Avoiding Common Mistakes in English
Introduction to Common Mistakes in English
Making mistakes is a natural part of learning any language, and English is no exception. However, understanding and correcting common mistakes can significantly improve your communication skills. This lesson will highlight 40 common mistakes made by English learners, providing clear examples and explanations to help you avoid these errors in the future.
Useful Vocabulary for Common Mistakes in English
In this lesson, we will cover a variety of common mistakes that learners often make. These mistakes can occur in different areas, such as grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. By identifying these errors and understanding their corrections, you will be able to speak and write more accurately in English.
What You Will Learn
- Identifying Common Mistakes: Learn to recognise frequent errors made by English learners.
- Understanding Corrections: Understand why these mistakes are incorrect and how to correct them.
- Practical Examples: See real-life examples of common mistakes and their corrections.
- Improving Accuracy: Enhance your ability to use English accurately in both written and spoken forms.
- Boosting Confidence: Gain confidence by reducing the number of mistakes in your communication.
- Interactive Practice: Engage in exercises to practice avoiding these common mistakes.
- Continuous Learning: Develop habits that will help you continuously improve your English skills.
By the end of this lesson, learners will have a deeper understanding of common mistakes in English and how to avoid them, leading to improved accuracy and confidence in their language use.
40 Common Mistakes in English with Examples and Meanings
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Peter, could you feed a cat, please?
- Incorrect: "a cat" suggests any cat, not a specific one.
- Correct: "Peter, could you feed the cat, please?"
-
I really love Mediterranean.
- Incorrect: "Mediterranean" needs a definite article.
- Correct: "I really love the Mediterranean."
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Ann and I have same sense of humour.
- Incorrect: Missing definite article "the".
- Correct: "Ann and I have the same sense of humour."
-
Shall we go by the car or by the train?
- Incorrect: Unnecessary use of "the".
- Correct: "Shall we go by car or by train?"
-
Have you seen the Lake Garda?
- Incorrect: Unnecessary use of "the".
- Correct: "Have you seen Lake Garda?"
-
He always goes to work on the foot.
- Incorrect: "on the foot" is incorrect phrasing.
- Correct: "He always goes to work on foot."
-
Joan's bike is very old, she need a new one.
- Incorrect: Incorrect verb agreement.
- Correct: "Joan's bike is very old, she needs a new one."
-
Do we need to buy the salt?
- Incorrect: Unnecessary use of "the".
- Correct: "Do we need to buy salt?"
-
John's broken the arm.
- Incorrect: Missing possessive pronoun "his".
- Correct: "John's broken his arm."
-
That money is to her!
- Incorrect: Incorrect possessive pronoun usage.
- Correct: "That money is hers!"
-
She has been to New York last year.
- Incorrect: Incorrect tense.
- Correct: "She went to New York last year."
-
I am going to home.
- Incorrect: Unnecessary preposition "to".
- Correct: "I am going home."
-
He don't like chocolate.
- Incorrect: Incorrect verb form.
- Correct: "He doesn't like chocolate."
-
She has a good health.
- Incorrect: Unnecessary article "a".
- Correct: "She has good health."
-
I am boring.
- Incorrect: Incorrect adjective form.
- Correct: "I am bored."
-
We discussed about the project.
- Incorrect: Unnecessary preposition "about".
- Correct: "We discussed the project."
-
He is married with Sarah.
- Incorrect: Incorrect preposition "with".
- Correct: "He is married to Sarah."
-
I look forward to meet you.
- Incorrect: Incorrect verb form.
- Correct: "I look forward to meeting you."
-
He said me the truth.
- Incorrect: Incorrect verb usage.
- Correct: "He told me the truth."
-
She enjoys to swim.
- Incorrect: Incorrect verb form.
- Correct: "She enjoys swimming."
-
It depends from the weather.
- Incorrect: Incorrect preposition "from".
- Correct: "It depends on the weather."
-
I made a lot of researches.
- Incorrect: Incorrect plural form.
- Correct: "I did a lot of research."
-
He suggested me to go there.
- Incorrect: Incorrect verb usage.
- Correct: "He suggested that I go there."
-
I have a news for you.
- Incorrect: Incorrect article "a".
- Correct: "I have news for you."
-
The informations are accurate.
- Incorrect: Incorrect plural form.
- Correct: "The information is accurate."
-
She is interested on arts.
- Incorrect: Incorrect preposition "on".
- Correct: "She is interested in arts."
-
I can't cope up with this pressure.
- Incorrect: Unnecessary preposition "up".
- Correct: "I can't cope with this pressure."
-
He is very good in playing football.
- Incorrect: Incorrect preposition "in".
- Correct: "He is very good at playing football."
-
She explained me the problem.
- Incorrect: Incorrect verb usage.
- Correct: "She explained the problem to me."
-
I prefer tea than coffee.
- Incorrect: Incorrect conjunction "than".
- Correct: "I prefer tea to coffee."
-
They are planning a holiday in the September.
- Incorrect: Unnecessary article "the".
- Correct: "They are planning a holiday in September."
-
He drives fastly.
- Incorrect: Incorrect adverb form.
- Correct: "He drives fast."
-
The news are surprising.
- Incorrect: Incorrect verb agreement.
- Correct: "The news is surprising."
-
She is an university student.
- Incorrect: Incorrect article "an".
- Correct: "She is a university student."
-
I need an advice.
- Incorrect: Incorrect article "an".
- Correct: "I need advice."
-
She did a big mistake.
- Incorrect: Incorrect adjective usage.
- Correct: "She made a big mistake."
-
They congratulated me for my promotion.
- Incorrect: Incorrect preposition "for".
- Correct: "They congratulated me on my promotion."
-
I am going to the abroad.
- Incorrect: Unnecessary article "the".
- Correct: "I am going abroad."
-
He is one of my best friend.
- Incorrect: Incorrect noun agreement.
- Correct: "He is one of my best friends."
-
She is taller that her brother.
- Incorrect: Incorrect conjunction "that".
- Correct: "She is taller than her brother."
Summary and Takeaways
Exercises for Independent Practice
To reinforce your understanding of common mistakes in English, try writing sentences that use the correct forms discussed in this lesson. Practise identifying and correcting mistakes in written texts and engage in conversations to apply these corrections in real-time.
Lesson Summary
This lesson covered 40 common mistakes in English, providing detailed explanations and examples for each one. Learners were introduced to errors in grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure, with corrections to help them avoid these mistakes in the future.
What Learners Gained
Learners now have a comprehensive understanding of common mistakes and how to correct them. This knowledge will help them improve their accuracy in both written and spoken English, leading to more effective communication.
Key Phrases Learnt
- "Peter, could you feed the cat, please?"
- "I really love the Mediterranean."
- "Ann and I have the same sense of humour."
- "Shall we go by car or by train?"
- "John's broken his arm."
Tips for Remembering
- Regular Practice: Use the corrected forms in your daily writing and speaking.
- Flashcards: Create flashcards with common mistakes on one side and corrections on the other to test yourself.
- Proofreading: Always proofread your writing to catch and correct mistakes.
Encouragement to Share and Engage
Sharing your knowledge and practising with others can significantly enhance your learning process. Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/learningenglishfree.co.uk for more lessons, tips, and exercises. Engage with fellow learners, ask questions, and share your progress.
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