Earlier this week, Zita explained how Americans interpret the phrase "How are you?" and why they might react with surprise if you actually tell them how you are when they ask. It's not the first time we've heard about funny, frustrating, and even downright embarrassing English mistakes. Take these, contributed by VOA intern Matthew Kupfer, or these, added by our readers (that's you!). Commenter Yustina wrote in to share another one of her own:
Yustina, you might want to take some of Sava's advice for making significant improvements quickly, or Shree's advice for making practice part of your daily routine. And check out this link for even more on learning and improving English.
Do you have a story about how an English mistake has led you into a funny or difficult situation? Tell us about it below or in the comments!
I said to my friend, "I am boring." I meant, I felt bored at that time. He just laughed at me and said, "Yes, you are so boring."
I didn't know it was ungrammatical until one of my friend told me it was wrong. She said, "I feel bored." When you use "I am boring" it means you are a boring person; it does not show what you feel. I said, "I have to study hard in English."
So far I have big problems with grammar and how to make tenses correctly. If you have some advice please tell me.
Yustina, you might want to take some of Sava's advice for making significant improvements quickly, or Shree's advice for making practice part of your daily routine. And check out this link for even more on learning and improving English.
Do you have a story about how an English mistake has led you into a funny or difficult situation? Tell us about it below or in the comments!