2- Miscellaneous examples
134 Confusion of gender. Don't say: The door is open, please shut her.
S Say: The door is open, please shut it. In English only names of people an d animals have gender (masculinec
feminme) Inanimate things are neuter, and take the pronoun it m the singular Note: It'spossible tousemasculine orfeminine pronouns when inanimate
things are personified: England is proud of her navy.
135 Using the possessive '$ with inanimate objects. Don't say: Her room's window is open.
/ Say: The window of her room is open.
With inanimate objects w e usually use the of structure T"he door of the car. 'The leg of the table The surface of the water With the names of places and
organisations w e can use either- London's streets = The streets of London. Italy's climate. =Theclimate of Italy. Theschool's main office =Themain office of the school.
Note However, w e do say a day's work, a night's rest, a week's holiday, a pound's worth, etc., especially with similar measures of time
136 Using the objective case after the verb to be. Don't say: It was him.
/ Say: It was he.
The pronoun coming after the verb to be must be in the nominative case, and not m the objective in written composition. However, the objective case is n o w usually used in coversation' It's me.lt was him/her/them, etc
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). Theword than isaconjunction, andcanonly befollowed byapronoun inthe
nominative case Theverb coming after the pronoun is generally omitted. Note Usetheobjective case in spoken English. You're much taller than me 138 Using the subject pronoun after between. Don't say: It's a secret between you and I.
/ Say: It's a secret between you and me. B e t w e e n ii j preposition, arid all preposition; takt- the objective case "hem
139 Using an object pronoun before a gerund. Don't say: Him laughing at her was what made her angry.
/ Say: His laughing at her was what made her angry. vVnen ive usi1 an -ing verb as a noj'i, tfv preced'nc noun or pronoun f".iy,i
be possess.ve
140 Using an object pronoun in a double genitive. Don't say: A friend of him told us the news.
/ Say A friend of his told us the news.
We use the double qentive ;of + name + 's, his, mine etc i wh=n we v.,in>. v.. empli.jSise the person who possesses rather than the th.no wrvch nc oov.psse' A friend of his is simply another way of saving one of his friends
141 Misuse of -self forms. Don't say: Michael and myself are here,
/ Say: Michael and I are here. Use I'-n? s rrole Der.cia pronouns I, y o u , tie, etc . if no emoh<r,ir- ip'i-'-.;i>';
Note Use the -self pronouns n two v,avs > 1) *'cr emoha:,.'.-. $h>> herself hun . i j i 'p'le^veiv h,'r' herself.
142 Using hisself or then selves instead of himself or themselves.
Don't say: They fell down and hurt theirselvcs. / Say: They fell down and hurt themselves.
The ret'exive pronouns, thud person, are himself and themselves, and cot hsself and theirseives .
Misuse of noun/verb homonyms: Don't say: Becky played, a good play of chess .
Say: Becky/ played a good game of chess.
Some verbs andnouns dohave thesame form andanalogous meaning in English The police fight a haid fighr Heather dreams long vivid dreams Ifyo-j lie the lie will eaten you out1 The company danced an African dance However, we seldom use thesame word like this. Usually w e try to avoid it in ?ome way: She fought a long battle with them. if you lie you will be caught out The company did an African dance.
144 Using the relative pronoun which for persons. Don't say: I've a brother which is at school.
Say: I've a brother who is at school. Only usewhich asa relative pronoun foranimals orthings. Theright pronoun
to useforpeople iswho (whose, whom).
145 Using what or which after everything, etc. Don't say: I heard everything which (or what) he said.
/ Say: I heard everything (that) he said.
Don't usethe relative pronouns which andwhat after everything, a((, something, anything, a fot, (not much), little, or nothing W e can use that after these words, oi .'t Can be omitted.
146 Who and whom. Don't say: I saw the woman whom you said lived next door.
/ Say: I saw the woman (who) you said lived next door.
We rarely usewhom in modern English W e still useit after prepositions to, by, with, after, on etc. For example. The girl to whom you were speaking is Nigerian. W e prefer to avoid this nowadays by changing the order of the sentence. Thegirl you were speaking to •$ Nigerian. Voucanalso usethat in place of w h o : The girl that you were speaking to is Nigerian
(For Sections 144-146 see Exercise 18 on page 145.)
147 Using who, whom, or which after the superlative, instead of that.
Don't say: It's the best which I've seen. /
Say: It's the best (that) I've seen.
Use therelative that (not who, whom, or which) after a superlative itcan, however, be omitted.
148 The same as/same that. Don't say: Amelia bought the same bag that me.
/ Say: Amelia bought the same bag as me.
Aftei the same w e use as unless it's followed by a subordinate clause, m which case w e u?-e that, or omit it M r smith ordered the same meal ifhati he ordered before.
Note Sometimes we usethat instead of who or which after same- He wore the same domes that he wore or>Sunday
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? Use the interrogative pronoun which? forboth people and things ,asks for one
out of a definite number
Note The interrogative pronoun what? doesn't imply choice What's your telephone number? It's also used to ask for a person's profession. Whats your father? - He's a /ai-vyer
(Compare Section 144.)
150 Who? and Whom? (a) Who?
Don't say: Whom do you think will be chosen?
-Say: Who do you think will be chosen? (b) Whom? Don't say: Who do you think I saw yesterday?
-Say: Whom do you think I saw yesterday? Insentenceo<whoisthesubjectofwillbechosen,doyouthink is a pdrenibeMS In sentence (b) w h o m is Hie object of I saw, do you think is a parenthesis
(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 is formed from an and other, but ir.s'ead of being written an other
it's written rf'- one word another.
152 Using the superlative instead of the comparative. Don't say: John is the tallest of the two boys.
f Say: John is the taller of the two boys. VIJC rhp '.oreparative when two people or thinqs are compared See154
53 Using from after the comparative instead of than. Don't say: Amy is taller from her brother.
/ Sav: Amy is taller than her brother. Adjectives (or adverbs) <n the comparative are followed by t h a n and not by from
54 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. Use the superlative when more than t w o persons or things are compared
55 Using the more instead of most. Don't say: The more people will agree with me.
/ Say: Most people will agree with me. Use most (riot the more) when you mean (he majority of
tlo'e Use t h e m o r e rn sentences like The more I complain, the more- faugh The m c e w e write, the happier our furor Decomes.
156 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.
The adjectives good and bad have rregular forms of corroanson good, better, best and 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. Use the phrase at home to mean <nthe house With such verbs a:, come or go no preposition .
necessary He wants to go home
158 Using from instead of one of or among. Don't, say: She is from the nicest girls I know.
/ Say: She is one of the nicest girls I know. Avoid using from in the sense of one of or among.
159 Using the passive infinitive (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 adjectives easy, difficult, hard, heavy, good, etc., are generally followed
by the active infinitive.
160 Using an intransitive verb in the passive form. Don't say: She was disappeared from the house.
/ Say: She disappeared from the house.
As a 'ule, don't use intransitive verbs, like appear, seem, become, consist, in the passive form Intransitive verbs don't have an object .
161 Mixing up one form of the verb with another. Don't say: It'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.
Oon't mixoreform of [heverb with another If thefirst verb ina comparison is m the infinitive, thesecond must also be in the infinitive
162 Wrong sequence of moods. Don't
say: If you would/'d do me this favour, I will/'ll be very grateful to you.
Say: If you would/'d do me this favour, I would/'d be very grateful to you. Or: If you will/'ll 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 care to provide the logical subject relating to the participle phrase In the sentence given, thelogical subject tobeing in haste ishe andnotthedoor.
