20 Common Indian English Mistakes (and What to Say Instead)

Indian English is a real variety of English, spoken by millions of people, and in India everyone understands phrases like "do the needful" or "out of station". But in an interview, in an email to a client abroad or on a call with international colleagues, some of these phrases can sound unusual, or can even be misunderstood.

This guide lists the 20 we hear most often, explains what a listener from outside India might think, and gives you the simple version to use instead.

ये गलतियाँ "गलत" नहीं हैं, भारत में सब समझते हैं। लेकिन interview या विदेशी clients के साथ "say instead" वाला तरीका ज़्यादा natural लगता है।

At work

Instead of	Say	Why
Please do the needful.	Please take care of this. / Could you please send the report?	Say what you need. Outside India, "do the needful" sounds old-fashioned and unclear.
Kindly revert. / I will revert back.	Please reply. / I'll get back to you.	"Revert" means "go back to an earlier state" in most English.
Let's prepone the meeting.	Let's move the meeting earlier. / Let's bring the meeting forward.	"Prepone" is rarely used outside India.
I have a doubt.	I have a question.	"Doubt" usually means you don't believe something.
Please discuss about the plan.	Please discuss the plan.	"Discuss" already includes "about".
The updation of records	Updating the records / the record update	"Updation" isn't used outside India.
He is out of station.	He's out of town. / He's travelling.	"Out of station" comes from railway and army use.

About yourself

Instead of	Say	Why
Myself Rahul.	I'm Rahul. / My name is Rahul.	"Myself" needs an "I" earlier in the sentence: "I did it myself."
I am having two brothers.	I have two brothers.	For things you own or relationships, use "I have".
I am knowing him.	I know him.	Some verbs, like know, want, like and understand, don't usually take "-ing".
I am working here since 2022.	I've been working here since 2022.	With "since" or "for", use "have been".
I passed out in 2024.	I graduated in 2024.	"Passed out" also means fainted!
What is your good name?	What's your name? / May I have your name?	"Good name" is a translation of "shubh naam".

Time and family

Instead of	Say	Why
today morning	this morning	English says this morning, this afternoon, this evening.
yesterday night	last night	And yesterday morning, yesterday afternoon, but last night.
two years back	two years ago	"Ago" is the usual word.
my cousin brother	my cousin	"Cousin" covers both brothers and sisters.
one of my friend	one of my friends	After "one of", the word is plural.
return back / come back again	return / come back	"Return" already means "come back".
He is not picking up the phone.	He isn't answering his phone.	"Pick up" works, but "answer" is clearer.

Why these happen

Most of these come from translating directly from Hindi or another Indian language. "Mera ek bhai hai" becomes "I am having one brother", and "do saal pehle" becomes "two years back". There is nothing wrong with your thinking: the two languages simply build sentences differently.

The fix is not to memorise rules. It is to hear and say the natural version so many times that it becomes the first thing that comes out of your mouth.

इन्हें याद मत कीजिए, बोलकर practice कीजिए। सही वाक्य को कई बार ज़ोर से बोलिए, फिर वही अपने आप निकलेगा।

How to fix them for good

Pick three phrases from the tables that you use often.
Say the "say instead" version out loud, slowly, twice.
Make your own sentence with it, about your real life: "I have two brothers and one sister."
Use it once today, in a message, an email or a conversation.

Do this with three new phrases each day, and in one week you will have replaced all twenty.