CAMBRIDGE COMMON MISTAKES at CAE - English Time School

Debra Powell CAMBRIDGE COMMON MISTAKES at CAE … and how to avoid them 01 Perfect tenses: simple or continuous? 02 Perfect tenses: active or passive? 03 Give or have? Test 04 How many objects does the verb need? 05 Do I use the gerund or infinitive with the verb + object? 06 Give, provide or offer? Test 07 How I use must and have to? 08 Do I put the adverb before or after a modal verb? 09 How I use be supposed to, be expected to and be meant to? Test 10 This or these? 11 How I use amount of, number of, kinds of, etc.? 12 Which article I use? Test 13 You, your, yours, or you're? 14 Opportunity, possibility or chance? 15 Commonly confused nouns Test 16 Commonly confused adjectives 17 Big, great or large? 18 When I use a hyphen in compound words? Test 19 Noun or verb? 20 How I use negative prefixes? 21 When I use regarding? Test 22 How I punctuate sentences with because and however? 23 How I use because of? 24 If or whether! 42 Test 25 How I use put? 26 Pay or spend? 27 Which preposition I use? Test 28 What are some common spelling mistakes? 29 Is the spelling British or American? 30 Kids or children? Test 10 ANSWER KEY Perfect tenses: simple or continuous? Tick t h e correct s e n t e n c e i n e a c h pair Global w e a t h e r patterns have changed fop many years a b a b G-lobal w e a t h e r patterns have been changing f o r many years I'd stayed a t a hotel f o r six months when I b o u g h t my house I'd been staying a t a hotel f o r six months when I b o u g h t my hodse We u s e t h e s i m p l e a s p e c t of t e n s e s for a c t i o n s w h i c h w e t h i n k are: • finished: I've done my homework, • p e r m a n e n t : I've lived in England (the h o m e w o r k is finished) for 10 years I've worked for this company for most of that time (I t h i n k I will r e m a i n i n E n g l a n d a n d c o n t i n u e to w o r k for t h e s a m e company) We u s e t h e c o n t i n u o u s a s p e c t of t e n s e s for a c t i o n s w h i c h w e t h i n k are: • u n f i n i s h e d or i n p r o g r e s s : I've been doing my homework, • t e m p o r a r y : I've been living in England for six months (it isn't finished I've been working yet) as an au pair (I t h i n k I will leave E n g l a n d o n e d a y - m y j o b is t e m p o r a r y ) We u s e p a s t p e r f e c t t e n s e s t o c o n n e c t t w o p a s t a c t i o n s , a n d p a s t p e r f e c t c o n t i n u o u s w h e n one event interrupts another: I'd been waiting for twenty minutes when the bus arrived T*r T h e s i m p l e o r c o n t i n u o u s a s p e c t a p p l i e s a c r o s s t h e e n t i r e t e n s e s y s t e m C o m p l e t e t h e s e n t e n c e s w i t h t h e correct f o r m of t h e v e r b i n brackets I (live) h e r e all m y life a n d n e v e r w a n t t o leave I (attend) We I Mr Georgiou a b e g i n n e r ' s class i n S p a n i s h for six w e e k s (drive) for h o u r s w h e n w e s p o t t e d t h e h o t e l (take) t h e t r a i n for a l o n g t i m e prefer t o drive (work) for t h e c o m p a n y for t w e n t y y e a r s w h e n h e retired T h e city I g r e w u p i n (changed) so m u c h , I h a r d l y r e c o g n i s e it any more I (work) i n a n office for t h e p a s t m o n t h , b u t m y p r o f e s s i o n is acting She (always I take) g o o d care of h e r finances Perfect tenses: active or passive? Tick t h e correct s e n t e n c e i n e a c h pair a b a b Eating habits have changed dramatically in the last decade Eating habits have been changed dramatically in the last decade Smoking has s h o w n t o b e a cause o f cancer Smoking has been s h o w n t o be a cause o f cancer We u s e active f o r m s of p e r f e c t t e n s e s {had I has + p a s t participle} to d e s c r i b e a situation which has changed: It's really stormy - the roof has blown off! We u s e p a s s i v e f o r m s of p e r f e c t t e n s e s [has I had been + p a s t participle) t o d e s c r i b e s o m e t h i n g w h i c h h a p p e n e d i n t h e p a s t a n d h a s a clear effect o n t h e p r e s e n t : The effect of diet on health has been proved We u s e active f o r m s of p