Just start again.
OK.
Hi guys, welcome back to English with Max.
In this video we're going to look at five common mistakes made by
non-native English speakers. If you have an advanced level, don't go away because
I've even heard some of these mistakes made by people with a very advanced
level of English. Now I have made a similar video to this before. I made it
one or two years ago... Anyway, I recommend that you first go and watch that.
At least the beginning of it because in that video I explain why it's a good
idea to try to reduce the number of mistakes that you make. As usual, remember
that you can follow me on social media - I have Facebook, Instagram and Twitter -
and don't forget to hit the red subscribe button if you want to be
updated on new videos Okay, let's get started.
First I'll show you a sentence that has a mistake in it, then I'll give you a few
moments to think about how you would correct it, then I'll give you the correction.
Number one: George is sick and he forgot to eat his pills this morning.
Yes, this should be: George is sick and he forgot to take his pills this morning.
The correct verb is "to take". We use "take" for medicine, pills, tablets, vitamins and
drugs (so illegal drugs). Be careful, we don't use "take" for drinks or food. I know
a lot of Spanish speakers say: "I'm going to take a coffee." No, you have to say:
"I'm going to have a coffee". We just use "take" for medication and drugs. And vitamins.
Number two: I went to Disneyland and it was very funny.
The correct sentence is: I went to Disneyland and it was a lot of fun.
I know it's very easy to mix up "fun" and "funny", but the explanation is very simple.
"Funny" means something makes you laugh. Or at least smile with appreciation. It's
something that's humorous like a joke or a comedy. "Fun" means enjoyable, so it's
when you enjoy yourself. When you have a good time.
Be careful, you can't say "very fun". You have to say "a lot of fun", and nowadays
it's acceptable to say "really fun", but that's only in casual contexts. I don't
know why, but "very fun" just doesn't sound good in English.
Number three: I didn't miss my train this morning. Thanks, God.
Yes, this should be: I didn't miss my train this morning. Thank God.
Lots of people make this mistake.
They put an S at the end of "thank". When you are thanking somebody in a casual
situation, then yes, you can say "thanks", but in this expression it is always
"thank God." This is an expression that we use to express gratitude. For example:
"It didn't rain on my wedding day. Thank God." Or: "Oh thank God you're here. I really need your help."
It's something that both religious and non-religious people say.
I think nearly all native speakers use this expression.
Number four: Frank likes to dance on songs by Justin Bieber.
What is wrong with you? What is wrong with this sentence?
Yes, it should be: Frank likes to dance to songs by Justin Bieber.
Or: to Justin Bieber songs. We have to use "to" here and not "on".
Number five: you can write it in the comments section downstairs.
This should be: You can write it in the comments section down below. (Or simply "below".)
"Below" and "down below" in this context basically mean the same thing.
"Down below" just makes it a little bit clearer or a bit stronger. I was actually
watching a YouTube video when I heard this mistake. The girl spoke perfect
English, and then right at the end she said: "You can write it downstairs."
At first I thought: Why did she make this mistake? But then I remembered that in a
lot of languages there aren't separate words for "down below" and "downstairs", or
for "above" and "upstairs". Like in German, people just say "oben" and "unten",
in French: en haut, en bas. Spanish: abajo, arriba. Anyway, I think you get the point.
In English if we're in a building or next to a building, then you have to say
"upstairs" and "downstairs" if you're talking about people who are on
different floors. So if they are below you, you say "downstairs" if they are above,
you say "upstairs". But that's only for buildings. Like I said you could be next
to the building as well. If you're in the garden, you could say: "Billy is upstairs."
Meaning Billy is not on the ground floor. It's normally clear from context exactly
which floor the person means.
Thanks very much for watching, guys As usual, don't hesitate to leave
a comment down below and please give me a thumbs up if you liked the video.
See you next time!