English Errors are everywhere -- hoardings, magazines and politicians' speeches.Well, speaking and writing proper English is one way to make you stand above the crowd. Let's say you're applying for a job -- wouldn't you want your interview and resume free of mistakes? English can be a tricky language to master. There are a number of words that sound the same but mean different things or those are spelled differently, and it's easy to get confused. English is a difficult language to learn. And for most of us, IT'S NOT OUR FIRST LANGUAGE. Therefore, mastering it becomes an even greater challenge. Like anything in life, however, practice makes perfect. Let's review a few common mistakes.
Wrong: I was bought up in Hyderabad.
Wrong: What I did for you?
Kashmira has heard this so often, she now quickly rejoins, 'And how much did your parents pay?'
Correct: I was brought up in Hyderabad.
Wrong: Why you do me like this?
These are little nuances of the languages that you must learn through practices. Say:
Correct: What have I done to you?
Correct: Why are you treating me like this?
Wrong: My happy birthday is on January 27.
Wrong: Inflation has gone up in the last four month.
While you sing, 'Happy birthday!' to people, the actual day is just your birthday.
Correct: My birthday is on January 27.
Months is the plural form of month. Since there are four, you must say:
Correct: Inflation has gone up in the last four months.
Wrong: Five players has been short listed to play for India.
Wrong: I have seen it happening many a times.
Shortlisted is one word, not two. It should be:
Correct: Five players have been shortlisted to play for india.
Since you say a before times, it should be single and not plural.
Correct: I have seen it happen many a time.
What is the time in your watch?
The law comprised of several sections.
The reference to the watch is unnecessary. Just say:
What is the time?
Comprises actually means consisting of, so the OF is not needed. Make it this:
The law comprised several sections.
I is late.
He said that you want it.
In the first person singular, IS changes to AM. It should be:
I am late.
There is a disagreement between said and want in this statement. Said is in the past tense while want is in the present. The proper form would be:
He said that you wanted it.
Wrong: Do not open doors of the window.
Wrong: Do not rotate in the corridor.
Correct: Do not open the windows.
Correct: Do not loiter in the corridor.
I can not teach if student's mob is not there.
He hit him soft.
Mob has a negative meaning in English. Try this:
I can not teach if the number of students is insufficient.
Adverbs end in y. This is an adverb because it qualifies the verb.
He hit him softly.
Order of words:Repeating certain words for emphasis:
WRONG: My all relatives are coming.
CORRECT: All my relatives are coming.
WRONG: She is absent always.
CORRECT: She is always absent.
WRONG: What I can do for you?
CORRECT: What can I do for you?
WRONG: Where you are going?
CORRECT: Where are you going?
WRONG: There is anything left?
CORRECT: Is there anything left?
WRONG: These all are mine.
CORRECT: All these are mine.
WRONG: Morning morning jogging is a good habit.
CORRECT: Jogging early in the morning is a good habit.
WRONG: The flowers are of different different colors.
CORRECT: The flowers are of many different colors.
WRONG: Small small mistakes are forgivable, not big big blunders.
CORRECT: Small mistakes are forgivable, not big blunders.
I have given the exams.
He was both his father as well as his mentor.
This is one of the most common mistakes people commit.
The correct usage is: I have taken the exams.
This is another very common error. When you use BOTH, the AS WELL AS is unnecessary or redundant. Use either of the two.
He was both his father and his mentor.
He was his father as well as his mentor.
She is very proudy.
Often advice and advise are confused and misused by people.
The dictionary does not have a listing for the word proudy.
The correct usage is:
She is very proud. (This can be both negative and/ or positive.)
She is arrogant. (If intended to be used in a negative sense)
ADVICE is a noun, while ADVISE is a verb.
WRONG: Please advice me on the issue.
RIGHT: Please advise me on the issue.
WRONG: What is your advise?
RIGHT: What is your advice?
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