Sadly some students are taught at school that “mistakes are bad.” But mistakes are good: looking at them in class and seeing why you make them can help improve your understanding of English, as well as help improve your accuracy in speaking and writing. Here are some classic ones a few of my students made last week – can you spot the mistakes below?
Spot the mistakes
Level: Upper Intermediate (B2+)
1. I see my friends quite often because of they are fun to be with.
2. I like when he cooks for me.
3. I visit a gym 3 times a week.
4. I listen BBC news every morning.
5. I can’t come now, I’m taking care about the children.
6. He made so big mistake that I’m surprised he still has a job.
7. According an article I read in the ‘Prague Times’, there are now 7 billion people on Earth.
8. I spoke to him few days ago.
9. I have a lot of respect to Steve Jobs and what he did.
10. I think the economy will worsen in the close future.
11. If you look to the situation in Washington, you’ll see that…
12. His car has gone – he must went home.
13. She spent a lot of money for clothing.
14. Most of people at the event were quite bored.
15. When I eat some chocolate, I then have a good mood.
Spend a minute or two on each sentence, then check your answers here:
Or here:
If you’re not sure about any of these, please ask below by leaving a comment 
Read more
David Sweetnam
@getintoenglish
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David Sweetnam
English Teacher and Trainer
Engage s.r.o.
david [at] GetIntoEnglish [dot] com
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
David, thank You for the lesson.
Hi, David!
)
I read your article about classic learner mistake and tested myself
Also I thought about examples with “a few” and “few”.So I have a couple:
1. I have a few real friends.
2. Psychologists confirm that the only few minutes need to fall in love with someone.
Are they right?
Excellent article, David!
Hi Victor
Thanks for checking out this blog. Good timing too as it’s being re-designed this month.
Btw I saw your site, you’ve been to some really cool places!
David
Hi, David,
I missed the following sentences:
2. I like when he cooks for me.
11. If you look to the situation in Washington, you’ll see that…
12. His car has gone – he must went home.
15. When I eat some chocolate, I then have a good mood.
Hi MilaI!
Wow, we’ve crossed the whole of Europe to meet here
Re: some of your comments, and also from Marcelo, I thought it warranted a follow-up post, which I’ll write by Friday.
Please check the place out 8)
Hi Marcelo!
How’s everything going?!
As I wrote above, there were a few questions coming out of this post so I decided to write a follow up (by Friday). This will include a few clarifications.
And thanks too for your support on Twitter
David
Great post, David.
I think Spaniards pretty much make the same mistakes.
Hi David
)
Do you know this phrase: sometimes destiny shuffles the cards, but we play them?
Sometimes it can to answer much of our question and explane the coincedences…
I’ll wait for next post from you;))
Have a nice weekend!
That’s a very cryptic message, MilaI. I wonder what you were thinking of when you wrote this.
Thanks to you all – and my own students – I now have quite a few ideas for the next few blog posts.
Have a great Sunday
Yes, David, and I’like to write about these places on CORRECT English. You site elp me
Help
I was just checking out your header (which looks fabulous btw), when I saw this article and got interested
had to read the ‘I like when he cooks…’ sentence quite a few times before spotting the missing ‘it’ pffff…
If you’re curious, Hanka got a sneak peak of my new header. Since then though I’ve made it more minimalist. Final newly-designed site will go LIVE I hope this coming week! Stay tuned
Hi, David! I’m not cryptic person and I missed your site! I had a vacation and visited beautiful country, but now I’m here to read your intresting articles and discover details of English
)
Hi MilaI
It’s great to hear from you. I’ve actually been travelling and working quite a bit but will post again more regularly once the new design is fully in place.
What county were you in?
David
Hi David:)) I was in Spain and I fell in love with this pleasant country! Have you any “adorable” country or maybe couple of countries ? Actually, I like your design process, I’m sure that you’re going the right way.
David, have a lovely week before Christmas Day!!!
David,
great exercise ! Now it can be enought memorize all
Thanks!
Martina