Sue needs her own room. (NOT Sue needs an own room.)
I’d like a phone line of my own. (NOT …an own phone line.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 405.
I’d like a phone line of my own. (NOT …
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 405.
2. Use or rather
to correct yourself.
She’s German – or rather, Austrian. (NOT She’s German – or
better, Austrian.)
I’ll see you on Friday – or rather, Saturday.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 157.
I’ll see you on Friday – or rather, Saturday.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 157.
3. Use the simple present
– play(s), rain(s) etc – to talk about habits and repeated actions.
I play tennis every Saturday. (NOT I am playing tennis every
Saturday.)
It usually rains a lot in November.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition sections 461–4.
It usually rains a lot in November.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition sections 461–4.
4. Use will …,
not the present, for offers and promises.
I’ll cook you supper this evening. (NOT I cook you supper
this evening.)
I promise I’ll phone you tomorrow. (NOTI promise I phone you
tomorrow.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 217.
I promise I’ll phone you tomorrow. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 217.
5. Don’t drop
prepositions with passive verbs.
I don’t like to be shouted at. (NOT I don’t like to be
shouted.)
This needs to be thought about some more. (NOTThis needs to be
thought some more.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition page section 416.
This needs to be thought about some more. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition page section 416.
6. Don’t use a present
tense after It’s time.
It’s time you went home. (NOT It’s time you go home.)
It’s time we invited Bill and Sonia. (NOTIt’s time we invite Bill
and Sonia.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 306.
It’s time we invited Bill and Sonia. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 306.
7. Use was/were born
to give dates of birth.
I was born in 1975. (NOT I am born in 1975.)
Shakespeare was born in 1564.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 108.
Shakespeare was born in 1564.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 108.
8. Police is a
plural noun.
The police are looking for him. (NOT The police is looking
for him.)
I called the police, but they were too busy to come.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 524.
I called the police, but they were too busy to come.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 524.
9. Don't use the
to talk about things in general.
Books
are expensive. (NOT The books are expensive.)
I love music. (NOTI love the music.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 68.
I love music. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 68.
10. Use had better,
not have better.
I think you’d
better see the doctor. (NOT I think you have better see the doctor.)
We’d better ask John to help us.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 230.
We’d better ask John to help us.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 230.
11. Use the present
progressive - am playing, is raining etc - to talk about things that are
continuing at the time of speaking.
I’m playing very badly today. (NOT I play very badly today.)
Look! It's raining! (NOTLook! It rains!)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition sections 461–4.
Look! It's raining! (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition sections 461–4.
12. Use for with
a period of time. Use since with the beginning of the period.
for
the last two hours = since 9 o'clock
for three days = since Monday
for five years = since I left school
I’ve been learning English for five years. (NOTI’ve been learning
English since three years.)
We’ve been waiting for ages, since eight o’clock.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 208.
for three days = since Monday
for five years = since I left school
I’ve been learning English for five years. (NOT
We’ve been waiting for ages, since eight o’clock.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 208.
13. Don't separate the
verb from the object.
VERB
|
OBJECT
|
||
She
|
speaks
|
English
|
very well . (NOT
|
Andy
|
likes
|
skiing
|
very much. (NOT
|
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 611.
14. Don't use the
present perfect - have/has seen, have/has gone etc - with words that
name a finished time.
I saw him yesterday. (NOT I have seen him yesterday.)
They went to Greece last summer. (NOTThey have gone … last
summer.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 456.
They went to Greece last summer. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 456.
15. English (the
language) normally has no article.
You speak very good English. (NOT You speak a very good
English.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 149.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 149.
16. After look
forward to, we use -ing, not an infinitive.
I look forward to seeing you. (NOT I look forward to see you.)
We’re looking forward to going on holiday. (NOT …to go on holiday.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 298.
We’re looking forward to going on holiday. (NOT …
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 298.
17. Information
is an uncountable noun.
Can you give me some information? (NOT Can you give me an
information?)
I got a lot of information from the Internet. (NOTI got a lot of
informations from the Internet.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 148.
