Common Grammar Mistakes and How to Avoid Them (Perfect for Intermediate Learners)


Learning English is an exciting journey, but even intermediate learners often make small grammar mistakes that can confuse the listener or reader. 

In this article, we will discuss some of the most common grammar mistakes and show you exactly how to avoid them. 

By the end, you will feel more confident and clear in your English writing and speaking!

1. Confusing "Your" and "You’re"

  • Your = something belongs to you.

    • Example: Is this your book?

  • You’re = short form of you are.

    • Example: You’re doing a great job!

👉 Tip: Read the sentence out loud. If you can replace it with you are and it still makes sense, then use you’re.

2. Misusing "There," "Their," and "They’re"

  • There = a place or position.

    • Example: Put your bag over there.

  • Their = something belongs to them.

    • Example: Their house is big.

  • They’re = short form of they are.

    • Example: They’re going to the park.

👉 Tip: Write sentences and check each word’s meaning. Practice will help!

3. "Its" vs. "It’s"

  • Its = shows possession.

    • Example: The dog wagged its tail.

  • It’s = short form of it is.

    • Example: It’s raining today.

👉 Quick test: Try replacing it’s with it is. If it works, you’re correct!

4. Incorrect Word Order in Questions

  • ❌ You like pizza?

  • ✅ Do you like pizza?

👉 Rule:
Always use do/does/did for yes-no questions.

  • Example: Does she play the guitar?

5. Forgetting the "s" in Third Person Singular

  • ❌ He play football.

  • ✅ He plays football.

👉 Tip: For he, she, it, always add s to the verb in present simple tense.

6. Using "Much" with Countable Nouns

  • ❌ I have much friends.

  • ✅ I have many friends.

👉 Tip:

  • Use many with countable nouns: friends, apples, cars.

  • Use much with uncountable nouns: water, sugar, money.

7. Double Negatives

  • ❌ I don’t know nothing.

  • ✅ I don’t know anything.

👉 Rule:
Avoid using two negatives in the same sentence. One negative is enough.

8. Incorrect Prepositions

  • ❌ I’m good in English.

  • ✅ I’m good at English.

  • ❌ Married with someone.

  • ✅ Married to someone.

👉 Tip:
Always check collocations and practice sentences!

9. Wrong Tense Usage

  • ❌ I am knowing him.

  • ✅ I know him.

👉 Tip:
Some verbs like know, like, want, understand are stative verbs — they don’t use continuous forms.

10. Plural and Singular Confusion

  • ❌ People is happy.

  • ✅ People are happy.

👉 Tip:
People is always plural. The same goes for children (plural), child (singular).

Conclusion

Mistakes are part of the learning process — but by focusing on these common grammar mistakes and practicing daily, you will sound more fluent and professional in English.

👉 Want to practice every day?
Subscribe to our YouTube channel The English Cafe and follow our blog Daily English Shots for more grammar tips, exercises, and fun lessons!




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