5 Common English Mistakes You Need to Get Rid Of Now

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1. I Look Forward to Meet You (❌)

I Look Forward to Meeting You (✅)

A classic! Many people mistakenly say “I look forward to meet you” when the correct phrase is actually “I look forward to meeting you.” This common error happens because we often associate “to” with the infinitive form of a verb (e.g., to run, to see), making it feel natural to follow it with “meet” instead of “meeting.”

But in this case, “to” is part of the phrase “look forward to,” which requires a gerund (a verb ending in -ing). So, while it may seem counterintuitive, the right option is “meeting.” Think of it as a package deal: look forward to + gerund.

Other examples:

• I look forward to hearing from you.
• She looks forward to joining the team.
• We look forward to working together soon.

2. I Have 40 Years (❌)

I Am 40 Years Old (✅)

This one is a direct translation error that happens because many languages—like Spanish, French, and Portuguese—use the verb have when talking about age. For instance, when it comes to Spanish grammar, the correct phrase is tengo 40 años, which literally means “I have 40 years.” However, in English, we don’t use the verb have for age; we use am/are/is. So instead of saying “I have 40 years,” the correct way is “I am 40 years old.”

It’s all about how we express age in English: you’re not possessing years; you’re stating how old you are. Here are a few more examples:

3. I Live in New York Since 10 Years (❌)

I Have Lived in New York for 10 Years (✅)

Ah, the tricky world of tenses! The confusion here comes from mixing up the present simple and the present perfect tense. The phrase “I live in New York since 10 years” is wrong because we use the present perfect tense (have lived) to describe actions that started in the past and continue into the present.

When you’re talking about how long you’ve been doing something, you need the present perfect: “I have lived in New York for 10 years.” Now, let’s also untangle since and for.

• Since refers to a specific point in time, like when something started: I have lived here since 2013 (meaning you moved there in 2013).
• For is used to talk about a period of time: I have lived here for 10 years (meaning you’ve spent 10 years in the city).

Other examples:

• She has worked at this company for five years.
• We have been friends since high school.
• They have studied English for three months.

This tense tells us that the action is still true now, and that’s why it’s so important to use the present perfect in these situations.

4. I Want to Go to Home (❌)

I Want to Go Home (✅)

This is a sneaky one! Many learners tend to add “to” before “home,” which makes sense if you think about other locations—I want to go to the store, I want to go to the park. But in English, the word “home” works differently. It doesn’t need the preposition “to” in this context.

We use “home” as both a noun and an adverb, so when you’re talking about the action of going to your home, you skip “to” and just say, “I want to go home.”

5. Can You Borrow Me a Pencil? (❌)

Can You Lend Me a Pencil? (✅)

This is a common mix-up because borrow and lend are so closely related, but they aren’t interchangeable! The key difference is that borrow means taking something temporarily, while lend means giving something temporarily.

So when you need a pencil, you ask someone to lend it to you: “Can you lend me a pencil?”—because they’re the ones giving it to you. If you’re the one receiving the pencil, you would say, “Can I borrow a pencil?”

Other examples:

• I borrowed his car for the weekend.
• She lent me her book to read.
• Could you lend me your charger for a bit?

Avoid Other Common English Mistakes: FAQs About English Grammar

1.   What’s the difference between ‘will’ and ‘going to’?

“Will” is used for spontaneous decisions made at the moment of speaking or for promises. For example, I’ll help you with that. On the other hand, “going to” is used for planned actions or intentions decided before the moment of speaking. For example, I’m going to study medicine next year. Additionally, “going to” is often used when there’s evidence or a clear indication something will happen soon. Look at those clouds! It’s going to rain.

2.   When do you use the present continuous for future actions instead of ‘going to’?

The present continuous is used for fixed, scheduled events or definite plans in the near future. It gives the sense that the plan is more certain or already arranged. For example, I’m meeting my friend at 5 p.m. tomorrow. “Going to” is for plans or intentions, but not necessarily scheduled yet. For example, I’m going to meet him sometime this week. Present continuous emphasizes specific arrangements, while “going to” focuses more on general intentions or future outcomes.

3.   What’s the difference between the past simple and the present perfect?

The past simple is used for actions completed at a specific time in the past, which is either stated or implied. For example, I visited Paris last year. The present perfect is used for actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past and have a connection to the present, such as a life experience. For example, I have visited Paris. The present perfect also highlights ongoing actions that started in the past and continue in the present: I have lived here for five years.

4.   When do I use ‘much’ vs. ‘many’?

“Much” is used with uncountable nouns, which represent things that cannot be counted individually (e.g., water, money, information). For example, I don’t have much time. “Many” is used with countable nouns, things that can be counted as individual items (e.g., people, books, cars). For example, She has many friends. In general, “much” is often used in negative sentences and questions: How much sugar do you need? while “many” is used in both positive and negative sentences: There aren’t many apples left. 

5.   How do I use ‘some’ and ‘any’ correctly?

“Some” is typically used in positive sentences and when offering or requesting something. For example, I have some free time, or Can I have some water? “Any” is used in negative sentences and questions. For example, I don’t have any free time, or Do you have any questions? “Some” implies a certain quantity or number that is not specified, while “any” implies an absence of quantity or an uncertainty about the amount. However, “any” can also be used in positive sentences when it means “it doesn’t matter which”: Take any book you like.

6.   What’s the difference between ‘in,’ ‘on,’ and ‘at’?

“In” is used for enclosed spaces or large areas, such as in the room or in the city. “On” is for surfaces or specific locations, like on the table or on the beach. “At” is used for specific points or exact locations, such as at the door or at the bus stop. When talking about time, “in” is for longer periods like months or years (in January), “on” is for days (on Monday), and “at” is for exact times (at 5 p.m.).

7.   How do I know when to use ‘who’ vs. ‘whom’?

“Who” is used as the subject of a sentence—the person doing the action. For example, Who is coming to the party? “Whom” is used as the object of a verb or preposition—the person receiving the action. For example, Whom did you invite? A quick trick: if you can replace the word with “he” or “she,” use “who”; if you can replace it with “him” or “her,” use “whom.” For example, He invited her becomes Whom did you invite?

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Mastering English grammar mistakes can be tricky, but with practice and the right guidance, you can easily get rid of them. If you want personalized help in improving your English, our native teachers are here to help. At Listen & Learn, we specialize in face-to-face English lessons tailored to your needs, whether at your home, office, or a public place—whatever is most convenient for you! Whether you’re looking for English lessons in New York, Boston, or any other location you can think of, we offer English courses that fit your schedule and location. Start your journey to mastering English with us today!