The Correcting Of Errors In Students Work English Language Essay

Look at the following pieces of written work. In each case write a list of all the errors that have been made. Mark on the list, which type of error they are, according to the simple classification above. Write the correct version of the error underneath eg:

Student 1

I am 46 years old and married (G) for twenty years. We have got three children, one soon (SP) and two daughters. There (G) are six, eight and eleven years old. I am an electrical engineer and worked (T) for a company who manufactured (T)machines for processing automatically.(WO)

At first, I am going to learn English in Great Britain. It’s very important for my job. Then, I would like to have a little compangniy (SP) with about ten co-worker (WW) for myself. If it (G) isn’t possible, I’ll (G) manage a department who developed (G &T) high technology machines.

I became (WO)the test sheets for complete (WO) and (G)return directly at you. You phoned at your agent about my course at your school in Bristol. Very thanks for your trouble. (WO) I’m happy to come at (PR)your school and I’m (G) sure to learn better English. (G) I don’t know my flight number on the 5st (SP) March. I would (G) let you (MW) as soon as possible.

  

1. I am 46 years old and married (G) for twenty years. 

C- I am 46 years old and have been married for twenty years.

 

2. We have got three children, one soon (SP) and two daughters.

C- We have got three children, one son & two daughters.

3.There (G) are six, eight & eleven years old.

C- They are six, eight & eleven years old.

 

4. I am an electrical engineer and worked (T) for a company who manufactured machines for processing automatically (T).

C- I am an electrical engineer and work for a company who manufactures automatic processing machines.

 

5. Then, I would like to have a little compagniy (SP) with about ten co-worker (WW)for myself.

C- Then, I would like to have a little company with about ten employees

 

6. If it (G) isn’t possible, I’ll manage a department who (G) developed (T) high technology machines.

C- If that isn’t possible, I’ll like to manage a department that develops high technology machine.

 

7. I became (WW) the test sheets for complete (WW) and (G)return directly at (PR)you.

C- I have the test sheets for completion and I will return directly to you.

 

8. You phoned at your agent about my course at your school in bristol.

C-  “???” The error may be context and grammar  

 

9. Very thanks for your trouble. (WO)

C- Many thanks for your trouble

 

10. I’m happy to come at (PR)your school and I’m sure to (G) learn better English. (WW)

C- I’m happy to come to your school and I’m sure I will improve my English.

 

11. I don’t know my flight number on the 5st March (G).

C- I don’t know my flight number on the 5th of March.

 

12. I would (G)let you ^as soon as possible.

C- I will let you know as soon as possible.

 

Student 2

I am fourty (SP) years old. My height is 1.8m (G) and my hair is blond. My hobbys (SP)are walking and climbing (sp) in the mountain (G). My job (G) is Quality-Manager. I live (T) ten years at (PR) Russikon.

I weake (SP) up at seven o’chlock (SP) in the morning. I go (G) for breakfast in the kitchen. After the breakfast and I drive to work by car. In the office there is a lot of work. I have a brak at ten o’clock and I drink a tea. 12 o’clock I go home for lunch.

In the future I will a good life with my family. I hope I get a lot of money. I will learn better English for my job. I hope you will be happy with my history.

 

1. I’m fourty years old.

C- I’m forty (SP) years old.

 

2. My height is 1.8m (G) and my hair is blond.

C- I am 1.8m tall and my hair is blond.

 

3. My hobbys (SP)are walking and clymbimgin (SP)the mountain (G).

C- My hobbies are walking and climbing in the mountains.

 

4. My job is quality-manager. (G)

C-I am a quality- manager

5. I live ten years at Russikon. (G/WO)

C- I have lived 10 years in Russikon

 

6. I weake (SP) up at seven o’chlock (SP) in the morning.

C- I wake up seven o’clock in the morning.

 

7. I go for breakfast in the kitchen. (G)

C- I have my breakfast in the kitchen

8. After the breakfast (G) and I drive to work by car.

C-After breakfast, I drive to work by car.

 

9. In the office there is a lot of work. (WO)

C- There is lot of work in the office

 

10. I have a break at ten o’clock and I drink a tea.

C- I have a break at ten o’clock and I have a cup of tea

 

11. In the future I will (G) a good life with my family.

C-In the future I hope to have good life with my family.

