Common ESL Writing Challenges

Overcoming Language Barriers in Writing

Article Usage (a, an, the)

Articles are one of the hardest aspects of English for non-native speakers. General rules:

• "A/an" = one of many (non-specific): "I need a pen."


• "The" = specific one: "I need the pen on the desk."


• No article = general/uncountable: "Water is essential."

Preposition Confusion

English prepositions are often idiomatic (no logical pattern). Common trouble spots: "interested in" (not "at"), "depend on" (not "of"), "arrive at/in" (not "to").

Word Order

English follows Subject-Verb-Object order more rigidly than many languages. Adjectives precede nouns: "big red house" (not "house red big").

Verb Tense Consistency

Many ESL writers mix tenses within a paragraph. Choose past or present and maintain it consistently throughout each section.