Writing

Common Mistakes
Student Exercise

To the student :
This writing correction exercise deals with some problems that are common in intermed-
iate and advanced level written by students for whom English is a second language. It
will help you understand and correct the mistakes which your English teacher points out
in your work.

This exercise has been prepared based on a multiple choice test. Each question may have
different choices, some are correct , others may be wrong, all may be correct or wrong.
You have to chose both.

The correct choices mean that you should use them in writing, while the wrong ones must
be avoided.

Do not ever hesitate to ask your teacher for any additional explanation or help.

Choose the correct and the wrong sentences:

1- a) He was tired, he went to sleep quickly.

b) He was tired he went to sleep quickly.
c) Because he was tired, he went to sleep quickly.
d) He went to sleep quickly because he was tired.
e) He was tired, so he went to sleep quickly.

2- a) He was tired he kept on working.

b) He was tired, but he kept on working.
c) He was tired, however he kept on working
d) He was tired. However, he kept on working
e) He was tired; however, he kept on working.

3- a) He is an old man, he likes to read.

b) He is an old man who likes to read.

4- a) He was born in a village he spent a happy childhood there.

b) He was born in a village, where he spent a happy childhood.

5- a) This was an active time in his life, he made some of his greatest discoveries at
this time.
 b) This was an active time in his life, when he made some of his greatest
discoveries.

6- a) She is a tall girl, she has brown hair.

b) She is a tall girl with brown hair.

7- a) George is a college student he is tall.

b) George is a tall college student.

8- a) Because he was tired, therefore, he stopped working.

b) Since he was tired, therefore, he stopped working.
c) Because he was tired, he stopped working.
d) Since he was tired, he stopped working.
e) He was tired. Therefore, he stopped working.
f) He was tired; therefore, he stopped working.

9- a) Although he was tired, yet he kept on studying.

b) Although he was tired, but he kept on studying.
c) Although he was tired, however, he kept on studying.
d) Although he was tired, he kept on studying.
e) He was tired, yet he kept on studying.
f) He was tired, but he kept on studying.
g) He was tired. However, he kept on studying.
h) He was tired; however, he kept on studying.

10- a) He interferes in everything, even it is not important.

b) He interferes in everything, even if it is not important.
c) He interferes in everything, even when it is not important.

11- a) John and George plays football.

b) John and George play football.

12- a) Stealing and killing violates the law.

b) Stealing and killing violate the law.

13- a) The development of an individual depend greatly on his environment.

b) The development of an individual depends greatly on his environment.

14- a) This belief in superstitions need to be replaced by scientific knowledge.

b) This belief in superstitions needs to be replaced by scientific knowledge.

15- a) He is having two uncles.

b) He has two uncles.

16- a) She isn't knowing the answer to the teacher's questions.

b) She doesn't know the answer to the teacher's questions.
17- a) She isn't seeing the words on the blackboard clearly.
b) She doesn't see the words on the blackboard clearly.

18- a) He was loving his father very much.

b) He loved his father very much.

19- a) Seeing his name on the blackboard made George happy.

b) Sees his name on the blackboard made George happy.

20- a) Hearing a noise in the next room, he got up to investigate.

b) Hears a noise in the next room, he got up to investigate.

21- a) They are living in Cairo for six years.

b) They have lived in Cairo for six years.
c) They have lived in Cairo since 2001.
d) They have been living in Cairo for six years.
e) They have been living in Cairo since 2001.
f) They have lived in Cairo since six years.
g) They have lived in Cairo since six years ago.
h) They have lived in Cairo since they left Alexandria.
i) They have been living in Cairo so far.

22- a) Robert is used to riding crowded buses.

b) Robert is used to crowded buses.
c) If Susan goes to Spain, she will get used to speaking Spanish.
d) If Susan goes to Spain, she will get used to Spanish.
e) Mary is becoming used to following her new schedule.
f) Mary is becoming used to her new schedule.

23- a) I'll meet you when I finish this work.

b) I'll talk to her as soon as she arrives.
c) He'll tell her after he tells his father.
d) We will wait for him until he will come.
e) She will help him if he needs it.

24- a) They believed that he will never be successful.

b) They believed that he would never be successful.

25- a) They said that he has done it.

b) They said that he had done it.

26- a) They hoped he is early.

b) They hoped he was early.

27- a) He thought he can do it.

 b) He thought he could do it.

28- a) He wrote that he may do it.

b) He wrote that he might do it.

29- a) I'll help him if he will have any trouble.

b) I'll help him if he has any trouble.

