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COMMON MISTAKES IN
SPOKEN ENGLISH
GRAMMAR & SPEAKING
SKILLS LESSON

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1 less vs fewer

There are less people than yesterday.

There are fewer people than yesterday.

The baby weighed less than two pounds at birth.

The baby weighed fewer than two pounds at birth.

less means a smaller amount or "not as much" and is used

when describing singular or uncountable nouns.

fewer is defined as not as much and is used when describing

plural or countable nouns.

2 me vs I

They gave it to him and I.

They gave it to him and me.

Him and me are going out to eat.

Him and I are going out to eat.

me is an object pronoun.

I is a subject pronoun.

Remember my tip, remove 'him and', does the sentence still

make sense?

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3 subject/verb agreement

One of you are going to get hurt.

One of you is going to get hurt.

Neither car are very fast.

Neither car is very fast.

Each of the plates are broken.

Each of the plates is broken.

Remember, a singular object takes a singular verb, whereas a

plural subject takes a plural verb.

4 an vs a

It's a old dress.

It's an old dress.

It's a amazing deal.

It's an amazing deal.

As a typical rule, use “a" before words that start with a

consonant sound and “an” before words that start with a vowel
sound.

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5 beside vs besides

She sat besides the river.

She sat beside the river.

I could never be a dancer. Beside, I'm too old now.

I could never be a dancer. Besides, I'm too old now.

beside means next to or at the side of somebody/something.

besides means in addition to somebody/something; apart

from somebody/something.

6 repeating the subject

My friend she is coming with me.

My friend is coming with me.

My handwriting it is improving.

My handwriting is improving.

Generally, if you use a noun/pronoun in a compound sentence,

you don't need to mention it again unless the noun changes.

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7 nobody vs anybody

I don't need nobody's money.

I don't need anybody's money.

I didn't meet nobody at the party.

I didn't meet anybody at the party.

Watch out for those double negatives!

8 would/should/could of/have

You could of said!

You could've said!

She shouldn't of done that.

She shouldn't have done that.

I would of helped you!

I would've helped you!

This error has occurred due to the reduction of "'ve" and many
people, even natives, are misinterpreting this as "of". It isn't as
clear in spoken English but much clearer in written English!

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9 been in vs been to

I have been in London before.

I have been to London before.

Have you ever been in India?

Have you ever been to India?

To have been in means a lasting action which is still true.

To have been to means to visit someplace and to come back

home

QUIZ TIME!
It's time to practise what you have learnt.
In each group, there is 1 correct sentence and 2 incorrect sentences.
Correct the 2 incorrect sentences!

1a. She shouldn't of told you that!

1b. Have you been in Tokyo?
1c. I've been in the coffee shop since 3pm today.

2a. Nobody never wants to come out with me.

2b. It's not hard - anyone can do it!
2c. She's a incredible person!

3a. The dog is slowly becoming more friendly.

3b. I've been in Europe 3 times now!
3c. I wouldn't of come here if I were you!

4a. I didn't think anyone would come to the dinner.

4b. She always sits besides me in class.
4c. My sister she's working all weekend.

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The End
1a. She shouldn't have told you that!
5a. Neither tennis player is bad, but only 1 will win!
1b. Have you been to Tokyo?
5b. Correct.
1c. Correct.
5c. William and I got married at the weekend!
2a. Nobody ever wants to come out with me.
6a. Both plates are really disgusting!
2b. Correct. 6b. A new student is joining our class today.
2c. She's an incredible person! 6c. Correct.
3a. Correct. 7a. Correct.
3b. I've been to Europe 3 times now! 7b. She never wanted to have a pet. Besides, she never had time
3c. I wouldn't have come here if I were you! 7c. You should have told your boss you were unhappy.
4a. Correct. 8a. Correct
4b. She always sits beside me in class. 8b. Both of the boys are on their best behaviour!
4c. My sister is working all weekend. 8c. Everyone is so happy to see each other!
Answers:
8c. Everyone are so happy to see each other!
8b. Both of the boys is on their best behaviour!
8a. One of them is going to regret their decision!
7c. You should of told your boss you were unhappy.
time.
7b. She never wanted to have a pet. Beside, she never had
7a. I've eaten way less food than you have!
6c. She gave the gift to Lucy and me.
6b. An new student is joining our class today.
6a. Both plates is really disgusting!
5c. William and me got married at the weekend!
5b. I don't want to go out. Besides, I don't have enough money.
5a. Neither tennis player are bad, but only 1 will win!
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