Grammar is the heart of every language. It helps us express our thoughts clearly and makes our writing and speaking sound correct and confident. Whether you’re writing an essay, answering in class, or chatting online, good grammar shows that you understand the language well. However, even the best students often make small but Common Grammar Mistakes without realizing it.
These mistakes might seem minor, but they can change the meaning of a sentence. For example, saying She go to school every day instead of She goes to school every day might not sound like a big deal, but it’s incorrect. Such common grammar mistakes can confuse the reader or listener and make your communication less effective.
The good news? Grammar isn’t difficult once you understand the rules. In fact, learning from mistakes is one of the best ways to improve! This blog will guide you through the most common grammar mistakes students make and show you simple ways to fix them.
We’ll look at errors like mixing up tenses, confusing adjectives and adverbs, misusing prepositions, and forgetting subject–verb agreement. You’ll also find easy examples, quick tips, and explanations that make grammar fun to learn.
Remember — making mistakes is a normal part of learning. The key is to notice them and correct them the next time. As you go through this blog, try to spot these common grammar mistakes in your own writing and practice fixing them.
By the end of this post, you’ll not only recognize your grammar errors but also know how to avoid them in the future. So, let’s begin your journey to writing and speaking English with accuracy and confidence!
Common Grammar Mistake #1: Subject–Verb Agreement
One of the most frequent common grammar mistakes students make is with subject–verb agreement. This rule may sound tricky at first, but it’s actually quite simple once you understand how it works.
In English, the subject (the person or thing doing the action) and the verb (the action word) must agree in number. That means if your subject is singular, your verb should also be singular. And if your subject is plural, your verb should be plural too.
Let’s look at an example:
He go to school every day.
He goes to school every day.
In the incorrect sentence, the subject He is singular, but the verb go doesn’t match. By adding -es to make goes, the subject and verb now agree.
Here’s another one:
They plays football after school.
They play football after school.
The subject They is plural, so the verb should not have an -s at the end.
This kind of mistake happens often because many students forget to check if the subject and verb “fit” together. It’s one of the easiest common grammar mistakes to fix if you read your sentence aloud. When something “sounds wrong,” it usually means the subject and verb don’t agree!
Here’s a simple tip to remember:
- If the subject is he, she, or it, add -s or -es to the verb.
- If the subject is I, you, we, or they, use the base form of the verb.
Example:
- She writes neatly.
- We write neatly.
Practicing this rule will help you avoid one of the most basic common grammar mistakes in English. With a little attention, your writing will sound more natural and grammatically correct every time!
Why Grammar Mistakes Happen
Have you ever wondered why students make common grammar mistakes even after learning the rules in class? The truth is, everyone makes grammar errors — even native speakers! These mistakes usually happen because of habits, confusion between rules, or simply not practicing enough.
One big reason for common grammar mistakes is the difference between how we speak and how we write. In casual conversations or on social media, people often shorten sentences or skip grammar rules — like saying I gonna go instead of I am going to go. Over time, this habit makes it hard to remember the correct grammar while writing.
Another reason is that English grammar has many rules — and sometimes, those rules have exceptions! For example, we learn to add -ed to make past tense, but then there are irregular verbs like go → went or eat → ate. When students try to apply one rule everywhere, mistakes happen.
Lack of reading and writing practice is another cause. When students don’t see enough examples of correct English, it becomes difficult to notice what sounds right or wrong. Reading storybooks, articles, and blogs helps you naturally understand how grammar works in real sentences.
Sometimes, common grammar mistakes occur because students rush through their writing and forget to check for errors. Simple mistakes like She don’t like apples instead of She doesn’t like apples can easily be fixed by proofreading before submitting work.
The good news is that grammar mistakes are part of the learning process. Every time you find and correct one, you become a stronger writer and speaker.
So don’t be afraid to make mistakes — just make sure to learn from them! In the next section, we’ll explore the most common grammar mistakes students make and how you can fix them with easy tips and examples.
Common Grammar Mistake #2: Misusing Tenses
Another one of the most common grammar mistakes students make is using the wrong verb tense in sentences. Tenses tell us when an action happens — in the past, present, or future. When students mix them up, the meaning of the sentence changes or becomes confusing.
For example:
Yesterday, I go to the park.
Yesterday, I went to the park.
In the first sentence, the word yesterday clearly shows the action happened in the past, so the verb should also be in the past tense — went, not go.
Tense mistakes often happen when students try to write quickly or forget to keep the same tense throughout a sentence. Mixing tenses is one of the easiest common grammar mistakes to spot if you read your work carefully.
Let’s see another example:
She was cooking dinner and listens to music.
She was cooking dinner and listening to music.
Here, both actions happened at the same time in the past, so the verbs need to match.
