Blog about English
Frequent learner mistakes involving English verbs.
Use the correct verb form according to tense, structure and grammatical context.
Common mistakes include using the base form instead of the past form or incorrect participles.
Irregular verbs must be learned individually because they do not follow regular patterns.
Common errors include buyed instead of bought and goed instead of went.
Use be, do and have correctly as auxiliary verbs.
Common mistakes include incorrect questions, negatives and perfect constructions.
English questions and negatives usually require auxiliary verbs.
Common mistakes include Where you live? instead of Where do you live?
Choose verb tenses according to meaning and time reference.
Learners often confuse present perfect and past simple or present simple and continuous forms.
The verb must agree with the subject in number and person.
Common mistakes include She go instead of She goes.
Some verbs normally describe states and are not used in continuous forms.
Common mistakes include I am knowing instead of I know.
Different verbs require different complements.
Examples include avoid doing, want to do and make someone do.
Some verbs require a gerund after them.
Common mistakes include enjoy to play instead of enjoy playing.
Some verbs require a to-infinitive.
Common mistakes include decide doing instead of decide to do.
Some verbs require an object while others do not.
Common mistakes include using explain without an object incorrectly.
Some verbs require specific prepositions.
Common mistakes include discuss about instead of discuss and depend of instead of depend on.
Phrasal verbs must be learned as complete units.
Common mistakes include separating inseparable phrasal verbs or choosing incorrect particles.
Use the correct complement after make, let, have and get.
Common mistakes include make him to go instead of make him go.
Say and tell use different grammatical structures.
Common mistakes include tell something instead of tell someone something.
Passive constructions require be + past participle.
Common mistakes include incorrect participle forms or missing auxiliary verbs.
Continuous forms should describe appropriate temporary or ongoing situations.
Some verbs normally require simple forms.
Some verbs naturally combine with specific nouns and expressions.
Learners should learn common combinations such as make a decision and take responsibility.
Verb choice changes according to context and register.
Examples include purchase vs buy and obtain vs get.
Advanced learners need to control subtle differences in verb meaning and structure.
Common problems include incorrect collocations, unnatural verb choices and inappropriate register.