COMMON MISTAKES

Malaysian Style American Style Malaysian Style American Style Malaysian Style American Style Malay Style American Style Malaysian Style American Style Malaysian Style American Style Malaysian Style American Style Malaysian Style American Style

It's seven twenty o'clock. It's seven twenty. Your coat is broken. Your coat is torn. Susan didn't make a fault anyway. Susan didn't make a mistake anyway. ould you mind !ostin" t#is letter $or me % Yes, certainly. ould you mind mailin" t#is letter $or me % Of course not. O& ( Not at all ) 'e becomes (etter. 'e got (etter. e'll #ave a hearing test tomorrow. e'll #ave a listening test tomorow. I recommend you to take a lon" vacation. I recommend that you take a lon" vacation. T#e last (us leaves at eleven o'clock. It's about eleven now) 'urry u!* T#e last (us leaves at eleven o'clock. It's nearly + almost , eleven now) 'urry u!* It was still bright outside. It was still light outside. I very en-oyed it. I really en-oyed it. I$ you determine to make t#e "rade in t#e entrance e.amination)

Malaysian Style American Style Malaysian Style American Style Malaysian Style

American Style

you must work e.tra #ard. I$ you are determined to make t#e "rade in t#e entrance e.amination) you must work e.tra #ard. /lease #andle t#is "old watc# care$ully. It worths more t#an $ive

Malaysian Style t#ousand dollars.

O&0S 0I11E&ENTIATIONS

Another vs The other

another 2 another thing or person means an additional thing or person of the same type as one
that already exists.

The other 2 the other thing or person means the only remaining thing or person except the
existing one.

3 Have another piece of cake. 3 Please fetch another cup for me. 3 That's quite another matter. 3 Both my uncles are abroad, one in Paris and the other in New ork. 3 !ne of them is yours" the other is mine.
When we are given two options, we say one or the other. When we are given more than two options, we say one or another.

Anyway vs Any way

anyway - ( in any case ) ( at any rate ) 3 Anyway) we can try. 3 4 I can "ive you a li$t i$ you wait 4. No) I'll walk. T#anks) anyway. 3 I will not c#an"e my mind) anyway. any way - any possible method 3 I$ t#ere is any way in w#ic# you can #el! me tide over t#e di$$iculties) let me know. 3 'e could not $ind t#e way to t#e villa"e in any way. 3 I cannot mana"e it any way.

Asleep vs Sleeping
asleep 2 someone who is asleep is sleeping.
Asleep is adj being placed in front of the verb to be. It cannot be used before a noun.

3 5ookin" at t#e asleep (a(y. + wron" , 3 5ookin" at t#e sleeping (a(y. + ri"#t ,

sleeping 2 ( present participle of sleep )

Sleeping is adj that precedes a noun such as sleeping baby etc. While it is used after the verb to be, it is functioning as a verb.

#o is t#at sleeping man %

3 Kee! an eye on t#e sleeping (a(y. 3 5et sleeping do"s lie.

accept vs except
accept 2 is a ver(
3 e acce!t your a!olo"y.

3 0o you acce!t credit cards%

except 2 is a !re!osition.
3 All o$ us $ailed t#e test e.ce!t 6o#n. 3 T#e museum is o!en daily e.ce!t Mondays.

cross vs across
across 2 is a !re!osition
3 I want to "o across t#e road. 3 T#ey're (uildin" a new (rid"e across t#e river.

cross 2 is a ver(
3 I want to cross t#e road. 3 5ook (ot# ways (e$ore you cross over

already vs all ready

already 2 means ' (e$ore t#e time s!eci$ied '.
3 e #ad already !re!ared lunc# (y noon.

3 T#e concert #ad already (e"un (y t#e time we arrived.

all ready 2 means ' com!letely !re!ared '.

3 S#e is all ready to "o. 3 e are all ready to study En"lis#.

effect vs affect
affect 2 is a ver(7 it means ' to in$luence '.
3 Smokin" a$$ects your #ealt# 3 It's a disease w#ic# a$$ects mainly older !eo!le.

effect 2 may (e a ver( or a noun. T#e ver( e$$ect means ' to cause to #a!!en'. T#e noun
e$$ect means ' t#e result '. 3 #at are t#e e$$ects o$ !ollution %

3 T#e radiation leak #as #ad a disastrous e$$ect on t#e environment

beside vs besides
beside 2 means ' ne.t to '.
3 May I sit (eside you % 3 Our sc#ool was (uilt ri"#t (eside a river.

besides 2 means ' in addition to '.

