Tài liệu Longman Dictionarry of Common Errors_ Part 2.10 docx

UK
under
under-
)<
stand 1
./
2
)<
./
./
X
./
unemploy-
ment
uniform
3
X This is my first visit to UK .
./ This is my first visit to the UK.
See note at THE 12
)<
Prices are not allowed to fall under this level.
./ Prices are not allowed to fall below this level.
See note at BELOW 1
People find it difficult to understand about the Japanese.
People find it difficult to understand the Japanese .
understand sb/sth (WITHOUT about): 'After twenty years of marriage,
we still don't understand each other.'
You have to know our culture in order to understand us deeply.
You have to know our culture in order to understand us
properly.
You have to know our culture in order to really understand

us.
Reading helps us to understand the world more deeply.
Reading,helps us to understand the world better.
understand sb/sth properly/better;fully/really understand sb/sth
(NOT deeply): 'Make sure that you understand the instructions properly
before you begin.' 'Nobody fully understands how the drug actually
works.'
Note the alternative: 'Reading helps us to develop our understanding of
the world.'
)<
At first I wasn't understanding anything .
./ At first I didn't understand anything.
See Language Note at
CONTAIN
)<
The unemployment is a serious problem in my country.
./ Unemployment is a serious problem in my country.
See THE 4
)<
Every year we make new uniforms for the carnival.
./ Every year we make new costumes for the carnival.
uniform
=
a set of clothes worn by soldiers, police officers, nurses etc
when on duty, and children in some schools: 'Some children hate having
to wear their school uniform.'
costume
=
a set of clothes worn by actors or public performers: 'She
used to work for a theatre company, designing and making costumes.'

'The tourist guides at the castle all wear medieval costumes.'
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342
unique
unique
United
Kingdom
United
Nations
United
States
?
It's one of the most unique pieces of architecture in Spain .
.I It's one of the most unusual pieces of architecture in Spain.
Unique usually describes something that is the only one of its kind:
'Lennon will be remembered for his songs and for his unique sense of
humour.'
In informal styles unique issometimes used with more/most/rather etc.
to mean 'unusual': 'This rather unique little restaurant is
very
popular with
the locals.' This.use of unique is considered by careful users to be
incorrect.
)< I spent two months travelling around United Kingdom.
.I I spent two months travelling around the United Kingdom.
See note at THE 12
)< The purpose of United Nations is to protect human rights.
.I The purpose of the United Nations is to protect human
rights.
See note at THE 12

)< I met people from Canada and United States.
.I I met people from Canada and the United States.
See note at THE 12
university 1 )< I am studying sociology at the London University .
.I I am studying sociology at London University .
.I I am studying sociology at the University of London.
London/Leeds Unlverslty (WITMOUTthe)
the University
of London/Leeds
(WITH
the)
In formal written styles the usual form is.'the University of London'.
unknown
2)< After leaving school, we all went to the university .
.I After leaving school, we all went to university.
Users of American English\Nould say: 'After gr;'lduatingfrom high school,
we all went to college.'
See note at SCHOOL 1
3)< My sister is studying music in university .
.I My sister is studying music at university.
)< I want to study Public Administration in the University of
Southern California .
.I
I want to study Public Administration at the University of
Southern California.
See IN 5
?
I don't like driving on unknown roads .
.I I don't like driving on unfamiliar roads.
?

The names on the list were unknown to me .
.I
The names on the list were unfamiliar to me.
unknown
usuafly<:lescfibessOrnettiingthat people iDgeneral do not
know or know
very
little about: 'Whether or not there is life on any of
these planets remains unknown;' 'There are still some unknown species
of animals in the South American rainforests.'
S9me~~ingthat you yourSE:')lf
h",ve
not.geen,heard or experienced before
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until 343
unless 1
unsatis-
factory
until 1
2
3
is,unfamiliar (to you): The voice on the phone sounded unfamiliar.' 'It
took Steven some time to get used to his unfamiliar surroundings.'
X Bring something to eat unless you get hungry .
./ Bring something to eat in case you get hungry.
When you are talking about something that is done as a precaution, use
in case (NOT unless): 'You should take a book with you in case you
have to wait.'
2
X We can go in my car unless if you prefer to walk .

