Pearson Education Limited Edinburgh Gate, Harlow Bssex CM20 2JB, England and Associated Companies throughout the world wwwlongman-elt.com ‘This edition © Pearson Education Limited 2002 ‘The right of Timothy Fitikides to be identified as author of this work has been asserted on his behalf in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the express permission of the Copyright holders, First published 1936 Second edition 1937 Third edition 1939 Fourth edition 1947 Fifth edition 1963 Sixth edition 2002 Printed in Malaysia ISBN 0 582 34458 1 Formatted by CiB Editorial Plus Preface Preface to the first edition This book as hse designed 1 mest the elements Tete whose moter tongue 's not Eos 1 nap ible. fen learne o Els ae a Te etd adopt thrghout this work uniform, AE aac eat wth are singled ou, for thoy have to De Hike etrate- deat en correct forms coynived before they ean be corrected then corre TReriscptes may become firmly fixed in the students Le difficult tackled. Nears representative of the rit Seadn ty foreign students of English, being the result of Doservations made aver a long period of time. : ch sors bee en tothe preparation of th dex, witeh itm hoped will make the book a useful work ¢ eat ‘sult real, and the 7 acknowledgments ae de to MeW.H.G, Porpestone who bas read-my manuseript-and made many valuable Tak August 1930Common Mistakes in English with Exercises by T. J. Fitikides, B.A., FLL. Senior English Master The Pancyprian Gymnasium, Nicosia Author of Key Words for Easy Spelling Lessons in Greek-English Translation Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow: He who would search for pearls must dive below: John Dryden dt PP annyPreface to the Sixth Edition It is now more than 60 years since this bole was first published. It has gone through many revisions, and additions have been made at different times in its history. With the niillennium approaching it was decided that there were some Points of usage which are no longer relevant and 50 this new edition has been prepared. The content has been completely reviewed in the light of modern English usage, and the type faces and design up-dated for clarity. And yet the original concept and, indeed, most of the original mistakes listed, are still pertinent to students of English even in the year 2000. This little book has sold several hundred thousand copies all over the wor seems likely to go on doing so and ‘The author's note on how the book should be used is on page vii, with an addition for this edition. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Pari 4 Part § Contents Using the wrong preposition Misuse of the infinitive Use of the wrong tense Miscellaneous examples Un-English expressions Incorrect omissions Omission of prepositions Miscellaneous examples Unnecessary words Unnecessary propositions Unnecessary articles Use of the infinitive ‘Miscellaneous examples Misplaced words ‘Wrong position of adverbs Miscellaneous examples Confused words Prepositions often confused Verbs often confused Adverbs often confused Adjectives often confused Nouns often confused Confusion of number Confusion of parts of speech Exercises Index B 18 28 40 46 49 61 63 69 70 83 89 107 109 116 122 129 137 182Useful lists and summaries Have another look at. Propositions after certain words Use of the gerund Use of certain tenses Negatives Third person singular, simple present Indefinite article Verb 10 8 Definite article Questions Correct order of words Use of certain prepositions Use of will and shall Singular and plural Irregular verbs in everyday use bear to ie light to write 14 19 27 7 50 53 55 68. 79 82 88 106 130 198-199 200-201 How this book should be used This book is intended for two uses. It may be used as a reference book and as an ordinary text book. As a book of reference it should be consulted with every composition. The teacher may refer the student to the appropriate section dealing with his mistake by a number in the margin of his exercise book. For example, a misuse of a preposition of time (af, on or in is indicated by 383 in margin 10 enable the student to look up his mistake and correct it. This method has been tested and found mow effective than the common practice of writing the correct form for the student. It is axiomatic that the greater the student's individual effort, the mare thorough will be his learning With regard (0 its second use, as an actual text book, we strongly recommend that the teacher should stast off with the exercises om pages 137 to 181. These are arranged under the headings of the various parts of speech: nouns, adjectives, pronouins, ete. However, before am exercise 1s attempted, the teacher should make certain that the students have comprehended the particular usage involved, An ‘occasional reference to some specific section may be made whenever this is deemed necessary, but under no tances is it advisable t0 go through the various sections of the book consecutively, or to commit to memory niles concerning usage Despite the fact that this book has been designed for two separate uses, the writer 1s of the opinion that the best resuits will be achieved if i is used by the student hoth as a text book and as a book of seference, TALE January 1961 While the above is stil true, there is also a self-study use for this little book. With more varied teaching materials available now, it can also be used as a self-study book byHow this book should be used students of English as a foreign language who ave preparing work either as part of their studies or for their occupations With a view to this, it is suggested that, when a question of correct usage arises, the student should look first for the core word in the index and so find the section detailing the usage For example, is it by foot or on foot? Look up foot in the index end you will be directed to Section 13 which will explain that on foot is correct Students and teachers will decide for themselves what is the best way to use this book. What is constant is the quality cf content and how helpful itis to all those who use English as a forejgn language. Part 1 Misused forms Using the wrong preposition Mistakes are often made by using the wrong preposition after certain words. The following list includes the tvords which most often give trouble: 1 Absorbed (= very much interested) in, not at Don’t say: The man was absorbed at his work. ¥ Say: The man was absorbed in his work. 2 Accuse of, not for. Don't say: She accused the man for stealing, ¥ Say: She accused the man of stealing. Note change takes with: Phe man wae charged with me 3 Accustomed to, not with Don’t say: I'm accustomed with hot weather. ¥ Say: I'm accustomed to hot weather. Not: Ak used te: Hes used tothe hese 4 Afraid of, not from. Don’t say: Laura is afraid from the dog. Say: Laura is afraid of the dog,6 7 Anxious Part 1 5 Aim at, not on or against Don't say: She aimed on (or against) the target. Say: She aime 3t shoot at shot 2 ed Don’t say: The od at the target, ten at dente rection: Urow a. shout a, ie wathcut eat means oki He shot» bd (she at Angry with, not against. teacher was angry against him, ¥ Say: The teacher was angry with him. ‘ote We eet angry with pean but ate hing Me wat angy ath var ot with ete a i Note 2 Ako annoyed with, vexed with, indignant with 3 pesca, but at Pho uubled) about, not for. Don't say: They're anxious for his health, ¥ Say: They're anxious about his health, ae, Anmious ering wishing very much kes for. Perens a ansous 8 Arrive at, not 1 9 Don't say: We at 0, 'd to the village at night. ¥ Say: We arrived at the village at night, Note Use ative law Lerner on Ya th counties and ge ets. Mr Smith has ative in fra ate) Ashamed of, not from. Don't say: He's how ashamed from his conduct. Y Say: He's now ashamed of his conduct, {se ashamed of meaning shy Ashamed ears rg sare o uit aout sorting Shy meats cing reson we Fishy of my tocher 3 Fm esha e samedd cry tear ap 10 " 2 3 14 15 Misused forms Believe in, not to. Don't say: We believe to God. Say: We believe in God, Nove To believe in means ham faith ino Belleve (tou the i ress to regard Something 9 te: bellevesveying he 3 Boast of or about, not for. Don't say: James boasted for his strength. Say: James boasted of (or about) his strength, Careful of, with or about, not jor. Don't say: Elke's very careful for her health Say: Elke’s very careful offabout her health. Or-You should be more careful with your money. ote Take care of He takes care of i wane Travel by train, etc. not with the train, ete Don't say: He travelled with the train yesterday. Say: He travelled by train yesterday. ‘te: Ye so by wal, by boat by plane, by 1 aby bus abs on a Buby ear enhorse bd on a donkey, on eye on Complain about, not for. Don't say: Annette complained for the weather. Say: Annette complained about the weather, ‘ore van talking abou ines we se complain of We sa. She complained ofa sore cot ‘Composed of, not from. Don't say: Our class is composed from thirty students Say: Our class is composed of thirty students,16 20 21 2 Part 1 Confidence in, not to Don't say: Thave great confidence to you. Say: Ihave great confidence in you. ‘oe confidence: Let me tl you smscing in confidence (xa see Conform to, not with, Don't say: We must conform with the rules. Say: We must conform to the rules. Note comply takes with 103 comply with your request. Congratulate on, not for. Don't say: I congratulate you for your success. Say: [ congratulate you on your success. Consist of, not from. Don’t say: A year consists from twelve months. Say: A year consists of twelve months. Note Take grat coe {0 we const nthe posse foun Covered with, not by, Don’t say: The mountains are covered by snow. Say:The mountains are covered with/in snow. Cure of, not from. Don't say: The man was cured from his illness. Say: The man was cured of his illness. Note The noun cure takes fr ther ro cure for that case Depend on or upon, not from. Don't say: It depends from her. Say: It depends on (or upon) her. Note Rely ono upon. ca’ rly on upon! bn 24 25, 26 2” Misused forms Deptive of, not from. Don’t say: Netson Mandela was deprived from his freedom, Say: Nelson Mandela was deprived of his freedom. Die of an illness, not from an itiness, Don't say: Many people have died from malaria, Say: Many people have died of malaria tuie Pease eo ies of han fest. af rom wounds from ‘rerwor: by vience. by the ser by aastence In ble fore coi fora cause, rough neglec: on te oi atthe sake, Different from, not than. Don't say: My book is different than yours. Say: My book is different from yours. Disappointed by, about or at, not from (a) byfatabout: Don’t say: Phillipa was disappointed from the low mark she got in the test. Say: Phillipa was disappointed by/about/at the low twark she got in the test. (®) withfin: Don't say: Jane was disappointed from her son Say: Jane was disappointed with/in her son. Note Hof 9 parson We Use With rn before thing we ze at about oe by anc belteageund we use at ath very eaponnnd at ne ving ep. We use that (opons before 9 ne cse) nes caointed (that) det get an inven Divide into parts, not in parts. Don't say: | divided the cake in four parts, Say: I divided the cake into four parts. Note ting may be dissin halt rin two" Pau vided these n lt (erin owe31 2 33 Part No doubt (n) of or about, not for. Don't say: I've no doubt for his ability Say: P've no doubt of (or about) his zbilty Note Doubt of 3m doubetu oF sito pare Dressed in, not with Don’t say:'The woman was dressed with black. Say: The woman was dressed in black, Note he woman wasn ick ako corset Exception to, not of. Don’t say: This is an exception of the rule. Say: This is an exception to the rule. Note 39 withthe exception oF She ke a her ues wrth the exception of oye Exchange for, not by: Don’t say: He exchanged his collection of matchboxes by some foreign stamps. Say: He exchanged his collection of matchboxes for some foreign stamps. Noten exchange for: He gave them had carn exchange for 3 new one Fail in, not from. Don’t say: Steven failed from maths last year. Say: Steven failed in maths last year. Full of, not with or from. Don't say: The jar was full with (or from} oil, Say: "The jar was full of cil 34 35, 37 38 39 Misused forms Get rid of, not from. Don't say: il be glad to get rid from him. Say: I'l be glad to get rid of him. Glad