GOLDEN GRAMMAR RULES
By Michael Swan
1. Don’t use an with own.
Sue needs her own room. (NOT Sue needs an own room.)
I’d like a phone line of my own. (NOT …an own phone line.)
I’d like a phone line of my own. (NOT …
2. Use or rather to correct yourself.
She’s German – or rather, Austrian. (NOT She’s German – or better, Austrian.)
I’ll see you on Friday – or rather, Saturday.
I’ll see you on Friday – or rather, Saturday.
3. Use the simple present – play(s), rain(s) etc – to talk about habits and repeated actions.
I play tennis every Saturday. (NOT I am playing tennis every Saturday.)
It usually rains a lot in November
It usually rains a lot in November
4. Use will …, not the present, for offers and promises.
I’ll cook you supper this evening. (NOT I cook you supper this evening.)
I promise I’ll phone you tomorrow. (NOTI promise I phone you tomorrow.)
5. Don’t drop prepositions with passive verbs.
I promise I’ll phone you tomorrow. (NOT
5. Don’t drop prepositions with passive verbs.
I don’t like to be shouted at. (NOT I don’t like to be shouted.)
This needs to be thought about some more. (NOTThis needs to be thought some more.)
6. Don’t use a present tense after It’s time.
This needs to be thought about some more. (NOT
6. Don’t use a present tense after It’s time.
It’s time you went home. (NOT It’s time you go home.)
It’s time we invited Bill and Sonia. (NOTIt’s time we invite Bill and Sonia.)
7. Use was/were born to give dates of birth.
It’s time we invited Bill and Sonia. (NOT
7. Use was/were born to give dates of birth.
I was born in 1975. (NOT I am born in 1975.)
Shakespeare was born in 1564.
8. Police is a plural noun.
Shakespeare was born in 1564.
8. Police is a plural noun.
The police are looking for him. (NOT The police is looking for him.)
I called the police, but they were too busy to come.
9. Don't use the to talk about things in general.
I called the police, but they were too busy to come.
9. Don't use the to talk about things in general.
Books are expensive. (NOT The books are expensive.)
I love music. (NOTI love the music.)
10. Use had better, not have better.
I love music. (NOT
10. Use had better, not have better.
I think you’d better see the doctor. (NOT I think you have better see the doctor.)
We’d better ask John to help us.
We’d better ask John to help us.
11. Use the present progressive - am playing, is raining etc - to talk about things that are continuing at the time of speaking.
I’m playing very badly today. (NOT I play very badly today.)
Look! It's raining! (NOTLook! It rains!)
12. Use for with a period of time. Use since with the beginning of the period.
Look! It's raining! (NOT
12. Use for with a period of time. Use since with the beginning of the period.
for the last two hours = since 9 o'clock
for three days = since Monday
for five years = since I left school
I’ve been learning English for five years. (NOTI’ve been learning English since three years.)
We’ve been waiting for ages, since eight o’clock.
13. Don't separate the verb from the object.
for three days = since Monday
for five years = since I left school
I’ve been learning English for five years. (NOT
We’ve been waiting for ages, since eight o’clock.
13. Don't separate the verb from the object.
| VERB | OBJECT | |
She | speaks | English | very well . (NOT |
Andy | likes | skiing | very much. (NOT |
14. Don't use the present perfect - have/has seen, have/has gone etc - with words that name a finished time.
I saw him yesterday. (NOT I have seen him yesterday.)
They went to Greece last summer. (NOTThey have gone … last summer.)
15. English (the language) normally has no article.
They went to Greece last summer. (NOT
15. English (the language) normally has no article.
You speak very good English. (NOT You speak a very good English.)
16. After look forward to, we use -ing, not an infinitive.
16. After look forward to, we use -ing, not an infinitive.
I look forward to seeing you. (NOT I look forward to see you.)
We’re looking forward to going on holiday. (NOT …to go on holiday.)
17. Information is an uncountable noun.
We’re looking forward to going on holiday. (NOT …
17. Information is an uncountable noun.
Can you give me some information? (NOT Can you give me an information?)
I got a lot of information from the Internet. (NOTI got a lot of informations from the Internet.)
18. Use -ing forms after prepositions.
I got a lot of information from the Internet. (NOT
18. Use -ing forms after prepositions.
I drove there without stopping. (NOT I drove there without to stop.)
