Verbs and verb phrases: typical errors



We always need an e in the -ed form (past simple and -ed form) of regular verbs:

She joined the company two years ago.

Not: She joind the company two years ago.

With irregular verbs where the vowel changes from i to a to u (e.g. beg i n, beg a n, beg u n), take care to use a in the past simple and u in the -ed form:

The film began at 7.30. (past simple form)

Not: The film begun at 7.30.

I was so thirsty I drank a whole bottle of water. (past simple form)

Not: I was so thirsty I drunk

The ship had sunk in the North Atlantic. (- ed form)

Not: The ship had sank

Other verbs like this are: ring, sing, swim.

 

Verbs

We change verbs ending in - y to - ied for the past simple and -ed forms:

The baby cried all night.

Not: The baby cryed all night.

 

Verbs: basic forms

Be careful with irregular verbs where the base form ends in -d and the past tense ends in -t:

We spent a lot of money yesterday.

Not: We spend a lot of money yesterday.

 

Verbs

We don’t use the regular past simple or -ed form for an irregular verb:

She spent a week in Lisbon.

Not: She spended a week in Lisbon.

I was afraid of being hurt.

Not: I was afraid of being hurted.

 

Irregular verbs

Be careful not to use the past simple form instead of the base form:

It’s not easy to choose a university.

Not: It’s not easy to chose a university.

 

Verbs: basic forms

Be careful with verbs which have similar pronunciation but a different meaning:

I fell and broke my ankle.

Not: I felt and broke my ankle. (Fell is the past tense of fall; felt is the past tense of feel.)

Sometimes a verb is confused with another word which sounds similar but is from a different word class:

You need to practise harder if you want to play better.

Not: You need to practice harder.

We don’t use prepositions with some verbs:

We discussed some environmental problems.

Not: We discussed about some environmental problems.

Did you enjoy Italy?

Not: Did you enjoy in Italy?

We have to use the correct preposition with prepositional verbs:

The download time depends on your internet connection speed.

Not: … depends of your internet connection speed.

I like to listen to the radio while I’m having breakfast.

Not: I like to listen the radio

 

Verbs: basic forms


Дата добавления: 2015-12-17; просмотров: 16; Мы поможем в написании вашей работы!

Поделиться с друзьями:






Мы поможем в написании ваших работ!