Common Errors - Worth

worth

I

noun

BAD: The ring has great sentimental worth.

GOOD: The ring has great sentimental value.

BAD: They do not appreciate the worth of life.

GOOD: They do not appreciate the value of life.

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Worth is usually used as a preposition: 'A four-bedroomed house in the middle of town is probably worth about £200,000.'

The noun related to worth is value : 'The current value of property is very low compared with this time last year.'

Compare: 'That watch is worth fifty pounds.' 'That watch has a value of fifty pounds.'

II

preposition

1

BAD: The missing ring worths about two thousand pounds.

GOOD: The missing ring is worth about two thousand pounds.

BAD: A holiday doesn't worth all the effort it takes preparing for it.

GOOD: A holiday isn't worth all the effort it takes preparing for it.

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be worth £20/very little/a fortune etc : 'These old computers aren't worth much nowadays.'

2

BAD: It's also worth to visit the north of England if you have time.

GOOD: It's also worth visiting the north of England if you have time.

BAD: The museum was certainly worth to see.

GOOD: The museum was certainly worth seeing. 

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it's worth doing sth; sth is worth doing (NOT to do ): 'It's worth remembering that these old cars can be very expensive to run.'

Common Errors - Worthwhile

worthwhile

adjective

BAD: The film reviews are always worthwhile looking at.

GOOD: The film reviews are always worth looking at.

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it's worth/worthwhile doing sth : 'It might be worth having one or two copies made.' 'Is it worthwhile talking about it now, or shall we leave it until our next meeting?'

sth is worth doing (NOT worthwhile ): 'Some of these so-called professional teams aren't worth watching.'

Compare: 'Was the long drive up to Scotland really worthwhile?'

Common Errors - Worthy

worthy

adjective

BAD: It's not worthy taking your own car.

GOOD: It's not worth taking your own car.

BAD: The cathedral is certainly worthy to be visited.

GOOD: The cathedral is certainly worth visiting.

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it's worth doing sth; sth is worth doing (NOT worthy ): 'Do you think it's worth having the engine tuned?' 'The letter isn't worth worrying about.'

Common Errors - Would

would

modal verb

1

BAD: If I would live in the countryside, I would be much healthier.

GOOD: If I lived in the countryside, I would be much healthier.

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When you are talking about the present or the future and you imagine something that is untrue or unlikely, use the past tense ('lived') in the if clause (NOT would ): 'If I knew her address, I'd send her a postcard.' 'If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a new car.'

2

BAD: If you would have caught the earlier train, we could have travelled together.

GOOD: If you had caught the earlier train, we could have travelled together.

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When you are talking about the past and you imagine something that is impossible, use the past perfect tense ('had caught') in the if clause (NOT would have ): 'If he hadn't got on the plane, he would still be alive.'

3

BAD: If you would have any more questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

GOOD: If you should have any more questions, I'll do my best to answer them.

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When you are talking about the present or the future and you imagine something that is possible but unlikely, use if ... should (NOT if ... would ): 'If anyone should need me, I'll be back in half an hour.'

Common Errors - Wound

wound

verb

BAD: Only the driver was wounded in the accident.

GOOD: Only the driver was injured/hurt in the accident.

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See note at DAMAGE 1 (↑damage)

Common Errors - Wrapping

wrapping

noun

BAD: Manufacturers should dispense with all unnecessary wrapping.

GOOD: Manufacturers should dispense with all unnecessary packaging.

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wrapping (also wrappings ) = paper or paper-like material that is put round something: 'I wanted to tear off the wrapping and see what was inside.' 

packaging = the container or material that something is placed in by a manufacturer, especially to protect it or make it look attractive: 'Packaging should be biodegradable and kept to a minimum.' 

Note that both wrapping  and packaging  are used in connection with food: 'Somewhere on the packaging/wrapping there should be a date stamp.'

Common Errors - Write

write

verb

1

BAD: I'd like to apologize for not having written you before.

GOOD: I'd like to apologize for not having written to you before.

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In British English you write to a person or place (WITH to ): 'Wingate wrote to his father, asking for more money.' 

In American English to is optional: 'I'll write (to) you and give you all the latest news.'

2

BAD: Dear ... I write to you to ask for your advice.

GOOD: Dear ... I am writing to you to ask for your advice.

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For actions which are happening at the time when they are mentioned, use the present progressive tense (NOT the present simple): 'I'm writing to tell you that I'll be coming to London next Thursday.'