What are the key vocabulary mistakes to watch out for

Key vocabulary mistakes to watch out for include:

• Misusing homophones such as their/there/they’re, your/you’re, its/it’s, to/too/two, and affect/effect.
• Confusing similar-sounding words (malapropisms) like using “exasperate” instead of “exacerbate.”
• Using incorrect verb forms, for example, using “sunk” instead of “sank” or “drank” instead of “drunk.”
• Overusing simple words like “very” without using more expressive synonyms.
• Misplacing modifiers that change the meaning of a sentence.
• Forgetting subject-verb agreement.
• Using articles (“a,” “an,” and “the”) incorrectly.
• Using slang or jargon in inappropriate contexts.
• Redundancy by using phrases with repetitive meanings, like “free gift.”
• Translating phrases directly from one’s native language resulting in incorrect expressions.

These mistakes can impact the clarity and professionalism of spoken or written English and are common both among English learners and sometimes native speakers. ^{1, 2, 3}

References

• Top 30 Common English Grammar Mistakes

• Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes English Learners Make

• What are some common vocabulary mistakes to avoid?

• The Most Common Mistakes in English | Don’t Make These …

• 10 common vocabulary mistakes

• COMMON ENGLISH ERRORS

• 13 commonly made mistakes in vocabulary instruction

• The 5 WORST Vocabulary Mistakes Holding You Back

• 7 Mistakes to avoid when learning vocabulary

• 69. Common Errors / Typical Mistakes (and their corrections)