30- a) If my father was a non-smoker, he would save money.

b) If my father were a non-smoker, he would save money.
c) If my father were a non-smoker, he could save money.
d) If my father was a non-smoker, he might save money.

31- a) Mary wishes she had done her homework yesterday.

b) Mary wishes she always did her homework.
c) Mary wishes she would do her homework.

32- a) The letter has been mail.

b) The letter has been mailed.
c) The letter has mailed.

33- a) The house will built next year.

b) The house will be built next year.
c) The house will build next year.

34- a) He will must do that tomorrow.

b) He must do that tomorrow.

35- a) When she was in secondary school, she must wear a uniform.
b) When she was in secondary school, she has to wear a uniform.

36- a) This my plan for developing our country.

b) This is my plan for developing our country.

37- a) Our greatest problem overpopulation.

b) Our greatest problem is overpopulation.

38- a) Mr. Smith let his daughter drive the family car yesterday.
b) Mr. Smith had the mechanic examine the car yesterday.
c) Mr. Smith made his lazy son wash the family car yesterday.
d) Mr. Smith got the maid to clean the house yesterday.

39- a) They accused him about killing the old man.

b) They accused him to kill the old man.
c) They accused him of killing the old man.
40- a) She can't afford buying a new car.
b) She can't afford buy a new car.
c) She can't afford to buy a new car.

41- a) They encouraged her for publishing a book.

b) They encouraged her to publish a book.
c) They encouraged her publishing a book.

42- a) He failed turning out the light.

b) He failed turn out the light.
c) He failed to turn out the light.

43- a) I can help carry the heavy box.

b) He will help his little brother carry the box.
c) She helped me to understand the lesson.
d) They can help cooking dinner.

44- a) We couldn't imagine eating the same dinner everyday.

b) I can't imagine a baby driving a truck.
c) They couldn't imagine to lose the game.
d) She imagined win the prize.

45- a) They tried to prevent him from leaving the country.

b) They tried to prevent him of leaving the country.

46- a) He spends two hours every day to read the newspaper.

b) He spends two hours every day reading the newspaper.
c) He spends two hours every day read the newspaper.

47- a) They succeeded climbing Mount Everest.

b) They succeeded to climb Mount Everest.
c) They succeeded in climbing Mount Everest.

48- a) She used to playing with dolls.

b) She used to play with dolls.
c) She is used to playing with dolls.
d) She gets used to playing with dolls.

49- a) The teacher forbidded the students to talk.

c) The teacher forbade the students to talk.

50- a) He did his best. b) She made a decision.

c) We did a favor for her. d) I made a discovery.
e) You must do your homework. f) They made an effort.
g) She did research. h) He made a mistake.
i) We do the washing. j) You made progress.
 k) He does business. l) I made trouble for him.
m) She does dishes. n) He made an appointment.
o) We do many exercises. p) She makes much money.
q) They did an assignment. r) I always make bed.
s) We did had work. t) They made many friends.

51- a) The student raised his hand. b) The moon rose at 11:00.
c) You can set the bag by the door. d) He wants to sit on the sofa.
e) Please lay the book on the floor. f) She decided to lie down.
g) She lays down for a rest every day. h) She lies down for a rest every day.
i) He carefully sat the vase on the table. j) He carefully set the vase on the table.
k) The sun sits early in the winter. l) The sun sets early in the winter.
m) He set out for London at 4:00. n) He sat out for London at 4:00.

52- a) By leaving early, they avoided riding a crowded bus.

b) He avoids staying up late.
c) He avoided his son to make the same mistakes.
d) He prevented his son from making the same mistakes.
e) He helped his son avoid making the same mistakes.
f) Her mother's advice helped her avoid marrying the wrong man.
g) Her mother's advice prevented her from marrying the wrong man
53- a) A mechanic may gain more than a teacher.
b) She gains a very high salary.
c) The money he gains is not enough.
d) A mechanic may earn more than a teacher.
e) She earns a very high salary.
f) The money he earns is not enough.
g) A mechanic may make more than a teacher.
h) She makes a very high salary.
i) The money he makes is not enough.

54- a) He was graduated in 1977. b) She will be graduated next year.

c) He graduated in 1977. d) She will graduate next year.

55- a) Today most people do not want to bring many children.

b) Today most people do not want to have many children.
b) My cousin plans to get only two children.
c) My cousin plans to have only two children.

