English for Students

Avoidable English Errors

Avoidable English Errors are so many that we have to spend a lot of time to know.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. Another problem area is when people translate sentences. Sentences in English are structured differently and a direct translation is often incorrect and can even be misleading. To help you improve your English-speaking skills, we have added this page with many more Avoidable English Errors.

Wrong: Myself Sunil Kumar
Correct: I am Sunil Kumar

Many people believe the word MYSELF makes the statement formal. It’s actually incorrect in this context.
Wrong: You will surely get more better.
Correct: You will surely get better.

English has a few adjectives of which comparative and superlative forms are irregular. The adjective GOOD turns into BETTER in the comparative and BEST in the superlative. The word MORE should not be included.

Wrong: I will return back.
Correct: I will return.

If you will return to something, it means you will come back to it. Therefore, the word BACK is not needed.

Wrong: I will talk to the principle of this college.
Correct: I will talk to the principal of this college.

The words PRINCIPLE and PRINCIPAL are often confused. Every principal should have principles is an easy way to remember the difference.

Another one of those Avoidable English Errors is:

Wrong: I didn't went to New York in the last year.
Correct: I didn't go to New York in the last year.

Wrong: I did called her last week.
Correct: I did call her last week.

Question: Have you ever been to the US?

Wrong: I go to the US last year.
Correct: I did go to the US last year.

Question: Didn't you eat last night?

Wrong: I did ate.
Correct: I did eat.

DID indicates that the action has happened in the past. Hence, the other verb should be in present tense.

Also, DID / DO are used to stress a point.

For example:

Question: Did you go to America last year?
Correct: I did.

Question: Does anybody here speak French?
Answer: I do.

Another one of those Avoidable English Errors is:

There is a mistake many of us make while using the present tense. There are two forms of the present tense.

The simple present tense
The present continuous tense

The simple present tense is used for two main types of action:Habits - Actions which happen regularly (every day, every week, etc.)

Example - Sneha goes to class every day.
Explanation - Doing something every day makes it a habit.

States of being - Things which do not often change (opinions, conditions, etc.)
Example - Pramod lives in Mumbai.
Explanation - This is a state of being, because it will not change (or change infrequently).

The present continuous tense is used for two main types of action:

A temporary action happening now (but it will stop in the future).

Example - It's raining outside.
Explanation - It's raining right now, but it may stop soon.

A definite plan for the future. Something we intend to do, usually in the near future.

Example - The Olympics are taking place here next year.

Explanation - This is already certain.

Examples

Wrong: I am getting up every day at 6 am.
Correct: I get up every day at 6 am.

Wrong: I have a party next week.
Correct: I am having a party next week.

Wrong: If you are not esperience, try to get help.
Correct: If you have no experience, try to get help.

Wrong: Suppose if you knows the value, then why you fear to buy?
Correct: If you know the value, why are you afraid to buy?

Wrong: Myself working in a MNC.
Correct: I am working in a MNC.

Another one of those Avoidable English Errors is:

Wrong: He is calling to you.

The TO is not needed in this statment. You could either remove the TO or replace it with FOR.

Correct: He is calling you.

Wrong: Say me the truth!

This is especially prevalent in Andhra Pradesh. It should be TELL.

Correct: Tell me the truth.

Wrong: The real fact is that you are not married.

This is redundant, because a fact is true or provable. Therefore, all facts are real.

Correct: The fact is that you are not married.

Wrong: I am having a lovely family.

This type of error is easy to hear in India. We use the present continuous tense in place of the present simple tense.

Correct: I have a lovely family.

Another one of those Avoidable English Errors is:

Wrong: This vehicle is dead cheap.

When a product is very cheap, a lot of us say it is dead cheap. Actually, the phrase is DIRT CHEAP.

Correct: This vehicle is dirt cheap.

Wrong: It will be a very cut and right report.

The proper phrase is CUT AND DRY or CUT AND DRIED. It means that something is settled or routine.

Correct: It will be a very cut and dried report.

Wrong: If you can do, do. If you cannot, admit yourself.

Correct: If you can do it, do it. If you cannot do it, admit it to yourself.

Another one of those Avoidable English Errors is:

Wrong: What O'clock you are coming for dinner?
Correct: What time are you coming for dinner?

Wrong: Take this letter and post yourself.
Correct: Please take this letter and post it yourself.

Wrong: Can you capable work this Sunday?
Correct: Are you able to work this Sunday?

Wrong: Both the three of you to do field duty.
Correct: All three of you, go do field duty.

Wrong: Mind me to get some flowers this evening.
Correct: Please remind me to get some flowers this evening.

Wrong: Udupi Hotel fooding is not good.
Correct: The food at Udupi Hotel is not good.