Student+Essay+Error+Correction


 * EXERCISE 3 – What is wrong with the following sentences from students' essays? If you were their teacher, how would you correct them?**


 * 1)** **Anyone doesn’t need any deposit in my country to rent an apartment. (Korean student)**
 * CORRECTION:** No one needs a deposit in my country to rent an apartment.
 * EXPLANATION:** In English there are no double negatives like, “doesn’t need any.” Just writing “No one” negates the statement.


 * 2) I play squash so so and I wish in Sunday’s morning arrange matches with a girl who plays like me. (Italian)**
 * CORRECTION:** I play squash so so and I want to arrange matches with a girl who plays like me for Sunday mornings.
 * EXPLANATION:** English speakers would say “want” instead of “wish.” If you want to arrange matches every Sunday morning, you would write “Sunday mornings.” If you want to arrange one match on one Sunday, you would write “Sunday morning.”


 * 3) Everytimes I concentrate to speak out, don’t know why always had Chinese in my mind. (Chinese)**
 * CORRECTION:** Every time I try to speak, I don’t know why I always have Chinese on my mind.
 * EXPLANATION:** The phrase “every time” is two words and there is no “s” at the end of “time.” The correct verb in this case is “speak up” because you are trying to have your opinion heard. “Speak out” means you disagree with what is being said. In English we say, “I have something //on// my mind.”


 * 4) Raelly I am so happy. I wold like to give you my best congratulate. and I wold like too to till you my real apologise, because my mother is very sik. (Arabic)**
 * CORRECTION:** Really, I am so happy. I would like to give you my best congratulations and would like to offer you my apologies because my mother is very sick.
 * EXPLANATION:** First, I would talk to the student about what he/she is trying to say, and then offer a better correction and explanation. I would begin by correcting the spelling of “raelly,” “wold,” “apologise” and “sik.”


 * 5)** **I please you very much you allow me to stay with you this Christmas. (Spanish)**
 * CORRECTION:** I would be very pleased if you would allow me to stay with you this Christmas.
 * EXPLANATION:** Instead of “I please you very much,” in English you would say, “I would be very pleased."