Common English Errors

Question 1

Correct the error in this sentence:

Jennifer could care less about getting to the party on time.

Answer 1

Jennifer could not (couldn’t) care less about getting to the party on time.

Question 2

Correct the error in this sentence:

I noticed his birthday on my calender.

Answer 2

I noticed his birthday on my calendar.

Question 3

Correct the error in this sentence:

Your so funny!

Answer 3

You’re so funny!

your: showing ownership; you own something (e.g. your jacket)

you’re: you are (e.g. You’re fired; You’re my friend)

Question 4

“She’s pulling my leg” is an example of a figurative expression called a/an _____.

(e.g. “She’s pulling my leg”, when she’s of course not literally tugging on your leg.)

Answer 4

idiom

The English language is estimated to have about 25,000 idioms

Question 5

What is the difference between e.g. and i.e.?

Answer 5

• e.g. = for example
• i.e. = in other words

The abbreviation “e.g.” (Latin exempli gratia) is used when listing examples while “i.e.” (Latin phrase id est) is used for the clarification of an idea.

e.g.: “The supermarket had every kind of fruit you could want (e.g. apples, bananas, mangos, blueberries).”

i.e.: “The supermarket had scallions, (i.e., green onions).”

Question 6

Correct the error in this sentence:

The car had seperate seats for children.

Answer 6

The car had separate seats for children.

Used as a noun: “The two groups formed a separate within the community, each with distinct interests.”

Used as a verb: “We need to separate the oranges from the apples.”

Question 7

Correct the error in this sentence:

His passion for painting effected me.

Answer 7

His passion for painting affected me.

• affect (v.): to influence
• effect (n.): a result

Question 8

Correct the error in this sentence:

He spent alot of his time on the computer.

Answer 8

He spent a lot of his time on the computer.

Alot is not a word in the English language.

Be careful of another common misspelling with “allot”. This word is used to give someone something such as a task or a share.

Example: “She would allot more time to him than others.”

Question 9

Correct the error in this sentence:

He was a person of principal and good to his word.

Answer 9

He was a person of principle and good to his word.

• principal: primary
• principle: a rule

Question 10

Correct the error in this sentence:

A thief with a guilty conscious returned the jewellery he stole.

Answer 10

A thief with a guilty conscience returned the jewellery he stole.

• conscious (adj.): a state of awareness which refers to being awake or alert.
• conscience (n.): the awareness of one’s actions being right or wrong.

Question 11

Define the highlighted word:

They were bemused by their exam results.

Answer 11

bemused (adj.): puzzled, confused, or bewildered.

Contrary to popular belief, bemused is not a synonym for amused.

Question 12

Correct the error in this sentence:

It didn’t move at all; it seemed stationery.

Answer 12

It didn’t move at all; it seemed stationary.

• stationary: standing still
• stationery: formal writing paper, envelopes

Question 13

Correct the error in this sentence:

The writer had a flare for comedy.

Answer 13

The writer had a flair for comedy.

• flair (n.): special aptitude or ability, or a sense of style.
• flare (n.): a form of light or fire (think: flare gun to signal distress).
• flare (v.): when something increases in intensity (think: their tempers flared).

Question 14

Correct the error in this sentence:

He wasn’t aloud to come out of his room.

Answer 14

He wasn’t allowed to come out of his room.

• allowed: permitted
• aloud: out loud

Question 15

Correct the error in this sentence:

For all intensive purposes, this is the same homework assignment Mr. Andrews gave us yesterday.

Answer 15

For all intents and purposes, this is the same homework assignment Mr. Andrews gave us yesterday.

Question 16

Correct the error in this sentence:

During the ascend, we made sure to stay close to each other as we reached the peak of the mountain.

Answer 16

During the ascent, we made sure to stay close to each other as we reached the peak of the mountain.

• ascent (n.): a climb or walk to the summit of a mountain or hill.
• ascend (v.): to go up or climb.

Question 17

Correct this common misspelling:

acheive

Answer 17

achieve

Remember this helpful phrase: “i before e except after c”.

While this mnemonic works in most cases, there are hundreds of exceptions.