I got a lot of information from the Internet. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 148.
18. Use -ing forms
after prepositions.
I drove there without stopping. (NOT I drove there without to
stop.)
Wash your hands before eating. (NOTWash your hands before to eat.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 298.
Wash your hands before eating. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 298.
19. Use this,
not that, for things that are close.
Come here and look at this paper. (NOT Come here and look at
that paper.)
How long have you been in this country? (NOTHow long have you been
in that country?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 148.
How long have you been in this country? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 148.
20. Use a plural noun
after one and a half.
We waited one and a
half hours. (NOT We waited one and a half hour.)
A mile is about one and a half kilometres. (NOTA mile is about one
and a half kilometre.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 231.
A mile is about one and a half kilometres. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 231.
21. Use the present
perfect, not the present, to say how long things have been going on.
I've been waiting since 10 o'clock. (NOT I'm waiting since 10
o'clock.)
We've lived here for nine years. (NOTWe live here for nine years.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 460.
We've lived here for nine years. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 460.
22. The majority
is normally plural.
Some people are interested, but the majority don't care. (NOT
... but the majority doesn't care.)
The majority of these people are very poor. (NOTThe majority of
these people is very poor.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 526.
The majority of these people are very poor. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 526.
23. Use too
much/many before (adjective +) noun; use too before an adjective
with no noun.
There's too much noise.
I bought too much red paint.
Those shoes are too expensive. (NOTThose shoes are too much
expensive.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 595.
I bought too much red paint.
Those shoes are too expensive. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 595.
24. Use that,
not what, after all.
I've told you all that I know. (NOT I've told you all what I
know.)
He gave her all that he had.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
He gave her all that he had.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
25. Don't say according
to me to give your opinion.
I think
it's a good film. (NOT According to me, it's a good film.)
In my opinion, you're making a serious mistake. (NOTAccording to me,
you're making a serious mistake.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 8.
In my opinion, you're making a serious mistake. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 8.
26. Don't ask about
possibilities with May you ...? etc.
Do you think you'll go camping this summer? (NOT May you go camping this summer?)
Is Joan likely to be here tomorrow? (NOTMay Joan be here
tomorrow?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 339.
Is Joan likely to be here tomorrow? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 339.
27. Use who, not
which, for people in relative structures.
The woman who lives upstairs is from Thailand. (NOT The woman
which lives upstairs is from Thailand.)
I don't like people who shout all the time. (NOTI don't like people
which shout all the time.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
I don't like people who shout all the time. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
28. Use for, not
during, to say `how long'.
We waited for six hours. (NOT We waited during six hours.)
He was ill for three weeks. (NOTHe was ill during three weeks.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 167.
He was ill for three weeks. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 167.
29. Use to ...,
not for ..., to say why you do something.
I came here to study English. (NOT I came here for study
English.)
She telephoned me to explain the problem. (NOTShe telephoned me for
explain the problem.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 289.
She telephoned me to explain the problem. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 289.
30. Use reflexives (myself
etc) when the object is the same as the subject.
I looked at myself
in the mirror. (NOT I looked at me in the mirror.)
Why are you talking to yourself? (NOTWhy are you talking to you?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 493.
Why are you talking to yourself? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 493.
31. Use a present tense
to talk about the future after when, until, as soon as, after, before
etc.
I’ll phone you when I arrive. (NOT I’ll phone you when I will
arrive.)
Let’s wait until it gets dark. (NOTLet’s wait until it will get
dark.)
We’ll start as soon as Mary arrives. (NOTWe’ll start as soon as Mary
will arrive.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 202.
Let’s wait until it gets dark. (NOT
We’ll start as soon as Mary arrives. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 202.
32. Before most
abstract nouns, we use great, not big.
I have great respect for her ideas. (NOT I have big respect
for her ideas.)
We had great difficulty in understanding him. (NOTWe had big
difficulty in understanding him.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 106.
We had great difficulty in understanding him. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 106.
33. Don’t use the
with a superlative when you are not comparing one person or thing with another.
Compare:
§ She’s the nicest
of the three teachers.
