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to, too,
two |
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It isn't urgent
to
write a report. |
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The actress was
too
nervous to go on stage. |
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There were
two
cars involved in the accident. |
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Too
many cooks spoil the broth. |
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2. |
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type of. Do
not omit " of." |
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Wrong |
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That
type
movie depresses me. |
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Right |
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That
type
of
movie depresses me. |
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3. |
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used to, supposed
to. Do not omit the -d. |
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Wrong |
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He
is
suppose
to be here by six. |
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Right |
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He
is
supposed
to be here by six. |
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4. |
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wait on means " to
serve." Do not confuse with
wait for. |
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Wrong |
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She
waited on
me for half an hour. |
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Right |
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She
waited for
me for half an hour. |
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Right |
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The
clerk
waited on
several customers during the morning. |
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5. |
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want is not
followed by a clause. |
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Wrong |
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She
wants that
I help
her. |
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Right |
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She
wants me to
help her. |
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6. |
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were is used in
contrary-to-truth conditional clauses. Do not use
was in these clauses. |
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Wrong |
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If
I was
taller, I could play basketball. |
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Right |
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If
I were
taller, I could play basketball. |
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Right |
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I
was
a basketball player when I
was
in college. |
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7. |
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when refers
to " time." Do not use
when
to introduce a noun clause. |
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Wrong |
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When I
miss my bus causes me to be late. |
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Right |
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When
I miss my bus, I am late. |
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8. |
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where
refers to " place." Do not use where meaning
that. |
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Wrong |
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I
read in the newspaper
where
the President is going to veto the proposed law. |
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Right |
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I
read in the newspaper
that
the President is going to veto the proposed law. |
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9. |
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while refers
to " time." Do not use
while meaning
but or
and. |
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Wrong |
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My brother is a
pilot
while my
sister is a teacher.. |
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Right |
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My
brother is a pilot,
and
my sister is a teacher. |
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Wrong |
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While
my family is not rich, we have many advantages. |
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Right |
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My
family is not rich,
but
we have many advantages. |
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Right |
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While
you were out, someone called and left a message. |
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10. |
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who's, whose.
Who's means who is. Whose is a possessive. |
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Wrong |
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She is a woman who's advice is easy to follow. |
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Right |
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She is a woman whose advice is easy to follow. |
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Right |
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Do you know who's giving the party ? |
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