e r f e c t t e n s e s t o d e s c r i b e a s i t u a t i o n w h i c h h a s c h a n g e d b y itself We u s e p a s s i v e f o r m s w h e n t h e s i t u a t i o n h a s b e e n c h a n g e d b y s o m e o n e or s o m e t h i n g i n particular C o m p a r e : Attitudes to religion have His attitude changed to life has been changed by the accident We u s e t h e p r e s e n t p e r f e c t for activities w h i c h h a v e a clear effect o n t h e p r e s e n t For finished activities w i t h n o c o n n e c t i o n t o t h e p r e s e n t , u s e t h e p a s t s i m p l e C o m p a r e : Last week's football Today's football match match was cancelled, (we a r e t h i n k i n g of t h e past) has been cancelled, (we a r e t h i n k i n g of t h e p r e s e n t - m e r e is n o m a t c h today) Underline the most suitable tense T h e e c o n o m i c s i t u a t i o n has improved T h e light b u l b was invented I has been improved I had been invented considerably by T h o m a s Edison I had applied I applied for t h e j o b last w e e k a n d n o w I h a v e b e e n invited for interview T h e h o u s e i n w h i c h h e lived had left I had been left t o h i m b y h i s m o t h e r Since l o s i n g h i s j o b h i s lifestyle has changed I has been changed considerably It has proved I has been proved t h a t caffeine affects h e a r t r a t e a n d b l o o d p r e s s u r e We have organised H e had handed I have been organised in I handed a l e a v i n g p a r t y for Alex in I has handed in h i s n o t i c e last w e e k Give or have? Tick t h e correct s e n t e n c e i n e a c h pair a b a b Madonna g a v e an excellent performance, Madonna had an excellent performance Television can give a g r e a t effect on the family, Television can have a g r e a t effect on the family We u s e give t o f o r m c o l l o c a t i o n s w i t h c e r t a i n n o u n s w i t h a n active m e a n i n g , i.e 'to deliver': • give a performance • give information I speech I talk: The band gave a great I advice I an example He gave no explanation for his poor I an performance, explanation: performance I n m o r e f o r m a l s p e e c h or writing, w e often r e p l a c e give w i t h o t h e r v e r b s : • give I deliver a speech; give I express an opinion; The lecture will be held in Room give I hold a lecture: 336 We u s e have w i t h c e r t a i n n o u n s t o f o r m c o l l o c a t i o n s w i t h t h e s e n s e of o w n e r s h i p : • have a(n) problem I chance I opportunity If I have a chance, I'll • have an idea I impression • have an advantage I opinion: I effect I You have the advantage, • I experience I career I baby travel Do you have an opinion on hunting? impact I'm afraid My comments have a meal I break I appointment had no effect on I trip: I like to have a light We u s e have, n o t spend, i n c e r t a i n p h r a s e s t o d o w i t h t i m e : • have a great time I a pleasant evening She had a great time in Ibiza Correct t h e s e n t e n c e s w i t h a f o r m of give or have as a p p r o p r i a t e H a v e y o u t a k e n b r e a k f a s t yet? We s p e n t a g r e a t t i m e at t h e party M a r i a h o l d s a great party, don't y o u think? T h e l e c t u r e s w e r e m a d e b y a series of e x p e r t s The b o o k h a s m a d e a great i m p a c t on public opinion I ' m tired Are w e m a k i n g a b r e a k ? N o t e v e r y o n e c a n m a k e a g o o d career If y o u d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d , I'll s h o w y o u a n o t h e r e x a m p l e him breakfast TEST 1 C o m p l e t e e a c h s e n t e n c e w i t h a f o r m of give o r have a n d o n e of t h e w o r d s i n t h e b o x Use each word only once advice appointment experience idea problems speech explanation j j Traditionally, t h e b e s t m a n a(n) at the wedding reception A: W h e r e are y o u going? B: I a(n) with the bank manager A: H o w w a s y o u r holiday? B: N o t great We a lot of (s) w i t h t h e hotel The m a n a g e r couldn't us any for t h e lack of facilities a d v e r t i s e d i n t h e b r o c h u r e It's i m p o r t a n t for y o u t o a(n) of h o w t h e firm is o r g a n i s e d