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30 Common English Mistakes Intermediate Students Make (With Easy Corrections)

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30 Common English Mistakes Intermediate Students Make

Learning English is exciting, but many intermediate English learners make common mistakes in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence structure. The good news is that these mistakes are normal, and you can improve quickly when you understand the correct forms.

In this lesson, you will learn 30 common English mistakes intermediate students make, along with easy explanations and examples. This guide will help you improve your:

  • English grammar
  • English speaking
  • English writing
  • Vocabulary usage
  • Daily conversation skills
  • IELTS and TOEFL preparation

If you want to speak English fluently and confidently, avoiding these common English errors is very important.

1. Saying: “She go to school every day”

❌ Incorrect:

  • She go to school every day.

✅ Correct:

  • She goes to school every day.

Explanation:

In the simple present tense, we add -s or -es with he, she, and it.

More Examples:

  • He works in a bank.
  • My brother plays football every weekend.

2. Saying: “I am agree”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I am agree with you.

✅ Correct:

  • I agree with you.

Explanation:

“Agree” is a verb, not an adjective. Do not use “am” before it.

More Examples:

  • I agree with your idea.
  • They agree on the plan.

3. Saying: “He have a car”

❌ Incorrect:

  • He have a car.

✅ Correct:

  • He has a car.

Explanation:

Use “has” with he, she, and it.

More Examples:

  • She has two sisters.
  • My teacher has a new computer.

4. Using “People is”

❌ Incorrect:

  • People is friendly here.

✅ Correct:

  • People are friendly here.

Explanation:

“People” is plural, so use “are.”

More Examples:

  • People are happy today.
  • Many people are waiting outside.

5. Saying: “I didn’t went”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I didn’t went to work.

✅ Correct:

  • I didn’t go to work.

Explanation:

After “didn’t,” use the base verb.

More Examples:

  • She didn’t call me.
  • We didn’t watch the movie.

6. Confusing “Since” and “For”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I live here since two years.

✅ Correct:

  • I have lived here for two years.

Explanation:

Use:

  • “For” + period of time
  • “Since” + starting point

More Examples:

  • She has worked here since 2022.
  • They have known each other for years.

7. Saying: “More easier”

❌ Incorrect:

  • This exercise is more easier.

✅ Correct:

  • This exercise is easier.

Explanation:

Do not use “more” with adjectives ending in “-er.”

More Examples:

  • This bag is heavier.
  • English is easier now.

8. Saying: “I am boring”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I am boring.

✅ Correct:

  • I am bored.

Explanation:

  • “Bored” = how you feel
  • “Boring” = something that causes boredom

More Examples:

  • The movie was boring.
  • We were bored during the meeting.

9. Using Double Negatives

❌ Incorrect:

  • I don’t know nothing.

✅ Correct:

  • I don’t know anything.

Explanation:

English usually uses only one negative word in a sentence.

More Examples:

  • She doesn’t want anything.
  • We didn’t see anyone there.

10. Saying: “How it looks like?”

❌ Incorrect:

  • How it looks like?

✅ Correct:

  • What does it look like?

Explanation:

Use “What does it look like?” for appearance.

More Examples:

  • What does your house look like?
  • What does she look like?

11. Confusing “Say” and “Tell”

❌ Incorrect:

  • He said me the truth.

✅ Correct:

  • He told me the truth.

Explanation:

Use:

  • “Tell” + person
  • “Say” without person

More Examples:

  • She told me a story.
  • He said he was tired.

12. Saying: “I am here since Monday”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I am here since Monday.

✅ Correct:

  • I have been here since Monday.

Explanation:

Use present perfect for actions continuing until now.

More Examples:

  • She has lived here since childhood.
  • We have studied English for years.

13. Saying: “One of my friend”

❌ Incorrect:

  • One of my friend is a doctor.

✅ Correct:

  • One of my friends is a doctor.

Explanation:

Use plural nouns after “one of.”

More Examples:

  • One of my teachers is from Canada.
  • One of the students won the prize.

14. Confusing “Fun” and “Funny”

❌ Incorrect:

  • The movie was very fun.

✅ Correct:

  • The movie was very funny.
    OR
  • The movie was a lot of fun.

Explanation:

  • “Funny” = makes you laugh
  • “Fun” = enjoyable

More Examples:

  • The comedian was funny.
  • The trip was fun.

15. Saying: “I look forward to meet you”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I look forward to meet you.

✅ Correct:

  • I look forward to meeting you.

Explanation:

After “look forward to,” use a verb ending in “-ing.”