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 phrase isn't it only when the preceding statement contains the word is: It is a hot day, isn't it.
Note Inthis form of question, usethesame tense andperson asin the preceding statement anduse thecorrect auxiliary if, however, the preceding statement is in the negative form, the question phrase omits not. We say I They are on holiday, aren't they? They aren't on holiday, are they?
You speak English, don't you?
You don't Speak French; do you '
(See Exercise 36 on page 154.
165 Misuse of the gerund to express purpose.
Don't say: I come here for learning English.
/ Say: I come here to learn English. Express purpose by using the infinitive, not the gerund
166 Yes or No in answer to negative questions. Question: Didn't you see the game?
No, - that is, 1 didn t see it.
In answering negative questions, say Yes if the answer is an affirmation, and No if it'sa negative. That is,answer without any regard to thenegative form of the question.
167 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 twonegatives areequal to an affirmative statement. You should avoid using twonegative words m thesame clause when not is used, none changes to any, nothing to anything, nobody to anybody, no one to anyone, nowhere to anywhere, neither . nor to either or
(See Exercise 38 on page 155.)
168 Using one time or two times instead of once or twice. Don't say: I was absent one time or two times.
/ Say: I was absent once or twice. Use once andtwice instead of one time andtwo 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 (nota or an) with day, night, morning, afternoon andevening, when the one means on a certain .
170 Using the other day instead of She next day, etc. Don't say: David slept well and was better the
other day. / Say: David slept well and was better the next day
(or on the following day).
Noie The other day 15an n\om me.iniiio, a few days ago ' rnH dn old the other day
171 Using one and a half, instead of half past one, etc.
Don't say: Lessons begin at eight and a half.
/ Say: Lessons begin at half past eight. T. fell:r",g 'me, say half past one half past tVL'o, half past three, -it
172 Using as usually instead of as usual. Don't say: As usually, he "left his pen at home.
/ S'nv As usual, he left his pen at home.
173 Using according to my opinion instead of hi my opinion.
Don't say: According to my opinion, she's right. / Say: In my opmion, she's right.
t'.fnd
Note Avoid using the phrase as I think instead of i thin!; Say He'; lazy d.-'d ' think he'H fail, not as I think)
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.
In the end means finally or at last at the end means at the farthest point or part '"here's an mdp*. at the end of this book There's a holiday at the end of this montn
175 Using under the rain instead of in the rain. Don't say: They played football under the rain.
/ Sav: They played football in the rain.
Note Also in the sun and in the sh3de He ivas sitting in the sun or in the shade.
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. am, 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 can't write well. He oughtn't to go.
In conversation, not is often shortened to n't. We say don't for do not, doesn't for does not, didn't for did not, hadn't for had not, wouldn't for would not, etc. (Bui we say shan't for shall not, won't for will not, can't for cannot.)
2 Use do, does, did, with not and the present infinitive (without to). Use this method with all verbs except those twenty-one given above. The word order is:
SUBJKCT -i- do (does, did) + not + INFINITIVE 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.
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 reason denotes cause, therefore the reason is because is fepeiinon The correct idiorn is the reason is that ...
177 Using a country instead of the country. Don't say: I spend my holidays in a country.
/ Say: I spend my holidays in the country. A country is a place like France, India, or Egypt. The country is a rural area
where there are no towns or cities.
178 Using if instead of whether. Don't say: I asked Paul if he was going.
/ Say: I asked Paul whether he was going. Where or not is implied, use whether, not if. Unlike whether, if does not
expectaYesorNoreply:'sha"speaJcrohimifhe 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. Either means oneor theother of two, any means oneof three or more Any of these books will do.
180 Using likes me instead of I like. Don't say: The cinema likes me very much.
/ Say: I like the cinema very much.
Note The cinema appeals to me is coned, and means /like the cinema very much
181 Using neither ...or instead of neither ... nor.
Don't say: Sara speaks neither English or French.
Say: Sara speaks neither English nor French. Semembei Neither must be followed by nor and not by or. Either is followed by or she dunks cither orange [uice or apple junre
182 Using both in a negative sentence instead of neither.
Don't nay: Both of them didn't go to school today.
Say: Neither of them went to school today. Remembsr Change both into neither in a negative sentence and use h
positive? verb
183 Using also or too in a negative sentence instead of either.
!)on'r say: Joe hasn't come also (or too). / Say: Joe hasn't come either.
Rpmfvt'her L.'ianqe also or too into wither in r. negative sen teres
184 U:,ing and in a negative sentence instead of or.
Don't say: I don't like red and orange. I want the blue one.
Soy: I don't like red or orange. I want the bine one.
ihe mednn-q of the first i.&ntence is that you don'' like trie two LOIOUIS toother The intended meaning is that you don't like either of them, even separately
Note If w*. |om clauses with different suoiects w e use a n d even after a negative. He didn't write to me a n d I was worned.
185 Using till instead of before or when. Don't say: I'd reached the school till the rain started.
/ Say: I'd reached the school before the rain started. Or Ed reached the school when the rain started.
Before or w h e n introduces a clause of time, if the verb of the main clause denotes an action completed before that of the time clause.
Un-English expressions
Mistakes often result from too close a translation into English of foreign idiomatic expressions. The following are examples of such mistakes:
186 Take an exam, not give an exam. Dcn't say: The pupil gave his exam.
/ Say:The pupil took his exam. Not*?. Theteacher gives or sets theexam Thestudent takes theexam or sits
the exam
187 To be right or wrong, not to 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 to have work. Don't say: I have much work this morning.
Say: I'm very busy this morning. Note1 Wecansay Ihave a lot of work to do this morning
189 It's cold, etc., not it has cold, etc.
Don't say: It has cold this winter.
/ Say: It's 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. Mole' Wecanalso say We had a walk o<Wetoo* a walk along the over.
191 Go for a ride on a bicycle, etc., not go for a walk on a bicycle, etc.
Don't say: We went for a walk on our bicycles. / Say: We went for a ride on our bicycles.
Nole Werideonabicycle,onhorseback,etc.,butweridemabus,train,or other public vehicle.
192 Mount or get on a horse, etc. not ride a horse, etc. Don't say: Peter rode his horse and went home.
Say: Peter got on his horse and rode home. Note To ride denotes a continuous action To mount or to get on denotes a simple action
193 Dismount or get off a horse, etc., not come down from a horse, etc.
Don't say: They came down from their horses. / Say. They got off their horses.
Note WegetoutofataxioiacarWegetonoroffthetram,thebus,etc
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 shower. Don't say: I make a shower every morning.
Say: I take a shower every morning. Or: 1 have a shower every morning.
Note Whenspeakingoftheseaortheriver,say.tobathe,tohaveabathe, to go for a bathe, to go bathing, to go for a swim or to go swimming
196 Ask a question, not make a question. Don't say: Naomi made me several questions.
Say: Naomi asked m e several questions.
197 Take an hour, not need an hour, etc. Don't say: I'll need an hour to do that.
/ Say: It'll take me an hour to do that.
198 Give a discount, not make a 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.
Note We say He made an interesting speech
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: I say my prayers before 1 go to bed. Note1 To say grace is to ask God's blessing before beginmrg a mea'
202 Pretend, not make oneself that. Don't say: She makes herself that she knows.
/ Say: She pretends to know.
203 Have a dream, not see a dream. Don't say: I saw a strange dream last night.
Say: I had a strange dream last night. Or: 1 dreamt a strange dream last night.
