15 Common English Mistakes Beginners Make (and How to Fix Them)

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Daily English speaking practice

Beginners often struggle with articles, verb forms, word order, and prepositions. In this post, you will learn the common English mistakes and how to fix them to build confidence and fluency. So this guide is perfect for anyone looking to avoid errors and improve their grammar. At English Journey Online you learn step by step.


Beginner English mistakes: Grammar

Mistake 1: Subject–Verb Disagreement
Wrong: The students walks to school.
Right: The students walk to school.
This is one of the most frequent English grammar mistakes learners make. To learn more about verb errors, consider reading the article: Common ESL Verb Mistakes to improve more your writing skills.

Mistake 2: Confusing Verb Tenses
Wrong: I am working here since 2020.
Right: I have been working here since 2020.
Avoiding common grammar errors like tense misuse helps you sound fluent.

Mistake 3: Wrong Preposition Usage
Wrong: He is passionate to.
Right: He is passionate about.
Prepositions are a source of English mistakes for beginners.

Mistake 4: Sentence Fragments
Wrong: Because I was tired.
Right: I went home because I was tired.
Sentence fragments are a common grammar mistake in writing.

Mistake 5: Double Negatives
Wrong: I don’t have no money.
Right: I don’t have any money.
To avoid this Beginner English mistakes, remember: one negative is enough.

Mistake 6: Misusing Articles
Wrong: She adopted cat from shelter.
Right: She adopted a cat from the shelter.
Articles are tricky and often lead to beginner English mistakes.

Mistake 7: Confusing “It’s” with “its”
Wrong: The spider spun it’s web.
Right: The spider spun its web.
This is a classic English grammar mistake.

Mistake 8: Subject-Verb Agreement
Wrong: The list of items are on the desk.
Right: The list of items is on the desk.
This is a typical agreement errors.

Check also the article Top 11 Essential English Verbs

Mistake 9: Gone vs. Went
Wrong: She had already went to the store.
Right: She had already gone to the store.
Verb confusion is one of the English mistakes beginners make.


English Mistakes: Speaking

Mistake 10: Misusing Verb Tenses
Wrong: I am agree.
Right: I agree.
Speaking errors like this are beginner English mistakes in speaking.

Mistake 11: Incorrect Prepositions
Wrong: I went to home.
Right: I went home.
Prepositions are a common grammar error in everyday speech.

Mistake 12: Confusing Verbs
Wrong: I said you something.
Right: I told you something.
Avoiding these beginner English mistakes improves fluency.


Writing Beginner English mistakes

Mistake 13: Redundant Expressions
Wrong: It’s seven twenty o’clock.
Right: It’s seven twenty.
Redundancy is a common grammar mistake in writing.

Mistake 14: Wrong Word Choice
Wrong: Your coat is broken.
Right: Your coat is torn.
Word choice errors are English mistakes for beginners.

Mistake 15: Awkward Phrasing
Wrong: I have a free time.
Right: I am free.
Awkward phrasing is one of the common grammar errors learners should avoid.

Learn also English vocabulary for common activities to build confidence. And to build even more English vocabulary visit the article Start here.


In Short

Use this learning guide to avoid making common English mistakes as you speak and write. By recognizing English grammar mistakes and practicing corrections, you’ll build confidence and fluency. For more tips, see our article on how to avoid grammar mistakes in English. And learn also common English phrases to talk about your life.

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Common English Mistakes

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