Common Mistakes

and
Confusing Words in English

Lesson 7th
Wednesday, 19th December 2012
a lot / allot / alot
Word Definition Example
A lot meaning a large amount "I need a lot of time to
or number of people or develop this web site.“
things, can be used to
modify a noun. “I have a lot of money to
buy Indomie”
Allot is a verb, which means "We were allotted a desk
to give (especially a each.“
share of something) for
a particular purpose “I allot many pens to my
student”
Alot Alot does not exist!
There is no such word -
in the English language
all ready vs. already
Word Definition Example
All ready completely ready "Are you all ready for the
test?“

“I am all ready to study

English”
Already an adverb that means “I asked him to come to
before the present time the cinema but he'd
or earlier than the time already seen the film”
expected
“I have booked the ticket
already, to go to my
friend’s wedding on
January”
alone vs. lonely
Word Definition Example
Alone can be used as an "He likes living alone.“
adjective or adverb.
Either use means “I think I will stay alone at
without other people or home, because my family
on your own take their holiday”

Lonely an adjective which The Mother

means you are unhappy feels lonely now that all
because you are not the children have left
with other people home.“
All together vs. altogether
Word Definition Example
All together (adv) means "together in The waiter asked if we
a single group." were all together.

We are all together here

for studying English
Altogether (adv) means The Mother
"completely" or "in total feels lonely now that all
" the children have left
home.“
Bored vs. Boring
Word Definition Example
bored an adjective that She was so bored that
describes when she fell asleep.
someone feels tired and
unhappy because
something is not
interesting or because
they have nothing to do.

boring an adjective that means The lesson was

something is not so boring that she fell
interesting or exciting. asleep.
 either vs. as well / too
Word Definition Example
Either used with a negative verb B agrees with A in the
when you are agreeing with negative
something someone
doesn't do or like etc. A - "I don't like cheese.“
B - "I don't like it either."

A- "I haven't seen Lord of the

Rings."
B - "I haven't seen it either."
As well / Too are used with an affirmative For example:- B agrees with A
verb when you are in the positive
agreeing with something
someone does or likes etc A - "I love ice cream."
B - "I love it too." / "I love
it as well.“

A- "I've seen Gladiator."

B - "I've seen it too." / " I've
seen it as well."
"How do you do?“ vs. "How are you?"

Word Definition Example

How do you do? This is not a question. It How do you do?
is another, very formal
way of saying "Hello." It The correct response is;
is also very British. "Pleased to meet you."
or "How do you do." or
We only really use it just "Hello."
the first time we meet
someone.
"How are you?" This is a question "How are you?“

A polite response is; "I'm

fine thanks. And you?"