The document provides corrections and explanations for 12 examples of errors in English grammar and vocabulary usage. Each section presents an incorrect sentence, the correction, and a brief explanation of the proper usage. The document aims to help improve the learner's understanding of similar words, false friends, grammar, prepositions, possessives and other concepts in English.
3. 1. Similar Words
• I loved your story, it was terrible!
• I loved your story, it was terrifying /
terrific
4. 1. Similar Words
• I loved your story, it was terrible!
• I loved your story, it was terrifying /
terrific
terrible = very bad
terrifying = very scary
terrific = very good
5. 2. False Friends
• He noticed something strange was
happening and he commented it to the
others.
6. 2. False Friends
• He noticed something strange was
happening and he commented it to the
others.
• He noticed something strange was
happening and he mentioned it to the
others.
7. 2. False Friends
• He noticed something strange was
happening and he commented it to the
others.
• He noticed something strange was
happening and he mentioned it to the
others.
– You could say ‘commented on / about it’
‘Mention’ is commonly used too.
9. 3. Similar Words
• She listened an eerie sound.
• She heard an eerie sound.
10. 3. Similar Words
• She listened an eerie sound.
• She heard an eerie sound.
– You listen to something when you are
paying attention or interested in it e.g. I
listen to classical music to help me relax
or Stop talking! I’m trying to listen to the
news.
– You hear sounds that are around you
naturally e.g. I don’t like when I can hear
my neighbour’s TV through the walls of
my apartment.
12. 4. Similar Words
• It was a great history, especially the
final.
• It was a great story, especially the
end.
13. 4. Similar Words
• It was a great history, especially the
final.
• It was a great story, especially the
end.
– history = the study of the past
– story = tale (cuento)
– final = adjective
– end = noun
15. 5. Collocations
• They went camping and hoped to pass
a great time.
• They went camping and hoped to have
a good time.
16. 5. Collocations
• They went camping and hoped to pass
a great time.
• They went camping and hoped to have
a good time.
– pass time = spend time waiting / doing
something unimportant e.g. When I’m
waiting for the bus I pass the time by
listening to my iPod.
– have a good / fantastic / terrible time =
describes the time you spent
18. 6. Collocations
• We decided to pass Halloween in a
haunted house.
• We decided to spend Halloween in a
haunted house.
19. 6. Collocations
• We decided to pass Halloween in a
haunted house.
• We decided to spend Halloween in a
haunted house.
– pass time = spend time waiting / doing
something unimportant e.g. When I’m
waiting for the bus I pass the time by
listening to my iPod.
– spend time = do something useful /
interesting with your time e.g. I like to
21. 7. Prepositions
• I lived very near of the subway.
• I lived very near (to) the subway
22. 7. Prepositions
• I lived very near of the subway.
• I lived very near (to) the subway
– near (to) a place e.g. I live near the
cinema / I live near the cinema.
– far from a place e.g. I don’t live far from
here.
23. 8. False Friends
• This scary story succeeded in a small
town in Catalonia.
24. 8. False Friends
• This scary story succeeded in a small
town in Catalonia.
• This scary story happened / took
place in a small town in Catalonia.
25. 8. False Friends
• This scary story succeeded in a small
town in Catalonia.
• This scary story happened / took
place in a small town in Catalonia.
– succeed (v) = tener éxito e.g. I succeeded
in passing my driving test!
– happen / take place = occur
27. 9. Word Form
• Your story is very intrigued.
• Your story is very intriguing.
28. 9. Word Form
• Your story is very intrigued.
• Your story is very intriguing.
– intriguing describes something
– intrigued describes a feeling e.g. I was
intrigued by your story from beginning to
end.
– You can also use the noun intrigue e.g.
Your story was full of intrigue
30. 10. Grammar
• I really enjoyed a lot with your story.
• I really enjoyed your story a lot.
31. 10. Grammar
• I really enjoyed a lot with your story.
• I really enjoyed your story a lot.
– We say enjoy + object e.g. I enjoy
dancing, it’s my hobby.
– You can also say ‘enjoy myself’ e.g. That
was a great party! I really enjoyed myself.
33. 11. Possessives
• I could hear bats in the tree’s
branches.
• I could hear bats in the branches of
the trees.
34. 11. Possessives
• I could hear bats in the tree’s
branches.
• I could hear bats in the branches of
the trees.
– We usually use the possessive ’s for
people e.g. Is that Paul’s jacket?
– For things / places we usually use of e.g.
Why is he standing on the roof of the
house?
37. 12. Prepositions
• Terrible thoughts passed for his mind.
• Terrible thoughts passed through his
mind.
– through = ‘por’ (in this case it is similar to
‘a través de’)