Tenses are important because they help the reader understand when something happened. Using the wrong tense can make your story or answer unclear. For instance, I will eat breakfast yesterday doesn’t make sense because “will” is for future actions, not past ones!
Here’s a quick tip to avoid this common grammar mistake:
- If you’re talking about something happening now, use the present tense.
- If it already happened, use the past tense.
- If it will happen later, use the future tense.
Example:
- I play football every evening. (present)
- I played football yesterday. (past)
- I will play football tomorrow. (future)
By paying attention to time words like yesterday, today, or tomorrow, you can easily use the correct tense and avoid one of the most common grammar mistakes in English!
Common Grammar Mistake #3: Confusing Adjectives and Adverbs
One of the most common grammar mistakes students make is mixing up adjectives and adverbs. Both describe something, but they describe different parts of a sentence. Understanding the difference makes your English clearer and more accurate.
An adjective describes a noun — a person, place, or thing.
An adverb describes a verb, adjective, or even another adverb.
Here’s a simple example:
She runs quick.
She runs quickly.
In this case, “runs” is an action (a verb), so we need an adverb — quickly, not the adjective quick. This small change makes the sentence grammatically correct and smoother to read.
Let’s look at another example:
He is a beautifully singer.
He is a beautiful singer.
Here, we are describing the noun “singer,” so we use the adjective beautiful, not the adverb beautifully.
This confusion happens because many adjectives and adverbs look similar or are formed by adding –ly. However, not every word ending in “–ly” is an adverb. For example, friendly and lovely are adjectives!
Mixing up adjectives and adverbs can make writing sound awkward. It’s one of those common grammar mistakes that can easily be fixed with a quick check. Always ask yourself — Am I describing a noun or a verb?
Here’s a quick tip to remember:
- Adjectives answer: What kind? Which one? How many?
Example: It’s a cold morning. (cold → describes “morning”) - Adverbs answer: How? When? Where? How often?
Example: She sings beautifully. (beautifully → describes “sings”)
By practicing with examples and paying attention to sentence meaning, you can avoid one of the most common grammar mistakes students face and make your writing more accurate and expressive!
Common Grammar Mistake #4: Misplacing Apostrophes
Another one of the most common grammar mistakes students make in English is misusing or misplacing apostrophes (’). Apostrophes may look small, but they play a big role in showing possession or forming contractions. Many students get confused about where to use them — and where not to!
Let’s break it down simply.
1. Apostrophes in Possession
We use an apostrophe to show that something belongs to someone.
Riya’s book is on the table.
Here, the book belongs to Riya. The apostrophe shows possession.
But many students make this common grammar mistake:
The girls bag is new.
The girl’s bag is new.
When we talk about plural nouns, the apostrophe usually comes after the s:
The students’ classroom is clean. (The classroom of many students.)
2. Apostrophes in Contractions
Apostrophes are also used to shorten words.
Do not → Don’t
It is → It’s
However, many learners confuse its (possessive) and it’s (contraction).
Its a nice day.
It’s a nice day. (It is a nice day.)
The dog lost it’s bone.
The dog lost its bone. (No apostrophe in possessive its.)
3. Apostrophes Are Not for Plurals!
This is one of those funny but common grammar mistakes — using apostrophes just to make a word plural.
Apple’s are sweet.
Apples are sweet.
Remember — apostrophes are never used just to make something plural.
Apostrophes may seem tiny, but they make your writing look polished and professional. By understanding when to use them, you can easily avoid one of the most common grammar mistakes students struggle with. Always double-check your sentences — does the apostrophe show ownership or replace missing letters? If not, skip it!
Common Grammar Mistake #5: Using the Wrong Verb Tense
One of the most common grammar mistakes students make while writing or speaking English is using the wrong verb tense. Verb tenses tell us when an action happens — in the past, present, or future. If you use the wrong tense, your sentence can sound confusing or even change the meaning completely!
1. Understanding Verb Tense
A verb tense shows the time of an action.
I play football every day. (Present – It happens regularly.)
I played football yesterday. (Past – It already happened.)
I will play football tomorrow. (Future – It will happen later.)
But many students mix them up.
Yesterday, I play football.
Yesterday, I played football.
This mix-up is one of those common grammar mistakes that can make your writing sound unclear.
2. Consistency Is Key
Another frequent problem is switching tenses within the same sentence or paragraph.
She was cooking dinner when her friend comes.
She was cooking dinner when her friend came.
Notice how both verbs should stay in the same time frame — past tense in this case. Changing tenses randomly confuses the reader about when things actually happened.
3. The “Has,” “Have,” and “Had” Confusion
Many students also make common grammar mistakes when using has, have, and had.
I have finished my homework. (Present perfect)
I had finished my homework before dinner. (Past perfect)
I have finished my homework yesterday. (Incorrect – time words like yesterday need simple past: I finished my homework yesterday.)
