5 Common Grammar

Errors in English as a
Second Language and How
to Correct Them
Updated on October 12, 2016

kerlynb 
 more

Know the most common grammatical mistakes in English as a Second Language

and learn how to correct them easily and quickly.  | Source

Quick Fixes for Grammar Mistakes in ESL

English as a Second Language can be very tricky for non-native English
users. This is because non-native English users must keep in mind several
English grammar rules in order to use English as a Second Language
effectively.
Below are some useful tips on how to avoid the common grammatical errors
in English as a Second Language.
By following these tips, non-native English speakers can dramatically improve
the quality of their writing, make their sentences concise, and their written
messages clear.
Also, the following tips can help non-native English users easily and quickly
spot grammatical errors, reducing their dependence on grammar checkers.

1. Run-on Sentences
Learners of English as a Second Language must avoid writing run-on
sentences.
A run-on sentence is composed of two sentences that are wrongfully
combined in one sentence.
To combine two sentences in one sentence correctly, English as a Second
Language students must make use of commas, semi-colons, or connecting
words.
People trying to study English as a Second Language can correct run-on
sentences in four ways:
 Separate the run-on sentence into two different sentences with the use
of period.
 Separate the two independent clauses in the run-on sentence using a
semi-colon.
 Separate the two independent clauses in the run-on sentence using a
semi-colon and words like therefore, thus, however, consequently,
furthermore, also, and nevertheless.
 Separate the run-on sentence into two different sentences with the use
of comma and connecting words like for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.
Fix Run-on Sentences:
Example:
Incorrect:
 Tamara enjoys traveling she does not want to stay at home during
vacations.
Correct:
  Tamara enjoys traveling. She does not want to stay at home during
vacations.
 Tamara enjoys traveling; she does not want to stay at home during
vacations
 Tamara enjoys traveling, for she does not want to stay at home during
vacations.
 Tamara enjoys traveling; thus, she does not want to stay at home during
vacations.

2. Incorrect Pronouns
People using English as a Second Language must be very careful in selecting
the pronoun that they use in their English sentence.
This is because many students of English as a Second Language commit
mistakes in pronouns.
In English, the pronoun must agree in number with the nouns to which they
refer.
Thus, students of English as a Second Language ought to remember that a
singular pronoun must refer to a singular noun.
A plural pronoun must refer to a plural noun.
Example:
Incorrect: Everybody was asked to pay their bills on time.
Correct: Everybody was asked to pay his or her bills on time.

3. Wrong Use of Apostrophes

Some students of English as a Second Language make the unfortunate
mistake of using apostrophes in possessive pronouns.
The result of this action is an embarrassing grammatical mistake on the part
of English as a Second Language learner.
It is quite important for English as a Second Language learners to remember
that apostrophes are used to show possession.
Thus, apostrophes are not supposed to be used in possessive pronouns
like hers, his, mine, my, our, ours, their, or theirs.
Delete Apostrophes in Possessive Pronouns.
Example:
Incorrect:
 Our family’s hotel room is next to their’s hotel room.
Correct:
 Our family’s hotel room is next to their hotel room.
 Our family’s hotel room is next to theirs.

4. Unfitting Subject-Verb Agreement

English as a Second Language learners must always strive to make the
subject in an English sentence agree with its verb.
The reason for this is that some English as a Second Language learners often
fail to use a singular verb with a singular noun.
They also forget to use a plural verb with a plural subject.
Use Suitable Verb for Each Subject:
Example:
Incorrect: The tours is for first-time travelers.
Correct: The tours are for first-time travelers.

Out-of-Place Modifiers
English as a Second Language learners must place a modifier as close as
possible to the word that it modifies.
This is because some English as a Second Language learners make the
mistake of placing a modifier near a word that it does not modify.
Such mistake changes the meaning of an English sentence.
Place the Modifiers in their Right Places:
Example:
Incorrect: At young age, my pre-school teacher taught me how to be a
confident English speaker.
Correct: At a young age, I learned from my pre-school teacher how to be a
confident English speaker.