More Examples:

  • I look forward to hearing from you.
  • She looks forward to traveling.

16. Confusing “Much” and “Many”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I have much friends.

✅ Correct:

  • I have many friends.

Explanation:

  • “Many” for countable nouns
  • “Much” for uncountable nouns

More Examples:

  • We don’t have much time.
  • She bought many books.

17. Saying: “He is married with”

❌ Incorrect:

  • He is married with Anna.

✅ Correct:

  • He is married to Anna.

More Examples:

  • She is married to a doctor.
  • My uncle is married to a teacher.

18. Saying: “Discuss about”

❌ Incorrect:

  • We discussed about the problem.

✅ Correct:

  • We discussed the problem.

Explanation:

“Discuss” does not need “about.”

More Examples:

  • They discussed the project.
  • We discussed our plans.

19. Saying: “Depends of”

❌ Incorrect:

  • It depends of the weather.

✅ Correct:

  • It depends on the weather.

More Examples:

  • Success depends on hard work.
  • The trip depends on money.

20. Saying: “I have 25 years”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I have 25 years.

✅ Correct:

  • I am 25 years old.

More Examples:

  • She is 30 years old.
  • My brother is 18 years old.

21. Confusing “Do” and “Make”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I made my homework.

✅ Correct:

  • I did my homework.

Explanation:

Use:

  • “Do” for tasks and work
  • “Make” for creating something

More Examples:

  • She made a cake.
  • He did the dishes.

22. Saying: “Advices”

❌ Incorrect:

  • She gave me many advices.

✅ Correct:

  • She gave me a lot of advice.

Explanation:

“Advice” is uncountable.

More Examples:

  • Thank you for your advice.
  • He gave useful advice.

23. Saying: “Informations”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I need more informations.

✅ Correct:

  • I need more information.

Explanation:

“Information” is uncountable.

More Examples:

  • This information is important.
  • Can you give me more information?

24. Saying: “I enjoy to read”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I enjoy to read books.

✅ Correct:

  • I enjoy reading books.

Explanation:

After “enjoy,” use a verb ending in “-ing.”

More Examples:

  • She enjoys cooking.
  • We enjoy traveling.

25. Confusing “Lose” and “Loose”

❌ Incorrect:

  • Don’t loose your keys.

✅ Correct:

  • Don’t lose your keys.

Explanation:

  • “Lose” = cannot find
  • “Loose” = not tight

More Examples:

  • I lost my wallet.
  • These shoes are loose.

26. Saying: “Very delicious”

❌ Incorrect:

  • The food is very delicious.

✅ Correct:

  • The food is delicious.

Explanation:

“Delicious” already has a strong meaning.

More Examples:

  • The cake was delicious.
  • Her cooking is delicious.

27. Saying: “Open the TV”

❌ Incorrect:

  • Open the TV.

✅ Correct:

  • Turn on the TV.

More Examples:

  • Turn on the lights.
  • She turned on the computer.

28. Saying: “Close the light”

❌ Incorrect:

  • Close the light.

✅ Correct:

  • Turn off the light.

More Examples:

  • Please turn off the fan.
  • He turned off the radio.

29. Confusing “Borrow” and “Lend”

❌ Incorrect:

  • Can you borrow me your pen?

✅ Correct:

  • Can you lend me your pen?

Explanation:

  • Borrow = take temporarily
  • Lend = give temporarily

More Examples:

  • I borrowed a book from him.
  • She lent me some money.

30. Saying: “I am understanding”

❌ Incorrect:

  • I am understanding the lesson.

✅ Correct:

  • I understand the lesson.

Explanation:

Some verbs are usually not used in continuous form.

More Examples:

  • I know the answer.
  • She believes your story.

Why Learning Common English Mistakes Is Important

Understanding common English mistakes helps you:

  • Speak English more fluently
  • Write correctly
  • Improve grammar skills
  • Sound more natural
  • Increase confidence in conversations
  • Prepare for IELTS and TOEFL exams

Many English learners repeat the same mistakes for years. When you practice the correct forms every day, your English improves much faster.

Tips to Avoid English Mistakes

1. Read English Daily

Reading improves grammar and vocabulary naturally.

2. Listen to Native Speakers

Watch English videos, podcasts, and movies.

3. Practice Speaking

Use English every day, even for a few minutes.

4. Learn from Your Errors

Mistakes are part of learning. Correct them and continue practicing.

5. Write Example Sentences

Writing helps you remember grammar rules better.

Final Thoughts

Making mistakes is normal when learning English. Every intermediate student makes grammar and speaking errors. The important thing is to notice your mistakes and practice the correct forms regularly.

