Learning English is fun and exciting, but let’s be honest – it’s totally normal to make mistakes along the way! Don’t worry, it happens to everyone who’s learning a new language.

The important thing is not to get frustrated or give up. Mistakes are just part of the learning process, and each one helps you get a little better. The more you practice, the more you’ll improve, and before you know it, those mistakes will start to disappear.

What really matters is that you learn from them, keep moving forward, and continue building your skills.

So, let’s take a look at 10 common mistakes that many English learners make, and more importantly, how you can fix them. By knowing what to watch out for, you can avoid some of these common errors and make your English even stronger. Ready to give it a try? Let’s get started!

1. Using “In” Instead of “On” or “At” (Prepositions)

Prepositions like “in,” “on,” and “at” can be tricky. You might say, “I’m in the bus” when it should be “I’m on the bus.”

How to fix it:
Think of it this way:

• Use “in” for something inside (in the room, in the box).
• Use “on” for something on top of something (on the table, on the bus).
• Use “at” for specific places (at school, at home).

2. Forgetting the “s” for Third Person Singular in Present Tense

You might say, “He walk to school every day” instead of “He walks to school every day.” This happens a lot with verbs.

How to fix it:
Remember, when you talk about he, she, or it in the present tense, add an “s” to the verb. For example, “She runs fast,” “He likes pizza,” “It works well.”

3. Confusing “He” and “She”

This is a super common mistake, especially for learners whose native language doesn’t use gender-specific pronouns. You might accidentally say, “She is my brother” or “He is my sister.”

How to fix it:
Just take it slow! Practice using “he” for boys and men, and “she” for girls and women. Try to focus on these words during conversations. For example, “He is my friend” or “She is my teacher.”

4. Mixing Up “I” and “Me”

Sometimes you might say, “Me and my friend went to the park” when it should be “My friend and I went to the park.”

How to fix it:
Use “I” when you are the subject (the one doing the action). Use “me” when you are the object (the one receiving the action).
Examples: “I went to the park.” / “He gave the book to me.”

5. Saying “People is” Instead of “People are”

“People” is a plural word, but sometimes learners treat it like a singular word and say “People is.”

How to fix it:
Always remember: people are (plural). For example, “People are friendly.”

6. Using “Since” and “For” Incorrectly

You might say, “I’ve lived here since five years” when it should be “I’ve lived here for five years.”

How to fix it:
Use “since” for a specific time in the past (since 2015) and “for” for a period of time (for five years).

Examples:

• “I’ve lived here since 2015.”
• “I’ve lived here for five years.”

7. Confusing “Say” and “Tell”

Many learners mix up “say” and “tell.” For example, “She said me” instead of “She told me.”

How to fix it:
Remember:

• Use “say” without an object. Example: “She said hello.”
• Use “tell” with an object. Example: “She told me a story.”

8. Skipping Articles (“a,” “an,” “the”)

Sometimes, learners forget to use articles. For example, “I have dog” instead of “I have a dog.”

How to fix it:
Always remember to use “a” or “an” for one thing (a dog, an apple) and “the” for specific things (the dog, the apple).

9. Using “Too” Instead of “Very”

You might say, “I am too happy” when you mean “I am very happy.” “Too” means more than necessary and is usually negative.

How to fix it:
Use “very” when you want to say something is a lot.
Examples: “I am very happy.” / “The coffee is very hot.”
Use “too” when it’s negative. Example: “The coffee is too hot” (meaning it’s too hot to drink).

10. Mixing Up Word Order in Questions

Sometimes, learners make questions like “You are coming?” instead of “Are you coming?”

How to fix it:
Remember that in English, questions often start with the verb (Are, Do, Can).
Examples: “Are you ready?” / “Do you like pizza?” / “Can you help me?”

Don’t be too hard on yourself

Making mistakes while learning English is completely normal. In fact, it’s an important part of the process! Every mistake is just another opportunity to improve and grow in your language skills. So, don’t be too hard on yourself. What matters most is that you keep practicing, keep learning, and keep pushing forward.

And guess what? You don’t have to do it alone! Our app, ELSA, is here to help you. ELSA offers personalized speaking practice and real-time feedback, so you can work on pronunciation, grammar, and fluency at your own pace. Whether you’re trying to fix common mistakes or take your English to the next level, ELSA has the tools to guide you every step of the way.

Download ELSA today, and let’s make learning English a fun and rewarding experience!