Common Errors

Ahmad Jabas1

1
Ph.D.
Faculty of Information Systems & Compouter Science,
October 6 University

Ahmad Jabas Faculty of Information Systems & Computer Science, October 6 University, Egypt
Common Errors
 1. 1.1 I hope you all have a enjoyable stay.
1.2 I hope you all have an enjoyable stay.
- Note: Always use an (NOT a) before a word beginning with a
vowel sound.
2. 2.1 My husband is doing a MSc in civil engineering.
2.2 My husband is doing an MSc in civil engineering..
- Note: Use an (NOT a) before an abbreviation that begins with a
vowel sound.
3. 3.1 These machines are destroying our ability of thinking.
3.2 These machines are destroying our ability to think.
- Note: ability to do sth (NOT of doing).

Ahmad Jabas Faculty of Information Systems & Computer Science, October 6 University, Egypt
Common Errors
 4. 4.1 I want to improve my ability of English.
4.2 I want to improve my ability in English.
- Note: ability in a language or subject.
5. 5.1 One man is able to destroy the whole world.
5.2 One man is capable of destroying the whole world.
- Note: If someone is able to do something, they can do it and it
is not unusual or surprising if they do it. If someone is capable
of (doing) something, they do not usually do it, but it is possible
for them to do it if they want to.
6. 6.1 In some countries you are not able to drink until you are 21
6.2 In some countries you can’t drink until you are 21.
- Note: For actions that are controlled by laws or rules, use can,
can’t, etc, or be (not) allowed to.
7. 7.1 Technology has made them able to grow their own food.
7.2 Technology has enabled them to grow their own food.
- Note: enable = make someone able to do something

Ahmad Jabas Faculty of Information Systems & Computer Science, October 6 University, Egypt
Common Errors
 8. 8.1 I am always delighted when I receive a letter from you. About the
party on December 26th, I shall be very pleased to attend.
8.2 I am always delighted when I receive a letter from you. With regard
to4 the party on December 26th, I shall be very pleased to attend.
- Note: About may be used to introduce a topic, but only in
informal styles
9. 9.1 I was about leaving when the telephone rang.
9.2 I was about to leave when the telephone rang.
- Note: be about to do sth (NOT doing)
10. 10.1 There were above a hundred people in the crowd.
10.2 There were over a hundred people in the crowd,
- Note: Do not use above with numbers
11. 11.1 I like to stay at home on a Sunday, as I’ve said above.
11.2 I like to stay at home on a Sunday, as I’ve already said.
- Note: Above is used in formal writing to refer to something that
has been mentioned earlier. In informal styles, this use of above
is inappropriate.

Ahmad Jabas Faculty of Information Systems & Computer Science, October 6 University, Egypt
Common Errors
 12. 12.1 I would be grateful if you would send it to the address
abovementioned.
12.2 I would be grateful if you would send it to the abovementioned
address.
- Note: Above-mentioned comes before the noun.
13. 13.1 I would like to continue my studies in abroad.
13.2 I would like to continue my studies abroad.
- Note: The only preposition that is used before abroad is from:
’She came back from abroad saying how much she had missed
her home and family.’
14. 14.1 It’s a pity that you were absent from the training session.
14.2 It’s a pity that you missed the training session.;

Ahmad Jabas Faculty of Information Systems & Computer Science, October 6 University, Egypt
Common Errors
 14.3 It’s a pity that you weren’t at the training session.
- Note:
be absent = not be present at something that you are officially
supposed to attend: ’Her teacher wanted to know why she’d
been absent.’
miss = not be present at something: ’She’s missed a lot of
classes this term because of illness.’
15. 15.1 The company will not accept to buy new machines.
15.2 The company will not agree to buy new machines.
- Note: You accept someone’s advice, opinion, or suggestion
BUT you agree (= say you are willing) to do something.
16. 16.1 Computers give us an easier access to information.
16.2 Computers give us easier access to information
16.3
- Note: Access is an uncountable noun: ’The entrance has been
widened to provide easier access for disabled people.’ ’They
have no right to refuse us access to the files.’

Ahmad Jabas Faculty of Information Systems & Computer Science, October 6 University, Egypt
Common Errors
 17. 17.1 Her car was involved in a big accident.
17.2 Her car was involved in a serious accident.
- Note: a bad/dreadful/nasty/serious/fatal accident (NOT big)
18. 18.1 Could you help me look for an accommodation?
18.2 Could you help me look for accommodation?
18.3 Accommodations in London are very expensive.
18.4 Accommodation in London is very expensive.
- Note: In British English accommodation (= a place to stay or
live in) is always uncountablef ’For the first year we styed in
rented accommodation.’
- In American Enalish both accommodation and
accommodations (plural) are use.
18.1 I have just seen your advertisement about a Chinese cook.
18.2 I have just seen your advertisement for a Chinese cook.
18.3 I am writing in reply to your advertisement of a part-time sales
assistant.
18.4 I am writing in reply to your advertisement for part-time sales
assistant.

Ahmad Jabas Faculty of Information Systems & Computer Science, October 6 University, Egypt
Common Errors
 - Note: an advertisement for sb/sth: ’an advertisement for Heinz
tomato soup’

Ahmad Jabas Faculty of Information Systems & Computer Science, October 6 University, Egypt
Common Errors
 Thank You

Any Question?

Ahmad Jabas Faculty of Information Systems & Computer Science, October 6 University, Egypt
Common Errors