Discover why English is so confusing — and how accepting its quirks is the first step to learning it. Rule #1: English is a crazy language!
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If you’ve ever said, “English doesn’t make any sense,” you’re not alone. The first step in learning English as an adult isn’t grammar or vocabulary — it’s mindset. You have to accept that English is full of contradictions, silent letters, weird plurals, and borrowed rules from other languages. That’s why Rule #1 is simple, honest, and powerful:
English is a crazy language — and that’s okay!
When you start from a place of acceptance, you stop wasting energy on frustration and start focusing on progress. This lesson is all about helping you get in the right frame of mind to move forward.
Main Question: Why Is English So Crazy?
English is a crazy language because it borrows rules from other languages, breaks its own spelling patterns, and often says one thing but means another.
🎬 Watch this Short video for a fun example:
Now, let’s break down some common examples that confuse beginners…
Table of Contents
Why English Feels So Confusing
Examples of English Being Weird
What to Do Instead of Complaining
More Ways to Learn English with Confidence
Why English Feels So Confusing
English is full of exceptions, odd spellings, silent letters, and weird rules. It borrows from many other languages, so it doesn’t always follow logic.
Examples of English Being Weird
- The plural of mouse is mice, but the plural of house is houses.
- The word read is spelled the same in the present and past — but pronounced /reed/ and /red/.
- “I wind the clock” vs. “The wind is strong.”
- Comb, bomb, and tomb all end the same way but sound totally different.
Why This Step Matters
This is just Step 1 of the journey. Visit the full 12 Steps to Learn English guide to see how it all fits together.
If you want to learn English, the first step is accepting that it’s confusing. And that’s okay! Once you accept it, you stop wasting energy being frustrated — and start making progress.
What to Do Instead of Complaining
- Laugh at the crazy parts.
- Keep learning anyway.
- Ask questions. Don’t give up.
- Practice with real people, not just books — like a friend, tutor, or a Study Buddy.
Try This Speaking Challenge
🎤 Say this out loud with your teacher, study buddy, or mirror:
“English is a crazy language. Sometimes it makes no sense. But I’m learning it anyway!”
Repeat it 3–5 times. Now say it with confidence and without stopping.
Want help? Find a teacher on italki to practice anytime!
Downloadable Worksheet
📄 Download the companion worksheet — includes pronunciation practice, listening activity, and speaking journal prompts.
More Ways to Learn English with Confidence
🚀 Want to master English on your own time, step by step? Try Rocket Languages — a full course you can do anywhere, anytime.
💬 Need someone to talk with? Try a real conversation on italki — available 24/7 with professional teachers.
📚 Ready to go deeper? Visit our Free Resources Page for complete lessons and downloads.
Final Thoughts
Ready to practice what you’re learning? Check out our Beginner ESL Lessons for more activities, worksheets, and speaking practice.
📣 Want to practice more? I offer private and group lessons over Zoom! I also host occasional free live events to help learners like you gain confidence and improve quickly. If you’re interested in booking a session or joining an upcoming event, visit our Contact Page to send a message or inquire about availability. The page now includes options for both private tutoring and corporate training sessions.
➡️ Continue to Step 2: Learn the Alphabet and Pronunciation (coming soon!)The first step is simple: Accept that English is crazy — and learn it anyway. If you can laugh and keep learning, you’re already ahead. Keep going. You’ve got this.
English is full of contradictions and quirks silent letters, words that mean the opposite of what they sound like, and rules with endless exceptions. But that’s what makes it so dynamic and adaptable. Instead of fearing its oddities, we can embrace them as part of what makes communication creative, playful, and ever-evolving.
Hi AJavai, thanks for your comments.
KBob