3 8esides tennis) #e is "ood at $oot(all. 3 0o you !lay any ot#er s!orts (esides $oot(all and (asket(all%

boring vs bored
bored 2 is used to descri(e #ow we $eel
3 Stayin" at #ome all day makes me $eel so (ored. 3 'e was "ettin" (ored wit# t#e same t#in" every day.

boring 2 is used to descri(e t#e !erson or t#in" t#at makes us $eel (ored.
3 T#e $ilm was really (orin". 3 S#e $inds o!era (orin".

compliment vs complement
compliment 2 is to !raise.
3 'e com!limented me $or #el!in" t#e !oor $amily. 3 I must com!liment you on your #andlin" o$ a very di$$icult situation.

complement 2 is to "o well wit# anot#er t#in".

3 T#e necklace com!lements t#e suit. 3 T#e music com!lements #er voice !er$ectly

elder vs older
elder 2 is used to com!are t#e a"es o$ !eo!le wit#in a $amily.
3 5et me introduce you to my elder sister. 3 You s#ould listen to t#e advice o$ your elders.

older 2 is used to s#ow t#e di$$erence in years.

3 Carlos is a year older t#an S#a((y 3 'e's a cou!le o$ years older t#an me

a few vs few
few 2 means ' not many '
3 1ew !eo!le live to a #undred years old. 3 1ew t#in"s in t#is world "ive me more !leasure t#an a lon" (at#

a few 2 means ' some '.

3 You will #ave to wait a $ew minutes. 3 T#ere are a $ew cakes le$t over $rom t#e !arty

little vs a little
little 2 means ' not muc# '
3 'e cannot #el! you (ecause #e #as little knowled"e o$ t#e su(-ect. 3 T#ere's so little c#oice

a little 2 means ' some '.

3 I$ you add a little salt to t#e sou! it will taste (etter. 3 'e "ave a little smile.

Altogether vs All together

All together 2 9sed o$ a "rou! w#ose mem(ers acted or were acted u!on collectively
3 At t#e class reunion) we san" t#e colle"e son" all to"et#er. 3 T#e (ooks lay all to"et#er in a #ea!.

Altogether 2 Entirely) wit# all included or counted) wit# everyt#in" considered

3 T#e work is alto"et#er unnecessary. 3 It was not alto"et#er #er $ault.

in the end vs at the end

At the end 2 at t#e time w#en somet#in" ends.
3 I'm "oin" away at t#e end o$ 6anuary. 3 At t#e end o$ t#e concert) t#ere was "reat a!!lause.

In the end 2 $inally

3 'e "ot more and more an"ry. In t#e end #e -ust walked out o$ t#e room.

3 6im couldn't decide w#ere to "o $or #is #olidays. 'e didn't "o anyw#ere in t#e end.

because vs because of
because 2 is a con-unction7 it is $ollowed (y a clause.
3 I took a ta.i (ecause I was late. 3 e can't "o to 6ulia's !arty (ecause we're "oin" away t#at weekend.

because of 2 is a !re!osition7 it is $ollowed (y a noun or noun !#rase.

3 S#e $ailed t#e e.amination (ecause o$ #er la:iness. 3 T#e train was delayed (ecause o$ (ad weat#er.

bring vs take
bring 2 used $or a movement $rom a $urt#er to a nearer !lace
3 8rin" your (ook to me. 3 I$ you come to my #ouse tomorrow) (rin" your $riends wit# you.

take 2 used $or a movement $rom a nearer to a $urt#er !lace

3 'e o$ten takes #is c#ildren to t#e (eac#. 3 You can take my calculator wit# you) (ut you must (rin" it (ack w#en you #ave $inis#ed wit# it.

cloth vs clothes
cloth 2 material used $or makin" clot#es7 a !iece o$ "arment
3 'e wi!ed u! t#e mess wit# an old clot#. 3 ;et a clot# and wi!e t#e ta(le) !lease.

clothes 2 "arments worn on t#e (ody

3 'is clot#es are always (eauti$ully ironed and so #e looks very smart. 3 It's time you (ou"#t some new clot#es. You look very untidy t#ese days.

character vs characteristic
character 2 moral nature7 com(ination o$ <ualities w#ic# distin"uis#es a !erson) !lace
or t#in" 3 5ondon #as a c#aracter o$ its own. 3 In searc#in" $or a li$e !artner) we must look $or someone o$ "ood c#aracter.

characteristic 2 a <uality) a trait

3 'is kindness is one o$ #is most !leasin" c#aracteristics. 3 One o$ t#e most im!ortant c#aracteristics o$ a "ood student is dili"ence. 3 'is one ne"ative c#aracteristic was #is very #ot tem!er.

dissatisfied vs unsatisfied
dissatisfied 2 not satis$ied wit# t#e <uality o$ somet#in"
3 I am dissatis$ied wit# t#e <uality o$ your work. 3 e were very dissatis$ied wit# t#e #otel so we com!lained to t#e mana"er

