Common Mistakes in English (Part – 1)

Common Mistakes in English (Part – 1)

1.Avoid + gerund

There are certain verbs which are always fol. lowed by the present participle form of a verb (or gerund) and not by an infinitive.

Incorrect : You should avoid to make mistakes.

Correct : You should avoid making mistakes.

Incorrect : I could not help ( = could not avoid) to laugh.

Correct : I could not help laughing.

Note: But when 'help' means 'assist', it may be followed by a bare infinitive or to-infinitive. For example: I helped him write the application.

Or

I helped him to write the application.

2.Enjoy + gerund

Incorrect : I enjoyed to read the book.

Correct : I enjoyed reading the book.

Note: But the verbs 'like' or 'dislike' may be followed by either the to-infinitive or the gerund. For- example:

I like to read novels.

Or

I like reading novels

3.Excuse + ing

Incorrect : Please excuse me to be late.

Correct : Please excuse my being late.

Or

Please excuse me for being late.

4.Finish + gerund

Incorrect : Have you finished to eat?

Correct : Have you finished eating

Note: But the verbs 'start' and 'begin' may be followed either by the gerund or the infinitive. For example:

He began/stalted to walk.

He began/started walking.

5.Go on (= to continue) + gerund

Incorrect : He went on to read the play.

Correct : He went on reading the play.

Note: 'Keep on' is also followed by a gerund. For example:

She kept on dancing.