MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES 04

Dialog

Right, you. Pay attention. I'm going to teach you some proper English, because honestly, sometimes you sound like you've been living under a rock.

Oh. Okay. I’ll try my best. I really do want to learn.

Good. Let's start with this one. What about the sentence: Lessons begin at seven and a half. Is that correct?

Um, seven and a half. Yes, it sounds okay to me. Like seven thirty, right?

Wrong! See? Already making mistakes. We don't say seven and a half for time like that. It should be half past seven. It’s just how we say it for times, understood?

Oh, okay. Half past seven. Got it.

Hmph. Don't sound so surprised. Next. Imagine someone always leaves their stuff behind. Is it correct to say: As usually, he left his pen at home?

As usually... I think that's not quite right. It should be as usual, shouldn't it?

Well, look at you. You got that one right. It's as usual. As usual is a fixed phrase we use to mean 'as is common'. Usually describes how something happens. But for this phrase, it's always as usual. Don't expect a medal, though.

Oh, thanks! I mean, I was just guessing a bit.

Don't pretend you're not smart when you clearly are sometimes. Alright, next point. How about this one: According to my opinion, he is right. Is that how you would say it?

According to my opinion... It sounds a bit formal, maybe? But I've heard people say "according to" for other things. So, I think it's correct.

No! Absolutely not. You can say according to the news or according to him, but not according to my opinion. It's just in my opinion. That's the English phrase. "According to" is for when you're quoting someone else's opinion or a source, not your own.

Ah, I see! That makes sense.

It should make sense. I'm explaining it, aren't I? Now, this one can be tricky. They finally got there. Do we say: At the end they reached the city? Or something else?

At the end... like the very last part of their journey? So yes, it sounds right.

Wrong again! Well, half wrong. When we mean something happened finally or at last, we say in the end. At the end is for a physical location, like at the end of the road, or a specific time period, like at the end of the month. So, for their journey, it should be in the end they reached the city.

Oh, that's a good distinction. I would have definitely got that wrong.

Of course you would have. That's why I'm here. Now, for the weather. If you were outside, would you say: They played football under the rain?

Under the rain... No, that doesn't sound right at all. You'd say in the rain, wouldn't you? Like in the sun or in the shade.

You are getting better at this. Yes, it's in the rain. We're "in" the weather, not "under" it. You actually remembered the other examples too. Not bad for you.

Really? Thanks!

Don't get all excited. Just try to keep it up. Now, for the next one. Listen carefully. Is this sentence correct: The reason is because I believe it?

The reason is because... I hear people say that a lot. So, I'd say yes, it's correct.

Nope! Totally wrong. This is a big one. The word reason already means cause, so saying because right after is like saying the cause is cause. It's redundant. You should say: The reason is that I believe it. Simple, clear, and correct.

Wow, I never thought about it like that. So many people say "the reason is because."

And they're all wrong. Don't be like them. You're better than that, or at least you will be when I'm finished with you. Right, next. Which is correct: I spend my holidays in a country or I spend my holidays in the country?

In a country... like any country? Or in the country... meaning away from the city? I think it's in the country if you mean fields and farms, not a specific nation.

You're not always completely hopeless, are you? You’re right. The country means rural areas, fields and things. A country means a specific nation, like France or Spain. You wouldn't just say a country without naming it unless you meant the countryside. Well done.

Phew. I thought I'd messed that one up for sure.

Don't get cocky. You still have loads to learn. Here's a tricky one. Is it correct to say: I asked him if he was going?

If he was going... It sounds fine. It's a common way to ask. So, I think it's correct.

No, it's not. Not exactly. When you ask a question that expects a yes or no answer, like here, you should use whether. So, I asked him whether he was going. You can use if when it's a condition, like I'll go if you go, but for questions, it’s often better to use whether.

That's really subtle. I always thought they were the same.

That's because you don't pay enough attention. Right, imagine you have two books. Which is correct: Any of these two books is good or Either of these two books is good?

