Conquering Common Grammar Mistakes by English Learners

Learning English can be tough, especially when it comes to grammar. But don’t worry! With practice and some helpful tips, you can fix common grammar mistakes. Let’s explore some frequent errors in detail and learn how to avoid them.

1. Subject-Verb Agreement

One common mistake is not matching the subject with the correct verb form. For example:

• Incorrect: She go to school.
• Correct: She goes to school.

Tip: Singular subjects (like she, he, it) usually need verbs that end in “s” (goes, runs, eats). Plural subjects (they, we) do not.

2. Using the Wrong Tense

Choosing the wrong tense can change your meaning. For instance:

• Incorrect: I will eat breakfast yesterday.
• Correct: I ate breakfast yesterday.

Tip: Learn the basic tenses:

• Past: Actions that happened before (I ate).
• Present: Actions happening now (I eat).
• Future: Actions that will happen (I will eat).

3. Incorrect Word Order

English sentence structure can be tricky. A common error is placing words in the wrong order:

• Incorrect: She yesterday went to the market.
• Correct: She went to the market yesterday.

Tip: The usual order is subject + verb + object, with time expressions often at the end.

4. Misusing Articles

Articles (a, an, the) can be confusing. Here are some tips:

• Use a before words that begin with a consonant sound (a dog, a cat).
• Use an before words that begin with a vowel sound (an apple, an elephant).
• Use the when talking about something specific (the book on the table).

5. Confusing Prepositions

Prepositions (in, on, at, by) can be tricky. Here are a few common uses:

• In for enclosed spaces (in the room).
• On for surfaces (on the table).
• At for specific locations (at the door).

6. Using Double Negatives

Avoid using double negatives, as they make your sentence positive and confusing:

• Incorrect: I don’t have no money.
• Correct: I don’t have any money.

Tip: Use only one negative word to express a negative idea (I don’t have any money).

7. Plural and Singular Nouns

Sometimes learners mix up singular and plural forms:

• Incorrect: She has two child.
• Correct: She has two children.

Tip: Learn the irregular plural forms (child -> children, foot -> feet).

iTEP Academic Exam and Preparation Courses

If you want to improve your English, the International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) Academic Exam is a great goal. The iTEP Academic Exam measures your skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, AND grammar!

Preparing for the iTEP Academic Exam can help you improve your grammar and overall English proficiency. iTEP Academic Prep Courses offer many benefits:

• Targeted Practice: Focus on areas you need to improve at your own pace. 
• Expert Guidance: Learn from experienced instructors.
• Confidence Building: Gain confidence in your English skills.
• Improved Scores: Achieve better results in the iTEP Academic Exam.

Useful Links and Resources

• iTEP Academic: A comprehensive exam designed to help you understand your English Proficiency. 
• iTEP Academic Prep Courses: Prepare for the exam with exercises and more! 
• Grammarly: A tool to check your grammar and spelling.
• Purdue OWL: A helpful resource for grammar and writing tips.
• BBC Learning English: Lessons and exercises for English learners.

Conclusion

Fixing grammar mistakes is an important step in learning English. By understanding and practicing these common errors, you can improve your communication skills. Preparing for exams like the iTEP Academic Exam with targeted courses can boost your confidence and proficiency. Keep practicing, and you’ll see great improvement in your English grammar!