collins tim correct your english errors 2018

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CONTENTS
Introduction

UsingThisBook
Acknowledgments
Pretest
PronunciationandSpelling
Pronunciation
Spelling
Capitalization
Punctuation
Grammar
Nouns
Numbers
Determiners
Pronouns
Adjectives
PossessiveWords
Verbs
Be:SimplePresentTense
SimplePresentTense
PresentProgressiveTense
Imperatives
Be:SimplePastTense


SimplePastTense
PastProgressiveTense
PresentPerfectTense
FutureTensewithGoingtoandWill
ModalVerbs
Subject-VerbAgreement
PassiveVoice

Two-WordVerbs
ReflexiveandReciprocalVerbs
Infinitives,Gerunds,andParticiples
Adverbs
Prepositions
ConditionalSentences
ImpersonalExpressions
Vocabulary
ReviewExercises
CatchtheErrors
IrregularVerbList
Hard-to-SpellWords
AnswerKey
IndexofWordsandExpressions
SubjectIndex


INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this book is to identify the most common trouble spots for
English language learners, to provide a basis for understanding why these
troublespotscausedifficulties,andtoofferguidanceandpracticeforavoiding
potentialerrors.
Manyerrorscommonlymadebyspeakersandlearnersofasecondlanguageare
caused by transferring patterns and features of the native language to the new
language. This happens in all aspects of language from pronunciation to word
formationtosentencestructure:
DifficultysayinganEnglishsoundarisesbecausethefirstlanguagedoesnot
havesuchasound.
Double letters are omitted from English words because the first language’s
spellingsystemdoesnothavedoubleletters.

Verb endings to show tense or noun endings to show plurals are omitted
becausethefirstlanguagedoesnotaddsuchsuffixestothesewords.
Adjectives are placed after, rather than before, nouns because the first
languagefollowsthatpattern.
“Tallerfrom”issaidinsteadof“tallerthan”becausethat’sthepatterninthe
firstlanguage.
Another source of error is the learning process itself. That is, learners tend to
overapply or misapply patterns and rules in the new language, do not learn
exceptions to the rules, or do not apply the rules fully. Here are examples of
thesekindsoferrors:
Applying the regular -ed past-tense ending to irregular verbs: I goed home
earlyyesterday.
Usingmorewiththeadjectiveheavy(whichrequiresthe-erending)because
therulethattwo-syllableadjectivesendingin-yuse-er,notmore,wasnotfully
learned.


Usingasleepinfrontofanounbecausetherulethatacertainsmallgroupof
adjectives, including asleep, are used only after a linking verb was not fully
learned.
In this book, you will find help with these and many more common errors
through explanation and example. You will become aware of potential trouble
spots and learn how to break the habits, learn the necessary rules, and correct
yourmistakes.Severalexamplesaregivenforeachtopic,followedbyexercises
thattestyourunderstandingandhelpyouavoidthepitfalls.
This book is divided into two parts: Pronunciation and Spelling and Grammar.
ThelargestsectionisGrammar,whichidentifiesthevariouspartsofspeechin
traditional terminology for ease of comprehension. Each term is explained and
illustratedwithmultipleexamples,providingnecessaryrevieworclarification.
Throughoutthisbook,allerrorsarepresentedinredtypeandmarkedbyan .

For maximum clarity, all errors are corrected, and each corrected version is
presentedwitha .
The guidelines in this book are based on current standard usage in North
America. However, usage varies according to region and other variables, and
language is constantly changing. In cases where variants exist for formal and
informalsituations,detailsareprovided.
Becauseindividualwordsofalanguageareusedinconnectionwithotherwords,
youwillfindthatmanytopicsarementionedinmorethanoneplace.Extensive
cross-referencingwillhelpyoufindconnectionsbetweenrelatedtopics.Topics
and lists are presented in logical order. For example, irregular verbs are
presented in groups of verbs that follow similar patterns. Comparative and
superlative forms of adjectives are presented in logical groupings according to
how they are formed and spelled. Verb tenses are presented in order from the
present tense to modal verbs. Complex syntactic patterns, such as the passive
voice, are presented at the end of the volume, after all the prerequisite
knowledge has been presented. In addition, the back of the book includes a
comprehensive and detailed index, which serves as a guide to locating all the
referencestoeachtopic,aswellasakeywiththeanswerstoalltheexercises.
I hope that the materials presented in this book will help you improve your
proficiencyinEnglishandavoidthemostcommonandvexingerrorsinEnglish.