204 Smoke a cigarette, etc., not drink a cigarette, etc. Don't say: He drinks too many cigarettes.
Say: He smokes too many cigarettes.
205 Make a mistake, not do a mistake. Don't say: I did one mistake in dictation.
Say: I made one mistake in dictation.
206 Tell or speak the truth, not say the truth. Don't say: Fiona always says the truth.
Say: Fiona always tells the truth. Or: Fiona always speaks the truth.
Note Aiso to tell a lie (no! to say a lie): He told me a lie.
207 See or watch a game, not to follow a game. Don't say: Did you follow the game?
Say: Did you see (or watch) the game? Note Avoid saying fo follow the lesson when you mean to attend the cla
208 Turn (switch) the light on or off, n o t open or shut the light.
Don't say: Please open (or shut) the light.
Say: Please turn on (or off) the light.
Or: Please switch on (or off) the light. Note We light, blow out oi put out a lamp, a candle, or a fire.
209 Give an example, not bring an example.
Don't say: Can you bring a better example?
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.
Say: The teacher gave me a good mark.
Note. Avoid to put a lesson, to put a goal Say instead, to give a lesson, to score a goal.
211 Set a watch by, not put a watch with. Don't say: I put my watch with the radio news.
Say: I set my watch by the radio news.
A watch 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 W e can also say My watch loses or gains
212 Show a film, not play a film. Don't say: This film will be played shortly. Say: This film will be shown shortly.
213 Have one's hair cut, not cut one's hair. Don't say: I'm going to cut my hair. Say: I'm going to have my hair cut.
Note Avonj I'll mate & oair of shoes tor a suit oi clothes). Say instead I'll iiave a pair of shoes (or a suit of clothes) made.
214 Learn by heart, not learn from out. Don't say: We have a poem to learn from out. Sa^<: We have a poem to learn by heart.
215 Put on weight, not put weight. Don't say: I've put at least three 216 kilos. Say: I've put on at least three kilos.
Note. Theopposite ofto put on weight isto lose weight: She has lost five kilos
217 It works miracles, not it makes miracles. Don't Soy: That medicine makes miracles. Say: That medicine works miracles.
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, etc. Don't say: I haven'i seen him today morning.
Say: I haven't seen him this morning.
Note A,oid today morning, rodav afferncon, today evening, yesterday night, th;$ night. Say: this morning, this afternoon, this evening, last night, tonight.
220 Quietly, not slowly, slowly. Don't say: The boy came in slowly, slowly.
Say: The boy came in quietly.
221 What's the matter not What have you?
Don't say: What have you today?
Say: What's the matter with you today? Note What's wrong (with you/?, What's the trouble '.with you'1 ? and What's the problem? are aiso co'rev
222 What do you ca!l ...? not How do you call Don't say: How do you call this in English?
Say: What do you call this in English? Note1 If the question isn't about a thing, but about some expression, we'd
say. How do you say this in English? (See Exercise 62 on pages 163-164.)
=====================
Incorrect omissions
Omission of prepositions
The following are examples of mistakes made through the omission of the preposition after certain words:
223 Ask for a thing, not ask a thing. Don't say: She came and asked my book.
/ Say: She came and asked for my book.
224 Dispose/get 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.
225 Dream of a thing, not dream a thing. Don't say: Young men dream glory and riches.
Say: Young men dream of glory and riches.
226 Explain to a person, not explain a 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?
Listen to a person or thing, not listen a person or thing. Don't say: They were listening the music. Say: They were listening to the music.
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?
Note. A person can p a y another person He/She can also p a y a bill, an account, or a subscription He/She p a y s f o r a thing that he/s.ne buys
Point to or at a person or thing, not point a person or thing. Don't say: He pointed the map on the wall. Say: He pointed to the map on the wall.
Or: He pointed at the map on the wall. Note Also point o u r He pointed out the boy who did it To point (without
any preposition) means to direct: Don't point the gun this way
Remind a person of something, not remind a person something. Don't say: Please remind me that later. Say: Please remind me of that later.
Reply to a person, not reply a person. Don't say: She's not replied me yet, Say: She's not replied to me yet.
Say to a person, not say a person. Don't say: Kevin said me, Come tomorrow.1 Say: Kevin said to me, 'Come tomorrow.'
234 Search for a lost thing, not search a lost thing. Don't say:. They're searching the ball.
Say: They're searching for the ball.
Note. In search of: The wolf goes in search of sheep To search someone or something (without thefor)means to look inone's pockets or house: The policeman searched the man and his house.
235 Share with a person, not share a person. Don't say: My friend shared me his book.
Say: My friend shared his book with me.
236 Speak to a person, not speak a person. Don't say: I'll speak him about that.
/ Say: I'll speak to him about that. Note: I'll speak to him means I'll do all the speaking; I'll speak with him means I'll have a conversation with him.
237 Supply a person with something, not supply a person something.
Don't say: Can you supply m e all I need?
Say: Can you supply me with all I need?
Note: Also provide a person with: She provided her son with all he needed.
238 Think of a person or thing, n o t think a person or thing.
Don't say: Think a number and then double it. / Say: Think of a number and then double it.
239 Wait for a person or thing, not wait a person or thing. Don't say: I'll wait you at the cinema.
Say: I'll wait for you at the cinema. Note. Await takes no preposition: I'm awaiting your reply.
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: I'll write her tomorrow.
Say: I'll write to her tomorrow. Note When the direct object of write is expressed, omit the preposition l'll write him a letter.
(See 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 g r e a t c a r e n o t t o l e a v e o u t t h e -s o r - e s f r o m t h e p r e s e n t t e n s e , w h e n t h e
subject is he, she, it, or a noun in the singular (See 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 don't (= do not) with I, we, you, they, andwith plural nouns Use
doesn't (= does not) with he, she, it, andwith singular nouns. (See Exercise 32 on page 152.)
244 The -d or -ed of the past tense omitted. Don't say: I receive a letter yesterday.
Say: I received a letter yesterday.
Take care notto leave outthe-d or -ed from thepast tense of regular verbs. When speaking, pronounce the ending of the past tense clearly.
h<i,Q another look at ...
Third person singular, simple present
1 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, sh, or o, the third person singular takes -es: I watch I finish I fix I 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: I carry I study 3 fly
he carries he studies he flies
Note: If there is a vowel before the -y, we only add s for the third person singular: he plays, he enjoys, he obeys.
4 A few verbs are irregular in the third person singular: I am I have he is he has
5 Modal verbs such as will, can, may, must, and ought do NOT change their form in the third person singular: I will I can I may I must he will he can he may he must
Remember: The third person singular of verbs in the present tense takes -s, -es or -ies.
245 The -s, -es or -ies of the plural form omitted. Don't say: I paid six pound for the book.
/ Say: I paid six pounds for the book. Take tare not lo ieave out the -s, -es or -ies of the plural number.
Note the following nouns have irregular plurals, man, men; woman, women; child, children; ox, oxen; foot, feet; tooth, teeth; goose, geese; mouse, mice.
246 The possessive ending omitted. Don't say: A hen's egg is different from a pigeon.
/ Say: A hen's egg is different from a pigeon's. If the first noun in a comparison is in the possessive case, the second must also
be in the possessive: My mother's nose is bigger than my father's
247 Omission of the article before a countable noun in the singular.
Don't say: I've no money to buy car. / Say: I've no money to buy a car.
As a rule, use either the or a or an before a countable noun in the singular
248 Omission of a or an after the verb to be. Don't say: I'm not teacher, I'm student.
/ Say: I'm not a teacher, I'm a student. Use the indefinite article a or an to express a singular noun-complement of the
verb t o b e There's an animal in there. It's a mouse.
