Non-native writing errors: some which may persist

Pity the student of English.

-the challenges of English-common errors and their roots-resources Non-native writing errors: some which may persist

Lee Sledd, Tacoma Community College, May 2011VocabularyEnglish is big.-words from Latin, German and French. -(maybe) largest lexicon of any language.-thanks to medicine, technology and pop media, a new English word is born every 98 minutes.Many dictionaries / thesauruses dont show how to use words- esp. slang, trade words and abbreviations I am fluid in three languages.He is severely short.I didnt mean to take up so much of your time; sorry I made you lose your lunch.Patient had a cabbage (CABG or coronary artery bypass graft) He's a blue bloater (a patient in congestive heart failure)

Word partners (collocations) are mostly arbitraryIn Spanish and Thai, digging a ditch is

Hard workHeavy workSerious workCollocationsIn Spanish and Thai, digging a ditch is

Hard workHeavy workSerious workVerb + preposition = something specialTypical student error: I need to fill up the application.Put it off until tomorrow.Put out the fire.The family put me up for the night, but I could hardly put up with their dog.Knock on wood!The last punch knocked him out.Ill come around and knock you up in the morning (British).Are you putting on me? => putting me on! Some are separable, some are not; pronouns cant go last (put out it)Phrasal verbs:How many are there?In(to)OnOutoffoverUp (with)PutKeepGetCatchRunLookeatDropcleanPhrasal verbsIn(to)OnOutoffoverUp (with)PutXXXXXKeepXXXXGetX(with)XXXXCatchXXRunXXXXXXLookXXXXXeatXXXDropXXXcleanXXXPrepositionsIn a literal translation of Spanish, when using the telephone, you are speaking:On the phoneIn the phoneFor the phone[No preposition]

PrepositionsIn a literal translation of Spanish, when using the telephone, you are speaking:On the phoneIn the phoneFor the phone[No preposition]

PrepositionsIn a literal translation of Thai, when using the telephone, you are speaking:On the phoneIn the phoneFor the phone[No preposition]

PrepositionsIn a literal translation of Thai, when using the telephone, you are speaking:On the phoneIn the phoneFor the phone[No preposition]

Verb tenses: Spanish vs. EnglishPresent simple can be used for situations that require present continuous in English.Ya vengo! lit. I come, = Im coming!

Verb tensesIn Thai, verbs are not conjugated at all. Lit. He no know. (could be present or past)Time in Thai is understood by context.Lit. Yesterday I go store. (obviously past!)English requires mastery of 6-12 tenses.

Follow the rules! Then break them.1. MATCH

2. Fill in the blank:I wouldnt do that if I _______ you.

PronounTO BE (past)IWasYouWereHe, she, itWasArticles (a/an/the) in EnglishGo ____ homeGo ____ bedGo ____ bankSee ____ Statue of LibertyVisit ___ Mt. Rainier___ wet dogs smell.

Articles in SpanishGo to the homeGo to the bedGo to the bankSee the Statue of LibertyVisit the Mt. RainierThe wet dogs smell.In Thai? NONE

Verbs in combination:Chose the correct answer.He stopped (to smoke / smoking / [either]).She started (to say / saying /[either]) something (verbs require objects??) Dont start (crying / to cry / [either]).He is tired (to walk / of walking / [either]).

Did you get 100%? Is there any pattern or rule to your choices?

Complex sentences -Which 3 are INCORRECT?The girl who was typing in the library finished her paper on time.The girl that was typing in the library finished her paper on time.The girl which was typing in the library finished her paper on time.The girl was typing in the library finished her paper on time.The girl typing in the library finished her paper on time.The typing girl in the library finished her paper on time.Complex sentencesThe girl who was typing in the library finished her paper on time.The girl that was typing in the library finished her paper on time.The girl which was typing in the library finished her paper on time.The girl was typing in the library finished her paper on time.The girl typing in the library finished her paper on time.The typing girl in the library finished her paper on time.If you found them quickly, your English is very good!If you can explain WHY, you can teach ESL!Other persistent & glaring errorsWord order, in general: Never she told me to go to the stop bus.Trouble maintaining tense over complex sentences or discourseSubject /verb agreement, missing or double subjectsHe was really over confident and think that it would be ok.. Second obstacle he have to deal with is the place.The man face a several obstacles in the trail.There are several obstacles the man have to deal while he was on wilderness.Combinations of verbs: + infinitive or gerund, passive, modal verbsIf you lost in the forest, you should try to find something to working onHe is at risk to died because he is wet, and in that place, he can freezing.The matches fell, and he stop move.Extra subject pronoun (probably from reflexive verb, Spanish)the fingers it didnt respond to him.

What is reasonable to expect? Spellcheck and grammar checkUse of a thesaurus (but be careful! The weather is capricious today.)Seeking feedback from peer, instructor or tutorAvoid reliance on translatorsOrganization & clarity of messageMultiple revisionsRemedial grammar work (helps if you can identify the area of need)

With good models and assistance, non-native writing can improve.

Word: Spellcheck and grammar checkQuite often, non-native speakers are using operating systems and software in languages other than English. Make sure the language settings are right!Give students a test sentence to type in at home; they should see red and green!

To set Microsoft Word spelling and grammar tools check to English:

1. Click on the Review tab. 2. Select all the text in the document using the mouse or crtl + A3. On the Review ribbon, click on Set Language. Make sure that English is selected as the language.

Other Resources:Dictionaries with collocations / example sentences-Collins COBUILD, Oxford, Longman & onlinePhrasal Verb dictionaries (online)Targeted ESL books (ask ESL faculty!)The Preposition Book, Phrasal Verbs in Use, Grammar Form and FunctionGrammar practice websites & glossariesCollaborate with /consult your friendly ESL colleagues Y mucho, mucho ms!!!