§ She’s nicest when
she’s working with small children.
§ This is the best
wine I’ve got.
§ This wine is best
when it’s three or four years old.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition
section 141.
34. Put enough
after, not before, adjectives.
This soup isn’t hot enough. (NOT This soup isn’t enough hot.)
She’s old enough to walk to school by herself.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 187.
She’s old enough to walk to school by herself.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 187.
35. Don’t use a
structure with that … after want or would like.
My parents want me to go to university. (NOT My parents want
that I go to university.)
I’d like everybody to leave. (NOTI’d like that everybody leaves.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 283.
I’d like everybody to leave. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 283.
36. After link verbs
like be, seem, feel, look, smell, sound, taste, we use adjectives, not
adverbs.
I feel happy today. (NOT I feel happily today.)
This soup tastes strange. (NOTThis soup tastes strangely.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 328.
This soup tastes strange. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 328.
37. Use than
after comparatives.
My mother is three years older than my father. (NOT My mother
is three years older that/as my father.)
Petrol is more expensive than diesel.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 139.
Petrol is more expensive than diesel.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 139.
38. In questions, put
the subject immediately after the auxiliary verb.
Where are the President and his family staying? (NOT Where are
staying the President and his family?)
Have all the guests arrived? (NOTHave arrived all the guests?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 480.
Have all the guests arrived? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 480.
39. Used to has
no present.
I play tennis at weekends. (NOT I use to play tennis at
weekends.)
Where do you usually have lunch? (NOTWhere do you use to have
lunch?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 604.
Where do you usually have lunch? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 604.
40. Use through,
not along, for periods of time.
All through
the centuries, there have been wars. (NOT All along the centuries, there
have been wars.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 45.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 45.
41. Use can’t,
not mustn’t, to say that something is logically impossible.
It can’t be the postman at the door. It’s only 7 o’clock. (NOT It
mustn’t be the postman at the door. It’s only 7 o’clock.)
If A is bigger than B, and B is bigger than C, then C can’t be bigger than A. (NOT… then C mustn’t be bigger than A.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 359.
If A is bigger than B, and B is bigger than C, then C can’t be bigger than A. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 359.
42. Use the present
perfect with This is the first time … etc.
This is the first time I’ve been here. (NOT This is the first
time I’m here.)
This is the fifth cup of coffee I’ve drunk today. (NOTThis is the
fifth cup of coffee I drink today.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 591.
This is the fifth cup of coffee I’ve drunk today. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 591.
43. Use be, not have,
to give people’s ages.
My sister is 15 (years old). (NOT My sister has 15 years.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 32.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 32.
44. Use between,
not among, to talk about position in relation to several clearly
separate people or things.
Switzerland is between France, Austria, Germany and Italy. (NOT Switzerland
is among France, Austria, Germany and Italy.)
The bottle rolled between the wheels of the car.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 105.
The bottle rolled between the wheels of the car.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 105.
45. We don’t normally
use the before abbreviations that are pronounced like words
(‘acronyms’).
My cousin works for NATO. (NOT My cousin works for the NATO.)
The money was given by UNESCO. (NOT… by the UNESCO.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 2.
The money was given by UNESCO. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 2.
46. Everybody is
a singular word.
Everybody was late. (NOT Everybody were late.)
Is everybody ready? (NOTAre everybody ready?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 548.
Is everybody ready? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 548.
47. Use any, not
some, in negative sentences.
She hasn’t got any money. (NOT She hasn’t got some money.)
I didn’t see anybody. (NOTI didn’t see somebody.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 547.
I didn’t see anybody. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 547.
48. Use interested
for feelings; use interesting for the things that interest people. The
same goes for bored/boring, excited/exciting etc.
I’m interested in history. (NOT I’m interesting in history.)
History is interesting.
I’m bored in the maths lessons. (NOTI’m boring in the maths lessons.)
I think maths is boring.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 409.
History is interesting.
I’m bored in the maths lessons. (NOT
I think maths is boring.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 409.
49. Use by, not until/till,
to mean ‘not later than’.
Can you mend this by Tuesday? (NOT Can you mend this until
Tuesday?)
