Common Errors
noun
1
BAD: Although the film has its advantages, it also has a serious flaw.
GOOD: Although the film has its merits/good points, it also has a serious flaw.
advantage = something that puts you in a better position than other people: 'A healthier lifestyle is just one of the advantages of living in the country.' 'The main advantage of using word processors is the amount of time you save.'
merit = a good quality; a strength: 'The merits of the new health programme are gradually being recognized.' 'We should judge each application on its own merits.'
2
BAD: Television provides many advantages.
GOOD: Television provides many benefits.
benefit = a good result which improves your life or situation: 'Belonging to a union has a number of important benefits.' 'It's over a month since I got back from holiday, but I still feel the benefit.'
3
BAD: What are the advantages in studying in the United States?
GOOD: What are the advantages of studying in the United States?
BAD: There are many advantages of having your own computer.
GOOD: There are many advantages to/in having your own computer.
the advantage/s of (doing/having) sth: 'He described the advantages of living in the countryside.' 'The advantages of independence soon became clear.'
there are (several/many etc) advantages to (doing/having) sth: 'There are advantages to working in a supermarket.' 'There are clear advantages to such an approach.' 'Are there any advantages in appointing coordinators?'
verb
1
BAD: I wish you have a wonderful holiday.
GOOD: I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
BAD: I wish you will enjoy your stay here.
GOOD: I hope you will enjoy your stay here.
Use wish that (+ past/past perfect tense) for things that cannot happen or will probably not happen: 'I wish I hadn't told them my address.' 'I wish you could stay here longer.' (= this will probably not happen)
Use hope that (+ present/present perfect tense) for things that may easily happen or may easily have happened: 'I hope you've had a successful trip.' 'We hope you all have a very merry Christmas.'
When wish is used for this meaning, the object is a noun phrase (NOT a that clause): 'I wish you a safe journey.' 'We'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas.'
2
DUBIOUS: I wish to send you a wedding present.
GOOD: I'd like to send you a wedding present.
DUBIOUS: I wish to stay until the end of July but I can't.
GOOD: I'd like to stay until the end of July but I can't.
When you tell someone what you want (to do), or ask someone what they want (to do), use would like or (especially in informal styles) want : 'I'd like to buy a few postcards.' 'What would you like to do tonight?'
Wish is used with this meaning only in formal styles: 'We wish to apologize for the late arrival of this train.'
3
BAD: I wish that they will stop killing each other.
GOOD: I wish that they would stop killing each other.
BAD: He wishes he can drive a car; taxis are so expensive.
GOOD: He wishes he could drive a car; taxis are so expensive.
When you are thinking about the present or the future, use wish (that) + would /could/had etc. (NOT will/can/have etc.) 'I wish I knew his telephone number.' 'I wish I didn't have to go to school tomorrow.'
verb
1
BAD: I'm waiting a letter from my boyfriend.
GOOD: I'm expecting a letter from my boyfriend.
BAD: Anyway, I'll wait for you next weekend.
GOOD: Anyway, I'll expect you next weekend.
wait = stay somewhere until someone or something comes: 'I'll wait here until you get back.' 'It's quicker to walk than wait for a bus.'
expect = believe that someone or something is going to come: 'The train is expected to arrive in the next five minutes.' 'I can't leave the house - I'm expecting visitors.'
2
BAD: I stopped and waited the truck to pass.
GOOD: I stopped and waited for the truck to pass.
BAD: I'll wait you outside.
GOOD: I'll wait for you outside.
wait for sb/sth : 'I'll wait for you outside the post office.' 'What can I do while I'm waiting for the paint to dry?'
3
BAD: I'm waiting to see the photographs with great impatience.
GOOD: I can't wait to see the photographs.
In informal styles, to show that you are really looking forward to something, use I (just) can't wait or I can hardly wait : 'I can't wait to see you again.' 'I can hardly wait for the holidays to begin.'
1
BAD: Our English teacher is called Mr John.
GOOD: Our English teacher is called Mr (John) Smith.
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (+ first name) + surname: 'Mrs Waters', 'Mr Clive Upton'
2
BAD: Dear Mr,
GOOD: Dear Sir,
BAD: Dear Mr/Mrs,
GOOD: Dear Sir/Madam,
When you are writing a formal letter and you know the surname of the addressee, begin Dear Mr Smith, Dear Mrs Jones, Dear Ms Simpson etc. When you do not know the person's surname, begin Dear Sir, Dear Madam or Dear Sir/Madam .
3
BAD: Dear Mr Alan Jones,
GOOD: Dear Mr Jones,
Dear is followed by Mr/Mrs/Ms + surname only (NOT first name + surname): 'Dear Mrs Jackson'
modal verb
1
BAD: If I would live in the countryside, I would be much healthier.
GOOD: If I lived in the countryside, I would be much healthier.
When you are talking about the present or the future and you imagine something that is untrue or unlikely, use the past tense ('lived') in the if clause (NOT would ): 'If I knew her address, I'd send her a postcard.' 'If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a new car.'
2
BAD: If you would have caught the earlier train, we could have travelled together.
