Frequently made mistakes in English writing

Frequently made mistakes in English writing

and how to prevent them

misspellings

there are a couple of words that are frequently misspelled by non-native as well as native speakers of English.

To make you aware of these words, we will cover (most) of them during this lesson.

Strange story

“Are we going too the zoo?” James asked his mother to chose between to options. He really wanted to go. “Its not fair that we can’t go. Your not fair!” James’ parents where working a lot and they didn’t want to spend there afternoon at a zoo. They thought of it as lost time. Instead James’ mother tried to ask him what he wanted than. Diner at a fast food restaurant? That would cost less time and whit that choice it would not effect the time span. James knew when he was defeated, and choose the fast-food option. Only if I can have a desert, witch was only logical. His parents we’re satisfied. Another change of time for themselves.

Poll

how many misspelled words did you see.....

• no misspellings

• 1-5

• 6-10

• 11-15

• 16-20

Strange story

“Are we going too the zoo?” James asked his mother to chose between to options. He really wanted to go. “Its not fair that we can’t go. Your not fair!” James’ parents where working a lot and they didn’t want to spend there afternoon at a zoo. They thought of it as lost time. Instead James’ mother tried to ask him what he wanted than. Diner at a fast food restaurant? That would cost less time and whit that choice it would not effect the time span. James knew when he was defeated, and choose the fast-food option. Only if I can have a desert, witch was only logical. His parents we’re satisfied. Another change of time for themselves.

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

There are ____ people standing besides the post office.

• to

• two

• too

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

They are cheating by using _____ phones.

• they're

• their

• there

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

No problem, ______ oké that you don't have time.

• it's

• its

What are frequently made mistakes by ELS-students

two > 2

to > naar

too > ook/te

there > daar

their > van hun

they're > zij zijn

Your > van jou

You're > jij bent

we're > wij zijn

were > waren

where > waar

it's > het is

its > van hem

choose > kiezen

chose > kozen

lose > verliezen

Loose > losjes

dinner > avond eten

diner > goedkoop eethuisje aan de weg

dessert > toetje

desert > woestijn

then > toen (tijd)

than > dan/als

with > met

witch > heks

which > welke

white > wit

affect > last hebben van

effect > gevolg

........

Open Ended

Translate using words you have just seen:

Hij moet dan met hem naar de tweede gate lopen, het heeft geen gevolg voor hun vluchtschema. (gebruik niet het woord second)

Open Ended

Translate using words you have just seen:

Er is daar geen water, ze moeten dan hun kleren schoonhouden in de woestijn.

Adverbs of frequency

Adverbs of frequency (often, sometimes, always, usually, ...) are usually put between the subject and the predicate, but they can also go in front position (except always, ever and never) or in end position.

Nick usually buys a pair of skis every year.

He often meets his best friend.

We don't visit them very often. 

Sometimes they go to the movies on Sundays.

NOTE: A verb sometimes consists of two or more words.

Then the adverb of frequency has to be put between them.

I can never remember his name.

Ann doesn't usually get up early.

Your car has probably been stolen.

NOTE: Adverbs of frequency go before have to.

We always have to wait a long time for the bus.

NOTE: Adverbs of frequency go after am, is, are, was or were.

But in questions the adverb is put after the subject.

You are never on time.

Are they always on holidays in July?

Open Ended

Make the sentence:

always / at nine o'clock / out of the garage / in the morning / drives / his car / he

Open Ended

Make the sentence:

often / have / at about three o'clock / a cup of tea / they / at the hotel / in the afternoon

Open Ended

Make the sentence:

alarm / immediately / got / rang, / the / of / the / When / bed / out / I

Final assignment

Write your final master piece.

What if the world was without _____ and _____ but had plenty of _____ and even more _____.

How would your situation change if you take ______ as a topic along in your writing.

Write an extended and original piece. (minimum of 300 words)