Common English Mistakes Explained With Examples : Over 300 Mistakes

We say drive/walk a long way to a place, (NOT drive/walk far to a place).

I have to drive a long way to my office. (Don’t say: I have to drive far to my office).

I usually walk a long way to work. (Don’t say: I usually walk far to work).

We say get somebody to do something, (NOT get somebody do something).

It is difficult for me to get her to pronounce French words properly. (Don’t say: It is difficult for me to get her pronounce French words properly).

I'll get her to phone you as soon as possible. (Don’t say: I'll get her phone you as soon as possible).

We say have/get something done, (NOT have/get something do/to do).

I had my house painted. (Don’t say: I had my house to paint/paint).

Tom had his car washed. (Don’t say: Tom had his car to wash/wash).

She is going to get her hair cut tomorrow. (Don’t say: She is going to get her hair to cut/cut tomorrow).

We say hear, (NOT hear to).

I heard footsteps behind me. (Don’t say: I heard to footsteps behind me).

Can you hear me? (Don’t say: Can you hear to me?).

Can you hear the rain? (Don’t say: Can you hear to the rain?).

We don’t use progressive forms with “hear”.

Can you hear me? (Don’t say: Are you hearing me?)

Do you hear what I'm saying? (Don’t say: Are you hearing what I'm saying?)

We say many + plural nouns, (NOT many + singular nouns).

How many brothers do you have? (Don’t say: How many brother do you have?).

How many children do you have? (Don’t say: How many child do you have?).

There are many tourists during the summer in Tokyo. (Don’t say: There are many tourist during the summer in Tokyo).

We say much + uncountable nouns, (NOT much + countable nouns).

I had spent too much money on my vacation.

How much money did you spend on your house?

We say If I were you, I would.., (NOT If I was you, I will).

If I were you, I would study harder. (Don’t say: If I was you, I will study harder).

If I were you, I would book a flight now. (Don’t say: If I was you, I will book a flight now).

If I were you, I would give up smoking. (Don’t say: If I was you, I will give up smoking).

To talk about the future we use if only + subject + would + Vo, (NOT if only + subject + will + Vo).

If only Tom would save money. (Don’t say: If only Tom will save money).

If only she would sell me her car this week, I would give her $2000 more. (Don’t say: If only she would sell me her car this week, I will give her $2000 more).

If only he would listen to me! (Don’t say: If only he will listen to me!).

To talk about the present we use if only + subject + V2/V-ed, (NOT if only + subject + V(s/es)).

If only she knew the truth. (Don’t say: If only she knows the truth).

If only I learnt to swim. (Don’t say: If only I learn to swim).

If only Mary heard what they say about her behind her back. (Don’t say: If only Mary hears what they say about her behind her back).

To talk about the past we use if only + subject + had + V3, (NOT if only + subject + V2/V-ed).

If only she had been at the meeting. (Don’t say: If only she was at the meeting).

If only I had been sick tomorrow instead, I would have been happier. (Don’t say: If only I were sick tomorrow instead, I would have been happier).

If only she had listened to what her friends had been telling her. (Don’t say: If only she listened to what her friends had been telling her).

We say He said that he was tired, (NOT He said that I was tired or He said that he is tired).

He said that he was tired. (Don’t say: He said that I was tired or He said that he is tired).

Mary said that she was very happy. (Don’t say: Mary said that I was very happy or Mary said that she is very happy).

We say He said that he would, (NOT He said that he will).

Mary said that she would come back here next week. (Don’t say: Mary said that she will come back here next week).

Tom said that he would start jogging again next week. (Don’t say: Tom said that he will start jogging again next week).

We say try not to, (NOT try to not).

He tried not to show his surprise. (Don’t say: He tried to not show his surprise).

I tried not to laugh. (Don’t say: I tried to not laugh).

She tried not to look into his eyes. (Don’t say: She tried to not look into his eyes).

We say had better + Vo, (NOT had better + To infinitive/V-ing).

We'd better go now before the traffic gets too bad. (Don’t say: We'd better to go now before the traffic gets too bad).

You'd better tell him everything. (Don’t say: You'd better to tell him everything).

We say finish/admit/avoid/delay/postpone + V-ing, (NOT finish + To infinitive).

I've finished reading this book. (Don’t say: I've finished to read this book).

He admitted having stolen the money. (Don’t say: He admitted to have stolen the money).

Tom avoided doing his homework. (Don’t say: Tom avoided to do his homework).

Mary delayed writing her essay. (Don’t say: Mary delayed to write her essay).

Don't postpone doing what you love. (Don’t say: Don't postpone to do what you love).