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Common Errors in English

Dilraj Singh Suri

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Effective communication plays an important role in professional life.

Communication, sometimes, becomes a challenge for us when we need

to communicate effectively with our potential customers to strike a

business deal. We must convey our message using appropriate, concise,

and logical sentences crafted with carefully chosen and accurate words

to leave a good impression on the customer. Therefore, we should be

extra cautious while using some confusing or tricky words to avoid errors.

The following sections describe common English errors and correct

usage of words along with examples and illustrations.

Introduction

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ITS(Possessive)My friend presented me a shirt. Its color is red.

IT’S(Contraction of “it has” / “it is”)It’s been raining since morning.It’s a rainy day today.

ACCEPT(Receive, agree)I accept my mistake.

EXCEPT(Exclude)Everyone, except John attended the meeting.

THERE(in or to) that place)There are three chairs in the room.

THEIR(Belonging to them)I went to Mr. and Mrs. William’s house. Their house is very big.

YOUR(Possessive)Your dress is very good.

YOU’RE(Contraction of (“you are”)You’re the one I love.

AFFECT(Verb)Poor diet can affect your health badly.

EFFECT(Noun)The effect of liquor consumption is clearly noticeable.

Common Errors and Confusing Words

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Common Errors and Confusing WordsTHEN(Used in relation to time and the order in which events occur)Click “Create New”, enter inputs, and then click “Save”.

THAN(Comparison)I am taller than you.

WERE(Plural past-tense form of the verb “are”)We were traveling in the same bus.

WHERE(Refers to a location)Where is my car?

FOR(Period of time)The weather remained bad for several days.

SINCE(Starting point of a period of time) It has been raining since morning.

LOSE(to miss, deprive, suffer the loss)If you do regular exercise, you can lose extra weight.

LOOSE (Not tight)Your shirt is too loose.

BESIDE(next to, at the side of)She was sitting beside me in the train.

BESIDES(Additional information)I'm not interested in buying a car. Besides, I enjoy walking.

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Common Errors and Confusing WordsPERSPECTIVE(Viewpoint, standpoint, angle)From testing perspective, this functionality should be working.

PROSPECTIVE(Expected, expecting something)The prospective buyers made an offer below the asking price.

ENQUIRE(To ask about something/someone)She enquired about his health.

INQUIRE(Official investigation)The FBI ordered an inquiry into the death of a politician.

LATTER(To refer the second of two things mentioned)If I were to decide whether I should go for vacation to USA or Europe, I would prefer the latter.

LATER(To express time)I'll call you later.

QUITE(Absolutely, to a certain degree or extent)It is quite cold outside, why don’t you come inside?

QUIET(Silent, making a very little noise)It is a quiet village surrounded by fields and mountains.

ADVICE(Noun) Suggestion, opinionThe professors can give you advice about which courses are best to take.

ADVISE(Verb) To give adviceThe salesman advised the customer to buy the product.

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Check your Punctuation

Missing / Incorrect Correct

A woman without her man is nothing A woman, without her man, is nothing.A woman: without her, man is nothing.

Slow children are crossing Slow, children are crossing.

The student said the teacher is crazy The student, said the teacher, is crazy.

Woman is nothing?Or

Man is nothing?

Slow (lazy) children?

Teacher is crazy?Or

Student is crazy?

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Check your Punctuation

Missing / Incorrect CorrectPanda: A black and white mammal eats, shoots, and leaves

Panda: A black and white mammal, eats shoots and leaves.

Everyday Anthony turns slides and swings Everyday, Anthony turns, slides, and swings.

Go get him doctors Go get him, doctors.

Let’s eat grandpa Let’s eat, grandpa.

Eats and then shoots?

A violent and

dangerous creature!!!

Turns slides and swings?

Very strong person!!!

Doctors?

Bring doctors for him!!!

Eat Grandpa?

Have mercy on him!!!

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IILLUSTRATIONS

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Incorrect Punctuation

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Correct Punctuation

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Incorrect Punctuation

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Correct Punctuation

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Incorrect Punctuation

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Correct Punctuation

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Incorrect Punctuation

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Correct Punctuation

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Incorrect Punctuation

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Correct Punctuation