about, not from or with. Don't say: Francis was glad from (or with) receiving your letter. Say: Prancis was glad about receiving your letter. Good at, not in. Don’t say: My sister’s good in maths. Say: My sister's good at maths. ‘ote 1: Bad at, lever at, quick at slow at etc. Howe, weak in Hes weak i grammar Note 2: es good in cls means thats cont s good Guard against, not from, Don't say: You must guard from bad habits Say: You must guard against bad habits Guilty of, not for. Don't say: He was found guilty for murder. Say: He was found guilty of murder Independent of, not from. Don't say: Clare's independent from her parents, Say: Clare's independent of her parents. Note: We ty dependant on: & ids dependent on paren: Indifferent to, not for. Don't say: They're indifferent for politics. Say: They're indifferent to politics.4 ’ a 43 Part 1 Insist on, not to Don't say He always insisted to his opinion. Say: He always insisted on his opinion. Note: Pest kes ne persed ini iy has Interested in, not for Don't say: She's not interested for her work, Say: She's not interested in her work. Noe Aso take an intrest in St takes» great interest in mse Jealous of, not from. Don't say: He's very jealous from his brother. Say: He’s very jealous of his brother. Leave for a place, not fo a place. Don’t say: They're leaving to England soon. Say: They've leaving for England soon, Live on, not from. Don't say: He lives from his brother’s money. Say: He lives on his brother's money. ete Feed on some be feed on insects Look at, not fo. Don't say: Look to this beautiful picture. Say: Look at this beautiful picture. Now Alen gaze at, stat a, te Bu: ook after take ce ct lok for [6106 look over = crave}, lok into = exane coe Took on 1 upon cone Took down on = hve 4 opmon ct leak up to. [= respect look out fr (- expect ook forward to (expect uth eae Took tos yon 49 50 51 Misused forms Marsied io, not with Don't say: Angela was married with a rich man. Say: Angela was married to a rich man. Note Ako engages to Say nas engaged to Fee or 3 ear Beioetheygot narree Opposite to, not from Don't say: Their house is opposite from ours Say: Their house is opposite to ours Note Opposite ous abo ore Pass by a place, not from a place. Don't say’ Will you pass from the post-office? Say: Will you pass by the post-office? Note Abo pass the postofie is coect, Play for a team, not with a team Don't say: He plays regularly with that team. Say: He plays regularly for that team, Pleased with, not from. Don't say: The teacher is pleased from me. Say; The teacher is pleased with me ct sy pleased ator pleased wth ap 2 ‘eons. Thy ee pleased a with) ht he lori ter esate Popular with, not among. Don't say: John’s popular among his friends. Say: John’s popular with his friends Prefer to, not from. Don't say: prefer a blue pen from a red one. Say: I prefer a blue pen to a red one. Note Ao preferable to Ths car preferable to-my ol one54 i S Part 1 Preside at or over, not in, Don't say: Who presided in the last meeting? Say: Who presided at (or over) the last meeting? Proud of, not for. Don't say: He's very proud for his promotion, Say: He's very proud of his promotion, Note we say ako ia pride ia cto takes a pride I is wk Rejoice at or in, not for. Don’t say: We rejoiced for her success Say: We rejoiced at (or in) her success. Related to, not with Don't say: Ate you related with Simon in any way? Say: Are you related to Simon in any way? Note Abo relation to hear relation t you? Repent of, not from. Don't say: He repented from his crime. Say: He repented of his crime Note Repentance ake for He ee repentance for hs so Satistied with, not from. Don’t say: Ave you satisfied from your marks? Say: Are you satisfied with your marks? Note Abo content with delighted with unhappy with, happy with lspleased with, ssatitiog wit, dgosted wth Similar to, not with. Don’t say: Your house is similar with mine. Say: Your house is similar to mine. Misused forms 61 Sit at a desk etc., not om a desk ete Don’t say: The bank manager was sitting on his desk. ¥ Say: The bank manager was sitting at his desk. Note a0 sit at a table. But ona dhe on a bench, on 2 sof, ec jn an armcha in tee or up a tree. Abr sorties perther eae 62. Spend on, not for. Don’t say: spend a lot of time for my computer. ¥ Say: spend a lot of time on my computer 63. Succeed in, not at Don't say: | hope he'll succeed at his work. ¥ Say: Thope he'll succeed in his work Note pasion sueeeds to «peg te oF oe: Quer kadar ¢ suceeded 0 te tone 182" Nea ore peso can saced sae 64 Superior to, not from or than. Don't say: This is superior from (or than) that, Say: This is superior to that. “Note 80 inferor to, junior to, senior to, subsequent te, prior to 65. Sure of, not for Don’t say: I'm quite sure for her honesty, ¥ Say: I'm quite sure of her honesty ote fo certain of fam quite certain of 66 Surprised at or by, not for. Don't say: Harold was surprised for the loud bang. ¥ Say: Harold was surprised at/by the loud bang fat, tho sttnisned aby, amazed aby. lame aby, pussed aby. shocked abyPart 1 Have another look at ... Prepositions after certain words after the followin Note carefully the prepositions used after the f 8 words silty of accuse of eB if : independent of ae tnaiferet to air inst ane interested in eee jealous of Pear Wook at fant mated 0 boast of careful of, with, about refer to complain about pres t composed of proud of sonform to rene to on repent 0} cata sated with aro similar 0 depend on — fo sure of different from surprised a, by dressed in suspect of 4 tired of tater transite io foot et warn of about fuard against Misused forms”. 67 Suspect of, not for. Don't say: I suspect Kate for stealing the pen. Y Say: I suspect Kate of stealing the pen, Note Alo suspiious of Dogs a suspicious of sarge 68 Take by, not from, Don't say: Robert took his brother from the hand. Say: Robert took his brother by the hand Note" Aso: Rod by, catch by, size by, snatch by. grasp by 59 Tie to, not on. Don't say: The gitl tied the string on the kite. ¥ Say: The girl tied the string to the kite. "ote Ako bind t: The arscrer nas Bound to ie sake 30 Tired of, not from. Don't say:'The boys are tired from eating boiled eg: ¥ Say: The boys are tired of eating boiled eggs. us. 7) Translate into, not to. Don't say: Transiate this passage to English, Sav: Translate this passage into English 72. Tremble with cold, etc, not from cold, ete Don't say: The man was trembling from cold. ¥ Say: The man was trembling with cold. "ote Ako shake with and shiver with, The ewe shaking with fox 73 Warn (a person) of danger, not about danger. Don't say: They were warned about the danger. ¥ Say: They were warned of the danger, Nove Use wacn about fo spect tings: They warned us soPart 1 te 2. We warm 2 person agai fal: Mi veacher warned hin against breaking the aes 74 Write in ink, not with ink. Don't say: I've written the letter with ink een th eter in nk 7 Sor Doe ten an me e (See Exercises 73-76 on pages 168-170) Misuse of the infinitive Use the gerund and not the infinitive (a) After prepositions or preposition phrases: 75 Without, etc. + -ing. Don't say; Do your work without to speak. ¥ Say: Do your work without speaking. 76 Instead of, etc. + -ing Don't say: He went away instead to wait. Say: He went away instead of waiting. (b) After words which regularly take a preposition: capable of + ing 7 i sey They te ite capable 10 do that 1 Saprtneye quite paleo oi at Misused forms 78. Fond of + -ing. Don't say: She's always fond to talk. Say: She's always fond of talking, 79 Insist on + ing. Don’t say: Simon insisted to go to London. ¥ Say: Simon insisted on going to London. 80 Object to + -ing. Don't say: 1 object to be treated like this. ¥ Say: L object to being treated like this 81. Prevent irom + -ing. Don't say: The rain prevented me to go. ¥ ‘Say: The rain prevented me from going. 82. Succeed in + -ing. Don't say: Paula sueceeded to win the prize, ¥ Say: Paula succeeded in winning the prize 83. Think of + -ing, Don't say: I often think to go to England. ¥ Say’ 1 often think of going to England, 84 Tired of + -ing. Don't say: The customer got tired Y Say: The customer got tired of wai wait ing 85 Used to + -ing. Don’t say: She's used to get up early ¥ Say: She's used to getting up early.86 37 88 89 90 a1 Part 1 (0) After certain verbs: Avoid + -ing. Don't say: You can't avoid to make mistakes. Say: You can't avoid making mistakes. Note aso cant help eco wo can't hep feuahing. Enjoy + -ing. Don't say: enjoy to play football. Say: 1 enjoy playing football Note Use the gerund ot + infest verbs meaoing te Ft tiie te kes reading Enger books He kes t read Eris Yoo. Excuse + -ing. Don’t say: Please excuse me to be so late. Say: Please excuse my being so late. Or: Please excuse me for being so late. Finish + «ing. Don't say; Have you finished to spesk? Say: Have you finished speaking? Note 10+ infer the gerund foto verbs meaning to hegle She begen te speak She began spesking. Go on (continue) + «ing. Don't say: The music went on to play all day. Say: The music went on playing all day. Note Ae keep an: She Kept on paying the rane. ‘Mind (object to) + -ing. Don't say: Would you mind to open the door? Say: Would you mind opening the door? Misused forms Have another look at Use of the gerund Use the gerund (and not the infinitive) + After prepositions Examples: He worked without stopping. She played instead of working. 2 After words which regularly take a preposition, such as fond of, insist on, tired of, succeed in. Examples: I'm fired of doing the work again. He succeeded in catching the rat. 3 Alter certain verbs, such as avoid, enjoy, finish, stop, risk, excuse Examples: They enjoy playing football. The wind has stopped blowing. 4 Alter the adjectives busy and worth. Examples: Lena was busy curiting a book.’This date is worth remembering 5 After certain phrases, such as it’s no use, it’s no good, Tean't help, would you mind, look forward to. Examples: I think i's no use irying again. I can't help feeling angry about it. Use the gerund or the infinitive after certain verbs, sucht as begin, like, dislike, hate, love, prefer. Example: He began to talk or He began talking.Part 1 92. Practise + -ing. : Don't say: You must practise to speak English Y Say: You must practise speaking English. 93 Remember + -ing ; Don't say: | don't remenuber to have seen bia. Y Say: | don't remember seeing him. (Or. I don’t remember having seen hitn 94 Risk + -ing. Don’t say: We couldn't risk to leave him a ¥- Say: We couldn't risk leaving him alone, 95. Stop + -ing. Dont say: The wind has almost stopped to blow. V. Say: The wind has almost stepped blowing. oe so yive up Hop He gove we smoking (a) After certain adjectives: 96 Busy + -ing. cans Don’t say: He was busy to revise the © ¥ Say: He was busy revising for the exams. 97 Worth + -ing. Don't say: Is today’s film worth to sec? ¥ Say: Is today’s film worth seeing? (6) After certain phrases: 98. Have difficulty in + -ing Don't say: She has no difficulty to do it ¥ Say: She has no difficulty in doing it. Misused forms 99 Have the pleasure of ~ -ing, Don't say: I had the pleasure to meet him. ¥ Say: Thad the pleasure of meeting him. Note Aso take pleasure in ne takes great pleasure hii ots 100 It’s no use + «ing Don't say: It's no use to cry like a baby. ¥- Say: 1S no use crying like @ baby. 101 It's no good ~ -ing, }on't say. It’s no good to get angry Y Say: W's no good getting angry, 102 Look forward to + -ing Don't say: Llook forward to see him soon. ¥ Say: | look forward to seeing him soon, 103 There is no harm in + -ing, Don’t say: There's no harm to visit her now Say: There’s no harm in visiting her now. (Gee Exercises 63 and 64 on page 164.) Use of the wrong tense 104 Using the past tense after did instead of the infinitive without to (@) To ask questions: Don't say: Did you went to school yesterday? ¥ Say: Did you go to school yesterday? (6) To make negatives: Don't say: | did not went to school yesterday. 