 

12. I hope I get a lot (G,WO) of money.

C- I hope I will make lot of money.

13. I will learn better (G) english (SP) for my job.

C-I hope to improve my English as I need it for my job.

 

14. I hope you will be happy with my history. (WW)

C-I hope you will be happy with my story.

 

Student 3.

Yesterday I arrived in Bath. In this town there is a college where I’ll study English for two weeks. When we arrived at the college we went to our bedroom. I stay in bed-room with my best friend and I’m very happy for this. At eight o’clock we had dinner and then we have visited the college.

It is beautiful and there is also a swimming pool. Then we caome back to our bed-room wher I’ve chatted whit my friend for a long time. We both happy and we both hope to have good time in this college. Unfortunately the weather isn’t very good yesterday rained and today too but I think that the weather isn’t very important.

 

1. Yesterday I arrived in Bath. (WO)

C- I arrived in Bath yesterday.

 

2. In this town there is a college (WO)where I’ll study English for two weeks.

C - There is a college in this town where I’ll study English for two weeks.

3. When we arrived at the college we went to our bedroom. (G)

C- When we arrived at the college, we went to our bedrooms.

 

4. I stay in bed-room with my best friend and I’am very happy for this. (G, WO)

C-I am very happy that I am sharing the room with my best friend.

 

 

5. At eight o’clock we had dinner and then we have (G) visited the college.

C- At eighth o’clock we had dinner & then we visited the college.

  

6. Then we caome (SP) back to our bed-room wher (G) I’ve chatted (G) whit (SP) my friend for a long time.

C-Then we came (SP) back to our bedroom where I chat with my friend for a long time. (G)

 

6. We both happy (G) and we both hope to have a good time in this (PR) college.

C- We are both happy and we both hope to have a good time at this college.

 

 

7. Unfortunately the weather isn’t (G)very good yesterday rained and today too. (WO)

C- Unfortunately the weather wasn’t very good; it rained yesterday & again today. 

 

8. But I think that the weather isn’t very (G) important.

C- I don’t think the weather is very important.

 

 

Student 4

 

1.I had been (G) in London for about four days, (conjunction) I saw the Tower of London, the Tower bridge the Big Ben and the other famous places of this city (G, WO).

C- I have been (G) in London for about four days, and I saw the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Big Ben and some of the city’s other famous places. 

 

2. To arrive in Bath, I brought a coach. (WO)

C- I came to Bath by coach.

 

3. The journey was long (WO) but I’m very happy to arrive (G) in this town.

C- It was a long journey but I’m very happy to have arrived in this town.

4.. I didn’t stay (G)here before, but all my friends who saw (G) Bath tell me that it is very beautiful.

C- I have never been here before, but all my friends who have visited Bath tell me it is very beautiful

 

5. I hope I (G) enjoy myself very much.

C- I hope I will enjoy myself very much.

 

Student 5.

Collection of error, not a narrative.

 

a) Thank you for the informations. (G)

C- Thank you for the information

 

b) I stand up at 6 o’clock in the morning. (WW)

C- I wake up at 6 o’clock in the morning.

 

c) When I am ready I am eating my meal. (T)

C- When I am ready I will eat my meal.

 

d) I passed a good week with you. (WW)

C- I spent a good week with you.

 

e) I want saying you thank you. (G)

C- I want to say thank you.

 

f) I had ^(G) very nice lunch and ^(G) wine and it made me very full up (WO) and I’m no more hungry.

C- I had a very nice lunch and a glass of wine, and it made me very full and I am not hungry anymore

 

g) Where I stay (G) the wife is a very good cooker (WO).

C- Where I am staying, the wife is a very good cook.

 

h) The father is very humouristic. (WW)

C- The landlord is very humoristic.

 

i) I’m deceived (WW) for answer as ^ quickly.

C- I am unable to answer quickly.

j) My friend don’t let me any place.

C – ??? Convoluted, with multiple meanings.

k) The weather gets warmer in summer isn’t it (P, G)?

C- The weather gets warmer in summer doesn’t it?

 

i) My partner gives the answer don’t he? (WO)  

C- He has the answer doesn’t he?

  

m) The weather will remember me England. (WO)

C- The weather reminds me of England.

