Common mistakes in the use of pronouns

In this article we will take a look at some common mistakes in the use of pronouns.

Incorrect: Each of these boys play cricket well.

Correct: Each of these boys plays cricket well.

Incorrect: Each of these three roads lead to the railway station.

Correct: Each of these three roads leads to the railway station.

After each of we use a plural noun or pronoun and a singular verb.

Incorrect: Both didn’t go.

Correct: Neither went.

In negative sentences we do not normally use both. Instead, we use neither.

Incorrect: We all did not go.

Correct: None of us went.

In negative sentences we do not normally use all. Instead, we use none.

Incorrect: Each boy and each girl were given a book.

Correct: Each boy and each girl was given a book.

Incorrect: Have you got a pen? I haven’t got.

Correct: Have you got a pen? I haven’t got one.

The verb get needs to be followed by an object.

Incorrect: My all books are lost.

Correct: All of my books are lost.

Incorrect: Let I go.

Correct: Let me go.

Incorrect: Let we move.

Correct: Let us move.

Let is a verb. It should be followed by a pronoun in object form.

Incorrect: Your problem is bigger than me.

Correct: Your problem is bigger than mine.

Correct: Your problem is bigger than my problem.

Incorrect: Whoever does best he will get a prize.

Correct: Whoever does best will get a prize.

Incorrect: I and he are brothers.

Correct: He and I are brothers.

Incorrect: I and Mark are friends.

Correct: Mark and I are friends.

Common Mistakes with English Comparatives and Superlatives

Common Mistakes with English Comparatives and Superlatives

Collocations with make and do

Make or do?

The verbs do and make can be confusing in English because the meaning is similar but they co-occur with different words. For example, you can say:

• do an exercise.   

• The phrase do an exercise is called a collocation.

Definition of collocations

Collocations refer to words that usually go together. They co-occur more often than would be expected by chance.

So how can you distinguish between collocations with make and do?

Generally speaking, use do for activity and make to create something. Compare these examples:

• I always do my homework in the evenings.
• I like spaghetti. I make it everyday

Collocations with make and do

Collocations with do?

Use do when someone performs an action, activity or task.

Examples:

• do
  ...the dishes
  ... an exercise
  ... the laundry
  ... the ironing
  ... the shopping

We use often use do to refer to work of any kind.
Examples:

• do
  ... your work
  ... homework
  ... housework
  ... your job
  ... business
  ... your hair
  ... your nails

Use the verb 'do' when you speak about general things (to describe an action without saying exactly what the action is.)
Examples:

I've got nothing to do today.
He doesn't do anything all day long.
She does everything to attract him.

These are other expressions that you can use with do:
Examples:

• do... one's best
  ... good
  ... harm
  ... a favor
  ... business
  ... things right / badly / well
  ... good
  ... harm
  ... time - (to go to prison)
  ... your best / worst.

Collocations with make?

We use the verb make to construct, build or create. The result is something that you can touch.

They make tea with mint in Morocco.
She makes beautiful dresses.
Let's make a cup of coffee!
can you make a cup of tea?
They make delicious food in this restaurant!

These are some important expressions that you can use with make:

• make
  ... arrangements
  ... an attempt
  ... bed
  ... believe
  ... change
  ... a choice
  ... a comment
  ... a complaint
  ... a decision
  ... a demand
  ... a difference
  ... an effort
  ... an exception
  ... an excuse
  ... an inquiry
  ... a fool of yourself
  ... a fortune
  ... friends
  ... a fuss
  ... a journey
  ... love
  ... a mess
  ... a mistake
  ... money
  ... a move
  ... a noise
  ... an offer
  ... peace
  ... a phone call
  ... a plan
  ... a point
  ... a profit
  ... a promise
  ... a remark
  ... a sound
  ... a speech
  ... a suggestion
  ... time
  ... a visit
  ... war

Adjectives - Synonyms

What is a synonym?

Synonyms are words or phrases which have the same or nearly the same meaning as other words or phrases in the same language:
The words 'small' and 'little' are synonyms.
Here is a list of synonyms you can use to describe things, feelings or people:

Adjectives	Synonyms
big	large
blank	empty
broad	wide
center	middle
cunning	clever
dangerous	risky
eatable	edible
false	untrue
fertile	fruitful
gay	cheerful
glad	happy
hard	difficult
high	tall
huge	enormous
intelligent	clever
lazy	indolent
little	small
loving	fond
loyal	faithful
mad	crazy
new	modern
nice	kind
noisy	rowdy
old	ancient
oral	verbal
polite	courteous
poor	destitute
quick	rapid/fast
rare	scarce
ready	alert
real	genuine
rich	wealthy
rude	impolite
sad	unhappy
safe	secure
sleepy	drowsy
slim	slender
thin	lean
usual	normal
vacant	empty
weak	feeble
well-known	famous