Common Mistakes with English Tenses (and How to Fix Them)

Description: Learners often confuse English tenses. Here are the 10 most common mistakes with tenses and practical tips to fix them.

Introduction

English has 12 main tenses. Many learners mix them up. Here are 10 common errors with clear corrections.

Mistake 1: Using Present Continuous for Habits

❌ I am going to school every day.
✔ I go to school every day.

Mistake 2: Using Present Simple for Now

❌ She goes now.
✔ She is going now.

Mistake 3: Confusing Past Simple and Present Perfect

❌ I have seen her yesterday.
✔ I saw her yesterday.

Mistake 4: Wrong Future Form

❌ We will meeting tomorrow.
✔ We are meeting tomorrow.

Mistake 5: Overusing Past Continuous

❌ I was play football yesterday.
✔ I played football yesterday.

Mistake 6: Forgetting 3rd Person -s

❌ She work hard.
✔ She works hard.

Mistake 7: Missing Irregular Verb Forms

❌ He goed home.
✔ He went home.

Mistake 8: Wrong Passive Form

❌ They was built the house.
✔ The house was built.

Mistake 9: Using Future in Time Clauses

❌ I will call you when I will arrive.
✔ I will call you when I arrive.

Mistake 10: Overusing Continuous with Stative Verbs

❌ I am knowing the answer.
✔ I know the answer.

Practice Plan

• Write 1 sentence with each tense daily.
• Record yourself telling a story with 3 different tenses.
• Do a 20-question tense correction quiz.
• Review irregular verbs regularly.

Conclusion

Most tense mistakes are predictable. Learn the rules, avoid the traps, and practice daily. With awareness, you can fix them.

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