Why English Grammar Matters in Exams
English grammar helps you understand questions and choose correct answers. It also affects sentence completion, error identification and comprehension tasks. Many English exams test grammar through short sentences and multiple-choice questions. Therefore, understanding common English grammar mistakes can improve your accuracy.
Students often lose marks because they rush through simple grammar questions. Others choose answers that sound familiar without checking the sentence structure. However, you can avoid many errors by learning the rules behind them. Regular practice also helps you recognise incorrect constructions faster.
Common English Grammar Mistakes Students Should Avoid
1. Subject-Verb Agreement Errors
Subject-verb agreement means that the subject and verb must agree in number. A singular subject usually takes a singular verb. A plural subject usually takes a plural verb.
For example:
- The boy plays football.
- The boys play football.
A common mistake occurs when another noun appears between the subject and verb.
Incorrect: The list of items are on the table.
Correct: The list of items is on the table.
The main subject is “list,” not “items.” Since “list” is singular, the verb should be “is.”
Students should identify the main subject before choosing the verb.
2. Confusing “Your” and “You’re”
“Your” shows possession, while “you’re” means “you are.” Their similar pronunciation often causes confusion.
For example:
- Your book is on the desk.
- You’re late for class.
Incorrect: You’re school bag is missing.
Correct: Your school bag is missing.
A simple test can help. Replace “you’re” with “you are.” If the sentence still makes sense, use “you’re.” Otherwise, use “your.”
3. Confusing “Their,” “There” and “They’re”
These three words have different meanings and functions.
Their shows possession.
Example: The students submitted their assignments.
There refers to a place or introduces something.
Example: The books are over there.
They’re means “they are.”
Example: They’re preparing for the examination.
Incorrect: Their going to write the test tomorrow.
Correct: They’re going to write the test tomorrow.
Understanding their functions can prevent this common error.
4. Using “Me” Instead of “I”
“I” functions as a subject, while “me” usually functions as an object.
For example:
- John and I went to school.
- The teacher called John and me.
A common mistake occurs when students use “me” as part of the subject.
Incorrect: Me and James attended the class.
Correct: James and I attended the class.
You can remove the other person’s name to check the sentence. “Me attended the class” sounds incorrect, while “I attended the class” works.
5. Confusing “Affect” and “Effect”
“Affect” usually functions as a verb. It means to influence something.
Example: Lack of sleep can affect your concentration.
“Effect” usually functions as a noun. It refers to a result or consequence.
Example: Lack of sleep can have an effect on your concentration.
Students sometimes use these words interchangeably. However, their grammatical functions usually differ.
Remember the basic distinction: affect often describes an action, while effect often names a result.
6. Misusing “Much” and “Many”
Use “many” with countable nouns. Use “much” with uncountable nouns.
Examples:
- Many students attended the lecture.
- She does not have much money.
- There are many books on the shelf.
- He does not have much information.
Incorrect: I have much books.
Correct: I have many books.
Books can be counted, so “many” works correctly.
7. Confusing “Less” and “Fewer”
Use “fewer” with countable nouns. Use “less” with uncountable nouns.
Examples:
- Fewer students attended the second class.
- We need less water.
Incorrect: There are less students in the classroom.
Correct: There are fewer students in the classroom.
Students can be counted individually. Therefore, “fewer” is appropriate.
8. Using Double Negatives
A double negative uses two negative expressions when standard English requires only one.
Incorrect: I don’t know nothing about the issue.
Correct: I don’t know anything about the issue.
Another example is:
Incorrect: She didn’t see nobody.
Correct: She didn’t see anybody.
Double negatives can change the intended meaning. Students should check carefully when a sentence contains words such as “not,” “nothing,” “nobody” or “never.”
9. Confusing “Then” and “Than”
“Then” usually relates to time or sequence.
Example: We studied first, then we answered the questions.
“Than” usually appears when comparing two things.
Example: John is taller than James.
Incorrect: Mary is better then me at mathematics.
Correct: Mary is better than me at mathematics.