The best way to avoid these kinds of mistakes is to practice and memorize how to spell these words.

Question 18

Correct the error in this sentence:

He flouted his new sneakers in front of his friends.

Answer 18

He flaunted his new sneakers in front of his friends.

• flaunt (v.): to show off or brazenly display.
• flout (v.): to openly disregard a rule or law.

Question 19

Correct the error in this sentence:

She ran away last week and we haven’t seen her sins.

Answer 19

She ran away last week and we haven’t seen her since.

Question 20

Correct the error in this sentence:

She didn’t want to dissapoint her mentor.

Answer 20

She didn’t want to disappoint her mentor.

Question 21

Correct the error in this sentence:

A pedal of this flower is said to cure the flu.

Answer 21

A petal of this flower is said to cure the flu.

• pedal: lever operated by one’s foot
• petal: leaves of a flower
• peddle: to sell

Question 22

Correct the error in this sentence:

Mark was suppose to pick up the pizza on his way home.

Answer 22

Mark was supposed to pick up the pizza on his way home.

Question 23

Correct the error in this sentence:

We can’t predict the penultimate outcome of this race.

Answer 23

We can’t predict the ultimate outcome of this race.

• penultimate (adj.): last but one in a series of things; second last.
• ultimate (adj.): being or happening at the end of a process; final.

Question 24

Correct the error in this sentence:

Don’t worry about the stain; it’s not very noticable.

Answer 24

Don’t worry about the stain; it’s not very noticeable.

Question 25

# Correct the error in this sentence: There dogs bit our puppy, and they're was nothing we could do to stop it. Their so mean!

Answer 25

**Their** dogs bit our puppy, and **there** was nothing we could do to stop it. **They're** so mean! ## Footnote * **their**: showing ownership * **there**: indicating direction * **they're**: they are

Question 26

# Correct the error in this sentence: Having knowledge of foreign languages was a perquisite for the job.

Answer 26

Having knowledge of foreign languages was a **prerequisite** for the job. ## Footnote * **prerequisite (n.):** a thing that is required as a prior condition for something else to happen or exist. * **perquisite (n.):** a benefit which one enjoys or is entitled to on account of one's job or position.

Question 27

# Correct the error in this sentence: I don't eat any meat beside chicken.

Answer 27

I don't eat any meat **besides** chicken. ## Footnote * **beside:** at the side of; next to * **besides (prep.):** in addition; apart from

Question 28

# Correct the error in this sentence: She is a photographer to, just like him.

Answer 28

She is a photographer **too,** just like him. ## Footnote * **to**: a preposition that indicates direction or relationship * **too**: also, an excessive amount (more formal = as well) * **two**: the number "2"

Question 29

# Correct the error in this sentence: This coarse on marketing strategies is way too difficult!

Answer 29

This **course** on marketing strategies is way too difficult! ## Footnote * **course (n.):** a set of classes or a plan of study on a particular subject. * **coarse (adj.):** rough or harsh in texture.

Question 30

# Correct the error in this sentence: Are these dirty clothes in the hallway supposed to infer that you'd like me to wash them?

Answer 30

Are these dirty clothes in the hallway supposed to **imply** that you'd like me to wash them? ## Footnote * **infer (v.):** to conclude something * **imply (v.):** to suggest something

Question 31

# Correct the error in this sentence: I built this shed with my bear hands.

Answer 31

I built this shed with my **bare** hands. ## Footnote * **bare**: empty or uncovered. * **bear**: to handle or hold; the animals in the *Ursidae* family.

Question 32

# Correct this common misspelling: fourty

Answer 32

**forty**

Question 33

# Correct the error in this sentence: Shelly use to play the drums.

Answer 33

Shelly **used to** play the drums.

Question 34

# Correct the error in this sentence: The thief alluded the police by disguising himself.

Answer 34

The thief **eluded** the police by disguising himself. ## Footnote * **allude (v.):** to refer to or hint at. * **elude (v.):** to evade or avoid.

Question 35

# Correct the error in this sentence: She recieved perfect grades on her grammar test.

Answer 35

She **received** perfect grades on her grammar test. ## Footnote Remember this helpful phrase: "i before e except after c". While this mnemonic works in most cases, there are hundreds of exceptions. The best way to avoid these kinds of mistakes is to practice and memorize how to spell these words.

