5 Common English Mistakes and How to Fix Them
May 10, 2025
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General English
Learning English can be exciting, but even confident learners make small mistakes that can sound unnatural to native speakers. Don’t worry — mistakes are a normal (and useful!) part of learning. Let’s look at five common errors and how you can easily fix them.
1. Saying “I’m agree” Instead of “I agree”
❌ I’m agree with you.
✅ I agree with you.
Why: “Agree” is a verb, so you don’t need “am.”
🟢 Tip: Think of it like “I eat,” “I know,” “I agree.” Simple and direct!
2. Confusing “Since” and “For”
❌ I’ve lived here since five years.
✅ I’ve lived here for five years.
Why: Use since for a starting point (since 2020), and for for a period of time (for five years).
🟢 Tip: Since = starting time. For = duration.
Forgetting the “-s” in Third Person
❌ She play piano every day.
✅ She plays piano every day.
Why: In the present simple, verbs take “-s” with he, she, and it.
🟢 Tip: If it’s “he, she, it” — don’t forget the “s”!
4. Using “Very” Too Much
❌ Very very good! Very big! Very happy!
✅ Excellent! Huge! Thrilled!
Why: Native speakers often use stronger adjectives instead of repeating “very.”
🟢 Tip: Replace very good with great, very tired with exhausted, very happy with thrilled.
5. Translating Directly from Your Language
❌ I have 25 years.
✅ I’m 25 years old.
Why: Some languages use “have” for age, but English uses “to be.”
🟢 Tip: Avoid word-for-word translation — think in English, not in your native language.
Final Tip
Mistakes mean you’re learning — and the more you notice them, the faster you’ll improve. Practice speaking regularly, and don’t be afraid to make errors. Every correction is one step closer to fluency!
