Common English Mistakes — and How to Fix Them

Learning a new language means learning to think differently, not just translate. Many English learners make the same common mistakes—often because of habits from their first language or confusion between similar words. The good news is that these mistakes are easy to fix once you understand the pattern behind them.

Below are five of the most frequent English errors and simple ways to correct them.

1. "in" vs. "on"

Incorrect: I’m on the car. Correct: I’m in the car.

Rule: Use in for enclosed spaces (car, room, building). Use on for surfaces or public transportation (train, bus, plane).

Examples:

• The book is on the table.

• The kids are in the classroom.

• I saw an ad on the internet.

2. "Do" vs. "Make"

Incorrect: I make my homework every night. Correct: I do my homework every night.

Rule: Use do for tasks, jobs, or activities. Use make when you create or produce something.

Examples:

• I do the dishes after dinner.

• She makes coffee every morning.

• He did a great job on his project.

3. "People is" vs. "People are"

Incorrect: People is nice here. Correct: People are nice here.

Rule: The word people is plural, so it takes a plural verb (are).

Examples:

• People are waiting outside.

• My friends are helpful.

  
  

  4. "Very" vs. "Too"

Incorrect: It’s too good! Correct: It’s very good!

Rule: Use very to show a high degree of something (positive). Use too when it’s more than you want or need (negative).

Examples:

• The soup is very hot. (just right)

• The soup is too hot. (uncomfortable or excessive)

5. "I have 25 years" vs. "I am 25 years old"

Incorrect: I have 25 years. Correct: I am 25 years old.

Rule: In English, we use am / is / are to describe age, not have.

Examples:

• She is ten years old.

• They are in their thirties.

  
  

Final Thoughts

The goal of learning English is communication, not perfection. Mistakes are part of the journey—they help you notice what to improve. Focus on patterns, stay consistent, and you’ll start to hear what “sounds right” over time.

By Denisha Ramos-Cubero, M.Ed. | Reading with Coquí | October 2025