3 I $eel very dissatis$ied wit# my new car. It isn't really "oin" well at all

unsatisfied 2 not satis$ied wit# t#e <uantity o$ somet#in"

3 T#e demand $or =olvo in t#e 9.K. is still unsatis$ied. 3 A$ter two !lates o$ rice and curry) #is a!!etite was still unsatis$ied.

disinterested vs uninterested
disinterested 2 un(iased) im!artial
3 6ud"es at all times must (e disinterested in cases t#ey are involved in. 3 A$ter t#eir ar"ument) t#ey looked $or a disinterested !arty to solve t#eir dis!ute. 3 Certain countries !artici!ated in wars $or t#eir own reasons. T#ey were not totally disinterested.

uninterested 2 not interested) (ored

3 'e was uninterested in t#e entire !roceedin"s and -ust sat t#ere readin" a (ook. 3 =ery $ew !eo!le went to see t#e !rocession. T#e rest were totally uninterested.

elicit vs illicit
elicit 2 to draw out $acts or in$ormation $rom someone
3 t#e !olice $inally mana"ed to elicit t#e trut# $rom t#e sus!ect. 3 A "ood teac#er is a(le to elicit in$ormation $rom #is !u!ils.

illicit 2 ille"al
3 T#e sale o$ illicit dru"s is a serious !ro(lem. 3 'e was involved in t#e illicit trans!ortation o$ "oods over t#e T#ai2Malaysian (order. 3 T#e !rosecutin" lawyer was a(le to elicit a con$ession $rom t#e de$endant re"ardin" #is illicit involvement in "am(lin".

principal vs principle
principal 2 c#ie$) main7 a #ead o$ colle"e or or"ani:ation7 a sum o$ money
3 My !rinci!al aim is to (ecome a lawyer. 3 A$ter teac#in" $or twenty years #e (ecame t#e !rinci!al o$ a !rivate colle"e. 3 I$ you leave a !rinci!al o$ >?@)@@@ on $i.ed de!osit you will earn a "ood interest every mont#.

principle 2 a (asic trut#) a law o$ nature7 a rule o$ (e#avior

3 'e (ased #is li$e on a $ew sim!le !rinci!les. 3 T#e underlyin" !rinci!le o$ #is mana"ement style is com!assion. 3T#is mac#ine works on t#e same !rinci!le as t#e motor car en"ine.

lose vs loose
lose 2 to $ail to kee! or $ind7 to (e de!rived o$
3 I$ you lose your (ook you must "et a new one. 3 I$ we lose anot#er matc# we will not <uali$y $or t#e $inals.

loose 2 $ree7 untied7 not $astened7 not controlled

3 T#ey dared not "o in (ecause t#e do" was loose. 3 #en t#e (irds were let loose t#ey $lew immediately to t#e nearest tree.

3 S#e #as a very loose ton"ue. S#e told everyone my secret.

lie vs lay
lie 2 to rest7 to recline
3 I$ I lie down in t#e a$ternoon) I soon $all aslee!. 3 T#ere were many ot#er !eo!le w#o were lyin" in t#e !ark. 3 #en I came in s#e was lyin" on t#e so$a $ast aslee!.

lay 2 to !lace7 to !ut in a certain !osition

3 I$ you lay t#e ta(le) I s#all make t#e tea. 3 S#e laid #er (ook on t#e (edside ta(le and went to slee!.

hanged vs hung
hanged 2 e.ecuted (y #an"in"
3 T#e !risoner was #an"ed at dawn today. 3 In t#e days o$ t#e ild est) men were #an"ed $rom t#e nearest tree (y t#e lync# mo(.

hung 2 sus!ended
3 T#e !icture was #un" a(ove t#e side(oard

3 T#ey #un" t#e (a"s $rom t#e !e"s on t#e wall o$ t#e c#an"in" room. 3 T#e wet clot#es were #un" out to dry in t#e sun.

homework vs housework
homework 2 studies carried out at #ome in !re!aration $or sc#ool
3 'e $or"ot to do #is Mat#s #omework. 3 In addition to a $ull day's lessons. !u!ils #ave <uite a lot o$ #omework to do at ni"#t. 3 S#e looks $orward to t#e sc#ool #olidays and a rest $rom lessons) teac#ers and #omework.

housework 2 domestic work) #ouse#old c#ores

3 S#e doesn't mind doin" all #ousework (ut ironin". 3 It is not $air to let Mot#er do all t#e #ousework) so we try to #el! #er w#en we can.

ensure vs assure
ensure 2 to make sure7 to make sure somet#in" will #a!!en
3 T#e medicine will ensure you a "ood ni"#t's rest. 3 You must always ensure t#at all doors and "rilles are locked (e$ore "oin" to (ed.

assure 2 to in$orm con$idently) to !romise) to !ersuade

3 I assure you t#e medicine will work. 3 'e #astened to assure t#e #otel "uests t#at t#e water s#orta"e would not a$$ect t#em.

historic vs historical
historic 2 im!ortant in #istory
3 elcome to #istoric Melaka.