Wash your hands before eating. (NOTWash your hands before to eat.)
19. Use this, not that, for things that are close.
Wash your hands before eating. (NOT
19. Use this, not that, for things that are close.
Come here and look at this paper. (NOT Come here and look at that paper.)
How long have you been in this country? (NOTHow long have you been in that country?)
20. Use a plural noun after one and a half.
How long have you been in this country? (NOT
20. Use a plural noun after one and a half.
We waited one and a half hours. (NOT We waited one and a half hour.)
A mile is about one and a half kilometres. (NOTA mile is about one and a half kilometre.)
21. Use the present perfect, not the present, to say how long things have been going on.
A mile is about one and a half kilometres. (NOT
21. Use the present perfect, not the present, to say how long things have been going on.
I've been waiting since 10 o'clock. (NOT I'm waiting since 10 o'clock.)
We've lived here for nine years. (NOTWe live here for nine years.)
22. The majority is normally plural.
We've lived here for nine years. (NOT
22. The majority is normally plural.
Some people are interested, but the majority don't care. (NOT ... but the majority doesn't care.)
The majority of these people are very poor. (NOTThe majority of these people is very poor.)
23. Use too much/many before (adjective +) noun; use too before an adjective with no noun.
The majority of these people are very poor. (NOT
23. Use too much/many before (adjective +) noun; use too before an adjective with no noun.
There's too much noise.
I bought too much red paint.
Those shoes are too expensive. (NOTThose shoes are too much expensive.)
24. Use that, not what, after all.
I bought too much red paint.
Those shoes are too expensive. (NOT
24. Use that, not what, after all.
I've told you all that I know. (NOT I've told you all what I know.)
He gave her all that he had.
25. Don't say according to me to give your opinion.
He gave her all that he had.
25. Don't say according to me to give your opinion.
I think it's a good film. (NOT According to me, it's a good film.)
In my opinion, you're making a serious mistake. (NOTAccording to me, you're making a serious mistake.)
26. Don't ask about possibilities with May you ...? etc.
In my opinion, you're making a serious mistake. (NOT
26. Don't ask about possibilities with May you ...? etc.
Do you think you'll go camping this summer? (NOT May you go camping this summer?)
Is Joan likely to be here tomorrow? (NOTMay Joan be here tomorrow?)
27. Use who, not which, for people in relative structures.
Is Joan likely to be here tomorrow? (NOT
27. Use who, not which, for people in relative structures.
The woman who lives upstairs is from Thailand. (NOT The woman which lives upstairs is from Thailand.)
I don't like people who shout all the time. (NOTI don't like people which shout all the time.)
28. Use for, not during, to say `how long'.
I don't like people who shout all the time. (NOT
28. Use for, not during, to say `how long'.
We waited for six hours. (NOT We waited during six hours.)
He was ill for three weeks. (NOTHe was ill during three weeks.)
29. Use to ..., not for ..., to say why you do something.
He was ill for three weeks. (NOT
29. Use to ..., not for ..., to say why you do something.
I came here to study English. (NOT I came here for study English.)
She telephoned me to explain the problem. (NOTShe telephoned me for explain the problem.)
30. Use reflexives (myself etc) when the object is the same as the subject.
She telephoned me to explain the problem. (NOT
30. Use reflexives (myself etc) when the object is the same as the subject.
I looked at myself in the mirror. (NOT I looked at me in the mirror.)
Why are you talking to yourself? (NOTWhy are you talking to you?
Why are you talking to yourself? (NOT
31. Use a present tense to talk about the future after when, until, as soon as, after, before etc.
I’ll phone you when I arrive. (NOT I’ll phone you when I will arrive.)
Let’s wait until it gets dark. (NOTLet’s wait until it will get dark.)
We’ll start as soon as Mary arrives. (NOTWe’ll start as soon as Mary will arrive.)
32. Before most abstract nouns, we use great, not big.
Let’s wait until it gets dark. (NOT
We’ll start as soon as Mary arrives. (NOT
32. Before most abstract nouns, we use great, not big.
I have great respect for her ideas. (NOT I have big respect for her ideas.)
We had great difficulty in understanding him. (NOTWe had big difficulty in understanding him.)