19Part 1 Y Say: I did not go to school yesterday. ste presen infinitive thou to, tthe pst ens afer the aan i Note: anse 10a aueston Becinning wth dis aay inte past Tens: Did ou see tho petra? ~Yos saw the pce ot Yes. dik 4105 Using the third person singular after does instead of the infinitive without to. {@) To ask questions: Don’t say: Does the gardener waters the flowers? Y Say: Does the gardener water the flowers? (b) To make negatives: Don't say: The man doesn’t waters the flowers. Say: The man doesn't water the flowers. te the ating does use the nine ythout to, an not the ie ere cf he eset, tote The arenes to. 2 queton bapinng with Does is laa in he mest Weie pra. Does he ike te omer? ~ Yes he kes th crema t ves he does. (For Sections 104-105 see Exescises 33 and 34 on pages 152-153.) 106 Using the third person singular after can, must, etc., instead of the infinitive without to. Don't say: Jan can speaks English very well. ¥ Say: Jan can speak English very well. ‘tot he vets en, must may, shal, an wi se the infitive thou fd ot hes perso oe preset. 107 Wrong sequence of tenses. Don't say: Rachel asked me what | am doing. Say: Rachel asked me what I was doing. en the vein the man cases inthe past tee sea past tense bona case, Misused forms 2 Hosen at ondon a grat 108 Using wif instead of would in a subordinate Don't say: He said (that) he will D sal € willl come tomorrow, ¥ Say: He said (that) he would/d come tomorrow: wae Using may instead of might in a subordinate clause lon say: Last Suriday isa told me that she may ¥ Say: Last Sune sa Say: Last Sunday Ailsa told me that she might come. May changes to igh sabre cies, wre he va inte a Note The conuncion thats never eased by a comma 110. Using cam instead of could in n could in a subordinate clause. Don’t say: Ben thought he can win the prize, ¥ Say: Ben thought he could win the prize. Can changes could in sutortnae cases, whe he en the man (For Sections 107-110 see Exercises 22 ua 22 and 23 on 111 Using the past simple tense after to + the infinitive. Dor' sy: He ted to kicked red 0 kicked the bal avay ¥ Say: He tried to kick the ball away, * Dont use the ample pet tshirt, a 2Part 1 Misused forms Using the past simple tense after an auxiliary vevb, 116 Using the simple past tense with a recent action, 11? stead ofthe past particle instead of the present perfect ‘Don’ say: V've forgot to bring my book. Don’t say: The clock struck. J Say: Vve forgotten to bring my book. sean ee cree rae tne tthe auelary ser Mave see ve speak a tion a i re pesert ptf eth pst parte ad at hea instead of the spt past ans For exo mec te ie Cac isan Shes we shou Say The deck sc. ou The sock hag tack express a past obligation 193 Using must or ought ox ery 117 Using the simple present instead of the present Don’t say: You ought to y. perfect. ve come yesterdas ¢ rs 1 Soyo ugh have come ys Dont ay: nat his schol xwo years. Or: You should have co vessapanauiy wine) 7 S€ye [Ve been at this school two years. cn se nt rough t nes Tome 4 e.ine winan os ought 95001, te pest pre nd othe sno reser ean act egun he Taree “i eer ‘past and continuing into the prevent. ve been at this schoo! two years Seopesire sues hd 2 ee Ee wot nnn pet se must end ong 0 5 118 Using the simple present instead of the present perfect 14 Using the present perfect instead of the simple past after since clause of time. 114 Using the present pe Don't say: Since he came, we're happy. ‘Don't say: Lhave seen a good fim yesterday ¥ Say: Since he came, we've been happy. Dow ay in yon Teh tera snc usec tre genta te sr set terse aa a fect for an action como” et ere past se ard cot he oes tae 19 Using the simple present instead of the present ete: When s sentence os a word or apttate denoting past tee, the continuous, tee eager ate eon e** Don't say: Look! Two boys fight. fea eee ¥ Sazy: Look Two boys are fighting, resent 61" ao ee the presen contrvus fo th flue hen satin 18U simple past tense instead of the present on ee mh smn conan ane ag ee 115 Using the sie Ss Seta ance vont say: 1 saw the Parthenon of Athens y fan news he Parthenon of Athens 20 The continuous form of the tense misused. ‘ay: Uhas it acton ater tran of tue acon Don’t say: I'm understanding the lesson now, Ieee en oe dead te a SaraPart 1 121 Using the present continuous for a habitual action, instead of the simple present, Don't say: Every morning I'm going for a walk. Say: Every moming T go for a walk. btu actor Nate Use the present continuous to cxoress «heal action th the od aways ovwith ser cenaeng a contrast: He is ahoaye taking i> (ss Me i ving in London. 122 Using the verb fo use for the present habitual action, Don't say: L use to get up at six every morning. ¥ Say: I get up at six every morning. Or: Vm accustomed to getting up at six, ete ese toute doesn pres hat nthe present. se means Hemp: se pen to wite with Note Used to eres pat stato hab and sults to sr lt {usvon whch re anger sue used oui evry day. My fh sed to ply Foto very we 123 Using the past continuous for a habitual action, instead of the simple past tense. Don't say: Last year I was walking to school every day. Say: Last year I walked to school every day. sete ssp ters 0 fab inthe pas, and net he cast, ote: Use he past contrucur ters o cess eet inthe set happening t ‘he tne one acon tok le was walking fo ache! when met bi 124 Using the past tense instead of the past perfect. Don’t say:"The train already left before I arrived. Say:'The train had already left before I arrived, ‘sete past pret when he ve of neat acton i mare east than tht of another tthe action rich was comglted at in the past pertet and te Misused forms ‘Note Don’ ute the present tense and the past paren te some snc ft woul be ncaa tos My broser says hat he had act gone tote ‘ema st ng. 125 Using the past perfect instead of the simple past tense Don’t say: Vd finished the book yesterday ¥ Say: finished the book yesterday. Dart use the pst perfect ues heres anoter veto in he pst ean the (Gee Section 124.) 126 Using the future in a clause of time, instead of the present tense. Don't say: I'll see you when | shall come back. Say: V'il see you when I come back. 1th ver in the main cae nthe fate, he ses in the tee ase True n the presen ese 127 Using the future in the if clause instead of the present tense. Don’t say: If he'll ask me, | will stay. Y Say: Ihe asks me, I willl stay. Ue the present tense na future conditral nthe if cause and the fie terse tbe man dase ote But the ure terse ray be used in an Iclase expressing a request ¥ yeu wal oie mo come money | WA Buy ou 8 38 128 Using the present tense after as if or as though instead of the past. Don’t say: Janine talks as if she knows everything. Say: Janine talks as if she knew everything. Ue the pat anse after the pate a ov as though. He ak 5 nee” venting, mean ie tak ashe would talk he new everyting Note: Us the sujective were withthe verb to beater as He act 8 be 25Part 1 29 Using the past conditional of wish instead of the present indicative. Don't say: T would wish to know more English, ¥ Say: I wish (that) I knew more English. Use the presen ene of with to ences @sresen mnsning followed by 2 hat cai contaning 3 pst ene 130 Using a wrong tense with an improbable condition, Don't say: If he would/d ask me, I would/'d stay. Say: If he asked me, I would/'d stay. ‘ees an improbable condom bythe pst ens nd se the conditions in "eo man cae, Ths we of to pt ens doe diate 3 tire ut 2 agr of probably. 131 Using a wrong tense with a counterfactual condition, Don't say: If he woulda have asked me, I would/d stay. ¥ Say: Tf he had/'d asked me, I would/'d have stayed, Expres counteract hat i’ happen cndton by the past prac ar use the pas colina inthe man case. Ths use of the pst prec ost ime but an impossbehapoering 132 Using the infinitive instead of a finite verb. Don't say: Sir, to go home to get my book? ¥ Say: Sir, may I go home to get my book? ‘hein spl nares an seten wth efeence o pon, number or tm Trae, cast make see wnt tm help oF te vt 133 Mixing up the tenses. Don't say: They asked him to be captain, but he refuses. ¥ Say: They asked him to be captain, but he refused. {you begin ith aver refering to peste, keep the vr Grin he pe he ame ule ape to tres thoughout 3 conpoaton, (See Exercises 24-30 on pages 148-151.) Misused forms » Have .2cihes lool at... Use of certain tenses 1 Use the Simple Present for habitual or frequent actions, and use the Present Continuous for actions taking place at the present moment. Examples: | read the newspaper every day. I'm reading an English book (now). 2 Use the Simple Past when a definite time or date is, mentioned, and use the Present Perfect when no time is mentioned. Examples: f did my homework last night. I've done my homework (so I can watch TV ~ or whatever ~ now). 2 Express habitual or repeated actions in the past either by the Situple Past or by the phrase used to. Example: I went (or J used f0 go) to the cinema every week last year Mote Don't se the Patt Continuous as going ora post habits! action, bu fr an action inthe pont continuing atthe time another action ove place was going Yo the enema when met Fm, 4 The only correct tense to use is the Present Perfect if the action began in the past and is still continuing in the present, Example: l've been in this class for two months. 5. Be very careful nor to use the future but the Present tense in a clause of time or condition, if the verb in the main clause is in the future, Example: | willl visit the Parthenon when I go (or if I 0) to Athens,Part 4 Miscellaneous examples 134 Confusion of gender. Don't say: Tae door is open, please shut her. ¥ Say:'Tae door is open, please shut it Inrghoh ony names cf people and animals hae gender mascoe 0” {rane nonete Vung ate nt a ae he pronoun nthe Sra nts posite vse racine ofan pronouns wren aninate tinge peed england pouof her 7 135. Using the possessive ’s with inanimate objects, Don’t say: Her room’s window is open. Say: Tae window of her room is open. vithinarinate objec we usa use te of suture The der ofthe cn, Teng oft able The surace of te warer With he names of places 2nd ‘lanators we can use othr Landers sets = The set of tendon itdys imate the curate offi, Tne senooTs man cfice= The man afice fof the choo, ote Howeves we do soy a day's work, 2 nights rest, a week’ lide, Spounats worth, ee, espedty wh snfar eases of ee 436 Using the objective case after the verb to be. Don't say: It was him. ¥ Say: It was he. The gran coming ater te vat to be us be ne nmin cee, oa ot mine obecive ta writen corpastion However the ede ase NOE Mealy ened im cesar: fs mat wa5hinherithem. ec 137 Using the objective case after the conjunction than. Don’t say: My sister is taller than me. Say: My sister is taller than I (am). ‘he acd than is 2 couric, and canon be flowed by 2 prion nthe Ramat care The veto coming ste the porouo s gene onves ose se the objec cee spoken Engh. Yue much aller than me Misused forms 138 Using the subject pronoun after between. Don't say: It’s a secret between you and I. Say: 1s a secret between you and me. Dereen 1 2 creptten eral readers ke the ohyecin cane a” he 139 Using an object pronoun before a gerund, Don't say: Him laughing at her was what made her angry. J Say: His laughing at her was what made her angry ‘ymen ye se an ing ve 3. naur, the ecg noun Groner as 140 Using an object pronoun in a double genitive Don’t say: A friend of him told us the news Y- Say: A friend of his told us the news. nova te le genie sof + name +5. hi mine phase the peson who posses ther tha he hing wi ese ‘Rinend of hie sty anther nay of sane nw of his lends 141 Misuse of -self forms. Don't say: Michael and myself are here. Suv: Michael and Tare here ve he sale parsna’ pronouns, yOu, Ma et, ro Eman ee fsote Use the-self pronnara vt ae Tr arghass Se Rese host advetiewney she hersell 142 Using hisself or theirselves instead of himself or themselves. Don't say: They fell down and hurt theirselves. ¥_ Say: They fell down and hurt themselves, The wtesne proours hue gaan. are Nigel nd themselves and rotPart 4 143 Misuse of nown/verb homonyms. Don't say: Becky played a good play of chess: 1 Say: Becky played a good game of chess ome wees and ours do have he ame tm ord aloes cman sa cir aft ste ears rg we eae foe Enh To atte company cance an Acar cae Hon i a ne ordi sua wet to cid Or" er bre win te po you we caught he ‘Donan cian ate dace. 1144 Using the relative pronoun which for persons. Don't say: I've a brother which is at school J Say: 've a brother who is et school. coy whch pa iat prorun for aril ing Te ik omen sete pase who wns, whom 145 Using what or which after everything, ete Dor say: Theard everything which (or what) he said V Say: Theard everything (that) he said ont se he ave eoroare wih ard wha fer every 3 ting tot md, eo otng Wen AE “funtse nord tenor 446 Who and whom. Dont say: saw the woman whom you said lived next door. J Say. Lsaw the woman (who) you said lived next door vue rat we whom vedrn Eg He sei ter On 2 se a cree ror tample The if wham ou ere et Dy i pero aoa ns rowans by chang he Ot a ro ware oman 1 get YoU can 0 we tA sie Ino he i that you ware sprang 1215 EE (For Sections 144-146 see Exercise 18 on page 145) Misused forms 187 Using who, whom, or whic ater the superati instead of that. sper’ Dont say: ts the best whieh Ive sen, J Say its te best that) Te seen Use the late that (not who, whom, oF wih) afer 9 supeatne Ihc, howe be ores He 148 The same as/same that Don't say: Amelia bought the same bag that me / Say: Amelia bought the same bag as me. ait the same we we a uss its fled by a subordinate cus, wich tse ne use that xt hr sth deed sare me hat he Not: Sametmes wea that nsx of who o which her same ie wore Thesame ates dat hereon uy ‘ 149 Using who? or what? instead of which? Don't say: Who of the two boys is the taller? ¥- Say: Which of the two boys is the taller? Unni peo to ee rane hte The nierogatie pronoun what? Joan npy oie: What ue ‘Sone ag sass a 9 eon ese: Mu (Compare Section 144) 150 Who? and Whom? (owe? ont say: Whom do you think will be chosen? 