60 FCE Common Mistakes

1.

Everyday, he gets up early.

Every day, he gets up early. (EVERYDAY is an adjective; EVERY DAY is an adverb)

2.

The weather is unstable here. 

The weather is unpredictable here.

3.

This is a scene describing a natural disaster.

This is a scene showing a natural disaster.

4.

He was wearing a long pants.

He was wearing a pair of long pants.

5.

They seems to be happy. 

They seem to be happy. 

6.

I would do something indoor.

I would do something indoors.

7.

I stayed in the washroom for 30 minutes. Hopefully my body will be dry by then.

I stayed in the washroom for 30 minutes. Hopefully my body would be dry by then.

8.

There were eyes looking at me.

There were people looking at me.

9.

... to switch the fan to a higher volume.

... to switch the fan's knob to a cooler position.

10.

From time to time loud crushes ...

From time to time loud crashes ...

11.

I could see the asian house.

I could see  the ancient house.

12.

I saw a human feature.

I saw a human figure.

13.

... intent on getting there revenge.

... intent on getting their revenge.

14.

We changed into different clothings.

We changed into different clothes.

15.

I agree to the statement that she made.

I agree with the statement that she made.

16.

I came down the bus.

I came down from the bus.

15.

We were chit chatting.

We were engaging in chitchat.

18.

There were a lot people.

There were a lot of people.

19.

Although it is late, but I will still come.

Although it is late I will still come.

20.

I was awaiting my results.

I was waiting for my results.

21.

The reporter was biased towards him, and was always criticising him.

The reporter was biased against him, and was always criticising him.

22.

He complained about the biasness of the reporter.

He complained about the reporter's bias.

23.

I will bring you there.

I will take you there.

24.

He was of medium built.

He was of medium build.

25.

They were China-made.

They were Made in China.

26.

He ran pasted me.

He ran past me.

27.

Your essay is out of point.

Your essay is off the point.

28.

What time do you reach home?

What time do you get home? (REACH implies difficulty in attainment)

29.

... for her family members.

... for her family.

30.

... with my fellow schoolmates.

... with my schoolmates. (or "fellow students")

31.

Her mother is going to fetch her from school.

Her mother is going to pick her up from school. (FETCH is used for objects)

32.

She was filial.

She had filial piety.

33.

We arranged the furnitures.

We arranged the furniture.

34.

I had to collect the equipments.

I had to collect the equipment.

35.

There were three evidences.

There were three pieces of evidence.

36.

She suffers from gastric.

She suffers from gastric problems.

37.

He gave away the prizes.

He presented the prizes. (GAVE AWAY implies they were free)

38.

Let's go for a show.

Let's go to see a show.

39.

We tried to go up the bus.

We tried to board the bus.

40.

We went up the stage.

We went up onto the stage.

41.

When I phoned her, they said that she had gone back already.

When I called her, they said that she had already gone home.

42..

They talked about the going-ons.

They talked about the goings-on.

43.

Hand up your homework.

Hand in your work.

44.

She was having a fever.

She was running a fever. (or HAD A FEVER)

45.

Please help me to switch on the light.
 

Switch on the light for me. (PLEASE HELP implies that you are crippled and cannot do it)

46.

He was horning at me.

He was sounding his horn at me.

47.

We tried to cope up with the problem.

We tried to cope with the problem.

48.

I was considered as a real angel.

I was considered a real angel.

49.

He was always dependant.

He was always dependent.

50.

His standard has deproved.

His standard has gone down. (or DROPPED)

51.

Irregardless of what has happened ...

Regardless of what has happened ...

52.

My mother disallowed me from going out.

My mother forbade me to go out.

53.

Her dressing was very attractive.

She dressed very attractively.

54.

I dressed up in my school uniform.

I dressed in my school uniform. (DRESSED UP implies using special care in dressing)

55.

I want to emphasise on this point.

I want to emphasise this point. (or PUT SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON)

56.

... even-thought she was French.

... even though she was French.

57.

I have ever seen this before.

I have seen this before.

58.

She had never being to Paris.

She had never been to Paris.

59.

He was always demanding for help.

He was always calling for help. (or REQUIRING)

60.

They look forward to provide a friendly service to customers...

They look forward to providing a friendly service to customers...