Learning English Common Mistakes Through Conversation - Focusing on FITIKIDES's work

MISCELLANEOUS EXAMPLES 03 Dialog Right, you. First one. Tell me if this is correct: She was disappeared from the house. Was disappeared... that sounds a bit odd, doesn't it? Like, she didn't do it herself. I think it's wrong. Hmph. Not bad for you. It is wrong. Disappear is an intransitive verb, which means it doesn't take an object. Things just disappear; they don't get disappeared by someone else. So, it should be: She disappeared from the house. Get it? Okay, next. What about this one? It is better to do some work well while young than spending all the time in play. Is that right? Hmm. To do... than spending... No, that doesn't sound right either. You can't mix those, can you? It should be consistent. You're actually paying attention today, aren't you? Fine. You're right. If you start with to do , you have to follow it with to spend . You can't just throw in a gerund like that. It's: It is better to do some work well while you...

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 ...

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 morn...

UN-ENGLISH EXPRESSIONS 02 Dialog Right, you. Let's get this done. Pay attention. I'm going to say a sentence, and you tell me if it's correct English. Understand? Uh, yes. I think so. I'll try my best. Good. Try your best. We'll see if that's any good. First one: He pretends to know . Is that correct? Hmm. He pretends to know. Yes, I think that sounds right. It feels correct. It is. Well done, for once. You don't say 'He makes himself that he knows'. That just sounds silly. We use pretends when someone acts like something is true, but it isn't. Simple, really. Oh, I see. That makes sense. Of course it makes sense. I explained it. Next. Listen carefully. I saw a strange dream last night. Is that correct? I saw a strange dream... Last night... I think so. You see things, don't you? So you see a dream? Wrong! Honestly, you really need to concentrate. You don't see a dream. You have a dream , or you can say you dreamt a strange d...

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 ki...

INCORRECT OMISSIONS 01 Dialog Right, you. Pay attention. We're doing prepositions today, or rather, not forgetting them. First one: He came and asked my book. Is that sentence correct? Um, I think so? It sounds a bit fast, but I've heard people say things like that. No, it's wrong . You have to say 'He came and asked for my book'. When you want a thing, you 'ask for ' it. If you just 'ask a book', it sounds like the book can answer you, which is ridiculous. Honestly, you need to think. It's for your own good, not mine. Next. What about 'He will dispose of all his property'? Is that one okay? Yes, that sounds right. Dispose of. Good. See? You're not entirely useless. When you get rid of something, you 'dispose of ' it. It's a phrase, you can't just drop the 'of'. Simple. Now, tell me about 'Young men dream glory and riches'. Good or bad? That sounds a bit off. Should it be 'dream of glory...

INCORRECT OMISSIONS 02 Dialog Right, you, time for your English lesson. Don't look so worried, it's not like I'm going to bite you. Much. First one: I'll say a sentence, you tell me if it's right. Ready? He speak English very well. Is that correct? Um, I think... no? It sounds a bit off. Oh, surprisingly good start. You're right, it's not correct. It should be He speaks English very well . You need to add an 's' to the verb 'speak' because 'he' is singular, for the present tense. Got it? Yes, the 's' for 'he', 'she', 'it'. Good. Next one. He don't care what he says. Is that sentence correct, or not? That one also sounds wrong. It should be He doesn't care . You actually got that quickly. Don't expect me to praise you too much, you just got lucky. 'Don't' is for 'I' or 'you' or plural things, but for 'he' or 'she' or 'it', it's a...