b e f o r e y o u s t a r t w o r k i n g h e r e Having like t o no of r a i s i n g c h i l d r e n , I w o u l d n ' t you o n h o w to d e a l w i t h y o u r son's p r o b l e m C o m p l e t e t h e d i a l o g u e P u t t h e v e r b s i n b r a c k e t s i n e i t h e r t h e p r e s e n t perfect s i m p l e or p r e s e n t perfect c o n t i n u o u s t e n s e Mark: A n n a , I h a v e n ' t s e e n y o u s i n c e College! W h a t (1) Anna: Mark! W h a t a s u r p r i s e ! (2) Mark: Well, (3) (do)! (work) i n F r a n c e A n d y o u ? (have) a few j o b s a b r o a d , b u t I ' m i n L o n d o n n o w a n d (4) (teach) a t a s c h o o l i n H a m p s t e a d for t h e p a s t few m o n t h s Anna: That's great! D o y o u t h i n k you'll s t a y t h e r e ? Mark: H a r d t o say (5) (always I want) t o live i n t h e Far East, a n d lately (6) (think) a b o u t a p p l y i n g for w o r k i n H o n g Kong Anna: (7) Qxear) it's a g r e a t p l a c e t o live Listen, there's a n e w p l a y s h o w i n g a t t h e Art C e n t r e (8) Mark: N o t yet (9) j o b Hey, y o u a n d S a r a h w e r e g o o d m a t e s (10) yet? M a y b e t h e t h r e e of u s c o u l d go t o g e t h e r Anna: (see) it? (not I he) o u t m u c h s i n c e I s t a r t e d t h i s n e w G o o d i d e a Give m e y o u r n u m b e r (ring) h e r Read Mark's e m a i l to a c o l l e a g u e , Alex U s e t h e i n f o r m a t i o n i n it to c o m p l e t e t h e m i n u t e s U s e a n a p p r o p r i a t e p a s s i v e verb for e a c h g a p Hi Alex Sorry you weren't able to make the staff meeting Some good news! We got our exam results this week and they were much better than last year's - 10% more of our students got a pass By the way, there've been a lot of complaints from students about other students arriving late, so we've decided that teachers should send late arrivals to the library What you think? Finally, you know the party that we'd scheduled for 15 Oct - we've postponed it to the 22nd See you soon Mark Minutes The Cambridge examination results, which (1) this week, show a pass result (2) by 10% more students this year than lasl Complaints (3) by a number of students that their classes are being disturbed by other students who arrive late It (4) that students who arrive more than 10 minutes late should be sent to the library J o work The date for die mid-term party, Which (5) for 15 October, (6) to 22 October In e a c h l i n e of t h e text p u t t h e verb i n b r a c k e t s i n a n a p p r o p r i a t e perfect t e n s e T H E NEWS T O D A Y Fresh outbreaks of violence (report) today in the country of Mornavia, where rebel forces (surround) the capital city Continued fighting (take) place throughout the day and night The President (announce) that his government may step down in response to the popular support which (give) to the rebel forces, though previously he (deny) any possibility of surrender Tensions in the country (build), but violence erupted during the elections last year To date, the cost of the conflict (be) high Countless lives (be) lost in the fighting and industry in the country (virtually/ come) to a halt 10 Are t h e s e s e n t e n c e s right or w r o n g ? Correct t h o s e w h i c h are w r o n g This year's t r a d e figures had been announced y e s t e r d a y We spent a wonderful time a t the beach y e s t e r d a y Look a t the w e a t h e r l It's rained all day! I complained a b o u t the service and they agreed t o have my money back Going t o w a r had an impact on the government's popularity David Buckingham has announced his retirement from professional s p o r t T h e announcement has been made a s h o r t time a g o How many objects does the verb need? Tick t h e correct s e n t e n c e i n e a c h pair a b a b I'm writing t o give information and advice I'm writing t o give y o u information and advice I r e g r e t t o inform t h a t there have been complaints a b o u t the service I r e g r e t t o inform y o u t h a t there have been complaints a b o u t the service Transitive v e r b s r e q u i r e a n object S o m e v e r b s n e e d t w o objects t o c o m p l e t e t h e i r m e a n i n g , a n i n d i r e c t object, w h i c h generally c o m e s first, a n d a direct object: • send I give (someone something): I gave him the money I owed I I've sent you an email •fr We c a n often p u t t h e d i r e c t o b j e c t [the thing) first, followed b y a p r e p o s i t i o n : I gave the money sent to her an to him II sent an email to her (not J gave to him the money 11 email) O t h e r v e r b s t a k i n g t w o objects are: • assure (someone) that+ c l a u s e / assure (someone) I assure you that we'll everything of (something): we can to help 11 assure you of our best intentions • inform (someone) that + c l a u s e / inform (someone) This letter is to inform you that I am not satisfied • tell (someone) (something) I tell (someone) of I about (something): I inform you of my that + c l a u s e / tell (someone) dissatisfaction how I why, etc.: He told me a lie I He told me that he wasn't married I He told me where he lived Correct t h e m i s t a k e b e l o w I'dlike Are t h e s e n t e n c e s right o r w r o n g ? Correct t h o s e w h i c h are w r o n g I give t o y o u my w o r d t h a t y o u r secret is safe T h e firm assured Nadia o f their complete t r u s t in her ability I sent t o her a message last week 1st me give some advice Thank y o u f o r telling a b o u t y o u r stay in Japan James told t o the police the t r u t h He told w h e r e he spent Friday night T h e police informed him t h a t he wasn't a suspect 10 Do I use the gerund or infinitive with the verb + object? Tick t h e correct s e n t e n c e i n e a c h pair a b a b Let them k n o w when you're arriving Let them t o k n o w when you're arriving I can't s t o p y o u t o leave if y o u w a n t t o go I can't stop y o u leaving if y o u w a n t t o go S o m e v e r b s n e e d a n object followed b y a n infinitive w i t h to: • allow I authorise (someone) The ticket authorises • get I force I help (someone) I got the doctor • to Iallows (something): you to travel for one to (something): to make a house call ask I tell (someone) month Poor health forced to (something): him to give up Can I ask you to something for smoking me? S o m e v e r b s t a k e a n infinitive w i t h o u t to: • let I make (someone) We can't let you leave (something): You can't make me go O t h e r v e r b s n e e d a n object followed b y a g e r u n d : • stop I prevent someone (from) doing something The police put up barriers to prevent • see I hear I watch I feel (someone) I watched the children playing people doing in the i n t h e future: entering the house (something): park I ' m afraid U n d e r l i n e t h e correct f o r m H o w c a n w e get t h e m change I to change I changing their minds? C h i l d r e n a r e n o t allowed travel I to travel I travelling unaccompanied There's n o t h i n g p r e v e n t i n g y o u take I to take I taking a holiday I w o n ' t let y o u make I to make I making I'm a s k i n g y o u consider I to consider such a stupid mistake I considering the consequences It's i m p o s s i b l e t o m a k e s o m e o n e I to I doing s o m e t h i n g t h e y d o n ' t w a n t t o d o I c a n h e a r m u s i c play I to play I playing in the background I w i s h I c o u l d s t o p h e r f r o m feel I to feel I feeling 11 sorry for herself! Give, provide or offer? Tick t h e correct s e n t e n c e i n e a c h pair a b a b We wish t o complain a b o u t the service given by y o u r company We wish t o complain a b o d t the service p r o v i d e d by y o u r company T h e service y o u p r o v i d e d did n o t match y o u r promises, T h e service y o u o f f e r e d did n o t match y o u r promises We u s e provide: • as a g e n e r a l rule, t o talk a b o u t services w h i c h h a v e a l r e a d y h a p p e n e d : • i n s t e a d of give i n m o r e f o r m a l c o n t e x t s : The information you requested They have promised to provide is provided in the brochure we sent you us with a friendly service, (not to give us a friendly service) We u s e offer: • t o talk a b o u t p o s s i b l e services w h i c h s o m e o n e m i g h t c h o o s e i n t h e future: We can offer (you) an excellent discount (if you choose