Non-native English speakers often have a strong understanding of grammar and vocabulary, yet still feel uncertain when communicating at work. The issue is rarely intelligence or effort. Instead, it is the result of habitual mistakes that persist without correction.
For working adults in Singapore, these common English mistakes can affect clarity, confidence, and professional credibility. The good news is that most errors are predictable—and fixable—with structured learning and awareness.
Many learners believe fluency means speaking English like a native speaker. This expectation can lead to frustration, especially for adults balancing work and learning.
In reality, workplace fluency means being able to:
Once learners shift their definition of fluency, progress becomes easier to recognise and measure.
Many non-native speakers learn English through textbooks, exams, or passive exposure. While this builds knowledge, it does not always translate into accurate everyday usage.
Mistakes often persist because:
Over time, these habits become difficult to change without guided practice.
Using the wrong tense is one of the most common issues, especially in spoken English. For example, switching between past and present tense within the same sentence can confuse listeners.
Articles are often misused or omitted altogether. While small, these errors can affect clarity and sound unnatural in professional communication.
Mistakes such as “She go to the meeting” are common and can distract listeners from the message.
Many learners translate phrases directly from their native language. This can result in expressions that sound awkward or unclear in English.
Using overly formal language in conversation—or casual language in emails—can affect tone and professionalism.
Words such as “discuss” vs “discussion” or “advise” vs “advice” are often mixed up, leading to misunderstandings.
Words like “um,” “ah,” and “you know” reduce clarity and confidence when overused.
Speaking fast to “get it over with” often leads to unclear pronunciation and incomplete ideas.
Some learners avoid speaking altogether to prevent mistakes. This limits improvement and visibility at work.
At Acuity Academy, these issues are commonly addressed through structured speaking practice in General English Course programmes.
One working professional consistently received feedback that emails were “unclear,” despite being grammatically understandable. Through guided feedback and targeted exercises, the learner identified repeated issues with sentence structure and word choice.
After addressing these habits, written communication became clearer and more concise. Colleagues responded more quickly, and misunderstandings decreased—demonstrating how small corrections can deliver meaningful results.
Self-study often reinforces mistakes because learners practise without correction. Structured English courses help by:
A General English Course provides working adults with the structure needed to replace old habits with clearer communication.
Making mistakes is a natural part of learning English. The key is recognising patterns and addressing them consistently.
Working adults who focus on clarity rather than perfection often see faster improvement and greater confidence in professional settings.
Common mistakes include incorrect verb tenses, misuse of articles, direct translation from native languages, and unclear sentence structure.
Yes. Repeated mistakes can reduce clarity and confidence, even if the message is generally understood.
Yes. With structured learning and feedback, adults can correct long-standing habits effectively.
Both matter, but clarity and confidence often have a greater impact on workplace communication.
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