[PSL]

I don't consider myself to be the worst user of the English language, but I do make my share of errors from time to time.
Well one must practise to achieve perfection.. or should one "practice"??
Both are correct actually, depending on which side of the Atlantic you come from.
In the United Kingdom, "practice" is the noun, "practise" the verb; but in the U.S. the spelling "practice" is commonly used for both.
eg:

• We need to put these ideas into practice.
• To learn English well you have to practise.

Here are some more common errors:

1. Advice vs Advise

Similar to the "practice vs practise" dilemma. Advice is a noun and refers to an opinion. Whereas advise is a verb
Eg:

• I have some advice for you
• I advise you to stop smoking

2. Desert vs Dessert

Another common mistake.

desert (pronounced dez’-it): dry land
desert (pronounced dez-urt’): abandon
dessert (pronounced dez-urt’): :icecream:

Eg: Mr.X decided to desert his dessert.

3. Momento vs Memento

Memento: something that reminds one of past events; a souvenir. Eg. "This necklace is a memento of my trip to Jaipur"

Momento: The word does NOT exist!!.
eg:
Wife: Why do you want to buy this ugly piece of rock.
Man: As a momento of our vacation.

I'll add some more later.

cheers..

“You see sir, I can talk English, I can walk English, I can laugh English, because English is a very funny language.”
-Amitabh Bachan, Namak Halal

[diablorulez]

oops
i guess thee is one more thread on similar lines
http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/englis...mmar-gyan.html (Grammar Gyan)

[PSL]

Originally Posted by diablorulez

oops
i guess thee is one more thread on similar lines
http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/englis...mmar-gyan.html (Grammar Gyan)

Nice catch Diablo

But this one really isnt about Grammar.. It's about the common errors that we come across on daily basis. Yes, I suppose grammar is a part of it..

If Mods feel this one is redundant..Do kindly merge with the appropriate thread..:-)

[djinn]

I do get confused regarding the usage of that and which.

Will it be : Get me the pen which you were using yesterday.
or : Get me the pen that you were using yesterday.

:confused:

This is a common error made by many.

[the_egonomist]

Great thread PSL.

We do need a thread that caters to common mistakes that we make ( Indian English as they call it).

However, just a convention we could follow - British spelling.

We often use a dictionary or spell check which is American and hence the confusion.

What say? Fish and cones or Burgers and fries?

Cheers.

[bharathraj1]

Originally Posted by djinn

I do get confused regarding the usage of that and which.

Will it be : Get me the pen which you were using yesterday.
or : Get me the pen that you were using yesterday.

:confused:

This is a common error made by many.

djinn,
which cannot be used with "were", it is always used with "are"
"That" is used when u are referring to the past
so the sentence should be "Get me the pen that you were using yesterday"


Bharath

[PSL]

"It was a blunder mistake."

I'm sure we've all heard this one before.

Blunder means mistake, and vice versa So it's quite redundant and pointless to say "blunder mistake"..

Indians aren't the only one's guilty of commiting such an error. "Chai tea" is often used to indicate "masala chai"..:-)

btw: Nimboo Lemon anyone?

Me: Hello
Caller: Hello sir, Good Night
Me: Hmmm.. Well, Good Night

and I kept the phone down.

Telemarketer undoubtedly...:-|

[the_egonomist]

@PSL

Add to that the usage of if suppose.

Have seen many people using that in a sentence.

If suppose I were to hit you...

Talk about redundant

Cheers.

[medulla]

Hi Puys,

Look at following links. I found some grammatical mistakes but overall good links.

Correct Word Usage 1 | CAT4MBA
Correct Word Usage 2 | CAT4MBA

Keep posting...
Good initiative PSL.

[amitnsitian]

Though I feel I am not competent enough to post about English of all things I still feel that these are the common mistakes done by many

1. LPG Gas and CNG Gas

2. Revert/Reply followed by back. AFAIK, after revert/reply; 'back' is redundant, although experts should correct me if I am wrong