our service) We u s e offer a n d provide w i t h t w o o b j e c t s : • offer (someone something) They offer people They offer free legal advice • provide (someone) I offer (something) with financial problems to people with (something) (someone): with financial I provide The hotel does not provide guests The hotel does not provide an evening Correct t h e m i s t a k e below to free legal advice problems (something) with an evening meal (for its for (someone): meal guests) _ C o m p l e t e t h e s e n t e n c e s b e l o w w i t h t h e correct f o r m of give, offer o r • provide We c a n t h e ffooc o o d if y o u c a n s u p p l y t h e e n t e r t a i n m e n t If y o u sign t h e c o n t r a c t today, ly, w e ccaann a 10% d i s c o u n t M o r n i n g a n d e v e n i n g m e a l s3 a r e as p a r t of t h e service We're y o u a bbeet t e r d e a l t h a n you'll find a n y w h e r e else It's o u r policy t o clients w i t h t h e b e s t service p o s s i b l e For a small surcharge, w e clients t h e o p t i o n of b r i n g i n g a guest I've y o u all t h e i n f o r m a t i o n I h a v e available Would you m e 1t h e n a m e of y o u r m a n a g e r , p l e a s e 12 TEST Underline the m o s t appropriate word T h e h o t e l gives I provides I offers e v e n i n g e n t e r t a i n m e n t for its g u e s t s T h e c o m p a n y p r o m i s e s t o give I provide I offer m e a l s m a d e f r o m fresh i n g r e d i e n t s H a v e t h e y given I provided W o u l d y o u give I provide I offered y o u a d i s c o u n t if y o u s i g n t o d a y ? I offer m e y o u r t e l e p h o n e n u m b e r ? C a t e r i n g services a i m t o give I provide T h e y ' r e offering I providing I offer g o o d f o o d a t l o w cost c a s h p r i z e s t o w i n n e r s of t h e b e s t c o m p e t i t i o n There's n o p o i n t i n f u r t h e r n e g o t i a t i o n T h e s e a r e t h e b e s t t e r m s I c a n give I provide I offer We a r e offering I providing y o u t h e c h a n c e t o b u y t h e c o m p l e t e set a t half p r i c e C o m p l e t e Suzanne's e m a i l b y filling i n t h e g a p s w i t h a n a p p r o p r i a t e w o r d w h e r e necessary • ;^Send;Naws^Send^iBterJ-||jj Save as Draft j $ From i ( 1*1.-"""'.' Suzanne Wilson ! "M' ! G^Optlona ^ ] - R e v r o p ««> ,'-" ,' x i ' ' ' 'f ^ ' '" J_' T o * I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a n g u a g e S c h o o l , iT"> ' i ' 'l Add Attachments j ^ / s i g n a t u r e Z / 9* Sect ! ; i'iii^"^subjecti)| C a t e r i n g !> Attachments /HW i ; |' Default Font >rf T e x t S I z e T h e International V |< B I U T | K e s | ; = : = t S - E s | A - d ' i - | — L a n g u a g e S c h o o l is h o l d i n g a n e n d - o f - t e r m p a r t y o n t h e e v e n i n g o f 2 O c t o b e r a n d a m w o n d e r i n g if y o u w o u l d p r o v i d e u s ! (1) information o n t h e catering services your firm (2) W o u l d y o u b e a b l e t o p r o v i d e m e a l s (4) \ offers T h e r e w i l l b e t o p e o p l e a t t e n d i n g , b u t I will b e special dietary requirements? people with ( O n e p e r s o n w h o m a y a t t e n d is a v e g e t a r i a n a n d a n o t h e r is d i a b e t i c ) C o u l d y o u p l e a s e s e n d (5) sample m e n u s f o r h o t a n d c o l d m e a l s a n d a p r i c e list? Finally, a f r i e n d w h o recommended (7) y o u r f i r m t e l l s (6) t h a t y o u offer d i s c o u n t s t o larger g r o u p s a n d I a m w o n d e r i n g if y o u w o u l d b e a b l e t o o f f e r (8) a reduction o n your s e t rates? 13 ... that their classes are being disturbed by other students who arrive late It (4) that students who arrive more than 10 minutes late should be sent to the library J o work The date for die mid-term... g a t i v e obligation, a n d don't have to do, for a b s e n c e of obligation: You mustn't play with matches - it's dangerous! (present) You don't have to go to school today - it's a holiday,... h e International V |< B I U T | K e s | ; = : = t S - E s | A - d ' i - | — L a n g u a g e S c h o o l is h o l d i n g a n e n d - o f - t e r m p a r t y o n t h e e v e n i n g o f 2 O c