USINGTHISBOOK
Therearemanywaystousethisbook:
TakethePretestatthestartofthebook(newtothissecondedition)anduse
theAnswerKeystudyplanonpagesix-xxiitofindthetopicsandsectionsthat
arethemostdifficultforyou.Workthroughthosesectionsinorder.
Examinethe“AvoidtheError”headingsineachsection.Readtheexamples
andthentherelatedexplanations.
Usetheindextofindspecifictopics,asyouneedthem.

Usethetableofcontentstofindthespecificchaptersyouwanttostudy.
Work through the book in sequence from beginning to end for a complete
overvieworreviewofEnglishgrammarandthemostcommonandvexingerrors
thatlearnersmake.
Thisbookcontainsexercisesattheendofeachsection,andreviewexercisesat
theendofthebook.Followthesesuggestions.
CompletetheexercisesattheendofeachsectionandusetheAnswerKeyto
check your work. Then review any areas that were difficult for you, and
completetheexercisesagain.
Usethereviewexercises(newtothisedition)attheendofthebooktoreview
majortopics.Youcancompletethereviewexercisesattheendofeachgroupof
sections,orcompletethemallatonceafteryoufinishthebook.UsetheAnswer
Keytocheckyourwork.Thenreviewanyareasthatweredifficultforyou,and
completetheexercisesagain.
Usethe“CatchtheErrors”sectionattheendofthebookasafinalcheckof
yourunderstandingofthemajortopicsinthebook.


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am indebted to Grace Freedson, who presented me with the opportunity to
write this book; to Garret Lemoi, who gave patient guidance and feedback
throughout the writing; to Julia Anderson Bauer, who skillfully put the book
through the publishing process; to Robert F. Wilson, whose networking skills
have been instrumental in my career; and to Mary Jane Maples, who has
provided me with peerless advice and countless opportunities throughout my
career.
Thisbookisdedicatedtoallmyteachersoflinguistics:
CynthiaCornell,DePauwUniversity
ErnestoCarratalá,UniversitatCentraldeBarcelona
RoserEstapáArgemí,UniversitatCentraldeBarcelona

JoséEnriqueGargalloGil,UniversitatCentraldeBarcelona
JoanVeny,UniversitatCentraldeBarcelona
LyleBachman,UniversityofCaliforniaatLosAngeles
MarioSaltarelli,UniversityofSouthernCalifornia
H.DouglasBrown,SanFranciscoStateUniversity
LawrenceF.Bouton,UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana
RonCowan,UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana
WayneB.Dickerson,UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana
PearlGoodman,UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana
HansHock,UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana
YamunaKachru,UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana
JamesF.Lee,IndianaUniversity
BillVanPatten,UniversityofIllinoisatChicago
CarolKlee,UniversityofMinnesota
JohnBordie,UniversityofTexasatAustin
JabierElorrieta,UniversityofTexasatAustin


ElaineHorwitz,UniversityofTexasatAustin
ZenaMoore,UniversityofTexasatAustin
DieterWanner,TheOhioStateUniversity


PRETEST
Use this pretest to find the sections of the book that are most helpful to you.
First, answer the questions. Then use the Pretest Answer Key Study Planon
pages xxiii–xxvi to check your answers and identify the sections of this book
youshouldstudy.
Questions1–3.Correctthespellingerrors.
1.Eatinglunchinthecafateriaisnobargian.Infact,it’sveryexpencivetoeat

their.
____________________________________________________________
2.Theexplainationoftheanserswasknotcleartothegroop.
____________________________________________________________
3.IcannotunderstandwhythelibaryisclosedtheholemonthofFebuary.
____________________________________________________________
Questions4–6.Rewritethesentenceswithcorrectcapitalization.
4.MyfavoriteDaytimeTVShowisjudgeJudy.
____________________________________________________________
5.DidYouknowthatilivedinspainforseveralyears?
____________________________________________________________
6.ThecaliforniaSunandrichEarthmakethevegetablesgrowquickly.
____________________________________________________________


