Say It Right — The Mistakes Clinic
Everyone makes these mistakes. Here each one gets a full fix: what is wrong, why it is wrong, the correct way to say it, real examples, and a short quiz. 32 clinics are open — walk in.
Verb Forms
“She have a new car.”
Say instead: “She has a new car.” — He, she, it — has. All the others — have.
Open“I very happy today.”
Say instead: “I am very happy today.” — Feelings need be: I am happy, she is tired.
Open“She work at a hospital in Houston.”
Say instead: “She works at a hospital in Houston.” — He, she, it — the verb wears an s.
Open“Did you went to the store yesterday?”
Say instead: “Did you go to the store yesterday?” — Did carries the past — the next verb goes back to base.
Open“I can to help you tomorrow.”
Say instead: “I can help you tomorrow.” — Can swallows the to — the verb follows bare.
Open“My teacher suggested me to read this book.”
Say instead: “My teacher suggested that I read this book.” — Suggest points at an idea, not a person — use -ing or that.
OpenGrammar
“I am student.”
Say instead: “I am a student.” — A job always takes a: a teacher, a student, a doctor.
Open“Where you live?”
Say instead: “Where do you live?” — Questions need do: Where do you…? What do you…?
Open“This is my friend car.”
Say instead: “This is my friend’s car.” — Person + ’s + thing: Tom’s car, Emma’s bag.
Open“Can you explain me this grammar rule?”
Say instead: “Can you explain this grammar rule to me?” — Explain the thing to the person — thing first, person last.
Open“I am agree with you.”
Say instead: “I agree with you.” — Agree acts alone — no am, is, or are in front of it.
Open“My teacher gave me some good advices.”
Say instead: “My teacher gave me some good advice.” — Advice never wears an s — count the pieces, not the advice.
Open“I need more informations about the course.”
Say instead: “I need more information about the course.” — Information is one big mass — no s, no a, just information.
Open“People in this town is very friendly.”
Say instead: “People in this town are very friendly.” — People means many persons — give it a plural verb.
Open“This phone is more better than my old one.”
Say instead: “This phone is better than my old one.” — One comparative is enough — never stack more on better.
Open“I have 25 years.”
Say instead: “I am 25 years old.” — Age is a state, not a possession — be years old.
OpenWord Choice
“The party was very funny.”
Say instead: “The party was so much fun.” — Fun means you enjoy it. Funny means it makes you laugh.
Open“Can you borrow me your car this weekend?”
Say instead: “Can you lend me your car this weekend?” — Borrow takes, lend gives — the direction is everything.
Open“She said me that she was tired.”
Say instead: “She told me that she was tired.” — Tell needs a person; say just needs words.
Open“I have to make my homework tonight.”
Say instead: “I have to do my homework tonight.” — Do the work, make the thing.
Open“I looked the game on TV last night.”
Say instead: “I watched the game on TV last night.” — Moving picture? Watch it. Still picture? Look at it.
Open“I was boring during the long meeting.”
Say instead: “I was bored during the long meeting.” — Feelings take -ed; the cause takes -ing.
OpenPrepositions
“I have known David since five years.”
Say instead: “I have known David for five years.” — For counts the time; since names the starting line.
Open“Emma is married with a teacher.”
Say instead: “Emma is married to a teacher.” — Married takes to — two people, joined by to.
Open“The price depends of the season.”
Say instead: “The price depends on the season.” — Depend leans on — always on.
Open“We discussed about the new plan.”
Say instead: “We discussed the new plan.” — Discuss swallows the about — the topic goes straight after it.
Open“Listen me when I am talking.”
Say instead: “Listen to me when I am talking.” — Listen needs its little bridge: to.
Open“We have a test in Monday.”
Say instead: “We have a test on Monday.” — Days wear on — on Monday, on Tuesday, on every date.
Open“We arrived to the airport two hours early.”
Say instead: “We arrived at the airport two hours early.” — Arrive at a place, arrive in a city — never arrive to.
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