Everyone who cares to use language proficiently must strive to avoid errors. Some of the common errors among second-language users of English are identified and grouped in this piece, and their standard forms are provided.
Wrong Use of Idioms:
She is as poor as a church rat.
She is as poor as a church mouse.
They are two sides of a coin.
They are two sides of the same coin.
Don’t step your feet in my house.
Don’t set foot in my house.
You cannot eat your cake and have it.
You cannot have your cake and eat it.
Pour salt in the wound.
Rub salt into the wound.
Don’t poke nose in other people’s affairs.
Don’t poke your nose into other people’s affairs.
You have to save for raining days.
You have to save for a rainy day.
Beggars have no choice.
Beggars can’t be choosers.
Joke apart
Joking apart
Funny enough
Funnily enough
I know fully well
I know full well
I know perfectly well
Wrong Use of Prepositions:
It is at your doorstep.
It is on your doorstep.
He took me out for lunch.
He took me out to lunch.
He brought dishonour to his family.
He brought dishonour on his family.
Be at alert.
Be on the alert.
I did it on my own accord.
I did it of my own accord.
I was given a cheque of $25.
I was given a cheque for $25.
Wash your hands off the matter.
Wash your hands of the matter.
Read also: English for specific purposes: Notice, circulars and bulletin
Wrong Lexical Choices:
He is the life wire of the club.
He is the live wire of the club.
Mary is unattentive.
Mary is inattentive.
Spread the clothes on the rope.
Spread the clothes on the washing line.
Spread the clothes on the clothes line.
I like your air fresher.