56- a) He wants his children to inherit him.

b) He wants his children to inherit his wealth.
c) He wants his children to inherit his property.
d) He wants his children to inherit what he has.
e) Children inherit what their parents leave.
f) He hopes that his son inherits his height.
g) His daughter inherited his wife's intelligence.
57- a) Mary knew how to cook Egyptian food when she came to Egypt.
b) Mary learned how to cook Egyptian food when she came to Egypt.
c) It is difficult to know this information without an encyclopedia.
d) It is difficult to find out this information without an encyclopedia.
e) He knew Japanese when he lived in Japan.
f) He learned Japanese when he lived in Japan.
g) She knew her mistake the next day.
h) She discovered her mistake the next day.

58- a) I prefer coffee to tea.

b) He prefers swimming to playing tennis.
c) I prefer to travel alone rather than (to) go with a group.
d) She preferred to solve the problem by herself rather than (to) ask for help.
e) He prefers to go to Paris rather than to London.
f) We prefer to work during the day rather than at night.

59- a) He returned back to his country.

b) He returned to his country.
c) He returned the book back to the library.
d) He returned the book to the library.

60- a) She will share her husband the happiness and sorrow of life.
b) She will share the happiness and sorrow of life with her husband.
c) The children share their toys.
d) He will share an apartment with his friends.

61- a) I am very tired because I slept late.

b) I am very tired because I went to bed late.
c) I went to bed at 10:30, but I did not go to sleep until after midnight.
d) I went to bed at 10:30, but I did not sleep until after midnight.

62- a) The robbers stole the bank.

b) They robbed the bank.
c) They robbed $100.000.
d) The robbers stole $100.000.
e) The museum was robbed.
f) The thieves stole a valuable painting from the museum.
g) The thieves robbed a valuable painting from the museum.
h) My uncle’s house was stolen.
i) My uncle’s house was robbed.

63- a) I live in New York, but I like to live in Tokyo.

b) I live in New York, but I would like to live in Tokyo.
c) Would you like a cup of coffee?
d) Do you like a cup of coffee?
 64- a) Her father, a man which everybody respected, spoke German fluently.
b) Her father, a man whom everybody respected, spoke German fluently.
c) My uncle is the engineer which built this bridge.
d) My uncle is the engineer who built this bridge.

65- a) She told me all what she knew.

b) She told me all that she knew.
c) She told me all she knew.
d) We can never forget all what he did for science.
e) We can never forget all that he did for science.
f) We can never forget all he did for science.

.a) This is a problem which all people have thought about it -66
.b) This is a problem all people have thought about it
.c) This is a problem which all people have thought about

67- a) He wrote to his uncle, whom he admired him very much.

b) He wrote to his uncle, whom he admired very much.
c) He constantly criticized his sister, whom he had always been jealous of her.
d) He constantly criticized his sister, whom he had always been jealous of.
e) These are stories which he wrote them in the nineteenth century.
f) These are stories which he wrote in the nineteenth century.
g) He grew up in a village, where he was very happy there.
h) He grew up in a village, where he was very happy.

68- a) Adam Smith wrote a book deals with economics.

b) Adam Smith wrote a book which deals with economics.
c) Yesterday I talked to some people had just returned from Canada.
d) Yesterday I talked to some people who had just returned from Canada.

69- m) William is the student who you met his father.

n) William is the student whose father you met.
o) Mary gave the book to the girl who you know her brother.
p) Mary gave the book to the girl whose brother you know.
q) This hospital accepts patients who the government pays for their treatment
r) This hospital accepts patients whose treatment the government pays for.
s) He worked for an organization which the government investigated its
activities.
t) He worked for an organization whose activities the government investigated.
u) He worked for an organization the activities of which the government
investigated.

70- a) My university has many excellent teachers, a few of them are foreigners.
b) My university has many excellent teachers, a few of whom are foreigners.
 c) He likes to visit his friends, many of whom are government employees.
d) She listened to many political speeches, one of which made her very happy.
e) The clinic was operated by four doctors, three of whom were women.

71- a) John was hungry and this made it hard for him to study.
b) John was hungry, which made it hard for him to study.
c) John's hunger made it hard for him to study.
d) Because of his hunger, John found it hard to study.
e) John found it hard to study because he was hungry.

.a) She wanted to travel to London where her father was working -72
.b) She wanted to travel to London, where her father was working
.c) He wrote a letter to his best friend who had just gone to Canada
.d) He wrote a letter to his best friend, who had just gone to Canada

.a) John saw every day his uncle -73

.b) John saw his uncle every day
.c) She speaks very well English
.d) She speaks English very well
.e) We usually read in the morning the newspaper
.f) We usually read the newspaper in the morning
.g) John gave to his sister the book
h) John gave his sister the book
.i) John gave the book to his sister
.j) He explained to me the problem
.k) He explained the problem to me

.a) He always studied in his room -74

.b) I can always study, no matter how noisy it is
.c) He has often studied with his best friend
.d) She always is polite
.e) She is always nice
.f) They have often been kind
.g) They often have been happy