Questions7–11.Writethecorrectpunctuationmarkontheline.Ifno
punctuationisneeded,leavethelineblank.
7.I’llbuyanewcar________ifIwinthelottery.
8.Iamgoingtobuysugar,eggs________butter________flour,andmilk
________inordertobakeacake.
9.DoyouknowMissRogman________Sheistheprincipal________atmy
son’sschool________
10.Ijoinedthearmy________mybestfriendwenttocollege.
11.Aftergettinghomefromwork________IwatchedTV________andthen
cookeddinner.
Questions12–14.Completetheitems.
12.Writethepluralformsofthenouns.

13.Writethepossessiveformofthewordinparentheses.

14.Circlethenounsthatarenotnormallyusedintheplural.
a.flour
b.water
c.bread
d.milk


e.pizza
Questions15–17.Rewritetheitemscorrectly.
15.2April2,017
____________________________________________________________
16.12:00P.M.midnight
____________________________________________________________
17.Normaltemperatureis98,6degreesFahrenheit.
____________________________________________________________
Questions18–22.Writea,an,some,ortheontheline.Ifnodetermineris
needed,leavethelineblank.
18.Johnhasbeen________professorsince1999.Beforethat,hewas
________artist.
19.________Americancheeseisonsalefor$2.99________pound.
20.I’dlike________cupofcoffeeand________cerealfor________
breakfastthismorning.
21.Ihavetogoto________bankthismorningbefore________work.
22.Let’sgoto________moviesthisafternoon.Wecansee________Star
Warson________bigscreen!
Questions23–24.Circlethecorrectword.
23.Pleasehandmeoneof(this/those)hammers.
24.Howmuchis(that/these)laptop?
Questions25–28.Rewritethesentences.Usepronounsinplaceofthecrossedoutwords.
25.FredandLucygaveRickyandmeabigsurprise.

____________________________________________________________


26.TimhitTiminthelegwiththecabinetdoor.
____________________________________________________________
27.DaveisasniceasSusan.
____________________________________________________________
28.I’dliketwoofthosecables,please.
____________________________________________________________
Questions29–30.Circlethecorrectadjective.
29.Thisisa(fascinated/fascinating)movie.
30.Ithinkthatcollectingcoinsisan(interested/interesting)hobby.
Questions31–32.Writethewordsinparenthesesinthecorrectorder.Use
commasifnecessary.
31.Sheboughtan(expensive/black/modern)sofa.
____________________________________________________________
32.(redfavoriteLance’s)penisunderthetable.
____________________________________________________________
Questions33–35.Completethesentences.Use–er…than/the–estormore…
than/themost.
33.Mynewcarismuch________(fast)thanmyoldone.
34.Youcanbuy________(expensive)hamburgerintheworldinLasVegas,
Nevada.
35.Thislittlebackpackseems________(heavy)yoursuitcase.
Questions36–39.Rewritethesentences.Usepronounsinplaceofthewordsin
parentheses.
36.Ican’twaittodrive(Frank’sandmy)newcar!
____________________________________________________________

37.Ithinkthatthiscoatis(you).
____________________________________________________________
38.Thisproblemisnot(my).
____________________________________________________________
39.Pleaseput(you)completenameontheform.
____________________________________________________________
Questions40–42.Circlethecorrectwordorwordstocompletethesentences.
40.Thecathasnowater.Pleaseputsomewaterin(it’s/its)bowl.
41.Henry’sBurgersmakesgreathamburgers.Ilove(their/there)hotdogs,
too.
42.(Who’s/Whose)bookisthis?
Questions43–46.Writethecorrectformoftheverbbeinthesimplepresent
tenseontheline.
43.CarlandLisa________twoofmybestfriends.
44.I________veryhappytomeetyou,Dr.Williams.
45.DaveandI________neighborsandcoworkers.
46.________theyreadytoleave?
Questions47–49.Rewritethesentences.Usecontractionsinplaceofthe
crossed-outwords.
47.Sheisnotabsenttoday.
____________________________________________________________
48.TheyarefromRussia.
____________________________________________________________
49.Wearenotinthelunchroom.Weareinthewarehouse.
____________________________________________________________


Questions50–53.Writethecorrectformoftheverbinthesimplepresenttense
ontheline.
50.Myra________(notlive)inChicago.She________(live)inKansasCity.

