Some Common Mistakes in English Grammar

There are some common mistakes that we commit while writing. These mistakes recur constantly and we habitually repeat them. A little attention can remove these errors. Here are a few of them-

- The Best- People usually put ‘a’ or ‘very’ before best. While best is always preceded by the.

For example-

Incorrect sentence- She is a best girl of mine class.

Correct Sentence- She is the best girl of mine class.

Incorrect sentence- This is very best dress.

Correct Sentence- This is the best dress.

- Direct Indirect Speech- Always keep in mind the sentence must be in same speech. We usually put first half in direct and second half in indirect.

For example-

Incorrect Sentence- She said that she will go.

Correct Sentence- She said that she would go.

Incorrect sentence- He said to Ram, what do you want?

Correct Sentence- He said to Ram, “What do you want?”

- Use of for and since- People get confuse while using for and since. For is used to denote period of time, while since is used to denote point of time.

For example-

Incorrect Sentence- She is going since two years.

Correct Sentence- She is going for two years.

Incorrect Sentence- I have not met my friend from July 17, 2010.

Correct Sentence- I have not met my friend since July 17, 2010.

Some other Common Mistakes-

- Incorrect Sentence- She is an European.

Correct Sentence- She is a European.

Note- The article ‘a’ is used before a syllable with sound of ‘yu’. For example- a useful book, a one dollar note etc.

- Incorrect Sentence- She is a MP of our constituency.

Correct Sentence- She is an MP of our constituency.

Note- the article ‘an’ is used before consonants beginning with the vowel sound. For example- an MP, an MSW, an M.Sc. , an M.A.

- Incorrect Sentence- She is a brightest student in the class.

Correct Sentence- She is the brightest student in the class.

Note- ‘The’ is used before the superlative forms of degree.

Some more Mistakes-

Incorrect Sentence- There is no place in the compartment.

Correct Sentence- There is no room in the compartment.

Incorrect Sentence- He had a large number of money.

Correct Sentence- He had a large amount of money.

Incorrect sentence- Who is stronger, China or Russia?

Correct Sentence- Which is stronger, China or Russia?

Incorrect Sentence- It is me.

Correct sentence- It is I.

Incorrect Sentence- What is the last news?

Correct Sentence- What is the latest news?

Incorrect Sentence- He gets a less salary.

Correct Sentence- He gets a small salary.

Incorrect Sentence- Torch is useful than lantern.

Correct Sentence- Torch is more useful than lantern.

Incorrect Sentence- Both girls have not come.

Correct Sentence- Neither girl has come.

There are some very common mistakes that we commit. We can keep these things in mind to avoid mistakes and write.