.a) She read also magazines -75

.b) She also read magazines
.c) She read magazines also
.d) Also, She read magazines

.a) George met his uncle at 5: 00 there -76

.b) George met his uncle there at 5: 00
.c) George met there his uncle at 5: 00
.d) There, George met his uncle at 5: 00

.a) I don’t know where did it happen -77

.b) I don’t know where it happened
.c) We all know what is an apple
.d) We all know what an apple is
.e) Everyone knows how is she kind
.f) Everyone knows how she is kind
.g) Everyone knows how kind she is
.h) He asked me why was the book on the table
i) He asked me why the book was on the table

.a) She no more lives in Alexandria -78

.b) She doesn’t live in Alexandria any more
.c) She no longer lives in Alexandria
.d) I f he does that, he will no longer be my friend
.e) That old horse can no longer run
.f) He isn’t any more a child
.g) He no longer is a child
.h) He isn’t a child any more

a) Only by hard work you will succeed. ( Initial Adversatives ) -79

.b) Only by hard work will you succeed
.c) Not only he was greedy, but he also envied others
.d) Not only was he greedy, but he also envied others
.e) At no time he has lost hope
.f) At no time has he lost hope
.g) Only then he realized his mistakes
.h) Only then did he realized his mistakes
i) Never she quarrels with her sister
j) Never does she quarrel with her sister
.k) They didn’t study seriously, nor they attended classes regularly
.l) They didn’t study seriously, nor did they attend classes regularly

.a) She smiled lovely -80

.b) She smiled in a lovely way
.c) She had a lovely smile
.d) She is a friendly person
.e) She treats us friendly
.f) She treats us in a friendly way

.a) The frightening child ran away from the dog -81
.b) The child ran away from the frightened dog
.c) The child ran away from the frightening dog
.d) The frightened child ran away from the dog
.e) Dr. Jones gave a bored lecture yesterday
.f) The boring listeners fell asleep
.g) Dr. Jones gave a boring lecture yesterday
.h) The bored listeners fell asleep
.a) He feels more prouder than anyone else -82
.b) He feels prouder than anyone else
.c) She talked more and more than her brother
.d) She talked much more than her brother
.e) He drank much more coffee than I did
.f) She reads many more books than her brother

.a) George is much more taller than Mary -83

.b) George is much tall than Mary
.c) George is much taller than Mary
.d) Jane smokes less cigarettes than her brother does
.e) Jane smokes fewer cigarettes than her brother does
.f) Jane drinks less coffee than her brother does

.a) People like to receive letters than to write them -84

.b) People like to receive letters more than to write them
.c) She reads many books than her brother
.d) She reads many more books than her brother
.e) They are taking few courses than we are
.f) They are taking fewer courses than we are

.a) My book is new as your book -85

.b) My book is as new as your book
.c) Mary wrote carefully as Susan
.d) Mary wrote as carefully as Susan

.a) Try to read books written in English as you can -86

.b) Try to read as many books written in English as you can
.c) He drinks tea as much as his brother
.d) He drinks as much tea as his brother
.e) She gives her children as much spending money as they want
.f) She wrote as many pages on the subject as the other students did
.g) He took as much bread as he could eat

.a) He is a sixteen-years-old boy -87

.b) He is a sixteen-year-old boy
.c) It’s a twenty-dollars bill
.d) It’s a twenty-dollar bill

a) an Arab custom b) The Arabic language -88

c) Arab society d) an Arabic world
e) Arab dress f) an Arabic expression
g) Arabian horse h) The Arabian Nights

.a) The airplane is one of the biggest inventions in the history of man -89
.b) The airplane is one of the most important inventions in the history of man
.c) The airplane is one of the most outstanding inventions in the history of man
.d) The airplane is one of the greatest inventions in the history of man

.a) My grandfather is much bigger than I am -90

.b) My grandfather is much older than I am
.c) A man is small compared to his mother
.d) A man is young compared to his mother

.a) That country has severe economic problems -91

.b) It is more economical to travel by bus than by plane
.c) An economical teen-ager will probably become an economical adult

.a) Mary cries often because she is so sensible -92

.b) Mary cries often because she is so sensitive
.c) We can always depend on Susan because she is so sensible
.d) We can always depend on Susan because she is so sensitive

.a) He is quiet rich -93

.b) He is quite rich
.c) People read best in a quite room
.d) People read best in a quiet room
.e) It’s quiet a long road
.f) It’s quite a long road

