We talked aboutwhether it was ready. (NOT
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 beingdecorated this week. (NOT
Your bill is just being prepared, sir. (NOT
53. We don’t normally use must to talk about the past.
I had to see thedentist yesterday. (NOT
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 milkchocolate. (NOT
What’s your phone number? (NOT
55. Use the whole of, not whole, before the name of aplace.
The whole of Pariswas celebrating. (NOT
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
Do you believe what she says? (NOT
57. Don’t use in front of to mean ‘facing’ or ‘opposite’.
She sat down facingme and looked into my eyes. (NOT
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
‘Who’s that?’ ‘It’s John.’ (NOT
59. People (meaning ‘persons’) is a plural word.
The people in thistown are very friendly. (NOT
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 NOT
61. With if, we normally use the present to talk about thefuture.
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 verylike 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
65. We don’t often use would in subordinate clauses; instead, weuse past tenses.
Would you follow me wherever I went? (NOT
I would tell you if I knew. (NOT
66. With when, use the past perfect to make it clear that onething 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
67. Don’t use can to talk about the chance that something willhappen.
It may/might/could rain this evening. (NOT
I think Jane may/might/could come tomorrow. (NOT
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
69. Use a singular noun after every.
I play tennis every Wednesday. (NOT
He wrote to every child in the village. (NOT
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
71. Use at last, not finally, as an exclamation.
At last! Where have you been? (NOT
She’s written to me. At last!
72. Get can mean ‘become’, but not before nouns.
It’s getting cold.
It’s getting to be winter.
(BUT NOT
73. Don’t use negative questions in polite requests or enquiries.
Could you help me, please? (NOT
You haven’t seen John, have you? (NOT
74. One negative word is usually enough.
She looked, but shedidn’t see anything. (NOT
I have never heard of him. (NOT
75. Much and many are unusual in affirmative sentences(except in a very formal style).
He has a lot /plenty of money. (NOT
My father has travelled to lots of countries. (More natural than My fatherhas travelled to many countries.)