1 gaya wil be ese (6) Whom? Don't say: Who do you think I saw yesterday? Say: Whom do you think I saw yesterday? in serence (who iste ude of wil be eosen, co jou think >Part 1 owes. nents) whom «he cect of L4aw do you tik i 3 (For Sections 149 and 150 see Exercise 19 on. page 145.) 151 Using one other instead of another. Don't say: Please give me one other book. ¥ Say: Please give me another book. Another's ord kor an ar other, but ested of been nites an other 182 sing the superlative instead of the comparative. Don't say: John is the tallest of the two boys % Say: John is the taller of the two boys. {Ge the compara wher to prope or ngs ae compared See 184 153 Using from after the comparative instead of than. Dont say: Amy is taller from her brother 4 Say: Amy is taller than her brother: ‘jpn er sev) 9 he comgatte owe ty than an ty fom 154 Using the comparative instead of the superlative. Don't say: Cairo is the larger city in Africa. ¥ Say: Cairo is the largest city in Africa. {se he supersive when more than two peony or ing te carreras 155 Using the move instead of most. Don't say: The more people will agree with me. ¥ Say: Most people wall agree with me. Ue mon io the mo when ou ean he ary of Note Use the morn senenceske The more canplan. he more bog. Soe more ve te te hacer cu ior Bere, Misused torus 196 Using more good or more bad instead of better or worse. Don’t say: This one looks more good than that Say This one looks better than that, “he sorties good sratbad hve meg or of crasran. goad, becter bes on bad worse, worst (For Sections 151~156 see Exercises 7 and 8 on page 140.) 157 Using home instead of at home Don’t say: In the afternoon I stay home. ¥- Say: In the afternoon I stay at home. Loe he vase at home 3 man inte house Yih uch veto come oF 90 no jprezson + racenay He want 040 home 158 Using from instead of one of or among, Don’t say: She is from the nicest girls | know. YY Say: She is one of the nicest girls I know. vo ag fam the sree of one of o ong 159 Using the passive intinitive (to be + past participle) instead of the active (to + infinitive) Don’t say: English isn’t easy to be learned Say: English isn’t easy to learn, The soectveseoey, itil, Rad, Meayy, 900d, sc, se ener fotos 160 Using an intransitive verb in the passive form. Don’t say: She was disappeared from the house. ¥ Say: She disappeared from the house. |so-ule dort we nronstis vett, ike appear, seem, Become, east tnt eae form ianstine verbs dont have an abet 3BPart 1 161 Mixing up one form of the verb with another. Don't say: I's better to enjoy yourself when you're young rather than wasting time worrying about the future. ¥ Say: It's better to enjoy yourself when you're young than to waste time worrying about the future. Don't ricer fom ofthe verb with anther Mahe fst ern a compan inthe init the seca must 30 ben the nite 162 Wrong sequence of moods. Don’t say: Il you would/'d do me this favour, I will" be very grateful to you. Y- Say: If you would"d do me this favour, | woulda be very grateful to you. Or: Mf you will’'l do me this favour, I will’d be very grateful to you. 163 The unrelated participle. Don’t say: Being in a hurry, the door was left open. ¥ Say: Being in a hurry, he left the door open, Take caret provide tre gil ube reltg tothe parte pase nthe Sentence ji, he ogee subect to ing in ste he anc the door 164 The question phrase isn’t it? misused. Don't say: He played well yesterday, isn't it? ¥ Say: He played well yesterday, didn’t he? Use the question pina n't ony nen the pressing statement cont sewers aha! dy tnt? Not nti Form o question. use the sar tee ar arson an the precede statement ane use the oct ancy hve, Ee preesing inenmt tine neptie fom, the quaton pee omits nt ey 1 They ate a hl aren't they? Shep ater on Noy ae they? 2 Yousgese mgt, dont you "aon peak Fenech, do you? (See Exercise 36 on page 154.) Misused forms 165 Misuse of the gerund to express purpose, Don't say: | come here for learning English. ¥ Say: I come here to learn English ‘eves purpose by wing the innit, to the gene 166 Yes or No in answer to negative questions, Question: Didn't you see the game? ‘Yes, — that is, {saw it. No, ~ that is, | didn’t see it. tn ansvetng negate estes, sy Yes the answers a alfa, a Now! tsa ragate That ansver wow ary eg fo the negte fom Answer. 16 Using a double negative. Don’t say: She says she’s not afraid of nobody. ¥- Say: She says she’s not afraid of anybody. Or She says she’s afraid of nobody. in English. to mages se equ! to an airmatie state. You shou tr rg tno negate worden te same ae when ot ee, NONE Changes © any, nating to anything, nobody :o anybody, noone anyone. nowhere lo anywhere, nether nor ts ether oF (See Exercise 38 on page 155.) 168 Using one time or two times instead of once or twice. Don’t say: | was absent one time or two times. Say: I was absent once or twice. se ance and wie nea of ane time and two times. 169 Using a day, etc., instead of one day, etc. Don't say: A day they went sight-seeing in Florence. ¥ Say: One day they went sight-seeing in Florence. Use one ot 2x an th day, night morning afternoon ar evening, when the one mans an a certain 35Part 7 179 Using the other day instead of the next day, etc Don't say: David siept well and was better the other day. ¥- Say: David slept well and was better the aext day (or on the following day} Noe The oer day 1 ar or rearing 3 ew days 398 re a Fn the other o5y 71 Using one and @ half, instead of half past one, etc Don't say: Lessons begin at eight and a half Say: Lessons begin at kaif past eight. Ic tls tne, sy hal past one a past eo, olf eae three, = 172 Using as usually instead of as usual. Don't say As usually, he left his pen at home. ¥ Say: As usual, he left his pen at home. 173 Using according to my option instead of in my opinion, Don't say: According to my opinion, she’s night ¥. Say: Ia my opinion, she’s right. Foe Aor srg the pha a thin teed oF LAME 34° HE yt Tohin ek ot nok a a 174 Using at the end instead of in the end. Don’t say: At the end they reached the city. Say: In the end they reached the city. Inthe ond ears ally rat atthe end mes a Te anhes pont oF pur Thee on nde atthe end ofthe bor Pores a hey at the end oF 175 Using wnder the rain instead of in the rain Don't say: They played football under the rain. Say: They played football in the rain. ticle Aon the sm on tha shade He was ng in the su (xn the sha Misused forms Have another look at ... Negatives Express the negative in the present + past simple in one of two ways: 1 By putting not(n’t) after the verb. Use this method with the following twenty-one verbs. ami, is, are, was, were; have, has, had; shall, should; will, would; can, could; may, might; must; need; dare; ought... to; used ... to. Examples: I'm not ready. You mustn't do that. He ean’ write well, He oughtn't to go. In conversation, not is often shortened to nt, We say don't for do not, doesn't for does not, didn't for did not, hadn't tor had not, wouldn't for would not, etc. (But we say shan’t for shall not, won't for will not, can’t for carmot.) 2 Use do, does, did, with not and the present infinitive (without fo}. Use this method with all verbs except those twenty-one given above The word order is: suusect + do (does, did) + not + wanmve Examples: I don't go there very often. He doesn’t teach English. They didn't see the game. 3 Use other words of negative meaning to express negatives: no, nobody, no one, nothing, nowhere. Example: They know nothing or They do not (don’t) know anything. aPart 1 176 Using the reason is because instead of the reason is that Don't say: The reason is because I believe it. ¥ Say: The reason is that I believe it. The word reazon denotes couse, therefore the reason s because i Tepe. Th comet im the eason is hat 177 Using a country instead of the country, Don't say: I spend my holidays in a country ¥ Say’ Ispend my holidays in the country. ‘country pace he Farce, a, Eat Te country 3 tl ee 178 Using if instead of whether. Don't say: L asked Paul if he was going. Say: Lasked Paul whether he was going. Lae ot moti, ie whether not. Une whether, oes rot Son Yor NoreDy 1s sea hm fhe comes 179 Using any for two, instead of either. Don't say: Any of these two books is good. Say: Either of these two books is good. ther mee one ote ote of tno; ay means ane of ee oF mare AMY fee oats wi do. 180 Using likes me instead of I like. Don’t say: The cinema likes me very much. ¥ Say: Ulike the cinema very much. ute The cama appeal ome covert dd mares ete cinema womch Misused forms 18 Using neither ... or instead of neither ... nor. Don't say: Sara speaks neither English or French, ¥ Say: Sara speaks neither Englist: nor French Remember Helter must be flawed by ner an oy or. Ethers cllowee by oF Ste ds eter orege uce 0° ape ce 182 Using both in a negative sentence instead of neither, Don't say: Both of them didn’t go to school today. Y Say: Neither of them went to school today. Remember Change both ino nither ina negate sontence ond use Poste ve 183 Using also ot foo in a negative sentence instead of either. Don't say: Joe hasn't come also (or too). Say: Joe hasn't come either, emereher Change ago ose hit either ns negawe sentence 184 Using and in a negative sentence instead of or. Don't say: Idon't Tike red and orange, I want the hlue one. Say: 1 don't like red oF orange. I want the blue one. together The ane esring ha you don te eth of tem, te toe jin uses with fevers sujet we use and en afar 2 gate Ha dere wnte tome and wos mone 185 Using ill instead of before or when, Don't say: ('d reached the school! till the rain started. ¥ Say: 1"d reached the school before the rain started. Or: Vd reached the school whem the rain started, Before cy when ivoauca a dave of te the wer ofthe aie dane onots an chon completed iar thet! the tine cake 39Part 1 Un-English expressions Mistakes often result from too close a translation into znglish of foreign idiomatic expressions. The following are examples of such mistakes: 186 Take an exam, not give an exam. Don’t say: The pupil gave his exam, Y Say:"Tae pupil took his exam note. Tre teacher gives Sete the ex Te tude takes the cx 2 is 187 To be right or wrong, not £0 have right or wrong. Don't say: You've right or You've wrong, ¥ Say: You're right or You're wrong, 188 To be busy, not 10 have work, Don’t say: I have much work this morning. Say: Pm very busy this morning. ote Wie ca ay ave a fot of wark to dois amning 189 It's cold, etc., not it has cold, ete. Don't say: It has cold this winter, ¥ Say: Ws cold this winter. 