Common English Mistakes Explained With Examples : Over 300 Mistakes

Wherever Peter goes, he leaves a piece of luggage behind. (Don’t say: Wherever Peter goes, he leaves a luggage behind).

At the airport she realized that she had left a piece of luggage at home. (Don’t say: At the airport she realized that she had left a luggage at home).

We say a piece of news, (NOT a news). News is uncountable.

I have a piece of news to tell you. (Don’t say: I have a news to tell you).

I just read a piece of news about lung cancer on the website bbc.co.uk. (Don’t say: I just read a news about lung cancer on the website bbc.co.uk).

We say an experiment, (NOT a research). Research is uncountable.

We carried out an experiment. (Don’t say: We carried out a research).

A scientist performed an experiment on mice. (Don’t say: A scientist performed a research on mice).

We say a piece of rubbish, (NOT a rubbish). Rubbish is uncountable.

He picked up a piece of rubbish and put it in the trash can. (Don’t say: He picked up a rubbish and put it in the trash can).

We pick up a piece of rubbish floating by the roadside. (Don’t say: We pick up a rubbish floating by the roadside).

Everyone can pick up a piece of rubbish every day. (Don’t say: Everyone can pick up a rubbish every day).

We say a job, (NOT a work). Work is uncountable.

She has applied for a job at a department store. (Don’t say: She has applied for a work at a department store).

Tom graduated last year but he still can't find a job. (Don’t say: Tom graduated last year but he still can't find a work).

We say her hair is, (NOT her hair are). Hair is uncountable.

Her hair is very bright and golden. (Don’t say: Her hair are very bright and golden).

His hair is naturally curly. (Don’t say: His hair are naturally curly).

Her hair is very long. (Don’t say: Her hair are very long).

We say good health, (NOT a good health). Health is uncountable.

I hope you are in good health. (Don’t say: I hope you are in a good health).

My father has continued to enjoy good health in his old age. (Don’t say: My father has continued to enjoy a good health in his old age).

We say some of the students/ some students, (NOT some of students).

Some of the students were late for school. (Don’t say: Some of students were late for school).

Some students took their own handwritten notes on the lectures. (Don’t say: Some of students took their own handwritten notes on the lectures).

Some of the workers tried to talk to their bosses about being treated more fairly. (Don’t say: Some of workers tried to talk to their bosses about being treated more fairly).

Some workers do these tasks for her. (Don’t say: Some of workers do these tasks for her).

We say each of my students/ each of the students/ each student, (NOT each my students/ each of students).

Each of his students has a different assignment to complete. (Don’t say: Each his students/ each of students has a different assignment to complete).

Each student has a different assignment to complete. (Don’t say: Each of students has a different assignment to complete).

Each of the students has a different assignment to complete. (Don’t say: Each of students has a different assignment to complete).

We use for (NOT during) to say how long something lasts.

I have studied Japanese for 2 months. (Don’t say: I have studied Japanese during 2 months).

I am on vacation for 3 weeks. (Don’t say: I am on vacation during 3 weeks).

It hasn't rained for six months. (Don’t say: It hasn't rained during six months).

We use how + adjective/adverb + subject + verb, (NOT how + subject + verb + adjective/adverb).

How beautiful she is! (Don’t say: How she is beautiful!).

How excellent you are! (Don’t say: How you are excellent!).

How hot the weather is! (Don’t say: How the weather is hot!).

We use such a/an (+ adjective) + singular countable noun, (NOT a/an such (+ adjective) + singular countable noun).

It's such a beautiful day. (Don’t say: It's a such beautiful day).

She's such a beautiful girl. (Don’t say: She's a such beautiful girl).

I've never seen such a wonderful sunset. (Don’t say: I've never seen a such wonderful sunset).

We use such (+ adjective) + uncountable/plural noun, (NOT such a/an (+ adjective) + uncountable/plural noun).

I’ve never seen such good things. (Don’t say: I’ve never seen such a good things).

They are such nice people. (Don’t say: They are such a nice people).

They’re such friendly people that everyone likes them. (Don’t say: They’re such a friendly people that everyone likes them).

We use hope/expect + to infinitive (NOT hope/expect + V-ing).

I expect to read this book. (Don’t say: I expect reading this book).

I hope to pass the exam. (Don’t say: I hope passing the exam).

She hopes to find a job in a hospital because she is a nurse. (Don’t say: She hopes finding a job in a hospital because she is a nurse).

We say explain (something) to someone, (NOT explain (something) someone).

I will explain the problem to you. (Don’t say: I will explain you the problem).

It was difficult to explain the problem to him. (Don’t say: It was difficult to explain him the problem).

Explain to me why he isn't here. (Don’t say: Explain me why he isn't here).

Please explain to me why you were late last night. (Don’t say: Please explain me why you were late last night).