Common Grammar Errors People Make and How to Correct Them
Grammar slips are completely normal. Even confident speakers make mistakes when writing quickly or thinking in another language. Most errors come from habits we pick up while speaking, from influence of our mother tongue, or simply from not being familiar with a certain rule. The encouraging part is that grammar mistakes usually follow patterns. Once you understand those patterns, fixing them becomes much simpler.
Below are some of the mistakes people make most often, along with practical ways to correct them.
1. Wrong Verb Forms
Verb forms tend to confuse learners because English changes verbs depending on tense, subject, and meaning. Using the wrong form can change the entire timeline of a sentence.
Common problems
Mixing past tense with past participle
Using present tense when past is needed
Confusing irregular verb forms
Examples
Wrong: I have went to the store yesterday.
Correct: I went to the store yesterday.
Wrong: She has wrote three emails this morning.
Correct: She has written three emails this morning.
How to fix it
Check if there is a helping verb like has, have, had, is, was or were.
With a helping verb, use the past participle.
For completed actions with a clear time word (yesterday, last week), use simple past.
Review irregular verb lists regularly so forms become familiar.
2. Misuse of Articles (a, an, the)
Articles look tiny, but they carry important meaning. They show whether you mean something general or something specific. Many learners struggle with them because their native language may not use articles at all.
Common problems
Leaving out articles
Using the when a or an is needed
Choosing the wrong article before a vowel sound
Examples
Wrong: I need to buy new laptop for school.
Correct: I need to buy a new laptop for school.
Wrong: The dogs are loyal animals.
Correct: Dogs are loyal animals.
How to fix it
Ask yourself if you are talking about one specific thing or a general category.
Use the when the reader already knows which thing you mean.
Use a or an when you mention something for the first time.
Use an before a vowel sound (an hour, an umbrella).
For general plural statements, you often need no article at all.
3. Subject-Verb Agreement Problems
The subject and verb must match in number. A singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb. Problems happen when the subject is long or hidden inside a phrase.
Common problems
Using a plural verb for a singular subject
Using a singular verb for a plural subject
Confusion with words like everyone, someone, each
Examples
Wrong: The list of ingredients are on the table.
Correct: The list of ingredients is on the table.
Wrong: Everyone in the three classes need to submit their homework.
Correct: Everyone in the three classes needs to submit their homework.
How to fix it
Find the real subject, not the words around it.
Ignore prepositional phrases while checking the verb.
Remember that words like everyone and each are always singular.
Match the verb to the subject, not the nearest noun.
4. Confusing Sentence Structures
Sometimes, the parts of a sentence don’t fit together neatly. This leads to unclear or illogical meaning. Misplaced modifiers, dangling participles, and lack of parallel structure are common issues.
Common problems
Modifiers placed too far from the word they describe
Lists that don’t follow the same grammatical pattern
Opening phrases that don’t match the subject
Examples
Wrong: Walking down the street, the trees looked beautiful.
Correct: Walking down the street, I thought the trees looked beautiful.
Wrong: She enjoys reading, to swim, and hiking.
Correct: She enjoys reading, swimming, and hiking.
How to fix it
Keep descriptive phrases close to what they describe.
Use the same form for all items in a list.
Make sure the subject after an introductory phrase is the one doing the action.
Read sentences aloud to check if they flow naturally.
5. Run-On Sentences
A run-on happens when two complete thoughts are pushed together without proper punctuation. These sentences feel rushed and can confuse readers.
Common problems
Two sentences joined by only a comma
Two sentences joined with no punctuation at all
Examples
Wrong: I love reading books, they take me to different worlds.
Correct: I love reading books because they take me to different worlds.
Also correct: I love reading books. They take me to different worlds.
Also correct: I love reading books; they take me to different worlds.
Wrong: The meeting starts at nine we should leave now.
Correct: The meeting starts at nine, so we should leave now.
How to fix it
Find where one complete idea ends and the next begins.
Use a period, semicolon, or a comma with a connecting word.
Check that each part can stand alone as a sentence.
Pause while reading aloud to catch natural breaks.
6. Awkward Phrasing and Word Choice
Sometimes a sentence is technically correct but still sounds heavy or unnatural. This often happens when we translate directly from another language or use more words than necessary.
Common problems
Wordiness
Unnatural word order
Redundant or vague expressions
Examples
Wrong: Due to the fact that it was raining, we decided to cancel the outdoor event that was scheduled for today.
Correct: Because it was raining, we canceled today’s outdoor event.
Wrong: The information that you gave to me was very much helpful in a great way.
Correct: The information you gave me was very helpful.
How to fix it
Remove unnecessary words.
Replace long phrases with simpler ones.
Avoid repeating the same idea.
Use active voice when possible.
Ask yourself if the sentence sounds natural when spoken.
Quick Tips to Avoid Grammar Mistakes
Read your writing aloud to catch awkward spots.
Take a short break before proofreading.
Review irregular verb forms regularly.
Keep a personal list of mistakes you often make.
Use grammar tools as support, not as the final judge.
Read well-edited writing to absorb natural language patterns.
Practice a little every day and don’t worry about occasional mistakes.
Practice Section
Try correcting these sentences first, then compare your answers.
1. The team of scientists have discovered a new species in the rainforest.
2. Walking into the room, the surprise party was waiting for me.
3. I have saw that movie three times it's really good.
4. She needs to finish her homework, clean her room, and to walk the dog.
5. Due to the fact that the store was closed we couldn't buy milk.
Answers
1. The team of scientists has discovered a new species in the rainforest.
2. Walking into the room, I was surprised by the party waiting for me.
3. I have seen that movie three times. It's really good.
4. She needs to finish her homework, clean her room, and walk the dog.
5. Because the store was closed, we couldn't buy milk.
Grammar improves through practice, patience, and exposure to good writing. Each mistake you notice is a sign of progress. Focus on one or two areas at a time, keep writing regularly, and revisit these rules whenever you need a refresher. Over time, strong grammar becomes natural, and your writing becomes clearer, smoother, and more confident.
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