190 Go for a walk, not make a walk Don't say: We made a walk along the river / Say: We went for a walk along the river. Note We an ao 0 He ae & wal o He took 8 walk lng the Misused forms 191 Go for a ride on a bicycle, etc., not go for a walk on a bicycle, ete. Don’t say: We went for a walk on our bicycles. ¥- Say: We went for a ride on our bicycles. Nove wa de Dace, an hoebace ate, bute de m8 bus, anor 192 Mount or get on a horse, etc not ride a horse, ete Don’t say: Peter rode his horse and went home ¥ Say: Peter got on his horse and rode home Note Tore denotes cominuousacton. Yo mou oF to get On senots ‘ple acon 193 Dismount or get off a horse, etc., not come down from a horse, ete. Don't say: ‘They came down from their horses. Y Say:'They got off their horses. Note We get out of «tsi ces ct He gat onc af the Hath bs, ec 194 Go on foot, not go with the feet. Don’t say: Shall we go there with the feet? Say: Shall we go there on foot? 195 Take or have a shower, not make a shows Don’t say: {make a shower every morning, Y. Say: Ltake a shower every morning. Or Vhave a shower every morning, Note Whee speaking of he a othe ee sy. to bathe, to have a bathe, to go fora bathe. to. bathing, to go fora swim oto 90 swimming 196 Ask a question, not make a question. Don't say: Naomi made me several questions. ¥ Say: Naomi asked me several questions. 4Part 1 197 Take an hour, not need an hour, ete Don't say: I'll need an hour to do that. Y Say: Wil take me an hour to do that. 198 Give a discount, not make « discount. Don't say: He made me a small discount. ¥ Say: He gave me a small discount. 199 Take exercise, not make exercise Don't say: You ought to make more exercise, ¥ Say: You ought to take more exercise, 200 Give or deliver a lecture, not make a lecture, Don't say: He made an interesting lecture. Say: He gave an interesting lecture. Or: He delivered an interesting lecture. Nie We ty He made 3 teerogspench 201 Say one’s prayers, not make or do one's prayer. Don't say: I make my prayer before I go to bed. Say: | say my prayers before | go to bed. te Yo say grace 192k Gad lst Blot beginning 3 ne 202 Pretend, not make oneself that Don't say: She makes herself that she knows. YY Say: She pretends to know. 203 Have a dream, not see « dream Don’t say: I saw a strange dream last night, ¥ Say: Ihad a strange dream last night. (Or: | dreamt a strange dream last night. 204 Smoke a cigarette, ete., not drink a cigarette, ete. Don't say: He drinks too many cigarettes, ¥- Say: He smokes too many cigarettes. Misused forms 205 Make a mistake, not do a mistake, Don't say: I did one mistake in dictation, ¥ Say: L made one mistake in dictation, 206 Tell or speak the truth, not say’ the (ruth. Don’t say: Fiona always says thee truth, ¥ Say: Fiona always tells the truth. (Or Fiona always speaks the truth. Noe eo to tl ae nol t say 2 He old mee 207 See or watch a game, not fo follow a game. Don’t say: Did you follow the game? ¥ Say; Did you see (or watch) the game? Note Avon sng flow te lest when you ean to attend the eas 208 Turn (switch) the light on or off, not oper or shit the light Dort't say: Please open (or stut) the light. 1 Say: Please turn on (or off) the light. Or: Please switch on (or off) the light. ote He ht, Blow out cr put out ap. scondle, ora fe, 209 Give an example, not bring an example. Don't say: Can you bring a better example? Y Say: Can you give a better example? 210 Give a mark, not put a mark. Don't say: The teacher put me a good mark. Y Say: The teacher gave me a good mark Nove Avo 0 put a eon te put agar Say mses 10 give assem, ro sore a goal 43Part 1 215 Set a watch by, not put a watch with Don't say: I put my watch with the radio news, ¥- Say: 1 set my watch by the radio news 212 A wateh is slow or fast, not goes behind or in front. | Don’t say: My watch goes two minutes behind, Say: My watch is two minutes slow. Note We i ay My nck lores or gains 213 Show a film, not play a film, Don't say: This film will be played shortly. Say: This film will be shown shortly. 214 Have one’s hair cut, not cut one’s hair. Don't say: I'm going to cut my hair, Y Say: Vin going to have my hair cut. Note Ai makes av of shoes fora su of ithe Say stead. Fv kave a pair of shoes ora suit of clothes made, 215 Learn by heart, not learn from out. Don't say: We have a poem to learn from out, YY Sav: We have a poem to learn by heart. 216 Pot on weight, not put weight. Don’t say: I've put at least three kilos. ¥ Say: P've put on at least three kilos. "ote The ceposte of 0 put on weight isto lose wieght: she has lost 217 It works miracles, not it makes miracles. Don't scy:That medicine makes miracles. Say: That medicine works miracles, Misused forms 218 Getting on with, not going with Don’t say: How is Susan going with her work? ¥- Say: How is Susan getting on with her work? 219 This morning, etc., not today morning, ete. Don't say: Thaven't seen him today morning Say: Thaven’t seen him this morning. Noe: vd toy morn ‘it, tonsa. ody afemoan today evi, yesterday morning, this afternoen, ei evening las 220 Quietly, not slowly, slowly Don't say: The boy came in slowly, slowly. ay: The boy came in quietly. 2 ‘What's the matter not What have you? Don't say: What have you today? Y Say: What’s the matter with you today? Noe: Whats wrong ain you, What the touble wit you? ana hots the problem? ae ao coe 222 What do you call ...2 not How do you call Don't say: How do you call this in English? Say: What do you call this in English? tee guesuon i about 2 thing, but about Some eres, we ‘5 How do you sy this im English? (See Exercise 62 on pages 163-164.)Part 2 Incorrect omissions Omission of prepositions ‘The following are examples of mistakes made through the omussion of the preposition after certain words: 223 Ask for a thing, not ast a ching, Don’t say: She came and asked my book. ¥ Say: She came and asked for my book, 224 Disposelget rid of a thing, not dispose/get rid a thing Don’t say: He'll dispose/get rid all his property. ¥ Say: He'll dispose/get rid of all his property Dream of a thing, not dream a thing Don't say: Young men dream glory and ri ¥ Say: Young men dream of glory and riches. 226 Explain to a person, not explain « person Don't say: She explained me the matter. ¥ Say: She explained the matter to me. 227 Knock at the door, not knock the door Don't say: Who is knocking the door? Say: Who is knocking at the door? a Incorrect omissions 228 Listen to a person or thing, not listen a person or thing. Don't say: They were listening the music. Y Say: They were listening to the music. 229 Pay for a thing, not pay a thing Don't say: How much did you pay the book? Say: How much did you pay for the book? 0 py bat oa ta 230 Point 0 or at a person or thing, not point a persom or thing Don't say: He pointed the map on the wall Y Say: He pointed to the map on the wall ‘Or: He pointed at the map on the wall Noe Aso point ou: He pointed out toy wna det To point hast by prego) neers to dect. Dar point he pan hs 231 Remind a person of something, not remind a person something. Don’t say: Please remind me that later. Y Say: Please remind me of that later. 232 Reply to a person, not reply « person, Don’t say: She's not replied me yet Say: She’s not replied to me yet. 233 Say to a person, not say a person. Don't say: Kevin said me, Come tomorrow ¥ Say: Kevin said to me, ‘Come tomorrow. 7Part 2 234 Search for a lost thing, not search a Tost thing. Don’t say: They're searching the ball. ¢ Say: They're searching for the ball Note In seateh of The ol goes in search of sheep To search soncore ot soratring (rho the for moans ook in ones packets ef Raise Te poleaman searched the man anh house 235 Share with a person, not share a person. Don't say: My friend shared me his book Y Say: My friend shared his book with me. 236 Speak to a person, not speak a person Don't say: Pi speak him about that Say: Vl speak to him about that. ote tt spk to hm cans ce a he spoking speak with hm means 237 Supply a person with something, not supply a person something, Don't say: Can you supply me all I need? Say: Can you supply me with all I need? Note: Ata provide & person with she provided her som with at 238 ‘Think of a person or thing, not think a person or thing Don't say: Think a number and then double it ¥ Say: Think of « number and then doubie it. 239 Wait for a person or thing, not wait @ person or thing Don’t say: Fl wait you at the cinema. Say: Vl wait for you at the cinema Note Await ater no pepotton fm auatting urea 48. 240 Wish for a thing, not wish a thing. Don't say: He doesn’t wish any reward, ¥ Say: He doesn’t wish for any reward, 241 Write to a person, not write a person. Don't say: 1'll write her tomorrow. ¥ Say: Vit write to her tomorrow. Note wten the deat objet of wrt expressed, omit the pepeenen write him a lerter (Gee Exercises 84 and 85 on pages 173-174) Miscellaneous examples 242 The -s or -es of the third person singular omitted. Don't say: He speak English very well Say: He speaks English very well Take etc att lao the frm he presen ese when the sities ora noun nthe sau (Gee Exercise 31 on page 151.) 243 Using don’t instead of doesn't. Don't say: He don’t care what he says, Say: He doesn’t care what he says. Use dont (= a nat) th, a you, they an lua nouns Ue doesn't (© does not wt he shes ned wth singular none (See Exercise 32 on page 152.) 244 The -d or -ed of the past tense omitted. Don’t say: I receive a letter yesterday. 4 Say: I received a letter yesterday. ‘ate ce not to lav cut he bore fom the pas tere regu ere nen speaking, prarounce the ending ofthe pas tese eo 49Part 2 have another look at Third person singular, simple present | With the pronouns he, she, it, or any singular noun, the verb in the present tense takes a special ending, -s, -es gr -ies: he works, it catches, the sun rises, she worries 2 When the first person of the verb ends in s, x, ch, sft or o, the third person singular takes -es watch finish 1 fix 1 go he watches he finishes he fixes. he goes 3 When the first person of the verb ends in -y with a consonant before it, form the third person singular by changing y into ies: Tearry T study he carries he studies ify he flies Note: f there isa vowel before the -y, me only ads forthe third person Hnguiae he ways, he enjoys, he obeys 4 A few verbs are irregular in the third person singulas Tam Thave heis he has 5 Modal verbs such as will, can, may, must, and ougitt do Nor change their form in the third person singular: Twill Tean I may I must he will he can he may he must Remember: The thitd person singular of verbs in the present tense takes -5, es or vies. incorrect omissions 245 The -s, -es or -ies of the plural form omitted. Don’t say: | paid six pound for the book. Say: I paid six pounds for the book. tot she folowing noun have reg pura man, men; women, women dil, eieen: 0, oxen oot, feet: toth, tet: goose, geese! 246 The possessive ending omitted. Don’t say: A hen's egg is different from a pigeon ¥ Say: A en's egg is different from a pigeon's. {fhe fst noun in 2 compation iin the passive case the second must dso beim me pasesne- ay mothers nose gr thn mp hers 247 Omission of the article before a countable noun in the singular. Don’t say: I've no money to bay car, ¥ Say: I've no money to buy a car. 2s rule. ue ether the of aor an cere a countable oun nthe sng 248 Omission of a or an after the verb to be. Don’t say: V'm not teacher, I'm student. ¥ Say: I'm not a teacher, I'm a student. Use the reefinte rica or ane exes a singular nour complement othe veibtebe. Mean anal in ere I a rae 249 Omission of a or an after the word half. Don’t say: He drank half glass of milk: ¥ Say: He drank half a glass of milk. ote Half a gla an hour a day a mile, sc sheen fom ot half fa sso an how af dey af ie | 250 Omission of a or one before hundred, etc Don’t say: Hundred years make a century. 5Part 2 Say: A hundred years make a century, Or: One hundred years make a century. Ue teinint ae are une oe for hand an hoon 251 Omission of a or an from make a noise, ete, Don't say: | told them not to make noise. Y Say: | told them not to make a noise. Note so Yo make a mistake, to make 3 fortune, to make 2 wl, to make an impression, to make an experment. to make an atemot, 252 Omission of the before names of nationalities. Don't say: English are fond of sports. ¥ Say: The English are fond of sports. Face he definite ail below the names ef nationale, dexnbng 8 pele slecitly the Bah, Be rch the Dut he on, the ches, the Susanne 253 Omission of the before names of musical instruments Don't say: 1 play violin, but not piano, ¥ Say: 1 play the violin, but not the piano, Use the dette acl eles the names of mal nsrumerts 254 Omission of the before the word cinema, etc. Don’t say: On Saturday I go to cinema, ¥- Say: On Saturday I go to the cinema. Us int arte belo the words cinema, theatre, concert te (For Sestions 247-254 see Exercises 16 and 17 on page 144.) 