Problem 1 : Knowledge and ability ~ know and know how
Remember that know followed by a noun expresses knowledge
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Structure : S + know + noun
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Expression : I know the answer
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Avoid using an infinitive after know
Remember that know how followed by an infinitive expresses ability
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Structure : S + know + how + infinitive
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Expression : I know how to answer the question
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Examples :
Incorrect : If she knew to drive , she would lend her car
Correct : If she knew how to drive , she would lend her car
Incorrect : Do u know to type ?
Correct : Do u know how to type ?
Incorrect : Untill he came to the US to study , he didnt know to cook
Correct : Untill he came to the US to study , he didnt know how to cook
Problem 2 : Past custom ~ used to and be used to
Remember that used to is similar to a modal. Used to with a verb word means that a custom in the past has to continued .
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Structure : S + used to + verb word
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Expression : He used to live in the country
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Avoid using a form of be after the subject , Avoid using the incorrect form use to.
Remember that BE used to with an -ing form means to be accustomed to
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Structure : S + BE + used to + -ing form
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Expression : He was used to living in the country
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Avoid using a form to be after used to . Avoid using a verb word instead of an -ing form . Avoid using the incorrect form use to.
Examples :
Incorrect : I used to was studing at the university of southern california before i transferred here
Correct : I used to study at the university of southern california before i transferred here
OR
I was used to studing at the university of southern california before i transferred here
Incorrect : We use to go to the movies quite frequently
Correct : We used to go to the movies quite frequently
OR
We were used to going to the movies quite frequently
Problem 3 : Advisability ~ had better
Had better is similar to a modal. Although had appears to be a past but in case of had better expresses advice for the future .
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Structure : S + had better + verb word
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Quote:
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Expression : U had better go to the doctor
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Avoid using an infinitive or a past form of a verb instead of a verb word. Avoid using dont instead of not
Examples :
Incorrect : U had better to hurry if u dont want to miss the bus
Correct : U had better hurry if u dont want to miss the bus
Incorrect : We had better made reservations so that we will be sure of getting a good table
Correct : We had better make reservations so that we will be sure of getting a good table
Incorrect : U had better dont go alone
Correct : U had better not go alone
Problem 4 : Preference ~ would rather
Remember that the phrase would rather is similiar to a modal. Although would rather appears to be a past, It expresses preference in present and future time.
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Structure : S + would rather + verb word
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Quote:
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Expression : I would rather drive
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Negative sense
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Structure : S + would rather + not + verb word
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Expression : I would rather not drive
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Avoid using an infinitive or an -ing form instead of a verb word
Examples :
Incorrect : She told me that she`d rather not to serve on the committee
Correct : She told me that she`d rather not serve on the committee
incorrect : If u dont mind , I`d rather not going
Correct : If u dont mind , I`d rather not go
Incorrect : Greg would rather has a pepsi than a beer
Correct : Greg would rather have a pepsi than a beer
Problem 5 : Preference for another ~ would rather that
Remember that when the preference is for another person or thing , would rather that introduces a clause . The other person or thing is the subject of the clause.
Although the verb is past tense , the preference is for present or future time
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Structure : S + would rather + that + S + verb (past)
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Expression : I would rather that you drove
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Avoid using a present verb or a verb word instead of a past verb . Avoid using should and a verb word instead of a past verb.
Negative
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Structure : S + would rather + that + S + didn`t + verb word
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Quote:
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Expression : I would rather that u didn`t drive
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Avoid using don`t instead of didn`t
Examples :
Incorrect : I`d rather that u dont do that
Correct : I`d rather that u dint do that
Incorrect : The dean would rather that students make appointments instead of dropping by.
Correct : The dean would rather that students made appointments instead of dropping by.
Incorrect : We`d rather that u should come tommorrow
Correct : We`d rather that u came tommorrow
Problem 6 : Negative imperatives
Remember that an imperative is expressed by a verb word.
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Structure : Please don`t + verb word
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Expression : Please don`t tell anyone
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Avoid using an infinitive instead of a verb word
OR
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Structure : Would u pleasse not + verb word
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Quote:
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Expression : would u please not tell anyone
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Avoid using an infinitive instead of a verb word . Avoid using dont after would u please.
Examples :
Incorrect : Would u please dont smoke
Correct : please dont smoke
OR
Would u please not smoke
Incorrect : Would u please not to be late
Correct : Please dont be late
OR
Would u please not be late