GOOD: If you had caught the earlier train, we could have travelled together.
When you are talking about the past and you imagine something that is impossible, use the past perfect tense ('had caught') in the if clause (NOT would have ): 'If he hadn't got on the plane, he would still be alive.'
3
BAD: If you would have any more questions, I'll do my best to answer them.
GOOD: If you should have any more questions, I'll do my best to answer them.
When you are talking about the present or the future and you imagine something that is possible but unlikely, use if ... should (NOT if ... would ): 'If anyone should need me, I'll be back in half an hour.'
noun
BAD: Switzerland produces goods with a very high quality.
GOOD: Switzerland produces goods of a very high quality.
of (a) high/low/poor quality (NOT with ): 'Japanese electrical products tend to be of much higher quality.'
noun
1
BAD: As mayor of this town, it gives me a great pleasure to welcome you.
GOOD: As mayor of this town, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you.
it gives sb great pleasure to do sth (WITHOUT a ): 'It gives me great pleasure to introduce today's guest speaker.'
Compare: 'It is a great pleasure for me to introduce ...'
2
BAD: A lot of people work for their pleasure, not because of financial obligations.
GOOD: A lot of people work for pleasure, not because of financial obligations.
do sth for pleasure (WITHOUT his/our/their etc ): 'She used to be in the national team but now she swims just for pleasure.'
3
BAD: It's the first time that I've had the pleasure to meet her.
GOOD: It's the first time that I've had the pleasure of meeting her.
be pleased to do sth BUT have the pleasure of doing sth : 'In Java I had the pleasure of attending a traditional wedding ceremony.'
adjective
1
BAD: Going swimming is more preferable to playing football.
GOOD: Going swimming is preferable to playing football.
Do not use more with an adjective which contains the sense 'more' as part of its meaning. Preferable means 'better or more suitable': 'As far as I'm concerned, anything would be preferable to spending another night here.'
2
BAD: For most teenagers, living in the countryside is preferable than living in a city.
GOOD: For most teenagers, living in the countryside is preferable to living in a city.
One thing is preferable to another thing (NOT than ): 'An old computer is preferable to no computer at all.'
III
adjective
1
BAD: I wonder if you would be so kind to send me further details and an application form.
GOOD: I wonder if you would be so kind as to send me further details and an application form.
be kind enough to do sth : 'Would you be kind enough to forward the enclosed documents to Mr Tomkin's new address?'
be so kind as to do sth : 'I wonder if you'd be so kind as to inform your colleagues of the new arrangements.'
2
BAD: All the people he met were very kind with him.
GOOD: All the people he met were very kind to him.
kind to a person or animal (NOT with ): 'She's always been kind to people less fortunate than herself.'
noun
1
BAD: There are many kind of job for people with qualifications.
GOOD: There are many kinds of job for people with qualifications.
GOOD: I enjoy all kind of sport.
GOOD: I enjoy all kinds of sport.
Kind, sort and type are countable nouns. After many, all, these and other plural meanings, use kinds/sorts/types (WITH-s ): 'These kinds of fruit do not grow in cold climates.'
2
BAD: Imprisonment is not a good way of reducing this kind of crimes.
GOOD: Imprisonment is not a good way of reducing this kind of crime.
GOOD: Imprisonment is not a good way of reducing these kinds of crime/s.
kind/sort/type of + singular form: 'this kind of envelope'
kinds/sorts/types of + singular or plural form: 'these kinds of envelope/s'
Note that after kinds/sorts/types of a plural form can sometimes sound awkward and careful users generally prefer a singular form.
noun
1
BAD: I was just about to enter the station when someone grabbed me by the shoulders and threw me to the floor.
GOOD: I was just about to enter the station when someone grabbed me by the shoulders and threw me to the ground.
FLOOR · GROUND · GROUNDS · LAND · TERRITORY · SOIL
The floor is the surface that you walk on when you are indoors: ‘Our cat likes to sit on the floor under my desk.’ ‘It’s about time someone cleaned the kitchen floor.’
The ground is the surface that you walk on when you are outdoors: ‘The ground was covered with snow.’ ‘In the middle of the forest was a bare patch of marshy ground.’
Grounds refers to the area surrounding and belonging to a school, hospital, hotel, stately home, etc, usually enclosed by a wall or fence: ‘Parking within the hospital grounds is strictly prohibited.’
Land refers to (1) an area of ground that is owned or used by someone, or that is controlled by a particular country: ‘All the land from here to the stream belongs to the Pattersons.’‘Disagreements about land have led to many wars.’
(2) (also the land ) the part of the Earth’s surface that is not covered by water: ‘After three days at sea, I was looking forward to being on land again.’
Territory is the area that is controlled by a particular country, army or power: ‘One of the results of losing the war was that the country had to give up almost half its territory.’ ‘They had wandered by mistake into enemy territory.’
Soil is the material in which plants and trees grow: ‘This plant needs rich soil to grow well.’
2
BAD: The fire started at the seventh floor.
GOOD: The fire started on the seventh floor.
BAD: Room 229 was in the second floor.
