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One of the most interesting parts of being a language teacher is seeing how learners from completely different countries, backgrounds, and levels often struggle with the same writing issues. Whether I’m correcting an email from a business professional or an essay from a university student certain patterns appear again and again.
The encouraging part? Once you understand these patterns, your writing becomes clearer, more natural, and much easier to control. In this column, I want to share the most common mistakes I see in English writing — and more importantly, how you can fix them.
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1. Articles (a, an, the)
Articles are one of the biggest challenges for English learners because many languages don’t use them the same way English does — or don’t use them at all. But in English, articles are essential for clarity.
Common mistakes:
✘ I bought new phone.
✔ I bought a new phone.
✘ The happiness is important.
✔ Happiness is important.
Why this happens: Learners often translate directly from their native language, where articles may not exist.
How to improve: Ask yourself, "Is this noun general or specific? Countable or uncountable?" This simple habit helps you choose the right article, or none at all.
2. Prepositions
Prepositions are tiny words with huge consequences. They rarely translate directly, and memorizing them individually doesn’t help much.
Common mistakes:
✘ I'm good in English.
✔ I'm good at English.
✘ It depends of the situation.
✔ It depends on the situation.
Why this happens: Prepositions follow patterns, not logic.
How to improve: Learn them in chunks, not as single words.
Your writing becomes more natural instantly.
3. Overusing "very"
When learners don’t know a stronger word, they often add "very." It’s understandable — but it weakens your writing.
Examples:
✘ very big
✔ huge
✘ very tired
✔ exhausted
✘ very cold
✔ freezing
Why this happens: "Very" feels safe and easy.
How to improve: Build a list of stronger alternatives. Even learning 10-15 will make a noticeable difference.
4. Confusing similar words: The "false friends" problem
Some English words look or sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Common mix-ups:
Why this happens: Many languages have "false friends" — words that look familiar but don’t mean the same thing.
How to improve: Whenever you learn a new word, learn its "partner word" too. Example:
This prevents confusion later.
5. Run-on sentences
Many learners try to write long, complex sentences because they think it sounds more advanced. Unfortunately, this often leads to confusion.
Example:
✘ I went to the store I bought some food I met my friend we talked for an hour.
✔ I went to the store, bought some food, and met my friend. We talked for an hour.
Why this happens: Some languages allow long sentences without strict punctuation rules.
How to improve: Use shorter sentences. Clear writing is better than complicated writing.
6. Literal translations
Direct translation often leads to unnatural or incorrect English.
Example:
✘ I have 25 years.
✔ I am 25 years old.
✘ I passed a good time.
✔ I had a good time.
Why this happens: Your brain tries to "borrow" structures from your native language.
How to improve: Try writing in simple English first. Complexity can come later.
7. Missing subjects
Some languages allow you to drop the subject. English doesn't! English needs a subject every time.
Examples:
✘ Is raining today.
✔ It is raining today.
✘ Seems difficult.
✔ It seems difficult.
Why this happens: Learners transfer grammar rules from their native language.
How to improve: When proofreading, ask yourself, "Does every sentence have a subject?"
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Practical Tips to Improve Your Writing Right Now
Here are simple habits that make a big difference:
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If you want to understand your writing better and see exactly how to improve it, I’ve created a new no‑call English Writing Correction lesson. You send me your writing (up to 500 words) in Google Docs, and I return a copy with your mistakes, my corrections, my suggestions for improvement, and my explanations for every correction.
---
1. Articles (a, an, the)
Articles are one of the biggest challenges for English learners because many languages don’t use them the same way English does — or don’t use them at all. But in English, articles are essential for clarity.
Common mistakes:
✘ I bought new phone.
✔ I bought a new phone.
✘ The happiness is important.
✔ Happiness is important.
Why this happens: Learners often translate directly from their native language, where articles may not exist.
How to improve: Ask yourself, "Is this noun general or specific? Countable or uncountable?" This simple habit helps you choose the right article, or none at all.
2. Prepositions
Prepositions are tiny words with huge consequences. They rarely translate directly, and memorizing them individually doesn’t help much.
Common mistakes:
✘ I'm good in English.
✔ I'm good at English.
✘ It depends of the situation.
✔ It depends on the situation.
Why this happens: Prepositions follow patterns, not logic.
How to improve: Learn them in chunks, not as single words.
- good at
- interested in
- depend on
- afraid of
Your writing becomes more natural instantly.
3. Overusing "very"
When learners don’t know a stronger word, they often add "very." It’s understandable — but it weakens your writing.
Examples:
✘ very big
✔ huge
✘ very tired
✔ exhausted
✘ very cold
✔ freezing
Why this happens: "Very" feels safe and easy.
How to improve: Build a list of stronger alternatives. Even learning 10-15 will make a noticeable difference.
4. Confusing similar words: The "false friends" problem
Some English words look or sound similar but have completely different meanings.
Common mix-ups:
- fun vs. funny
- borrow vs. lend
- remember vs. remind
- actually vs. currently
- sensible vs. sensitive
Why this happens: Many languages have "false friends" — words that look familiar but don’t mean the same thing.
How to improve: Whenever you learn a new word, learn its "partner word" too. Example:
- borrow and receive
- lend and give
This prevents confusion later.
5. Run-on sentences
Many learners try to write long, complex sentences because they think it sounds more advanced. Unfortunately, this often leads to confusion.
Example:
✘ I went to the store I bought some food I met my friend we talked for an hour.
✔ I went to the store, bought some food, and met my friend. We talked for an hour.
Why this happens: Some languages allow long sentences without strict punctuation rules.
How to improve: Use shorter sentences. Clear writing is better than complicated writing.
6. Literal translations
Direct translation often leads to unnatural or incorrect English.
Example:
✘ I have 25 years.
✔ I am 25 years old.
✘ I passed a good time.
✔ I had a good time.
Why this happens: Your brain tries to "borrow" structures from your native language.
How to improve: Try writing in simple English first. Complexity can come later.
7. Missing subjects
Some languages allow you to drop the subject. English doesn't! English needs a subject every time.
Examples:
✘ Is raining today.
✔ It is raining today.
✘ Seems difficult.
✔ It seems difficult.
Why this happens: Learners transfer grammar rules from their native language.
How to improve: When proofreading, ask yourself, "Does every sentence have a subject?"
---
Practical Tips to Improve Your Writing Right Now
Here are simple habits that make a big difference:
- Read your writing out loud. If it sounds unnatural, it probably is.
- Use shorter sentences. Clarity is more important than complexity.
- Learn common "chunks." Phrases like "at the moment," "as a result," and "in my opinion" make writing smoother.
- Keep a personal mistake list. You'll start to see patterns and fix them faster.
- Get feedback from a real person. Tools can correct spelling, but they can't explain why something is wrong or how to improve your tone, structure, or clarity.
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If you want to understand your writing better and see exactly how to improve it, I’ve created a new no‑call English Writing Correction lesson. You send me your writing (up to 500 words) in Google Docs, and I return a copy with your mistakes, my corrections, my suggestions for improvement, and my explanations for every correction.
This method helps you learn from your own writing, understand your patterns, and build confidence step by step.
If you’d like to try it, I’d be happy to help you grow as a writer!
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