Common Grammar Mistakes ESL Learners Make (and How to Fix Them)
The fifteen grammar errors ESL learners make most often, why they happen, and the rules that fix them with side-by-side examples.
April 2026
Fewer vs Less: When to Use Each
Master fewer vs less with the countable vs uncountable rule, 20+ examples, modern usage debate, and a quick test that handles every edge case in writing.
I vs Me vs Myself: Grammar Guide
Master I vs me vs myself with the drop-the-other-person test, compound subjects, prepositional phrases, reflexive pronouns, and 20+ examples.
Its vs It's vs Its': When to Use Each
Clear guide to its vs it's with substitution test, comparison tables, edge cases, and practice sentences for professional and academic writing.
Lay vs Lie: Usage Guide with Examples
Master lay vs lie with clear rules, present and past tense tables, 20+ example sentences, and a quick memory trick that eliminates the confusion for good.
Than vs Then: Usage Difference Guide
Clear guide to than vs then with comparison vs sequence rule, 20+ examples, a mnemonic that sticks, and a self-check exercise for writers of every level.
Articles A, An, The: Usage Guide for ESL Learners
Learn A, An, The with clear ESL rules for countable and uncountable nouns, specific vs general, zero article, 20+ examples, and a complete self-check exercise.
Prepositions In, On, At: Complete Guide
Complete guide to in, on, at for time and place. 50+ examples, clear rules, comparison tables, and the most common errors ESL writers make.
Colon Rules: When and How to Use
Master the colon with clear rules for lists, emphasis, quotes, and explanations, 20+ examples, a comparison table with semicolons, and a self-check exercise.
Quotation Marks Rules: Punctuation Guide
Complete guide to quotation marks: direct and indirect speech, titles, American vs British style, nested quotes, and 20+ examples for every writing context.
Semicolon Rules Professional Writers Use
Complete guide to semicolons with the three legitimate uses, common errors, comparison to periods and commas, and register-appropriate usage for professional writers.
Parallel Structure: Grammar Guide with Examples
Master parallel structure with before-and-after fixes, 20+ examples, rules for lists, comparisons, and correlative conjunctions. A complete ESL reference.
Sentence Fragments: When They Work, When They Fail
Complete guide to sentence fragments with four structural categories, register sensitivity, rhythmic effects, and how professional writers use fragments deliberately.
How to Avoid Wordiness: Concise Writing Guide
Eliminate wordiness with 30+ before-and-after rewrites, rules for redundancy, filler, and nominalizations, and a complete editing checklist for concise writing.
March 2026
Affect vs Effect - The Simple Rule That Always Works
Master affect vs effect with one simple rule. Clear examples, memory tricks, edge cases, and practice sentences for professional and academic writing.
Active vs Passive Voice - Examples and Rules for Clear Writing
Master active and passive voice with clear rules, examples, and conversion techniques. Learn when each voice works best in business, academic, and everyday writing.
Affect vs Effect - The Definitive Guide to English's Most Confusing Word Pair
Master affect vs effect with clear rules, 20+ examples, mnemonic devices, exceptions explained, a self-assessment quiz, and etymology of both words.