The Kinds of Mistakes Kids Keep Making

You don’t have to be a teacher to notice the patterns. When kids learn English in school, the focus is often on passing tests, not on polishing the way they actually use the language. That leaves gaps. Over time, those gaps show up in speech. Let’s break down the most common ones parents hear.

Mistake 1: Mixing Up Verb Tenses

This one shows up in almost every household.

• “Yesterday I go to the park.”
  
• “Tomorrow I went shopping.”
  

It sounds small, but if your child keeps talking this way, it becomes their “default mode.” Teachers may correct it on paper, but in casual speech, these errors slip by.

How to fix it at home:
Parents can play little storytelling games. Ask your child: “Tell me something you did yesterday. Now tell me what you’re doing today. Now what you’ll do tomorrow.” When they slip, repeat the sentence back correctly, but without making it a big deal.

How Ruvimo helps:
Our tutors practice these scenarios live. Instead of memorizing rules, kids actually use past, present, and future tense in conversations until it feels natural.

Mistake 2: Pronouncing Words the Way They Look

English spelling is famously confusing. A child might see though, tough, thought, and pronounce them all the same way—or worse, give up trying.

How to fix it at home:

• Read aloud together. Kids who hear themselves saying tricky words over and over slowly get more confident.
  
• Don’t correct every single word—pick one or two and practice those until they “stick.”
  

How Ruvimo helps:
Our tutors break words into smaller sounds. We repeat them slowly, and sometimes even act them out (kids remember better when learning feels playful).

Mistake 3: Overusing “Like,” “Um,” or “You Know”

You’ve probably heard this one at the dinner table:

• “So, like, we were, um, at the park, and, like, it was, you know…”
  

Fillers come from nerves. Kids don’t want silence, so they stuff words into the gaps.

How to fix it at home:
Let your child pause. Literally say: “It’s okay to stop for a second before you keep talking.” They’ll feel awkward at first, but learning that silence is better than a pile of “ums” makes a big difference.

How Ruvimo helps:
Tutors model smooth speech and practice short answers, then longer ones, until the habit fades.

Mistake 4: Confusing Similar Words

Even strong readers mess up here:

• their, there, they’re
  
• accept, except
  
• affect, effect
  

How to fix it at home:
Make a “confusing words notebook.” Each time your child stumbles, add the word with an example sentence. Review it once a week.

How Ruvimo helps:
Our tutors slip these words into lessons often so kids hear them in context instead of just memorizing lists.

Mistake 5: Strange Word Order

You’ve probably heard something like:

• “He to the store goes.”
  
• “She always is happy.”
  

It happens when kids think in their own pattern and push English words into it.

How to fix it at home:
Ask your child to “fix” silly sentences you make up. Example: “The cat green eats food.” Kids love catching mistakes in grown-up speech—it makes them notice structure without realizing they’re studying.

How Ruvimo helps:
Tutors explain grammar in plain, kid-friendly ways. No long rules, just repetition in fun activities.

Mistake 6: Small Vocabulary, Big Repetition

“That’s nice.”
“That’s nice.”
“That’s nice.”

If you’ve ever heard your child repeat the same word 20 times a day, you know what this is. Kids lean on safe, familiar words and avoid new ones.

How to fix it at home:
Play a “new word challenge.” Every day, pick one new word. At dinner, ask everyone to use it once in a sentence.

How Ruvimo helps:
Instead of flashcards, tutors weave in new vocabulary naturally—through stories, role-play, or games. Kids actually use the word, so it sticks.

Mistake 7: Speaking Too Fast… or Too Soft

Some children race through their words like they’re in a contest. Others mumble so softly you can’t catch a thing. Both get in the way of being understood.

How to fix it at home:
Record them on your phone. When kids listen to themselves, they instantly notice speed or volume problems.

How Ruvimo helps:
Tutors encourage kids to pause at commas or periods. We also practice reading aloud with expression, which naturally slows them down.

Mistake 8: Staying Quiet Because of Fear

The toughest mistake of all? Silence.

Many kids don’t speak up because they’re afraid of being wrong. Over time, this fear keeps them from improving.

How to fix it at home:
Create a no-pressure environment. If your child makes a mistake, don’t pounce on it—just repeat the right version gently. Show them you value effort more than perfection.

How Ruvimo helps:
We celebrate mistakes as proof that a child is trying. When kids realize errors are normal, they loosen up and actually start enjoying English.

