- Subject-verb agreement: One of the most common grammar mistakes made by English as a foreign language speakers is incorrect subject-verb agreement. This occurs when the verb does not match the subject in number. For example, “The students are studying” is correct, while “The students is studying” is incorrect.
- Pronoun agreement: Another common mistake is incorrect pronoun agreement. This occurs when the pronoun does not match the antecedent in number or gender. For example, “Each of the students has their own books” is incorrect, it should be “Each of the students has his or her own books.”
- Tense consistency: English as a foreign language speakers may also have difficulty maintaining consistency in verb tense. For example, “Yesterday, I go to the store” is incorrect, it should be “Yesterday, I went to the store.”
- Confusing words: English as a foreign language speakers may confuse similar-sounding words. For example, “I’m affraid of the dark” instead of “I’m afraid of the dark.”
- Prepositions: English as a foreign language speakers may have difficulty using prepositions correctly. For example, “I’m from Italy” instead of “I’m from Italy.”
- Word order: English as a foreign language speakers may also have difficulty with word order in English sentences. For example, “I happy am” instead of “I am happy.”
- Article usage: English as a foreign language speakers may have difficulty with the use of articles “a, an and the.” For example, “I bought apple” instead of “I bought an apple.”
- Adjective order: English as a foreign language speakers may also have difficulty with the order of adjectives in a sentence. For example, “I bought a big red car” instead of “I bought a red big car.”
- Modals: English as a foreign language speakers may have difficulty using modals correctly. For example, “I can swims” instead of “I can swim.”
- False cognates: English as a foreign language speakers may also mistake words that look or sound similar to words in their own language, but have a different meaning. For example, “Embarazada” in Spanish means “pregnant” but in English it’s “embarrassed.”
It is worth noting that these are common mistakes made by English as a foreign language speakers and that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. The key is to be aware of them, practice and to seek feedback and corrections. With time and practice, these mistakes can be corrected and overcome. Additionally, it’s also important to understand that different cultures have different ways of expressing themselves and that’s normal, there is no one correct way of communicating.
Further reading:
Before their workshop at the NGV Art Book Fair in Melbourne, writing studio the Good Copy shares some tips
Source: Wait … is that a rule? Ten everyday grammar mistakes you might be making | Books | The Guardian
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