4. Tips to Avoid Verb Tense Errors
- Identify the time of action — past, present, or future — before writing.
- Keep the tense consistent throughout your sentence.
- Read your sentence aloud to check if it sounds natural.
By mastering verb tenses, you can easily fix one of the most common grammar mistakes and make your English clearer, smoother, and more professional. Remember — every sentence tells a story, and the verb tense tells when that story happens!
Common Grammar Mistake #6: Confusing Adjectives and Adverbs
Mixing up adjectives and adverbs is one of the most common grammar mistakes students make while learning English. These two parts of speech may look similar, but they serve different purposes — and using the wrong one can change the meaning of a sentence.
1. Understanding the Difference
An adjective describes a noun or pronoun.
She is a beautiful dancer.
(Beautiful describes the noun dancer.)
An adverb describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
She dances beautifully.
(Beautifully describes how she dances — the verb dances.)
Many students forget this difference and say things like:
She dances beautiful.
She dances beautifully.
This small confusion is one of the easiest common grammar mistakes to fix once you understand what each word modifies.
2. Adjectives with Linking Verbs
Sometimes, we use adjectives after verbs like is, seem, feel, or look.
The soup smells good. (Not well)
He feels bad about his mistake.
Students often say The soup smells well, but that means the soup has a good sense of smell — which sounds funny! This is why learning adjective and adverb usage correctly matters.
3. Adverbs and Frequency
Adverbs also tell how often something happens:
He always studies at night.
She rarely eats junk food.
Here, always and rarely modify the verbs studies and eats.
4. Quick Tip to Remember
- If the word describes a thing or person, use an adjective.
- If it describes an action, use an adverb (often ending in -ly).
By paying attention to what the word is describing, you can easily avoid one of the most common grammar mistakes in English. Adjectives make nouns shine, while adverbs make actions come alive — and mastering both will make your writing smoother and more accurate!
Common Grammar Mistake #7: Confusing “There,” “Their,” and “They’re”
One of the most common grammar mistakes students make in English is mixing up the words there, their, and they’re. These words sound the same (they’re homophones) but have completely different meanings and uses. Misusing them can make even a well-written sentence look careless or confusing. Let’s learn how to tell them apart easily!
1. “There” – Refers to a Place or Existence
The word there shows a place or indicates that something exists.
There is a book on the table.
Let’s go over there.
Their is a cat outside. (Incorrect!)
There is a cat outside.
Think of there as pointing to a location or saying “it exists.”
2. “Their” – Shows Possession
Their tells us that something belongs to them. It is a possessive adjective.
Their house is big.
The students finished their homework.
A common grammar mistake is writing there instead of their:
There car is red.
Their car is red.
To remember it: Their has the word heir in it — someone who owns something!
3. “They’re” – Short for “They Are”
They’re is a contraction of they are.
They’re going to the park.
I think they’re ready for the test.
If you can replace the word with they are and the sentence still makes sense, you should use they’re.
Their going to school.
They’re going to school.
4. Quick Tip to Avoid This Common Grammar Mistake
Before you write, say the sentence in your head using they are. If it fits — use they’re.
If you’re talking about ownership, use their.
If it’s about a place or something existing, use there.
Mixing up there, their, and they’re may be one of the most common grammar mistakes, but it’s also one of the easiest to fix once you know the trick. Always pause, think of the meaning, and choose the right word — your sentences will instantly look more polished and professional!
Common Grammar Mistake #8: Mixing Up “Your” and “You’re”
Confusing “your” and “you’re” is one of the most common grammar mistakes students make in writing. These two words sound exactly the same, but they have very different meanings and uses. Learning how to tell them apart will make your writing look much more accurate and professional.
1. “Your” – Shows Possession
The word your is a possessive adjective. It means something belongs to “you.”
Your bag is on the chair.
I like your handwriting.
Many students make this common grammar mistake by using you’re instead of your.
You’re book is on the desk.
Your book is on the desk.
So remember — your always shows ownership.
2. “You’re” – Short for “You Are”
You’re is a contraction of you are. It describes something about “you.”
You’re my best friend. (You are my best friend.)
You’re going to love this movie! (You are going to love this movie!)
The easiest way to check? Try replacing you’re with you are. If it still makes sense, then you’re using it correctly!
3. Easy Trick to Remember
Here’s a simple way to avoid this common grammar mistake:
- If the sentence means “you are,” use you’re (with the apostrophe).
- If the sentence shows possession, use your.
Try this quick test:
I think your amazing! (wrong)
I think you’re amazing! (right — you are amazing!)
4. Practice Makes Perfect
Write a few sentences every day using both forms:
Your smile is beautiful.
You’re always smiling.
With a little practice, you’ll never confuse them again.
