Common ESL Writing Errors and How to Correct Them

Common ESL Writing Errors and How to Correct Them illustration

Learn the most common ESL writing errors — articles, prepositions, verb tense, word order — and how to correct them with practical examples.

Non-native English writers often make the same types of errors, many of them tied to patterns in their first language. Recognising these patterns is the first step to clearer writing.

Here are common ESL writing errors and how to correct them.

Articles (a, an, the)

Choosing the right article is difficult for many ESL writers. Learn when to use "a" or "an" for non-specific items and "the" for specific ones, and when no article is needed.

Prepositions

Preposition use does not always follow logic and often depends on context. An editor helps you choose the right preposition for phrases and collocations.

Verb Tense and Word Order

Inconsistent tense and non-standard word order can make writing hard to follow. Editing helps you maintain consistent tense and natural English sentence structure.

Get Support

If you write in English as a second language, an ESL editor can help you produce clear, natural text. Request a free sample edit.

Get ESL Editing