255 Omission of the verb to be from the passive, Don't say: Charles Dickens born in 1812. Say: Charles Dickens was born in 1812 fou the pts form by ung the vert be parole of eve eed 0 Be + 0 pete geet Incorrect omissions Have another look at .. Indefinite article Use the indefinite article: 1 Before every common noun in the singular if it isn't preceded by the or some word such as ths, that, nity. his: [bought a new book (nor: | bought new book). 2 Before the words hundred and thousand: A hundred soldiers were in the camp. 3 After the verb to be when a countable noun in the singular follows: Mary’s father is a lawyer. 4 In certain phrases: to make @ noise, @ mistake, 2 fortune, an impression; to have @ headache, a pain, a cold, a cough, Don't use the indefinite article: 1 Before singular nouns that aren't used in the plural, such as advice, information, work, furniture, Bread Example: He gave me good advice (not: a good advice) 2 Aiter the phrase kind of or sort of: What kind of ven o you want? Many languages use the numeral one instead of the indefinite article a or an. This is not so in English, One man went into one shop ought to be A man went into a shop. One is used only when the munber is emphatic: One swallow does not make a summer.Part 2 256 Omission of the auxiliary do from questions, Don't say: You understand the problem? Ho understands the problem? She understood the problem? ¥ Say: Do you understand the problem? Does he understand the problem? Did she understand the problem? ‘ace te au vt dons, efor he subject ask austin in fhe simple resem end see pet eee, ot Dow use the aualiny do with moc verb, be en, my, mus: Com yor meet me tomar (See Exercise 34 on page 153.) 257 Omission of auxiliary do when do is a principal verb. Don’t say: Do pupils their work carefully? ¥ Say: Do pupils do their work carefully? Inthe covet form ofthe sentence the fst do mean noting ants on ad ny hase make te question The second do he rca eb othe Serterce and ha he rearing of perform 258 Omission of the preposition indicating time. Don't say: I was born the third of December. ¥ Say: I was born on the third of December. sre, dont use a noun without a preposton to show the te of Note: Dont ae ¢ preporton vith Ist year nest year, some day, one dy ‘hi afternoon, ee 259 Omission of the preposition after the infinitive, Don’t say: They've no houses to live. ¥ Say: They've no houses to live in "ha infinite ofan naa vr ike ve, 8) st st Rave a preposon ster Past Tense Incorrect omissions “Have another look at ;.. Verb 70 BE Present Tense “Lami'ni, you arel’re, he (she, it) 185; We, you, they arerre. ILwas, you were, he (she, it) was} ‘We, you, they were. Future Tense 1, you, he (she, it) willl be; : We, you, they will/'l be. Present Perfect I, you, havel"ve been, he (she, it) ass been; We, you, they have/"ve been. J, you, he (she, i) had 'd been; ‘We, you, they had been. Future Perfect: 1, you, he (he, it) will" have been; We, you, they willl have been. Past Perfect Uses of the verb To BE as auxiliary Use the verb to be: 1. With the Present Participle to form the Continuous ‘Tenses. To be + Present Participle Example: The sun was shining in the sky. 2 With the Past Participle to form the Passive Form, To be + Past Participle Example: The letter was written by John.Part 2 260 Omission of there as an introductory word. Don’t say: Once lived a great king. ¥ Say: Once there/There once lived a great king. se the adr there 9 iteduce the subject of sentence in which the verb ‘and before the ject 261 Omission of how after the verb to know. Don’t say: She knows to play the piano. ¥ Say: She knows how to play the piano. afte the mr t know the ave how alas comes belore a inne 262 Omission of other after a comparative. Don't say: Homer was greater than all the Greek poets. Say: Homer was greater than all the other Greek poets. Since Homer was 3 Greek poet, the fst artes makes in greater than hese whe lope 263 Omission of before in comparisons. Don't say: Vd never seen such a thing, ¥ Say: Ya never seen such a thing before. Dan eave ct th ont before in aking a compari Between one thing anc ll thes of te seme bn 264 Omission of else after everybody, ete. Don't say: She is stronger than everybody. ¥ Say: She is stronger than everybody else. Use the word ese in ming 3 compasonnanwoen one person of thing and pikes ofthe sane Kod ater everybody anybody, enything 265 Omission of the demonstrative pronoun one, Don't say: This is the only that I like. ¥ Say: This is the only one that I like. 56 Incorrect omissions Use the derenstaie pronoun ome (lta ones in place of &anun ‘nentoned bere 266 Omission of the personat pronoun before the inginitve Don't say: I want to tell me the truth ¥ Say: Lwant you to tell me the truth [ores he subject ofthe fine ater verb ke want he, with ae 4 ts en rom that ofthe man vers 267 Omission of it as subject of an impersonal verb. Don’t say: Is very hot in the Sudan, Say: It’s very hot in the Sudan, Use te onc It ae the suet ofa parton ver 268 Omission of the pronoun subject from the principal clause. Don't say When he saw the teacher, stood up. ¥ Say; When he saw the teaches, he stood up. In sentence begining wth an adverbial cae, express he pesoal pronoun 269 Omission of the personal pronoun after a quotation, Don't say: ‘I'm learning English, said, Say: ‘I'm learning English, he said. 270 The object of the transitive verb omitted. Don't say: | asked her for some paper, but she had not ¥ Say: Lasked her for some paper, but she had none/didn't have any, Sarl, every wanse wtb must have an expe cect here, none lequialent to net any the obec of had 7Part 2 271 Omission of the direct object when there are two objects. Don’t say: L asked him for some ink, and he gave me. Say: Lasked him for some ink, and he gave me some. Sve este vers, ke gia, bring, Send, te, buy, show, ust have two fvpesed abc's dee! onmarect hate some's the det object of gave 272 The object of the verb enjoy omitted. Don't say: | enjoyed during the holidays. Y Say: Venjoyed myself during the holidays (Or: Lenjoyed my holidays. Dor oton the vero enoy by 2 erepestion tt mast always have an cy Note We sy Had a good time, a an tematic expreson, bute Cents oye my ime, We ma bec. "enjoyed my hme In Greece 273 Omission of the noun after an adjective. Don't say: The unfortunate was shot dead. Y Say: The unfortunate man was shot dead, The roun hat cara te an adhe can be undesood tu Note ms the noun ar an obec oly when the acct used as 2 fui inthe plural The poor = the rch 274 Omission of the word and between numbers, Don't say: Fight thousand thirty-seven, Say: Bight thousand and thirty-seven Use she conuncon and te const hundred, thousand millon tos cunber 275 Omission of the word or between numbers. Don't say: I've only two, three friends, Say: I've only two or three friends, ‘ie ust aay eat he conjunction or betwen AumBes ke rs We OF ‘ee men, five oF Sx pages eight or ten days. Incorrect omissions 276 Omission of the word old from age. Don't say: My sister is fifteen years. Y- Say: My sister is fifteen years old Dot: te can sho say My antes fifteen year of age, oF apy, Myer witteen 277 For this used instead of for this reason, Don't say: For this he wants to leave. Y Say: For this reason he wants to leave. ‘he pase for thi ncaa for thi eaton for tat rearon Ao ‘ming to that or because ofthat. 278 Better used instead of had better. Don't say: Better go home at once. ¥ Say: You'd better go home at once. ‘Te cote pace shad etter. You had batter ga net would be 4 {900d ting for you tego. 279 Up and down used instead of upstairs and downstairs, Don't say: He's up, he's down, Say: He's upstairs, he's downstairs, Hes up rez hes ou of bed He upstais downstls| meens hes on the upper let Noor ofthe bslng 280 Throw it used instead of throw it away. Don't say: I's dirty, throw it. ¥ Say: 1s dirty, throw it away. ‘row it reo o throw a thng at omecre oF somewhere, such tl ‘rrowe sway mean get aot by Hrowrg sds 281 I don't think used instead of I don’t think so. Don't say: | don’t think, ¥ Say: 1 don't think so. {dont think meen | dont wen brain wn don think 39 rea arPart 2 282 Before yesterday, etc., used instead of the day before yesterday, etc Don't say: Lynne arrived before yesterday. ¥ Say: Lynne arrived the day before yesterday. Ine chases etre etry afer tana afte nox ve ae incest Serco the doy befor yestery the dy after tomorow, the meek attecnewt 283 Thank you used instead of No, thank you, Don't say: Thank you (if you want to refuse an offer), Y¥ Say: No, thank you. Note: Ue thank you acceptance It enn ears Yes please 60 Part 3 Unnecessary words Unnecessary prepositions The words below do not require a preposition to go with them because they have within them the meaning of the preposition. 284 Answer (= reply to). Don't say: Please answer to my question. ¥ Say: Please answer my question, 285 Approach (= come near to). Don't say: Don't approach to that house. ¥ Say: Don't approach that house. 286 Ask (= put a question to) Don’t say: | asked to the teacher about it, Y Say: Lasked the teacher about it. 287 Attack (= go and fight against) Don't say: They attacked against the enemy. Say: They attacked the enemy Note We sy to make am attack on: rey made am attack onthe enemy 288 Comprise (= consist of). Dor't say: ‘The book comprises of five chapters ¥ Say: The book comprises five chapters, Or: The book is comprised of five chapters. 6 figs _Part 3 289 Enter (= go into). Don't say: We entered into the classroom. Say: We entered the classroom. Note Weert nto conversation, adele, ora cscusson 290 Finish (= come to the end of). Don’t say: I've finished from my work. Y Say: I've finished my work. 291 Leave (= depart from), Don't say: Brian left irom England last week. ¥ Say; Brian left England last week 292 Obey (= act according to). Don't say: We should obey to our teachers. ¥- Say: We should obey our teachers. 293 Allow (to) oF let (= give permission to) Don’t say: The driver allowedi/let to Jolin (to) sit in the front seat. ¥ Say: The driver allowed/let John (to) sit in the front seat te emits» ena mesg at though ts sad #9 mor fom Shuors The rece doesnt perm st alk. 294 Reach (= arrive at) Don't say: We reached at the’ school early. Say; We reached the school early. 295 Resemble (= be similar to). Don't say: Does she resemble to her father? Say: Does she resemble her father? exe eesembnce ioe: toe betwcen. She boos no resemblance to her 6 Unnecessary words 296 Tell (- say to) Don’t say: 1 told to him to come at once. ¥ Say: I told him to come at once. Behind (= at the back of). Don't sav: Edward hid behind of a large tree. Say: Edward hid behind a large tree. 298 Inside (in the interior of). Don’t say: The boys went inside of the room ¥ Say:The boys went inside the room, 2 Outside (= om the exterior of) Don't say: They stood outside of the door, ¥ Say:"They stood outside the door. 300 Round (= on all sides of). Don't say: The earth goes round of the sun, ¥ Say:The earth goes round the sun. Note Around simian meaning anu 1 ound (See Exercises 86 and 87 on page 174) Unnecessary articles 30) Wrong use of me with proper nouns. Don't say: The Sarah will go to the England ¥ Say: Sarah will go to England. Dont we he dent aie st pops aon an Gena ze te belo he nis of e's, cn i, a, Ieuan rans soup of arc ard courts ar rons corstng Sragectne at noun sy th le, the Mester. te Ao the Bay of Bacay the ersen Gul the Ags. the Oedecaneve the Unies 63Part 3 202 Wrong use of the with proper nouns in the possessive ‘The Euripides’ tragedies are famous. ides’ tragedies are famous, Dovt ee the deft article with plop nary in the pone ce Note: the same encs na sox tzu to pronounce withthe ea sylake-¥ wer om the final shan Gay woe dine 302 Wrong use of the with abstract nouns. Don't say: The bravery is @ great virtue, Y Say: Bravery isa great virtue. sro: pou fused ina genera ese, a ae ae Note Absuaet soues, vied in apace, se the aie The bravery ofthe spartans was eves 304 Wrong use of the with material nouns. Don't say: The gold is a precious metal ¥ Say: Gold is a precious metal. Don't use ary ate wth moter nouns, used in a general