Food for Thought

 Everyday situations are a minefield of common English errors.  Let’s rectify some of them to avoid making the same mistakes.  Let’s share the common errors we may have as teachers.

 WRONG: “Please excuse me. I have to leave now to put my children TO SLEEP.” RIGHT: “… I have to leave now to put my children TO BED.” (EXPLANATION: It is a criminal offence to put a person “to sleep”. In Singapore it carries the death penalty.)  WRONG: “I SEND our son Joey to school everyday.” RIGHT: “I DRIVE/TAKE our son Joey to school….” (EXPLANATION: To “send” someone means that you are not accompanying that person on the journey.)

 WRONG: “It may rain this afternoon. You GOT bring umbrella OR NOT?” RIGHT: ” … DID YOU bring an umbrella!”  WRONG: “You ONLY JUST found out about the sale? Today is the last day.” RIGHT: “You found out ONLY NOW about the sale? …”  WRONG: “I used to love durians, but NOT SO MUCH nowadays.” RIGHT: ” … but LESS SO nowadays,

 WRONG: “Children, please OFF the lights when you leave the room.” RIGHT: ” … Please SWITCH OFF the lights …”  WRONG: “He is late. MUST BE he overslept or missed the bus.” RIGHT: “… IT MUST BE THAT he overslept or missed the bus.” or “… He MUST HAVE overslept or missed the bus.”  WRONG: “Sorry, I am really busy with work right now. Can we discuss tomorrow?” RIGHT: ” … Can we discuss IT tomorrow?”

Let’s communicate with confidence at work. Let’s be understood More exciting and funny expressions and conversation from… resources/tips-work/list-of-common-english- errors-in-everyday-situations