谢振礼 雅思-托福写作：999 文法正则 001-050
猫头鹰在线写作实验室
谢振礼英语文法正则1-50
999 Grammar Mistakes
Writing is difficult, especially under exam pressure. Test takers sometimes unnecessarily lose points on their IELTS or TOEFL essays for committing many minor grammatical errors, although some of these mistakes might be considered only as 'slips' by test raters. It is understandable that English grammar and spelling might be tricky in the eyes of a non-native English speaker.
After all, grammar errors sneak into almost all writing. Strangely, some students like to think they do not make mistakes--but their teachers know better. The following errors are among the most common:
1. Spellings
2. Adverb usage
3. Subject-verb agreement
4. Pronoun case
6. Apostrophe usage
7. Dangling modifiers
8. Double negatives
9. Sentence structure
10. Comma and semicolon usage
When it comes to writing in English as a foreign language, a few mistakes might seem anything but evitable. At the very least, however, candidates can avoid the most obvious grammar mistakes and thus score higher.
Through learning how to identify and correct common errors, students can be on their way to composing more credible essays. Do you know what funny mistakes are students always making? Do IELTS and TOEFL candidates have to worry too much about the English usage? (Following is a collection of 999 Common Grammar Errors.)
开场白搞笑，特别提到文藻大师Samuel Johnson的糗事。有一次正在调戏女仆的时候被老婆撞个正着。大师耍宝，居然咬文嚼字的对应，真是够仙！
Samuel Johnson, the famous lexicographer, was once caught by his wife while cuddling the maid.
She exclaimed: "Samuel, I am surprised!"
"No, my dear," he responded, "it is I who am surprised. As for you, you are astonished."
Here we go!
050>Right: Screaming all the way, we were thrilled by the roller coaster.
<Wrong: Screaming all the way, the roller coaster thrilled us.
049>Right: He doesn't know anything about the robbery.
Also right: He knows nothing about the robbery.
<Wrong: He don't know nothing about the robbery.
048>Right: When the cars raced by, we cheered; it was an exciting race.
<Wrong: When the cars raced by we cheered it was an exciting race.
047>Right: Bonnie went to the store; she forgot to buy milk.
Also right: Bonnie went to the store, and she forgot to buy milk.
<Wrong: Bonnie went to the store, she forgot to buy milk.
046>Right: Because I have a sensitive stomach, I avoid roller coasters at all costs.
Also right: I avoid roller coaster at all costs because I have a sensitive stomach.
<Wrong: Because I have a sensitive stomach I avoid roller coasters at all costs.
044>Right: I can hardly believe.
<Wrong: I can't hardly believe.
043>Right: She has not seen her son for eight years.
<Wrong: She has not seen her son during eight years.
042>Right: She is unaware of the conflict happening inside her.
<Wrong: She is unaware of the conflict happening in her.
041>Right: She only wants to get into her son's room.
<wrong: She only wants to get in her son's room.
040>Right: She must arrive at a decision
<Wrong: She must arrive to a decision.
039>Right: The third image is that of the magazine.
<Wrong: The third image is one of the magazine.
038>Right: When we watch movies, we may or may not identify with the characters.
<Wrong: When we watch movies, we can or cannot identify with the characters.
037>Right: The story is about a woman whose son has died.
<Wrong: The story is about a woman who's son has died.
036>Right: We are given much information about the characters' thoughts.
<Wrong: We are given many informations about the characters' thoughts.
035>Right: We have little evidence that the author is being ironic
<Wrong: We have few evidences that the author is ironic.
034>Right: He agreed to come to the dinner.
<Wrong: He accepted to come to the dinner.
033>Right: The knew each other really well.
<Wrong: They knew each other really good.
032>Right: She decided to remove all the things which could remind her of her son.
<Wrong: She decided to remove all the things which could remember her of her son.
031>Right: It is here that the story really begins.
<Wrong: This is here that the story really begins.
030>Right: In this story, the author speaks about social issues.
<Wrong: In this story, the author tells about about social issues.
029>Right: I have read a very good review of that book.
<Wrong: I have ready a very good critic of that book.
028>Right: She has to do what she planned.
<Wrong: She has to do what she projected.
027>Right: We don't know what her husband did to her.
<Wrong: We don't know what her husband made to her.
026>Right: In my opinion, it is better to work for a big company rather than a small one.
<Wrong: According to me, it is better to work for a big company rather than a small one.
025>Right: I met a man who I knew was a thief.
<Wrong: I met a man whom I knew was a thief.
024>Right: I approved of his coming to see me.
<Wrong: I approved of him coming to see me.
023>Right: Money cannot buy all that you like.
<Wrong: Money cannot buy all what you like.
022>Right: Marry is married to Tom.
<Wrong: Mary is married with Tom.
021>Right: He has no pen to write with.
<Wrong: He has no pen to write.
020>Right: What is the latest news?
<Wrong: What are the latest news?
019>Right: It is I who am leaving.
<Wrong: It is I who is leaving.
018>Right: Everybody was asked to pay his or her bills on time.
<Wrong: Everybody was asked to pay their bills on time.
017>Right: At young age, I learned from my pre-school teacher how to be a confident student.
<Wrong: At young age, my pre-school teacher taught me how to be a confident student.
016>Right: Have you bought the antique blue Chinese vase?
<Wrong: Have you bought the blue Chinese antique vase?
015>Right: I saw a rainbow after the rain.
<Wrong: I saw rainbow after the rain.
014>Right: In January or February each year, Chinese people celebrate the Spring Festival.
<Wrong: On January or February each year, Chinese people celebrate Spring Festival.
013>Right: We enjoy reading books and watching TV.
<Wrong: We enjoy to read books and to watch TV.
012>Right: We need to stop dumping waste, which kills the fish, into the environment.
<Wrong: We need to stop dumping waste into the environment which kills the fish.
011>Right: You have made a 180-degree turn.
<Wrong: You have made a 360-degree turn.
010>Right: Susan and I saw that movie.
<Wrong: Me and Susan saw that movie.
009>Right: No one in the room knew where his/or coat was.
<Wrong: No one in the room knew where their coats were.
008>Right: The children love to fish, to camp and to hike.
Also right: The children love fishing, camping and hiking.
<Wrong: The children love to fish, to camp and hiking.
007>Right: We had nothing with which to compare our experiences.
<Wrong: We had nothing to compare our experiences.
006>Right: We did nothing that day.
Also right: We didn't do anything that day.
<Wrong: We didn't do nothing that day.
005>Right: They usually drive home.
<Wrong: They usually drive to home.
004>Right: If I am in Beijing, I will contact you.
<Wrong: If I will be in Beijing, I will contact to you.
003>Right: Would you like to dance with me?
<Wrong: You like dance with me?
002>Right: You are very beautiful, like your mother.
<Wrong: You are very beautiful, as your mother.
001>Right: My brother is 16 (years old)
<Wrong: My brother has 16 years.