Question 36

# Correct the error in this sentence: Who am I speaking to?

Answer 36

**Whom** am I speaking to? | (Or even better: ***With whom*** am I speaking?) ## Footnote Use *who* when referring to the subject of the sentence, and *whom* to refer to the object of the sentence. Here's a helpful heuristic: ***Whom* can be replaced by me, him, her, them**. With *whom* am I speaking? --> You are speaking to *him*. ***Who* can be replaced by I, he, she, or they**. *Who* can bring these groceries in the house? *He* can bring these groceries in the house. Also, English grammarians have traditionally preferred avoiding ending sentences with a preposition, so "Whom am I speaking to?" is better rephrased as "**With whom am I speaking?**".

Question 37

# Correct the error in this sentence: I really have an adversion to math.

Answer 37

I really have an **aversion** to math. ## Footnote * **averse:** having a strong dislike of or opposition to something. * **adverse:** preventing success or development; harmful; unfavorable.

Question 38

# Correct the error in this sentence: We are going to visit the Capital Building in Washington, D.C. today.

Answer 38

We are going to visit the **Capitol** Building in Washington, D.C. today. ## Footnote * **capital (n.):** a city which serves as the seat of government. * **Capitol (n.):** the building in which the U.S. Congress meets in Washington.

Question 39

# Correct the error in this sentence: His language professor made him practice pronounciation all day.

Answer 39

His language professor made him practice **pronunciation** all day.

Question 40

# Correct the error in this sentence: He was embarassed about his poor pronunciation.

Answer 40

He was **embarrassed** about his poor pronunciation.

Question 41

# Correct the error in this sentence: I don't know weather this is the right choice or not.

Answer 41

I don't know **whether** this is the right choice or not. ## Footnote * **weather**: the climate condition outside * **whether**: an expression of choice

Question 42

# Correct the error in this sentence: She went to visit her mother's grave at the cemetary.

Answer 42

She went to visit her mother's grave at the **cemetery.**

Question 43

# Correct the error in this sentence: I saw a look of ecstacy on his face when I told him we were going to Disneyland.

Answer 43

I saw a look of **ecstasy** on his face when I told him we were going to Disneyland.

Question 44

# Correct the error in this sentence: She made an appearence at the local charity.

Answer 44

She made an **appearance** at the local charity.

Question 45

# Correct the error in this sentence: When you past me those notes I knew you liked me.

Answer 45

When you **passed** me those notes I knew you liked me. ## Footnote * **past (adv.):** used to indicate the lapse of time. * **pass (v.):** transfer something to someone, especially by handing it over; move or cause to move in a specified direction.

Question 46

# Correct the error in this sentence: The job of a mentor is to council you on various subjects.

Answer 46

The job of a mentor is to **counsel** you on various subjects. ## Footnote * **council**: a group of advisors * **counsel**: to advise

Question 47

# Correct the error in this sentence: Her friend gave her excellent advise on how to handle that project.

Answer 47

Her friend gave her excellent **advice** on how to handle that project. ## Footnote * **advice (n.):** information or guidance that someone or something gives you. * **advise (v.):** the act of giving someone advice.

Question 48

# Correct the error in this sentence: I will insure that my wife makes it home safely.

Answer 48

I will **ensure** that my wife makes it home safely. ## Footnote * **ensure**: to make certain * **insure**: to provide insurance, compensation in the face of an unforeseen event

Question 49

# Correct the error in this sentence: It definately was a monster under my bed.

Answer 49

It **definitely** was a monster under my bed.

Question 50

# Correct the error in this sentence: I want to lay in a jacuzzi for the rest of this weekend.

Answer 50

I want to **lie** in a jacuzzi for the rest of this weekend. ## Footnote * **lie (v.):** be in or assume a horizontal or resting position on a surface; fabricate an untruth. * **lay (v.):** put something down gently or carefully. Important: the past tense of **lie** (in the case of position) is **lay**. Just remember: **lie** (present tense) doesn't affect a direct object, but **lay** (present tense) does.

