Tiny grammar slips add up. Here are frequent errors by theme and how to fix them with quick drills that stick.
Particle mix‑ups (は vs が, に vs で)
- Problem: topic vs subject, place vs action site.
- Fix: write minimal pairs and label the function.
- は vs が: 天気はいいです／雨が降っています。
- に vs で: 学校に行く／学校で勉強する。
Clause boundaries
- Problem: misreading where a relative clause ends.
- Fix: mark verb endings and bracket relative clauses when reading; rewrite the head noun + clause as a simple sentence.
て‑form confusions (progressive vs resultant state)
- Problem: ～ている as “right now” vs “resulting state” (結婚している = is married).
- Fix: collect 5 examples of each usage; test with adverbs (今、よく、いつも) to see which reading fits.
Transitive vs intransitive pairs
- Problem: wrong subject/particle pairing (ドアが開く vs ドアを開ける).
- Fix: make a two‑column list; add one sentence per pair with matching particles.
Conditionals (～たら／～と／～ば／～なら)
- Problem: using the wrong conditional for prediction, habits, or assumptions.
- Fix: learn by function and write contrastive pairs.
- ～と for habitual results; ～たら for one‑time events; ～ば for hypothetical/softening; ～なら for given conditions.
Ambiguous negatives and scope
- Problem: double negatives or unclear what is negated.
- Fix: rewrite in positive form first to check meaning, then restore the intended negative.
Register and softeners
- Problem: mixing polite and casual forms, missing sentence‑final softeners.
- Fix: note formal connectors and endings by level; practice turning a casual sentence polite and back.
Counters and quantities
- Problem: wrong counter or particle pairing (三人、一本、二枚) and order mistakes.
- Fix: build mini‑tables by category you actually use (people, long objects, flat objects, machines). Write a sentence for each.
Error‑fix loop you can reuse
- Keep a log with: error → reason (particle, clause, tense, conditional) → fix (rule + new sentence) → proof (find it in real input this week).
- Close loops weekly; don’t just re‑read rules.
Quick checklists before timed sets
- Particles: topic/subject/place/action site correct?
- Clause: relative clauses closed before the head noun?
- Negatives: what exactly is negated?
- Register: consistent ending style in choices and passages?
How Kanji Koi helps with grammar
- Store contrastive mini‑pairs as phrase‑level cards (verb + particle + noun).
- Adaptive SRS resurfaces confusable patterns just as you’re about to forget.
- Offline mode supports short, frequent reviews that stabilize grammar intuitions.
Attach example sentences you read or hear today to your Kanji Koi cards. Seeing them again in spaced intervals turns rules into reflexes.
Attach grammar to real sentences you read or hear the same day you learn it—then review via SRS.