Common English Errors.

I want to write a few common English errors I find that many ESL (English as a Second Language) and native English-speakers make:

(1) Using the "they" form for he/she.  "She have blonde hair...."  It is very common, do not fool yourself, use the he/she form, and not the other one.  It is one of the only forms that DOES change, for example: "I speak, you speak, he/she speaks, they speak," the he/she form is the only one that is different.

(2) Can/May.  This difference doesn't exist in many languages, it does in English.

"Can I help you?" versus "May I help you?"

Can is asking is the person ABLE to open their mouth, talk, and give help to YOU.  In other words it is asking if they have an ability to GIVE help, may I... is asking the question.  Do not confuse the two.  If you want to compare it in Spanish, "can" be seen as ¿Puedo ayudarte?, and "may" can be seen as ¿Pudiera ayudarte?, it is a nicer way to ask and it is the right way.  If someone at a restaurant says "can I help you...?"  Don't be shy to correct him/her.

(3) Their/They're/there

Is common in writing, when someone writes a paper, she/he may have it wrong. 

*Their, it is a pronoun, not a verb!  Their house (Su casa)

*They're, it is a verb contraction for they are (Son amigable)

*There denotes location. " Over there", "there you are!"

(4) A/An

In some languages "a" or "an" doesn't exist.  A/an is used to show one of something "an apple," "a flower," it just means "one apple," "one flower," don't confuse yourself!

(5) Pronoun agreement

For example in #3 some people would have said "...when someone writes a paper they...." why?  It is easier to say 'they' in spoken English than "he or she," but "they" isn't the correct pronoun for "someone" (a singular person)

(6) Using the correct tense, & switching tenses.

Either the person will mix tenses, or start with one tense and switch to another.

For example "He has going to the store.."  The "going" part does NOT agree with the "has."

Or if you read something as "He was six years old.  He is so happy to be alive..." That is an example of switching tenses, the person starts with the past "was" and uses the present in the next sentence.  I can say that I switch tenses in my writing sometimes so it is always a good idea to check and see if your writing doesn't have this error.

(7) Recognize that there are differences between British, American, and Australian English:

Discover for yourself: * tram vs. streetcar

                                            *  lift vs. elevator

                                            * pram vs. baby carriage

                                            * chap vs. guy

                                            * "to write an exam" vs. "to take an exam"   

                                            * thongs. - In US it is underwear (very skimpy underwear!) and

                                              in Australia it is "sandals"

    We ALL (ESL and native speakers) must realize the differences, if we do not then we sell ourselves short.

There are even some errors in songs.  

For example from "If He Knew What She Wants" by the Bangles:

"And she won't understand why anyone would have to try to walk a line when they could fly."  It violates rule 5, but here the it is stupid to say "he or she" instead of they because it is hard to sing.  Instead of choosing a gender the writer puts they in its place.

From "Take You Out" by Luther Vandross

"Excuse me miss what's you're name, where are you from and can I come?  And possibly can I take you out tonight?"

It violates rule 2.

Created by callarse1@juno.com (Scott)