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20 Most Common Speaking Mistakes: Advanced English Lesson

Speak English With Vanessa・2 minutes read

Vanessa from speak English with vanessa.com discusses common English mistakes and offers solutions to enhance language proficiency. Emphasis is placed on avoiding miscommunication, mastering grammar nuances, and building confidence in speaking.

Insights

  • Differentiating between "job" and "work" is essential, with "job" referring to a career and "work" serving as both a verb and a noun related to one's employment.
  • The distinction between "talk with someone" and "talk to someone" is minimal in English, offering flexibility in usage without implying a significant difference in authority.

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Recent questions

  • How can I improve my English mistakes?

    By visiting speak English with vanessa.com, you can access free PDF worksheets that address common English errors and provide solutions. Vanessa offers guidance on fixing mistakes like confusing "lose" and "loose," differentiating between "remember" and "remind," and understanding the usage of "tell" and "say" in English. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of clear enunciation to avoid misunderstandings and encourages overcoming perfectionism to share ideas confidently.

  • What are common speaking mistakes to avoid?

    Common speaking mistakes to avoid include using offensive language or profanity inappropriately, overusing filler words like "um" and "like," and speaking too quietly or loudly based on cultural norms. Vanessa suggests opting for softer language, using filler words sparingly, and adjusting your speech volume to match the environment and cultural expectations. It is also essential to respond correctly to phrases like "Would you mind" and differentiate between words like "torn" and "broken."

  • How should I respond to the phrase "Would you mind"?

    When someone asks "Would you mind," it is best to respond with "No, it's not a problem" to indicate your willingness. Avoid saying "Yes," as it may lead to confusion. Understanding the appropriate response to this phrase helps in clear communication and shows your readiness to assist without causing any misunderstandings.

  • What is the difference between "hear" and "listen"?

    The difference between "hear" and "listen" lies in perception and attention. "Hear" refers to perceiving sounds, while "listen" implies actively paying attention to those sounds. By understanding this distinction, you can communicate more effectively and engage in attentive listening during conversations.

  • How can I differentiate between "boring" and "bored"?

    To differentiate between "boring" and "bored," remember that "boring" describes uninteresting things or people, while "bored" expresses the feeling of being uninterested. By using these terms correctly, you can convey your thoughts and feelings accurately in various situations, enhancing your communication skills.

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Summary

00:00

"Fix English Mistakes with Vanessa's Help"

  • Mistake: Miscommunication with bakery leads to a cake saying "have a big day to the best bus in the wheel."
  • Vanessa from speak English with vanessa.com offers help to fix common English mistakes.
  • Free PDF worksheet available with top 20 English mistakes and solutions.
  • Common mistake: Confusing "lose" and "loose" in English.
  • Example: "That shirt is too loose" vs. "Don't lose your phone."
  • Common mistake: Incorrect usage of "yesterday night" instead of "last night."
  • Example: "I stayed up too late last night" is correct.
  • Difference between "remember" and "remind" explained.
  • Example: "Remember Vanessa's lesson last week" vs. "Remind me what it was."
  • Differentiating between "tell" and "say" in English.
  • Example: "What did your boss say to you when you asked for a raise."
  • Common spoken mistake: Using "there is" instead of "there are" in plural situations.
  • Explanation: In casual English, "there's" is often used regardless of plurality.
  • Vanessa emphasizes the importance of enunciating clearly to avoid misunderstandings.
  • Speaking mistake: Not sharing ideas due to lack of confidence or fear of judgment.
  • Solution: Overcome perfectionism and share ideas even if not perfect.
  • Speaking mistake: Using offensive language or profanity inappropriately.
  • Solution: Avoid using bad words and opt for softer language in conversations.
  • Mistake: Overusing filler words like "um" and "like" in conversations.
  • Advice: Use filler words sparingly and embrace moments of silence.
  • Speaking mistake: Speaking too quietly or too loudly, influenced by cultural norms.
  • Suggestion: Match the volume of your speech to the environment and cultural expectations.

17:35

Effective Communication and Language Usage Clarified

  • When stating the time, it's unnecessary to add "o'clock" when specifying minutes, such as saying "it's 7:20" instead of "it's 7:20 o'clock."
  • Use "o'clock" only when mentioning the hour alone, like saying "it's seven o'clock."
  • Correctly respond to the phrase "Would you mind" by stating "No, it's not a problem" instead of saying "Yes" to indicate willingness.
  • Differentiate between "torn" and "broken," using "torn" for cloth or clothing damage and "broken" for hard objects like glass or phones.
  • Distinguish between "mistake" and "fault," using "mistake" when admitting an error and "fault" with a possessive pronoun like "my fault."
  • Understand the difference between "hear" and "listen," where "hear" refers to perceiving sounds while "listen" implies paying attention to the sounds.
  • Use "boring" for uninteresting things or people and "bored" to describe the feeling of being uninterested.
  • Employ "well" as an adverb to describe how you feel, like saying "I don't feel well" when referring to health.
  • Use "good" as an adjective to describe a noun, such as saying "I need a good grade" instead of "I need a good" in casual conversation.
  • Differentiate between "job" and "work," using "job" as a noun for your career and "work" as both a verb and a noun, with "at work" being a fixed phrase for your workplace.

35:31

Impactful work with homeless and domestic violence.

  • Working with homeless individuals or those in domestic violence situations can deeply impact and change lives, signifying a significant purpose in one's job.
  • Understanding the difference between using "job" and "work" is crucial, especially in relation to specific times (at) versus more general time frames (in).
  • The distinction between "talk with someone" and "talk to someone" is often interchangeable in spoken English, with no significant difference in authority implied, allowing for flexibility in usage.
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