We had great difficulty in understanding him. (NOT
33. Don’t use the with a superlative when you are not comparing one person or thing with another.
Compare:
§ She’s the nicest of the three teachers.
§ She’s nicest when she’s working with small children.
§ This is the best wine I’ve got.
§ This wine is best when it’s three or four years old.
§
§ 34. Put enough after, not before, adjectives.
This soup isn’t hot enough. (NOT This soup isn’t enough hot.)
She’s old enough to walk to school by herself.
35. Don’t use a structure with that … after want or would like.
She’s old enough to walk to school by herself.
35. Don’t use a structure with that … after want or would like.
My parents want me to go to university. (NOT My parents want that I go to university.)
I’d like everybody to leave. (NOTI’d like that everybody leaves.)
36. After link verbs like be, seem, feel, look, smell, sound, taste, we use adjectives, not adverbs.
I’d like everybody to leave. (NOT
36. After link verbs like be, seem, feel, look, smell, sound, taste, we use adjectives, not adverbs.
I feel happy today. (NOT I feel happily today.)
This soup tastes strange. (NOTThis soup tastes strangely.)
37. Use than after comparatives.
This soup tastes strange. (NOT
37. Use than after comparatives.
My mother is three years older than my father. (NOT My mother is three years older that/as my father.)
Petrol is more expensive than diesel.
Petrol is more expensive than diesel.
38. In questions, put the subject immediately after the auxiliary verb.
Where are the President and his family staying? (NOT Where are staying the President and his family?)
Have all the guests arrived? (NOTHave arrived all the guests?)
39. Used to has no present.
Have all the guests arrived? (NOT
39. Used to has no present.
I play tennis at weekends. (NOT I use to play tennis at weekends.)
Where do you usually have lunch? (NOTWhere do you use to have lunch?)
40. Use through, not along, for periods of time.
Where do you usually have lunch? (NOT
40. Use through, not along, for periods of time.
All through the centuries, there have been wars. (NOT All along the centuries, there have been wars.)
41. Use can’t, not mustn’t, to say that something is logically impossible.
41. Use can’t, not mustn’t, to say that something is logically impossible.
It can’t be the postman at the door. It’s only 7 o’clock. (NOT It mustn’t be the postman at the door. It’s only 7 o’clock.)
If A is bigger than B, and B is bigger than C, then C can’t be bigger than A. (NOT… then C mustn’t be bigger than A.)
42. Use the present perfect with This is the first time … etc.
If A is bigger than B, and B is bigger than C, then C can’t be bigger than A. (NOT
42. Use the present perfect with This is the first time … etc.
This is the first time I’ve been here. (NOT This is the first time I’m here.)
This is the fifth cup of coffee I’ve drunk today. (NOTThis is the fifth cup of coffee I drink today.)
This is the fifth cup of coffee I’ve drunk today. (NOT
43. Use be, not have, to give people’s ages.
My sister is 15 (years old). (NOT My sister has 15 years.)
44. Use between, not among, to talk about position in relation to several clearly separate people or things.
44. Use between, not among, to talk about position in relation to several clearly separate people or things.
Switzerland is between France, Austria, Germany and Italy. (NOT Switzerland is among France, Austria, Germany and Italy.)
The bottle rolled between the wheels of the car.
45. We don’t normally use the before abbreviations that are pronounced like words (‘acronyms’).
The bottle rolled between the wheels of the car.
45. We don’t normally use the before abbreviations that are pronounced like words (‘acronyms’).
My cousin works for NATO. (NOT My cousin works for the NATO.)
The money was given by UNESCO. (NOT… by the UNESCO.)
46. Everybody is a singular word.
The money was given by UNESCO. (NOT
46. Everybody is a singular word.
Everybody was late. (NOT Everybody were late.)
Is everybody ready? (NOTAre everybody ready?)
47. Use any, not some, in negative sentences.
Is everybody ready? (NOT
47. Use any, not some, in negative sentences.
She hasn’t got any money. (NOT She hasn’t got some money.)
I didn’t see anybody. (NOTI didn’t see somebody.)
48. Use interested for feelings; use interesting for the things that interest people. The same goes for bored/boring, excited/exciting etc.
I didn’t see anybody. (NOT
48. Use interested for feelings; use interesting for the things that interest people. The same goes for bored/boring, excited/exciting etc.
I’m interested in history. (NOT I’m interesting in history.)