Question 51

# Correct the error in this sentence: He stepped foward so he was first in line.

Answer 51

He stepped **forward** so he was first in line.

Question 52

# Correct the error in this sentence: He was awarded with a metal for his outstanding military service.

Answer 52

He was awarded with a **medal** for his outstanding military service. ## Footnote * **medal**: award worn around the neck * **metal**: shiny material

Question 53

# Correct the error in this sentence: He baked a pie for everyone of his students.

Answer 53

He baked a pie for **every one** of his students. ## Footnote Everyone is a pronoun that means *everybody*. Only use **every one** to draw attention to the amount. Replace it in your head with *every single one*.

Question 54

# Correct the error in this sentence: Her husband would buy her flowers on occassion.

Answer 54

Her husband would buy her flowers on **occasion.**

Question 55

# Correct the error in this sentence: These were her every day sneakers.

Answer 55

These were her **everyday** sneakers. ## Footnote When used as adjective, everyday is written as one word. **everyday (adj.):** happening or used every day; daily.

Question 56

# Correct the error in this sentence: Its not easy to win the Olympics.

Answer 56

**It's** not easy to win the Olympics. ## Footnote * **it's**: it is * **its**: possession of something

Question 57

# Correct the error in this sentence: He was persistant in his request.

Answer 57

He was **persistent** in his request.

Question 58

# Correct the error in this sentence: She challenged her opponent to a dual.

Answer 58

She challenged her opponent to a **duel.** ## Footnote * **dual**: both; two parts * **duel**: a battle between two people

Question 59

# Correct the error in this sentence: The academic staff judged the perspective students.

Answer 59

The academic staff judged the **prospective** students. ## Footnote * **perspective (n.):** a point of view; a particular attitude towards something. * **prospective (adj.):** expected or expecting to be the specified thing in the future.

Question 60

# Correct the error in this sentence: The distracting sounds in the room caused him to loose the game.

Answer 60

The distracting sounds in the room caused him to **lose** the game. ## Footnote * **lose**: to be defeated * **loose**: not tight

Question 61

# Correct the error in this sentence: She prefered milk in her tea.

Answer 61

She **preferred** milk in her tea. ## Footnote Remember that when a verb ends with a vowel and a consonant - and has an accent on the last syllable - it has to have the last consonant doubled before adding the suffix *-ed*.

Question 62

# Correct the error in this sentence: She didn't want to take the relationship any farther.

Answer 62

She didn't want to take the relationship any **further.** ## Footnote * **farther**: a physical distance; "Are we almost home? How much farther?" * **further**: a metaphorical distance; "Do you have any further questions?"

Question 63

# Correct the error in this sentence: The goverment has been slow to react to the crisis.

Answer 63

The **government** has been slow to react to the crisis.

Question 64

# Correct the error in the sentence: This color is much brighter then the other.

Answer 64

This color is much brighter **than** the other. ## Footnote * **than**: a comparison word * **then**: indicating an order of events in time

Question 65

What is the plural of **cactus**?

Answer 65

cacti

Question 66

What is the plural of **crisis**?

Answer 66

crises

Question 67

# Correct the error in the sentence: The complement he gave her brightened her day.

Answer 67

The **compliment** he gave her brightened her day. ## Footnote * **complement**: to go well together * **compliment**: a positive remark

Question 68

What do you call a **group of crows**?

Answer 68

**murder** of crows

Question 69

# Correct the error in this sentence: The dictator held power continually for fifteen years straight.

Answer 69

The dictator held power **continuously** for fifteen years straight. ## Footnote * **continually (adv.):** repeated frequently in the same way; regularly. * **continuously (adv.):** without interruption or gaps (every second of the day).

Question 70

# Correct the error in this sentence: They placed the offerings at the alter.

Answer 70

They placed the offerings at the **altar.** ## Footnote * **alter (v.):** to change something. * **altar (n.):** a table or block used as the focus for a religious ritual.

Question 71

What's the plural of sheep?

Answer 71

sheep ## Footnote Sheep is an irregular noun that does **not** change when made plural. Some more examples are: fish, moose, swine, aircraft, spacecraft, and trout.