For most learners, getting started with English is surprisingly easy. Simple verb structures, no grammatical gender (‘the’ works for everything) and no noun cases mean that you can very quickly say basic sentences which are easily understood by everyone. But after an easy start, many people discover that English also hides plenty of traps, such as irregular spelling, grammatical exceptions and inconsistencies, which can significantly impact your communication skills.
Below, we highlight 8 common mistakes that non-native speakers often make and provide tips to avoid them.
1. Apostrophes never make plurals
A common mistake is using an apostrophe to make something plural. For example, All product’s are available online. In English, apostrophes never make plurals. This sentence should be All products are available online.
Tip: To form the plural of most nouns, just add an s (products, emails, features).
2. Apostrophes show possession
English shows possession with an apostrophe and -s. For singular nouns, you add ‘s. For example, the manager’s decision, the company’s website, the product’s features. For plural nouns that already end in -s, the apostrophe comes after the -s. For example, the employees’ opinions, our clients’ feedback, the players’ skills.
Tip: To show possession, add an apostrophe and -s for singular nouns (the company’s website) and just an apostrophe for plural nouns (our clients’ feedback).
3. Apostrophes are used in contractions
Apostrophes also appear in contractions like don’t, isn’t or you’re. Increasingly, private and public organisations are using contractions to make the tone of their communications more friendly and accessible. Non-native speakers often forget to use apostrophes in contractions, writing words like cant, wont and couldnt. You can’t always rely on automatic spellcheckers to filter out these errors.
Tip: While contractions are an essential part of everyday spoken and written English, a good rule is: if in doubt, write it in full. For example, do not click this button.
4. Writing numbers in English
Compound numbers from 21 (twenty-one) to 99 (ninety-nine) should be hyphenated. For example, forty-nine people registered for the event, with twenty-two actually taking part.
The word and is important when writing out numbers in full. For example, 590 should be written as five hundred and ninety, and 6,893,433 should be written as six million eight hundred and ninety-three thousand four hundred and thirty-three.
Tip: Hyphenate compound numbers from 21 to 99 and use and between the hundreds and tens when speaking or writing numbers in English.
5. How to use commas and decimal points when writing numbers
In English, commas are used to separate groups of three digits in large numbers, starting from the right, to make them easier to read. For example, 1,250, 25,000 and 4,628,720. A decimal point is used to separate the whole number from the fractional part. For example, 3.5, 12.75 and 0.08.
Tip: In English, use commas to separate thousands (1,200, 25,000) and a decimal point to show fractions (3.5 or 12.75).
6. Using currency symbols and currency codes
Currency symbols are placed directly before the amount , with no space between them. For example, €450, $1,200 and £500.
Currency codes are written before the amount and are followed by a space. For example, EUR 450, USD 1,200 and GBP 500.
Tip: In English writing, the standard is: currency symbol before amount without a space and currency code before amount with a space. For example, €450 and EUR 450.
Note the exception: ISO-style formatting is to place the three-letter currency code after the amount. For example, 450 EUR.
7. Double negatives
In English, double negatives are grammatically incorrect. For example, The project can’t proceed without no approval is incorrect. It should be The project can’t proceed without approval.
Tip: Don’t make the same grammatical error as Mick Jagger when he sings I Can’t Get No Satisfaction. His double negative Can’t Get No is grammatically wrong. Instead, stick to one negative word in a sentence. Jagger should have sung I Can’t Get Any Satisfaction.
8. Confusing Much and Many
Non-native speakers often mix up much and many. Use many with things you can count. For example, We received many enquiries today. Use much with things which are uncountable. For example, time, money, water or information.
Tip: Use many with things you can count, and much with things you can’t count.
Conclusion
Mastering English takes time and practice, but avoiding these common mistakes will help improve your fluency and clarity. Still unsure about your use of apostrophes? Or do you write in English often and want to make sure your message comes across clearly and correctly? Our business English courses are designed to help professionals communicate clearly, confidently and correctly – in writing and in speech.
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