Common Mistakes English Language Learners Make [and How to Fix Them!]

Learning a new language is an exciting journey that opens up a world of possibilities. English, being one of the most widely spoken languages globally, attracts millions of eager learners every year. Whether it’s for academic, professional, or personal reasons, mastering English can greatly enhance communication skills and create new opportunities. However, like any language, English has its fair share of complexities, and even the most diligent learners can stumble upon common mistakes. In this article, we will explore some of these common mistakes English language learners make and provide effective strategies to fix them. By addressing these errors head-on, we aim to empower English learners to refine their language skills and communicate with confidence. So, let’s delve into the world of common mistakes and discover how to overcome them!

Is it Normal to Make Mistakes When Learning English?

Embarking on a journey to learn a new language is an endeavor that requires dedication, perseverance, and patience. As with any learning process, making mistakes is an integral part of the journey towards proficiency. Therefore, it is perfectly normal for English language learners to make errors along the way.

In fact, making mistakes is an essential part of the language acquisition process. It signifies that learners are actively engaging with the language, experimenting with new vocabulary, grammar rules, and sentence structures. Mistakes provide valuable feedback, helping learners identify areas that require improvement and enabling them to refine their skills over time.

It is crucial to understand that making mistakes is not a reflection of incompetence or lack of intelligence. Rather, it is a natural and expected part of the learning experience. English, like any language, has its intricacies, irregularities, and exceptions that can trip up even the most proficient speakers. Native English speakers themselves make mistakes, emphasizing that language learning is an ongoing process.

Moreover, making mistakes should be embraced as a valuable learning opportunity. Each error made presents an opportunity to analyze, understand, and correct it. By approaching mistakes with a growth mindset, learners can turn them into stepping stones towards improvement and fluency.

In addition, it is worth noting that language is not solely about perfection. The primary purpose of learning a language is effective communication, and even with occasional mistakes, learners can still convey their message and be understood. Language is a dynamic and living entity that evolves and adapts, and it is through the continuous practice of using it that learners become more proficient.

So, if you find yourself making mistakes when learning English, rest assured that it is a normal part of the process. Embrace these errors as opportunities for growth and improvement. In the following sections, we will delve into some of the common mistakes English language learners make and provide effective strategies to overcome them. Remember, mistakes are stepping stones on the path to English language mastery!

Sentence with Common Mistake	Correction	Explanation
I am agree with you.	I agree with you.	The verb “am” should be omitted before “agree” since “agree” is already a verb.
She go to the supermarket every day.	She goes to the supermarket every day.	The verb “go” needs to be conjugated to “goes” when referring to the third-person singular (she).
I have 30 years old.	I am 30 years old.	The correct form is “I am” to indicate age. Using “have” in this context is incorrect.
We was studying English when the phone rang.	We were studying English when the phone rang.	“Was” should be replaced with “were” to match the plural subject “We.”
She is a very good cooker.	She is a very good cook.	The correct term for someone who cooks is “cook,” not “cooker.”
I have been to Paris last year.	I went to Paris last year.	The present perfect tense “have been” should be replaced with the past tense “went” since “last year” specifies a completed action in the past.
He have many books.	He has many books.	The third-person singular pronoun “he” requires the verb “has” instead of “have.”
I go to the store yesterday.	I went to the store yesterday.	The past tense of “go” is “went,” so it should be used to indicate an action completed in the past.
They doesn’t like coffee.	They don’t like coffee.	The subject “they” requires the verb “do” in its base form, “don’t,” to form a negative sentence.
She has been living here since three years.	She has been living here for three years.	The preposition “since” should be replaced with “for” when expressing a duration of time.
The car of my father is blue.	My father’s car is blue.	The possessive form of “my father” should be indicated using an apostrophe (‘s) instead of “of.”
He don’t like to eat vegetables.	He doesn’t like to eat vegetables.	The subject “he” requires the verb “does” in its base form, “doesn’t,” to form a negative sentence.
She have go to the dentist twice a year.	She has to go to the dentist twice a year.	The verb “have” should be replaced with “has to” to indicate an obligation or necessity.
We was speak to our teacher after class.	We were speaking to our teacher after class.	“Was” should be replaced with “were” to match the plural subject “We.”
I’m studying English for two years.	I’ve been studying English for two years.	The present continuous tense “am studying” should be replaced with the present perfect continuous tense “have been studying” to indicate an ongoing action from the past until the present.
She is arrived at the airport yesterday.	She arrived at the airport yesterday.	The verb “is arrived” should be replaced with the past tense “arrived” to indicate a completed action in the past.
We don’t have no time to waste.	We don’t have any time to waste.	The double negation “don’t have no” should be corrected to “