Simple English Grammar Rules People Often Get Wrong – English grammar looks simple on the surface, but many learners and even native speakers still make the same mistakes again and again. These errors may seem small, yet they can affect clarity, professionalism, and credibility, especially in writing.
In this article, we will discuss simple English grammar rules people often get wrong, explain why they happen, and show how to fix them naturally. This guide is written in a friendly tone, easy to understand, and practical for everyday use.
Subject and Verb Agreement Confusion
One of the most common grammar problems in English is subject and verb agreement. This rule sounds basic, but it often becomes tricky in longer sentences.
A singular subject must use a singular verb, while a plural subject must use a plural verb. Problems usually appear when other words come between the subject and the verb.
For example, many people write “The list of items are on the table.” The real subject is “list,” not “items,” so the correct sentence is “The list of items is on the table.”
Collective Nouns and Agreement
Collective nouns such as team, family, or group also confuse writers. In American English, these words are usually treated as singular. So, “The team is winning” is considered correct, even though the team includes many people.
Understanding what the true subject is will help you avoid this mistake in most cases.
Using “Your” and “You’re” Incorrectly
This is a classic error that still appears everywhere, especially online. “Your” shows possession, while “you’re” is a contraction of “you are.”
When people write quickly, they often forget the difference. A simple trick is to replace “you’re” with “you are.” If the sentence still makes sense, then “you’re” is correct.
For example, “You’re going to love your new job” uses both forms correctly. Mixing them up can make writing look careless, even if the message is clear.
Confusion Between “Its” and “It’s”
Another small apostrophe mistake that causes big confusion is between “its” and “it’s.” “It’s” means “it is” or “it has,” while “its” shows possession.
A sentence like “The company changed it’s policy” is incorrect. The correct form is “The company changed its policy.”
This mistake is common because most possessive nouns in English use apostrophes, but “its” is an exception.
Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices
Run-on sentences happen when two complete ideas are joined without proper punctuation. Comma splices are a specific type of run-on sentence where a comma is used instead of a period or conjunction.
For example, “I finished the report, I sent it to my manager” is incorrect. These are two independent sentences.
You can fix this by adding a conjunction, changing the comma to a period, or restructuring the sentence. Simple fixes like these make writing much easier to read.
Overusing or Misusing Commas
Commas are helpful, but too many commas can be just as confusing as too few. Many writers place commas where they feel a pause, not where grammar rules require them.
A common mistake is putting a comma between a subject and verb, such as “My brother, works in marketing.” This comma should not be there.
Commas After Introductory Phrases
On the other hand, commas are often missing after introductory phrases. For example, “After finishing the project we took a break” should include a comma after “project.”
Learning basic comma rules improves sentence flow and prevents misunderstandings.
Mixing Up “Then” and “Than”
“Then” relates to time or sequence, while “than” is used for comparisons. Even though the difference is simple, many people still confuse them.
For example, “She is taller then her sister” is incorrect. The correct sentence is “She is taller than her sister.”
This mistake often happens because both words sound similar when spoken quickly.
Incorrect Use of Articles: A, An, and The
Articles are a major challenge for non-native English speakers. English uses “a” and “an” for general nouns and “the” for specific ones.
A common error is saying “She is the doctor” when the speaker means any doctor, not a specific one. In that case, “She is a doctor” is more natural.
Understanding whether a noun is general or specific helps you choose the right article.
Confusion Between Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Some nouns in English cannot be counted individually, such as information, advice, and furniture. These words do not have plural forms, but many learners try to add “s” to them.
For example, “many informations” is incorrect. The correct phrase is “a lot of information.”
This mistake often comes from translating directly from another language.
Using the Wrong Prepositions
Prepositions are small words, but they cause big problems. Common examples include confusing “in,” “on,” and “at,” or “for” and “since.”
There is no single rule that works for all situations, which makes prepositions difficult. The best way to learn them is through exposure and practice, not memorization alone.
Reading English content regularly helps you notice which prepositions sound natural in different contexts.
Mixing Past Simple and Present Perfect
Many English learners struggle with the difference between past simple and present perfect. Past simple refers to a finished time, while present perfect connects the past to the present.
For example, “I have seen him yesterday” is incorrect. “Yesterday” is a finished time, so the correct sentence is “I saw him yesterday.”
This rule becomes clearer when you focus on time expressions.
Conclusion
Simple English grammar rules are often overlooked because they seem obvious. However, these small mistakes appear frequently in everyday writing and speech. By understanding why they happen and paying attention to common patterns, you can improve your English naturally.
Good grammar does not mean perfect grammar. It means clear communication. With consistent reading, writing, and awareness, avoiding these common grammar mistakes becomes much easier over time.