Review: ten mistakes to stop making

The rule

Keep these ten forms: I agree, he goes, discuss the plan, I'm a student, people are, explain it to me, for a length and since a start, make a thing and do a task, borrow from and lend to, and advice with no -s.

Many of these mistakes come from translating Arabic or French word for word. Fixing them is a quick way to make your everyday English sound more accurate.

Examples

In a conversation

A: Can you lend me your notes? I have to do the homework tonight.

B: Sure. Do you need any advice?

A: Yes. Can you explain this exercise to me?

B: Of course. We can discuss it after class.

Practice

Choose the best answer. The answers are at the end of the lesson.

1. We need to ___ the new timetable.
   • a) discuss about
   • b) talk
   • c) discuss
2. My brother ___ to the gym every day.
   • a) go
   • b) goes
   • c) is go
3. Many people ___ English at work.
   • a) use
   • b) uses
   • c) is using

Tip

Pick the two you still get wrong, write five sentences with each and read them aloud. Remember: make a cake or a mistake, do homework or the shopping; you borrow (take) and lend (give).

Answers

1. c) discuss. Discuss takes no preposition; talk needs about.
2. b) goes. After he, she or it: goes.
3. a) use. People is plural: use.

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