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. Note. Half a glass (an hour, a day, a mile, etc.) is the shortened form of
half of a glass (of an hour, of a day, of a mile, etc )
250 Omission of a or one before hundred, etc. Don't say: Hundred years make a century.
/ Say: A hundred years make a century.
Or: One hundred years make a century. Use the indefinite article a or the numeral one before hundred and thousand.
See also Section 527.
251 Omission of a or an from make a noise, etc. Don't say: I told them not to make noise.
/ Say: I told them not to make a noise. Note Also to make a mistake, to make a fortune, to make a will,
to make an impression, to make an experiment, to make an attempt.
252 Omission of the before names of nationalities. Don't say: English are fond of sports.
Say: The English are fond of sports.
Place the definite article before the names of nationalities, describing a people collectively the British, the French, the Dutch, the Swiss, the Chinese,the Sudanese, etc
253 Omission of the before names of musical instruments. Don't say: I play violin, but not piano.
/ Say: I play the violin, but not the piano. Use the definite article before the names of musical instruments.
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. Use definite article before thewords cinema, theatre, concert, etc
(For Sections 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. Form thepassive form byusing theverb to be, combined with the past participle of the verb required (to be + past participle)
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 this, that, my, his: I bought a new book (not: I 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 a noise, a mistake, a fortune, an impression; to have a 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 After the phrase kind of or sort of: What kind of pen do you want?
a, an or one Many languages use the numeral one instead of the indefinite article a or an. This is not so in English. One man ivent into one shop ought to be A man went into a shop. One is used only when the number is emphatic: One sivalloiv does not make a summer.
256 Omission of the auxiliary do from questions.
Don't say: You understand the problem? He understands the problem? She understood the problem?
Say: Do you understand the problem? Does he understand the problem? Did she understand the problem?
Place theauxiliary verb dq (does, did) before thesubject to askquestions in the simple present andsimple past tenses.
Note: Don't usetheauxiliary do with modal verbs, like can, may, must: Can you meet me tomorrow?
(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?
In thecorrect form of thesentence, thefirst do means nothing on itsown and only helps to make thequestion. Thesecond do istheprincipal verb ofthe sentence, and has the meaning 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. As a rule, don't use a noun without a preposition to show the time of
some action. Note: Don't use a preposition with last year, next year, some day, one day, this afternoon, etc.
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.
The infinitive of an intransitive verb (like live, etc.): it must have a preposition after it.
Have another look at...
Verb TO BE ffiv&rtt Tense I arn/'m, you are/'re, he (she, it) is/'s;
We, you. they are/'re. Past Tense /It^as, you were, he (she, it) was;
We, you, they were. .Future Tense I, you, he (she, it) will/'H be;
We, you, they will/'H be. Present Perfect I, you, have/'ve been, he (she, it)
has/'s been;
We, you. they have/'ve been. 'fast Perfect I, you, he (she, it) had/'d been;
We, you, they had/'d been. •Future Perfect I, you, he (she, it) will/'llhave been;
We, you, they will/'H have been. 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.
:60 Omission of there as an introductory word. Don't say: Once lived a great king.
/ Say: Once there/TTiere once lived a great king. Use theadverb there to introduce the subject of a sentence in which the verb
stands before the sub|ect
!61 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. After theverb to know theadverb how always comes before an infinitive.
162 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, thefirst sentence makes him greater than himself, which isillogical.
163 Omission of before in comparisons.
Don't say: I'd never seen such a thing.
/ Say: I'd never seen such a thing before. Don't leave outtheword before inmaking a comparison between onething
and allothers of thesame kind.
164 Omission of else after everybody, etc. Don't say: She is stronger than everybody.
Say: She is- stronger than everybody else. Use the word else in making a comparison between one person or thing and all others of thesame kind after everybody, anybody, anything, etc.
165 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.
Use the demonstrative pronoun one (plural ones* in place of a noun mentioned be'ore.
266 Omission of the personal pronoun before the infinitive.
Don't say: I want to tell me the truth.
Say:1wantyoutotellmethetruth.
Express the subject of the infinitive after verbs like want, like, wish, etc , if it is different from that of the main verb.
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 the pronoun it as the subject of an impersonal verb .
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 teacher, he stood up.
In a sentence beginning with an adverbial clause, express the personal pronoun as the subject of the main clause .
269 Omission of the personal pronoun after a quotation. Don't say: 'I'm learning English,' said.
Say: 'I'm learning English,' he said. After a quotation, express the personal pronoun as the subject of the reporting verb
270 The object of the transitive verb omitted. Don't say: I asked her for some paper, but she had not.
Say: 1 asked her for some paper, but she had none/didn't have any.
As a rule, every transitive verb must have an expressed object here, none (equivalent to not any) is the object of had .
271 Omission of the direct object when there are two objects.
Don't say: I asked him for some ink, and he gave me. / Say: I asked him for some ink, and he gave me some.
Some transitive verbs, like give, bring, send, tell, buy, show, must have two expressed objects, direct and indirect here, some is the direct object of gave
272 The object of the verb enjoy omitted. Don't say: I enjoyed during the holidays.
Say: I enjoyed myself during the holidays. Or: I enjoyed my holidays.
Don't follow theverb enjoy by a preposition. It must always have an ob|ect, which mayeither be a reflexive pronoun or a noun.
Note. W e say I had a good time, as this is an idiomatic expression, butw e can't say /enjoyed my time. W e must specify. /enpyed my time in Greece.
273 Omission of the noun after an adjective.
Don't say: The unfortunate was shot dead.
Say: The unfortunate man was shot dead. The noun that comes after an adjective can't be understood; it must be expressed. Note Omit the noun after an adjective only when the adjective is used as a noun in the plural The poor envy the rich
274 Omission of the word and between numbers.
Don't say: Eight thousand thirty-seven.
Say: Eight thousand and thirty-seven. Use the conjunction and to connect hundred, thousand, million to a number of tens o' units
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. We must always insert the conjunction or between numbers like this three men, five or six pages, eight or ten days.
276 Omission of the word old from age.
Don't say: My sister is fifteen years.
Say: My sister is fifteen years old. Note1 Wecana!sosayMy sister isfifteen years of age, orSimply, My sister is fifteen
277 For this used instead of for this reason. Don't say: For this he wants to leave.
Say: For this reason he wants to leave. The phrase for this is incorrect. Say for this reason or for that reason Also owing to that or because of that .
278 Better used instead of had better. Don't say: Better go home at once. / Say: You'd better go home at once.
The correct phrase is had better. You had better go means It would be a good thing for you to go.
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. He's up means he's out of bed. He'supstairs (downstairs) means he's on the upper (lower) floor of the building
280 Throw it used instead of throw it away. Don't say: It's dirty, throw it.
Say: It's dirty, throw it away. Throw it means to throw a thing at someone or somewhere, such as a ball.
Throw it away means to get ridof it by throwing it aside
281 / don't think used instead of I don't think so. Don't say: I don't think.
Say: I don't think so.
I don't think means I don't usemy brains, while I don't think so means Iam not of that opinion.
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.
The phrases before yesterday after tomorrow, aftei next week are incorrect Say :n»tead, the day before yesterday, the day after tomorrow, the week after next.
283 Thank you used instead of No, thank you. Don't say: Thank you (if you want to refuse an offer).
Say: No, thank you. Note Usethank you to accept an offer, it generally mean; Yes, piease.
