Common Mistakes

Mistakes in the Use of Adjectives

Open Opened, Close Closed The clinic is opened. The bank is close.

The first sentence is wrong because of the word opened. The word used should be open which means not closed. The second sentence is wrong because of the word close which, as an adjective, actually means nearby. It can also mean near in time or relationship. The word used should have been closed which means not open. The sentences should be written as: The clinic is open. The bank is closed.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes in the Use of Adverbs

Everyday, Every day He goes to town everyday. He goes to school everyday.

The first sentence is wrong because the word everyday is an adjective, not an adverb. The word as an adverbial phrase of time should be written as two words every day. The sentences should be written as: He goes to town every day. He goes to school every day. Going to town is his everyday activity.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes in the Use of Verbs

Hung, Hanged He hanged his photograph on the sitting room wall. The man was hung for his terrible crime. The words hanged and hung are wrongly used in the first two sentences. For objects, the simple past tense of hang is hung. For killing a person by hanging, the simple past tense of hang is hanged. The sentences should be written as: He hung his photograph on the sitting room wall. The man was hanged for his terrible crime.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes in the Use of Verbs

Switch on, Turn on; Switch off, Turn off Please open the light. Close the television after watching it.

The two sentences above are cases of mother tongue interference. For things operated by electricity such as lights and televisions, you neither open or close them. You either switch or turn them on, or switch or turn them off. You can also use turn on and turn off for gas and water. The sentences should be written as: Please switch on the light. Please turn on the light. Switch off the television after watching it. Turn off the television after watching it.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes in the Use of Verbs

Live, Stay I stay in Penang. I bought a house there. When I visit Singapore, I live with my uncle. The first sentence is wrong because to stay means to remain or live somewhere temporarily, especially as a visitor or guest. The word live should be used. To live means to make one's home. The second sentence is wrong because of the word live. It should be stay. The sentences should be written as: I live in Penang. I bought a house there. When I visit Singapore, I stay with my

uncle.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes in the Use of Verbs

Lend, Borrow Many Malaysian students use the word borrow almost exclusively for both the words borrow and lend. In fact, they almost never use the word lend. For them, either giving or taking something as a loan is borrow. This is an example of mother tongue interference. In the three major languages of the country, there is only one word for both borrow and lend. I borrow him my book. She wants to lend ten ringgit from her father. The sentences should be written as: I lend him my book. She borrows ten ringgit from her father. To help you recall the correct word to use, you can remember it like this: Lend to (someone) Borrow from (someone)

Common Mistakes

Mistakes in the Use of Verbs

Hear Listen She enjoys hearing all kinds of music. She enjoys listening to all kinds of music. The first sentence is wrong because of the word hearing. A better word is listening which means to give your attention to something or someone that you can hear.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes in the Use of Verbs

See Watch I was seeing TV last night. I was watching TV last night. The first sentence is wrong because of the word seeing. To look at something that is changing or moving for a period of time is to watch.

Common Mistakes

Mistakes in the Use of Verbs

Take, Send Every day, I send x my son to school. Every day, I take my son to school The first sentence is wrong because when you send someone somewhere, you do not go with him or her. The word should be take. When you take someone somewhere, you go with him or her.