’ Somehow = ‘ in some means ’ or ‘ in some way -94

’ Somewhat = ‘ rather ’ or ‘ to a certain degree

a) She is very busy, but she will finish the extra work somehow.
b) It was a difficult task, but somehow she did it.
c) The house is somewhat old, but we like it.
d) She is somewhat annoyed by our suggestion.
e) He is somehow tired, so he will rest.
f) He is somewhat tired, so he will rest.

a) They solved the problem by this way. ( written English ) -95

.b) They solved the problem in this way
.c) They solved the problem in a simple way
.d) They solved the problem in the following way
.e) They solved the problem in a strange way

a) They solved the problem this way. ( spoken English ) -96

.b) They solved the problem a simple way
.c) They solved the problem the following way
.d) They solved the problem a strange way
.a) It was very difficult to travel by then because the weather was very bad -97
.b) It was very difficult to travel then, because the weather was very bad
.c) It was very difficult to travel at that time, because the weather was very bad
d) He didn’t start studying seriously until the semester was almost over, and by then
.it was too late. He failed the test

.a) My friend and I arrived at the theater in the same time -98
.b) My friend and I arrived at the theater at the same time
.c) My friend and I arrived at the theater on the same time

’ Nearly = ‘ almost ’ About = ‘ approximately -99

. ----------------- When he left the house, it was nearly five o’clock. He left
a) after five o’clock.
b) before five o’clock
c) at five o’clock
d) approximately at five o’clock

. ----------------- When he left the house, it was about five o’clock. He left
.a) after five o’clock
b) before five o’clock
c) at five o’clock
d) approximately at five o’clock

.a) He worked hardly -100

.b) He worked hard
c) He hardly worked
d) Hardly anyone saw the accident
.e) He did hardly any work, so he lost his job

101- a) Sociologists study the society. (abstract nouns )

b) Sociologists study society.
c) The modern science can help humanity.
d) Modern science can help humanity.
e) The Oriental music is not understood by most Europeans.
f) Oriental music is not understood by most Europeans.
g) The love of a mother for her child is strong.
h) The life of a coal- miner is unpleasant and dangerous.

102- a) They went to U.S.A.

b) They went to the U.S.A.
c) They live in Russia.
d) They live in England.
e) They live in A.R.E.
f) They live in the A.R.E.
g) They live in United Kingdom.
 h) They live in the United Kingdom.

103- a) He speaks German fluently.

b) His book was published in the German language.
c) His book was published in German language.
d) Russian is an interesting language.
e) The Russian language is not easy for Europeans.

104- a) From this answers we can judge who is right.

b) From this answer we can judge who is right.
c) From these answers we can judge who is right.

105- a) It is well-known that the number of the poorer class is greater than the number
of the wealthy class.
b) It is well-known that the number of the poor people is greater than the number
of the wealthy people.

106- a) One of the oldest country in the world is China.

b) One of the oldest countries in the world is China.
c) He is one of my best friends.
d) He is one of my best friend.

107- a) Some of educated people are superstitious.

b) Some of the educated people are superstitious.
c) Some educated people are superstitious.

108- a) Most of the sugar produced in Cuba is exported.

b) Most of sugar produced in Cuba is exported.
c) Most sugar produced in Cuba is exported.

109- a) Many young people are kind.

b) Many of the young people are kind.
c) Many of young people are kind.

110- a) All my children have brown eyes.

b) All of my children have brown eyes.
c) All of children have brown eyes.

111- a) Both of the boys didn't realize the danger.

b) Neither of the boys realized the danger.
c) Neither boy realized the danger.
d) Neither one of the two boys realizes the danger.
e) Neither one of the two boys realize the danger.

112- a) He had two sons, and he educated everyone of them.

b) He had two sons, and he educated both of them.
113- a) Each problems has a solution.
b) Each problems have a solution.
c) Each problem has a solution.

114- a) Every intelligent human think about this problem.

b) Every intelligent humans think about this problem.
c) Every intelligent human thinks about this problem.

115- a) Every boy like to play.

b) Every boys like to play.
c) Every boy likes to play.

116- a) Everybody have problems.

b) Everybody has problems.
c) Everyone loves children.
d) Everyone love children.

117- a) Everyone doesn't have two heads.

b) Anyone doesn't have two heads.
c) Every person doesn't have two heads.
d) All people don't have two heads.

118- a) No one has two heads.

b) No person has two heads.
c) Nobody has two heads.

119- a) Everyone didn't go to the party.

b) No one went to the party.
c) Not everyone went to the party.

120- a) Doesn't everyone have two arms?

b) Doesn't anyone here have a cigarette?
c) Don't all children like to play?
d) Doesn't every family have problems?