./ We can go in my car unless you prefer to walk.
Unless (= if ." not) is NOT used with if: That's all for today unless
anyone has any questions.' 'Don't say anything unless you have to.'
3
X He won't go to sleep unless you will tell him a story .
./ He won't go to sleep unless you tell him story.
See Language Note at WILL 4
X To tell you the truth, it's the most unsatisfactory job I've ever
had .
./ To tell you the truth, it's the most unsatisfying job I've ever
had.
See note at SATISFACTORY
X The new tunnel means that we can drive until London .
./ The new tunnel means that we can drive (all the way) to
London.
X The magazine covers everything from politics until what's
happening in Hollywood .
./ The magazine covers everything from politics to what's
happening in Hollywood.
Until and till are usually used in connection with time: The shops are
open until six o'clock on weekdays.'
When you are talking about distance, area, or scope, use to
Of
as far as:
'Do you know which bus goes to Marble Arch?' 'I got a lift as far as
Sheffield and then I took a train.' 'You can get anything from a sandwich
to a three-course meal.'
X The school caters for children until the age of eleven .
./ The school caters for children up to the age of eleven.
up to a particular age (NOT until): The competition is open to all

children up to the age of eleven.'
X I will have finished this book until tomorrow .
./ I will have finished this book by tomorrow.
X Could you let us know your decision until the end of October .
./ Could you let us know your decision by the end of October.
Until is used for an action or state continuing up to a certain time: 'The
shops are open until five thirty.' '1'11wait here until you get back.'
By is used for an action which happens before or no later than a certain
time: 'I have to submit my dissertation by the end of next year.'
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344 until now
4 X I'll wait here until you will return .
.I
I'll wait here until you return.
See Language Note at WILL
until now 1 x
Until now we have received over sixty applications .
.I
So far we have received over sixty applications.
X I've only been here for two months until now .
.I
I've only been here for two months so far.
When you are talking about a situation that is (probably) going to
continue into the future, use so far or (in formal styles) to date: 'So far
this week it's hardly stopped raining.' 'To date there have been ten
attempts on the President's life.'
2
X Her husband is alive until now .
.I
Her husband is still alive.

?
Until now their customs and beliefs remain unchanged .
.I
To this day their customs and beliefs remain unchanged.
When you want to say that something is the same now as it was in the
past, use still: 'I've read the first chapter three times and I still don't
understand it.' 'Despite her doctor's advice, she still eats anything she
likes.'
To give emphasis to this meaning, especially at the beginning of a
sentence, use to this day ... (still): 'To this day I still don't understand
why they got divorced.'
3
X The letter hasn't arrived until now .
.I
The letter hasn't arrived yet.
When you mean that up to the moment of speaking something has not
happened, use yet: 'Her plane hasn't landed yet.'
4 X It's the best hotel that I've stayed at until now .
.I
It's the best hotel that I've ever stayed at.
When you mean 'at any time (in the past) up to the moment of speaking',
use ever: 'This is the worst earthquake that the country has ever
experienced.'
unusual
X
.I
upstairs
up-to-date
X
.I

X
.I
It is not unusual that two families share the same house.
It is not unusual for two families to share the same house .
See USUAL 1
See
DOWNSTAIRS
Italian women like to keep up with up-to-date fashions.
Italian women like to keep up with the latest fashions .
Television also gives us the up-to-date news and information.
Television also gives us the latest news and information.
up-to-date (also up to date)
=
(1) (of machinery, equipment, methods,
books etc) modern, especially because based on the most recent
knowledge, information, inventions etc: 'Our computer system is
reasonably up-to-date but it's not flexible enough.' 'This map is no good.
I need one that's up-to-date.'
(2) (of people) having the most recent information about something: 'The
aim of the survey is to find out how many doctors keep up to date with
developments in medical research.'
latest
=
See note at LAST 4
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USA
useless 345
use 1
used
useless 1

2
3
4
5
X I was travelling on a flight from USA to Paris.
,f I was travelling on a flight from the USA to Paris.
See note at THE 12
X The meals we use to eat are very simple.
,f
The meals we (usually) eat are very simple.
X When I'm not busy, I use to play the guitar.
,f When I'm not busy, I (usually) play the guitar.
When you are talking about a present habit, use the present simple
tense (NOT use to do): 'I (usually) have two cups of coffee at breakfast.'
X In my previous job I use to travel a lot.
,f In my previous job I used to travel a lot.
When you are talking about a past habit, use used to do sth (with silent
d): 'Before I had the accident I used to cycle to work.'
X It took me a long time to get use to the local accent.
,f It took me a long time to get used to the local accent.
be/get used to (doing) sth (with silent d)
=
be in or get into the habit of
doing/hearing/seeing etc something, so that it no longer seems strange
or difficult: 'Being a city girl, she wasn't used to sitting on a horse.' 'I
didn't like the taste of the water at first, but I'm getting used to it.'
X On a beautiful day like today it's no use staying at home.
,f
On a beautiful day like today there's no point in staying at
home.

