-Common mistakes in English

common mistakes in English

There are a number of common mistakes in English that learners face. For example:
-    Whether / If

Both whether and if are used to introduce a yes/no question:
Examples:
He asked me whether I felt well.
We’re not sure if they have decided.
The verb discuss generally takes whether rather than if.
Examples:
We discussed whether he should be hired.
They discussed whether to invest in the new idea.
After Prepositions
Use only whether after prepositions:
Examples:
We talked about whether we should go or not.
I looked into whether he should stay.
Infinitives
Use only whether before infinitives:
Examples:
She can’t decide whether to buy the house or wait.
He considered whether to give up the position or quit next year.
Formal / Informal
Generally, whether is considered more formal than if.

Examples:
Let me know whether you will be able to attend the conference.
The CEO will decide whether this is a risk worth taking.
-    Enough

Adjective / Adverb + Enough
When enough modifies an adjective or an adverb place enough after the adjective / adverb:
Examples:

Do you think he is strong enough to lift that weight?
I think it’s warm enough to take a walk without my jacket.
Enough + Noun
When enough modifies a noun, place enoughbefore the noun:
Examples:
He has enough money to go to Dublin.
She said there were enough participants to learn English in the school.

-    A Little - A Few / Little - Few

A little and little refer to non-count nouns, and is used with the singular form:
Examples:
There’s little wine left in the bottle.
I’ve put a little sugar into your coffee.
A few and few refer to count nouns, and are used with the plural form:
Examples:
There are a few students in that english course.
He says few applicants have presented themselves.
A little and a few convey a positive meaning.
Examples:
I’ve got a little wine left, would you like some?
They’ve got a few positions open.
Little and few convey a negative meaning.
Examples:
He’s got little money left.
I have few friends in Ireland.

-    A Lot, Lots Of, A Lot Of

These three expressions are used in informal English. They can mean either a great quantity of or a large number of and can be rather confusing at times. Here are the general rules for their use.
A Lot Of / Lots Of
These two expressions both mean a great deal of or several. They are used before a count or non-count noun. These two expressions tend to be used in informal English.
Examples:
We need a lot of people for this game.
She likes lots of jam on her toast.
A Lot
Use a lot at the end of a sentence as an adverb. A lot is NOT followed by a noun. The meaning is the same as a great deal.
Examples:
I enjoy swimming a lot.
Mary seems to travel a lot.
-    Female - Feminine / Male - Masculine

Female / Male
Use female or male when referring to the sex of people, plants and animals.
Examples:
The female bear can be ferocious when defending its cubs.
Are you female or male?
Feminine / Masculine