Common Mistakes in English

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”.