Common English mistakes Hindi speakers make

She go to office every day.

She goes to office every day.

In the present simple, he/she/it always takes -s/-es on the verb — so 'She goes', not 'She go'.

Look! The baby cry.

Look! The baby is crying.

Present continuous always needs am/is/are + verb-ing together. For an action happening right now ('Look!'), don't drop the 'is': say 'The baby is crying', not 'The baby cry'.

I have went to the market.

I have gone to the market.

After have/has, ALWAYS use the 3rd form, not the past form. Common confusion: 'went' is the past form of 'go'; the 3rd form is 'gone'.

I am learning English since 2 years.

I have been learning English for 2 years.

For an action that started in the past and is still going, use the perfect form 'have been'. And '2 years' is a DURATION, so use 'for', not 'since'.

I didn't went home.

I didn't go home.

'Did' / 'didn't' already shows past tense — so the main verb stays in its base form. Same for questions: 'Did you go?' (NOT 'Did you went?').

When you called, I slept.

When you called, I was sleeping.

Sleeping is the LONGER background action (in progress); 'you called' is the shorter interruption. Background → past continuous; interruption → past simple.

When I reached, the train left.

When I reached, the train had left.

Both events are in the past, but the train leaving happened FIRST. The earlier event needs 'had + the 3rd form'.

I was waiting for two hours when she came.

I had been waiting for two hours when she came.

When emphasising the DURATION of a longer past action that ended at a specific past moment, use past perfect continuous.

I will to call you.

I will call you.

After 'will', verbs stay in bare base form — no 'to'. Say 'I will call you', not 'I will to call you'.

Tomorrow at 9 I will sleep.

Tomorrow at 9 I will be sleeping.

Action IN PROGRESS at a future time → future continuous. 'Will sleep' just states the action; 'will be sleeping' shows it's ongoing at that moment.

By next year I will save enough money.

By next year I will have saved enough money.

'By [future time]' is a deadline — needs future perfect to show completion BY that point.

Next month I will work here for 5 years.

Next month I will have been working here for 5 years.

Use this when emphasising the DURATION of an action up to a future point. Rare in everyday speech, but useful for IELTS/interviews when describing experience.

Also, she speaks English.

She also speaks English.

In English, 'also' usually goes inside the sentence, before the main verb — not as a sentence-opener. Say 'She also speaks English'.

However, but we ran out of time.

However, we ran out of time.

Never combine 'however' with 'but' — pick one. Same rule for 'although...but'.

Although it was raining, but we went out.

Although it was raining, we went out.

Don't pair 'although' with 'but' in the same sentence — use only ONE contrast word. Say 'Although it was raining, we went out'.

Despite of the rain, we went out.

Despite the rain, we went out. / In spite of the rain, we went out.

'Despite' takes no 'of'. 'In spite of' takes 'of'. Don't mix them.

I stayed home because of I was tired.

I stayed home because I was tired. / I stayed home because of my tiredness.

'Because' + full sentence. 'Because of' + noun phrase only.

As soon as you will reach home, call me.

As soon as you reach home, call me.

After 'as soon as / when / if', use PRESENT tense for future meaning — never 'will'.

I actually love it. (meaning: 'truly love')

I really love it. / I genuinely love it.

In English, 'actually' usually means 'contrary to what you might think'. For 'truly', use 'really' or 'genuinely'.

I am doctor.

I am a doctor.

He is honest man.

He is an honest man.

Moon is bright tonight.

The moon is bright tonight.

I play the cricket.

I play cricket. (no 'the' for sports/games in general)

I will meet you on 5 pm.

I will meet you at 5 pm.

My birthday is in 5th June.

My birthday is on 5th June.

I am sitting on the computer.

I am sitting at the computer.

She is in home.

She is at home.

I am living here since 10 years.

I have been living here for 10 years.

She is waiting since one hour.

She has been waiting for one hour.

I will to call you.

I will call you.

After 'will', NEVER use 'to'. The verb stays bare — say 'I will call you', not 'I will to call you'.

I shall call you tomorrow. (everyday context)

I will call you tomorrow.

In modern English, just use 'will' for everyday future — 'shall' sounds outdated except in suggestions like 'Shall we...?'.

Will you like some tea?

Would you like some tea?

'Will you like' is wrong — use 'Would you like' for polite offers. 'Will' is for prediction; 'would' is for politeness.

I can to swim.

I can swim.

Same rule as 'will' and 'would' — NEVER use 'to' after a modal verb. Just the base verb.

