UN-ENGLISH EXPRESSIONS 03

Dialog

Right, you. Pay attention. We're going through some tricky English bits today, and I expect you to keep up. Don't waste my time.

Oh, okay. I'll try my best. I've been studying the notes you gave me.

Good. You'd better have. First one. Listen to this: We have a poem to learn by heart. Is that sentence correct?

Yes, I think so. That's how we say it. Learning something by heart means you memorise it completely.

Exactly. You actually got that one right. It's not about learning 'from out' of somewhere, it's about making it part of you, in your heart. So, by heart is the only way to say it. Don't mess that up later.

I won't! I promise.

Hmph. We'll see. Next. Is this sentence correct to say: I have put at least three kilos.

Hmm. I have put at least three kilos. I'm not entirely sure. It sounds a bit short, doesn't it? Like something is missing.

It sounds like you've just placed some kilos somewhere. It's wrong! You need to add 'on'. You put on weight, you don't just 'put' weight. It's a phrase, you see. If you said that, people would think you'd just, like, dropped some kilos on the floor. Not that you've gained them. You always overthink things, but sometimes you miss the obvious.

Oh, right! Put on weight. Like, "I've put on a bit of weight over the holidays." Got it.

You'd better. Don't want people thinking you're just moving heavy objects around, do you? Okay, focus. Here's another. That medicine works miracles. Is that right or wrong?

Right! Definitely right. My mum said that about her new back cream last week. It works miracles.

See? Even you know that one. It's not 'makes miracles'. Medicines don't 'make' miracles, they 'perform' them, or rather, they work miracles. It's the proper way to say it in English. You're not completely useless, I suppose.

Thanks! I mean, I try to remember these things.

Don't get ahead of yourself. Now, what about this: How is he going with his work? Is that a good way to ask about someone's progress?

Oh, that sounds a bit off. I think it should be getting on with his work, shouldn't it? So, that sentence is wrong.

You're actually paying attention today. That's a surprise. Yes, you're right. We ask 'How are you getting on with your work?' or 'How is he getting on with his work?' 'Going with' sounds like they're going on a date with their work. Silly.

Right, getting on with. Like, progress.

Precisely. Right, next. Is this good English: I have not seen him this morning.

Yes, that's what we say. We always say this morning, or this afternoon. Never 'today morning'.

Correct. Finally, something you understand easily. You never say 'today morning' or 'today afternoon'. It's always 'this morning', 'this afternoon', 'this evening'. It's just how we say it. No fancy reason, just how it is. You should know that.

I do! I just wanted to be sure.

Right, you were just checking. Sure. Next. The boy came in slowly, slowly. Is that sentence correct?

No! Absolutely not. We don't say "slowly, slowly." It sounds like something a robot would say. It should be quietly, or just slowly if you mean the speed. But to describe how he entered, like being careful not to make noise, it's quietly. So, it's wrong.

Wow, you really understood that one. I thought you might stumble. It's definitely quietly if he's being careful and not making noise. We only repeat words like that in nursery rhymes, not in proper English. Maybe you're not entirely hopeless.

I try my best.

Right, next. Is this sentence correct: What is the matter with you today?

Yes, that sounds perfectly natural. We use 'What's the matter?' all the time.

Good. It's simple, but some people mess it up. You don't say 'What have you?' as if you're asking about something you're holding. You ask 'What is the matter with you?' or 'What's wrong with you?' It's about your condition. Don't forget that.

I won't.

Last one. Listen carefully. How do you call this in English? What do you think of that?

Uh, "how do you call"? No, that's not right. It should be What do you call this in English? It's asking for the name of a thing, so it's 'what'.

See? Even you can get it right when you actually think about it for once. You ask 'What do you call' for an object. If it's an expression, then it's 'How do you say'. But for a thing, it's always 'what'. You're actually pretty good when you don't panic. But don't tell anyone I said that.

I won't! Thanks for helping me. I actually feel like I'm learning a lot.

Hmph. Well, I suppose someone has to teach you. Now, let's go over these again. I expect perfection next time.

Summary

• 1. 219. Learn by heart, not learn from out.
• 2. 220. Put on weight, not put weight.
• 3. 221. It works miracles, not it makes miracles.
• 4. 222. Getting on with, not going with.
• 5. 223. This morning, etc., not today morning, etc.
• 6. 224. Quietly, not slowly, slowly.
• 7. 225. What is the matter? not What have you?
• 8. 226. What do you call ... ? not How do you call ... ?

Reference: T. J. FITIKIDES, "COMMON MISTAKES IN ENGLISH" p47 - p48