COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS!

I'll update this section whenever I encounter a typical mistake made by English language students.


Pronunciation of aren't, weren't (All levels):

They are not pronounced:

/árent/, /wérent/

They are pronounced:

/a:(r)nt/, /we:(r)nt/


Use of haven't (Intermediate level+):

NEVER use haven't to indicate a lack of possession

eg. I haven't a Ferrari.

This is 100% WRONG. "Haven't" is a negative auxiliary verb, NEVER a main verb.

We only use "haven't" for: negative perfect tense sentences

e.g. I haven't had a beer for two hours.

Have got

e.g. I haven't got any money

and short answers to perfect tenses or have got

e.g. Have you been to Dublin? No, I haven't or Have you got a cigarette? No, I haven't


 Pronunciation of -ed (All levels):

The pronunciation of regular verbs in the past simple or past participle is basic for the vast majority of verb tenses in the English language. Follow this link and find out how to say them!

-ed pron rules:

 http://www.azargrammar.com/assets/intermediate/FEGTeacher-CreatedWorksheets/Worksheets2/FEGCh2PronunciationRegularPastTenseVerbs.pdf

-ed pron. exercises:

http://www.autoenglish.org/gr.edpron.pdf


Questions (All levels):

For obvious reasons English language learners tend to make questions in a statement form, e.g. You've seen that?, which is actually correct when you already know the answer, i.e.in rhetorical questions. However, if you want to pass an exam you should take into account the following formats:

For more detailed explanations and exercises on subject questions check the following links:

http://esl.about.com/library/intermediatecourse/blintermediate_course_gr_questionforms.htm

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_questionforms_subob.htm


Position of adverbs and adjectives (All levels):

Eventhough it is a really basic mistake I have had advanced students confusing the position of  adjectives and adverbs when speaking! Check the following links for explanations and practice:

http://www.englishforums.com/content/lessons/adjectives-adverbs-and-word-order.htm

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/adjektiv_adverb.htm


I am agree/ disagree is WRONG (All levels):

The correct form is simply 

I agree or I disagree


Make vs. do (All levels):

 http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/doormake.htm


Embedded Questions (Intermediate level+):

When we use a question word, i.e. Wh- word, in a statement or after the question clause we use the affirmative form and not the question form, for example:

NOT   The reason why am I telling you this is... but

The reason why I am telling tou this is...

NOT   Do you know why do I like beer? but

Do you know why I like beer?


You have reason (All Levels):

"You have reason" does not exist in the English language! The right way of expressing you think someone is correct in their statement is:

You are right!


People is... (All levels):

People, is a countable plural of person! Hence we say

People are...

 
Organisizes (All levels):

/Or-gá-ni-sai-ziz/ is not the right pronunciation for organizes! The right pronunciation is:

/ór-ga-nai-ziz/



Specially vs Especially (All levels):

http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000287.htm


For vs while vs during (Intermediate level and higher):

Explanation:

http://esl.about.com/od/grammarintermediate/a/prepositions_for_while_during.htm

Exercises:

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep4.htm


Pronunciation of "Island" (All levels):

It is NOT pronounced

/Ais-land/

but /Ai-land/

Pronunciation of -le (Elementary to intermediate):

-le is not pronounced 

/-le/

but

/-el/

Like in castle, little, example, etc.