Common Errors
By learning some basic grammar one could easily spot some common errors in the sentence. Once we get used to those rules we need not memorise everything and there is no need to refer it each and every time.
Below are some of the most common English mistakes made by ESL students, in speech and in writing. Go through the examples and make sure you understand the corrections. Then try the grammar test at the end to check your progress.
Wrong | I have visited Niagara Falls last weekend. |
Right | I visited Niagara Falls last weekend. |
Wrong | The woman which works here is from Japan. |
Right | The woman who works here is from Japan. |
Wrong | She’s married with a dentist. |
Right | She’s married to a dentist. |
Wrong | She was boring in the class. |
Right | She was bored in the class. |
Wrong | I must to call him immediately. |
Right | I must call him immediately. |
Wrong | Every students like the teacher. |
Right | Every student likes the teacher. |
Wrong | Although it was raining, but we had the picnic. |
Right | Although it was raining, we had the picnic. |
Wrong | I enjoyed from the movie. |
Right | I enjoyed the movie. |
Wrong | I look forward to meet you. |
Right | I look forward to meeting you. |
Wrong | I like very much ice cream. |
Right | I like ice cream very much. |
Wrong | She can to drive. |
Right | She can drive. |
Wrong | Where I can find a bank? |
Right | Where can I find a bank? |
Wrong | I live in United States. |
Right | I live in the United States. |
Wrong | When I will arrive, I will call you. |
Right | When I arrive, I will call you. |
Wrong | I’ve been here since three months. |
Right | I’ve been here for three months. |
Wrong | My boyfriend has got a new work. |
Right | My boyfriend has got a new job. (or just “has a new job”) |
Wrong | She doesn’t listen me. |
Right | She doesn’t listen to me. |
Wrong | You speak English good. |
Right | You speak English well. |
Wrong | The police is coming. |
Right | The police are coming. |
Wrong | The house isn’t enough big. |
Right | The house isn’t big enough. |
Wrong | You should not to smoke. |
Right | You should not smoke. |
Wrong | Do you like a glass of wine? |
Right | Would you like a glass of wine? |
Wrong | There is seven girls in the class. |
Right | There are seven girls in the class. |
Wrong | I didn’t meet nobody. |
Right | I didn’t meet anybody. |
Wrong | My flight departs in 5:00 am. |
Right | My flight departs at 5:00 am. |
Wrong | I promise I call you next week. |
Right | I promise I’ll call you next week. |
Wrong | Where is post office? |
Right | Where is the post office? |
Wrong | Please explain me how improve my English. |
Right | Please explain to me how to improve my English. |
Wrong | We studied during four hours. |
Right | We studied for four hours. |
Wrong | Is ready my passport? |
Right | Is my passport ready? |
Wrong | You cannot buy all what you like! |
Right | You cannot buy all that you like! |
Wrong | She is success. |
Right | She is successful. |
Wrong | My mother wanted that I be doctor. |
Right | My mother wanted me to be a doctor. |
Wrong | The life is hard! |
Right | Life is hard. |
Wrong | How many childrens you have? |
Right | How many children do you have? |
Wrong | My brother has 10 years. |
Right | My brother is 10 (years old). |
Wrong | I want eat now. |
Right | I want to eat now. |
Wrong | You are very nice, as your mother. |
Right | You are very nice, like your mother. |
Wrong | She said me that she liked you. |
Right | She told me that she liked you. |
Wrong | My husband engineer. |
Right | My husband is an engineer. |
Wrong | I came Australia to study English. |
Right | I came to Australia to study English. |
Wrong | It is more hot now. |
Right | It’s hotter now. |
Wrong | You can give me an information? |
Right | Can you give me some information? |
Wrong | They cooked the dinner themself. |
Right | They cooked the dinner themselves. |
Wrong | Me and Johnny live here. |
Right | Johnny and I live here. |
Wrong | I closed very quietly the door. |
Right | I closed the door very quietly. |
Wrong | You like dance with me? |
Right | Would you like to dance with me? |
Wrong | I go always to school by subway. |
Right | I always go to school by subway. |
Wrong | If I will be in London, I will contact to you. |
Right | If I am in London, I will contact you. |
Wrong | We drive usually to home. |
Right | We usually drive home. |