UN-ENGLISH EXPRESSIONS 01

Dialog

Right, you. Let's get this done. Try not to make a mess of it. Here’s the first one. Is this sentence correct: The pupil gave his examination?

Um, gave his examination? It sounds… a bit off, but I’m not sure why. Is it correct?

No! Absolutely not! What a silly mistake. Pupils take an examination, or they sit for it. The teacher is the one who gives the examination. You just had to think for a second, didn't you? It's simple, really.

Oh, right! I get it now. Thanks.

Don't thank me yet. You've got loads more to learn. Next. How about this: You are right. Is that correct?

Yes! Definitely! "You are right" sounds totally correct. Not "You have right."

Hmph. Well, you finally got one right. Don't look so chuffed, it was practically a trick question. It's about using 'to be' for a state, not 'to have'. Keep up.

I'll try.

Good. Now, listen. Is this right: I have much work this morning?

I have much work. Hmm. Yes, that sounds fine to me. I say that sometimes.

And you'd be wrong! Again! You don't "have much work" in that way. You should say: I am very busy this morning. Or, if you absolutely must, "I have a lot of work to do." But "I have much work" just sounds... wrong. Like a robot. Try to sound less like a robot, please.

Sorry. I didn't realise.

Don't apologise to me, just learn it properly. Next. Is this sentence correct: It has much hot in the summer?

It has much hot? No, that doesn't sound right at all. It should be "It is very hot."

Oh, you’re actually paying attention for once? Good for you. Yes, you're right. It's 'it is cold', 'it is hot', not 'it has cold'. Basic stuff, really. Don't let it go to your head.

I won't.

Alright. What about this: We made a walk along the river. Is that correct?

Made a walk? I think... no. I think we "took a walk." So it's wrong.

Correct! Took a walk! Not "made" one. Well done for remembering that. You're not completely useless, I suppose. Just remember that for next time.

Okay.

Moving on. Is this correct: We went for a walk on our bicycles?

On our bicycles? You don't walk on a bicycle. You... you ride it. So it should be "We went for a ride on our bicycles." That sentence is wrong.

Exactly! Finally, a bit of common sense from you. You ride a bicycle, not walk on it. Don't ever mix those up, understood? Even if you are a bit clumsy.

Yes. Understood.

Good. Now, this one: He rode his bicycle and went home. Is that sentence correct?

Rode his bicycle and went home? That sounds perfectly normal. I'd say that. Is it wrong?

Oh, for goodness sake! Of course, it's wrong! This is about the start of the action. You get on your bicycle first, then you ride it! So it should be "He got on his bicycle and rode home." 'Rode' means continuous action, 'got on' is the start. Honestly.

That's a bit tricky!

It's not tricky if you think. Just like this one: They came down from their bicycles. Is that correct?

Came down from? I guess that's like getting off? So, it should be "They got off their bicycles"? So the original is wrong.

Spot on! You actually got that one! It’s 'get off' for bicycles, not 'come down from'. See? You can do it when you try. Maybe you’re not as hopeless as you look.

Oh. Thank you.

Don't make a big deal out of it. It's just one right answer. Next. Shall we go there with the feet? Is that correct?

With the feet? No! That's really weird. It should be "Shall we go there on foot?" So, the first one is wrong.

Right again! You're on a roll, aren't you? It's always "on foot." You sound almost clever when you get these right. Don't stop now.

I'll try not to.

Good. Now, this. Is it correct to say: I make a shower-bath every morning?

Make a shower-bath? No, I don't think so. I'd say "I take a shower-bath" or "I have a shower-bath." So that sentence is wrong.

Exactly! It's always 'take' or 'have' a bath, not 'make' one. It’s like, you don’t build the shower every morning, do you? You just use it. Honestly, sometimes I wonder how you manage.

I just get confused sometimes.

Right, well, try not to be. Next. He made me several questions. Is that correct?

Made me questions? No, that definitely sounds wrong. You ask questions, don't you? So it should be "He asked me several questions."

Perfect! You don't "make" questions, you ask them. Don't forget that one. It's a common mistake, but you’re better than that.

I hope so.

You are. Most of the time. Now, this: I shall need an hour to do that. Is that correct?

Need an hour? Yes, that sounds normal to me. I'd say "I need an hour."

No! It's not! You're slipping up again! You should say: "It will take me an hour to do that." It's about the time something requires, not a personal need in that sense. Pay attention!

Oh, I see the difference now.

You'd better. Next, try this. He made me a small discount. Correct?

Made a discount? No, I don't think so. I think it's "He allowed me a small discount" or "He gave me a small discount." So it’s wrong.

Yes! You’re right! You don't "make" a discount, you "allow" or "give" one. You’re actually quite good at spotting these little mistakes once you know what to look for. Not bad for you.

Thanks!

Don't let it go to your head. Still got a few to go. We make drill twice a week. Correct?

Make drill? No, I think it's "We do drill twice a week." So it's wrong.

Spot on again! You do drill, not 'make' it. You're actually picking this up faster than I thought you would. Maybe you're not entirely hopeless at English, after all.

Really?

Don't push it. Next. You ought to make more exercise. Is that correct?

Make more exercise? No, you take exercise, don't you? So it's "You ought to take more exercise." So the original is wrong.

Brilliant! You're on fire! You always "take" exercise. I mean, you probably don't take enough, but that's a different lesson. At least you know the grammar.

I do try.

I know you do. Last few. He made an interesting lecture. Correct?

Made a lecture? Hmm. That sounds similar to the 'make a speech' one, so it might be right?

Aha! Gotcha! No, it's not right! You give or deliver a lecture. You only "make" a speech. It's very specific, so don't get them mixed up. This is why you need me, you know.

I guess so.

Definitely so. Alright, final one. I make my prayer before I go to bed. Is that correct?

Make my prayer? No, that sounds wrong. It should be "I say my prayers before I go to bed."

Absolutely right! You say your prayers, you don't 'make' or 'do' them. You actually ended strong. I suppose you've learned something today, haven't you? You'd better have.

I have! Thanks for teaching me.

Whatever. Just don't forget it all by tomorrow, or I'll make you do it all again. And don't think I'm doing this for fun.

Summary

• 189. Take an examination, not give an examination.
• 190. To be right or wrong, not to have right or wrong.
• 191. To be busy, not to have work.
• 192. It is cold, etc., not it has cold, etc.
• 193. Take a walk, not make a walk.
• 194. Go for a ride on a bicycle, etc., not go for a walk on a bicycle, etc.
• 195. Mount or get on a horse, etc., not ride a horse, etc.
• 196. Dismount or get off a horse, etc., not come down from a horse, etc.
• 197. Go on foot, not go with the feet.
• 198. Take or have a bath, not make a bath.
• 199. Ask a question, not make a question.
• 200. Take an hour, not need an hour, etc.
• 201. Allow or give a discount, not make a discount.
• 202. Do drill, not make drill.
• 203. Take exercise, not make exercise.
• 204. Give or deliver a lecture, not make a lecture.
• 205. Say one's prayers, not make or do one's prayer.

Reference: T. J. FITIKIDES, "COMMON MISTAKES IN ENGLISH" p42 - p44