Strategies to correct mistakes you’ve been making for years. Many English learners know grammar rules but still repeat the same mistakes again and again. These errors are not a sign of low ability—they are habits formed over years of speaking, translating, and using English without structured correction. The good news is that grammar habits can be changed. With the right approach, long-standing mistakes can be corrected gradually and permanently.

Not all grammar mistakes are the same for every learner. Most people repeat a small set of errors consistently. Strategy:
• Notice which mistakes you make repeatedly
• Pay attention to feedback from teachers or colleagues
• Write down your most common errors

Many grammar mistakes come from directly translating sentences from your mother tongue into English. Strategy:
• Learn correct English sentence patterns instead of word-by-word translation
• Practice thinking in simple English phrases
• Listen carefully to how fluent speakers structure sentences

Trying to ‘avoid mistakes’ is less effective than replacing old habits with correct alternatives. Strategy:
• Learn one correct structure for each common mistake
• Practice the new structure in short sentences
• Use it repeatedly until it feels natural

Speaking too quickly often brings back old habits. Strategy:
• Slow down your speech slightly
• Pause before complex sentences
• Focus on accuracy first, then speed

Grammar improves best through guided speaking, not memorisation alone. Strategy:
• Practice speaking in structured environments
• Accept corrections calmly
• Repeat corrected sentences aloud

Breaking old grammar habits takes patience and consistent practice. With awareness, correct guidance, and regular use, even long-standing mistakes can be corrected over time.

This article is based on classroom experience at DSLA (De Sales Language Academy), where learners are trained in spoken and professional English through structured, in-person instruction.

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This article is based on classroom experience at DSLA (De Sales Language Academy), where learners are trained through structured, in-person instruction.

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