Mixing up your and you’re might seem like a small error, but it’s one of the most common grammar mistakes that can easily change the meaning of a sentence. Paying attention to these tiny details helps you write confidently and clearly — the mark of a true grammar pro!
Common Grammar Mistake #9: Using Double Negatives
Using double negatives is one of the most common grammar mistakes students make while speaking or writing English. Double negatives happen when two negative words are used in the same sentence — and instead of making the sentence stronger, they actually make it grammatically incorrect.
1. What Is a Double Negative?
A double negative means using two negative words together in one sentence. In English, only one negative word is needed to make a sentence negative. When you use two, they cancel each other out or create confusion.
Examples of wrong sentences:
I don’t need no help.
She didn’t see nothing.
Here’s how to fix them:
I don’t need any help.
She didn’t see anything.
In standard English, using don’t with no or nothing is considered one of the most common grammar mistakes because don’t already makes the sentence negative.
2. Common Double Negatives to Watch Out For
Here are a few combinations students often misuse:
- Don’t + no / nothing / nobody
- Can’t + hardly / barely
- Didn’t + no one / never
Examples:
I can’t hardly wait for the holidays.
I can hardly wait for the holidays.
He didn’t call nobody.
He didn’t call anybody.
3. Why Double Negatives Are Wrong
In English, two negatives don’t make a stronger negative — they make the sentence incorrect or unclear. For example, when you say I don’t need no help, you’re actually saying I do need help, which isn’t what you mean!
4. Quick Tip to Avoid This Common Grammar Mistake
- Use only one negative word in a sentence.
- Replace no, nothing, never with any, anything, ever after a negative verb.
By avoiding double negatives, you’ll instantly make your English clearer and more professional. This small fix can help you overcome one of the most common grammar mistakes students make and sound more confident in both writing and speech!
Quick Fix Checklist for Avoiding Common Grammar Mistakes
Even the best students make small errors when writing, but the good news is that most common grammar mistakes can be fixed with a simple review. Before you submit your school essay, write an email, or post something online, take a few minutes to go through this quick fix checklist. It will help you catch errors, improve your grammar, and make your writing look clean and confident.
1. Check Subject–Verb Agreement
Make sure your verb matches the subject in number (singular or plural).
He go to school every day.
He goes to school every day.
This is one of the most common grammar mistakes students make, but it’s easy to fix — just remember, one person = one verb with “s”!
2. Use the Correct Verb Tense
Ensure that your verb tense shows the right time of action — past, present, or future.
Yesterday, I play football.
Yesterday, I played football.
Consistency in verb tense keeps your writing clear and easy to understand.
3. Differentiate Between Adjectives and Adverbs
Adjectives describe nouns, while adverbs describe verbs.
She sings beautiful.
She sings beautifully.
Knowing the difference prevents one of the most common grammar mistakes in English writing.
4. Review Punctuation and Prepositions
Punctuation marks and prepositions may be small, but they carry meaning!
- Don’t forget periods, commas, and question marks.
- Use prepositions correctly:
She sat in the chair the table.
She sat on the chair near the table.
5. Read Aloud Before Finalizing
Reading your sentences aloud helps you hear mistakes your eyes might miss. You’ll quickly spot if something sounds wrong or unnatural.
By following this quick fix checklist, you can easily catch and correct the common grammar mistakes most students make. Over time, these small checks will become a habit — helping you write more confidently and accurately in school, exams, and everyday communication.
Conclusion
Grammar is like the foundation of a strong building — without it, even the best ideas can fall apart. Learning to spot and fix common grammar mistakes isn’t just about scoring better marks in English exams; it’s about expressing yourself clearly and confidently in everything you write or say.
Throughout this guide, we explored some of the most common grammar mistakes students make — from subject–verb agreement and verb tenses to mixing up adjectives and adverbs, using the wrong pronouns, and misplacing apostrophes. Each mistake may seem small, but together, they can affect how smoothly your sentences read and how professional your writing appears.
The good news? Every one of these mistakes can be fixed with a bit of attention and practice. The quick fix checklist you just read gives you a simple, step-by-step way to review your writing. Whether it’s checking if your verbs match your subjects, making sure your tenses are consistent, or reviewing punctuation and capitalization, a short check can make a big difference.
Remember Grammar is not about perfection — it’s about communication.
Everyone makes mistakes — even experienced writers!
The goal is to learn, improve, and grow with each sentence you write.
By paying attention to these common grammar mistakes, you’ll become more aware of how language works and how to make your ideas sound smarter and smoother. Over time, using correct grammar will become second nature — and you’ll notice your confidence in English improving day by day.
So, before you write your next essay or email, take a moment to reread it with your grammar checklist in mind. You’ll be surprised how quickly your writing improves when you start fixing those little errors!
Keep practicing, keep learning, and check out our next post — “Punctuation in Grammar: Rules and Examples” — to polish your English even more!
