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Common English Mistakes Indian Speakers Make

The most common English mistakes Indian speakers make, in grammar, articles, phrases and pronunciation, each with the standard version and how to fix it.

Indian English is confident and widely understood, but a handful of habits quietly mark you as a non-native speaker and can cost you in interviews, calls and exams. None are hard to fix once you notice them. Here are the most common ones.

Grammar habits

Common in Indian EnglishMore standard English
I am having a carI have a car
She is knowing the answerShe knows the answer
I did not went thereI did not go there
We discussed about itWe discussed it
He is having good EnglishHe has good English
Quick tipVerbs like have, know, want and understand describe states, not actions, so they are almost never used in the -ing form. Say I have, not I am having.

Articles and prepositions

Dropping or adding a, an and the, and choosing the wrong preposition, are the two most common small errors.

Common mistakeI am going to office. Please revert back. I have doubt in this topic.
CorrectI am going to the office. Please reply. I have a doubt about this topic.

Our full guides on articles and prepositions cover these in detail.

Words and phrases to update

Instead ofUse
revert backreply / respond
do the needfulplease do this / please arrange it
preponemove forward / bring forward
out of stationout of town / away
passed out of collegegraduated
good namename

Pronunciation habits

  • The v and w sounds mixed (wine and vine).
  • Adding an extra sound before words like school (ischool).
  • Stressing the wrong syllable in longer words.

See our guide on clearer pronunciation.

Common mistakeTrying to fix all of these at once and feeling overwhelmed.
CorrectPick one habit this week. Fix it in your speaking, then move to the next. Small, steady changes stick.

The fastest way to fix these is to have someone catch them as you speak, which is what happens in a 1-on-1 class.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common mistakes Indian English speakers make?

The frequent ones are using -ing with state verbs (I am having instead of I have), dropping or misusing a, an and the, saying discuss about instead of discuss, and dated phrases like revert back and do the needful. All are easy to fix once noticed.

Is Indian English wrong?

No. Indian English is a valid, widely understood variety. But a few specific habits can sound non-standard in interviews, international calls and exams, so it helps to adjust those particular points while keeping your natural confidence.

How do I stop making these mistakes when I speak?

Fix one habit at a time rather than all at once, and get corrected in real conversation. Reading the rule helps, but a tutor who catches the mistake the moment you make it is what breaks the habit for good.

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