Can you find the mistake? There have many beautiful trees and flowers in the park.

How can this be corrected? There have many beautiful trees and flowers in the park. are

We don’t use “there have”. Instead, use “there are” or you can sometimes change the subject and then use the verb have.

Here are some examples: There have many beautiful trees in the park.  There are many beautiful trees in the park.  The park has many beautiful trees. 

Can you find the mistake? Every weekend my brother and I go to shopping in Shatin New Town Plaza.

How can this be corrected? Every weekend my brother and I go to shopping in Shatin New Town Plaza. _

Never put “to + ing” together as verbs. [use infinitives or gerunds, never both.]

Some verb use the infinitive (the to form). I want to run. (not I want running.) Some verbs use gerunds (the ing form). I enjoy running. (not I enjoy to run.) Some verbs use gerunds (the ing form). I enjoy running. (not I enjoy to run.) Some use either. I like to run. I like running. None use both (at the same time).

Here are some examples: I go to shopping every day.  I go shopping every day.  I go to the shopping mall every day.  (a place, not a verb)

Can you find the mistake? Sometimes I have fruit for breakfast. I very like bananas because they are so sweet.

How can this be corrected? Sometimes I have fruit for breakfast. I very like bananas because they are so sweet. really

“very like” is always incorrect. Instead, use “really like” or “like it a lot”. You can also change the verb to something like “love” or “prefer”.

Here are some examples: I very like bananas.  I really like bananas.  I like bananas a lot.  I love bananas.  I prefer bananas. 

Can you find the mistake? When you ride on the bus, remember that there is no eating and drinking.

How can this be corrected? When you ride on the bus, remember that there is no eating and drinking. or

“No X and Y” means you can not do both things at the same time. (e.g. no drinking and driving) No X or Y” means you can not do either one (or both together). (e.g. no sleeping or fighting in class)

Can you find the mistake? They didn’t like the English grammar lesson. The students felt very boring.

How can this be corrected? They didn’t like the English grammar lesson. The students felt very boring. bored

ED words tell us how someone …

ING words tell us that someone or something…

Can you find the mistakes? My friend’s father is a famous doctor. He has many monies.

How can this be corrected? My friend’s father is a famous doctor. He has many monies. money a lot of

Money is non-countable so there is no “s” at the end. With non-countable items use: “a lot of” for postive statements e.g. She has a lot of money. “much/a lot of ” for negative statements e.g. She doesn’t have much/a lot of money. “much/a lot of” for questions e.g. Does she have much/a lot of money?

Can you find the mistake? The roller coaster was very funny. Everyone had a good time!

How can this be corrected? The roller coaster was very funny. Everyone had a good time! fun

Fun and funny have different meanings.

Here are some examples: The roller coaster was funny.  The roller coaster was fun.  Joey told us a fun joke.  Joey told us a funny joke. 

Can you find the mistakes? My friends very like to playing the video games.

Can you find the mistakes? My friends very like to playing the video games. really to play / playing _

Don’t use “the” when talking about things in general. general specific

Here are some examples: I should read the English books and newspapers every week.  I should read English books and newspapers every week.  We should read books on our class book list before Monday.  We should read the books on our class book list before Monday. 

Can you find the mistake? If you want to keep fit, exercising is more better than playing computer games.

How can this be corrected? If you want to keep fit, exercising is more better than playing computer games. better

Use “er” or “more”, not both. Remember the rules for comparatives: Use “….er” for short words (one syllable) e.g. old - older, fat - fatter, nice - nicer Use “more ….” for longer words (2+ syllables) e.g. modern - more modern, expensive - more expensive Use “….ier” for words ending in “y” e.g. shy - shier, happy - happier Use “er” or “more”, not both. Remember the rules for comparatives: Use “….er” for short words (one syllable) e.g. old - older, fat - fatter, nice - nicer Use “more ….” for longer words (2+ syllables) e.g. modern - more modern, expensive - more expensive Use “….ier” for words ending in “y” e.g. shy - shier, happy - happier

Here are some examples: Canada is more colder than Australia  Canada is colder than Australia.  Germany is more better in football than the United States of America. Germany is better in football than the United States of America 

Can you find the mistakes? Yesterday night, Kelvin and Amy were watching the holiday fireworks over Victoria Harbour.

How can these be corrected? Yesterday night, Kelvin and Amy were watching the holiday fireworks over Victoria Harbour. Last watched

Instead of “yesterday night”, we say “last night”. Instead of “yesterday night”, we say “last night”. We went out yesterday night.  We went out last night.  We woke up late yesterday morning.  I watched T.V. yesterday afternoon.  She studied yesterday at 6:00 pm. 

Usually, for the past use the simple past, unless it is interrupted or a specific time is given. In that case we use past progressive. Yesterday we played tennis. Yesterday we were playing tennis when you called. Yesterday we were playing tennis at 5:30. Past Tenses: