more” is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect. One comparative word at a time, please!
4. “#a new job!”
- Wrong: I just got #a new job!
- Right: I just got a new job!
- Why? This is more of a typo or formatting error. The hashtag is unnecessary and confusing unless it’s for social media. And even then, spacing matters!
5. “He sings beautiful”
- Wrong: He sings beautiful
- Right: He sings beautifully
- Why? “Beautiful” is an adjective, but to describe an action like “sings,” you need an adverb like “beautifully.”
6. “Doesn’t know drive a car”
- Wrong: She doesn’t know drive a car
- Right: She doesn’t know how to drive a car
- Why? Use “how to” after “know” when talking about skills or abilities.
7. “Each of the boys have a book”
- Wrong: Each of the boys have a book
- Right: Each of the boys has a book
- Why? “Each” is singular, so the verb should also be singular (“has”).
8. “I didn’t went there”
- Wrong: I didn’t went there
- Right: I didn’t go there
- Why? The word “did” already indicates past tense, so the verb that follows must be in its base form, not past tense.
9. “She don’t like ice cream”
- Wrong: She don’t like ice cream
- Right: She doesn’t like ice cream
- Why? “She” is third-person singular, so the helping verb should be “doesn’t,” not “don’t.”
10. “It’s time to go school”
- Wrong: It’s time to go school
- Right: It’s time to go to school
- Why? Certain phrases require prepositions, and in this case, “go to” is the correct structure.
11. “They was happy to help”
- Wrong: They was happy to help
- Right: They were happy to help
- Why? “They” is plural, and the correct verb form is “were.”
12. “I’m looking forward to meet you”
- Wrong: I’m looking forward to meet you
- Right: I’m looking forward to meeting you
- Why? After phrases like “look forward to,” use the gerund (verb + ing), not the infinitive.
13. “This smells nicely”
- Wrong: This smells nicely
- Right: This smells nice
- Why? Verbs like “smell,” “feel,” “seem,” etc., are linking verbs, which take adjectives, not adverbs.
14. “He told to me the secret”
- Wrong: He told to me the secret
- Right: He told me the secret
- Why? The verb “tell” doesn’t take “to” when followed by an indirect object.
15. “We enjoyed to swim in the lake”
- Wrong: We enjoyed to swim in the lake
- Right: We enjoyed swimming in the lake
- Why? Some verbs (like “enjoy”) are followed by a gerund, not an infinitive.
Why These Matter When You Speak English
When you speak English, making these mistakes may not stop communication, but they affect clarity and confidence. And in formal or academic settings, small errors can lead to misunderstandings or even unfair judgments. The more you speak English with accuracy, the more natural and respected you sound.
It’s also about habit. The more you speak English correctly, the faster your brain will default to the right forms. Eventually, these grammar points won’t be rules you have to recall—they’ll be instinct.
How to Stop Making These Mistakes
- Listen to native speech – TV shows, podcasts, audiobooks.
- Read aloud to train your ear and tongue together.
- Practice with correction – Write, then review with grammar tools or a teacher.
- Don’t fear repetition – Grammar sticks through practice, not just theory.
Final Word: Speak English Like a Pro
To speak English fluently is a major achievement. But to speak English correctly takes your fluency to the next level. And remember, mistakes are part of learning. Every slip-up is a step forward if you learn from it. So, whether you’re in a meeting, on a date, giving a presentation, or texting your best friend, these corrections will help you speak English with more clarity, credibility, and confidence.
You speak English already. Now it’s time to master it.
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