Grammar Errors Native Speakers Make
Unforgivable English errors — explained
As a philosopher, a social scientist, and an English professor, I find some of the errors in English that native speakers make appalling. Americans are destroying the English language, and with the influence of other languages, we will most certainly end up not understanding one another. Check this page often — it will be updated with more errors.
— Dr. Sabri Bebawi
The Reason Is Because
Wrong
"The reason is because…"
Correct
"The reason is that…"
"Reason" and "because" are the same; using both is redundant. The speaker essentially repeats themselves. Say "The reason is that" instead.
Reported Speech
Wrong
"He said his name is Sabri."
Correct
"He said his name was Sabri."
Once we say "he said," the verb must shift from present to past tense. This is called backshifting in reported speech.
Double Negative
Wrong
"I do not know nothing."
Correct
"I do not know anything."
"Nothing" is negative, and "do not" is negative. Two negatives cancel each other out, creating an unintended positive meaning.
Past Participle After "Have"
Wrong
"I have ate." / "I have drove."
Correct
"I have eaten." / "I have driven."
After the verb "to have," you must use the past participle, not the simple past tense. Many native speakers confuse these forms.
"I Have Went" — The Unforgivable Error
Wrong
"I have went to the store."
Correct
"I have gone to the store."
"Went" is the simple past tense of "go." After the auxiliary verb "have," you must use the past participle "gone" — not the simple past "went." This is one of the most common and most unforgivable errors in American English. No educated speaker should ever say "I have went."
Fewer vs. Less
Wrong
"There are less people here today."
Correct
"There are fewer people here today."
Use "fewer" with countable nouns (people, cars, books). Use "less" with uncountable nouns (water, time, money).
Literally
Wrong
"I literally died laughing."
Correct
"I nearly died laughing." / "I laughed so hard."
"Literally" means actually, in fact. Using it for hyperbole or emphasis is a misuse that has unfortunately become widespread.