Grammar mistakes are normal — even advanced learners make them. But some mistakes are so common that fixing just these ten will noticeably improve the quality of your English.

1. Using "Since" and "For" Incorrectly

Wrong: I live here since five years.
Right: I have lived here for five years. / I have lived here since 2019.

Use "for" with a period of time and "since" with a point in time. Both require the present perfect tense.

2. Confusing "Make" and "Do"

Wrong: I need to do a decision.
Right: I need to make a decision.

As a general rule: "make" is used for creating or producing something. "Do" is used for tasks and activities.

3. Forgetting the Third Person -S

Wrong: She work every day.
Right: She works every day.

In present simple, always add -s or -es to the verb when the subject is he, she, or it.

4. Using the Wrong Article

Wrong: I want to be doctor.
Right: I want to be a doctor.

Use "a" or "an" before singular countable nouns when mentioned for the first time or referring to one of many.

5. Misusing "Already," "Yet," and "Still"

Wrong: Did you eat already?
Right: Have you eaten yet? / Have you already eaten?

"Yet" is used in questions and negatives. "Already" is used in affirmatives and some questions. Both require the present perfect.

6. Double Negatives

Wrong: I don't know nothing.
Right: I don't know anything. / I know nothing.

In standard English, two negatives cancel each other out. Use only one negative per clause.

7. Confusing "Its" and "It's"

Wrong: The dog wagged it's tail.
Right: The dog wagged its tail.

"It's" is always a contraction of "it is" or "it has." "Its" is the possessive form.

8. Using Present Simple Instead of Present Continuous

Wrong: I cook dinner right now.
Right: I am cooking dinner right now.

For actions happening at this exact moment, always use the present continuous (am/is/are + verb-ing).

9. Wrong Word Order in Questions

Wrong: What you are doing?
Right: What are you doing?

In English questions, the auxiliary verb comes before the subject: auxiliary + subject + main verb.

10. Overusing "Very"

Weak: It was very good.
Better: It was excellent / outstanding / remarkable.

"Very" is overused and weakens your writing. Instead, choose a stronger adjective that already carries the intensity you want.