English today has become lingua universal! . Its evolution has been directed by the increasing demand for information and global communication. English is an official language in almost 80 countries, serving as a native language to around 400 million people, second language to another 400 million people and foreign language to around 800 million people across the world. It is undeniably the most important educational and professional tool.
source:wikipedia
However, despite its global usage and acceptance, English is considered as a tough language to be written and spoken. The varying characteristics and some little peculiarities in English make it a bit difficult to get hold on.
English is NOT Phonetic
It is important to understand that English is not a phonetic language. A phonetic language is that where you can pronounce a word by reading it, or write a word by hearing to its pronunciation. This doesn’t go with English. Here’s an example how
Some English words might spell the same but have different pronunciations:
- I want to read that book. (pronounced as “reed”)
- I have already read that book. (pronounced as “red” )
Some words might spell different but have different meanings:
- I want your presence in this room.
- I want to bring presents for your children.
Common Errors in English Usage
Most of the mistakes with English usage occurs due to the improper grammar usage. This may include incorrect usage of verbs, adjectives, articles, tenses and other grammatical rules.
1. Not Using Punctuation
Punctuation means how you structure the words to form meaningful sentences. Commonly used punctuation marks are commas (,), colon (:) etc.
Example 1: A survey had revealed that the dietary consumption of an average American is more than that of a hundred Africans. Now, here’s what wrong punctuation is capable of doing:
“ A Panda walks into a bar, eats, shoots and leaves!”
Now this is scary, isn’t it? Here’s another example about the importance and power of punctuation.
Example 2: A teacher once told his students to punctuate following sentence correctly:
“A woman without her man is nothing.”
A boy wrote – “A woman, without her man, is nothing”
A girl wrote – “A Woman: Without her, man is nothing”
2. Bad Grammar
Improper usage of grammar is another major mistake while speaking or writing in English. Some common mistakes include the incorrect usage of:
(i) Articles – a, an, the
Example: Give me a apple. (Give me an apple)
(ii) Verbs and Tenses
Example: Using did incorrectly:
What did you said? (What did you say?)
(iii) Prepositions – These are used to link nouns and pronouns to other words in a sentence.
A Use Case: Here’s one example about the correct usage of Since and For.
“Since” is used when we are talking about a particular point of time from the past, whereas, “For” is used when we talk about a period of time.
Here’s correct usage of these two in the following sentences:
“I have been studying in this college since last January.”
“I have been studying in this college for seven months.”
It’s incorrect to say/write: “I have been studying in this college since seven months”.
3. Confusion due to Homonyms
Homonyms are words which sound similar but are spelt differently and have different meanings such as – there and their, which and witch.
Example: Because they sound alike, their and there are often mis-spelled.
“There” is used while referring to a place, while “Their” means belonging to someone.
(i) Wrong: I have lived their for years.
Correct: I have lived there for 2 years.
(ii) Wrong: This is there house.
Correct: This is their house.
Here’s a compilation of some common errors in English Usage
1. You have made a blunder mistake.
Correct: You have made a blunder.
2. All the peoples were dancing in the party.
Correct: All the people were dancing in the party.
3. It might have been more better.
Correct: It might have been better.
4. Her hairs are shiny.
Correct: Her hair are shiny.
5. The datas are displayed on the screen.
Correct: The data is displayed on the screen.
6. He saw two womans on a motorbike.
Correct: He saw two women on a motorbike.
7. I will stay here today night.
Correct: I will stay here tonight
8. Kindly return my pen back.
Correct: Kindly return my pen.
9. His brother wants to study in abroad.
Correct: His brother wants to study abroad.
10. She loves listening music.
Correct: She loves listening to music.
11. He is married with an actress.
Correct: He is married to an actress.
12. The person which sits here is my friend.
Correct: The person who sits here is my friend.
13. Where I can find a restaurant?
Correct: Where can I find a restaurant?
14. You should have went to school yesterday.
Correct: You should have gone to school yesterday.
15. When I will arrive, I will come with you.
Correct: When I arrive, I will come with you.
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