Posted by : Unknown Thursday, November 6, 2014

For Filipinos, learning the English language has not been a problem. The usage of English has been used as a medium of instruction from kindergarten to university. The exposure in the said language is very strong that speaking in English has become a part of our daily conversations – formal or informal. However, just like any other native English speaker, Filipinos still commit mistakes on certain usages and rules in the English language. Let us discover the common English usage problems we normally commit.
1.       The articles A and An
When we were younger, we were taught in school that “a” goes for words that start with a consonant letter while “an” is for the vowels. However, why do we use “a” for “uniform” and “an” for “umbrella”. This is because the rule should be stated as vowel or consonant sounds. It should not be based on the first letter of the word rather the first sound of its syllable.
2.       Accept and Except
Accept is a verb which means to receive while except is a preposition that means to leave out.
Example:
                Regina accepted all the gifts given by Charming except the new house.
                Except him, everybody accepted the manager’s apology.
3.       Among and Between
Both are prepositions – among is for three or more while between is for two things.
Example:
                Among the five children, Mary seems to be the most stubborn.
                The spatula is placed between the mixing bowl and the measuring cups.
4.       Beside and Besides
To say “in addition to,” we use besides. To mean “close to,” besides is used.
Examples:
                Besides my background in computers, I am a very savvy writer.
                Mother rested the plant beside the sofa.
5.       Bring and Take
Bring means “to carry from a distant place to a nearer one” while take means the opposite.
Examples:
                Can you bring those books over here? I want to read them.
                Can you take these books over there? Pile them up nicely.
6.       Cannot help but
This is just a nonstandard expression. To use this in the appropriate way, use “cannot help” plus a gerund.
Example:
                I cannot help but notice the misfortunes our family has been experiencing.
                I cannot help noticing the misfortunes we are experiencing.
7.       Clipped words
Clipped words are those words which come from a longer word. Example, gym is from gymnasium, and photo from photograph. Do not use them in formal writing.
Example:            
                I saw an old photograph of my grandmother in the closet.
8.        Continual and Continuous
Continual means “occurring again and again in succession.” Continuous means “occurring without interruption.”
Examples:
                His continual tardiness caused him his suspension.
                His continuous use of the product made his skin fairer.
9.       Done
It is the past participle of the verb do which means it needs an auxiliary verb or helping verb in a sentence.
Examples:          
                They have done washing the dishes. It is time to get some rest.
                She has done a very bad thing. She must be punished.
10.   Due to the fact that
This has become less acceptable in writing and speaking. Use since or because instead.
Examples:
                Due to the fact that/Because we were late, the teachers scolded us.
                 The team lost due to the fact that/since one of the players missed hitting the ball.
11.   Farther and Further
To describe distance, farther is used. Further is used to say “additional.”
Examples:
                We need to walk a little farther to reach the waterfall.
                She was promoted as senior manager. Further, she also got a huge commission.
12.   Fewer and Less
Fewer is used for countable nouns while less is for uncountable nouns.
Examples:
                We got fewer requests for changes this semester.
                The more we deal with the problem, the less trouble we can get.
13.   Hanged and Hung
Hanged is for execution while hung means suspended.
Examples:
                In the olden times, witches were either hanged or burned on a stake.
                The lanterns are hung in the living room.
14.   In and into
Some may think they mean the same, but actually, they differ in meaning. Into suggests a movement while in refers to a position.
Examples:
                A rocking chair is in the room.
                They saw some men walked into the room.
15.   Learn and Teach
Learn means to acquire knowledge while teach means to share what you learned or impart knowledge.
Examples:
                Today, the students learned the rule of inertia.
                Teachers teach not only academic subjects but also moral values.
16.   Mad
In formal usage, it means insane while informally, it means angry.
Examples:
                She needs to be restrained because she was mad. (formal)
                She was so mad that she threw the book at me. (informal)
17.   Maybe and May be
Maybe is an adverb that means perhaps while may be is a modal verb plus a verb.
Example:
                Maybe he will send the contract tomorrow morning.
                She may be at the party since she is not in her room.
18.   Only
To avoid confusion, place only before the word it modifies.
Examples:
                She needs only red shirts for the parade.
                Only I can ask you personal questions.
19.   Precede and Proceed
Precede means “to go before” while the latter means “to move forward.”
Examples:
                The awarding of prizes preceded an intermission number from the judges.
                Please proceed to Window A after the transaction is done.
20.   Than and Then
Than is used to show comparisons. Then is an adverb that refers to time.
Examples:
                I love this couch than the one I sat on before.
                Apply the toner first, and then let it stay for about twenty minutes on your skin.

Common mistakes but avoidable. Be familiar with the rules and use them appropriately the next time you speak or write an essay.

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