Common Mistakes in English by Native Indian and Pakistani Speakers

For native Indian and Pakistani speakers learning English, certain common mistakes arise due to differences in grammar, pronunciation, and cultural language habits. Understanding these common mistakes in English by native Indian and Pakistani speakers can help improve fluency and professionalism. As an experienced English teacher familiar with the challenges these learners face, I will guide you through the most frequent errors in speaking, writing, and listening, along with practical examples and corrections. 

31 Common Grammar Mistakes and How To Correct Them

Common Mistakes in English by Native Indian and Pakistani Speakers: Speaking Errors

Speaking in English can be challenging due to pronunciation differences, direct translations from native languages, and unique grammatical structures. Below are some of the most frequent speaking mistakes with corrections.

1. Using “Dear” Inappropriately

Many Indian and Pakistani speakers use “Dear” when addressing colleagues or acquaintances, but in modern English, this is outdated or overly personal.

❌ Incorrect:

• “Dear, can you check this report?”
• “Dear Sir, I need your help with this issue.”

✅ Better alternatives:

• “Hi [Name], can you check this report?”
• “Hello [Name], I need your help with this issue.”

2. Overusing “Only” for Emphasis

Many learners place “only” incorrectly when trying to emphasize information.

❌ Incorrect:

• “I told him only yesterday.” (This could mean I told him, but no one else did.)

✅ Better alternative:

• “I only told him yesterday.” (I told him yesterday and not on another day.)

3. Using “Myself” Instead of “I” or “Me”

A common mistake is using “Myself” as a subject instead of “I” or “Me.”

❌ Incorrect:

• “Myself John, I am working as a manager.”

✅ Better alternatives:

• “I am John, and I work as a manager.”
• “My name is John, and I work as a manager.”

4. Saying “Pass Out” Instead of “Graduate”

In Indian and Pakistani English, people say “pass out” to mean “graduate,” but in standard English, “pass out” means to faint.

❌ Incorrect:

• “I passed out from university in 2020.”

✅ Better alternative:

• “I graduated from university in 2020.”

Common Mistakes in English by Native Spanish Speakers

Common Mistakes in English by Native Indian and Pakistani Speakers: Writing Errors

Writing mistakes are common, especially in professional and academic settings. Below are key issues with grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.

1. Overuse of “Respected” in Emails

In English, “Respected” is rarely used as a greeting, though it is common in South Asian formal writing.

❌ Incorrect:

• “Respected Sir, I am writing to inform you…”

✅ Better alternatives:

• “Dear [Name], I am writing to inform you…”
• “Hello [Name], I wanted to let you know…”

2. Misusing “Revert” Instead of “Reply”

In Indian and Pakistani English, “revert” is often incorrectly used to mean “reply,” but in standard English, “revert” means “to return to a previous state.”

❌ Incorrect:

• “Please revert back to me soon.”

✅ Better alternative:

• “Please reply to me soon.”

3. Confusing Singular and Plural Forms

Some words that are singular in English are treated as plural in South Asian languages, leading to errors.

❌ Incorrect:

• “The furniture are expensive.”

✅ Better alternative:

• “The furniture is expensive.” (“Furniture” is an uncountable noun.)

4. Direct Translations from Native Languages

Many common errors arise from direct translations that do not work in English.

❌ Incorrect:

• “What is your good name?” (A direct translation from Hindi/Urdu.)

✅ Better alternative:

• “What is your name?”

The Common Mistakes we see students always making

Common Mistakes in English by Native Indian and Pakistani Speakers: Listening Errors

Listening comprehension can be difficult due to differences in pronunciation, fast speech, and unfamiliar accents.

1. Misunderstanding Contractions

Contractions (e.g., “he’s,” “you’re”) often sound similar to possessive pronouns (e.g., “his,” “your”).

❌ Common mistake:

• Mishearing “He’s coming to the meeting” as “His coming to the meeting.”

✅ Tip:

• Pay attention to the context and practice distinguishing contractions from possessive pronouns.

2. Struggling with Fast Speech

Native English speakers often blend words together, making it difficult for learners to understand.

❌ Common misunderstanding:

• “What do you want to do?” sounds like “Wha’cha wanna do?”

✅ Tip:

• Listen to English podcasts, news, and conversations at different speeds to train your ear.

3. Confusing Similar-Sounding Words

Some English words have very similar pronunciation but different meanings.

❌ Common confusion:

• “Live” (to reside) vs. “Leave” (to go away)
• “Sheet” (a piece of paper) vs. “Shit” (a vulgar word)

✅ Tip:

• Practice minimal pairs (words with similar sounds) to improve pronunciation and listening comprehension.

What are grammar errors? With 12 common mistakes to look for

Final Thoughts

By recognizing and correcting these common mistakes in English by native Indian and Pakistani speakers, learners can improve their fluency and confidence. Whether it’s refining pronunciation, adjusting grammar in writing, or training the ear to understand fast speech, consistent practice and awareness of these errors will lead to better communication skills.

At Learn Laugh Speak, we help adults of all levels, from A1 to C2, improve their English quickly and effectively. Our platform is designed for busy professionals who want to enhance their English skills without sitting in a traditional classroom. By using our application, students develop reading, writing, and speaking skills at their level, all aligned with international standards set by the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which is valid in 41 countries for English learning.

Investing in language learning is essential for professional growth, and at Learn Laugh Speak, we make English learning accessible, practical, and efficient.