Common
mistakes
So, I followed #englishtipsforyou on
twitter and one subject m’interesse.
It’s about common mistakes in English that non-native speakers might do. So I
summed it up and post it in this blog. There are two sentences and an
explanation in each topic. Donc,
enjoy your learning!
1. A) Mia
suggests going to her place since it’s near.
B) Mia
suggests to go to her place since it’s near.
Explanation:
When SUGGEST
is followed by another verb, that verb can’t be in infinitive with ‘to’.
It should
be “suggest doing something” NOT
“suggest to do something”.
Hence, the
correct sentence is A
2. A) I look
forward to meet you at the final.
B) I look
forward to meeting you at the final.
Explanation:
When LOOK
FORWARD TO is followed by a verb, that verb should be in the V-ing form.
It should
be “look forward to doing something” NOT
“look forward to do something”.
Hence, the
correct sentence is B.
3. A) Nina
needs improve her English.
B) Nina
needs to improve her English.
Explanation:
When NEED
is used to say that someone must do something, NEED must be followed by the
infinitive with ‘to’.
It should
be “need to do something” NOT “need
do something”.
Hence, the
correct sentence is B.
4. A) I hope
you will consider my writing.
B) I hope
you will consider about my writing.
Explanation:
CONSIDER is
never followed by a preposition.
It’s
“consider something” NOT “consider
about something”.
Hence, the
correct sentence is A.
5. A) If you
want to win the contest, you must practice.
B) If you
want win the contest, you must practice.
Explanation:
When WANT
is followed by a verb, that verb can’t be in the infinitive without ‘to’.
It should
be “want to do something” NOT “want
do something”.
Hence, the correct sentence is A.
6. A) I’m glad
you can come to my graduation.
B) I’m glad
you can to come to my graduation.
Explanation:
CAN is
followed by an infinitive verb without ‘to’.
It should
be “can do something” NOT “can to do
something”.
Hence, the correct sentence is A.
7. A) His job
is to help operating the roller coaster.
B) His job
is to help to operate the roller coaster.
Explanation:
When HELP
is followed by another verb, that verb can’t be in the V-ing form.
It should
be “to help to do something” NOT “to
help doing something”.
Hence, the correct sentence is B.
8. A) I have
two years’ experience of working as a writer.
B) I have
two years’ experience in working as a writer.
Explanation:
The correct
preposition to use after EXPERIENCE is ‘of’.
It should
be “experience of doing something” instead
of “experience in/on doing something”.
Hence, the correct sentence is A.
9. A) Would
you mind to take a picture of us?
B) Would
you mind taking a picture of us?
Explanation:
MIND is
usually followed by a verb in the V-ing form.
It should
be “mind doing something” NOT “mind
to do something”.
Hence, the correct sentence is B.
10.
A) My parents don’t let me stay over at my friends’.
B) My
parents don’t let me to stay over at my friends’.
Explanation:
LET is
followed by a verb in the infinitive without “to”.
We have to
say “let someone do something” NOT
“let someone to do something”.
Hence, the correct sentence is A.
SUPER SUMMARY
1. SUGGEST +
V-ing
When
SUGGEST is followed by another verb, that verb can’t be in infinitive with
‘to’.
2. LOOK FORWARD
TO + V-ing
When LOOK
FORWARD TO is followed by a verb, that verb should be in the V-ing form.
3. NEED +
infinitive with ‘to’
When NEED
is used to say that someone must do something, NEED must be followed by the
infinitive with ‘to’.
4. CONSIDER +
something
CONSIDER is
never followed by a preposition.
5. WANT +
infinitive with ‘to’
When WANT
is followed by a verb, that verb can’t be in the infinitive without ‘to’.
6. CAN +
infinitive without ‘to’ (or Bare Infinitive)
CAN is
followed by an infinitive verb without ‘to’.
7. HELP +
infinitive
When HELP
is followed by another verb, that verb can’t be in the V-ing form.
8. EXPERIENCE
+ of
The correct
preposition to use after EXPERIENCE is ‘of’.
9. MIND +
V-ing
MIND is
usually followed by a verb in the V-ing form.
10.
LET + bare infinitive
LET is
followed by a verb in the infinitive without “to”.