sense, Hote Matera nouns, vets in a parcla sense, aque the deste article The coal from the Midland eared ta mary counties, 305 Wrong use of the with plural nouns used in a eneral sense. Don't say: The dogs are faithful animals. Say: Dogs are faithful animals, Omi the definite arc wetewe commen noun nthe pl ‘general sense 306 Wrong use of the with names of languages Don't use: Tim speaks the English very well. ¥ Say: Tim speaks English very. wel. Nr ue he det rc olor he names of languages Nite We can say Me peaks the Engi onguage vr ws 64 Unnecessary words 307 Wrong use of the with names of meals. Don't say: We'll start after the breakfast. Say: We'll start after breakfast. Don'tuse the deine atid before me name of reas, breakfast and, dinner or supper wis: you ar rterng to a pttul met The | they promcded es excelent 308 Wrong use of the with names of games. Don't say: My favourite game is the football. ¥ Say: My favourite game is football. Don t sean at eter the rams of games the Footbal, hockey. tenis ‘ices, volley ball, basketball 309 Wrong use of the with names of diseases. Don't say: The cholera is a dreadful disease. ¥ Say: Cholera is a dreadful disease. san, don" use the dint atl blere the nares of disease, Note The ndetinte ates need wth comron nares nese: as sulleurg tom a eld a fever, 2 cough a heaachel 310 Wrong use of the with names of colours. Don't say: The green is a beautiful colour. ¥ Say: Green is a beautiful colour. Don sa the deft are bofove the nam of colours when wsed Wrong use of te with the names of the senses. Don't say: The sight is one of the five senses. % Say: Sight is one of the five senses, an’ sean aricte befte the nares ofthe fe sere sight sel hearing taste and touchPart 3 312 Wrong use of the with names of days and n Don’t say: The Sunday can be a day of prayer. The December is the last month, ¥ Say: Sunday can be a day of prayer December is the last month. De use the dai arcs btere the names f days and nets Note We a the Sunday before lt the Decambe of 1989, 313 Wrong use of tie with man denoting the human race. Don’t say: The man is born a sinner. Say: Man is born a sinner seman, denoting me human ce, wthout the dente aie AS mankind equres no artcle Osease fe ney of acing 314 Wrong use of she with school, Don't say: My sister goes to the school, Y Say: My sister goes to school 0.9010 school as to bea student vhs goto the school, nears tovist te x00) ote Sin 0 eave school mes 0 stop being & student dro teve the school nears to. 90 ara fram te hook were 315 Wrong use of he with church, Don't say. On Sunday I go to the church, ¥ Say: On Sunday I go to church. ety Simin, dstngush netwsen goto be and gota the ed, go to ‘brson argo to the prison, go to market goto the cosrsoh goto ospital end go to the hospital sit at table onc atthe tale 66 Unnecessary words 316 Wrong use of the with nature. Don’t say: The nature is beautiful in spring, Y Say: Nature is beautiful in spring Note: Ue the define arte mature i ted othe meanings i he ature of dog tobe fant 317 Wrong use of the with society. Don't say: A thief is a danger to the society. Say: A thief is @ danger to society. Note Use the deine ace soy ued (Hn a pacar sense ‘The sovety of he Crock was based 20 fede () the sense of compavonihn:s ejay the soley of my tends 318 Wrong use of the in the phrase in future from now on). Don't say: You must be careful in the future. ¥ Say: You must be careful in future. ote: the future messin te ine cone: Nab rows wa wil tapes nthe tare 319 Wrong use of the after whose Don’t say:'The boy whose the father is ill has left. 1 Say:The boy whose father is ill has left. ‘Dont we the ate afer he atie determines whose, because takes the pace of the are 320 Wrong use of the indefinite article before work, etc. Don't say: Gillian has found a work at the bank. ¥ Say: Gillian has found work at the bank. Don't se the ndefrite artic before such wow s work fun, heath, permission (See Exercise 17 on page 144.)Part 3 Have another look at Definite article As a rule, nouns in English take no article when used ir a general sense, but if they're used in a particular sense the article is needed. Note the difference in the use or omission of the article: 1. With plural nouns: Horses are strong animals. The horses in the field belong to the farmer. 2 With abstract nouns: Wisdom is a great virtue, The wisdom of Solomon was famous. 3 With material nouns: Water is necessary to life. The water in the kitchen is hot. 4 With days, months, and seasons: Summer is a hot season ‘The summer of 999 was very hot. 5 With names of languages: English is spoken all over the world, ‘The English she speaks is not correct 6 With names of meals: Breakfast is at eight o'clock. The breakfast {had this morning was delicious, 7 With names of colours: Blue is my favourite colour. The blue in that picture has faded. 8 Unnecessary words Use of the infinitive Mistakes are frequently made by using the infinitive without to after the following verbs, which do not require i. 321 Can + infinitive without fo, Don't say: My mother can to swim very wel. Say: My mother can swim very well. ote always wie ne nagatve form cannot as one ward Arata, he ‘ho form ean ce be wie nary 322 Could + infinitive without to, Don’t say: 1 could not to see you yesterday. ¥ Say: I could not/couldn’t see you yesterday. 323 May + infinitive without so. Don't say: May Lo visit you next weekend? ¥ Say: May 1 visit you next weekend? 324 Might + infinitive without to. Don’t say: He might to come in the mmoming, ¥- Say: He might come in the moming 325 Must + infinitive without to. Don’t say: I must to see her at her office. Y Say: Tmust see her at her office. 326 Let + infinitive without fo. Don’t say: Tom’s father would not let him to go out. Y Say: Tom’s father would not let him go out. 327 Make (to force) + infinitive without to Don't say: You can’t make Emma to understand. Y Say: You can’t make Emma understand, 69Part 3 328 See + infinitive without to. Don't say: They saw him to leave the house, Y Say: They saw him leave the house. oe: They shim eaving te house 39 comet 329 Watch + infinitive without to. Don't say: L watched the girls to play hockey. ¥ Say: | watched the girls play hockey. Nove swstcted the arts playing heckey 9 abo core 330 Hear + infinitive without to. Don't say: We heard him to speak in English, Y Say: We heard him speak in English. Noe te heart speaking n Erich ao come 331 Feel + infinitive without fo. Don't say: I could feel her heart to beat. ¥ Say: | could feel her heart beat. Or: [could feel her heart beating. Note if th wits make, £68, watch, hear, foe, ave used the passive tenuit be vies Hewas amen t eave Me Pours Hevins herd 0 speak wm tegisn (See Exercise 65 on page 165.) Miscellaneous examples 332 Wrong repetition of subject. Don't say: My litle brother he is at school. Say: My little brother is at school Neves eet the sb by wing a ronan ater the noun My te othe sue conte the sane von Tat, ar ane oh ca ase warner bom 70 Unnecessary words 333 Wrong repetition of subject in a compound sentence. Don't say: I went to the market and I bought fruit. ¥ Say: L went to the market and bought fruit, na cempourd sontence, express the sre nbc ance ory et dot epeet itbefte eo ves, une the enters lang and completed 334 Wrong repetition of subject after an adjectival clause. Don't say: David, who is a careless pupil, he lost his book. Y Say: David, who is a careless pupil, lost his book. 335 Wrong repetition of subject after a non-finite verb phrase. Don't say: Karen and’Tom, having signed the register, they left the church Y Say: Karen and Tom, having signed the register, left the church, 336 Wrong use of personal pronoun in a relative clause, Don't say: The book which I lost it was new. 7 Say: The book which I lost was new: bth refer to the seme noun. nth fis 0 book 337 Wrong repetition of object. Don't say: The doctor I know him very well ¥ Say: L know the doctor very well In th santene gen the eves dotor an him desoie one an the Same object Thee‘, uu ithe doctor or him, bt tooth ne In generale don't tte act blo he vb so he wow earn 1 doce Foon im ety wa aha ON)Part 3 338 Wrong repetition of object with infinitive. Don't say: | bought an English book to read it. ¥ Say: | bought an English book to read. Der trapest an cect nih aninfiaieof puroce te wer takes an object (For Sections 332-38 see Exercise 20 on page 146.) 339 Wrong use of that in direct speech. Don't say: She said that, ‘I'm sure to pass Say: She said, ‘I'm sure to pass.” ie cant ue that nec p86 whan we reBeat he wc hel som Che neon ha poten witout any henge ote nines speach ne 4 Me sl that he was sure cass 340 Using a double comparative. Don't say: He's more stronger than John. ¥ Say: He's stronger then John. Douce canpanstves ae ncorect mare stranger cuaht to be ony stronger However oe eon Sy much stronger 341 Misuse of adjectives that can’t be compared. Don't say: My work is more perfect than his. Y. Say: My work is superior to his. (Or: My work is better than his. Certan adecives ca’ be compared: perfect, unique, preferable, ‘supreme, ight, crete 342 Return back used instead of return. Don't say: She has returned back to school. Say: She has returned to school Dov tus tha word back wh return, because return rears to come back n Unnecessary words 343 Begin from used instead of begin. Don't say: Exams begin from Thursday. ¥- Say: Exaras hegin on Thursday. A thg can begin ony at» pont of tine. The word can't be ed the wale ume turing wien = hing rg sone 344 Consider as used instead of consider. Don't say: Robert considers me as his best friend J Say: Robert considers me his best friend. Don't tea tr the word conser We sp He ragards meas hie best fen Robert considers ma to be his best fiend. 345 For to used instead of to. Don't say: I came here for to learn English. ¥ Say; Teame here to learn English, 346 From where used instead of where. Don't say: From where can I buy a good watch? Say: Where can I buy a good watch? Where wane at what place, while fom where denotes the pant of eran From bere co ois cone? 347 And etc. used instead of ete. Don't say: I, you, we, and etc. are pronouns. Y Say: |, you, we, ete., are pronouns. te the shot ee of cetera a Ltn ghase aang and ether tangs ‘he combnston and ete ong becasue meen an an her tgs Note Howe, students ate advoed to ug ee na eay an 1 se plvazs sn and other things, ad 30 9n e38 348 So ... so that instead of so ... that. Don't say: I'm so tired so that I can't go. 3Part 3 Say: Ym so tired that {can’t go. iben so or uch completed + lau af ecu, tad. the case ‘hat ovr by 40 that 349 From now and on used instead of from now on. Don't say: From now and on I'll study hard. Y Say: From now on I'l study hard. The phe rom aow/ana an ince Say Flom now on 390 Alihough/Though although/though, Don't say: Although it’s raining, yet he'll go. ¥ Say: Although it’s raining, he'll go. ‘Although though i he conuncon nding te subordinate aus, am Scone one yet or StH on eure yet used instead of 351 Go to home used instead of go home. Don’t say: When school is over I go to home. Say: When school is over T go home. “he esses gota home waar Sax, 90 home. 352 Using far with a phrase of definite distance, Don’t say: Mary lives two miles far from here. ¥ Say: Mary lives two miles from here. vn we se paseo dete cence ie two miles 2 sertee, Gort use the nord fare can ay May ues two mls away 4 Part 4 Misplaced words Wrong position of adverbs 353 The adverb of definite time misplaced, Don't say: I last night went to the cinema. Say: L went to the cinema last night. Advts or cera phases of dite ur, ke yesterday today, tomorow, tat week, two months age, sre vay placed at he end the ‘eniene Ile nant fo emahares he tne we pt thea at he begining Yesterday 8 5 5. Noe ree mare than one aver af dfn tren a sentence, st te mae eva expression before the ve geal Ho mas bom at tw o'lock a {the morning on Apr 12th 1942 354 The adverb of indefinite time misplaced. Don't say: They come always to school by bus. Y Say: They always come to schoo! by bus. ace ers feline tine, aver, never, tay. often, elo Son somtimes nthe ses almost cacy ary near even Sloe he eel vet ose Wenn the veto toe place the asin of dete tee after she vt They are ahvaye auth ese 355 The adverb of time placed before the adverb of place. Don't say: The builders will be tomorrow here. Y Say: The builders will be here tomorrow. ‘wher sing an ade of ye and am acne of pace together ina senteree, 8Part 4 356 The adverb misplaced with a transitive verb. Don't say: Janet wrote carefully her essay. ¥ Say: Janet wrote her essay carefully. ‘nh a tranetne vere, the adr grea cans ate the object oe however, the objet i long, the aber may come ter he ante se She nce carefully a he es she had Yoo, 357 ‘The adverb enough misplaced. Don't say: Is the room enough latge for you? Say: Is the room large enough for you? ce the ade enough fit wad ies adn bee Note When enough an ace comes before the oun We nave ‘enough food fo sx oe 358 Not misplaced with a compound verb. Don't say: I should have not gone ... ¥ Say: [should not have gone . Ponivon ot in epost ater the st ausiny ‘ote With the present or are partape place net at hw genie ot henng set te aor este fora. Not bag ich he cout Sion 359 Not misplaced with the negative infinitive. Don't say: I told Liz. to not come on Monday. ¥ Say: | told Liz not to come on Monday. Fositon notin the nagatve nave mesitel before the wor to, andro) seri (See Exercises 66 and 67 on pages 165-166.) 