Speaking English fluently is a dream for many learners. However, even fluent speakers make mistakes. Some errors are small and go unnoticed, while others can cause confusion. In this blog, we will discuss common mistakes in spoken English and simple ways to avoid them.
1. Using the Wrong Tense
Tenses help us express time in English. Many learners make mistakes in verb tenses.
Example Mistake: ❌ “Yesterday, I go to the market.”
Correct Sentence: ✅ “Yesterday, I went to the market.”
How to Avoid It:
- Learn the basic tenses (past, present, and future).
- Practice with real-life sentences.
- Pay attention to time words like “yesterday” (past), “today” (present), and “tomorrow” (future).
2. Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement
A singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb.
Example Mistake: ❌ “She go to school every day.”
Correct Sentence: ✅ “She goes to school every day.”
How to Avoid It:
- Remember that singular subjects (he, she, it) usually take verbs with “-s” in the present tense.
- Plural subjects (they, we) take the base verb.
3. Misusing Prepositions
Prepositions like “in,” “on,” and “at” can be confusing.
Example Mistake: ❌ “I was born on 1999.”
Correct Sentence: ✅ “I was born in 1999.”
How to Avoid It:
- Learn preposition rules:
- Use “in” for years and months (in 1999, in July).
- Use “on” for days and dates (on Monday, on 5th June).
- Use “at” for specific times (at 5 PM, at noon).
- Practice preposition exercises.
4. Overusing Fillers (Umm, Like, You Know)
Many people use fillers while speaking. It makes speech sound less confident.
Example Mistake: ❌ “I, umm, like, went to, you know, the store.”
Correct Sentence: ✅ “I went to the store.”
How to Avoid It:
- Speak slowly and clearly.
- Pause instead of using fillers.
- Practice speaking without unnecessary words.
5. Wrong Use of Articles (a, an, the)
Articles are small words but are important in English.
Example Mistake: ❌ “She is teacher.”
Correct Sentence: ✅ “She is a teacher.”
How to Avoid It:
- Use “a” before words that start with consonant sounds (a dog, a book).
- Use “an” before words that start with vowel sounds (an apple, an hour).
- Use “the” when talking about something specific (the sun, the best).
6. Incorrect Word Order
Word order in English follows a specific structure: Subject + Verb + Object.
Example Mistake: ❌ “To the park I go.”
Correct Sentence: ✅ “I go to the park.”
How to Avoid It:
- Practice simple sentence structures.
- Listen to native speakers and observe word order.
7. Pronunciation Errors
Some words in English are not pronounced as they are written.
Example Mistake: ❌ “I received a mes-sage (pronounced ‘mess-age’).”
Correct Pronunciation: ✅ “I received a mes-sij.”
How to Avoid It:
- Listen to native speakers and imitate them.
- Use online pronunciation tools.
- Practice speaking with correct stress and intonation.
8. Translating Directly from Native Language
Many learners think in their native language and then translate into English, leading to awkward sentences.
Example Mistake: ❌ “I have 25 years.”
Correct Sentence: ✅ “I am 25 years old.”
How to Avoid It:
- Think in English.
- Learn common English expressions instead of translating word-for-word.
9. Using Double Negatives
Double negatives make a sentence confusing.
Example Mistake: ❌ “I don’t know nothing.”
Correct Sentence: ✅ “I don’t know anything.”
How to Avoid It:
- Use only one negative word in a sentence (not, never, nothing, etc.).
- If using “don’t,” “doesn’t,” or “didn’t,” avoid another negative word.
10. Ignoring Contractions
Contractions make speech more natural. Some learners avoid them, making sentences sound unnatural.
Example Mistake: ❌ “I do not like ice cream.”
Correct Sentence: ✅ “I don’t like ice cream.”
How to Avoid It:
- Practice using contractions (I’m, you’re, we’ve, they’ll, etc.).
- Listen to native speakers and notice how they use contractions.
Final Tips to Improve Spoken English
- Listen More: Watch English movies, listen to podcasts, and observe how native speakers talk.
- Practice Speaking: Talk to friends, join English-speaking groups, or practice in front of a mirror.
- Record Yourself: Listen to your own speech and correct mistakes.
- Be Patient: Learning takes time. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes—just keep practicing!
By avoiding these common mistakes, your spoken English will improve. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll speak with more confidence and fluency