Why Do These Mistakes Stick Around?

Here’s what parents tell us all the time: “We correct them at home, but they keep making the same mistake.” That’s because:

1. School isn’t enough practice. Teachers have to move fast and can’t focus on every child’s quirks.
   
2. Peers influence habits. Kids copy friends without realizing.
   
3. Rules feel overwhelming. Grammar terms like “past perfect continuous” don’t help much when a child just wants to speak freely.
   
4. Confidence gaps freeze progress. The fear of being wrong stops kids from trying.
   

And this is where Ruvimo’s US online English tutoring really helps. Our tutors take time, spot patterns, and gently guide kids until those mistakes fade.

What Parents Can Do Right Now

Tutoring is powerful, but what happens at home matters just as much. Here are quick wins:

• Read together daily. Doesn’t need to be long—even 10 minutes counts.
  
• Ask open questions. Instead of “Did you like school?” try “What was the funniest thing that happened today?”
  
• Model good English. Kids copy more than they listen.
  
• Praise effort, not just results. “I like how you tried that word” works better than “Good job.”
  

Why Families Choose Ruvimo

Parents have lots of choices when it comes to tutoring—apps, big chains, or private teachers. But here’s why so many families stick with Ruvimo:

• One-on-one focus. Every session is built for your child, not a one-size-fits-all plan.
  
• Interactive learning. Games, stories, and role-play make grammar and vocabulary fun.
  
• Life-long skills. We don’t just fix grammar; we build communication skills that carry kids through school and beyond.
  
• Partnership with parents. We keep you updated, so you’re never left wondering how your child is doing.
  

At the end of the day, parents want the same thing we do: kids who can speak with confidence, write with clarity, and feel good about themselves. That’s what Ruvimo delivers.

Let’s get honest for a second.
If you’ve got a child learning English in the United States, especially if English isn’t the first language at home, then you’ve probably heard some of these “famous” slip-ups.

And before you worry—yes, even kids born here in the U.S., with English-speaking parents, make them too. It’s not just about where you’re from; it’s about how children pick up habits from school, friends, or even TV.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dig into a few of the most common English speaking mistakes—the ones that trip kids up, frustrate parents, and sometimes make teachers shake their heads. And more importantly, let’s talk about how you, as a parent, can guide them through it without turning every homework session into a battle.

1. The Classic “He Don’t / She Don’t” Problem

You’ve probably heard it:
“He don’t like broccoli.”
“She don’t want to go.”

It sounds off, doesn’t it? But kids say it because it’s easier. Why bother switching “don’t” to “doesn’t”? That’s extra work for their brain.

Why kids do it: They hear other kids say it, or they’re copying fast, casual speech. Honestly, even adults in the U.S. sometimes say it when talking quickly.

How to fix it (without sounding like a grammar cop):

• Instead of correcting on the spot every time (which can embarrass your child), try gentle repetition.
  Example: If they say, “She don’t like carrots,” you can respond with, “Oh, she doesn’t like carrots? Got it.”
  
• Over time, they’ll absorb the correct form just by hearing it.
  

Here’s where an online English tutor really helps. Platforms like Ruvimo are great because the tutor can model proper grammar naturally in conversation. Kids feel less judged by a tutor than they do by mom or dad.

2. Mixing Up Past Tense (Went vs. Goed)

This one makes parents laugh, but it’s super common.
“Yesterday I goed to the park.”
It’s kind of cute—until they keep saying it in 5th grade.

Why it happens: Kids try to apply “rules” they’ve learned. They know you add “-ed” for past tense, so in their mind, “go” becomes “goed.” Totally logical… just wrong.

How parents can guide:

• Don’t laugh too hard (even though it’s tempting). If kids feel embarrassed, they’ll go quiet.
  
• Try storytelling: “Remember last week when we went to Grandma’s? That was fun, right?”
  
• Emphasize the correct form during casual chats, not just during homework.
  

At Ruvimo, tutors do a lot of “retelling” games. A child describes their day, and the tutor helps gently fix past tense verbs. It feels like play, not correction.

3. Confusing “Much” and “Many”

This one sneaks in during conversations about food, homework, or even toys.
“I have much friends.”
“She has many water.”

Why kids mess it up: The concept of countable vs. uncountable nouns isn’t obvious to a 9-year-old. To them, friends, water, and homework are just “stuff.”

Fix tip for parents:

• Use real-life examples: “See this basket of apples? We say many apples. But when it’s juice in a cup, we say much juice.”
  
