❌ Common Grammar Mistakes in GCSE German (and How to Fix Them)

Whether you're revising for your GCSE German writing or speaking exam, certain grammar mistakes come up again and again—and they can cost you valuable marks. The good news? Once you know what to watch out for, they’re easy to fix. In this post, we’ll break down the most common grammar errors GCSE students make, explain why they happen, and show you exactly how to correct them—with simple examples and practical tips. If you're preparing for AQA, Edexcel, or another board, this guide is for you.

Avoid the most common grammar mistakes in your GCSE German exams

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1. 🔀 Word Order Confusion

❌ Ich gehe oft ins Kino weil ich mag Filme.

✅ Ich gehe oft ins Kino, weil ich Filme mag.

The Rule: In subordinate clauses (introduced by words like weil, dass, obwohl), the verb goes to the end.

Fix It:

• Learn common subordinating conjunctions: weil, dass, obwohl, wenn, damit

• Practise rewriting sentences with one clause, then two

Tip: Always say the sentence aloud—if it sounds too much like English word order, check the verb!

2. ⏳ Tense Mix-Ups (Especially Past Tense)

❌ Letzte Woche ich gehe ins Kino.

✅ Letzte Woche bin ich ins Kino gegangen.

The Rule: When talking about the past, use the perfect tense with haben/sein + past participle.

Quick Reference:

• ich habe gespielt (I played)

• ich bin gegangen (I went)

Tip:

• Use haben for most verbs

• Use sein for movement and change of state (gehen, fahren, kommen, werden)

3. 🔁 Repeating “ich” Too Often

❌ Ich gehe zur Schule. Ich habe Mathe. Ich finde Mathe langweilig.

✅ Ich gehe zur Schule, wo ich Mathe habe. Mathe finde ich langweilig.

The Rule: Avoid starting every sentence the same way. Use conjunctions, relative clauses, and inversion for variety.

Fix It:

• Use und, aber, weil, dann, außerdem

• Try relative clauses: die Schule, die ich besuche…

• Flip word order: Mathe finde ich schwierig.

4. 📏 Wrong Gender or Article

❌ Ich habe eine Bruder.

✅ Ich habe einen Bruder.

The Rule: Every noun in German has a gender: der (m), die (f), das (n). The article changes depending on the case (especially accusative and dative).

Quick Fix for Accusative:

• der → den

• die → die

• das → das

Tip: Learn nouns with their article: der Hund, die Katze, das Auto

5. 👤 Confusing “sein” and “haben”

❌ Ich bin einen Apfel gegessen.

✅ Ich habe einen Apfel gegessen.

The Rule: Most verbs use haben in the past tense, not sein.

Use sein only with:

• Movement (gehen, fahren)

• Change of state (aufwachen, sterben)

Fix It:

• Make flashcards for past participles with correct auxiliary verbs

6. 🔁 Forgetting Verb at Position 2

❌ Am Wochenende ich spiele Fußball.

✅ Am Wochenende spiele ich Fußball.

The Rule: In a main clause, the verb is always the second idea, not the second word.

Tip:

• Learn to count ideas:→ Am Wochenende (1), spiele (2), ich Fußball

7. 📎 Not Using Connectives

❌ Ich mag Sport. Ich mag Musik.

✅ Ich mag Sport, aber ich liebe Musik.

The Rule: Using connectives not only improves flow, but also earns higher marks for structure.

Top Connectives:

• aber, und, weil, denn, obwohl, außerdem, dann, deshalb. BUT be careful, they follow different word order rules in German!

8. 💬 False Friends (They Look English, But Aren’t!)

German Word	Looks Like	Actually Means
bekommen	to become	to receive
werden	to wear	to become
dürfen	to dare	to be allowed to
Chef	chef (cook)	boss
Gift	gift (present)	poison

Fix It:

• Keep a list of false friends and test yourself

• Use context clues to check meaning

9. 🔄 Using “zu” with Modal Verbs

❌ Ich will zu gehen.

✅ Ich will gehen.

The Rule: After modal verbs (können, müssen, wollen, dürfen, sollen, mögen), no “zu” is used before the next verb.

Fix It:

• Practise full sentences:→ Ich muss Hausaufgaben machen.→ Ich darf heute ausgehen.

10. 🔢 Mixing Up Numbers

❌ Ich bin sechzig Jahre alt. (60)

✅ Ich bin sechzehn Jahre alt. (16)

The Rule:

• sechzehn = sixteen

• sechzig = sixty

• fünfzehn = fifteen

• fünfzig = fifty

Fix It:

• Revise numbers aloud

• Listen to them in context on audio platforms

BONUS: 🎓 Top Grammar Tips to Avoid Mistakes

• ✅ Revise tenses side-by-side: ich spiele, ich habe gespielt, ich werde spielen

• ✅ Learn 10–15 key irregular verbs and their participles

• ✅ Read model answers and highlight grammar structures

• ✅ Speak and write regularly in full sentences, not just isolated words

• ✅ Use sentence-building games or apps like Wordwall, Quizlet, and Duolingo

• ✅ Use Auf Deutsch, bitte! to revise grammar with over 500 free posts

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✅ Final Thoughts

Grammar mistakes are common—and they’re fixable. By learning the patterns, practising regularly, and knowing what to watch out for, you can improve quickly and feel more confident in the exam.

You’ve got this. Or in German: Du schaffst das!

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