51.Katia’ssons________(love)herhomemadepancakes.
52.Shealways________(buy)hergroceriesatHillman’sSupermarket.
53.________(shespeak)FrenchorItalian?
Questions54–57.Writethecorrectformoftheverbinthepresentprogressive
tenseontheline.
54.Ms.Maples________(write)ane-mailrightnow.
55.Mr.andMrs.North________(notcome)totheparty.
56.Lucy________(get)acupofcoffeeinthecafeteria.
57.________(theybegin)theconcertnow?
Questions58–61.Readeachsituation.Writeanimperative.
58.Youfeelcold.Awindowisopenandairisblowingin.
____________________________________________________________
59.Yoursonislearningtodrive.Youthinkthatheisgoingtoofast.
____________________________________________________________
60.Yourfamilyisatthemovietheater.Yoursisterkeepstalkingduringthe
movie.Youfeeldistracted.
____________________________________________________________
61.Yourfriendalwaysleavesbooksalloverthehouse.Sheneverputsthemin
thebookcase.
____________________________________________________________
Questions62–66.Writethecorrectformoftheverbbeinthesimplepasttense
ontheline.Useacontractionwhenpossible.
62.BobandCarol________absentfromclassyesterday.


63.________yousurprisedbyhisdecision?
64.She________myneighborformanyyears,butafewyearsagoshemoved
away.
65.Math________myfavoritesubjectinelementaryschool.
66.Hercoat________(not)inthecloset.

67.Writethesimplepasttenseoftheirregularverbontheline.

Questions68–71.Writethecorrectformoftheverbinthesimplepasttenseon
theline.Useacontractionwhenpossible.
68.He________(get)upveryearlythismorning.
69.MartaandElizabeth________(notarrive)ontimeforclasstoday.
70.Whattime________(thetrainleave)thestation?
71.Where________(Kristinuse)tolive?
Questions72–75.Writetheverbinthepastprogressivetenseorsimplepast
tense.Usecontractionswhenpossible.
72.Magda________(study)Englisheverynightlastweek.
73.WhileBrice________(cook)dinner,thephone________(ring).
74.What________(youread)whenyou________(hear)thenews?


75.She________(get)onthebuswhenshe________(slip)ontheiceand
________(fall).
76.Writethepastparticipleoftheirregularverbontheline.

Questions77–80.Circlethecorrectverbtocompletethesentences.
77.She(is,has)checkinghere-mailrightnow.
78.John(is,’s,have)visitedRomemanytimes.
79.FrankandMary(have,has,are)boughtanewcar.
80.TheCivilWar(began,hasbegun)in1861.
Questions81–84.Circlethebestwordtocompletethesentence.
81.Haveyou(ever,never,yet,for,since)seenStarWars?It’sagreatmovie!
82.DianehaslivedinSpain(ever,never,yet,for,since)fiveyears.
83.Thatrestauranthasbeenopen(ever,never,yet,for,since)1898.
84.Hasherbusarrived(ever,never,yet,for,since)?
Questions85–88.Completethesentences.Usewilloris/aregoingto.Use

contractions.
85.We’retiredofeatinghome.Tonightwe________gooutfordinner.


86.Atthemovietheater,I________buyyousomepopcorn.
87.Janice,________(you)marryme?
88.Julia________makepizzafordinner.
Questions89–93.Completethesentencesbycirclingthecorrectmodalverb.
89.You(cannot/don’thaveto)smokeinanairplane.
90.You(should/could)cometoacompletestopatastopsign.
91.Frankisn’tatworktoday.He(must/can)beonvacation.
92.(Could/Should)Ihaveaglassofwater,please?
93.It(might/must)snowtonight.
Questions94–98.Writethecorrectformoftheverbinthepresenttenseonthe
line.
94.Mathematics________(be)myfavoritesubject.
95.Rockandroll________(be)populararoundtheworld.
96.Myfamily________(love)togotothezooonweekends.
97.Thepolice________(be)investigatingtherobbery.
98.Everyone________(be)readytobegin.
Questions99–101.Rewritethesesentencesinthepassivevoice.Useaphrase
withbyonlyinitem99.
99.Hehelpedherwithherhomework.
____________________________________________________________
100.Noonecanunderstandthisbook.
____________________________________________________________
101.Thecookcutthefruitwithasharpknife.
____________________________________________________________
Questions102–104.Insertthewordintotheproperpositioninthesentence.If