I’ll finish the book by tonight. (NOTI’ll finish the book till
tonight.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 602.
I’ll finish the book by tonight. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 602.
50. Use like,
not as, to give examples.
I prefer warm
countries, like Spain. (NOT I prefer warm countries, as Spain.)
I eat a lot of meat, like beef or lamb.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 326.
I eat a lot of meat, like beef or lamb.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 326.
51. Use whether,
not if, after prepositions.
We talked about whether it was ready. (NOT We talked about if it was
ready.)
It’s a question of whether we have enough time. (NOTIt’s a question of if
we have enough time.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 453.
It’s a question of whether we have enough time. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 453.
52. Use the present
progressive passive, not the simple present passive, to talk about things that
are going on just around now.
Our flat is being decorated this week. (NOT Our flat is decorated
this week.)
Your bill is just being prepared, sir. (NOTYour bill is just prepared, sir.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 412.
Your bill is just being prepared, sir. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 412.
53. We don’t normally
use must to talk about the past.
I had to see the dentist yesterday. (NOT I must see the dentist
yesterday.)
When I left school, young men had to do military service. (NOTWhen I left
school, young men must do military service.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 358.
When I left school, young men had to do military service. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 358.
54. When you put two
nouns together, be careful to get the right order.
I like eating milk chocolate. (NOT I like eating chocolate milk.)
What’s your phone number? (NOTWhat’s your number phone?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 385.
What’s your phone number? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 385.
55. Use the whole of,
not whole, before the name of a place.
The whole of Paris was celebrating. (NOT Whole Paris was
celebrating.)
He knows the whole of South America very well. (NOTHe knows whole South
America very well.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 40.
He knows the whole of South America very well. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 40.
56. We don’t normally
use progressive forms of believe.
I don’t believe him. (NOT I’m not believing him.)
Do you believe what she says? (NOTAre you believing what she says?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 471.
Do you believe what she says? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 471.
57. Don’t use in
front of to mean ‘facing’ or ‘opposite’.
She sat down facing me and looked into my eyes. (NOT She sat down in
front of me and looked into my eyes.)
There’s a hotel opposite our house. (NOTThere’s a hotel in front of our
house.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 402.
There’s a hotel opposite our house. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 402.
58. Use it, not I,
he, she etc to identify people.
(on the phone): Hello. It’s Alan Williams speaking. ((NOT Hello. I’m
Alan Williams.)
‘Who’s that?’ ‘It’s John.’ (NOTWho’s that?’ ‘He’s John.’)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 428.
‘Who’s that?’ ‘It’s John.’ (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 428.
59. People
(meaning ‘persons’) is a plural word.
The people in this town are very friendly. (NOT The people in this
town is very friendly.)
Who are those people? (NOTWho is that people?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 524.
Who are those people? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 524.
60. Use although
or but, but not both together.
Although it was late,
she went out.
It was late, but she went out.
(BUT NOTAlthough it was late, but she went out.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 511.
It was late, but she went out.
(BUT NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 511.
61. With if, we
normally use the present to talk about the future.
If I have time, I’ll phone you. (NOT
I’ll be surprised if she answers my letter. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 257.
62. Use almost,
not nearly, to say that one thing is very like another.
She is almost a sister to me. (NOT
I almost wish I had stayed at home. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 43.
63. If you don’t do
something any more, you stop doing it.
The doctor told me to stop smoking. (NOT
I’m going to stop working so hard. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 299.
64. A singular
countable noun must normally have a determiner
(e.g. a/an, the, my, that).
(e.g. a/an, the, my, that).
She broke a/the/that/my window. (NOT
Where is the station? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 62.
65. We don’t often use would
in subordinate clauses; instead, we use past tenses.
Would you follow me wherever I went? (NOT
I would tell you if I knew. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 580.
66. With when,
use the past perfect to make it clear that one thing finished before another
started.
When I had written my letters, I did some gardening. (NOT
When he had cleaned the windows, he stopped for a cup of tea. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 424.
67. Don’t use can
to talk about the chance that something will happen.
