In English Teaching, L1 means our first language (e.g. Chinese) and L2 means our second language (e.g. English). When we try to learn a second language (L2), sometimes the rules from our L1 cause us to make mistakes.
Our expert teachers have extensive experience working with Taiwanese learners. This means we have a good idea of what mistakes you will probably make, and can help you improve your English by avoiding these common errors.
1.
Mistake: Due to I am busy, so I can’t meet you tomorrow.
Correction:
Formal English: Due to my heavy schedule, I will be unable to join the meeting tomorrow
OR in every day English: Sorry, I’m busy tomorrow so I can’t meet you tomorrow
Explanation:
If we use due to to mean because, it tends to be in a more formal situation.
Use due to as follows: Due to + noun + result
2.
Mistake: I love to swimming
Correction: I love to swim OR I love swimming
Explanation:
Some stative verbs like love, like and hate can be followed by the infinitive (to+verb) or the gerund (verb + ing). So, in the example above, you could use to swim OR swimming, but you can't use both the infinitive AND the gerund.
3.
Mistake: Today’s lesson was great because teacher was very funny
Correction: Today’s lesson was great because the teacher was very funny
Explanation:
The is called the definite article. We use it with some nouns when we want to show that we are talking about one noun in particular. For example, The teacher = the teacher who taught me, but a teacher = any teacher.
4.
Mistake: How about go to see a movie?
Correction: How about going to see a movie?
Explanation:
When we use How about to make suggestions, we use the gerund (verb+ing). E.g. How about going…How about doing…How about playing…
5.
Mistake: Oh yes, I agree you.
Correction: Oh yes, I agree with you.
Explanation:
Agree can be used as a transitive verb (T = followed by an object) or an intransitive verb (I = not followed by an object). When used as a transitive verb, we need to use with.
6.
Mistake: I very like this song.
Correction: I really like this song.
Explanation:
We can use very to modify an adjective (e.g. very good), but we can’t use very to modify a verb (very like, very want). However, we can use really to modify verbs.
7.
Mistake: That’s a good advice
Correction: That’s good advice OR That’s a good piece of advice
Explanation:
Advice is an uncountable noun, so we can’t use the indefinite article a. We can just say advice, or, we can add a countable noun before it piece = a piece of advice.
8.
Mistake: I suggest you to ask him.
Correction: I suggest you ask him/ I suggest that you ask him/ I suggest asking him.
Explanation:
Suggest is a transitive verb (T = followed by an object). it can be followed like this:
suggest + that + pronoun + verb –I suggest that you ask…
suggest + pronoun + verb – I suggest you ask…
suggest + verb – ing – I suggest asking
However, we do not use the infinitive form of the verb (to + verb).