Common Mistakes in Grammar and Choice of Words

Mistakes in everyday conversations often carry on in your child’s work in school. You should find ways to help your child identify common mistakes made in casual conversations so as not to repeat them in school and formal communications.

Try looking for activities to do with your child to improve his/her English.

Spotting Incorrect English

Go through the list of 6 sentences with your child.  Let your child spot the mistakes and ask him/her to tell you how they should be corrected.

1. Yong Meng was only three years old when he could read. He knew the alphabet since he was two years old. And his favourite alphabet was “I”.
2. Ravi was driving his car to the mechanic when another car almost knocked into him. Lucky Ravi horned at the driver and he wake up.
3. Siew Lee always don’t know what we’re talking about. Don’t know why she so blur one.
4. Mummy is sick and I cannot go to work today. I think I better take off day or take MC.
5. My father travels to China for business every month got one time like this. My mummy say every time daddy outstation I got to help her do housework.
6. My dad doesn’t like that actress because she slangs a lot. I think she is trying to copycat the Americans.

 

Suggested Answers:

1. Yong Meng was only three years old when he could read. He knew the alphabet when he was two years old. And his favourite letter was “I”.
2. Ravi was driving his car to the mechanic when another car almost knocked into him. Luckily Ravihonked at the driver to alert him to the danger.
3. Siew Lee often doesn’t know what we’re talking about. I’m not sure why she is soscatterbrained.
4. Mummy is sick and I cannot go to work today. I think I had better take a day off or get an MC(medical certificate) so that I can go on medical leave.
5. On average, my father travels to China almost once every month. My mummy says every time daddy goes overseas, I need to help her with the household chores.
6. My dad doesn’t like that actress because she speaks with a foreign accent. I think she is trying to mimic the Americans.

 

Source: Edited from “Grammar Matters” a series of handbooks by RELC.

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