I could swim. (meaning: right now I can swim)

I can swim. (current ability)

The default meaning of 'could' is past ability. For current ability, use 'can' — say 'I can swim'.

It may has rained yesterday.

It may have rained yesterday.

Modal + perfect form = modal + 'have' + the 3rd form (gone, eaten, seen). 'has' is wrong after a modal.

May vs might confusion

MAY = more confident (60-70%). MIGHT = less confident (30-50%).

'I MAY come' = a slightly higher chance of coming. 'I MIGHT come' = a lower chance, maybe not at all.

I mustn't go to office tomorrow. (meaning: 'I don't have to go')

I don't have to go to office tomorrow.

'Mustn't' = PROHIBITED (it's not allowed). For 'no need' use 'don't have to' or 'don't need to'.

I must to go to office.

I must go to office. / I have to go to office.

NEVER use 'to' after 'must'. But 'have to' is a SINGLE PHRASE — here the 'to' is required.

If it will rain, we will cancel.

If it rains, we will cancel.

Use the PRESENT TENSE after 'if', even when the meaning is future. NEVER put 'will' inside the 'if' part.

If I was rich, I will buy a car.

If I were rich, I would buy a car.

In hypotheticals, use 'were' (for all subjects), and use 'would' in the main part, not 'will'.

If I would have studied, I would have passed.

If I had studied, I would have passed.

In a third conditional, NEVER use 'would' after 'if' — use 'had + the 3rd form'. Say 'If I had studied...'.

I am having a car.

I have a car.

'Have' for possession is stative, so it doesn't take -ing — say 'I have a car', not 'I am having a car'.

मेरे पास गाड़ी है।

I am knowing him.

I know him.

Stative verbs like know/like/want/love/understand don't take -ing — use the simple present: 'I know him'.

मैं उसे जानता हूँ।

What is your good name?

What is your name?

'Good name' isn't standard English and confuses native speakers — just say 'name': 'What is your name?'

आपका शुभ नाम क्या है?

Today morning I went to office.

This morning I went to the office.

English says 'this morning / this afternoon / tonight', not 'today morning'. Also use THE office.

आज सुबह मैं ऑफ़िस गया।

I am living here since 5 years.

I have been living here for 5 years.

For an action that started in the past and is still going, use the present perfect continuous. '5 years' is a DURATION → use 'for', not 'since'.

मैं 5 साल से यहाँ रह रहा हूँ।

Please revert back.

Please reply. / Please get back to me.

'Revert' alone means 'reply', so 'revert back' is redundant. Just say 'reply' or 'get back to me'.

कृपया वापस उत्तर दीजिए।

Do one thing.

Let me suggest something. / Here's an idea.

'Do one thing' as a suggestion-opener confuses native speakers. Say 'Let me suggest something' or 'Here's an idea'.

एक काम करो...

I have a doubt.

I have a question. / Can I ask something?

In standard English, 'doubt' means 'I'm not sure I believe this' — not 'question'. To ask something, say 'I have a question'.

मेरा एक डाउट है।

Pass out from college

Graduate from college

'Pass out' in English means TO FAINT or to lose consciousness. Use 'graduate'.

कॉलेज पास आउट होना

Order for a pizza.

Order a pizza.

Verbs like order, discuss, request, and demand take a direct object — no 'for' or 'about'. Say 'Order a pizza'.

एक पिज़्ज़ा ऑर्डर करो।

Discuss about the topic.

Discuss the topic.

'Discuss' already includes the sense of 'about', so it takes a direct object — say 'discuss the topic', not 'discuss about the topic'.

विषय के बारे में चर्चा करो।

Cope up with stress.

Cope with stress.

'Cope' takes 'with', not 'cope up with' — the extra 'up' is unnecessary. Say 'cope with stress'.

तनाव से निपटना

I am from Delhi only.

I'm from Delhi.

This 'only' adds nothing in English and sounds odd — just drop it: 'I'm from Delhi.'

मैं दिल्ली से ही हूँ।

Myself Rahul.

I'm Rahul. / My name is Rahul.

'Myself + name' isn't used by native speakers to introduce yourself — say 'I'm Rahul' or 'My name is Rahul'.

मैं ख़ुद राहुल हूँ।

Off the lights.

Turn off the lights. / Switch off the lights.

'Off' is not a verb on its own — pair it with 'turn' or 'switch': 'Turn off the lights.'

लाइट बंद करो।

He is my cousin brother.

He is my cousin.

English 'cousin' covers all genders — no need to add 'brother' or 'sister'. Just say 'my cousin'.