History is interesting.
I’m bored in the maths lessons. (NOTI’m boring in the maths lessons.)
I think maths is boring.
49. Use by, not until/till, to mean ‘not later than’.
History is interesting.
I’m bored in the maths lessons. (NOT
I think maths is boring.
49. Use by, not until/till, to mean ‘not later than’.
Can you mend this by Tuesday? (NOT Can you mend this until Tuesday?)
I’ll finish the book by tonight. (NOTI’ll finish the book till tonight.)
50. Use like, not as, to give examples.
I’ll finish the book by tonight. (NOT
50. Use like, not as, to give examples.
I prefer warm countries, like Spain. (NOT I prefer warm countries, as Spain.)
I eat a lot of meat, like beef or lamb.
51. Use whether, not if, after prepositions.
I eat a lot of meat, like beef or lamb.
51. Use whether, not if, after prepositions.
We talked about whether it was ready. (NOT We talked about if it was ready.)
It’s a question of whether we have enough time. (NOTIt’s a question of if we have enough time.)
52. Use the present progressive passive, not the simple present passive, to talk about things that are going on just around now.
It’s a question of whether we have enough time. (NOT
52. Use the present progressive passive, not the simple present passive, to talk about things that are going on just around now.
Our flat is being decorated this week. (NOT Our flat is decorated this week.)
Your bill is just being prepared, sir. (NOTYour bill is just prepared, sir.)
53. We don’t normally use must to talk about the past.
Your bill is just being prepared, sir. (NOT
53. We don’t normally use must to talk about the past.
I had to see the dentist yesterday. (NOT I must see the dentist yesterday.)
When I left school, young men had to do military service. (NOTWhen I left school, young men must do military service.)
54. When you put two nouns together, be careful to get the right order.I like eating milk chocolate. (NOT I like eating chocolate milk.)
When I left school, young men had to do military service. (NOT
54. When you put two nouns together, be careful to get the right order.I like eating milk chocolate. (NOT
What’s your phone number? (NOT What’s your number phone?)
55. Use the whole of, not whole, before the name of a place.
55. Use the whole of, not whole, before the name of a place.
The whole of Paris was celebrating. (NOT Whole Paris was celebrating.)
He knows the whole of South America very well. (NOTHe knows whole South America very well.)
56. We don’t normally use progressive forms of believe.
He knows the whole of South America very well. (NOT
56. We don’t normally use progressive forms of believe.
I don’t believe him. (NOT I’m not believing him.)
Do you believe what she says? (NOTAre you believing what she says?)
57. Don’t use in front of to mean ‘facing’ or ‘opposite’.
Do you believe what she says? (NOT
57. Don’t use in front of to mean ‘facing’ or ‘opposite’.
She sat down facing me and looked into my eyes. (NOT She sat down in front of me and looked into my eyes.)
There’s a hotel opposite our house. (NOTThere’s a hotel in front of our house.)
58. Use it, not I, he, she etc to identify people.
There’s a hotel opposite our house. (NOT
58. Use it, not I, he, she etc to identify people.
(on the phone): Hello. It’s Alan Williams speaking. ((NOT Hello. I’m Alan Williams.)
‘Who’s that?’ ‘It’s John.’ (NOTWho’s that?’ ‘He’s John.’)
59. People (meaning ‘persons’) is a plural word.
‘Who’s that?’ ‘It’s John.’ (NOT
59. People (meaning ‘persons’) is a plural word.
The people in this town are very friendly. (NOT The people in this town is very friendly.)
Who are those people? (NOTWho is that people?)
60. Use although or but, but not both together.
Who are those people? (NOT
60. Use although or but, but not both together.
Although it was late, she went out.
It was late, but she went out.
(BUT NOTAlthough it was late, but she went out.)
61. With if, we normally use the present to talk about the future.
It was late, but she went out.
(BUT NOT
61. With if, we normally use the present to talk about the future.
If I have time, I’ll phone you. (NOT
I’ll be surprised if she answers my letter. (NOT
62. Use almost, not nearly, to say that one thing is very like another.
She is almost a sister to me. (NOT
I almost wish I had stayed at home. (NOT
63. If you don’t do something any more, you stop doing it.
The doctor told me to stop smoking. (NOT
I’m going to stop working so hard. (NOT
64. A singular countable noun must normally have a determiner
(e.g. a/an, the, my, that).