It may/might/could rain this evening. (NOT
I think Jane may/might/could come tomorrow. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 345.
68. Don’t use an
infinitive after think.
I’m thinking of changing my job. (NOT
Are you thinking of going home this weekend? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 588.
69. Use a singular noun
after every.
I play tennis every Wednesday. (NOT
He wrote to every child in the village. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 193.
70. When you say what
somebody’s job is, use a/an.
My sister is a photographer. (NOT
I’m studying to be an engineer. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 62.
71. Use at last,
not finally, as an exclamation.
At last! Where have you been? (NOT Finally! Where have you been?)
She’s written to me. At last!
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 204.
She’s written to me. At last!
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 204.
72. Get can mean
‘become’, but not before nouns.
It’s getting cold.
It’s getting to be winter.
(BUT NOTIt’s getting winter.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 223.
It’s getting to be winter.
(BUT NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 223.
73. Don’t use negative
questions in polite requests or enquiries.
Could you help me, please? (NOT Couldn’t you help me, please?)
You haven’t seen John, have you? (NOTHaven’t you seen John?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 368.
You haven’t seen John, have you? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 368.
74. One negative word
is usually enough.
She looked, but she didn’t see anything. (NOT She
looked, but she didn’t see nothing.)
I have never heard of him. (NOTI haven’t never heard of him.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 370.
I have never heard of him. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 370.
75. Much and
many are unusual in affirmative sentences (except in a very formal style).
He has a lot / plenty of money. (NOT He has much money.)
My father has travelled to lots of countries. (More natural than My father has travelled to many countries.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 357.
My father has travelled to lots of countries. (More natural than My father has travelled to many countries.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 357.
76. Don’t use since
to talk about the future.
I’ll be home from three o’clock. (NOT I’ll be home since
three o’clock.)
The shop will be closed for two weeks from Monday. (NOTThe shop will
be closed for two weeks since Monday.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 308.
The shop will be closed for two weeks from Monday. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 308.
77. Singular fraction +
plural noun: use a plural verb.
A third of the students are from abroad. (NOT A third of the
students is from abroad.)
A quarter of the trees have been cut down.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 389.
A quarter of the trees have been cut down.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 389.
78. You listen to
something.
She never listens to me. (NOT She never listens me.)
Listen to this! (NOTListen this!)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 449.
Listen to this! (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 449.
79. Don’t use the past
progressive for past habits.
When I was 20 I smoked / I used to smoke. (NOT When I
was 20 I was smoking.)
I played / I used to play a lot of football at school. (NOTI
was playing a lot of football at school.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 422.
I played / I used to play a lot of football at school. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 422.
80. Don’t use most
of directly before a noun.
Most of these people agree with me.
Most people agree with me.
(BUT NOTMost of people agree with me.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 356.
Most people agree with me.
(BUT NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 356.
81. In ‘unreal’
conditions with if, use would, not will.
If I knew the price, I would tell you. (NOT If I knew the
price, I will tell you.)
It would be better if he told the truth. (NOTIt will be better if he
told the truth.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 258.
It would be better if he told the truth. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 258.
82. Don’t use later
with an expression of time to talk about the future.
I’ll see you later.
I’ll see you in a few days.
(BUT NOTI’ll see you a few days later.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 315.
I’ll see you in a few days.
(BUT NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 315.
83. Don’t use in
case to mean ‘if’.
Compare:
I’ll take an umbrella in case it rains. (= ‘… because it might rain.’)
I’ll open the umbrella if it rains. (NOT I’ll open the umbrella in
case it rains.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 271.
I’ll take an umbrella in case it rains. (= ‘… because it might rain.’)
I’ll open the umbrella if it rains. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 271.
84. Use so
before an adjective, but not before adjective + noun.
I love this country – it’s so beautiful. (NOT I love this so
beautiful country.)
Thanks for your help. That was so kind of you. (NOT Thanks for your
so kind help.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 538.
Thanks for your help. That was so kind of you. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 538.
85. Only use unless
to mean ‘except if’.
Compare:
I’ll see you tomorrow unless I have to work.
