Answers

1. My father would have stayed for lunch but he had a meeting.
Tip: Mealtimes need no article (indefinite article “a”).


2. I really can’t go to the party. I have migraine.
Tip: Don’t use continuous (verb + ing) when have/has is used to refer to possession or

sensation. Use simple tenses instead (no –ing).


3. Turn on the TV now. I want to watch my favourite programme.
Tip: Can you open a TV just like you open a cupboard? ;-)


4. Maria, as well as her sister, is visiting Australia this vacation.

Tip: Maria is the subject of the sentence and it is a singular subject. A singular subject with an attached phrase like “as well as” does not change a singular subject to a plural one. Thus, it is followed by a singular verb “is”.


5. I think teaching is a noble profession.
Tip: Please compare “think” (verb) and “thing” (noun).


6. You will never succeed because you have no determination.
Tip: Please compare “succeed” (verb) and “success” (noun).


7. She was very upset because her cat was dead.
Tip: Please compare “dead” (adjective) and “died” (verb: past tense).


8. Besides being an excellent mother, she is a great lawyer.
Tip: Please compare “besides” and “beside”.


9. We wanted to prove that we had not cheated our customers.
Tip: Please compare “prove” (verb) and “proof” (noun).


10. Education is a life-long process.
Tip: “Education” is a singular subject and certainly a singular verb (is) is required here.

Today's Phrase

Crocodile tears
An insincere display of grief; false tears (hypocrisy).

Example sentence:
The cruel dictator weeps crocodile tears for the poor; but he is basically happy with things as they are.

Do crocodiles cry? Click for more...
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/104800.html

Spot the Errors

Rewrite these sentences using Standard English. There are eleven errors to be corrected.

Anwers will be posted soon.

1. My father would have stayed for a lunch but he had a meeting.

2. I really can’t go to the party. I’m having a migraine.

3. Open the TV now. I want to watch my favourite programme.

4. Maria, as well as her sister, are visiting Australia this vacation.

5. I thing teaching is a noble profession.

6. You will never success because you have no determination.

7. She was very upset because her cat was died.

8. Beside being an excellent mother, she is a great lawyer.

9. We wanted to proof that we had not cheated our customers.

10. Education are a life-long process.