Are you a beginner in English? It is common to get confused with similar words or phrases. Speaking English is easy as it just takes confidence and a person to talk with. Don’t be afraid of mistakes, mistakes are the proof that you are trying. Only by making mistake you can learn new things. It is not that you are the only one who is making mistakes. There are many native English speakers who get confused while speaking. The mistakes can be rectified by learning the correct versions. In today’s blog, we will explain common mistakes that are made and ways to avoid them.





5 common mistakes to avoid

1. Verbs

People get confused between verbs – action and stative. So, it is important to know the difference between both - verbs which show an action such as dancing, singing, playing etc. are called action verbs. Stative verbs are verbs which do not show any definite point of the action starting/ ending.

Examples:

I am hating it (wrong)

I am feeling the heat. (wrong)

I hate it (right)

I feel the heat. (right)


2. Over usage of ‘to’

It has been observed that people use ‘to’ many times while speaking. It should be avoided when unnecessary.

Examples:

Tell to her that I want these boxes. (wrong)

Tell her that I want these boxes (Right)

Give it to her (sounds right at some places in sentences)

Give her (sounds more appropriate)


3. Many vs lot

Many is used with countable nouns whereas lot is used with uncountable or collective nouns. However, many is typically used in formal English, and the latter is used in informal English.

Examples:

I have lots of shirts many of which are black in colour.

In the above sentence, lots is used because the person doesn’t know how many dresses he has so he says “he has lots of shirts in his wardrobe” but out of those lots of shirts in his wardrobe he can count and tell how many are black.


4. Tell her this vs tell this to her

Could you please tell this to her that I love her? (wrong)

Can you pass this pen to her? (wrong)

Could you please tell her that I love her? (right)

Can you pass him this pen? (right)


5. Put vs keep

Put means to stuff something. Keep means to maintain possession or condition.

Examples:

I will keep this dress for a week.

Please put the book on the table.


Hope the above explanation helped understand the common mistakes and ways to rectify the errors. You can join an online spoken English course and improve your English.

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Related topics:

1. Phrasal Verbs with Take
2. Phrasal Verbs with Get
3. Phrasal verbs with 'Put'
4. Phrasal verbs you need to know
5. Between vs. Among - Know the difference