Using the Virtual Writing Tutor to Find Field Related Vocabulary

Field-related Vocabulary Checker

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6 Common ESL Errors: an Infographic

One thing I have become acutely aware of while working on the VirtualWritingTutor.com ESL grammar checker is just how common some errors are in college students' writing. I see the same errors day after day, year after year. I could easily come up with a list of about 100 common errors that college students should avoid, but for the sake of brevity, here's an infographic with six undisputably common glitches in ESL writing.

Which is correct, "I am 6 feet" or "I am 6 foot"?

Which of the following do you think is correct?

1. I am 6 foot 2 inches.
2. I am 6 feet 2 inches.
3. I am 6'2".
4. I am 6 ft 2 in.

Answer

In fact, all 4 are correct, but we use them in different situations. 

1. I am 6 foot 2 inches. Use "6 foot" for informal speaking situations.
2. I am 6 feet 2 inches. This is the correct form for any situation.
3. I am 6'2". Use 6' as a short way to express 6 feet. Use double-prime (") for inches. Most people understand this shorthand for feet and inches. 
4. I am 6 ft 2 in. The standard international abbreviation for feet is ft and inches is in. 

Errors

Sometimes learners make the mistake of confusing the single prime (') and double prime (") and use the prime for inches and the double prime for feet. For example.

I am 6"2' tall. (Incorrect) 

Other times, learners use both the prime and the word, which is redundant.

I am 6' feet 2" inches tall. (Incorrect) 

Furthermore, learners sometimes use two apostrophes for a double prime instead of the " symbol. This should be avoided also.

Check your writing for errors on VirtualWritingTutor.com the best free ESL grammar checker.

The Difference between Even If and Even Though

Even if you don't know the difference and even though English grammar can be tricky for learners of English as a Second Language, this question comes up often: what is the difference between "even if" and "even though"?

Do you know the difference? 

What is the difference between even if and even though?

Answer:

✗ Even if robots are not human, they have many human characteristics.
✓ Even though robots are not human, they have many human characteristics.
? Use "even if" when your are not sure if it is true. Use "even though" when you are expressing a fact.

Common Errors 

Here are some examples of common errors that the VirtualWritingTutor can catch.

• I am always screaming like a stuck pig even if I am not one. 
• She loves them all, even if they are wild animals.
• Even if Routers are not humans, they still have one human characteristic. 

Useful Resources

• Virtual Writing Tutor the best online ESL grammar checker.
• Download the Error Correction Card Game  
• Follow us on Facebook. 
• Order the Revision Strategies Card from Bokomaru Publications

Aspect and Its Effect on Meaning

Many English Second Language learners understand the difference between past, present and future tenses, but they struggle to understand the difference between the simple, progressive, perfect progressive and perfect aspects. What is the difference between the following sentences?

1. I work.
2. I am working.
3. I have been working.
4. I have worked.

Do you know the difference? 

The effect of aspect on meaning on English verbs

Answer:

1. I work. The Simple Aspect emphasizes that an activity is normal and routine.
2. I am working. The Progressive Aspect emphasizes that an activity is temporary and in-progress.
3. I have been working. The Perfect Progressive Aspect emphasizes that the activity was recently finished or interrupted. 
4. I have worked. The Perfect Aspect can express a past event to emphasize its present consequences.

Common Errors 

Here are some examples of common aspect errors that the VirtualWritingTutor can catch.

• My brother is usually playing video game.
• I live here since I am born.
• I am working here for 4 years.
• After the party, while I was sleeping I've been dreaming about something wrong. 

Useful Resources

• Virtual Writing Tutor the best online ESL grammar checker.
• Download the Error Correction Card Game  
• Follow us on Facebook. 
• Order the Revision Strategies Card from Bokomaru Publications

Aspect Error with the Present Progressive and the Simple Present

English can be confusing for many learners because of something called aspect. To illustrate, you can say, "I am eating breakfast" and "I eat breakfast." Both are correct. Both are in the present tense, but each has a different aspect and communicate a different meaning. Do you know when to use the Simple Present and when to use the Present Progressive? Try this.

Do you know the answer? 

Answer:

✗ Every day, I am waking up at noon. 
✓ Every day, I wake up at noon.
? Use the Simple Present, not the Present Progressive, for normal routines, habits and facts.

Similar Errors

• My brother is usually playing video game.
• My mother is really special for me because I can't cook without burning the whole house, so she's making all my meals all days.
• Every year student is having difficulty to decision the right career.

Useful Resources

• Virtual Writing Tutor the best online ESL grammar checker.
• Download the Error Correction Card Game  
• Follow us on Facebook. 
• Order the Revision Strategies Card from Bokomaru Publications

Double Object Unnecessary Pronoun Error

Sometimes it is not clear whether a pronoun is needed or not. This is especially true in sentences where the object comes before its verb. Here's a quiz that illustrates the choices that many learners of English face. Which one is correct? 

Do you know the answer? 

Answer:

✗ Name one thing that money can't buy it. 
✗ Name one thing that money can't buy it with. 
✓ Name one thing that money can't buy. 
? The object of the verb "can't buy" is "one thing," as if to say, "Money can't buy one thing." Don't double your object by adding the unnecessary pronoun "it". 

Similar Errors

• Most the students try to do everything that their teachers ask them to do it.
• Name the best football player that he won the first prize this year. 
• When you get home, what is the first thing you are going to do it?  

Useful Resources

• Virtual Writing Tutor the best online ESL grammar checker.
• Download the Error Correction Card Game  
• Follow us on Facebook. 
• Order the Revision Strategies Card from Bokomaru Publications