7 Common English Grammar Mistakes Indians Make (Fix Them Today!)
Struggling with English? Correct these 7 grammar mistakes 90% of Indians make—with simple rules and examples from RUTVEN’s experts!
Why Grammar Matters
A single grammar error can change your sentence’s meaning—and hurt your confidence in exams, jobs, or daily life. At RUTVEN The Learning Hub, we’ve helped 5,000+ students fix these mistakes. Let’s dive in!
Mistake 1
Wrong: “I live here since 5 years.”
Right: “I have lived here for 5 years.”
Rule:
Since = Exact starting point (since Monday, since 2020).
For = Duration (for hours, for a decade).
Pro Tip:
Ask “When?” → Use since.
Ask “How long?” → Use for.
Mistake 2
Wrong: “Your amazing!”
Right: “I have lived here for 5 years.”
Rule:
Your = Belonging (your phone, your idea).
You’re = You are (you’re late).
Pro Tip:
Say “you are” aloud
—if it fits, write you’re!
Mistake 3
There/Their/They’re
Wrong: “There going to there college.”
Right: “They’re going to their college.”
Rule:
| Word | Role | Example |
|---|---|---|
| There | Place | “Your keys are there on the table.” |
| Their | Ownership | “Students forgot their books.” |
| They’re | Contraction of “they are” | “They’re learning grammar tricks!” |
1. “Here” in There = Place
→ “There (like here) points to a location.”
2. “Heir” in Their = Ownership
→ “Their (like heir) shows something belongs to them.”
3. They’re = They are
→ If you can say “they are,” use they’re!
(Bonus: Test sentences with this trick!)
Mistake 4
Fewer vs. Less
Wrong: “There going to there college.”
Right: “She has fewer books.”
Rule:
Fewer = Countable (fewer students).
Less = Uncountable (less water).
Exception:
Time/money
(less than 10 minutes).
Mistake 5
Me vs. I
Wrong: “This gift is for you and I.”
Right: “This gift is for you and me.”
Rule:
I = Subject (I love it).
Me = Object (Give it to me).
Test:
Remove the other person—“for I” sounds wrong!
Mistake 6
A vs. An
Wrong: “It’s a honor.”
Right: “It’s an honor.”
Rule:
An = Before vowel sounds (an MBA, an hour).
A = Before consonants (a university, a book).
Pro Tip:
Listen, don’t look!
Use “an” before vowel SOUNDS (e.g., an hour, an MBA).
Mistake 7
Double Negatives
Wrong: “I don’t need no help.”
Right: “I don’t need any help.”
Rule:
One negative per sentence! Avoid don’t + no/nothing.
Pro Tip:
One negative = enough!
“Don’t + any” ✅ | “Don’t + no” ❌ (e.g., “I don’t know anything”).
Memory Hack:
“Two negatives cancel out—but you don’t want your meaning to cancel!” ✖️➕✖️
How to Never Make These Mistakes Again?
Join RUTVEN’s Spoken English Program for:
- Grammar drills with instant corrections.
- Daily speaking practice (record & analyze).
- Fun quizzes to test your skills.
