Oxford English Grammar Course Advanced
COMMON MISTAKES TEST
1. Look always in the mirror before you start driving.
2. Here is coming my bus.
3. It’s saying in today’s paper that there’s going to be another strike.
4. When I was a child, I was playing a lot of basketball.
5. It happened while I stayed in Ireland.
6. ‘How long are you here for?’ ‘Since March.’.
7. Who has given you that?
8. We visit my sister every few days since we’ve bought the car.
9. I had left a coat to be repaired. Is it ready?
10. I could get in touch with Martin yesterday, at last.
11. Use my phone? Yes, of course you could.
12. She only left a few minutes ago: she mustn’t be home yet.
13. I’m not sure where Sarah is. She can be with Jason.
14. May you change your job soon?
15. They don’t allow people parking in front of the factory.
16. I can’t think of anybody whom to ask for help.
17. These pills are to take three times a day.
18. This material is impossible to catch fire.
19. This box is too heavy to lift it.
20. I had trouble in my first term, because I wasn’t used to write long essays.
21. The talking to the driver is strictly forbidden.
22. He’s doing researches on low-temperature physics.
23. The biggest time-waster in our office are meetings.
24. We need a five-litres can of oil.
25. I had a disappointment feeling when I saw my exam results.
26. Pete’s and Ann’s new house is lovely.
27. I’ve forgotten their street’s name.
28. I especially like mountain’s flowers.
29. In the 17th century one believed in witches.
30. Do you want a plain one or a one with cream?
31. My children are more interested in parties than in the nature.
32. The number of the unemployed is rising steadily.
33. My brother works at the Birmingham Airport.
34. Whole Venice was under water.
35. She fell unconsciously on the floor.
36. I got talking to a nice and old woman on the bus.
37. The questioned students were released and allowed to go home.
38. More you smile, more you look beautiful.
39. I’m impressed by your so excellent English.
40. Our house is among the woods, the river and the village.
41. There’s a supermarket just across the street, directly in front of our house.
42. In a better world you would be free to say what you would think.
43. I’m busy today: I’d rather you come tomorrow.
44. It’s time they go home.
45. I wish I would have more free time.
46. We’ll go skiing next weekend in case the snow’s good.
47. I had supper, then I phoned Jean.
48. It was cold, however it was pleasant.
49. At no time she said anything about her illness.
50. Is it going to rain? I don’t hope so.
1. Always look …
2. Here comes …
3. It says …
4. … I played …
5. … while I was staying …
6. ‘How long have you been …’ / ‘… Until …’.
7. Who gave …
8. … since we bought … / … since buying …
9. I left …
10. I managed to (was able to) get in touch … / I succeeded in getting in touch …
11. … of course you can.
12. … she can’t be home yet.
13. … She may / might / could be …
14. Do you think you may …. / Might you …?
15. They don’t allow parking / people to park …
16. … anybody to ask …
17. … to be taken …
18. … cannot catch fire. / It’s impossible for this material to catch fire.
19. … too heavy to lift.
20. … used to writing …
21. Talking to the driver …
22. … (some) research …
23. … is meetings.
24. … a five-litre can …
25. … a feeling of disappointment.
26. Pete and Ann’s …
27. … the name of their street.
28. … mountain flowers.
29. … they believed … / … people believed.
30. … or one with cream.
31. … than in nature.
32. The number of unemployed …
33. … at Birmingham Airport.
34. The whole of Venice … / All of Venice …
35. She fell unconscious …
36. … a nice old woman …
37. The students questioned …
38. The more you smile, the more beautiful you look.
39. … your English, which is so excellent. / … your excellent English.
40. … between the woods …
41. … opposite our house.
42. … to say what you thought. / … what you think.
43. … I’d rather you came …
44. … they went home.
45. I wish I had …
46. … if the snow’s good.
47. I had supper; then I phoned Jean.
48. It was cold; however, it was pleasant.
49. At no time did she say …
50. … I hope not.
© Michael Swan and Catherine Walter. Oxford English Grammar Course Advanced.