 

n) We put there our luggage. (WO)

C- We put our luggage there.

 

o) On five o’clock I want to eat my tea. (P, WO)

C- I want to eat my tea at five o’clock. 

Grammar

Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Exercise 1 (I’ve been or I was?)

Complete this letter to a newspaper. Put in the Present Perfect or Past Simple.

This pub __________ (be) the centre of village life for centuries. It _________(stand) at our crossroads for 500 years. It ___________(be) famous in the old days, and Shakespeare once ____________(stay) there, they say. I __________(live) in Brickfield all my life. The villagers ___________(know) about the plans for less than a week and already there’s a ‘Save Our Pub’ campaign. Last week we _______________(be) happy, but this week we’re angry. We will stop them, you’ll see.

Reason why the exercise is good: This exercise is useful as it gives students are given a context to fill in the blanks with the right language use

Exercise 2 Present perfect or past simple?

Put in the verbs.

Tom: Have you heard (you/hear) the news about David?

Harriet: No. (1) __________________(what/happen)?

Tom: (2) ____________(he/have) an accident. He was walking down some steps. (3) _________(he/fall) and ____________(break) his leg.

Reason why this exercise is good: It makes a realistic exercise for students to practice the language use in speaking.

Relative clauses (who,that, which)

Join the following sentences to make one sentence using a relative pronoun when necessary.

If the relative pronoun is unnecessary, put it in brackets. You may sometimes have to change the word order or change ‘a’ into ‘the’.

 

There’s the boy. He broke the window. _______________________________

 

The film star gave a party. It cost $10,000. _______________________________

 

That’s the palace. The Queen lives in it. _______________________________

 

You met a man at the party. He is a famous film star. The man…_______________________________

 

My friend came to the party. He’s a policeman. _______________________________

 

There are the policemen. They caught the thief. _______________________________

 

What’s the name of the lady? She was wearing the blue dress. _______________________________

 

I gave her a watch. It stopped after two days. _______________________________

 

My car was very expensive. It’s a Mercedes. _______________________________

 

You’re reading a book. I wanted to read it. _______________________________

 

Reason why this exercise is good: Students get to practice language use in writing as they combine 2 sentences together, and also forming the sentence in the correct subject verb order with the correct relative clause.

Relative clauses

Put a relative pronoun into each gap. At the same time, decide whether the relative pronoun can be omitted.

1 The books, _______________ I’d ordered over the internet, took nearly three weeks to arrive.

2 The books _______________ I’d ordered from a bookshop arrived the following week.

3 My parents, _______________ were born in the north of England, moved to London to find work.

4 The man _______________ lives upstairs is always playing music when I’m trying to get to sleep.

5 The building _______________ I live in was built in the 1920s.

6 The building _______________ I live was built in the 1920s.

7 The car’s making a funny noise again, _______________ means we’ll have to get someone to look at it.

8 The employee to _______________ you refer is no longer working for this company.

9 Do you remember the name of the man _______________ car you crashed into?

10 Have you any idea _______________ they were arguing about?

11 Have you any idea _______________ they were arguing?

12 The hotel _______________ we stayed was very good for the price.

Fill in the gaps in the following sentences by using

either what or which. (When which is used it should be

preceded by a comma which the student must insert for himself).

1.- He didn’t believed ____ I said ____ annoyed me very Married man (to bachelor friend): You can do ________ like

much. in the evenings but I have to go home to my wife.

2.- In detective stories the murderer is always caught ____ 20.- ________ my neighbour is cooking there is a smell of

doesn’t happen in real life. burning.

3.- He wasn’t surprised at ____ he saw because I told him

____ to expect.

4.- In hospitals they wake patients at 6 a.m. ____ is much too

early.

5.- There was no directory in the first telephone box ____

meant I had to go to another one.

6.- I did ____ I could ____ wasn’t much.

7.- The clock struck thirteen ____ made everyone laugh.

8.- I am sure that ____ you say is true.

