Common Grammar Mistakes Library
Browse frequent English slip-ups, understand why they happen, and memorise concise fixes. Everything is indexed by topic so you can study one pattern at a time or search across the list.
Bookmark tricky patterns and then switch to “Favourites only” for focused revision.
Showing 10 mistakes.
Common mistake
The list of items are on the table.
Why it happens
Writers look at the plural word 'items' and forget the subject is actually the singular noun 'list'.
Corrected example
The list of items is on the table.
Common mistake
I have seen him yesterday at the library.
Why it happens
Mixing present perfect with a specific time reference like 'yesterday' creates a tense mismatch.
Corrected example
I saw him yesterday at the library.
Common mistake
She married with her college friend in June.
Why it happens
Some languages use a preposition with 'marry', leading learners to add 'with' in English.
Corrected example
She married her college friend in June.
Common mistake
I need advice about a new laptop I want to buy.
Why it happens
Learners may not realize 'advice' is an uncountable noun and shouldn't use 'a' or 'an'.
Corrected example
I need advice about the new laptop I want to buy.
Common mistake
Let's eat grandma!
Why it happens
Missing commas can accidentally change meaning or create humorous misunderstandings.
Corrected example
Let's eat, grandma!
Common mistake
Neither of the answers are correct.
Why it happens
Words like 'neither' and 'either' look plural but act like singular subjects.
Corrected example
Neither of the answers is correct.
Common mistake
He depends of his parents for financial support.
Why it happens
Direct translations from other languages lead to incorrect preposition choices.
Corrected example
He depends on his parents for financial support.
Common mistake
By the time I will arrive, the film will start.
Why it happens
Future clauses with 'by the time' require a present tense even though they refer to the future.
Corrected example
By the time I arrive, the film will start.
Common mistake
She is an engineer and works in the Google.
Why it happens
Learners add 'the' before company names due to different article rules in their native language.
Corrected example
She is an engineer and works at Google.
Common mistake
However he tried as hard as possible he missed the train.
Why it happens
Lack of commas around introductory words makes sentences hard to follow.
Corrected example
However, he tried as hard as possible, he missed the train.
Use the category buttons to focus on one grammar pattern per study session. Hover each tip to keep it memorised.
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How to study common mistakes
1. Identify the pattern
Note which categories you miss most often. Bookmark those filters for quick refreshers.
2. Rewrite in your words
Craft new sentences that use the corrected structure—practice is yours to keep offline.
3. Test yourself
Switch to the upcoming Mini Grammar Quiz to confirm you’ve internalised the fixes.