5 English Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes (And How to Fix Them)

Introduction

If you are learning English, you are not alone in making mistakes.

In fact, almost everyone makes the same mistakes, even learners who:

• Know a lot of grammar
• Understand English well
• Can read and write without problems

The issue is not intelligence or effort.
The issue is that English works differently from many other languages.

Some mistakes are so common that teachers hear them every day, all around the world.

The good news is this:
These mistakes are easy to recognize, easy to understand, and easy to fix once you become aware of them.

In this article, you will discover:

• The 5 most common English mistakes
• Why learners make them
• Clear explanations with examples
• Simple and practical ways to fix them
• How to avoid translating from your native language

This article is written for intermediate learners who want to sound more natural and confident when speaking English.

Mistake 1: “I Am Agree” Instead of “I Agree”

The mistake

Many learners say:

• ❌ I am agree with you.
• ❌ I am not agree.

Why this happens

This mistake comes from direct translation.

In many languages (French, Arabic, Spanish, etc.), the word “agree” is an adjective, so people say:

• “I am in agreement”
• “I am agree” (logical in their language)

But in English, “agree” is a verb, not an adjective.

The correct form

In English, we say:

• ✅ I agree.
• ✅ I don’t agree.
• ✅ I agree with you.

There is no “am” before the verb agree.

More examples

Incorrect:

• ❌ I am agree about this idea.
• ❌ She is agree with the plan.

Correct:

• ✅ I agree about this idea.
• ✅ She agrees with the plan.

How to fix it

• Remember: agree = verb
• Use it like other verbs:
  • I agree
  • You agree
  • He agrees

Practice tip

When you want to express opinion, use these natural phrases:

• I agree.
• I completely agree.
• I don’t really agree.
• I agree with you, but…

Mistake 2: “I Have 20 Years” Instead of “I Am 20 Years Old”

The mistake

Many learners say:

• ❌ I have 20 years.
• ❌ She has 25 years.

Why this happens

Again, this is a translation problem.

In many languages, age is expressed with the verb have:

• “I have 20 years” (logical in those languages)

But English does not use have for age.

The correct form

In English, we use the verb to be:

• ✅ I am 20 years old.
• ✅ She is 25 years old.

Often, native speakers even say:

• I’m 20.
• She’s 25.

More examples

Incorrect:

• ❌ My brother has 30 years.
• ❌ How many years do you have?

Correct:

• ✅ My brother is 30 years old.
• ✅ How old are you?

How to fix it

Think of age as a state, not something you own.

• Age = be
• Not have

Practice tip

Memorize these patterns:

• I’m ___ years old.
• He’s ___ years old.
• How old are you?

Do not translate from your language.

Mistake 3: “I Am Here Since 2020” Instead of “I Have Been Here Since 2020”

The mistake

Many learners say:

• ❌ I am here since 2020.
• ❌ I work here since last year.

Why this happens

This mistake is caused by:

• Confusion about tenses
• Translation from other languages
• Difficulty with the present perfect

English is very specific about time and duration.

The correct form

When an action:

• Started in the past
• Continues until now

English uses the present perfect.

Correct sentences:

• ✅ I have been here since 2020.
• ✅ I have worked here since last year.

Key words to remember

When you see:

• since
• for
• how long

You often need present perfect.

Compare

Wrong:

• ❌ I am married since 2018.

Correct:

• ✅ I have been married since 2018.

How to fix it

Use this formula:

have / has + past participle

Examples:

• I have lived here for five years.
• She has studied English since 2021.

Practice tip

Ask yourself:

• Is the action still true now?

If yes → use present perfect.

Mistake 4: Using the Wrong Prepositions (In / On / At)

The mistake

Learners often say:

• ❌ I am in the bus.
• ❌ See you in Monday.
• ❌ I work at home since two years.

Why this happens

Prepositions are:

• Small
• Illogical
• Different in every language

They cannot be translated directly.

The correct usage

Here are some essential rules.

Time

• At → specific time
  • at 7 o’clock
• On → days and dates
  • on Monday
• In → months, years, long periods
  • in 2024

Examples:

• ✅ See you on Monday.
• ✅ I was born in 1999.
• ✅ The meeting is at 10.

Place

• At → point or activity
  • at work, at school
• In → enclosed space
  • in a room, in a city
• On → surface
  • on the table

How to fix it

Do not try to understand prepositions logically.

Instead:

• Learn them in phrases
• Repeat them often

Practice tip

Memorize common expressions:

• at home
• on time
• in the morning

Mistake 5: Overusing Complex Grammar to Sound Advanced

The mistake

Some learners try to sound “advanced” and say:

• Very long sentences
• Complicated tenses
• Unnatural expressions

This often creates:

• Confusion
• Errors
• Stress while speaking

Why this happens

Learners think:

“If I use difficult grammar, my English is better.”

But in real life, simple English is powerful English.

The better approach

Instead of:

Had I been informed earlier, I would have potentially reconsidered my previous decision.

Say:

If I knew earlier, I would change my decision.

Native speakers prefer:

• Clear
• Direct
• Simple sentences

How to fix it

• Use simple tenses confidently
• Focus on clarity
• Speak naturally, not academically

Practice tip

Ask yourself:

• “Is this how people really speak?”

If not, simplify.

Why These Mistakes Are So Common

All five mistakes have the same causes:

• Translation from the native language
• Too much focus on grammar rules
• Not enough exposure to real spoken English

The solution is not:

• More grammar books
• More rules

The solution is:

• More listening
• More speaking
• More real examples

How to Fix These Mistakes Permanently

1. Learn phrases, not rules

Instead of learning:

• since + present perfect

Learn:

• I’ve been here since…

2. Listen to real English

Watch:

• Interviews
• Podcasts
• YouTube videos

Focus on how people speak, not grammar names.

3. Speak without fear

Mistakes are normal.
Silence is worse than mistakes.

4. Correct yourself naturally

Do not stop speaking.
Just correct and continue.

Final Conclusion

Making mistakes in English is normal.

Making the same mistakes forever is optional.

You do not need perfect grammar.
You need:

• Awareness
• Practice
• Confidence

If people understand you, you are doing well.

English is not an exam.
It is a tool for communication.

Speak first.
Improve later.