Will/going to exercise

Explanation: will-future or going to-future Bottom of Form

1) Philipp __________15 next Wednesday. (to be)

2) They ___________a new computer. (to get)

3) I think, my mother ______________this CD. (to like)

4) Paul’s sister _____________a baby. (to have)

5) They_____________ at about 4 in the afternoon. (to arrive)

6) Just a moment. I _______ you with the bags. (to help)

7) In 2020 people ___________ more hybrid cars. (to buy)

8) Marvin __________ a party next week. (to throw)

9) We _____________ to Venice in June. (to fly)

10) Look at the clouds! It ________________soon. (to rain)

Question Tags exercise

You are at a barbecue. Add question tags to help start a friendly conversation.

These sausages are delicious, ___________________? – They certainly are.

You haven’t lived here long ________________? – No, only three months.

It’s quite a big garden _____________? – Yes, there’s plenty of room.

You’re Rachel’s friend _____________? – Yes, I’m Vicky

You came in a sports car, ____________? – That’s right.

These burgers look good ____________? – I can’t wait to try them.

We can sit on the grass ____________? – I think it’s dry enough.

The weather forecast wasn’t very good, ____________? – No, it wasn’t.

The exercise guides students to fill in the right question tag by giving both the question and answer.

Exercise 2

Requests and questions.

You want to look at a newspaper. Daniel might have one, so ask him (haven’t)

Warn David not to do anything silly. (Don’t)

Suggest to Vicky that you both listen to some music. (Let’s)

You need a timetable. Emma might have one, so ask her. (haven’t)

Ask Rachel to pass you the salt. (Pass)

This exercise is good as students will have to reconstruct the question and answer.

Present Simple/ Present continuous

Simple Present or Present Progressive/Continuous – Exercise 2

Explanation: Simple Present or Present Progressive

Top of Form

Fill in the verbs in brackets in the Simple Present or the Present Progressive.

Example: Steve always ____ his bike in the afternoon. (to ride)

Answer: Steve always rides his bike in the afternoon.

1) Andy sometimes _______ comics. (to read)

2) We never ________ TV in the morning. (to watch)

3) Listen! Sandy ________ in the bathroom. (to sing)

4) My sister usually ________ in the kitchen. (to help)

5) My mother ________ breakfast now. (to make)

6) They often ________ the bathroom. (to clean)

7) Look! The boys ________ home. (to come)

8) Every day his grandfather ________ for a walk. (to go)

9) I ________ with my friend at the moment. (to chat)

10) Cats ________ mice. (to eat)

Bottom of Form

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/tenses/simple_present_progressive2.htm

Exercise 2

I’m writing to my parents. I write to them every weekend.

_________________(it/snow) outside. ______________(it/come) down quite hard, look.

I haven’t got a car at the moment, so ______________(I/go) to work on the bus this week. Usually _________________(I/drive) to work.

Normally _______________(I/start) work at eight o’clock, but ___________ (I/start) at seven this week. We’re very busy at the moment.

I’m afraid I have no time to help just now. ______________ (I/write) a report. But _____________ (I/promise) I’ll give you some help later.

______________ (I/want) a new car. _______________ (I/save) up to buy one.

Verbs followed by prepositions

Fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions.

1

She suffers _______ diabetes.

_________________________________

2

She complained _______ the food to the manager.

_________________________________

3

I often listen ________ the radio while driving.

_________________________________

4

He got married ______ a girl he met in China.

_________________________________

5

She has applied ______ a new job.

_________________________________

6

He spends a lot of time ______ his work.

_________________________________

7

Who are you shouting ________ ?

_________________________________

8

Who does this book belong ______ ?

_________________________________

9

They are going to translate the book _______ Chinese.

_________________________________

10

She apologised ____ being late.

_________________________________

11

Her teachers were satisfied ______ her progress.

_________________________________

12

I’m thinking _______ going to France.

Verb and Prepositions

For each of the six questions choose the one correct answer:

1. You’ve been talking about asking her out for weeks, what are you waiting ____?

a. to

b. in

c. at

d. for

2. Yeah, Mr Bennett is our history teacher, he’s nice but I never know what he’s talking

_______.

a. of

b. on

c. about

d. over

3. I’ve finally decided to call ______ Simon, I want to know how he feels.

a. —

b. to

c. at

d. in

4. People say he works _____ the CIA, and he carries a gun!

a. at

b. for

c. with

d. in

5. What kind of music do you like listening ____?

a. to

b. at

c. —

d. for

6. What did you discuss _____ at the meeting?

a. on

b. over

c. about

d. —

Adverbial modifier of Place 1

Underline the adverbial modifier in the sentences.

