Common Grammar Mistakes New English Speakers Make

Speaking a new language is always difficult at first, especially when you're learning English as a second language (ESL). It can take some time to get used to all the grammar rules and sentence structure of English, and that is where Central Overseas Education Services can help. Our ESL classes are perfect for citizens across Canada who are working to develop stronger conversational skills. In fact, our certified instructors have seen their fair share of grammatical errors from native English speakers and non-native English speakers alike.

Learn more about the small grammar mistakes you may be making without realizing it and learn more about our ESL program now!

Subject-Verb Agreement Errors

English is tricky because different sentence structures require different verb conjugation, and in some cases, noun-subject agreement. For example, in the sentence “He plays tennis every day” the verb “plays” agrees with the subject “he,” whereas “They play tennis every day” requires the verb “play” to agree with the plural subject “they.” This type of error is something our instructors at Central Overseas Education Services help students improve on in ESL classes.

Article Errors

“A,” “an,” and “the” are essential words in the English language, yet they are often used incorrectly. Not using articles where they are needed or using the wrong article can make sentences sound awkward and unclear. English as a second language classes are all about guiding students through different articles and how to use them appropriately.

Word Confusion

Some words in the English language sound very similar but have different meanings, and this creates the potential for confusion (e.g., “affect” vs. “effect,” “accept” vs. “except,” “then” vs. “than”). It can take some time to understand when to use which version of the word, but Central Overseas Education Services can help students feel more confident in their speaking skills.

Plurals and Possessives

For newcomers to English, it can be challenging to understand when to use an “s” to make a word plural or how to indicate possessiveness with an “apostrophe s”. The general rule is that the “s” is used for plural nouns and the apostrophe+s is used for possessive nouns. Indicating responsiveness in English is a little different than in Spanish and other languages, which is covered in our ESL classes.

Learn English as a Second Language Now

It’s important to remember that English is a complex language, and everyone makes mistakes. As with anything, the more you practice, the better you will become! Central Overseas Education Services can help students of all ages improve their English speaking skills with ESL classes, taught through interactive games and activities. Learn more about our program now!

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