Errors to Avoid

Homework: Something about

me
 Expressing age

• Remember, in English age is expressed with the

verb BE, not the verb HAVE, as in Spanish.

Example: I am seventeen years old.

He is twenty years old.
They are thirty.

WRONG: I have nineteen years.

 Using Subjects
• Remember, you ALWAYS need to use a subject
before the verb in English. Otherwise, it may not
be clear who/what you are talking about.
• The pronoun I is always in a capital letter.
Example: I live in Bogota; I have lived here all my
life.
It is very funny.

WRONG: i live in Bogota. Have lived here all

my life.
Is very funny.
 Days and Months
• Days and months in English are always written
in capital letters.

Example: I was born in February.

My birthday is next Thursday.

WRONG: I was born in february.

My birthday is next thursday.
 Describing Activities
• In English, different activities are expressed with
–ING FORMS: painting, dancing, drawing, etc.

Example: I love dancing (or to dance).

My hobby is painting.
The thing I love most is drawing.

WRONG: My hobby is paint.

The thing I love most is draw.
 Definite and Indefinite Article
• Always use indefinite article (a/an) with countable
singular nouns.
Example: I am a positive person.
My father is an architect.
 In English, when you speak in general, the definite
article (the) is not used.
Example: My favourite food is chicken.
I love movies.
WRONG: I am positive person.
My father is architect.
My favourite food is the chicken.
I love the movies.
 Word Choice
• Prepositions: Make sure you know when to use the
correct preposition.
Example: The verb ARRIVE is used with IN or AT, not TO.
When I arrive at home…../I arrived in London.
WRONG: arrive to home/I arrived to London.

• Collocations/Literal Translations: Do not translate

Literally from Spanish and make sure you know how
to express yourself well in English.
Example: I would love to see/visit other countries.
WRONG: I would love to meet other countries.