Common ESL Grammar Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Introduction

Learning English is exciting; however, many ESL learners repeat the same grammar mistakes again and again. These errors often seem small, yet they can totally change the meaning of a sentence. Therefore, understanding common mistakes and learning how to fix them is one of the fastest ways to improve your speaking and writing skills.

Moreover, these mistakes happen in daily conversations, school assignments, online chatting, job communication, and even friendly discussions. With the right guidance, you can avoid them easily and speak more confidently.

By the end of this lesson, you will clearly understand why errors happen, how to correct them, and how to prevent them in the future. Step by step, you will sound more natural, fluent, and professional.

What Are ESL Grammar Mistakes?

ESL grammar mistakes are errors made in English sentence structure, verb usage, word order, article placement, or preposition choice by non-native speakers. Although these errors are common, they can gradually disappear with practice and awareness.

Where do these mistakes occur?

While speaking casually with friends
When writing homework or sending emails
During class presentations or job interviews
While chatting online or texting someone

In other words, these mistakes appear everywhere English is used. Fortunately, once you recognize them, you can correct them quickly.

Clear & Simple Definitions

Term	Meaning
Grammar mistake	Using English rules incorrectly
ESL mistake	An error made by an English learner
Common mistake	A mistake many people repeat

Even simpler:

A grammar mistake = wrong structure or wrong word choice.

Child-simple:

If the sentence feels strange or confusing → it is probably a grammar mistake.

Step-By-Step Deep Explanation

Let’s break the most common errors into simple learning blocks. First, read the mistake. Then, observe the corrected sentence. Finally, notice the rule.

1. Verb Tense Confusion

Many learners mix past, present, and future incorrectly. As a result, the message becomes unclear.

❌ Yesterday I go to school.
✔ Yesterday I went to school.

2. Subject–Verb Agreement

Secondly, the verb must match the subject in number. Therefore, singular nouns take s/es on verbs.

❌ She play piano.
✔ She plays piano.

3. Articles (a, an, the)

Additionally, articles are often missing. In English, however, they are necessary for natural flow.

❌ I have apple.
✔ I have an apple.

4. Prepositions

Furthermore, in/on/at/to cannot be translated directly from other languages.

❌ I go in school.
✔ I go to school.

5. Word Order

English prefers S + V + O. On the other hand, some languages use different ordering.

❌ Very I like pizza.
✔ I like pizza very much.

6. Plurals & Irregular Forms

Finally, some plural forms are special. They must be memorized.

❌ Two childs
✔ Two children

20+ Mistakes & Corrections Table

❌ Wrong	✔ Correct
He go to work every day.	He goes to work every day.
She can sings well.	She can sing well.
I am agree with you.	I agree with you.
I didn’t saw the movie.	I didn’t see the movie.
He is married with her.	He is married to her.
I have many homeworks.	I have much homework.
She is more taller.	She is taller.
I am living here since 2 years.	I have lived here for 2 years.
You should to study.	You should study.
I want eat pizza.	I want to eat pizza.
The news are shocking.	The news is shocking.
She is afraid from dogs.	She is afraid of dogs.
I look forward to see you.	I look forward to seeing you.
He told that he was tired.	He said he was tired.
I am good in English.	I am good at English.
She is married with 2019.	She has been married since 2019.
I like very much chocolate.	I like chocolate very much.
The informations are useful.	The information is useful.
She didn’t came today.	She didn’t come today.
They are discussing about the topic.	They are discussing the topic.
This is more better.	This is better.

Rules + Patterns for Easy Learning

Verb Rules

• Present simple: He/She/It + Verb+s
• Past negative: did not + base verb
• Future: will + base verb

Article Rules

• a → consonant sound
• an → vowel sound
• the → specific noun

Preposition Patterns

• in → countries / months / years
• on → days / surfaces
• at → exact time or place
• to → movement or destination

Word Order

Subject + Verb + Object + details
I (S) like (V) ice cream (O) very much (D).

Why This Matters in Real Life

Good grammar builds confidence. Moreover, it helps you express thoughts clearly without confusion. Employers prefer well-spoken candidates. Teachers appreciate accurate writing. Friends understand you better. As a result, your communication becomes smoother and more successful.

In simple words: good grammar opens doors.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

Mistake Type	Tip to Fix
Verb tense errors	Notice time words: yesterday, tomorrow
Missing article	Say nouns aloud with a/an/the daily
Wrong preposition	Learn patterns, not translations
Plural confusion	Create flashcards for irregular nouns
Double comparative	Use taller, faster, not more nicer

Exercises (20 Questions)

Fill the blanks:

1. She _____ (go/goes) to school daily.
2. I didn’t _____ (see/saw) him yesterday.
3. We are good _____ (at/in) drawing.
4. He lives here _____ (since/for) 2015.
5. She bought two _____ (child/children).
6. The news _____ (is/are) true.
7. I want _____ (to eat/eating) pasta.
8. They are afraid _____ (of/from) snakes.
9. A cat is _____ the table. (on/in)
10. I have _____ idea. (a/an)

Choose the correct sentence:

11. He don’t like tea. / He doesn’t like tea.
12. She can sings. / She can sing.
13. I am agree. / I agree.
14. She taller than me. / She is taller.
15. Many informations. / Much information.

Make sentences:

16. Use “since”
17. Use “children”
18. Use “afraid of”
19. Write in past tense
20. Write using “to eat”

10. Answer Key

1. goes 2. see 3. at 4. since 5. children
2. is 7. to eat 8. of 9. on 10. an
   11–15 see highlighted answers
   16–20 student-made answers

Mini Quiz (10 MCQs)

1. Yesterday I ___ to school. → went
2. She ___ tea daily. → drinks
3. I am interested ___ English. → in
4. They didn’t ___ the movie. → see
5. She is ___ than me. → taller
6. We have ___ homework. → much
7. Children = ___ → plural
8. Look forward to ___ → seeing
9. A book is ___ the table. → on
10. The information ___ correct. → is

Creative Story Activity

Write a short story using:

10 correct sentences
1 sentence with since
1 plural noun (children)
1 past tense sentence
prepositions (in/on/at/to)
articles (a/an/the)

Summary

In conclusion, you learned what ESL grammar mistakes are, why they happen, and how to fix them. Furthermore, you practiced corrections, completed exercises, and reviewed real examples. With ongoing practice, your English will grow stronger, clearer, and more confident.