वह मेरा चचेरा भाई है।

I am going to native.

I am going to my hometown.

'Native' isn't used as a noun for 'hometown' in standard English. Use 'hometown' or name the place.

मैं अपने गाँव/नेटिव जा रहा हूँ।

Prepone the meeting.

Move the meeting earlier. / Reschedule the meeting to an earlier time.

'Prepone' isn't standard English and isn't widely understood. Say 'move the meeting earlier' or 'reschedule it to an earlier time'.

मीटिंग प्रीपोन करो।

I didn't went there.

I didn't go there.

Past tense already shown by 'did/didn't' — so the verb stays in its base form (go, not went).

मैं वहाँ नहीं गया।

She is having two brothers.

She has two brothers.

Possession → simple present 'has'. Never 'is having' for family, things, features.

उसके दो भाई हैं।

I am understanding now.

I understand now.

Stative verb. Like 'know' and 'have', 'understand' doesn't take -ing.

अब मैं समझ रहा हूँ।

We are five members in family.

There are five of us in the family. / I have a family of five.

In English, 'members' sounds like a club, not a family. Say 'There are five of us in the family' or 'I have a family of five'.

हम परिवार में पाँच लोग हैं।

Can you on the fan?

Can you turn on the fan? / Can you switch the fan on?

'On' is not a verb in standard English. Always pair with 'turn' or 'switch'.

क्या तुम पंखा चला सकते हो?

I will give you a missed call.

I'll give you a quick ring. / I'll buzz you.

'Give a missed call' isn't standard English. Say 'I'll give you a quick ring', 'I'll buzz you', or just 'I'll message you'.

मैं तुम्हें मिस्ड कॉल मार दूँगा।

Where you are going?

Where are you going?

English questions INVERT: question word + helping verb (are / do / will) + subject + verb. Say 'Where are you going?'

तुम कहाँ जा रहे हो?

I told to him.

I told him.

'Tell' takes the person DIRECTLY, with no preposition — 'I told him', not 'I told to him'. Note 'say' works differently: 'say TO him' is correct.

मैंने उसे/उससे कहा।

Mention not.

Don't mention it. / You're welcome.

'Mention not' isn't standard English. The full idiom is 'Don't mention it', meaning 'No need to thank me'.

इसमें मेन्शन की क्या बात है।

Today only I came.

I came just today. / I only came today.

In English, 'only' goes BEFORE the word it emphasises — say 'only today', not 'today only'.

आज ही तो आया।

He is the most cleverest.

He is the cleverest. / He is the most clever.

Never combine 'most' with a superlative -est ending — use ONE or the other: 'the cleverest' OR 'the most clever'.

वह सबसे ज़्यादा चालाक है।

Please do the needful.

Please take care of it. / Please handle it.

'Do the needful' is vague, bureaucratic officialese that sounds odd to native speakers. Say 'Please take care of it' or 'Please handle it'.

कृपया उचित कार्यवाही करें।

Same to same.

Same here. / Me too.

'Same to same' isn't standard English. Say 'Same here' or 'Me too'.

सेम टू सेम।

What is the timings of the shop?

What are the shop's hours? / When does the shop open?

'Timings' isn't standard English here. Use 'hours' or 'opening times' — 'What are the shop's hours?'

दुकान का timing क्या है?

I will come at half past.

I will come at half past four. / I'll be there in half an hour.

'Half past' alone is incomplete in English — needs a number after it (half past 4).

मैं half past आ जाऊँगा।

He is out of station.

He is out of town. / He is travelling.

'Out of station' isn't standard modern English. Say 'out of town' or 'travelling'.

वह out of station है।

I will reach there by tomorrow.

I'll be there by tomorrow. / I'll arrive tomorrow.

'Reach' usually takes a direct object ('reach the station'), so 'reach there' sounds off. Say 'I'll be there' or 'I'll arrive'.

मैं कल तक वहाँ reach कर जाऊँगा।

I am eating non-veg.

I eat meat. / I'm not vegetarian.

'Non-veg' as a noun isn't standard English. Say 'meat' or 'non-vegetarian': 'I eat meat.'

मैं non-veg खाता हूँ।

She gave her exams yesterday.

She took her exams yesterday.

In English you 'take an exam' or 'sit an exam' (British) — not 'give' one. Say 'She took her exams'.

उसने कल अपनी परीक्षा दी।

We are 5 friends.

There are 5 of us. / I have 4 friends.

To count a group in English, say 'There are 5 of us', not 'We are 5'.