• Kids learn better when they can see it, not just memorize rules.
  

This is exactly why parents in the US online English tutoring space often look for tutors who are good at visuals and props. A tutor holding up blocks on a screen can make “many” vs. “much” click instantly.

4. Dropping Articles (“a,” “an,” “the”)

Another everyday mistake:
“I saw movie.”
“She has apple.”

Why it happens: Articles don’t exist in the same way in many languages, so kids skip them.

How to help:

• If your child skips it, repeat back naturally: “You saw a movie? Which one?”
  
• Don’t turn it into a grammar lecture—it works better if they just keep hearing the right version.
  

Here’s the truth: grammar rules can be overwhelming. That’s why grammar practice with a patient online English tutor is worth it. They catch these small errors without making kids feel like every sentence is a test.

5. Pronunciation Mix-Ups (the “th” sound)

If you’ve ever heard your child say “dis” instead of “this” or “dat” instead of “that,” you’re not alone. The “th” sound is tricky—even for adults learning English later in life.

Why it happens: Their tongue just doesn’t naturally go between the teeth when speaking. Plus, it feels awkward.

Parent tip: Turn it into a fun game.

• Ask your child to stick their tongue out a little when saying words like “think” or “that.”
  
• Try mirror practice: both of you saying it while looking at yourselves.
  

Tutors at Ruvimo often use silly tongue-twisters to make it fun. Kids love it because it feels like a challenge, not a correction.

6. Overusing “Is” (Everything becomes “is”)

Kids love to simplify. You might hear:
“He is go to school.”
“She is like pizza.”

Why they do it: They learn “is” as the glue word and try to attach it to everything.

How parents can help:

• Recast gently: “Oh, he goes to school. Nice.”
  
• Show patterns: “She likes pizza. He likes pizza. We like pizza.”
  

Again, no need to lecture. Just repeat in a natural way.

7. Word Order Problems

Sometimes kids mix up sentences like:
“I only not like broccoli.”
“Fast he run.”

This is one of those mistakes where grammar books won’t save them. They need to hear and practice the natural rhythm of English.

Parent fix:

• Read aloud more often at home. Even bedtime stories help kids pick up rhythm.
  
• Don’t correct everything; just let them soak in natural patterns.
  

An online English tutor can also pause and rearrange words live with the child, which feels much more helpful than a red mark on a worksheet.

Why Parents Struggle to Fix These at Home

Here’s the thing: you probably know what sounds wrong. But turning that into a “mini grammar lesson” while making dinner or rushing to soccer practice? Not so easy.

That’s why many U.S. parents turn to services like Ruvimo. You’re not just paying for homework help—you’re giving your child a chance to talk, make mistakes, and get corrected gently by someone trained to do it.

And honestly, sometimes kids just listen better to a tutor than to mom or dad. It’s not personal—it’s just how kids are.

Breaking Habits, Building Confidence, and Why Ruvimo Helps Kids Speak English Without Fear

You know, the funny thing about English mistakes is that they don’t really go away by drilling grammar worksheets or memorizing rules. I’ve seen kids ace a worksheet on “is vs. are” and then the very next day say, “She are going home.” It’s not that they don’t know. It’s that when they’re in the moment—talking fast, excited, nervous—the habits win.

That’s the real battle: habits.

And let me be honest—habits don’t change in a week. Parents sometimes ask me, “How many lessons until my kid stops saying ‘I am agree’?” I wish I had a magic answer. But just like learning to ride a bike or play piano, it’s about steady correction, steady practice, and not making the kid feel embarrassed every time they slip.

I’ve worked with students who refused to speak at all because someone once laughed at their mistake. Imagine being nine years old and thinking, “Better stay quiet than be wrong.” That breaks my heart. Because English—or any language—isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection.

Why confidence matters more than grammar drills

Here’s the truth: grammar rules can be fixed. Vocabulary can be expanded. Pronunciation can be improved. But if a kid loses confidence, if they feel speaking English is scary, then the progress slows to a crawl.

This is why I always tell parents—choose an online English tutor who doesn’t just correct, but who also encourages. That balance is everything.

At Ruvimo, we put this into practice. Tutors don’t just stop a child mid-sentence and say “wrong.” They gently rephrase, sometimes even making a little joke about it, so the child hears the correct version without feeling crushed. Over time, that steady exposure rewires the brain. Mistakes fade. Confidence grows.