134 Confusion of gender. Don't say: The door is open, please shut her.
S Say: The door is open, please shut it. In English only names of people an d animals have gender (masculinec
feminme) Inanimate things are neuter, and take the pronoun it m the singular Note: It'spossible tousemasculine orfeminine pronouns when inanimate
things are personified: England is proud of her navy.
135 Using the possessive '$ with inanimate objects. Don't say: Her room's window is open.
/ Say: The window of her room is open.
With inanimate objects w e usually use the of structure T"he door of the car. 'The leg of the table The surface of the water With the names of places and
organisations w e can use either- London's streets = The streets of London. Italy's climate. =Theclimate of Italy. Theschool's main office =Themain office of the school.
Note However, w e do say a day's work, a night's rest, a week's holiday, a pound's worth, etc., especially with similar measures of time
136 Using the objective case after the verb to be. Don't say: It was him.
/ Say: It was he.
The pronoun coming after the verb to be must be in the nominative case, and not m the objective in written composition. However, the objective case is n o w usually used in coversation' It's me.lt was him/her/them, etc
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). Theword than isaconjunction, andcanonly befollowed byapronoun inthe
nominative case Theverb coming after the pronoun is generally omitted. Note Usetheobjective case in spoken English. You're much taller than me 138 Using the subject pronoun after between. Don't say: It's a secret between you and I.
/ Say: It's a secret between you and me. B e t w e e n ii j preposition, arid all preposition; takt- the objective case "hem
139 Using an object pronoun before a gerund. Don't say: Him laughing at her was what made her angry.
/ Say: His laughing at her was what made her angry. vVnen ive usi1 an -ing verb as a noj'i, tfv preced'nc noun or pronoun f".iy,i
be possess.ve
140 Using an object pronoun in a double genitive. Don't say: A friend of him told us the news.
/ Say A friend of his told us the news.
We use the double qentive ;of + name + 's, his, mine etc i wh=n we v.,in>. v.. empli.jSise the person who possesses rather than the th.no wrvch nc oov.psse' A friend of his is simply another way of saving one of his friends
141 Misuse of -self forms. Don't say: Michael and myself are here,
/ Say: Michael and I are here. Use I'-n? s rrole Der.cia pronouns I, y o u , tie, etc . if no emoh<r,ir- ip'i-'-.;i>';
Note Use the -self pronouns n two v,avs > 1) *'cr emoha:,.'.-. $h>> herself hun . i j i 'p'le^veiv h,'r' herself.
142 Using hisself or then selves instead of himself or themselves.
Don't say: They fell down and hurt theirselvcs. / Say: They fell down and hurt themselves.
The ret'exive pronouns, thud person, are himself and themselves, and cot hsself and theirseives .
Misuse of noun/verb homonyms: Don't say: Becky played, a good play of chess .
Say: Becky/ played a good game of chess.
Some verbs andnouns dohave thesame form andanalogous meaning in English The police fight a haid fighr Heather dreams long vivid dreams Ifyo-j lie the lie will eaten you out1 The company danced an African dance However, we seldom use thesame word like this. Usually w e try to avoid it in ?ome way: She fought a long battle with them. if you lie you will be caught out The company did an African dance.
144 Using the relative pronoun which for persons. Don't say: I've a brother which is at school.
Say: I've a brother who is at school. Only usewhich asa relative pronoun foranimals orthings. Theright pronoun
to useforpeople iswho (whose, whom).
145 Using what or which after everything, etc. Don't say: I heard everything which (or what) he said.
/ Say: I heard everything (that) he said.
Don't usethe relative pronouns which andwhat after everything, a((, something, anything, a fot, (not much), little, or nothing W e can use that after these words, oi .'t Can be omitted.
146 Who and whom. Don't say: I saw the woman whom you said lived next door.
/ Say: I saw the woman (who) you said lived next door.
We rarely usewhom in modern English W e still useit after prepositions to, by, with, after, on etc. For example. The girl to whom you were speaking is Nigerian. W e prefer to avoid this nowadays by changing the order of the sentence. Thegirl you were speaking to •$ Nigerian. Voucanalso usethat in place of w h o : The girl that you were speaking to is Nigerian
(For Sections 144-146 see Exercise 18 on page 145.)
147 Using who, whom, or which after the superlative, instead of that.
Don't say: It's the best which I've seen. /
Say: It's the best (that) I've seen.
Use therelative that (not who, whom, or which) after a superlative itcan, however, be omitted.
148 The same as/same that. Don't say: Amelia bought the same bag that me.
/ Say: Amelia bought the same bag as me.
Aftei the same w e use as unless it's followed by a subordinate clause, m which case w e u?-e that, or omit it M r smith ordered the same meal ifhati he ordered before.
Note Sometimes we usethat instead of who or which after same- He wore the same domes that he wore or>Sunday
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? Use the interrogative pronoun which? forboth people and things ,asks for one
out of a definite number
Note The interrogative pronoun what? doesn't imply choice What's your telephone number? It's also used to ask for a person's profession. Whats your father? - He's a /ai-vyer
(Compare Section 144.)
150 Who? and Whom? (a) Who?
Don't say: Whom do you think will be chosen?
-Say: Who do you think will be chosen? (b) Whom? Don't say: Who do you think I saw yesterday?
-Say: Whom do you think I saw yesterday? Insentenceo<whoisthesubjectofwillbechosen,doyouthink is a pdrenibeMS In sentence (b) w h o m is Hie object of I saw, do you think is a parenthesis
(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 is formed from an and other, but ir.s'ead of being written an other
it's written rf'- one word another.
152 Using the superlative instead of the comparative. Don't say: John is the tallest of the two boys.
f Say: John is the taller of the two boys. VIJC rhp '.oreparative when two people or thinqs are compared See154
53 Using from after the comparative instead of than. Don't say: Amy is taller from her brother.
/ Sav: Amy is taller than her brother. Adjectives (or adverbs) <n the comparative are followed by t h a n and not by from
54 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. Use the superlative when more than t w o persons or things are compared
55 Using the more instead of most. Don't say: The more people will agree with me.
/ Say: Most people will agree with me. Use most (riot the more) when you mean (he majority of
tlo'e Use t h e m o r e rn sentences like The more I complain, the more- faugh The m c e w e write, the happier our furor Decomes.
156 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.
The adjectives good and bad have rregular forms of corroanson good, better, best and 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. Use the phrase at home to mean <nthe house With such verbs a:, come or go no preposition .
necessary He wants to go home
158 Using from instead of one of or among. Don't, say: She is from the nicest girls I know.
/ Say: She is one of the nicest girls I know. Avoid using from in the sense of one of or among.
159 Using the passive infinitive (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 adjectives easy, difficult, hard, heavy, good, etc., are generally followed
by the active infinitive.
160 Using an intransitive verb in the passive form. Don't say: She was disappeared from the house.
/ Say: She disappeared from the house.
As a 'ule, don't use intransitive verbs, like appear, seem, become, consist, in the passive form Intransitive verbs don't have an object .
161 Mixing up one form of the verb with another. Don't say: It'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.
Oon't mixoreform of [heverb with another If thefirst verb ina comparison is m the infinitive, thesecond must also be in the infinitive
162 Wrong sequence of moods. Don't
say: If you would/'d do me this favour, I will/'ll be very grateful to you.
Say: If you would/'d do me this favour, I would/'d be very grateful to you. Or: If you will/'ll 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 care to provide the logical subject relating to the participle phrase In the sentence given, thelogical subject tobeing in haste ishe andnotthedoor.
