Learning English can be tricky, especially when it comes to using verbs correctly. Verbs are the action words in a sentence, and using them the right way is very important to express your ideas clearly. However, many English learners make common mistakes with verbs. This article will explain some of these mistakes in simple words and help you avoid them.
Grammar Mistakes with Verbs
1. Subject-Verb Agreement
This happens when the verb does not match the subject in number (singular or plural). If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb should be plural too.
Example of mistake:
- Incorrect: She go to school every day.
- Correct: She goes to school every day.
2. Tense Confusion
Using the wrong tense is a very common mistake. The tense of a verb shows the time of the action (past, present, or future).
Example of mistake:
- Incorrect: I go to the market yesterday.
- Correct: I went to the market yesterday.
3. Using the Wrong Form of the Verb
English has regular and irregular verbs. Sometimes, learners use the wrong form, especially with irregular verbs.
Example of mistake:
- Incorrect: He catched the ball.
- Correct: He caught the ball.
4. Forgetting the Base Form After “To”
After the word “to,” always use the base form of the verb.
Example of mistake:
- Incorrect: I want to playing football.
- Correct: I want to play football.
5. Misusing Modal Verbs
Modal verbs like can, should, and will are followed by the base form of the verb, not the past or -ing form.
Example of mistake:
- Incorrect: She can to swim.
- Correct: She can swim.
6. Adding -s or -es Incorrectly
Learners often add -s or -es to verbs when it’s not needed.
Example of mistake:
- Incorrect: They wants to go home.
- Correct: They want to go home.
7. Using Double Negatives
In English, we do not use two negatives in the same sentence.
Example of mistake:
- Incorrect: I don’t know nothing.
- Correct: I don’t know anything.
8. Using the Wrong Helping Verb
Sometimes learners use the wrong helping verb, like is, are, or did.
Example of mistake:
- Incorrect: He are playing football.
- Correct: He is playing football.
9. Forgetting to Add “-ing” After “Is/Are”
When talking about actions happening right now, we use “is/are + verb + ing.”
Example of mistake:
- Incorrect: She is cook dinner.
- Correct: She is cooking dinner.
10. Overusing “Do/Does” in Statements
“Do” or “does” is not needed in positive sentences.
Example of mistake:
- Incorrect: She does sings well.
- Correct: She sings well.
20 Examples of Correct and Incorrect Verb Usage
- Incorrect: She go to the park.
Correct: She goes to the park. - Incorrect: They was late.
Correct: They were late. - Incorrect: He don’t like pizza.
Correct: He doesn’t like pizza. - Incorrect: I eated lunch.
Correct: I ate lunch. - Incorrect: She have a car.
Correct: She has a car. - Incorrect: We is happy.
Correct: We are happy. - Incorrect: He can sings.
Correct: He can sing. - Incorrect: I didn’t went to school.
Correct: I didn’t go to school. - Incorrect: She don’t know the answer.
Correct: She doesn’t know the answer. - Incorrect: They playing football.
Correct: They are playing football. - Incorrect: He run fast yesterday.
Correct: He ran fast yesterday. - Incorrect: We was there.
Correct: We were there. - Incorrect: She don’t want to go.
Correct: She doesn’t want to go. - Incorrect: I am eats now.
Correct: I am eating now. - Incorrect: They walks home every day.
Correct: They walk home every day. - Incorrect: He didn’t writes the letter.
Correct: He didn’t write the letter. - Incorrect: She is dances.
Correct: She is dancing. - Incorrect: We have saw the movie.
Correct: We have seen the movie. - Incorrect: He don’t plays guitar.
Correct: He doesn’t play guitar. - Incorrect: I am go to the store.
Correct: I am going to the store.
By understanding these common mistakes and practicing, you can improve your English grammar. Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—it’s part of learning!
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