She broke a/the/that/my window. (NOT
Where is the station? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 62.
65. We don’t often use would in subordinate clauses; instead, we use past tenses.
Would you follow me wherever I went? (NOT
I would tell you if I knew. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 580.
66. With when, use the past perfect to make it clear that one thing finished before another started.
When I had written my letters, I did some gardening. (NOT
When he had cleaned the windows, he stopped for a cup of tea. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 424.
67. Don’t use can to talk about the chance that something will happen.
It may/might/could rain this evening. (NOT
I think Jane may/might/could come tomorrow. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 345.
68. Don’t use an infinitive after think.
I’m thinking of changing my job. (NOT
Are you thinking of going home this weekend? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 588.
69. Use a singular noun after every.
I play tennis every Wednesday. (NOT
He wrote to every child in the village. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 193.
70. When you say what somebody’s job is, use a/an.
My sister is a photographer. (NOT
I’m studying to be an engineer. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 62.
71. Use at last, not finally, as an exclamation.
At last! Where have you been? (NOT Finally! Where have you been?)
She’s written to me. At last!
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 204.
She’s written to me. At last!
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 204.
72. Get can mean ‘become’, but not before nouns.
It’s getting cold.
It’s getting to be winter.
(BUT NOTIt’s getting winter.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 223.
It’s getting to be winter.
(BUT NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 223.
73. Don’t use negative questions in polite requests or enquiries.
Could you help me, please? (NOT Couldn’t you help me, please?)
You haven’t seen John, have you? (NOTHaven’t you seen John?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 368.
You haven’t seen John, have you? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 368.
74. One negative word is usually enough.
She looked, but she didn’t see anything. (NOT She looked, but she didn’t see nothing.)
I have never heard of him. (NOTI haven’t never heard of him.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 370.
I have never heard of him. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 370.
75. Much and many are unusual in affirmative sentences (except in a very formal style).
He has a lot / plenty of money. (NOT He has much money.)
My father has travelled to lots of countries. (More natural than My father has travelled to many countries.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 357.
My father has travelled to lots of countries. (More natural than My father has travelled to many countries.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 357.
76. Don’t use since to talk about the future.
I’ll be home from three o’clock. (NOT I’ll be home since three o’clock.)
The shop will be closed for two weeks from Monday. (NOTThe shop will be closed for two weeks since Monday.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 308.
The shop will be closed for two weeks from Monday. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 308.
77. Singular fraction + plural noun: use a plural verb.
A third of the students are from abroad. (NOT A third of the students is from abroad.)
A quarter of the trees have been cut down.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 389.
A quarter of the trees have been cut down.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 389.
78. You listen to something.
She never listens to me. (NOT She never listens me.)
Listen to this! (NOTListen this!)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 449.
Listen to this! (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 449.
79. Don’t use the past progressive for past habits.
When I was 20 I smoked / I used to smoke. (NOT When I was 20 I was smoking.)
I played / I used to play a lot of football at school. (NOTI was playing a lot of football at school.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 422.
I played / I used to play a lot of football at school. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 422.
80. Don’t use most of directly before a noun.
Most of these people agree with me.
Most people agree with me.
(BUT NOTMost of people agree with me.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 356.
Most people agree with me.
(BUT NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 356.
81. In ‘unreal’ conditions with if, use would, not will.
If I knew the price, I would tell you. (NOT If I knew the price, I will tell you.)
It would be better if he told the truth. (NOTIt will be better if he told the truth.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 258.
It would be better if he told the truth. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 258.
82. Don’t use later with an expression of time to talk about the future.
I’ll see you later.
I’ll see you in a few days.
(BUT NOTI’ll see you a few days later.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 315.
I’ll see you in a few days.
(BUT NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 315.
83. Don’t use in case to mean ‘if’.
Compare:
I’ll take an umbrella in case it rains. (= ‘… because it might rain.’)
I’ll open the umbrella if it rains. (NOT I’ll open the umbrella in case it rains.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 271.
I’ll take an umbrella in case it rains. (= ‘… because it might rain.’)
I’ll open the umbrella if it rains. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 271.
84. Use so before an adjective, but not before adjective + noun.
I love this country – it’s so beautiful. (NOT I love this so beautiful country.)