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 phrase isn't it only when the preceding statement contains the word is: It is a hot day, isn't it.
Note Inthis form of question, usethesame tense andperson asin the preceding statement anduse thecorrect auxiliary if, however, the preceding statement is in the negative form, the question phrase omits not. We say I They are on holiday, aren't they? They aren't on holiday, are they?
You speak English, don't you?
You don't Speak French; do you '
(See Exercise 36 on page 154.
165 Misuse of the gerund to express purpose.
Don't say: I come here for learning English.
/ Say: I come here to learn English. Express purpose by using the infinitive, not the gerund
166 Yes or No in answer to negative questions. Question: Didn't you see the game?
No, - that is, 1 didn t see it.
In answering negative questions, say Yes if the answer is an affirmation, and No if it'sa negative. That is,answer without any regard to thenegative form of the question.
167 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 twonegatives areequal to an affirmative statement. You should avoid using twonegative words m thesame clause when not is used, none changes to any, nothing to anything, nobody to anybody, no one to anyone, nowhere to anywhere, neither . nor to either or
(See Exercise 38 on page 155.)
168 Using one time or two times instead of once or twice. Don't say: I was absent one time or two times.
/ Say: I was absent once or twice. Use once andtwice instead of one time andtwo 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 (nota or an) with day, night, morning, afternoon andevening, when the one means on a certain .
170 Using the other day instead of She next day, etc. Don't say: David slept well and was better the
other day. / Say: David slept well and was better the next day
(or on the following day).
Noie The other day 15an n\om me.iniiio, a few days ago ' rnH dn old the other day
171 Using one and a half, instead of half past one, etc.
Don't say: Lessons begin at eight and a half.
/ Say: Lessons begin at half past eight. T. fell:r",g 'me, say half past one half past tVL'o, half past three, -it
172 Using as usually instead of as usual. Don't say: As usually, he "left his pen at home.
/ S'nv As usual, he left his pen at home.
173 Using according to my opinion instead of hi my opinion.
Don't say: According to my opinion, she's right. / Say: In my opmion, she's right.
t'.fnd
Note Avoid using the phrase as I think instead of i thin!; Say He'; lazy d.-'d ' think he'H fail, not as I think)
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.
In the end means finally or at last at the end means at the farthest point or part '"here's an mdp*. at the end of this book There's a holiday at the end of this montn
175 Using under the rain instead of in the rain. Don't say: They played football under the rain.
/ Sav: They played football in the rain.
Note Also in the sun and in the sh3de He ivas sitting in the sun or in the shade.
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. am, 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 can't write well. He oughtn't to go.
In conversation, not is often shortened to n't. We say don't for do not, doesn't for does not, didn't for did not, hadn't for had not, wouldn't for would not, etc. (Bui we say shan't for shall not, won't for will not, can't for cannot.)
2 Use do, does, did, with not and the present infinitive (without to). Use this method with all verbs except those twenty-one given above. The word order is:
SUBJKCT -i- do (does, did) + not + INFINITIVE 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.
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 reason denotes cause, therefore the reason is because is fepeiinon The correct idiorn is the reason is that ...
177 Using a country instead of the country. Don't say: I spend my holidays in a country.
/ Say: I spend my holidays in the country. A country is a place like France, India, or Egypt. The country is a rural area
where there are no towns or cities.
178 Using if instead of whether. Don't say: I asked Paul if he was going.
/ Say: I asked Paul whether he was going. Where or not is implied, use whether, not if. Unlike whether, if does not
expectaYesorNoreply:'sha"speaJcrohimifhe 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. Either means oneor theother of two, any means oneof three or more Any of these books will do.
180 Using likes me instead of I like. Don't say: The cinema likes me very much.
/ Say: I like the cinema very much.
Note The cinema appeals to me is coned, and means /like the cinema very much
181 Using neither ...or instead of neither ... nor.
Don't say: Sara speaks neither English or French.
Say: Sara speaks neither English nor French. Semembei Neither must be followed by nor and not by or. Either is followed by or she dunks cither orange [uice or apple junre
182 Using both in a negative sentence instead of neither.
Don't nay: Both of them didn't go to school today.
Say: Neither of them went to school today. Remembsr Change both into neither in a negative sentence and use h
positive? verb
183 Using also or too in a negative sentence instead of either.
!)on'r say: Joe hasn't come also (or too). / Say: Joe hasn't come either.
Rpmfvt'her L.'ianqe also or too into wither in r. negative sen teres
184 U:,ing and in a negative sentence instead of or.
Don't say: I don't like red and orange. I want the blue one.
Soy: I don't like red or orange. I want the bine one.
ihe mednn-q of the first i.&ntence is that you don'' like trie two LOIOUIS toother The intended meaning is that you don't like either of them, even separately
Note If w*. |om clauses with different suoiects w e use a n d even after a negative. He didn't write to me a n d I was worned.
185 Using till instead of before or when. Don't say: I'd reached the school till the rain started.
/ Say: I'd reached the school before the rain started. Or Ed reached the school when the rain started.
Before or w h e n introduces a clause of time, if the verb of the main clause denotes an action completed before that of the time clause.
Un-English expressions
Mistakes often result from too close a translation into English of foreign idiomatic expressions. The following are examples of such mistakes:
186 Take an exam, not give an exam. Dcn't say: The pupil gave his exam.
/ Say:The pupil took his exam. Not*?. Theteacher gives or sets theexam Thestudent takes theexam or sits
the exam
187 To be right or wrong, not to 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 to have work. Don't say: I have much work this morning.
Say: I'm very busy this morning. Note1 Wecansay Ihave a lot of work to do this morning
189 It's cold, etc., not it has cold, etc.
Don't say: It has cold this winter.
/ Say: It's 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. Mole' Wecanalso say We had a walk o<Wetoo* a walk along the over.
191 Go for a ride on a bicycle, etc., not go for a walk on a bicycle, etc.
Don't say: We went for a walk on our bicycles. / Say: We went for a ride on our bicycles.
Nole Werideonabicycle,onhorseback,etc.,butweridemabus,train,or other public vehicle.
192 Mount or get on a horse, etc. not ride a horse, etc. Don't say: Peter rode his horse and went home.
Say: Peter got on his horse and rode home. Note To ride denotes a continuous action To mount or to get on denotes a simple action
193 Dismount or get off a horse, etc., not come down from a horse, etc.
Don't say: They came down from their horses. / Say. They got off their horses.
Note WegetoutofataxioiacarWegetonoroffthetram,thebus,etc
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 shower. Don't say: I make a shower every morning.
Say: I take a shower every morning. Or: 1 have a shower every morning.
Note Whenspeakingoftheseaortheriver,say.tobathe,tohaveabathe, to go for a bathe, to go bathing, to go for a swim or to go swimming
196 Ask a question, not make a question. Don't say: Naomi made me several questions.
Say: Naomi asked m e several questions.
197 Take an hour, not need an hour, etc. Don't say: I'll need an hour to do that.
/ Say: It'll take me an hour to do that.
198 Give a discount, not make a 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.
Note We say He made an interesting speech
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: I say my prayers before 1 go to bed. Note1 To say grace is to ask God's blessing before beginmrg a mea'
202 Pretend, not make oneself that. Don't say: She makes herself that she knows.
/ Say: She pretends to know.
203 Have a dream, not see a dream. Don't say: I saw a strange dream last night.
Say: I had a strange dream last night. Or: 1 dreamt a strange dream last night.
