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Tutor ANNY KA 's Column

WHY DO WE MAKE GRAMMAR MISTAKES?

2023-11-29

Let's talk about why we make grammar mistakes.

It's SO annoying! Especially when the mistakes are easy ones!

1: We have the habit of translating directly from our language

We've spent a lot of years saying something one way in our own language. It makes sense to our brains! So in English, we translate directly. An example is using the wrong preposition after an adjective:
Not correct: She is good IN English (the translation of 'in' is used in many languages with 'good').

Correct: She is good AT English (English uses 'at' here).

2: We have the habit of saying something logically when English isn't logical

 

This is often when English is a bit strange or not clear. And English is a bit of a strange language! 

An example is using the present tense to talk about the future after 'when'.

Not correct (but logical): Please call me when you WILL ARRIVE (future tense).

 Correct (but strange): Please call me when you ARRIVE (present tense).

3: We haven't been studying at the right level, because the other parts of our English are better than our grammar

This was true for me with Dutch. I was learning Dutch by living in Amsterdam, so my speaking and listening were much better than my grammar. (Crazy, I know!) I fixed this by reviewing Dutch grammar from the beginning.

It's common for us to have different levels in the different parts of language learning (grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening and so on). Your grammar level can be very different from your general English level.

If you are not sure about your grammar level, try this test 
https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/english-level-test/grammar

or this one 

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