Making English mistakes is a normal part of learning to speak English. In fact, making mistakes can be a sign that you are actively trying to communicate rather than simply memorising rules.

Many people understand English quite well but hesitate when they have to speak. They worry about using the wrong word, making a grammar error or saying something incorrectly. This fear can make them speak less, which unfortunately gives them fewer opportunities to improve.

The good news is that you don’t need perfect English to communicate effectively. You need to recognise the mistakes you commonly make, understand how to correct them and, most importantly, practise using the correct form.

Let’s look at some common English mistakes that many learners make and how you can avoid them

1. “I am having two sisters.”

This is a very common mistake.

We normally use have to talk about possession or relationships.

I am having two sisters.

I have two sisters.

Similarly:

She is having a car.

She has a car.

However, having can be correct when we are talking about an activity or experience.

I am having lunch.

We are having a meeting.

Understanding the difference can help you avoid one of the most common English mistakes in everyday conversation.

2. “I didn’t went.”

After did or didn’t, we use the basic form of the verb.

I didn’t went to work yesterday.

I didn’t go to work yesterday.

Did you saw the movie?

Did you see the movie?

This is one of those English mistakes that happens because learners try to show the past twice—once with did and again with the past form of the verb.

Remember:

Did + basic verb

Didn’t + basic verb

For example:

• Did you call her?
• Did they come?
• I didn’t call her.
• They didn’t come.

3. “He don’t know.”

This is another frequent error.

With he, she and it, we normally use doesn’t, not don’t.

He don’t know.

He doesn’t know.

She don’t like coffee.

She doesn’t like coffee.

But with I, you, we and they, we use don’t.

I don’t know.

They don’t like coffee.

These small differences can make your spoken English sound much more natural.

4. “Discuss about the problem”

The verb discuss does not normally need about after it.

We discussed about the problem.

We discussed the problem.

However, talk about is perfectly correct.

We talked about the problem.

This is an example of how translating directly from another language can lead to English mistakes.

Instead of translating word-for-word, try to learn common expressions as complete phrases.

5. “I am working here since five years.”

When something started in the past and is still continuing, English usually uses a structure such as:

I have been working here for five years.

Or:

I have worked here for five years.

We use for when we are talking about a period of time:

• for five years
• for two months
• for three hours

We use since when we mention the starting point:

• since 2021
• since Monday
• since morning

So:

I am working here since five years.

I have been working here for five years.

This is among the English mistakes that can be corrected quite easily once you understand the pattern.

6. “Myself Kalpana.”

You may hear people introduce themselves by saying:

Myself Kalpana.

In standard English, this isn’t the usual way to introduce yourself.

Instead, say:

I’m Kalpana.

or

My name is Kalpana.

The word myself is normally used differently.

For example:

I prepared the presentation myself.

I introduced myself to the new manager.

This is one of the English mistakes that is particularly common in introductions and professional situations.

7. “I have a doubt.”

In Indian English, this expression is very common. However, when you mean that you have a question or something you don’t understand, question is often more natural in international English.

Instead of:

I have a doubt.

You could say:

I have a question.

or

I’m not sure I understand this.

or

Could you explain this to me?

This doesn’t mean that saying I have a doubt makes your English impossible to understand. It simply means there may be a more natural expression depending on the situation.

8. “Return back”

The word return already contains the idea of going or coming back.

Please return back the book.

Please return the book.

Similarly:

He returned back home.

You could simply say:

He returned home.

These are small English mistakes, but removing unnecessary words can make your English clearer and more natural.

9. “More better”

We don’t normally use more before a comparative adjective such as better.

This is more better.

This is better.

Similarly:

She is more taller than me.

She is taller than me.

This option is more easier.

This option is easier.

Using one correct form is enough.

10. “I am agree.”

Agree is a verb, so we don’t normally say I am agree.

I am agree with you.

I agree with you.

You can say:

I completely agree.

I agree with your point.

I don’t agree.

This is another example of why translating sentence structures directly can create English mistakes.

11. “He is senior than me.”

With senior, we normally use to, not than.

He is senior than me.

He is senior to me.

However, in everyday conversation, you could avoid the structure altogether:

He is more senior than I am.

The important thing is to focus on communication rather than trying to remember complicated rules while speaking.

12. Don’t Let Fear of English Mistakes Stop You

Perhaps the biggest problem is not making English mistakes. It is being so afraid of making them that you stop speaking altogether.

Imagine trying to learn swimming by reading a book about swimming but never entering the water.

You can learn the rules, understand the techniques and watch other people swim—but you still need to get into the water.

Speaking English is similar.

You need to speak.

You will make mistakes.

You will sometimes forget words.

You may use the wrong sentence structure.

That’s okay.

The important thing is to notice the mistake, learn the better expression and use it the next time.

How Can You Reduce English Mistakes?

You don’t have to correct everything at once. In fact, trying to correct every mistake simultaneously can make speaking stressful.

Instead, choose one or two areas at a time.

For example, this week you could concentrate on using:

did + basic verb

Then practise:

• I went to the office.
• I didn’t go to the office.
• Did you go to the office?

Next week, you might focus on don’t and doesn’t.

This approach makes learning manageable.

Another useful technique is to record yourself speaking. Choose a simple topic and speak for two minutes. Listen to your recording and identify one or two English mistakes.

Don’t try to correct everything.

Ask yourself:

What is one thing I can say better next time?

That small improvement, repeated regularly, can make a significant difference.

Speak More, Not Less

The goal of learning English is not to produce perfectly grammatical sentences every time you open your mouth.

The goal is to communicate clearly and confidently.

Some English mistakes will disappear naturally as you get more exposure to English. Others require deliberate practice. Either way, speaking regularly is essential.

Try talking about your day, describing something you see, explaining your opinion or having a short conversation with someone.

And when you make a mistake, don’t stop.

Correct it and continue.

Your English Can Improve One Mistake at a Time

The next time you make one of these English mistakes, don’t feel embarrassed.

Treat it as useful feedback.

Instead of thinking, “I can’t speak English,” try thinking:

“I know what I need to improve.”

That change in attitude can make learning much easier.

At ConfidEng, we believe that English is meant to be spoken and practised, not simply memorised. Regular conversations, role plays and real-life speaking situations give you the opportunity to use English actively and become more comfortable expressing yourself.

You don’t have to wait until your English is perfect.

Start speaking. Notice your English mistakes. Learn from them. Try again.

That’s how confidence grows.