Learning to write in English is a great achievement, but even advanced learners can make small errors. These mistakes may confuse the reader or make your writing seem less professional. By understanding and avoiding common mistakes, you can greatly improve your English writing skills. This article highlights the most frequent errors made by learners and gives practical tips to avoid them.
1. Incorrect verb tenses
One of the most common problems in English writing is using the wrong verb tense. Learners sometimes mix up past, present, and future tenses in the same sentence or paragraph.
Example mistake:
✔️ Yesterday I go to the market.
❌ Yesterday I went to the market.
Tip: Always check the time reference in your sentence (yesterday, now, tomorrow) and match it with the correct tense.
2. Confusing subject-verb agreement
The subject and the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural).
Example mistake:
✔️ She plays the guitar.
❌ She play the guitar.
Tip: Remember that third person singular subjects (he, she, it) need an -s at the end of most present tense verbs.
3. Misusing articles (a, an, the)
Articles can be tricky because they don’t exist in some languages. Many learners either forget them or use the wrong one.
Example mistake:
✔️ I saw a dog in the park.
❌ I saw dog in park.
Tip: Use “a/an” for something not specific, and “the” when the noun is specific or known to the reader.
4. Word order mistakes
English has a fairly strict word order: Subject + Verb + Object. Learners sometimes follow the structure of their native language, which can cause confusion.
Example mistake:
✔️ She quickly answered the question.
❌ Quickly she the question answered.
Tip: Read your sentence aloud. If it sounds unnatural in English, check the word order.
5. Confusing commonly misused words
Some English words sound or look alike but have different meanings.
Examples:
-
your vs. you’re
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their vs. there vs. they’re
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its vs. it’s
Tip: Double-check the meaning of the word and its spelling before using it.
6. Using too many simple or repetitive sentences
While short sentences are easier to write, using only them can make your writing boring or childish.
Example:
✔️ I like coffee. I drink it every morning. It helps me wake up.
❌ I like coffee because it helps me wake up. I drink it every morning.
Tip: Practice joining ideas using conjunctions like because, and, but, and so.
7. Forgetting punctuation or using it incorrectly
Punctuation helps the reader understand your writing. Missing commas, periods, or using too many exclamation marks (!) can make your text hard to read.
Example mistake:
✔️ Let’s eat, Grandma!
❌ Let’s eat Grandma!
Tip: Always reread your writing to check for basic punctuation errors.
8. Overusing certain phrases
Learners sometimes rely too much on safe, familiar phrases, making writing sound repetitive.
Example:
✔️ In my opinion, social media has both benefits and drawbacks.
❌ I think that… I think that… I think that…
Tip: Learn alternative ways to express opinions and ideas.
9. Literal translation from native language
Sometimes learners directly translate sentences from their first language, which can sound awkward in English.
Example mistake:
✔️ I’m 25 years old.
❌ I have 25 years.
Tip: Use English expressions and grammar, not direct translations.
10. Not proofreading
Even great writers make mistakes. Forgetting to check your writing before sharing or submitting it can leave many avoidable errors.
Tip: Always read your writing at least once, or ask someone else to review it.
Improving your writing in English takes practice, attention to detail, and patience. Focus on one area at a time, and you’ll see steady improvement. Use these tips as a checklist the next time you write!
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