76 Misplaced words Miscellaneous examples 360 The subject of the sentence misplaced Don't say: Last week visited our school a man. ¥- Say: A man visited our school last week. ln pst Engh sentences lage the bye fst, the ve ow then De ob san he es fol, 361 The subject misplaced in questions. Don't say: You were at the cinema yesterday? They'll come with us tomorrow? / Say: Were you at the cinema yesterday Will they come with us tomorrow? In etercgatuesonerce pce the myocar the ver Ihe nse ford he sc omen atte oy, nd thea olor Note tecepnon hs ule eckson madensecken Engh st st Irene teflon the le 362 The subject misplaced in questions beginning with an imtorrogative word. Don't say: Why you were absent last Friday? 7 Say: Why were you absent last Friday? In guesrorsbegoneg wth an etesingatne sod Me what. wen, where howe pce th vara Beton the sabjet as mall quests (For Sections 361-362 see Exercise 35 on page 153.) 363 The subject misplaced after never, ete Don't say: Never I have heard of such a thing. Say: Never have T heard of such a thing, “When never dom, rarely neither net not only. no soonee Ba She begining of compete dau, he verb mst come tere heePart 4 364 All... not used instead of Not all Don't say: All people are not hard-working, YY Say: Not all people are hard-working The et ster wong boise kes al pay Note Simi Suerybouy cose’ ike dancing shuld be Hot ewseyedy Mee earcng| 365 The subject misplaced in indirect questions. Don't say: The teacher asked me what games did Iplay? Y Say: Tae teacher asked me what games i played, toes aestons folow the usual der of words subj et and (Gee Exercise 37 on page 154.) 366 The direct object misplaced. Don't say: He touched with his hand the ball, ¥ Say: He touched the ball with his hand. “he objec of ranstve vib serra comes rat after the ves 367 The indirect object misplaced Don't say: I showed to her some of my stamps, Y Say: 1 showed some of my stamps to her. ihe indeet object precede by a preposion, lett he dct obec. Not: Ihe ndrect objet uuay comes fat without a prepoin/sowid her some of my stamos, 368 The qualifying adjective misplaced. Don't say: My uncle has a garden very large Say: My uncle has a very large garden. atthe adecve mediately beer the noun taut 78 Misplaced words Have another look at .. Questions ‘Questions can be formed in three ways 1 By putting the verb before the subject. Only use this method with the following twenty-one verbs: 4am, is, are, was, were; have, has, had; shall, should; will, would; can, could; may, might; must; need; dere; ought; used. Examples: Are you ready? Can you write well? Will he come tomorrow? May 1 go now? 2 By using do, does, did, followed by the subject and then the infinitive (without £0). Use this form with all verbs except the twenty-one given above, The word order is: Do (does, did) + SUBECT + INFINITIVE Examples: Do you come here every day? Does the child learn English? Did they go to the theatre? 3 By using question words. The question word always begins the question, but the verb must be put before the subject as in questions of types 1 and 2. : Why are you late? When did you come? is it? Whom did you see? Which book do you want? If the question word is the subject of the sentence, put the verb after the subject: ‘Who wrote the letter? Whose dog bit the man?Part 4 Misplaced words 369 The past participle misplaced 374 The indefinite article misplaced with such. Don’t say: The ordered goods haven't arrived Don't say: | never met a such good man before. Say: The goods ordered haven't arrived. Y Say: { never met such a good man before. ‘The goods ordered shortened fa ofthe goods which have Face the indie rice aor an after uch: such a good man. ben ordered 375 The definite article misplaced with half 370 The relative clause misplaced. Don't say: The half year is nearly finished. Don't say: A gitl has a pony who is in our class ¥- Say: Half the year is neatly finished. ¥ Say: A girl who is in our class has a pony. Half the year shortened form of half ofthe year fu the elave aus inmesiatly ater the noun to which irae Not Erne a ave cae that maybe omit betwen comers: My 376 The most used instead of most of the. tear George. whos In onother das, aro me bee Aa couse Don't say: The most of girs are not present, salcanibe anid weet endo tin om Ty whe ote fo Say: Most of the girs are not present. the pase te most os oe Say moto he 371 The conjunction misplaced in a time clause. Don't say: Emma when she arrived the boat had 377 The apostrophe (’) misplaced with contractions, already gone. Don't write: Did'nt, has’nt, isnt, are'nt, ete, ¥ Say: When Emma arrived the boat had already gone. Write: Didn't, hasn't isn't, aren't, et. Pace the conprcion inoding a aerial ase tne at he being (See Exercises 39 and 40 on pages 155-156.) ofa cane f 378 Mentioning oneself first, 372 Correlative conjunctions misplaced. Don't say: Only | and my mother are present. Don't say: Paul neither speaks English nor French. ¥ Say: Only may mother and I are present Say: Paul speaks neither English nor French. jth or requires that whan a pons peaking of hina ane Face coreave conjunction (hat, conurctons vedi pas, the nether. othe, heise must mention the other person ops st eee ft ot only =. But as) bare ors fhe same at pec, firsts st 373 The ordinal numeral misplaced. Don’t say: I've read the two first chapters. Y Say: ve read the first two chapters. Fae orn! sumetak: before cardinal numer Thee cat be two fst hopes ony one Sent ve must ay, Tha Eo (ee, 3P0 ot reewo ee, ef) st 80 81Part 4 Have another look at .. Correct order of words 1 Subject 2 Verb 3 Object 1 The object is usually placed immediately after the verb. Example: I speak English very well. 2 The indirect object usually comes before the direct object without « preposition Example: I gave him the money. 3 An expression of time comes after an expression of place. Example: We stayed there all day. 4 Place adverbs of time and degree, such as always, often, never, nearly, hardly, scarcely, before the verb, or between the auxiliary and the verb, Examples: I never see that man; or I have never seen that man, ote: With the ver to be place the acvetb after the verb: He is never late 5 In indirect questions the subject comes first and then the verb. Example: { want to know where they went. 6 In compound verbs with two auxiliaries, place not after the first one Example: She could nof have been there. 7 In the negative infinitive, not comes before to. Example: [told him not to go there. Pant 5 Confused words Prepositions often confused 379 To and At (a) To. Don't say: We come at school every morning. ¥ Say: We come to school every morning. (At Don't say: Someone is standing to the door, ¥ Say: Someone is standing at the door: (See Exercise 77 on paye 170.) 380 To and Till (a) To. Don’t say: We walked till the Say: We walked (0 the river an¢ bi © Till Don’t say: Vil stay here to next month. ¥ Say: U') stay here till next month, and b: K, Use tet donc ar 8 ant wth 381 In and At (a) In Don’t say: Liam has a flat at Paris. Say: Liam has a flat ia Pais,Part 5 () AL Don't say: My mother is staying in 66 Argyle Street, ¥ Say: My mother is staying at 66 Argyle Street. We we at when wee thing abot anaes, 2 put place or buna {as sop, he os Otic tn Bry te) an cases whch ts Tinie but wat ne 3 he at mates hoo, the der (Gee Exercise 78 on page 170.) 382 In and Into. (@) In. Don’t say: Gemma spent all the day into her room. Say: Gemma spent all the day in her room. @) Into. Don't say; Richard came in the room and sat down. Y Say: Richard came into the room and sat down. In denotes poston rede someting wile Imo denotes motion er ceston rene the nas of somthing. Note akays wrt he pepeston ito one Word (Gee Bxercise 79 on page 171.) 383 On, At, In. (Time) (2) On. Don't say: My uncle will arrive at Saturday. Say: My uncle will arrive on Saturday. (b) At Don't say: | usually get up on seven o'clock, ¥ Say: Lusually get up at seven o'clock. (©) In. Don’t say: She goes for a walk at the afternoon. ¥- Say: She goes for a walk in the afternoon. 84 Confused words 1s on uth he day ofthe ee ox arth an Friday, on March 25, om New Years ay’) Use at withthe eat tena four elk, a dst, ‘noon, at sunset, a midnight, (2) Use im wth a period of re. kn Ap ‘incr in 985, in he morning Eo st nigh sd By ay (See Exercise 80 on page 171.) 384 For and At. (Price.) (a) For. Don't say: Loughe a book at fifty pence. ¥ Say: | bought a book for fifty pence () At Don't say: I can't buy it for such a high price. Say: can’t buy it at such a high price Useford re ace sis mentored. at he act nso ge 385 Between and Among. (a) Between. Don’t say: There was a fight among two boys. ¥ Say: There was a fight between two boys. (b) Among. Don't say: Divide the apple between you three. ¥ Say: Divide the apple among you three. Use betwen fort any Use among for mote than (See Exercise 81 on page 172.) 386 Beside. Don’t say: Charlie was standing just besides me. ¥ Say: Charlie was standing just beside me.Part 5 387 Except for Besides/As well as Don’t say: I have other books except these. / Say: Thave other books besides/as well as these [= in addition to these) 1 servo ws presen exept John 3E8 By for With Don't say: The man shot the bird by 2 gun. Say: The man shot the bird with a gun. va with By deste he ‘enon, the bd osha By siose Fv towns a by end at with by Ran by post, By prone by worsens by tear bythe dozen, By fe ete 9 From for By. Don’t say Mary was punished {rom her father Say: Mary was punished by ber father 390 From for OF or In. Don't say: He's the tallest from all the boys. Say: He's the tallest of ail the boys. (Or He's the tallest boy in the class reece a pove cee by te and ftw remby of i 391 For for About. Don't say: The teacher spoke for bad habits. V Say: The teacher spoke about bad habits ef seo for 0 cone he sae8 ‘poke for i Manis ts Fe «forint seie of about To 86 Confused words 392 Since for For. Don't say: She's lived here since two years ¥ Say: She's lived here for two years. Pac te preposition for before words or ara denoting # peas ftw {or three days, for six weeks, fortwo years, fora few minute, for a longtime, Use wh ay ere xcape the pest Note Fors fen cited. ve can sy: Fe en ere for two years or ve been here two years 393 From for Since. Don't say: lan’s been ill from last Friday, ¥ Say: lan’s been ill since last Friday. Face the preston ace Seate wor or pratee danatr a point in me slnce Monday, since yesterday, sinc eght o'clock, since Christmas. hen we use snc, the ves usualy in he preset pret tee but ty be the pas pete: Was gad se Tom I ad seen hn since ost Chriss. Note: From can ake deret a pint ne, but st be fllone byt oF ‘i warts from cho deck tone ack witout 9 beer 394 After for In. Don’t say: may be able to go after a week. ¥ Say: Imay be able to go ina week. Or: I may be able to go in a week's time. sceking of peso of nen the future. ue, and ot ater Here rs after the end of. 395 In for Within. Don't say: Yl come back in an hour ~ if you mean before the end of an ho% Y Say: Fil come back with Inner afer thee of within sis before the endo. (See Exercises 82 and 83 on pages 172-173.) 1 an hour,