Common English Phrase Mistakes

Even advanced English learners often make mistakes with everyday phrases. In this video, we highlight five common errors and show you how to fix them for more natural English.

First, remember you “run errands,” not “do errands.” The phrase “run errands” means to go out and complete small tasks, like shopping or mailing letters. Next, don’t say “Can you borrow me five dollars?” The correct way is “Can you lend me five dollars?” You borrow from someone, but they lend to you.

Another mistake is saying “It’s his fault why we lost.” This mixes two phrases. You should say either “It’s his fault” or “He is the reason why we lost,” but not both together. When talking about accidents, say “by accident,” not “on accident.” For example, “I did it by accident.”

Lastly, avoid saying “I forgot my phone at home.” The correct phrase is “I left my phone at home.” You forget things in your mind, but you leave objects in places. Practice these corrections to sound more fluent and confident in English!