TYPICAL MISTAKES & TIPS
Tips for writing:
1. Use a comma after introductions, for example:
When I arrived at my work placement, my supervisor was talking to one of the parents.
Shortly after talking to the patient, the doctor came to help.
First of all, I would like to tell you about what I love about my work.
However, it is not a problem if you can’t come.
2. I’m a 17-year-old student.
My brother is 20 years old.
3. Use a comma if the if clause is at the beginning of the sentence, for example: If I go to London, I will visit the Tower.
Typical mistake/problem Translations Examples
1 Use capital letters for: 1. Mary and I went to school together.
Names, I, months and days. 2. I was born in December.
Holidays. 3. I was born on a Sunday.
The names of streets and places. 4. I was born on Christmas Day.
The titles of films, articles or books. 5. I have a day off on Easter Monday.
People’s titles. 6. I live on West Nile street, which is near
the New Forest.
7. I have seen The Impact of Girl Power
four times.
2 1. Druk (als het gaat om kinderen) = lively 1. The class was very unruly today.
= rowdy 2. Jim was more hyperactive than normal
= noisy at the day care centre this morning.
= unruly
= hyperactive
, 3 1. Whit = With 1. I went to school yesterday with my best
friend.
4 1. There = Daar 1. They went there last week.
2. They’re = Ze zijn 2. They’re always late for the lesson.
3. Their = Hun 3. They always have their portfolio with
them.
5 1. were = waren 1. Where were you last Saturday afternoon?
2. where = waar
6 1. ‘Another’ is one word and not two. 1. I want to go to another school.
7 1. Rob’s photo 1. I have one of Rob’s photo
2. Rob’s photos 2. I have many of Rob’s photos in my
3. The boys’ photos (more than one boy) handbag.
3. Many of the boys’ photos were of cars.
8 1. to teach lesgeven 1. I teach English every day of the week.
2. to learn leren 2. Mary is learning to drive.
9 1. If = als iets onzeker is 1. I will visit you tomorrow, if my work
2. When = als iets zeker is is finished.
2. I will visit you tomorrow, when my work is
finished.
10 1. Zullen will 1. I will visit you tomorrow.
2. Willen want 2. I want (would like) to visit you tomorrow.
11 1. wanne / wanna / gonne / gonna want to / 1. ‘wanne’….. is slang and not good
going to English.
Tips for writing:
1. Use a comma after introductions, for example:
When I arrived at my work placement, my supervisor was talking to one of the parents.
Shortly after talking to the patient, the doctor came to help.
First of all, I would like to tell you about what I love about my work.
However, it is not a problem if you can’t come.
2. I’m a 17-year-old student.
My brother is 20 years old.
3. Use a comma if the if clause is at the beginning of the sentence, for example: If I go to London, I will visit the Tower.
Typical mistake/problem Translations Examples
1 Use capital letters for: 1. Mary and I went to school together.
Names, I, months and days. 2. I was born in December.
Holidays. 3. I was born on a Sunday.
The names of streets and places. 4. I was born on Christmas Day.
The titles of films, articles or books. 5. I have a day off on Easter Monday.
People’s titles. 6. I live on West Nile street, which is near
the New Forest.
7. I have seen The Impact of Girl Power
four times.
2 1. Druk (als het gaat om kinderen) = lively 1. The class was very unruly today.
= rowdy 2. Jim was more hyperactive than normal
= noisy at the day care centre this morning.
= unruly
= hyperactive
, 3 1. Whit = With 1. I went to school yesterday with my best
friend.
4 1. There = Daar 1. They went there last week.
2. They’re = Ze zijn 2. They’re always late for the lesson.
3. Their = Hun 3. They always have their portfolio with
them.
5 1. were = waren 1. Where were you last Saturday afternoon?
2. where = waar
6 1. ‘Another’ is one word and not two. 1. I want to go to another school.
7 1. Rob’s photo 1. I have one of Rob’s photo
2. Rob’s photos 2. I have many of Rob’s photos in my
3. The boys’ photos (more than one boy) handbag.
3. Many of the boys’ photos were of cars.
8 1. to teach lesgeven 1. I teach English every day of the week.
2. to learn leren 2. Mary is learning to drive.
9 1. If = als iets onzeker is 1. I will visit you tomorrow, if my work
2. When = als iets zeker is is finished.
2. I will visit you tomorrow, when my work is
finished.
10 1. Zullen will 1. I will visit you tomorrow.
2. Willen want 2. I want (would like) to visit you tomorrow.
11 1. wanne / wanna / gonne / gonna want to / 1. ‘wanne’….. is slang and not good
going to English.