A useful memory trick is to associate “then” with time and “than” with comparison.
10. Misusing “Who” and “Whom”
“Who” usually refers to the subject of a verb. “Whom” usually refers to the object.
Examples:
- Who called you?
- Whom did the teacher invite?
The distinction can feel difficult in everyday English. However, exam questions may test it directly.
Try replacing the word with “he” or “him.” If “he” fits, use “who.” If “him” fits, “whom” may be appropriate.
11. Confusing “Its” and “It’s”
“Its” shows possession. “It’s” means “it is” or “it has.”
Examples:
- The dog wagged its tail.
- It’s raining outside.
- It’s been a long day.
Incorrect: The company changed it’s policy.
Correct: The company changed its policy.
Remember that the apostrophe in “it’s” signals a shortened form.
12. Incorrect Use of Apostrophes
Apostrophes can show possession or contractions. Students sometimes add them unnecessarily to plural nouns.
Incorrect: The student’s are preparing for the exam.
Correct: The students are preparing for the exam.
The first sentence incorrectly uses an apostrophe to make “student” plural. The apostrophe is unnecessary because “students” already forms the plural.
For possession, an apostrophe becomes necessary.
Example: The student’s book is missing.
Here, the book belongs to one student.
13. Confusing “Good” and “Well”
“Good” usually functions as an adjective. “Well” commonly functions as an adverb.
Examples:
- She is a good student.
- She writes well.
Incorrect: He speaks English good.
Correct: He speaks English well.
The word “well” describes how he speaks. Therefore, it functions as an adverb.
14. Incorrect Use of Prepositions
Prepositions can cause problems because different expressions require different prepositions.
For example:
- interested in
- good at
- afraid of
- depend on
- belong to
Incorrect: She is good in mathematics.
Correct: She is good at mathematics.
Students should learn common word combinations instead of translating expressions directly from another language.
15. Mixing Up “Since” and “For”
“Since” usually identifies a starting point in time. “For” usually identifies a period.
Examples:
- I have lived here since 2020.
- I have lived here for six years.
“Since” answers the question “from when?” “For” answers the question “how long?”
This distinction often appears in questions involving present perfect and present perfect continuous forms.
16. Confusing “Can” and “Could”
“Can” commonly expresses present ability or possibility. “Could” can express past ability, possibility or polite requests.
Examples:
- I can swim.
- She could swim when she was five.
- Could you help me?
Students should consider the context before selecting either word.
17. Using the Wrong Verb Tense
English verbs change according to time and context. Students often mix past, present and future forms incorrectly.
Incorrect: Yesterday, I go to school.
Correct: Yesterday, I went to school.
The word “yesterday” indicates past time. Therefore, the verb should use the past form.
Always look for time expressions such as “yesterday,” “last week,” “now,” “already” and “tomorrow.”
18. Confusing “Have,” “Has” and “Had”
Have goes with I, you, we and they. Has works with singular third-person subjects such as he, she and it. Had serves as the past form for all subjects.
Examples:
- She has completed the assignment.
- They have completed the assignment.
- She had completed the assignment before the teacher arrived.
Choosing the wrong auxiliary verb can make an otherwise simple sentence incorrect.
19. Incorrect Comparative Forms
Students sometimes use two comparative markers together.
Incorrect: This book is more easier than that one.
Correct: This book is easier than that one.
“Easier” already contains the comparative form. Therefore, adding “more” creates an incorrect construction.
Another example is:
Incorrect: He is more taller than his brother.
Correct: He is taller than his brother.
Learn the correct comparative form of common adjectives.
20. Confusing “Advice” and “Advise”
“Advice” is a noun. “Advise” is a verb.
Examples:
- My teacher gave me good advice.
- My teacher advised me to study harder.
Incorrect: She gave me useful advise.
Correct: She gave me useful advice.
Pronunciation can help you remember the difference. However, always check the word’s function in the sentence.
How to Avoid Grammar Mistakes in Exams
Learning grammar rules is only one part of exam preparation. You also need to apply those rules under time pressure.