X It's no use having lessons if you don't want to learn.
,f
There's no point in having lessons if you don't want to
learn.
Use it's no use/good doing sth when you mean that a particular
action will not help to deal with a need or difficulty: 'For spellings, it's no
use looking in a grammar book. What you need is a dictionary.'
When you mean that something has no useful purpose, use there's no
point in doing sth: 'There's no point in having a dictionary if you never
use it.'
X There's no use in waiting any longer.
,f
There's no point in waiting any longer.
it's no use ... (NOT there): 'It's no use complaining.'
there's no point ... (NOT it) 'There's no point in getting upset.'
X We soon got used to live in the countryside.
,f
We soon got used to living in the countryside.
See note at
USE
3
X In garage sales people get rid of their useless things.
,f In garage sales people get rid of the things they don't use.
If something is useless it is not useful: 'These scissors are useless -
they don't even cut paper.' 'The report contains a lot of useless
information.'
2 X I don't like history because I think it's useless for me.
,f I don't like history because I think it's of no use to me.
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346 usual

usual 1
iI
usually
utterly
X Why do we have to learn useless words?
,/ Why do we have to learn words that are of no use?
If something does not help you to do what you want to do, it is (of) no
use (to you): 'I use my computer for writing and so a typewriter is of no
use to me.' 'This map's no use - it doesn't show the minor roads.'
3
X Staying in a big hotel would involve useless expense.
,/ Staying in a big hotel would involve unnecessary expense.
? Without all this useless packaging, food would be cheaper.
,/ Without all this unnecessary packaging, food would be
cheaper.
If something is not necessary, it is unnecessary (NOT useless): 'People
who refuse to stop smoking are taking an unnecessary risk.' 'Sports that
cause animals unnecessary suffering should be banned.'
X In Finland it's usual that women go out to work.
,/ In Finland it's usual for women to go out to work.
it's usual/unusual (for sb) to do sth (NOT that): 'Is it usual for him to
be so late?' 'It's very unusual to see these flowers at this time of the
year.'
2
X I thought it was just a usual parcel but then it began to move
across the table.
I thought it was just an ordinary parcel but then it began to
move across the table.
usual
=

that is usually used, seen, done etc: 'She was sitting in her usual
chair by the fire.' 'We arranged to meet at the usual time.' 'He was
speaking in his usual calm tone.'
ordinary
=
without any special features or qualities: 'It was just an
ordinary house in an ordinary street.' 'From the moment I met her, I knew
she was no ordinary kind of girl.'
X As usually, he arrived five minutes late.
,/ As usual, he arrived five minutes late.
X The food wasn't the same as usually.
,/ The food wasn't the same as usual.
as usual (NOT as usually): 'John's late as usual.' 'As usual, everyone
was out in the garden when I arrived.'
the same as usual (NOT ... as usually): 'Apart from his hair, he looked
the same as usual.'
X I utterly hope you won't be angry with me.
,/ I sincerely hope you won't be angry with me.
X I have to make sure that our customers are utterly satisfied.
,/ I have to make sure that our customers are completely
satisfied.
Utterly is usually used with words that have a negative meaning or
express strong disapproval such as (adjectives) ridiculous, absurd,
irrelevant, useless, wrong, impossible, (adjectival participles)
confused, amazed, dejected, ruined, (verbs) reject, detest, destroy:
'This new tin opener is utterly useless.' 'The whole idea is utterly absurd.'
'I'm utterly amazed.' 'The entire building was utterly destroyed.'
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vain
?

)<
?
.I
.I
.I
The police did their best to rescue the hostages but in vain.
The police did their best to rescue the hostages but without
success.
She tried to get him to listen but in vain.
She tried in vain to get him to listen .
She tried to get him to listen but it was all in vain .
She tried to get him to listen but to no avail .
In vain usually comes after verbs such as try, search, hunt, look, wait,
fight etc or after the verb be: 'Her voice was beginning to rise and she
tried in vain to control it.' 'A team of surgeons battled in vain to save him.'
'I was never in any doubt that my efforts would be in vain.' In other
situations, use without success or to no avail: 'They did everything
they could to protect her, but (all) to no avail.
valuable
1 )(
The magazine is printed on very valuable paper.
.I
The magazine is printed on very expensive paper.
)<
They always buy valuable brands such as Polo, Louis Vuitton,
and Yves St Laurent .
.I
They always buy expensive brands such as Polo, Louis
Vuitton, and Yves St Laurent.
valuable

=
worth a lot of money: 'Your stamp collection must be quite
valuable by now.' 'If the painting is genuine, it could be extremely
valuable.'
expensive
=
costing a lot of money, especially when compared with
other things of the same type: 'He only buys silk ties, even though they're
more expensive.' 'Why are these bananas so expensive?'
2
)<
They will steal all your money and valuable things .
.I
They will steal all your money and valuables.
When you mean valuable things such as jewellery, cameras, etc, use
valuables (always plural): 'The management advises guests to deposit
their valuables in the hotel safe.'
3
)<
The small hotels are usually very valuable for money but the big
ones are expensive .
.I
The small hotels are usually good value but the big ones are
expensive.
If something is worth what you pay for it, it is good value (for money) or
(good) value for money: 'At just under $90 the Sony is very good
value.' 'Having paid £200 for the suit, I expect to get better value for
money.'
value
1

