10 common grammar mistakes and how to avoid them for English learners

Mastering English grammar: 10 common mistakes and how to avoid them. (AI Image)

English grammar can be tricky, even for advanced learners. From confusing tenses to incorrect word choices, it’s easy to slip into errors without realising it. However, with some practice and awareness, these mistakes can be avoided. Here’s a list of 10 common grammar mistakes that learners often make, along with practical tips on how to avoid them.1. Misplacing apostrophesApostrophes are often used incorrectly, especially when it comes to plurals. Remember: apostrophes indicate possession, not pluralisation.Incorrect: The dog’s are barking.Correct: The dogs are barking. (No apostrophe needed for plurals.)2. Confusing ‘its’ and ‘it’s’One of the most common mistakes is mixing up its (possessive form) and it’s (contraction of “it is” or “it has”).Incorrect: It’s tail is wagging.Correct: Its tail is wagging.3. Using ‘fewer’ vs. ‘less’ incorrectly‘Fewer’ is used with countable nouns, while ‘less’ is used with uncountable nouns.Incorrect: I have less books than her.Correct: I have fewer books than her.4. Confusing ‘who’ and ‘whom’‘Who’ is a subject pronoun, and ‘whom’ is an object pronoun. This mistake often happens in formal writing.Incorrect: To who should I give this gift?Correct: To whom should I give this gift?5. Incorrect subject-verb agreementAlways ensure the subject and verb match in number. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.Incorrect: The team have finished their work.Correct: The team has finished their work. (Team is a collective noun.)6. Double negativesIn English, two negatives make a positive, which can lead to confusion.Incorrect: I don’t need no help.Correct: I don’t need any help.7. Using ‘then’ and ‘than’ interchangeably‘Then’ refers to time or sequence, while ‘than’ is used for comparisons.Incorrect: She is taller then him.Correct: She is taller than him.8. Overusing commasWhile commas are important, overusing them can make a sentence unclear. A comma should separate ideas, not individual words.Incorrect: She went to the store, and, bought some milk.Correct: She went to the store and bought some milk.9. Misusing prepositionsPrepositions are tricky, especially with verbs. Remember that verbs and prepositions often go together in fixed expressions.Incorrect: She is good in singing.Correct: She is good at singing.10. Mixing up adjectives and adverbsAdjectives describe nouns, while adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.Incorrect: She sings beautiful.Correct: She sings beautifully.Final TipsAvoiding common grammar mistakes takes time and attention to detail. Here’s how you can improve:Read more: Regular exposure to well-written material helps reinforce grammar rules.Practice: Writing and speaking frequently will make correct grammar feel more natural.Ask for feedback: Don’t hesitate to ask native speakers or teachers for help when you’re unsure.By being mindful of these mistakes and practising consistently, your grammar will improve and sound much more natural. Keep learning, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes — they are part of the journey to mastering English!