GOOD: Room 229 was on the second floor.
on the ground/first/second etc floor (NOT in/at ): 'The canteen is downstairs, on the ground floor.'
noun
1
BAD: I turned on the radio but there was no noise.
GOOD: I turned on the radio but there was no sound.
BAD: He was woken up by the noise of broken glass.
GOOD: He was woken up by the sound of broken glass.
noise = (1) loud unpleasant sounds heard as a single mass: 'The noise of the traffic gave me a headache.' 'People were making such a lot of noise that I couldn't hear what she was saying.' (2) a sound that is unpleasant and/or without meaning: 'The radio suddenly started making a funny noise.' 'What was that noise?'
sound = something that is heard or received by the ear, especially something that you recognize or can give a meaning to: 'I've always loved the sound of a classical guitar.' 'I could hear the sound of someone crying in the next room.'
2
BAD: I was woken up by a big noise outside the room.
GOOD: I was woken up by a loud noise outside the room.
loud noise (NOT big ): 'Habitual exposure to loud noises can damage the ear.'
3
BAD: The restaurant was full and there was a loud noise.
GOOD: The restaurant was full and there was a lot of noise.
BAD: You can talk as long as you don't make a loud noise.
GOOD: You can talk as long as you don't make a lot of noise.
A loud noise (countable) describes what you hear when, for example, somebody slams a door or drops a plate. To refer to continuous noise made during an activity, use noise as an uncountable noun: 'They don't know the difference between music and noise.'
noun
1
BAD: The plane flew over enemy ground.
GOOD: The plane flew over enemy territory.
FLOOR · GROUND · GROUNDS · LAND · TERRITORY · SOIL
The floor is the surface that you walk on when you are indoors: ‘Our cat likes to sit on the floor under my desk.’ ‘It’s about time someone cleaned the kitchen floor.’
The ground is the surface that you walk on when you are outdoors: ‘The ground was covered with snow.’ ‘In the middle of the forest was a bare patch of marshy ground.’
Grounds refers to the area surrounding and belonging to a school, hospital, hotel, stately home, etc, usually enclosed by a wall or fence: ‘Parking within the hospital grounds is strictly prohibited.’
Land refers to (1) an area of ground that is owned or used by someone, or that is controlled by a particular country: ‘All the land from here to the stream belongs to the Pattersons.’‘Disagreements about land have led to many wars.’
(2) (also the land ) the part of the Earth’s surface that is not covered by water: ‘After three days at sea, I was looking forward to being on land again.’
Territory is the area that is controlled by a particular country, army or power: ‘One of the results of losing the war was that the country had to give up almost half its territory.’ ‘They had wandered by mistake into enemy territory.’
Soil is the material in which plants and trees grow: ‘This plant needs rich soil to grow well.’
2
BAD: They do not have enough food or ground to grow it on.
GOOD: They do not have enough food or land to grow it on.
See Language Note above
3
BAD: Gradually the ground loses the ability to hold water.
GOOD: Gradually the soil loses the ability to hold water.
BAD: My job is to analyse samples of ground.
GOOD: My job is to analyse samples of soil.
See Language Note above
4
BAD: People who suffer from backache often sleep on the ground.
GOOD: People who suffer from backache often sleep on the floor.
See Language Note above
5
BAD: The school building is very old and the ground is very small.
GOOD: The school building is very old and the grounds are very small.
See Language Note above
6
BAD: A shot rang out and one of the men fell on the ground.
GOOD: A shot rang out and one of the men fell to the ground.
BAD: I fell on the ground, hoping that nobody had seen me.
GOOD: I fell to the ground, hoping that nobody had seen me.
Use on the ground when you are thinking about position: 'Someone had dropped one of their gloves on the ground.' 'We sat down on the ground just outside the cage.'
When you are thinking about downward movement or (violent) movement from a standing position, use to the ground : 'The parachute failed to open and he plummeted to the ground.' 'The impact knocked him spinning to the ground.' 'They pushed him to the ground and grabbed his wallet.'
verb
BAD: We all tried to convince her to sing.
GOOD: We all tried to persuade her to sing.
convince = make someone feel completely certain that something is true: 'Somehow the party will have to convince the voters that it is capable of governing the country.' 'She failed to convince the jury of her innocence.'
persuade = make someone agree to do something (or believe that something is true): 'Her parents have persuaded her to stop seeing him.' 'Despite our efforts to persuade them, they still haven't signed the contract.'
adjective
BAD: It's not worthy taking your own car.
GOOD: It's not worth taking your own car.
BAD: The cathedral is certainly worthy to be visited.
GOOD: The cathedral is certainly worth visiting.
it's worth doing sth; sth is worth doing (NOT worthy ): 'Do you think it's worth having the engine tuned?' 'The letter isn't worth worrying about.'
adjective
BAD: It was the worse journey I had ever made.
GOOD: It was the worst journey I had ever made.
BAD: People's lack of responsibility makes the problem even more worse.
GOOD: People's lack of responsibility makes the problem even worse.
bad, worse, (the) worst : 'The medicine just made me feel worse.' 'It's the worst film I've ever seen.'