हम 5 दोस्त हैं।

Tell me a story na.

Tell me a story, please. / Will you tell me a story?

There's no English equivalent of tacking 'na' onto a request. Use 'please' or restructure it: 'Will you tell me a story?'

एक कहानी सुनाओ ना।

Eat anything you want, free.

Help yourself to anything — it's free.

'Eat anything you want' sounds commanding. 'Help yourself' is the natural English equivalent for offering food.

कुछ भी खाओ, free है।

She go to office every day.

She goes to office every day.

A subject that is one person or thing makes the verb take -s — so 'She goes', not 'She go'.

My brother don't like coffee.

My brother doesn't like coffee.

A singular subject takes 'doesn't' in the negative, not 'don't'. 'Don't' is only for I/you/we/they.

The team are playing well.

The team is playing well.

'Team' is a collective noun treated as singular here — say 'The team is', not 'The team are'.

Informations are useful.

Information is useful.

'Information' is uncountable — it has no plural. And because it's singular, the verb takes 'is', not 'are'.

Where you are going?

Where are you going?

In a question, the helping verb 'are' must come before the subject 'you' — say 'Where are you going?', not 'Where you are going?'.

I daily go to office.

I go to office daily.

Time adverbs ('daily', 'every day', 'always') usually come after the verb and object, or at the end of the sentence — say 'I go to office daily'.

What is your good name?

What is your name?

'Good name' isn't standard English — just say 'name', e.g. 'What's your name?'

She not knows the answer.

She doesn't know the answer.

The negative of a simple tense needs 'do/does/did'. 'Not' doesn't go on its own before the verb — say 'doesn't know'.

You like tea?

Do you like tea?

Rising intonation can work in speech, but in formal and written English a question must start with 'Do/Does/Did'.

I will discuss about it tomorrow.

I will discuss it tomorrow.

'About' never follows 'discuss' — the verb takes its object directly. Say 'discuss it', not 'discuss about it'.

She is married with a doctor.

She is married to a doctor.

Use 'married to', not 'married with' — 'to' is the correct preposition here.

I'll meet you in Monday.

I'll meet you on Monday.

Always use 'on' with days of the week. 'In' is reserved for months and years.

He is good in maths.

He is good at maths.

For a skill or ability, say 'good AT', not 'good in' — e.g. 'good at maths'.

Listen me carefully.

Listen to me carefully.

The verb 'listen' always needs 'to' before its object — say 'listen to me', not 'listen me'.

I have many informations about Mumbai.

I have a lot of information about Mumbai.

'Information' is uncountable — it never takes 's'. It doesn't take 'many' either; use 'a lot of' or 'much'.

She gave me good advices.

She gave me good advice.

'Advice' is also uncountable — never pluralize it. Even for several separate suggestions, 'good advice' is the correct form.

We bought new furnitures yesterday.

We bought new furniture yesterday.

'Furniture' is uncountable. For specific items, say 'pieces of furniture'. 'Furnitures' simply doesn't exist in English.

How many homeworks do you have?

How much homework do you have?

'Homework' is also uncountable — treat it as singular. Use 'much', not 'many'.

The peoples were happy.

The people were happy.

'People' is already plural — it has no further plural form. 'Peoples' is occasionally used to mean 'different nationalities' ('the peoples of Asia'), but normally never.

Mumbai is more bigger than Pune.

Mumbai is bigger than Pune.

'Bigger' is already comparative — you don't add 'more' to it. That's a double-marker mistake. Use either 'more' or '-er', never both.

She is most tallest in the class.

She is the tallest in the class.

'Tallest' is already superlative. Adding 'most' and dropping 'the' is wrong. Superlatives always take 'the' before them.

He is more better than me.

He is better than me.

'Better' is an irregular comparative. 'More better' is completely wrong — use 'better' on its own.

This year's monsoon was the most worst.

This year's monsoon was the worst.

'Worst' is an irregular superlative. 'Most worst' is wrong — use 'the worst'.

i live in delhi.

I live in Delhi.

The pronoun 'I' is always capitalized. 'Delhi' is a proper noun — capitalize it. And every sentence must start with a capital letter.

I don't know it's name.

I don't know its name.

'It's' = 'it is' / 'it has' (a contraction). For possession, use 'its' (no apostrophe). A very common confusion.

We bought apples bananas and grapes.

We bought apples, bananas, and grapes.

Lists need commas between the items. The 'Oxford comma' (before 'and') is optional but recommended.

ravis bag is heavy.

