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Common mistakes

The sentences people get wrong most, with the fix and why. Choose one, then try a few like it.

89 common mistakes, grouped by point.

I have done or I did?

“I have seen him yesterday.”have done with a finished time “She had three jobs so far.”did for a time that goes on until now “I live here since 2015.”I live with since or for

How long have you been…?

“I'm waiting here since ten o'clock.”I'm doing or I do with how long “How long do you know her?”How long do you…? or How long are you…? “She worked here since 2020.”I did for something still going on “She has been work here for years.”have been + the -ing word

will, going to or I'm doing?

“Don't worry, I lend you some.”I do for an offer or a plan “I'm helping you with your homework if you like.”I'm doing for an offer made now “I will to call you.”will to, will having “We going to buy a car.”going to with a word missing “I meeting my cousin at seven.”I'm doing with a word missing

used to

“We use to play outside.”use to in a sentence without did “I didn't used to like fish.”didn't used to, did you used to “Where do you use to live?”don't use to, do you use to “We used to having dinner together.”used to + an -ing word “My sister was used to be shy.”was used to for the past “Why you used to walk to school?”you used to? as a question “My cousin would have long hair when we were children.”would for be, know or like in the past

in, on or at? Prepositions of time

“See you in Monday morning.”in, on or at “I've lived here for 2015.”since or for “Finish it until Friday.”by or until “I was ill while the holiday.”during, while or for

good at, interested in…

“I'm good in cooking.”good at, bad at, terrible at “I'm interested on history.”interested in “My parents are proud for me.”proud of, afraid of, aware of “I'm worried of my exams.”worried about “She's married with a doctor.”married to “She was rude with her teacher.”kind to, rude to, mean to “The town is famous of its festival.”famous for, known for “I'm keen in learning the guitar.”keen on “Who is responsible of the kitchen?”responsible for

depend on, listen to…

“It depends of the weather.”depend on, rely on “She never listens me.”listen to “I spend a lot in clothes.”spend money or time on “I don't believe on ghosts.”believe in “We arrived to the hotel.”arrive at or in, not arrive to “She reminds me to her mother.”remind someone of “I need to pay my coffee.”pay for something “I'm searching my keys.”search for, look for “Don't blame me of the mess.”blame someone for “I can't concentrate in my work.”concentrate on “I made friends to two people.”make friends with “They complained for the noise.”complain about

a, an, the or nothing?

“She gave me an useful tip.”a or an “A research suggests that…”a with research, advice, information “The life is short.”the for things in general “He goes to the work by train.”a or the with home, work, school, bed

If it rains… (not "if it will")

“If it will rain, we'll stay in.”will after if, when or as soon as “If you eat well, you would stay strong.”would for a real chance “If you got enough sleep, you'll feel better.”the past after if, with will in the other half

If I had…, I would…

“If I would have more time, I would travel.”would after if “If I have more money, I would buy a car.”the present after if, with would in the other half “If I won the lottery, I will buy a house.”will for something imagined

If I had known…

“If I would have known, I would have come.”would or would have after if “If they didn't destroy the forest, the animals wouldn't have lost their home.”I did after if, for the past “If you had asked me, I would help you.”would without have, for the past “If more people have been careful, the river wouldn't have got dirty.”have done after if

I wish I had… / I wish you would…

“I wish I can speak French.”wish + the present “I wish he will stop.”wish + will “I wish I would have more energy.”wish I would “I wish I took my umbrella this morning.”wish + I did or I have done, for the past

enjoy doing or want to do?

“I enjoy to swim.”to after enjoy, mind, keep, suggest “We can't afford staying there.”-ing after want, promise, agree, can't afford “She promised send us a postcard.”the verb with no to and no -ing “I don't want to competing.”to + an -ing word

must be, can't be

“She ran ten kilometres, so she must be ill.”must where you mean can't (or the other way round) “You must to be tired.”must to, must being, must has

should have, could have

“I should have went to bed earlier.”should have went, could have took “We should have listen to the forecast.”should have + the plain verb “I should check the forecast yesterday.”should or could without have, for the past “The company should had acted sooner.”should had, could has “You needn't to have waited.”needn't to have, should to

is made, was built: the passive

“My bike stole last night.”missing is, was or were “The house was build in 1990.”is or was + the plain verb “Last week we are invited to a wedding.”is for the past, or was for now

He said that…: reported speech

“Last week they said they can't come, but they came.”is, can or has done when it's over “He said he will call me the next day.”will when you report it later

although, despite, however

“Despite it was raining, we went out.”despite + a sentence “However he studied hard, he failed.”however to join two halves “In spite the rain, we had fun.”in spite without of “It rained all day. Therefore, we had a lovely picnic.”a reason or adding word where you need a contrast

bored or boring?

“I'm boring because the film is so long.”-ing for how you feel “It was a frightened film.”-ed for the thing that causes the feeling “I was very please with it.”the noun or the verb instead of the adjective

success, successful, successfully

“She plays the piano beautiful.”the adjective and the adverb mixed up “It was a difficult decide.”the verb where you need a noun (or the other way round) “It was a success business.”the noun and the adjective mixed up “She gave me some advices.”advices, informations