Some Common Errors in English Corrected

Trainer’s Note: 1. Correct Syntax = Did + not + V1 (Present form of verb). Eg :
I did not go (present form)
I did not went (past form)
2. To talk about the past we use “would”
Incorrect
I didn’t knew that he will call
Correct
I didn’t know that he would call.

Trainer’s Note: 1. Have = own BUT Some verbs are not used in –ing form and are known Stative Verbs. (Have + ing ≠ own = eating/drinking. Eg. I’m having a pizza)
2. Backside = your bottom!
Incorrect
We are having a garden in the backside of our house
Correct
We have a garden behind our house

Trainer’s Note: “understand” is a Stative Verb. It does not take the –ing form. (See Slide 3).
Understand + ing has different meanings (when not used as a verb):
Understanding(noun) = knowledge. Eg: She does not have an understanding of politics.
Understanding(adjective). Eg: My father is very understanding
For more meanings, go to: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/understanding_3
Incorrect
I am not understanding.
Correct
I do not understand.
OR
I am not able to understand.

Trainer’s Note: “like” is a Stative Verb. It does not take the –ing form. (See Slide 3)
Incorrect
I’m liking my new hairstyle.
Correct
I like my new hairstyle.

Trainer’s Note: “know” is a Stative Verb. It does not take the –ing form. (See Slide 3)
Incorrect
I was not knowing the answer.
Correct
I didn’t know the answer.

Trainer’s Note: “sibling” is a gender independent term for a brother or sister. (Do not count yourself in “siblings”)
Incorrect
I have two brothers and sisters.
Correct
I have two siblings – a brother and a sister.

Trainer’s Note: “My father” and “he’s a businessman” are two independent clauses coupled with a comma. Use the complete sentence in its place.
Incorrect
My father, he’s a businessman. My mother, she’s a housewife.
Correct
My father is a businessman and my mother is a housewife.

Trainer’s Note: " told" is used with an object. Eg: She told me she is going abroad. "me" is the object.
"said" is used without an object. Eg: She said she is going abroad. If said is used with an object then we should say "said to". Eg: She said to him that she is going abroad.
Incorrect
He said me to go
Correct
He asked me to go
OR
He told me to go

Trainer’s Note: Always use the preposition “to” after “belong”.
Incorrect
I belong from Kashmir.
Correct
I belong to Kashmir.

Trainer’s Note: Say and tell both mean to communicate verbally with someone. But we often use them differently:
You say something
You tell someone something
Correct
I’ll start by telling you something about myself.
Incorrect
I’ll start by telling something about myself.

Trainer’s Note: “visit” is followed directly by a noun (name of the place) and not by preposition “to”.
Incorrect
I like visiting to the malls.
Correct
I like going to the malls.
OR
I like visiting the malls.

Trainer’s Note: For is used with a period of time. Eg: for a month; for three hours etc. Since is used with a point of time. Eg: since six o'clock; since Wednesday etc.
Incorrect
I have been in Delhi since 5 years.
Correct
I have been in Delhi for 5 years.
OR
I have been in Delhi since 2002.

Incorrect
In my house, a fountain is there.
Correct
There is a fountain in my house.
Trainer’s Note: “In my house” and “a fountain is there” are two independent clauses coupled with a comma. Use the complete sentence in its place.

Trainer’s Note: “lot many” is not an English phrase. It is a form of ‘Indian’ism one should avoid.
Incorrect
Lot many people live in Delhi.
Correct
Many people live in Delhi.

Trainer’s Note: too + adjective or adverb (eg: too close/closely)
too much/many + noun (eg: too much money, too many people)
Incorrect
I am too much/so much close to my mother.
Correct
I am very / too close to my mother.