Any of these two... That sounds like you could pick any one out of two. So, any?

No, you've got it wrong. Again. Either is for when you're talking about one of two things. Any is for one out of three or more things. So, if there are only two books, it's either of these two books is good. Got it?

Oh, that's a clear rule. I will try to remember it.

You better. My reputation is on the line here, you know. Right. Which sentence is correct: The cinema likes me very much or I like the cinema very much?

The cinema likes me? No, that sounds wrong. The cinema isn't a person. So, I like the cinema very much.

Finally, something you can get right without too much thinking. Yes, I like the cinema very much. The cinema can't like you; you like the cinema. Basic subject-verb agreement, really. Still, at least you got it.

I was pretty sure about that one!

Don't gloat. You're still learning. Next: He speaks neither English or French. Is that correct?

Neither... or... I feel like there's a pair for neither. Like either... or. So, it should be neither... nor.

Very good! You remembered. It's always neither... nor. Just like either... or. They come in pairs. Excellent work.

Thanks! I try to remember the pairs.

You should. It makes you sound less like a babbling idiot. Moving on. What if nobody went to school? Is it correct to say: Both of them did not go to school?

Both of them did not... That sounds a bit clunky. If nobody went, wouldn't it be neither of them went to school?

That’s it! Perfect. When you're talking about two people and saying neither of them did something, you use neither. Both is generally for positive statements, or if you want to say something like both of them went. For the negative, neither is better. You're actually picking these up quite quickly now.

Am I? That’s good.

Don't get used to it. You still have some tricky ones. This one is about negatives too. John hasn't come. Do you say: John has not come also, or John has not come either?

Not also... No, that doesn't sound right. It must be either. John has not come either.

Absolutely correct. In negative sentences, we use either, not also or too. So, if someone hasn't done something and you want to add that someone else hasn't either, that's the word. You’re doing well with these negative constructions.

I think I am getting the hang of it.

Don't flatter yourself. There’s still more. Listen: He did not speak loudly and clearly. Is that sentence correct?

He did not speak loudly and clearly... Hmm. If it's a negative, like the last ones, then maybe it should be or instead of and? So, He did not speak loudly or clearly.

Bravo! You're really thinking this through now. Yes, in a negative sentence, when you're listing things that didn't happen, you use or, not and. So, he did not speak loudly or clearly is correct. You're not completely useless after all.

That means a lot. Really.

Don't get sentimental. We're almost done. Last one for today. I had reached the school till the rain started. Is that how you'd say it?

Till the rain started... like it happened up to that point? But the sentence says "I had reached," which means it was finished. So, till doesn't seem right. It should be before or when the rain started, shouldn't it?

You absolute genius! You actually figured that out perfectly. Till means up to a point in time. But if the action was already finished before the other thing started, you use before or when. So, I had reached the school before the rain started or when the rain started. You got both!

I did? Wow! I really understood that one.

Yes, you did. Don't look so surprised. Maybe you're not entirely hopeless. Just remember everything I've taught you, or I’ll make you do it all again.

I will! I promise.

Summary

• 174. Using "one and a half," etc., instead of "half past. one," etc.
• 175. Using "as usually" instead of "as usual."
• 176. Using "according to my opinion' instead of "in my. opinion."
• 177. Using "at the end" instead of "in the end.''
• 178. Using "under the rain' instead of "in the rain."
• 179. "The reason is because" instead of "The reason is that."
• 180. "in a country" instead of "in the country."
• 181. Using "if" instead of "whether."
• 182. Using "any" for two, instead of "either."
• 183. Using "likes me" instead of "I like."
• 184. Using "neither ... or" instead of "neither... nor."
• 185. Using "both" in a negative sentence instead of "neither."
• 186. Using "also (or too)" in a negative sentence instead of "either."
• 187. Using "and" in a negative sentence instead of "or."
• 188. Using "till' instead of "before' or "when."

Reference: T. J. FITIKIDES, "COMMON MISTAKES IN ENGLISH" p39 - p41