Learn Something

Hello again.

Here are some grammar, spelling, and usage errors I found on your blogs last week. Take a look and learn.

1. Isram > Islam

Be careful with the letters l and r. Japanese EFL speakers often confuse the two sounds, so make a habit of checking a dictionary. With tablet computers and smart phones, this should be quick and easy.

2. companeys > companies

Remember that the final letter y changes to ies for most plural nouns.

3. influence to the environment > influence on the environment

The preposition to is almost never used immediately after the verb influence. Use the preposition on instead.

4. pencil lead rhymes with dead (not feed!)

Please check the pronunciation of words you will use in your presentation. English spelling and pronunciation are notoriously confusing, but if you check one word at a time, it gets easier.

5. I speak the reason > I say the reason

The verb speak rarely takes an object. If you need to use a direct object, like above, then use the verb say.

6. the roof is sharp > the roof is steep

Houses in Hokkaido have steep roofs so the snow slides off. Walking on steep roofs is dangerous.

7. week3 > week 3

Don't forget to insert a space between words and numbers!

And that's all. More next week!