This guide to 30 common English mistakes intermediate students make will help you improve your English speaking, writing, listening, and grammar skills step by step.

Keep practicing every day, and your English will become more natural, fluent, and confident!

 
 
 
difference between say tell speak and talk

The Difference Between Say, Tell, Speak, and Talk in English with Examples

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The Difference Between “Say,” “Tell,” “Speak,” and “Talk” in English

Easy English Grammar Lesson with Simple Explanations and Many Examples

Learning English grammar can sometimes feel difficult, especially when words have similar meanings. Many English learners get confused about the verbs say, tell, speak, and talk because all of them are connected to communication.

However, these four verbs are used in different ways in English grammar and conversation. If you use the wrong one, your sentence may sound unnatural or incorrect.

The good news is that this lesson will make everything easy to understand.

In this detailed English grammar guide, you will learn:

  • The meaning of say, tell, speak, and talk
  • The difference between these verbs
  • Grammar rules
  • Common mistakes
  • Simple explanations
  • Real-life examples
  • Daily English sentences
  • Practice exercises

This lesson is perfect for:

  • Intermediate English learners
  • ESL students
  • English speaking practice
  • IELTS and TOEFL learners
  • Anyone who wants to speak English fluently

Why Is This Grammar Topic Important?

Native English speakers use these verbs every day in:

  • Daily conversations
  • English speaking
  • Movies and TV shows
  • Business English
  • School and work communication

If you learn how to use these verbs correctly, you will:
✅ Speak English more naturally
✅ Improve your grammar
✅ Understand native speakers better
✅ Avoid common English mistakes
✅ Sound more confident in conversations

1. How to Use “Say” in English

The verb say focuses on the words someone speaks.

Usually, after say, we mention the information or words directly.

Structure:

Say + something

Examples:

  • She said she was tired.
  • He said “good morning.”
  • I said that I was hungry.
  • My teacher said the homework was important.
  • They said they would arrive tomorrow.

“Say” Usually Does NOT Need a Person

❌ Incorrect:

  • She said me hello.
  • He said me the answer.

✅ Correct:

  • She said hello to me.
  • He said the answer to me.

This is one of the most common mistakes in English grammar.

More Examples of “Say”

Daily English Sentences:

  • My mother said dinner was ready.
  • Tom said he loves football.
  • Sarah said she wants to travel.
  • The doctor said I should rest.
  • My friend said the movie was amazing.

Questions with “Say”

  • What did she say?
  • Why did he say that?
  • Did they say anything about the meeting?

Common Expressions with “Say”

Say hello

  • I said hello to my neighbor.

Say goodbye

  • She said goodbye before leaving.

Say thank you

  • Don’t forget to say thank you.

Say sorry

  • He said sorry for being late.

Say something

  • Please say something!

Direct Speech and Indirect Speech with “Say”

Direct Speech:

  • She said, “I am happy.”

Indirect Speech:

  • She said that she was happy.

More Examples:

  • He said, “I love English.”
  • He said that he loved English.

2. How to Use “Tell” in English

The verb tell focuses on giving information to another person.

Usually, tell needs a listener.

Structure:

Tell + someone + something

Examples:

  • She told me the truth.
  • He told us a story.
  • My teacher told the students to study.
  • I told my friend about the problem.
  • They told us the news yesterday.

Important Rule About “Tell”

After tell, we usually mention the person.

❌ Incorrect:

  • She told that she was tired.
  • He told a joke. (possible but less complete)

✅ Correct:

  • She told me that she was tired.
  • He told us a joke.

Common Expressions with “Tell”

Tell the truth

  • Always tell the truth.

Tell a lie

  • The boy told a lie.

Tell a story

  • My grandmother told us a beautiful story.

Tell a secret

  • Don’t tell anyone my secret.

Tell the time

  • Can you tell the time?

Tell the difference

  • I cannot tell the difference between these colors.

More Examples of “Tell”

Daily English Sentences:

  • She told me to wait outside.
  • My father told me to work hard.
  • They told us about the accident.
  • He told his wife everything.
  • I told my teacher the truth.

Questions with “Tell”

  • Can you tell me your name?
  • Did she tell you the answer?
  • Why didn’t he tell us?

Difference Between “Say” and “Tell”

This is one of the biggest grammar problems for English learners.

Let’s make it simple.

SAY

👉 Focus on words

TELL

👉 Focus on information + listener

Compare These Sentences

SAY

  • She said she was tired.
  • He said “hello.”
  • They said the test was difficult.

