Food for Thought

Everyday situations are a minefield of common English errors.

Let’s rectify some of them to avoid making the same mistakes.

Let’s share the common errors we may have as teachers.

WRONG: “Please excuse me. I have to leave now to put my children TO SLEEP.”RIGHT: “… I have to leave now to put my children TO BED.”(EXPLANATION: It is a criminal offence to put a person “to sleep”. In Singapore it carries the death penalty.)

WRONG: “I SEND our son Joey to school everyday.”RIGHT: “I DRIVE/TAKE our son Joey to school….”(EXPLANATION: To “send” someone means that you are not accompanying that person on the journey.)

WRONG: “It may rain this afternoon. You GOT bring umbrella OR NOT?”RIGHT: ” … DID YOU bring an umbrella!”

WRONG: “You ONLY JUST found out about the sale? Today is the last day.”RIGHT: “You found out ONLY NOW about the sale? …”

WRONG: “I used to love durians, but NOT SO MUCH nowadays.”RIGHT: ” … but LESS SO nowadays,

WRONG: “Children, please OFF the lights when you leave the room.”RIGHT: ” … Please SWITCH OFF the lights …”

WRONG: “He is late. MUST BE he overslept or missed the bus.”RIGHT: “… IT MUST BE THAT he overslept or missed the bus.” or “… He MUST HAVE overslept or missed the bus.”

WRONG: “Sorry, I am really busy with work right now. Can we discuss tomorrow?”RIGHT: ” … Can we discuss IT tomorrow?”

Let’s communicate with confidence at work.

Let’s be understood

More exciting and funny expressions and conversation from…http://www.goodenglish.org.sg/workshop-resources/tips-work/list-of-common-english-errors-in-everyday-situations