204 Smoke a cigarette, etc., not drink a cigarette, etc. Don't say: He drinks too many cigarettes.
Say: He smokes too many cigarettes.
205 Make a mistake, not do a mistake. Don't say: I did one mistake in dictation.
Say: I made one mistake in dictation.
206 Tell or speak the truth, not say the truth. Don't say: Fiona always says the truth.
Say: Fiona always tells the truth. Or: Fiona always speaks the truth.
Note Aiso to tell a lie (no! to say a lie): He told me a lie.
207 See or watch a game, not to follow a game. Don't say: Did you follow the game?
Say: Did you see (or watch) the game? Note Avoid saying fo follow the lesson when you mean to attend the cla
208 Turn (switch) the light on or off, n o t open or shut the light.
Don't say: Please open (or shut) the light.
Say: Please turn on (or off) the light.
Or: Please switch on (or off) the light. Note We light, blow out oi put out a lamp, a candle, or a fire.
209 Give an example, not bring an example.
Don't say: Can you bring a better example?
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.
Say: The teacher gave me a good mark.
Note. Avoid to put a lesson, to put a goal Say instead, to give a lesson, to score a goal.
211 Set a watch by, not put a watch with. Don't say: I put my watch with the radio news.
Say: I set my watch by the radio news.
A watch 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 W e can also say My watch loses or gains
212 Show a film, not play a film. Don't say: This film will be played shortly. Say: This film will be shown shortly.
213 Have one's hair cut, not cut one's hair. Don't say: I'm going to cut my hair. Say: I'm going to have my hair cut.
Note Avonj I'll mate & oair of shoes tor a suit oi clothes). Say instead I'll iiave a pair of shoes (or a suit of clothes) made.
214 Learn by heart, not learn from out. Don't say: We have a poem to learn from out. Sa^<: We have a poem to learn by heart.
215 Put on weight, not put weight. Don't say: I've put at least three 216 kilos. Say: I've put on at least three kilos.
Note. Theopposite ofto put on weight isto lose weight: She has lost five kilos
217 It works miracles, not it makes miracles. Don't Soy: That medicine makes miracles. Say: That medicine works miracles.
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, etc. Don't say: I haven'i seen him today morning.
Say: I haven't seen him this morning.
Note A,oid today morning, rodav afferncon, today evening, yesterday night, th;$ night. Say: this morning, this afternoon, this evening, last night, tonight.
220 Quietly, not slowly, slowly. Don't say: The boy came in slowly, slowly.
Say: The boy came in quietly.
221 What's the matter not What have you?
Don't say: What have you today?
Say: What's the matter with you today? Note What's wrong (with you/?, What's the trouble '.with you'1 ? and What's the problem? are aiso co'rev
222 What do you ca!l ...? not How do you call Don't say: How do you call this in English?
Say: What do you call this in English? Note1 If the question isn't about a thing, but about some expression, we'd
say. How do you say this in English? (See Exercise 62 on pages 163-164.)
=====================
Incorrect omissions
Omission of prepositions
The following are examples of mistakes made through the omission of the preposition after certain words:
223 Ask for a thing, not ask a thing. Don't say: She came and asked my book.
/ Say: She came and asked for my book.
224 Dispose/get 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.
225 Dream of a thing, not dream a thing. Don't say: Young men dream glory and riches.
Say: Young men dream of glory and riches.
226 Explain to a person, not explain a 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?
Listen to a person or thing, not listen a person or thing. Don't say: They were listening the music. Say: They were listening to the music.
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?
Note. A person can p a y another person He/She can also p a y a bill, an account, or a subscription He/She p a y s f o r a thing that he/s.ne buys
Point to or at a person or thing, not point a person or thing. Don't say: He pointed the map on the wall. Say: He pointed to the map on the wall.
Or: He pointed at the map on the wall. Note Also point o u r He pointed out the boy who did it To point (without
any preposition) means to direct: Don't point the gun this way
Remind a person of something, not remind a person something. Don't say: Please remind me that later. Say: Please remind me of that later.
Reply to a person, not reply a person. Don't say: She's not replied me yet, Say: She's not replied to me yet.
Say to a person, not say a person. Don't say: Kevin said me, Come tomorrow.1 Say: Kevin said to me, 'Come tomorrow.'
234 Search for a lost thing, not search a lost thing. Don't say:. They're searching the ball.
Say: They're searching for the ball.
Note. In search of: The wolf goes in search of sheep To search someone or something (without thefor)means to look inone's pockets or house: The policeman searched the man and his house.
235 Share with a person, not share a person. Don't say: My friend shared me his book.
Say: My friend shared his book with me.
236 Speak to a person, not speak a person. Don't say: I'll speak him about that.
/ Say: I'll speak to him about that. Note: I'll speak to him means I'll do all the speaking; I'll speak with him means I'll have a conversation with him.
237 Supply a person with something, not supply a person something.
Don't say: Can you supply m e all I need?
Say: Can you supply me with all I need?
Note: Also provide a person with: She provided her son with all he needed.
238 Think of a person or thing, n o t think a person or thing.
Don't say: Think a number and then double it. / Say: Think of a number and then double it.
239 Wait for a person or thing, not wait a person or thing. Don't say: I'll wait you at the cinema.
Say: I'll wait for you at the cinema. Note. Await takes no preposition: I'm awaiting your reply.
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: I'll write her tomorrow.
Say: I'll write to her tomorrow. Note When the direct object of write is expressed, omit the preposition l'll write him a letter.
(See 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 g r e a t c a r e n o t t o l e a v e o u t t h e -s o r - e s f r o m t h e p r e s e n t t e n s e , w h e n t h e
subject is he, she, it, or a noun in the singular (See 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 don't (= do not) with I, we, you, they, andwith plural nouns Use
doesn't (= does not) with he, she, it, andwith singular nouns. (See Exercise 32 on page 152.)
244 The -d or -ed of the past tense omitted. Don't say: I receive a letter yesterday.
Say: I received a letter yesterday.
Take care notto leave outthe-d or -ed from thepast tense of regular verbs. When speaking, pronounce the ending of the past tense clearly.
h<i,Q another look at ...
Third person singular, simple present
1 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, sh, or o, the third person singular takes -es: I watch I finish I fix I 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: I carry I study 3 fly
he carries he studies he flies
Note: If there is a vowel before the -y, we only add s for the third person singular: he plays, he enjoys, he obeys.
4 A few verbs are irregular in the third person singular: I am I have he is he has
5 Modal verbs such as will, can, may, must, and ought do NOT change their form in the third person singular: I will I can I may I must he will he can he may he must
Remember: The third person singular of verbs in the present tense takes -s, -es or -ies.
245 The -s, -es or -ies of the plural form omitted. Don't say: I paid six pound for the book.
/ Say: I paid six pounds for the book. Take tare not lo ieave out the -s, -es or -ies of the plural number.
Note the following nouns have irregular plurals, man, men; woman, women; child, children; ox, oxen; foot, feet; tooth, teeth; goose, geese; mouse, mice.
246 The possessive ending omitted. Don't say: A hen's egg is different from a pigeon.
/ Say: A hen's egg is different from a pigeon's. If the first noun in a comparison is in the possessive case, the second must also
be in the possessive: My mother's nose is bigger than my father's
247 Omission of the article before a countable noun in the singular.
Don't say: I've no money to buy car. / Say: I've no money to buy a car.
As a rule, use either the or a or an before a countable noun in the singular
248 Omission of a or an after the verb to be. Don't say: I'm not teacher, I'm student.
/ Say: I'm not a teacher, I'm a student. Use the indefinite article a or an to express a singular noun-complement of the
verb t o b e There's an animal in there. It's a mouse.