The arrow fell on this spot

You can buy it in all places.

He fell to the ground.

He studied in a foreign country.

I found the book at that corner.

Underline the adverbial modifier in the sentences.

The shoe is pressing on my toe.

The desert stretched to the north.

Much water has run under the bridge.

He was playing beside the river.

He whispered gaily in her ear.

These exercises draws students to the adverbial phrases used within the context of a sentence.

Adverbial modifier of Time 1

Underline the adverbial modifier in the sentences.

No such diseases were known in those days.

He is coming at this very moment.

Before very long, the rain came.

In former times, we had to cycle to school.

He came to the class just now.

Adverbial modifier of Time 2

Underline the adverbial modifier in the sentences.

He succeeded in the long run.

Let us cease work from this very moment.

He sat for a while on the bank of the river.

The alarm sounded at the appointed time.

I hope he will come at a very early date.

General Tenses 1

Rewrite the sentences by correcting the tenses.

I was eating breakfast right now.

Usually I worked in an office, However , these days, I was working as a

waitress.

He woke up in the morning brush his teeth and ate lunch.

I will not eat until I will be hungry.

When I arrived, Steven has been playing football.

Reason why this exercise is good: Giving students error correction exercises allows them to be less self-conscious of the mistakes they make, as well as gain an understanding of the different errors.

Correct Answer:

I am eating breakfast right now.

Usually I worked in an office, However , these days, I am working as a

waitress.

He woke up in the morning, brushed his teeth and ate lunch.

I will not eat until I am hungry.

When I arrived, Steven was playing football.

General Tenses 2

Choose the correct answer.

1. The train wasn’t there. It __________ already

had been left

has left

had left

2. How long __________________each other when they got married?

have they known

had they known

would they know

3. She ________________ to speak English before she arrived in London.

had learned already

will have already learned

had already learned

4. Rick ______________ good Mandarin because he had been studying for several

years.

spoke

had spoken

has spoken

5. I _____________ from him for ten years when I received his last letter.

didn’t hear

hadn’t been hearning

hadn’t heard

It is, it was, it will be 1

Answer the questions using the above words.

You may add your own details.

1. In which year did Mary start schooling?

2. What sport does John play in school?

3. Where did the Olympic Games originate?

4. When can you finished the project?

When is the sun nearer to the earth, at noon or at sunset?

These questions give students free reign to practice their language use.

It is, it was, it will be 2

Answer the questions using the above words.

You may add your own details.

1. When will Paul graduate?

2. Do you know who has taken the pencil?

3. Is the snake longer than 1 metre?

4. Who has taken the pie yesterday?

5. Will the basket be weaved in a 3 days?

Preposition of Place

Fill in the blank with a suitable preposition.

Being chased by the dog, he dashed _________ the road.

He leaned __________ the wall as he waited for the bus.

All the while the child has been standing __________ the curtain.

The supporters stand _________ the politician as he was being charged.

He kept very silent as he sat ___________ the boss.

Answer:

1) across

against

behind

by

besides

Preposition of Place

Fill in the blank with a suitable preposition.

He lost his way and came ______ the end of the road.

The chest can be found ______ the surface of the cross junction.

As he was brooding when walking he fell _______ a ditch.

We have combed _______ the estate and could not find the dog.

The workers marched _______ the town in protest.

Answer

to

below

into

round

through

Preposition of Time

Fill in the blank with a suitable preposition.

We start ____ six _____ in the morning.

_____ last month I have seen him but once.

He was at the library _____ the whole day.

Ten minutes _____ twelve, he was already there.

The citizens prospered ______ the rule of the king

Asnwer

at , in

from

during

to

under

Preposition of Time 2

Fill in the blank with the correct preposition.

There was drought _______ the year.

The students arrived well ______ the teacher.

They completed the project ______ three o’ clock.

You must finish the marking _______ a month

The rain lasted ______ the night.

Answer:

throughout

before

by

within

through

Preposition + Dates

Fill in the blank with a suitable preposition.

1) I have been ill ___________ last week.

2) I commenced work ________ 1st January

3) Not ______ the next month can I submit the project.

4) I shall work ______ the end of May.