I’ll be really upset if I don’t pass the exam. (NOTI’ll be
really upset unless I pass the exam.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 601.
I’ll see you tomorrow unless I have to work.
I’ll be really upset if I don’t pass the exam. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 601.
86. Use be with
adjectives, not have with nouns, to talk about physical sensations like
cold, hunger, thirst etc.
I am thirsty. (NOT I have thirst.)
We are cold in this house. (NOTWe have cold in this house.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 92.
We are cold in this house. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 92.
87. Don’t use to-infinitives
after can, could, will, would, may, might, shall, should or must.
I can swim. (NOT I can to swim.)
Must you make so much noise? (NOTMust you to make so much noise?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 353.
Must you make so much noise? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 353.
88. Use not, not
no, to make sentences negative.
I’m not asleep. (NOT I’m no asleep.)
We are open on Saturdays, but not on Sundays. (NOT … but no on
Sundays.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 382.
We are open on Saturdays, but not on Sundays. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 382.
89. We don’t usually
use present tenses after past reporting verbs.
She told me she had a headache. (NOT She told me she has a
headache.)
I asked him what he wanted. (NOT | asked him what he wants.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 275.
I asked him what he wanted. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 275.
90. Use to after
married, engaged.
He’s married to
a doctor. (NOT He’s married with a doctor.)
My sister is engaged to a computer engineer. (NOTMy sister is
engaged with a computer engineer.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 449.
My sister is engaged to a computer engineer. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 449.
91. Use which,
not what, to refer back to a whole sentence.
She passed her exam, which surprised everybody. (NOT She
passed her exam, what surprised everybody.)
My father has just climbed Mont Blanc, which is pretty good for a man of 75. (NOT… what is pretty good for a man of 75.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
My father has just climbed Mont Blanc, which is pretty good for a man of 75. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
92. Don’t use the
with society when it has a general meaning.
We all have to live in society. (NOT We all have to live in
the society.)
Rousseau said that society makes people evil. (NOTRousseau said that
the society makes people evil.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 68.
Rousseau said that society makes people evil. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 68.
93. Use a to-infinitive
after want.
I want to go home. (NOT I want go home.)
The children want to stay up late. (NOTThe children want stay up
late.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 613.
The children want to stay up late. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 613.
94. Use make,
not do, with mistake.
I have made a mistake. (NOT I have done a mistake.)
You can’t speak a language without making mistakes. (NOT … without
doing mistakes.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 160.
You can’t speak a language without making mistakes. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 160.
95. Don’t repeat a
relative pronoun with another pronoun.
There’s the man that I work for. (NOT There’s the man that I
work for him.)
She saw a doctor who sent her to hospital. (NOTShe saw a doctor who
he sent her to hospital.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
She saw a doctor who sent her to hospital. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
96. After a
superlative, use in with a place expression.
Which is the biggest city in the world? (NOT Which is the
biggest city of the world?)
This is the best restaurant in the city. (NOT This is the best
restaurant of the city.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 139.
This is the best restaurant in the city. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 139.
97. You explain
and suggest something to somebody.
Please explain to me what you want. (NOT Please explain me
what you want.)
Can you suggest a good restaurant to us? (NOTCan you suggest us a
good restaurant?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition sections 198 and 570.
Can you suggest a good restaurant to us? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition sections 198 and 570.
98. Work is an
uncountable noun.
I’m looking for work. (NOT I’m looking for a work.)
My brother has found a new job. (NOT My brother has found a new work.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 148.
My brother has found a new job. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 148.
99. Be careful of the
word order in negative infinitives.
It’s important not to work too hard. (NOT It’s important to
not work too hard.)
I asked her not to make so much noise.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 280.
I asked her not to make so much noise.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 280.
100. Possessives
replace articles.
We stayed in John’s
house at the weekend. (NOT We stayed in the John’s house at the weekend.)
She’s been studying Britain’s foreign policy since 1980. (NOTShe’s
been studying the Britain’s foreign policy since 1980.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 70.
She’s been studying Britain’s foreign policy since 1980. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 70.