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. Note. Half a glass (an hour, a day, a mile, etc.) is the shortened form of
half of a glass (of an hour, of a day, of a mile, etc )
250 Omission of a or one before hundred, etc. Don't say: Hundred years make a century.
/ Say: A hundred years make a century.
Or: One hundred years make a century. Use the indefinite article a or the numeral one before hundred and thousand.
See also Section 527.
251 Omission of a or an from make a noise, etc. Don't say: I told them not to make noise.
/ Say: I told them not to make a noise. Note Also to make a mistake, to make a fortune, to make a will,
to make an impression, to make an experiment, to make an attempt.
252 Omission of the before names of nationalities. Don't say: English are fond of sports.
Say: The English are fond of sports.
Place the definite article before the names of nationalities, describing a people collectively the British, the French, the Dutch, the Swiss, the Chinese,the Sudanese, etc
253 Omission of the before names of musical instruments. Don't say: I play violin, but not piano.
/ Say: I play the violin, but not the piano. Use the definite article before the names of musical instruments.
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. Use definite article before thewords cinema, theatre, concert, etc
(For Sections 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. Form thepassive form byusing theverb to be, combined with the past participle of the verb required (to be + past participle)
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 this, that, my, his: I bought a new book (not: I 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 a noise, a mistake, a fortune, an impression; to have a 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 After the phrase kind of or sort of: What kind of pen do you want?
a, an or one Many languages use the numeral one instead of the indefinite article a or an. This is not so in English. One man ivent into one shop ought to be A man went into a shop. One is used only when the number is emphatic: One sivalloiv does not make a summer.
256 Omission of the auxiliary do from questions.
Don't say: You understand the problem? He understands the problem? She understood the problem?
Say: Do you understand the problem? Does he understand the problem? Did she understand the problem?
Place theauxiliary verb dq (does, did) before thesubject to askquestions in the simple present andsimple past tenses.
Note: Don't usetheauxiliary do with modal verbs, like can, may, must: Can you meet me tomorrow?
(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?
In thecorrect form of thesentence, thefirst do means nothing on itsown and only helps to make thequestion. Thesecond do istheprincipal verb ofthe sentence, and has the meaning 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. As a rule, don't use a noun without a preposition to show the time of
some action. Note: Don't use a preposition with last year, next year, some day, one day, this afternoon, etc.
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.
The infinitive of an intransitive verb (like live, etc.): it must have a preposition after it.
Have another look at...
Verb TO BE ffiv&rtt Tense I arn/'m, you are/'re, he (she, it) is/'s;
We, you. they are/'re. Past Tense /It^as, you were, he (she, it) was;
We, you, they were. .Future Tense I, you, he (she, it) will/'H be;
We, you, they will/'H be. Present Perfect I, you, have/'ve been, he (she, it)
has/'s been;
We, you. they have/'ve been. 'fast Perfect I, you, he (she, it) had/'d been;
We, you, they had/'d been. •Future Perfect I, you, he (she, it) will/'llhave been;
We, you, they will/'H have been. 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.
:60 Omission of there as an introductory word. Don't say: Once lived a great king.
/ Say: Once there/TTiere once lived a great king. Use theadverb there to introduce the subject of a sentence in which the verb
stands before the sub|ect
!61 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. After theverb to know theadverb how always comes before an infinitive.
162 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, thefirst sentence makes him greater than himself, which isillogical.
163 Omission of before in comparisons.
Don't say: I'd never seen such a thing.
/ Say: I'd never seen such a thing before. Don't leave outtheword before inmaking a comparison between onething
and allothers of thesame kind.
164 Omission of else after everybody, etc. Don't say: She is stronger than everybody.
Say: She is- stronger than everybody else. Use the word else in making a comparison between one person or thing and all others of thesame kind after everybody, anybody, anything, etc.
165 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.
Use the demonstrative pronoun one (plural ones* in place of a noun mentioned be'ore.
266 Omission of the personal pronoun before the infinitive.
Don't say: I want to tell me the truth.
Say:1wantyoutotellmethetruth.
Express the subject of the infinitive after verbs like want, like, wish, etc , if it is different from that of the main verb.
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 the pronoun it as the subject of an impersonal verb .
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 teacher, he stood up.
In a sentence beginning with an adverbial clause, express the personal pronoun as the subject of the main clause .
269 Omission of the personal pronoun after a quotation. Don't say: 'I'm learning English,' said.
Say: 'I'm learning English,' he said. After a quotation, express the personal pronoun as the subject of the reporting verb
270 The object of the transitive verb omitted. Don't say: I asked her for some paper, but she had not.
Say: 1 asked her for some paper, but she had none/didn't have any.
As a rule, every transitive verb must have an expressed object here, none (equivalent to not any) is the object of had .
271 Omission of the direct object when there are two objects.
Don't say: I asked him for some ink, and he gave me. / Say: I asked him for some ink, and he gave me some.
Some transitive verbs, like give, bring, send, tell, buy, show, must have two expressed objects, direct and indirect here, some is the direct object of gave
272 The object of the verb enjoy omitted. Don't say: I enjoyed during the holidays.
Say: I enjoyed myself during the holidays. Or: I enjoyed my holidays.
Don't follow theverb enjoy by a preposition. It must always have an ob|ect, which mayeither be a reflexive pronoun or a noun.
Note. W e say I had a good time, as this is an idiomatic expression, butw e can't say /enjoyed my time. W e must specify. /enpyed my time in Greece.
273 Omission of the noun after an adjective.
Don't say: The unfortunate was shot dead.
Say: The unfortunate man was shot dead. The noun that comes after an adjective can't be understood; it must be expressed. Note Omit the noun after an adjective only when the adjective is used as a noun in the plural The poor envy the rich
274 Omission of the word and between numbers.
Don't say: Eight thousand thirty-seven.
Say: Eight thousand and thirty-seven. Use the conjunction and to connect hundred, thousand, million to a number of tens o' units
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. We must always insert the conjunction or between numbers like this three men, five or six pages, eight or ten days.
276 Omission of the word old from age.
Don't say: My sister is fifteen years.
Say: My sister is fifteen years old. Note1 Wecana!sosayMy sister isfifteen years of age, orSimply, My sister is fifteen
277 For this used instead of for this reason. Don't say: For this he wants to leave.
Say: For this reason he wants to leave. The phrase for this is incorrect. Say for this reason or for that reason Also owing to that or because of that .
278 Better used instead of had better. Don't say: Better go home at once. / Say: You'd better go home at once.
The correct phrase is had better. You had better go means It would be a good thing for you to go.
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. He's up means he's out of bed. He'supstairs (downstairs) means he's on the upper (lower) floor of the building
280 Throw it used instead of throw it away. Don't say: It's dirty, throw it.
Say: It's dirty, throw it away. Throw it means to throw a thing at someone or somewhere, such as a ball.
Throw it away means to get ridof it by throwing it aside
281 / don't think used instead of I don't think so. Don't say: I don't think.
Say: I don't think so.
I don't think means I don't usemy brains, while I don't think so means Iam not of that opinion.
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.
The phrases before yesterday after tomorrow, aftei next week are incorrect Say :n»tead, the day before yesterday, the day after tomorrow, the week after next.
283 Thank you used instead of No, thank you. Don't say: Thank you (if you want to refuse an offer).
Say: No, thank you. Note Usethank you to accept an offer, it generally mean; Yes, piease.
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