3 Inde!endence 0ay is a #istoric day $or any nation.

#en man $irst landed on t#e moon it was considered a $eat o$ #istoric im!ortance.

historical 2 concernin" #istory as a su(-ect

3 'e is a mem(er o$ t#e National 'istorical Society. 3 S#e really loves readin" #istorical novels a(out ABt# century Euro!e.

formally vs formerly
formally 2 ceremonially) accordin" to custom
3 S#e was $ormally crowned Miss orld last ni"#t.

3 T#e e.#i(ition was $ormally o!ened (y t#e Minister o$ Education.

formerly 2 !reviously) in earlier times

3 'e was $ormerly t#e /rime Minister o$ &ussia. 3 East Timor was $ormerly !art o$ Indonesia. 3 Mu#ammad Ali was $ormerly known as Cassius Clay.

English vs The English

English 2 t#e En"lis# lan"ua"e
* English is chosen as one of the official languages to be used during meetings at the UN. * English is also the official language in India. * Hard imes is an English no!el" written by #harles $ic%ens

The English 2 t#e En"lis# !eo!le

* he English ha!e a wonderful sense of humor. * he English belong to the white race.

Everyday vs Every day

Everyday 2 is an adjective used (e$ore a noun to mean 4ordinary4 or common

3 Snatc# t#e$ts #ave (ecome an everyday occurrence in our country. 3 S#e #as a $ew silk dresses $or s!ecial occasions and many cotton dresses $or everyday wear.

Every day 2 is an adverbial phrase meanin" 4wit#out missin" a day4

3 T#e news!a!er is delivered to #is #ouse every day. 3 Older !eo!le can kee! $it (y walkin" (riskly $or #al$ an #our every day.

indoor vs indoors
indoor 2 is an ad-ective
3 Snooker is an indoor s!ort. 3 T#e #i"# !ercenta"e o$ deat# and disease is linked to indoor air !ollution.

indoors 2 is an adver(.
3 You s#ould stay indoors i$ you are not well. 3 Come indoors) it's cold outside.

mature vs matured
mature 2 $ully "rown and develo!ed7 ri!e
3 At si.teen #e is not mature enou"# to live alone. 3 9niversity students are usually mature enou"# to mana"e t#eir own lives. 3 T#e !icked t#e mature $ruit $rom t#e tree and took it #ome.

matured 2 o$ wine) vine"ar) etc7 under"one t#e maturin" !rocess.

3 T#e wine was matured in casks $or si. years. 3 8e$ore it is ready to drink t#e wine is matured in lar"e (arrels $or several years.

price vs prize

price 2 cost) amount needed to (uy somet#in"7 loss or su$$erin" to attain somet#in"
3 T#e !rice o$ <uality "oods is #i"#. 3 #at is t#e !rice o$ t#e !air o$ s#oes in t#e window %

3 T#ere is a !rice to !ay w#en one is a $amous $ilm star.

prize 2 an award "iven $or winnin" a com!etition) lottery) etc.

3 S#e won t#e t#ird !ri:e in t#e essay com!etition. 3 'e s!ent all t#e !ri:e money #e won in t#e lottery on a new car.

stationery vs stationary
stationary 2 not movin"
3 'e #it a motor2cyclist t#en collided wit# a stationary (us. 3 #en learnin" to s#oot we (e"in wit# a stationary tar"et (e$ore we try to #it a movin" tar"et.

stationery 2 writin" materials

3 I (uy all my stationery $rom t#e (ookstore ne.t door. 3 T#e mana"er was an"ry (ecause #is sta$$ took o$$ice stationery $or t#eir !ersonal use. I$ you need !ens and !encils) you will $ind t#em in t#e stationery de!artment.

weather vs whether
weather 2 climatic conditions
3 I$ t#e weat#er is "ood we can "o $or a (risk walk. 3 T#e weat#er in En"land at t#is time o$ t#e year is usually very cold.

whether 2 i$
3 I am not sure w#et#er I will (e a(le to come tomorrow. 3 Contact me a(out w#et#er you can come or not.

ood vs

oods

ood 2 material which forms the trun%s and branches of trees.

3 All t#e $urniture #ere is made o$ wood. 3 T#e wood is rottin". 3 T#e woodcutter collected two (undles o$ wood.

oods 2 area of lands co!ered with growing trees" or forest.

3 e came u!on a clearin" in t#e woods.

3 A$ter dinner Alice sli!!ed away $or a walk in t#e woods wit# Artie.