Ravi's bag is heavy.

Capitalize the name, and use apostrophe + s for possession. 'Ravis' is wrong — it's 'Ravi's bag'.

I enjoy to play cricket.

I enjoy playing cricket.

'Enjoy' is always followed by the -ing form, never 'to do'. Remember: enjoy + verb-ing.

She avoided to meet him.

She avoided meeting him.

'Avoid' also takes the -ing form, not 'to do'. Same with mind, suggest, finish, and keep.

I want playing football.

I want to play football.

'Want' is followed by 'to' + the base verb, not the -ing form. Want, decide, hope, and plan all work the same way.

Remember closing the gas after cooking.

Remember to close the gas after cooking.

To remember a future task, use 'remember to do'. 'Remember -ing' is for recalling a past action — the meaning changes completely.

She said me that she is busy.

She told me that she was busy.

Two mistakes at once: 'said me' is wrong — after 'said' use 'to me', or just use 'told me'. And 'is' → 'was', one step into the past.

He said he will come tomorrow.

He said he would come the next day.

In reported speech, 'will' → 'would' and 'tomorrow' → 'the next day' (since 'tomorrow' is now relative). Move both one step back.

She asked me where I am going.

She asked me where I was going.

The tense moves one step back after 'asked' too. 'Am' → 'was'.

Ravi told that he is coming.

Ravi told me that he was coming.

'Told' must always be followed by an object (me, her, us). After 'said', the object is optional ('he said that...').

The needful will be done.

I will take care of it.

This isn't standard English — it's vague and passive, and you can't even tell what 'needful' refers to. Be active and specific: 'I'll handle it', 'I'll send the document', etc.

The work was did by me.

The work was done by me.

The passive always uses the 3rd form, not the past form. 'Did' is the past form; 'done' is the 3rd form. So 'was done', 'was eaten', 'was seen'.

I was given a present by my friend.

My friend gave me a present.

The passive is grammatically correct here, but the active sounds more natural. Use the passive only when the doer ('my friend') isn't important.

Kindly do the needful at the earliest.

Please process this as soon as possible.

'Kindly do the needful' isn't standard English and reads as awkward, bureaucratic office-speak. Be specific and active instead.

If I would have time, I will help you.

If I had time, I would help you.

In a second conditional, 'would' never goes inside the 'if' part — use the past simple there. 'Would' belongs in the result part.

If it will rain, we will stay home.

If it rains, we will stay home.

In a first conditional, the present simple follows 'if', not 'will'. 'Will' is used only in the result part.

If I was rich, I would buy a car.

If I were rich, I would buy a car.

Formal English uses 'I were' in the second conditional, not 'I was' (the subjunctive mood). 'I was' is fine in casual speech, but 'I were' is correct in exams and formal contexts.

If you would have called me, I would have come.

If you had called me, I would have come.

In a third conditional, the 'if' part takes 'had + the 3rd form', not 'would have'. 'Would have' goes only in the result part.

PHOTOgraph-ER (stressing PHOTO)

phoTOgrapher (stressing TO)

The suffix -er often shifts the stress one syllable inward — 'phoTOgrapher', not 'PHOTOgrapher'.

I-AM-go-ING-to-OF-fice

I'm going to the OFFice

Function words (am, to, the) should be weak. Stressing every word makes you sound robotic.

DEvelop (stressing DE)

deVELop (stressing VEL)

Most verbs ending in -elop / -orm / -ide are stressed on the second syllable.

Trying to say 'gonna' in a formal interview.

Use full forms ('going to') in formal settings.

Connected forms are casual. They sound friendly in chat but unprofessional in business meetings or exams.

Pronouncing every word with full stress ('I AM GOING TO THE OFFICE').

Let weak words be weak (uh-m gəənna ðə office).

Stressing every word equally is the #1 reason English can sound 'textbook'. Let function words shrink.

Not understanding 'whaddya' in a podcast.

Recognise: 'whaddya' = 'what do you'.

Always train your ear on contractions first — production can come later.

Trying to fake an American accent overnight.

Pick 1–2 patterns and work on them gradually.

Accent change is slow muscle memory work. Native speakers can hear a fake accent immediately.

Feeling ashamed of an Indian accent.

Use Indian accent confidently. Adjust only when clarity is in question.

There is absolutely nothing 'wrong' with Hindi-influenced English. Indian English is a valid global variety.

Mixing /v/ /w/ randomly ('Wictoria's wery good').

Practice the lip rounding distinction.

Most impactful single drill for Indian speakers in international settings.