Use these strategies during revision.
Read the Whole Sentence
Do not select an answer after reading only the underlined section. Read the entire sentence first. The surrounding words often provide important grammatical clues.
Identify the Grammar Rule
Ask what the question tests. It may test tense, agreement, prepositions, pronouns, comparison or word choice.
Once you identify the rule, eliminate options that break it.
Check the Subject and Verb
Always locate the main subject before selecting a verb. Ignore extra phrases that may distract you.
For example:
The collection of books is expensive.
The subject is “collection,” not “books.”
Watch for Time Expressions
Words such as “yesterday,” “already,” “since,” “for” and “tomorrow” provide useful clues. They can help you identify the correct tense.
Learn Commonly Confused Words
Create a personal list of confusing words. Include pairs such as:
- your and you’re
- its and it’s
- then and than
- affect and effect
- advice and advise
- their, there and they’re
- much and many
- less and fewer
Review the list regularly.
Practise With Questions
Practice helps you recognise grammar patterns quickly. Start with simple questions and gradually increase the difficulty.
After each exercise, review your mistakes. Do not only check the correct answer. Understand why the other options are wrong.
Common English Grammar Mistakes Practice Questions
Choose the correct option in each sentence.
Question 1
The group of students ___ ready for the examination.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
The main subject is “group,” which is singular.
Question 2
___ going to submit the assignment today.
A. Their
B. There
C. They’re
D. Theirs
Answer: C. They’re
“They’re” means “they are.”
Question 3
She has lived in Ibadan ___ 2020.
A. for
B. since
C. from
D. during
Answer: B. since
“Since” introduces a specific starting point.
Question 4
There are ___ students in this class than last year.
A. less
B. little
C. fewer
D. much
Answer: C. fewer
“Students” is a countable plural noun.
Question 5
The teacher gave us useful ___ before the examination.
A. advise
B. advice
C. advises
D. advising
Answer: B. advice
“Advice” functions as a noun in this sentence.
Question 6
James and ___ went to the library.
A. me
B. myself
C. I
D. mine
Answer: C. I
“I” functions as part of the subject.
Question 7
Yesterday, she ___ the examination.
A. writes
B. write
C. written
D. wrote
Answer: D. wrote
“Yesterday” shows that the action happened in the past.
Question 8
This question is ___ than the previous one.
A. more easier
B. easiest
C. easier
D. most easy
Answer: C. easier
“Easier” already expresses the comparative form.
Read More: How to Learn Synonyms and Antonyms for English Exams
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common English grammar mistakes?
Common mistakes include subject-verb agreement errors, incorrect verb tenses and confusing similar words. Students also struggle with pronouns, prepositions, articles and comparative forms.
How can I avoid grammar mistakes in exams?
Learn common grammar rules and practise applying them regularly. Also, read each sentence carefully before choosing an answer.
Why do students make grammar mistakes in English exams?
Many students rush through questions or rely on what sounds familiar. Others know the rule but struggle to apply it under examination pressure.
How can I improve my English grammar for exams?
Study one grammar topic at a time and practise questions after each topic. Review every mistake and understand the rule behind the correct answer.
Which grammar topics should students study for English exams?
Focus on subject-verb agreement, tenses, parts of speech, pronouns, prepositions, articles, conjunctions, comparatives and commonly confused words. Also practise sentence completion and error identification questions.
Are grammar mistakes important in JAMB and WAEC English?
Yes. English examinations can test grammar through sentence completion, error identification and other language questions. Students should therefore include grammar practice in their revision.
Conclusion
Common English grammar mistakes can cost students valuable examination marks. However, you can reduce these errors by learning the rules and practising them regularly.
Focus on areas such as subject-verb agreement, verb tenses and confusing words. Also, pay attention to prepositions, pronouns and comparative forms.
Most importantly, do not rely only on what sounds correct. Understand why an answer works and why another option fails.
With consistent practice, you can recognise common grammar errors faster. This can help you answer English questions with greater confidence and accuracy.
