{"id":69271,"date":"2026-07-20T11:07:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T08:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.englishcentral.com\/blog\/?p=69271"},"modified":"2026-07-20T11:07:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T08:07:36","slug":"english-grammar-mistakes-common-errors-made-by-children-and-their-corrections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.englishcentral.com\/blog\/en\/english-grammar-mistakes-common-errors-made-by-children-and-their-corrections\/","title":{"rendered":"English Grammar Mistakes: Common Errors Made by Children and Their Corrections"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In the journey of learning English, children’s process of grasping grammar progresses much differently and more intuitively than that of adults. While exploring a new language, children can frequently make grammar mistakes, especially when they try to adapt the logic of Turkish into English. Although these mistakes are a completely natural part of the learning process, identifying them at an early age and correcting them with the right practices is critical for permanent and fluent language skills. Understanding the points where children get stuck the most, the logic behind the rules, and the correct usage forms serves as a guide for both parents and educators.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Learn English with EnglishCentral Kids<\/h2>\n

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Common Mistakes Made by Turks While Learning English and Their Corrections<\/h2>\n

Since the language structures of Turkish and English are completely different, children and young people often mix up some basic concepts. Here are the most prominent common mistakes from the source material and ways to learn their correct usage:<\/p>\n

Confusion of “Make” and “Do” Usage<\/h3>\n

Since a single verb for “to do\/make” is used for both actions in Turkish, these two words are frequently confused. “Make” is generally preferred when creating, building, or producing something new that results in a physical outcome, while “do” is used when fulfilling an action, a job, or a task.<\/p>\n

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Incorrect:<\/strong> I will make my homework.
Correct:<\/strong> I will do my homework.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Difference Between “Listen to” and “Hear”<\/h3>\n

In English, the actions of hearing and listening are separated according to the state of consciousness. “Listen to” means to listen to something carefully and consciously, whereas “hear” means to perceive sounds that come to our ears outside of our will.<\/p>\n

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Incorrect:<\/strong> I like to hear music.
Correct:<\/strong> I like to listen to music.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Distinction Between “Borrow” and “Lend”<\/h3>\n

Since the word “\u00f6d\u00fcn\u00e7” in Turkish can be used for both taking and giving, this concept is also among those where mistakes are frequently made. “Borrow” means to take something as a loan from someone, while “lend” means to give something as a loan to someone.<\/p>\n

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Incorrect:<\/strong> Can you borrow me your pen?
Correct:<\/strong> Can you lend me your pen? (Alternatively: Can I borrow your pen?)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Using “Come” Instead of “Go”<\/h3>\n

In Turkish, when expressing the action of going somewhere, we sometimes use the verb “to come” from our own perspective (e.g., I came to school). However, in English, “come” only expresses approaching the location where the speaker is, while “go” expresses moving away from the current point.<\/p>\n

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Incorrect:<\/strong> I am coming to school everyday.
Correct:<\/strong> I am going to school everyday.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

“Affect” and “Effect” Confusion<\/h3>\n

These two words, whose spelling and pronunciation are very close to each other, are constantly mixed up. “Affect” is a verb indicating an action (to influence), while “effect” is a noun (the result of an influence).<\/p>\n

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Incorrect:<\/strong> This will effect your decision.
Correct:<\/strong> This will affect your decision.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Confusion of “Say” and “Tell” Usage<\/h3>\n

Although both verbs mean “to state\/express,” their structural usage within a sentence is completely different. “Tell” must be followed immediately by the person being spoken to (object pronouns: me, you, him, etc.). In the case of the verb “say,” either the spoken words follow directly, or it is used as “say to someone” with a preposition.<\/p>\n

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Incorrect:<\/strong> She said me that she was tired.
Correct:<\/strong> She told me that she was tired. (Or: She said that she was tired.)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Error of Re-using the Plural Suffix (-s) in Plural Words<\/h3>\n

Some words in English are already structurally plural (children, people, teeth, feet, etc.). Children tend to overgeneralize the rule of making words plural and add the “-s” suffix to the end of these words again.<\/p>\n

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Incorrect:<\/strong> The childrens are playing in the garden.
Correct:<\/strong> The children are playing in the garden.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Mixing Up the Words “Lose” and “Loose”<\/h3>\n

Since their spelling and pronunciation are very similar, it is one of the word pairs most frequently confused by both children and adults. “Lose,” written with a single “o,” is a verb meaning to misplace or be deprived of something; “loose,” written with a double “o,” is an adjective meaning slack or not tight.<\/p>\n

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Incorrect:<\/strong> I don’t want to loose my keys.
Correct:<\/strong> I don’t want to lose my keys.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Frequently Asked Questions About Common English Grammar Mistakes Made by Children<\/h2>\n

Let’s take a look at the most frequently asked questions about English grammar rules and common mistakes, along with clear answers that will clear up the question marks in the minds of parents and students.<\/p>\n

What kind of approach should be adopted when correcting children’s English grammar mistakes?<\/h3>\n

Constantly pointing out children’s mistakes by saying “You did it wrong” can discourage them from speaking. Instead, when a child forms an incorrect sentence, the most effective method is to use the correct version naturally in your own sentence (e.g., “Yes, you did your homework”) to help them gain familiarity through listening.<\/p>\n

What is the difference between the words “Fun” and “Funny”?<\/h3>\n

“Fun” is used for activities and situations where one has an enjoyable, pleasant time (e.g., a playground). “Funny,” on the other hand, is preferred for things or people that make you laugh or are comical. If we laugh at a movie because it is comical, the word “funny” is appropriate; if we are having a good time while watching that movie, “fun” is suitable.<\/p>\n

Why does thinking in Turkish lead to grammar mistakes when learning English?<\/h3>\n

English and Turkish belong to completely different language families. Their sentence structures (subject-object-verb order) and the underlying logic of words do not match one-to-one. Trying to form sentences in our minds in Turkish and translating them word-for-word into English results in structurally and semantically incorrect sentences.<\/p>\n

What is the easiest way to explain the auxiliary verbs “Do” and “Does” to children?<\/h3>\n

It can be explained that these auxiliary verbs are like “rule protectors” and make friends with specific subjects. The fact that “Does” only comes together with the subjects He, She, It, and “Do” joins with the subjects I, You, We, They, settles into children’s minds much more easily through gamified cards or rhymes.
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