Is it a mistake to say so?

Many of you have likely experienced using a particular phrase or structuring a sentence a certain way many times, only to have your teacher claim it’s incorrect. Your friends say it that way, English-speaking bloggers use it, and you have definitely heard it in movies. So, why can’t you? Sometimes, it feels like you are a hostage to strict English grammar rules that do not always align with everyday conversational language.

This confusion often arises because English language students may hear certain words or constructions with mistakes from non-native speakers on social media and learning platforms. It is also important to acknowledge that even native speakers make mistakes. Do not be afraid to make mistakes; everyone makes them, from beginners in language learning to native speakers. Mistakes serve as stepping stones toward becoming a more proficient English conversationalist. Remember, the primary goal is communication, and errors are secondary — just like in real life. Moreover, the good news is that in some situations, the rules can be flexible. Given our pursuit of perfection, let’s explore which common mistakes hold significance and which find acceptance within specific contexts.

GRAMMAR

Grammar rules are constantly changing; what used to be considered common grammatical mistakes in English may now be considered acceptable. This happens because the English language, as any other language, is continuously evolving, and sometimes rules need to be adjusted to match how we creatively use the language.

Remember that the acceptability of grammatical errors depends on the context. In formal writing, it is important to adhere strictly to the rules of English grammar. However, in informal writing or everyday speech,  there is sometimes room to bend the rules slightly. The paramount concern is clarity and understanding in both your writing and speech.

Let's delve into some common grammatical mistakes and analyze which ones might be deemed acceptable. It is worth noting that even native English speakers may commit these errors at times, yet they typically do not alter the core message you are conveying.

• ❌ Present Continuous for indicating permanent or repeated actions

Many English language students have a tendency to overuse the Present Continuous instead of the Present Simple, for example:

“I’m sometimes using this tool.”

Such a sentence is grammatically incorrect, and a native speaker is unlikely to say it that way. Instead, use the Present Simple:

“I sometimes use this tool.”

• ✔️Using the pronoun "me" first when referring to multiple people related to one verb

According to the English grammar rules, when multiple people are related to one verb, the order is as follows: the second person (you) first, then the third person (he, she, it, they), and then the first person (I):

“My brother (he) and I both study at university.”

While this sentence is grammatically correct and widely accepted, in informal situations it is acceptable to say:

"Me and my brother both study at university."

❌ BUT using the pronoun “I” first in a sentence ("I and my brother both study at university.") sounds quite odd, so avoid such phrasing.

• ✔️Using "less" instead of "fewer"

According to traditional grammar rules, "less" should be used with uncountable nouns, and "fewer" with countable nouns. However, in informal English, you might encounter "less" used with both countable and uncountable nouns:

“I have less tasks than my colleagues.”

Grammatically, it would be correct to say:

“I have fewer tasks than my colleagues.”

Both ways convey the same message and do not confuse native speakers too much.

• ✔️ “All” as a pronoun and the subject of a sentence

When using "all" as a pronoun, it is typically reserved for very formal situations, as in "All were happy." However, in everyday conversations, it's more natural to employ "everyone" or "everybody", such as "Everyone was happy", or to pair "all" with a noun, like "All my colleagues were happy". Though using "all" as a subject is not common in everyday speech among native speakers, it is not considered incorrect.

While "Dear All" is not standard in formal business correspondence (opting for "Dear Mr. Brown" or "Dear Colleagues" is preferable), it is commonly used in informal communication and is generally acceptable within an English-speaking environment.

• ❌ Double negatives in a sentence

Using double negatives such as “I don’t know nothing” or “No one didn’t arrive” is incorrect. The correct alternatives are:

“I don’t know anything” and “No one arrived”.

Multiple negatives in one English sentence are only possible for stylistic purposes to emphasize or enhance the emotional coloring of the statement.

• ❌ Future tense after “if” when the action refers to the future

Using Future Simple in conditional sentences after “if”, “when”, “unless”, “in case”, etc., when the action refers to the future, is incorrect:

“If you will take this course, you will be able to perform automation testing.”

You use the Future Simple (with “will”) in the main clause and the Present Simple in the subordinate clause:

“If you take this course, you will be able to perform automation testing.”

• ✔️ Using “haven’t” as both an auxiliary and main verb simultaneously

"I don't have time" or "I haven't got time" are grammatically correct and are more commonly used in modern English. However, "I haven't time" is also encountered in conversational English and is understood by native speakers.

VOCABULARY

Lexical errors are often caused by the peculiarities of students' native languages. When learning English as a second language, people can make mistakes by literally translating a word or phrase from their native language directly into English. Languages have distinct idioms and expressions, which can lead to incorrect usage. Additionally, English has some words that sound similar to certain words in the student's native language but have different meanings or are used in different contexts.

Errors in vocabulary often stem from the unique features of students' native languages. When learning English as a second language, students can make mistakes by directly translating a word or phrase from their native language into English. Each language possesses its own set of idioms and expressions, potentially resulting in misuse. Moreover, English includes words that may sound similar to those in the student's native language but hold distinct meanings or are employed in different contexts.

Here are some of the most common lexical errors and comments on how critical they are:

• ✔️ “Native town”

Native speakers rarely say this when referring to the town or city where they were born. They are more likely to say “hometown”. However, “native town” is not a mistake.

• ✔️ “Make photos”

When talking about the process of taking pictures with a camera, you should use "take photos", which is more common. For example:

"Jane likes to take photos when she travels."

"I took some amazing photos at the party."

"Make photos" can also be used to describe the process of taking pictures, but this phrase might emphasize the creative aspect of photography, especially when it is considered more of an artistic process rather than just shooting. For example:

"Susan enjoys making photos that capture the essence of a moment."

"He spends hours making photos in his studio, experimenting with light and composition."

Overall, the meanings of these two phrases are very similar, so you will be understood if you mix them up.

• ❌ “Between” with the meaning of “among”

Using "between" to mean "among" is a common lexical error, often influenced by the structure of one's native language. In English, "between" typically indicates a relationship of one item to another item, while "among" is used to express a loose relationship of several items: 

“I found a pen hidden among the papers on the desk.”

“I found a pen hidden between two sheets of paper on the desk.”

• ❌ Confusing "affect" and "effect"

While someone might use "affect" and "effect" interchangeably due to their similarity in spelling and pronunciation, they have different meanings: "effect" is a noun, and "affect" is a verb.

“The new company policy had a positive effect on employee productivity.”

“The new company policy positively affected employee productivity.”

• ❌ "brother" or "sister" used in place of "cousin"

Using "brother" or "sister" in place of "cousin" can vary depending on the context and the specific relationships being described. Typically, "brother" or "sister" denotes a sibling, whereas "cousin" refers to a relative through your parents' siblings. Referring to a cousin as "brother" or "sister" is technically incorrect. However, if the person holds a very close bond with you, you may express this closeness by saying "like a brother" or "like a sister".

On one hand, mistakes are a normal part of learning any language. Even native speakers make mistakes, which is entirely natural, so it is important to accept them as part of learning and not be afraid to speak.

On the other hand, it is worth noting that although some of the above-mentioned mistakes may not confuse native speakers in informal spoken language, such as on social media or in text messages, it is important to adhere to English grammar rules in formal writing, such as reports or business correspondence. Clear communication is key, and using correct grammar in these situations helps convey professionalism and clarity.