Thanks for your help. That was so kind of you. (NOT Thanks for your so kind help.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 538.
Thanks for your help. That was so kind of you. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 538.
85. Only use unless to mean ‘except if’.
Compare:
I’ll see you tomorrow unless I have to work.
I’ll be really upset if I don’t pass the exam. (NOTI’ll be really upset unless I pass the exam.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 601.
I’ll see you tomorrow unless I have to work.
I’ll be really upset if I don’t pass the exam. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 601.
86. Use be with adjectives, not have with nouns, to talk about physical sensations like cold, hunger, thirst etc.
I am thirsty. (NOT I have thirst.)
We are cold in this house. (NOTWe have cold in this house.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 92.
We are cold in this house. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 92.
87. Don’t use to-infinitives after can, could, will, would, may, might, shall, should or must.
I can swim. (NOT I can to swim.)
Must you make so much noise? (NOTMust you to make so much noise?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 353.
Must you make so much noise? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 353.
88. Use not, not no, to make sentences negative.
I’m not asleep. (NOT I’m no asleep.)
We are open on Saturdays, but not on Sundays. (NOT … but no on Sundays.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 382.
We are open on Saturdays, but not on Sundays. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 382.
89. We don’t usually use present tenses after past reporting verbs.
She told me she had a headache. (NOT She told me she has a headache.)
I asked him what he wanted. (NOT | asked him what he wants.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 275.
I asked him what he wanted. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 275.
90. Use to after married, engaged.
He’s married to a doctor. (NOT He’s married with a doctor.)
My sister is engaged to a computer engineer. (NOTMy sister is engaged with a computer engineer.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 449.
My sister is engaged to a computer engineer. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 449.
91. Use which, not what, to refer back to a whole sentence.
She passed her exam, which surprised everybody. (NOT She passed her exam, what surprised everybody.)
My father has just climbed Mont Blanc, which is pretty good for a man of 75. (NOT… what is pretty good for a man of 75.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
My father has just climbed Mont Blanc, which is pretty good for a man of 75. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
92. Don’t use the with society when it has a general meaning.
We all have to live in society. (NOT We all have to live in the society.)
Rousseau said that society makes people evil. (NOTRousseau said that the society makes people evil.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 68.
Rousseau said that society makes people evil. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 68.
93. Use a to-infinitive after want.
I want to go home. (NOT I want go home.)
The children want to stay up late. (NOTThe children want stay up late.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 613.
The children want to stay up late. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 613.
94. Use make, not do, with mistake.
I have made a mistake. (NOT I have done a mistake.)
You can’t speak a language without making mistakes. (NOT … without doing mistakes.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 160.
You can’t speak a language without making mistakes. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 160.
95. Don’t repeat a relative pronoun with another pronoun.
There’s the man that I work for. (NOT There’s the man that I work for him.)
She saw a doctor who sent her to hospital. (NOTShe saw a doctor who he sent her to hospital.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
She saw a doctor who sent her to hospital. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 494.
96. After a superlative, use in with a place expression.
Which is the biggest city in the world? (NOT Which is the biggest city of the world?)
This is the best restaurant in the city. (NOT This is the best restaurant of the city.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 139.
This is the best restaurant in the city. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 139.
97. You explain and suggest something to somebody.
Please explain to me what you want. (NOT Please explain me what you want.)
Can you suggest a good restaurant to us? (NOTCan you suggest us a good restaurant?)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition sections 198 and 570.
Can you suggest a good restaurant to us? (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition sections 198 and 570.
98. Work is an uncountable noun.
I’m looking for work. (NOT I’m looking for a work.)
My brother has found a new job. (NOT My brother has found a new work.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 148.
My brother has found a new job. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 148.
99. Be careful of the word order in negative infinitives.
It’s important not to work too hard. (NOT It’s important to not work too hard.)
I asked her not to make so much noise.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 280.
I asked her not to make so much noise.
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 280.
100. Possessives replace articles.
We stayed in John’s house at the weekend. (NOT We stayed in the John’s house at the weekend.)
She’s been studying Britain’s foreign policy since 1980. (NOTShe’s been studying the Britain’s foreign policy since 1980.)
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 70.
She’s been studying Britain’s foreign policy since 1980. (NOT
For more details, see Practical English Usage 3rd Edition section 70.
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