Ever found yourself in the middle of an English conversation, suddenly doubting whether what you just said was correct? You're not alone. Even advanced English learners make surprisingly common mistakes that can make conversations feel awkward or confusing.

The good news? Most of these mistakes follow predictable patterns, and once you know what to watch for, you can fix them quickly. Let me walk you through the most frequent conversation mistakes I've seen in my years of teaching, plus ten real-life scenarios where you can practice getting them right.

The Most Common English Conversation Mistakes

Mixing Up "Lend" and "Borrow"

This one trips up almost everyone at some point. Here's the simple rule: you lend something to someone else, but you borrow something from someone else.

• Correct: "Can you lend me your pen?" (You're asking them to give it to you)
• Incorrect: "Can you borrow me your pen?"
• Correct: "Can I borrow your pen?" (You're asking to take it from them)

Think of it this way: the lender gives, the borrower takes.

Using "Me Too" and "Me Either" Wrong

This mistake happens constantly in casual conversations, and it makes you sound less fluent than you actually are.

• Use "me too" for positive statements: "I love pizza!" "Me too!"
• Use "me either" for negative statements: "I don't like spicy food." "Me either!"

The Dreaded Double Negative

Saying "I don't know nothing" or "I didn't see nobody" sounds wrong to native speakers. In English, once you use a negative word like "don't" or "didn't," you need positive words afterward.

• Incorrect: "I don't know nothing about that."
• Correct: "I don't know anything about that."

Confusing "Since" and "For" with Time

These little words make a big difference in meaning:

• Since = from a specific point in time: "I've lived here since 2020."
• For = duration of time: "I've lived here for four years."

Wrong Expressions for Common Situations

Several everyday expressions get mangled regularly:

• Say "What do you call this?" not "How do you call this?"
• Say "take a photo" not "make a photo"
• Say "He taught me" not "He learned me"
• Say "Happy birthday!" not "Congratulations on your birthday!"

The "Too Much" Trap

When you say "I like it too much," you're actually suggesting you like something excessively in a negative way. Instead:

• "I really like it!"
• "I like it a lot!"
• "I love it!"

10 Daily Scenarios to Master These Mistakes

Let me give you ten realistic situations where these mistakes commonly happen, so you can practice getting them right:

Scenario 1: At the Coffee Shop

Wrong: "Can you borrow me some sugar?"
Right: "Can you lend me some sugar?" or "Can I borrow some sugar?"

Scenario 2: Talking About Your Weekend

Wrong: "I don't do nothing on weekends."
Right: "I don't do anything special on weekends."

Scenario 3: Agreeing with a Negative Statement

Friend: "I don't like horror movies."
Wrong: "Me too."
Right: "Me either." or "Neither do I."

Scenario 4: Describing Your Job Experience

Wrong: "I work here since three years."
Right: "I've worked here for three years." or "I've worked here since 2021."

Scenario 5: At a Birthday Party

Wrong: "Congratulations on your birthday!"
Right: "Happy birthday!"

Scenario 6: Taking Photos with Friends

Wrong: "Let me make a photo of us."
Right: "Let me take a photo of us."

Scenario 7: Asking About Unknown Objects

Wrong: "How do you call this thing?"
Right: "What do you call this?" or "What is this called?"

Scenario 8: Talking About Learning

Wrong: "My teacher learned me English."
Right: "My teacher taught me English."

Scenario 9: Expressing Enthusiasm

Wrong: "I like this restaurant too much." (sounds negative)
Right: "I really love this restaurant!"

Scenario 10: Discussing Your Past

Wrong: "I know him since we were children."
Right: "I've known him since we were children."

How to Stop Making These Mistakes

Practice in Real Conversations

The best way to fix these mistakes is through actual speaking practice. When you catch yourself making an error, don't get embarrassed. Simply correct yourself and continue the conversation. Native speakers do this too!

Create Muscle Memory

Practice the correct forms until they become automatic. Say them out loud:

• "Can I borrow…" "Can you lend me…"
• "I've lived here for…" "I've lived here since…"
• "What do you call this?"

Listen Actively

Pay attention to how native speakers use these expressions in movies, podcasts, or conversations. You'll start noticing the patterns naturally.

Don't Overthink It

Remember, making mistakes is part of learning. Even advanced speakers occasionally slip up. The goal isn't perfection; it's clear communication and steady improvement.

Building Your Confidence

Here's what I've learned from years of helping English learners: the students who improve fastest aren't necessarily the smartest or most studious. They're the ones who aren't afraid to make mistakes in real conversations.

Every time you catch yourself making one of these common errors and correct it, you're building better speaking habits. Start with one or two mistakes that you know you make frequently, and focus on those first.

Practice these scenarios with friends, family, or language exchange partners. The more you use the correct forms in real situations, the more natural they'll become.

Remember, fluency isn't about speaking perfectly. It's about communicating clearly and confidently, even when you make the occasional mistake. Focus on progress, not perfection, and you'll find your English conversations flowing much more smoothly.

The key is consistent practice in real situations. Every conversation is an opportunity to get better, so embrace those daily interactions as chances to master these common scenarios.

Ready to practice these scenarios with other English learners and get feedback on your progress? Join our supportive Skool community where you can practice conversations, get personalized tips, and connect with fellow learners who understand your journey. Click here to join our community and start improving your English confidence today!