Lesson 6: Common Grammar Errors and Corrections

🟦 Introduction

Do you say “He do his homework” instead of “He does his homework”? Or “She told to me the truth”?

These are examples of common grammar errors — small mistakes that can make a big difference in how your writing or speaking is judged, especially in WAEC exams.

WAEC loves to test your grammar accuracy by:

• Giving error-spotting exercises

• Asking you to choose the grammatically correct sentence

• Testing your knowledge of sentence structure, verb usage, and common confusions

This lesson focuses on the most frequent grammar mistakes and how to fix them.

🟩 Key Concepts and Explanations

1. Subject-Verb Disagreement

🚫 She go to school every day.
✅ She goes to school every day.

Rule: The subject and verb must agree in number and person.

• I/we/they go, but he/she/it goes

2. Wrong Tense Usage

🚫 He has went to town.
✅ He has gone to town.

Rule: Use the correct verb form. “Has/have” takes the past participle.

3. Double Negatives

🚫 I didn’t see nothing.
✅ I didn’t see anything.

Rule: Avoid using two negatives to express one idea. It makes the sentence incorrect.

4. Misplaced Modifiers

🚫 Running down the street, the bag fell off his shoulder.
✅ Running down the street, he dropped the bag from his shoulder.

Rule: Make sure descriptive phrases are close to the words they describe.

5. Wrong Pronoun Case

🚫 Him and I are friends.
✅ He and I are friends.

Rule: Use subject pronouns for subjects (he, she, I) and object pronouns (him, her, me) for objects.

6. Omission or Wrong Use of Prepositions

🚫 She entered the car.
✅ She entered into the car.
✅ She got into the car.

🚫 He married with her last year.
✅ He married her last year.

Rule: Some verbs don’t need prepositions; others do. Learn the correct combination.

7. Confusing Similar Words

🟨 Practice Exercises

✏️ Exercise 1: Spot and Correct the Error

Rewrite the sentence with the correct grammar.

1. The books is on the table.

2. She didn’t see nobody at the gate.

3. Me and my brother played football.

4. He has ate already.

5. If I was you, I wouldn’t go.

✏️ Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Option

6. Everyone ______ ready for the trip.
   A. are
   B. were
   C. is
   D. have

7. They ______ the movie before we arrived.
   A. has watched
   B. had watched
   C. have watched
   D. watched

8. I prefer tea ______ coffee.
   A. than
   B. then
   C. over
   D. to

9. She drove carefully ______ avoid an accident.
   A. because
   B. for
   C. to
   D. in order

10. He’s stronger ______ his brother.
    A. than
    B. then
    C. more
    D. from

✏️ Exercise 3: Sentence Correction Challenge

Rewrite each sentence using correct grammar.

11. There going to school now.

12. Its a beautiful day.

13. She don’t like oranges.

14. The group are arguing loudly.

15. I can’t hardly believe it.

✅ Answers and Explanations

Exercise 1: Error Correction

1. The books are on the table.

2. She didn’t see anybody at the gate.

3. My brother and I played football.

4. He has eaten already.

5. If I were you, I wouldn’t go. (subjunctive mood)

Exercise 2: MCQ
6. C. is – “Everyone” is singular
7. B. had watched – past perfect before another past event
8. D. to – “prefer X to Y” is the correct structure
9. C. to – purpose expression
10. A. than – used for comparison

Exercise 3: Sentence Correction
11. They’re going to school now.
12. It’s a beautiful day.
13. She doesn’t like oranges.
14. The group is arguing loudly. (as one unit)
15. I can hardly believe it. (avoid double negative)

🔁 Recap

You’ve learned:

• How to recognize and fix common grammar errors

• The importance of subject-verb agreement, verb forms, and correct pronouns

• How to avoid double negatives, misplaced modifiers, and confusing words

• Key examples often tested in WAEC exams

🪞 Reflection Prompt

Write a paragraph (5–6 lines) about a recent experience (e.g. going to the market or attending a class).
After writing, review and edit it for any grammar errors.
List and explain at least two corrections you made.