V – 6 COMMON ERRORS
50 Common Grammar Mistakes in English – part 1
Below are some of the most common English mistakes made by ESL students, in speech and in writing. Go through the examples and make sure you understand the corrections. Then try the grammar test at the end to check your progress.
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Test your understanding of this English lesson |
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Part 1
used forms
Using
the wrong preposition
Mistakes are often made by using the wrong
preposition after certain words. The following list includes the words which
most often give trouble:
1 Absorbed (-
very much interested) in, not at.
Don't say: The
man was absorbed at his work. /
Say: The man was absorbed
in his work.
2 Accuse of, not
for.
Don't say: She
accused the man for stealing.
Say: She accused
the man of stealing.
Note:
Charge takes with1
The man was charged with murder.
3 Accustomed to, not
with.
Don't say: I'm
accustomed with hot weather.
Say: I'm accustomed
to hot weather.
Note:
Also used to: He is used
to the heat.
4 Afraid of, not
from.
Don't say: Laura
is afraid from the dog.
Say: Laura is
afraid of the dog.
5 Aim at, not
on or against.
Don't say: She
aimed on {or against) the target.
Say: She aimed
at the target,
Mote
Use the preposition at
to denote direction, throw at, shout at, fire at, shoot at. Shoot (without the at)
means to kill He shot
a bird (= he hit and killed it)
6 Angry with, not
against.
Don't say:
The teacher was angry against him.
Say: The teacher was angry
with him.
Note
I W e get angry with a person but at
a thing He
was angry at The weather 'not
with the weather)
Note
2 Also annoyed
with, vexed with, indignant with a
person, but at a thing.
7 Anxious (=
troubled) about, not for.
Don't say.'They're
anxious for his health.
Say: They're anxious about his
health.
Note
Anxious meaning wishing
very much lakes for
Parents are anxious for their children's success.
8 Arrive at, not
to.
Don't say: We
arrived to the village at night.
Say:: We arrived at the
village at night.
Note
Use arrive in with countries a n d large cities. Mr Smith has arrived in London (or
New York. India, etc )
9 Ashamed of, not
from.
Don't say: He's
now ashamed from his conduct.
Say:
He's now ashamed of his conduct.
Note
it isn't correct to use ashamed
of meaning shy Ashamed means
feeling shame or guilt about something. Shy
means feeling nervous with someone
Instead of saying1 I'm ashamed
(or shamed) of my teacher, say I'm shy
of my teacher
10 Believe in, not to.
Don't say: We
believe to God.
Say: We believe in God.
Note:
To believe in means to have faith in. To
believe (without the in) means to
regard something as true: / believe
everything he says.
11 Boast of or about, not for.
Don't say: James
boasted for his strength.