)<
The large size is very value .
.I
The large size is very good value.
See note at VALUABLE 3
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348 vegetable
2
x
In any case, the car gives you an exceptional value for money .
.I In any case, the car gives you exceptional value for money.
be good/excellent/exceptional value (for money)(wmiouT alan):
'£600 might seem expensive for a two-week holiday, but when you look
at all the extras it's quite good value.'
vegetable x
I buy a lot of fresh fruit and vegetable .
.I I buy a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Unlike fruit, vegetable is a countable noun: 'AIan has never been keen
on vegetables.'
very 1 x
He looked very funny that I couldn't help laughing .
.I He looked so funny that I couldn't help laughing.
so + adjective/adverb + that clause: 'The music was so loud that I
started to get a headache.'
2 X Meno Park in Central Tokyo is
very
huge .
.I Meno Park in Central Tokyo is (absolutely) huge.
X The traffic jams are very terrible .
.I The traffic jams are (absolutely) terrible.

X I'm
very
convinced that he is telling the truth .
.I I'm (absolutely) convinced that he is telling the truth.
Do not use very or extremely with adjectives which already have a
strong meaning, e.g. boiling (= very hot), convinced (= very sure),
exhausted (= very tired), huge (= very big), terrible (= very bad). If you
want to increase the strength of these words, use absolutely or
(depending on the particular adjective) completely, totally, utterly or
quite: 'By the time I got home I was completely exhausted.'
With adjectives which do not have a strong meaning, use very or
extremely (NOT absolutely, completely etc): 'By the time I got back
home I was very tired.'
3
X Their
services
are very appreciated by the hospital management.
.I Their services are greatly appreciated by the hospital
management.
Very may be used with past participles that are like adjectives and refer
to a state: 'very bored/worried/interested/pleased'.
Past participles with a strongly passive meaning are usually modified by
greatly or (very) much: 'His work is much admired.' 'This courageous
woman, who helped so many of us, will be greatly missed.'
4 X Although he was very in love with Marianne, he wanted to marry
a rich heiress .
.I Although he was very much in love with Marianne, he
wanted to marry a rich heiress. .
Very is not used before a phrase beginning with a preposition (e.g. 'in
love with', 'in need of', 'at odds with'). However, in such cases it is often

possible to use very much: 'These proposals are very much in keeping
with the President's own ideas.'
Note the alternative: 'Although he was deeply in love ...
very much 1 X I enjoyed
very
much my stay in the USA.
.I I enjoyed my stay in the USA very much.
X I would like
very
much to visit some of the places that I have
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vision
349
view 1
violence
vision
been reading about.
./ I would very much like to visit some of the places that I have
been reading about.
Do not put very much between a verb (e.g 'enjoyed') and its object (e.g.
'my stay in the USA'). When the object is short, very much goes at the
end of the sentence or in front of the verb. When the object is long, very
much usually goes in front of the verb: 'I very much hope that you and
your family have a safe journey.'
2
X
It costs very much .
./ It costs a lot (of money).
X
New doors cost very much because wood is so expensive .

./ New doors cost a lot (of money) because wood is so
expensive.
With some verbs (e.g. cost, pay, charge, eat) it is possible to use very
much in questions and negative sentences: 'Did it cost very much?' 'It
didn't cost very much.'
However, in affirmative sentences very much is usually replaced by a
lot: 'It will cost quite a lot to have the job done properly.'
3
See LOVE
X
The view of all the blood on the ground made her feel ill.
./ The sight of all the blood on the ground made her feel ill.
View refers to the whole area that you can see from somewhere,
especially when you can see a long way into the distance: 'His studio
has a spectacular view over Sydney Harbour Bridge.' 'I've booked a
room with a view of the sea.'
When you are talking about the act of seeing something, use the sight
of: 'The sight of so many people dying from disease and hunger is
something I will never forget.'
2
X
Come over here and watch the view .
./ Come over here and look at the view.
X
We just sat there and saw the view .
./ We just sat there and admired the view.
X
From the top of the tower you see a wonderful view of the city .
./ From the top of the tower you get a wonderful view of the
city.

look at/admire/enjoy the view (NOT see/watch): 'We asked the coach
driver to stop so that we could look at the view.'
have/get a (good) view from a particular place (NOT see): 'If you stand
where I am, you get a much better view.'
3
See POINT OF VIEW
X
Some of these films are full of the violence .
./ Some of these films are full of violence.
See note at THE 4
X
We'd like to know your personal vision of the situation .
./ We'd like to know your personal view of the situation.
vision
=
a picture in the mind of what the future will be like: 'This
romantic vision of a world without war is far removed from reality.'
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