If you’re an English learner at the intermediate level, you’ve already conquered the basics. But now, you may notice your progress feels slower and the mistakes you make are subtler, yet more persistent. This is a natural part of the journey.

The good news? By becoming aware of these common pitfalls - and learning how to fix them - you can unlock real progress in your speaking, writing, and confidence.

Below, discover the most frequent mistakes intermediate learners make, complete with real examples, expert tips, and easy-to-follow corrections. Let’s turn your errors into stepping stones toward fluency!

1. Grammar Mistakes That Hold You Back

a. Mixing Up Past Simple and Present Perfect

Many learners confuse when to use the past simple (“I saw”) and the present perfect (“I have seen”). The difference is subtle but important.

• Incorrect: I have seen the movie last week.
• Correct: I saw the movie last week.

Tip: Use the present perfect only when the time is not specified or is still continuing (ongoing).

• Incorrect: I visited Paris.
• Correct: I have visited Paris. (no specific time mentioned)

also,

• Incorrect: So far, I answered ten emails.     
• Correct: So far, I have answered ten emails.
  (The day or activity is ongoing ('so far'); more emails may be answered.

b. Overusing or Avoiding Present Perfect

Sometimes, learners use the present perfect where the past simple is needed, or avoid it altogether.

• Incorrect: I’ve been there five years ago.
• Correct: I went there five years ago. (it happened in the past)

c. Misplacing “Enough”

“Enough” has a specific place in English sentences.

• Incorrect: She is enough strong to lift it.
• Correct: She is strong enough to lift it.

d. Less vs. Fewer

“Less” is for uncountable nouns; “fewer” is for countable nouns.

• Incorrect: There are less people today.
• Correct: There are fewer people today.

e. Among vs. Between

• Incorrect: She divided the candy between her friends.
• Correct: She divided the candy among her friends.

Tip: Use “between” for two, “among” for three or more.

2. Tricky Verb Patterns: Gerunds and Infinitives

Some verbs are followed by “-ing” (gerund), others by “to” + verb (infinitive), and some can take both-with different meanings.

• Incorrect: I enjoy to swim in the ocean.
• Correct: I enjoy swimming in the ocean.
   
• Incorrect: I stopped to smoke. (If you mean you quit the bad habit.) 

Or did you mean you paused to have a cigarette?

• Correct (pause to smoke): I stopped to smoke.
• Correct (quit smoking): I stopped smoking.

Expert Insight:

“I stopped to smoke” means you paused another activity to smoke.
“I stopped smoking” means you quit the habit.

More Examples:

• Incorrect: I’m looking forward to see you.
• Correct: I’m looking forward to seeing you.

Find out more on common verbs that are usually followed by -ing (the gerund form) and those usually followed by to + verb (the infinitive) - with a practical verb list!

3. Vocabulary Confusion

a. False Friends and Similar Words

Words that look similar in your language can lead you astray.

• Incorrect: I am actually living in Paris.
• Correct: I am currently living in Paris.
  (In many languages, “actually” means “currently,” but in English it means “in fact.”)
   
• Incorrect: The chef of the company is very friendly.
• Correct: The boss (or manager) of the company is very friendly.
  (In French, “chef” means “boss,” but in English it means “cook.”)

b. Overusing Simple Words

Intermediate learners often use “good,” “bad,” or “thing” too much.

• Tip: Replace with richer vocabulary:
  • “delicious” instead of “good” (for food)
  • “issue” instead of “thing”
  • “challenging” instead of “bad”

c. Another vs. Other

• Incorrect: Can I have other drink, please?
• Correct: Can I have another drink, please? 

4. Pronunciation Pitfalls

a. Irregular Verb Endings

Even at intermediate level, it’s easy to say “cutted” instead of “cut.”

• Incorrect: I cutted the meat.
• Correct: I cut the meat.

b. Word Stress and Intonation

English uses stress to distinguish meaning.

• Incorrect: I REcord music. (noun)
• Correct: I reCORD music. (verb)

Tip: Listen to native speakers and mimic their rhythm. Use online dictionaries with audio.

5. Reading and Writing: Subtle Errors

a. Incomplete Comparisons

• Incorrect: My mother’s cooking is more better than mine.
• Correct: My mother’s cooking is better than mine.

b. Conditional Sentences

• Incorrect: If I didn’t have to get up early tomorrow, I’ll see a late movie tonight.
• Correct: If I didn’t have to get up early tomorrow, I’d see a late movie tonight.

c. Wish + Past Simple/Subjunctive

• Incorrect: Andrew wishes he is taller.
• Correct: Andrew wishes he were taller.

6. Spelling and Homophones

a. Their / There / They’re

• Incorrect: Their going to the store.
• Correct: They’re going to the store.

b. Advice vs. Advise

• Incorrect: She gave me a good advise.
• Correct: She gave me good advice.

7. Collocations and Fixed Expressions

English has many word pairs that just “sound right” together.

• Incorrect: I made my homework.
• Correct: I did my homework.
• Incorrect: I’m going to home.
• Correct: I’m going home.

8. Modal Verbs and Question Structure

• Incorrect: How I can contact you?
• Correct: How can I contact you? 

9. Prepositions in Context

• Incorrect: She is good in singing.
• Correct: She is good at singing.
• Incorrect: I’ll see you in Monday at 8:00 on May.
• Correct: I’ll see you on Monday at 8:00 in May.

10. Nuances in Tense Usage

a. Present Perfect for Life Experience

• Incorrect: I have ever visited Paris.
• Correct: I have visited Paris.

b. Present Perfect for Duration

• Incorrect: I live here for ten years.
• Correct: I have lived here for ten years.

Expert Tips to Fix and Avoid These Mistakes

1. Read and Listen Widely:
   Expose yourself to authentic English-books, podcasts, news, and conversations. Notice how native speakers use tenses, prepositions, and collocations.
2. Keep a Mistake Journal:
   Write down your recurring mistakes and correct versions. Review them regularly.
3. Practice with Full Sentences:
   Don’t just memorize rules-use new grammar and vocabulary in your own sentences.
4. Record Yourself:
   Listen for pronunciation and stress mistakes. Compare with native speakers.
5. Ask for Feedback:
   Share your writing or speaking with a teacher or language partner.
6. Use Technology:
   Grammar checkers and pronunciation apps can help you spot errors.
7. Review and Revise:
   Always check your work for the mistakes above before submitting or speaking.

Real-World Practice

Try correcting these sentences:

1. Incorrect: She said me to come early.

2. Incorrect: I’m looking forward to meet you.

3. Incorrect: I’ve seen him yesterday.

4. Incorrect: There are less chairs in the room.

5. Incorrect: I did a mistake.

1. Correct: She told me to come early.

2. Correct: I’m looking forward to meeting you.

3. Correct: I saw him yesterday.

4. Correct: There are fewer chairs in the room.

5. Correct: I made a mistake.

Final Thoughts

Intermediate English is a stage of subtlety and sophistication. The mistakes you make now are clues to your next level of mastery. Embrace them! With awareness, practice, and the expert tips above, you’ll not only avoid these pitfalls but also gain the confidence and fluency you’ve been working toward.

Keep practicing, stay curious, and remember: every mistake is a lesson in disguise. Happy learning!