thewordcangoinbothpositions,writeboth.
102.She’slooking________after________.(thechildren)
103.Pleaseput________away________.(it)
104.Heturned________off________.(thelights)
Questions105–106.Circlethewordthatbestcompletesthesentence.
105.Thepolicearelooking(into/up)thatmatter.
106.Pleasebring(up/over)someapplesfromthecounter.
Questions107–109.Completethesentenceswithareflexivepronoun.
107.LanceandChris,pleaseremembertoreward________(you)afteryoupass
yourEnglishtest.
108.Let’sintroduce________(us)tooneanother.MynameisLarissa.
109.Thebosscheckedallthedetailsinthereport________(she)beforeIemailedittothemainoffice.
Questions110–113.Circlethecorrectwordorwordstocompletethesentences.
110.Theteacherlettheclass(toleave/leave/leaving)earlyyesterday.
111.Mr.Bateslovestogo(hike/hiking/tohike)inthemountains.
112.TomisunhappyaboutSteve(ask/asking/toask/asks)himforabigloan.
113.Canyouhearthemusic(playing/toplay/plays)inthedistance?It’s
beautiful!
Questions114–118.Writeanadjectiveoranadverbontheline.
114.MaryJanealwayspaysherworkers________(good).
115.AreyoufeelingOK?You’re________(hard)eating.
116.Therefrigeratorsmells________(terrible).Weneedtocleanitrightaway!
117.Thebossisgoingtoarrive________(soon).Weneedtocleanupthis
mess!


118.Whydidhespeakso________(angry)tous?
119.His________(month)expensesareveryhigh.
Questions120–124.Circlethebestwordorwordstocompletethesentences.

120.Taxesarealwaysdue(in,on,at)April15.
121.Weatepopcorn(during/while)watchingthemovie.
122.Therestaurantis(between/infrontof)thedrugstoreandthebank.
123.Mybookfell(behind/outof/offto)thesofa.Canyouhelpmegetit?
124.Thebankisopen(to/into/until)12noononSaturdays.
Questions125–129.Completethesentenceswiththecorrectformoftheverb.
125.Ifshe________(finish)workearly,shewillgohomeat2:00.
126.IftheInternetstopsworking,________(check)yourconnection.
127.I________(cook)dinnertonightifIhadthetime.
128.Ifyouhadpaidattention,you________(nothave)anaccident.
129.Wewould’vearrivedontimeifthetrain________(notbe)late.
Questions130–132.Circlethecorrectwordstocompletethesentences.
130.(It’s/Its)sunnybutcoldtoday.
131.(Thereis/Thereare)afewpiecesofcandyinthedish.
132.(It’s/There’s/Thereare)obviousthatwemadeawrongturnafewmiles
back.
Questions133–135.Circlethecorrectwordstocompletethesentences.
133.Chris(made/did)abigmessinthekitchencookingbreakfast.
134.Thatbankwas(robbed/stolen)lastweek.
135.Iamgoingto(wear/puton)mynewdresstoworktomorrow.

PretestAnswerKeyStudyPlan


UsetheseanswerstocheckyourworkonthePretest.Asyoucheck,circleinthe
AnswerKeythenumberorletterofeachincorrectanswer.Thenlookoveryour
results.Usetheresultstofigureoutthesectionsofthebookmostimportantto
you.
You can work through those sections in order, start with the sections most
difficulttoyou,orstartwiththesectionsthataremostimportanttoyou.After

that,reviewtheremainingsectionsofthebook.
Pronunciation is not assessed in this test. We recommend that all users
considercompletingthePronunciationsectionofthebookfirst.