20 Common SPM English Mistakes — Don't Lose Marks

These 20 mistakes cost students 10-15 marks every year. Fix them and you automatically jump from D to C or B.

Grammar Mistakes (1-10)

Mistake 1: Missing "s" for He/She/It

Rule: He/She/It → verb + s

Mistake 2: Using "will" with past time words

Rule: Past time (yesterday, last, ago) → Past Simple

Mistake 3: "am" + verb without "-ing"

Rule: am/is/are → verb + ing

Mistake 4: "will" + "going to" together

Rule: Use will OR going to — never both

Mistake 5: "a" before vowel sound

Rule: Vowel SOUND → "an". Consonant SOUND → "a"

Mistake 6: "since" vs "for"

Rule: since = point in time (2010, Monday). for = duration (5 years, 3 days)

Mistake 7: "much" vs "many"

Rule: many = countable (books, students). much = uncountable (water, money)

Mistake 8: Double comparatives

Rule: Don't use "more" with words that already end in -er. Don't use "most" with words that already end in -est.

Mistake 9: "in" vs "at" vs "on" for time

Rule: in = month/year. on = day/date. at = clock time.

Mistake 10: "don't" vs "doesn't"

Rule: He/She/It → doesn't. I/You/We/They → don't

Writing Mistakes (11-20)

Mistake 11: No paragraph breaks

Problem: Writing one long block of text with no breaks.

Fix: Use PEE paragraphs — Point, Example, Explanation. Each paragraph = one idea only.

Paragraph 1: Introduction (2-3 sentences)
Paragraph 2: Point 1 + Example + Explanation
Paragraph 3: Point 2 + Example + Explanation
Paragraph 4: Conclusion (2-3 sentences)

Mistake 12: No topic sentence

Problem: Paragraphs that start without telling the reader what it's about.

Fix: First sentence of every paragraph = the main point.

Mistake 13: Informal language in formal essays

Mistake 14: No linking words

Problem: Sentences feel disconnected — no flow.

Fix: Use linking words between ideas:

Mistake 15: Run-on sentences

Rule: Use commas + linking words, or make separate sentences with full stops.

Mistake 16: Starting with "Because"

Rule: In SPM essays, put the main clause FIRST, then "because" + reason. (Starting with "because" is okay in speech, but avoid it in formal writing.)

Mistake 17: "very" + adjective (lazy writing)

Rule: Replace "very + adjective" with a stronger word. Shows better vocabulary.

Mistake 18: Inconsistent tense

Problem: Starting in present tense, then switching to past, then back to present.

Rule: If the story happened in the past → ALL verbs in past tense.

Mistake 19: No conclusion / weak ending

Rule: Always end with a proper conclusion paragraph (2-3 sentences).

Mistake 20: Not answering the question

Problem: Writing about the general topic instead of answering the specific question.

Fix: Read the question 3 times. Circle keywords. Before writing each paragraph, check: "Does this answer the question?"

Quick Fix Checklist (Use This Before Submitting)

Final Tip: Print this checklist and use it every time you practice. If you fix all 20 mistakes, you can jump 1-2 grades instantly. These are the easiest marks to gain in SPM English.