TELL

  • She told me she was tired.
  • He told me hello.
  • They told us the test was difficult.

Easy Trick to Remember

SAY = words

TELL = someone

More Comparison Examples

Say Tell
He said he was busy. He told me he was busy.
She said “thank you.” She told me thank you.
They said the food was delicious. They told us the food was delicious.
I said nothing. I told my friend everything.

3. How to Use “Speak” in English

The verb speak is more formal.

We use speak when talking about:

  • Languages
  • Formal conversations
  • Professional communication

Structure of “Speak”

Speak + language

Speak to/with someone

Speak about something

Examples of “Speak”

Languages

  • She speaks English fluently.
  • Do you speak Arabic?
  • I want to speak French.

Formal Communication

  • May I speak to the manager?
  • The president spoke to the public.
  • Our teacher spoke about grammar.

Professional Situations

  • I need to speak with my boss.
  • The doctor spoke to the patient.
  • She spoke at the conference.

More Daily Examples of “Speak”

  • He speaks very fast.
  • We spoke about the project.
  • They spoke for two hours.
  • Can I speak to you privately?
  • She doesn’t speak much in class.

Common Expressions with “Speak”

Speak English

  • I want to speak English confidently.

Speak loudly

  • Please speak loudly.

Speak softly

  • The nurse spoke softly to the child.

Speak clearly

  • Can you speak clearly?

4. How to Use “Talk” in English

The verb talk is more informal and relaxed.

We use talk for casual conversations with friends, family, or people we know well.

Structure of “Talk”

Talk to someone

Talk with someone

Talk about something

Examples of “Talk”

  • We talked for hours.
  • I talked to my friend yesterday.
  • They talked about football.
  • She likes talking with her classmates.
  • Let’s talk about your future.

More Daily Examples of “Talk”

  • My parents talked all night.
  • He talks too much.
  • We talked on the phone yesterday.
  • Stop talking during class.
  • They talked about their vacation.

Common Expressions with “Talk”

Talk about

  • We talked about movies.

Talk to

  • I need to talk to you.

Talk with

  • She talked with her teacher.

Small talk

  • We made small talk before the meeting.

Difference Between “Speak” and “Talk”

Both words are similar, but there is a small difference.

SPEAK

👉 More formal

TALK

👉 More informal

Compare These Examples

Speak Talk
I need to speak with the manager. I want to talk with my friend.
The president spoke on TV. We talked after dinner.
She speaks English well. They talked about sports.
May I speak to you? Can we talk?

Native English Usage

In everyday English, native speakers sometimes use speak and talk in similar ways.

Example:

  • I spoke with my teacher.
  • I talked with my teacher.

Both are correct.

However:

  • “speak” sounds more formal
  • “talk” sounds more casual

Common English Mistakes

Mistake 1

❌ She said me the truth.
✅ She told me the truth.

Mistake 2

❌ He told that he was tired.
✅ He said that he was tired.

Mistake 3

❌ I say English very well.
✅ I speak English very well.

Mistake 4

❌ We spoke about football all night with friends.
✅ We talked about football all night with friends.

Real-Life Conversation Examples

Example 1

At School

  • Teacher: “Did you tell your parents about the meeting?”
  • Student: “Yes, I told them yesterday.”

Example 2

At Work

  • Boss: “Can I speak to you for a minute?”
  • Employee: “Of course.”

Example 3

Friends Talking

  • Anna: “What did he say?”
  • Lisa: “He said he was busy.”

Example 4

Family Conversation

  • Mother: “Why didn’t you tell me?”
  • Son: “I was afraid.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct answer.

1.

She _____ me the truth yesterday.

  • said
  • told

✅ Answer: told

2.

He _____ he was sick.

  • said
  • told

✅ Answer: said

3.

Can you _____ English?

  • talk
  • speak

✅ Answer: speak

4.

We _____ about our future plans.

  • talked
  • spoke

✅ Answer: talked

5.

My teacher _____ us to study harder.

  • said
  • told

✅ Answer: told

Final Tips to Remember

SAY

👉 Focus on words

TELL

👉 Usually needs a person

SPEAK

👉 Formal communication and languages

TALK

👉 Informal conversation

Final Thoughts

The verbs say, tell, speak, and talk are very important in English grammar and daily conversation. Many learners confuse these words, but with practice, they become easy to use.

Remember:

  • Read English stories
  • Listen to English conversations
  • Practice speaking every day
  • Write your own example sentences

The more you practice English, the more natural your speaking will become.

Keep learning and never stop practicing English!