Real-life examples of common mistakes (and how we fix them at Ruvimo)

• “I am agree.” This one’s classic. Kids learn “I am” for identity (I am a student, I am happy), and they attach it everywhere. Instead of drilling grammar charts, our tutors role-play conversations where “agree” naturally comes up. For example, we’ll say:
  “Do you like pizza?”
  Student: “Yes, I am agree.”
  Tutor (smiling): “Oh, you mean, ‘I agree.’ Me too—I agree pizza is the best.”
  The kid laughs, repeats, and remembers. That laugh is gold—it sticks.
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• “She go to school.” Dropping the “-s” on verbs is another biggie. Instead of nagging, our tutors exaggerate the correction: “Ah, she goes to school! She runs, she sings, she goes.” The kid hears the rhythm, feels the difference.
  
  
• Pronunciation mix-ups. I once had a boy who always said “w” for “v.” Instead of drilling endlessly, we played a silly game: every time he said “very,” I’d pretend to misunderstand—“Oh, you mean wery? What’s that? A new word?” He’d laugh, correct himself, and by the end of the week, “very” came out clear.
  

It’s not about scolding. It’s about making correction stick without pain.

Why U.S. parents trust Ruvimo’s English tutoring

Here’s what I’ve noticed: American parents, especially those who want their kids strong in both math and English, aren’t just chasing grades. They’re chasing confidence. They want their child to walk into class, raise their hand, and not second-guess their English.

And that’s where Ruvimo shines. Unlike some platforms that feel like robotic lesson factories, Ruvimo tutors connect one-on-one. It’s U.S. online English tutoring that actually feels personal. You’re not getting a random tutor from a long list. You’re getting someone who learns your child’s quirks, mistakes, even their favorite hobbies, and uses those to make English practice feel less like homework and more like conversation.

Think about it: kids remember things tied to emotion—laughter, surprise, even a funny story. That’s exactly how our tutors weave correction into natural talk. It’s not “memorize rule #4 about subject-verb agreement.” It’s “Oh hey, you love baseball? Tell me what your favorite player does on the field.” And as the kid explains, the tutor shapes the sentences gently into correct English.

The parent’s role

Parents sometimes ask me, “Should I correct my child at home too?” Honestly—yes, but gently. If you correct every single slip, your child will feel like speaking English is walking through a minefield. Instead, pick one or two big mistakes, correct those consistently, and let the smaller ones slide until later.

I tell parents: praise first, correct second. If your child says, “She go to school,” you might respond: “Yes, she goes to school. You’re right!” That way, they hear the correction but they also feel proud. That mix builds skill faster than constant criticism.

Ruvimo vs. the “do it yourself” method

Can parents fix these mistakes at home without a tutor? Some can, yes. But let’s be real—most parents are busy. Work, home, family, a hundred little things. Sitting for an hour to role-play grammar errors with your child isn’t always possible.

That’s where having an online English tutor makes life easier. It’s structured. It’s focused. And with Ruvimo, it’s also friendly and flexible. Parents don’t have to guess which mistakes to fix or how to fix them. Tutors already know the common patterns, and they’ve got tried-and-true ways to guide kids past them.

Why this matters for the future

English is the language of opportunities. From college essays to job interviews, from daily communication to global travel—speaking clearly and confidently makes doors open.

When kids grow up thinking “English is hard” or “I always mess it up,” they hold back. But when they grow up hearing, “Mistakes are just steps,” they push forward. That mindset starts young.

And honestly? That’s the biggest gift a parent can give through English tutoring: not just grammar, not just vocabulary, but the belief that their child can speak, learn, and grow without fear.

Final word to parents

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve heard your child make one of these mistakes. Maybe they say “I am agree,” maybe they mix up “he go” vs. “he goes,” maybe they get nervous reading out loud. Don’t worry—it’s normal. Every child learning English goes through it.

The question is: will those mistakes stick around and hold them back, or will they get corrected with patience and guidance?

That’s why Ruvimo exists. To be that steady guide. To make English practice feel natural. To build grammar and kid skill without crushing confidence.

If you want your child to have an online English tutor who doesn’t just correct but also encourages, if you want U.S. online English tutoring that’s flexible and personal, if you want them to walk into class ready to speak without fear—then Ruvimo is here.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about fixing every little slip. It’s about helping kids believe, “I can do this.” And once they believe that, the rest follows.

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