5) _______ week 1 and week 2, I will be on holiday.

Answer

since

from

until

till

Between

Preposition + Dates 2

Fill in the blank with a suitable preposition.

1) You must complete the assignment _____ the 8th of June.

2) ________ April , you can go on leave.

3) They have worked _______ the month of January.

4) He goes _____ Sunday to the church.

5) He took off in lie _____ Monday holiday.

Answer

by

after

into

on

of

Present Simple and Simple Future

Complete the following by putting in the verbs. Use the present simple or future simple.

Alice ___________ (walk) to school everyday.

These books _________ twenty dollars each. (cost)

I ________________ (call) you when I reach the office.

The sun _____________ (rise) in the east.

We ____________ (travel) to Japan during the summer holiday if we can get the air tickets.

Answer

walks

cost

will call

rises

will travel

Present Simple and Simple Future

Complete the following by putting in the verbs. Use the present simple or simple future.

Badminton is a wonderful game. John ___________ (love) to play it.

2 The train usually ____________ (leave) at five-thirty every morning.

3. I ______________(send) you the information when I receive it.

The phone is ringing. I _____________ (get) it.

It always ____________ (rain) in the weekend.

Answer

loves

leaves

will send

will get

rains

Reason – consequence 1

Identify which is the reason and which is the consequence in the sentences.

Janet was so fat that she refused to take part in sport.

It was his greed that led to his downfall.

If I go out in the rain I get wet.

I will buy the house provided that it is cheap.

He finished last as he began late.

This exercise corrects the errors by showing what is wrong and getting students to arrange it in the right order.

Reason – consequence 2

Identify which is the reason and which is the consequence in the sentences.

1) In case he is seriously ill. I will email you.

2) Had you been less rash, we would not lose the game.

3) It is your unfortunate remark that the meeting becomes sour.

4) As you have made a promise, you must keep it.

5) He speaks too fast to be understood.

Simple Present and Past Simple

Present Simple and Past Simple – to be

Complete the sentences with am, is, was, or were.

Where ____________ Paul today?

Kenny ____________ in Japan last month.

Joseph ____________ not present at the moment.

____________ the boys in school last week?

Could he read when he ______________ one year old ?

Rewrite the passage with the right form of the verb.

I (go) to the cinema last night. What film (you-see) ? I (see) The Lord of The Rings . Really? (you-like) it? It (be) really fantastic. I (think) you should go and see it. You know, I never (go) to the cinema , I (prefer) to read a book ; I (read) a romantic story last week, and yesterday, I (go) to the opera.

Verb + Preposition 2 (Answers are in brackets)

Fill in the blank with the correct preposition.

The metal cap ___________ rapidly into the well. (sank down)

The bus ____________ the wrong station. (stopped at)

He _______ himself ____ his study. (immersed .. in)

The boy _____ his hand _____ a knife. (cuts … with)

A tiny bird _________ the branch. (lived under)

Verb, object, phrases. 1

Identify the verb, the object and phrases in the sentences.

1) I like to see a face with a smile in it.

2) In a low voce he told the tale of his cruel crimes.

3) The police arrested a man known for his drunkenness.

4) I had no answer to my letter.

5) She laid her arms across her body.

Verb, object, phrases. 2

Identify the verb, the object and phrases in the sentences.

1. The Gurkhas love fighting in the mountainous jungle.

The foolish crow tried to sing for all the animals to hear.

Rock the baby to sleep.

Serpents cast their skin once a year.

5. I recognized your voice at once.

This form of exercise is good as it helps students write better by being conscious of the verb + object phrases in the sentence where they could have gone wrong in their own writing.

Will Or Would

Complete the sentences with ‘will’ or ‘would ‘.

You __________ still be working for the World Bank, if you hadn’t kicked up such a fuss.’

I __________ have told you all about it, if you had phoned me.

If you wore smarter clothes, you __________ be invited to all the important functions.

4. When we were young, we __________ spend every school holiday at the beach.

5. Jane __________ be twenty -one in August.

Will and Would

Fill in the blanks with “will” or “would “

I. ___________ like some coffee, please?

2. I promise I __________ be there.

3. I didn’t expect that she ___________ be there.

4. I hope we __________ be able to do it.

Give extra guided practice as to when to use will and would.