Common Errors - While

while

conjunction

1

BAD: The Japanese have a tendency to keep silent while meetings.

GOOD: The Japanese have a tendency to keep silent during meetings.

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While (conjunction) introduces a clause: 'While we were on holiday, we did a lot of walking.' 

During (preposition) introduces a noun phrase: 'During the holiday we did a lot of walking.' 

2

BAD: While I drove to the airport, my car broke down.

GOOD: While I was driving to the airport, my car broke down.

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To refer to a 'background action', use the past progressive tense

(was /were doing ): 'While I was having a bath, the telephone rang.'

3

BAD: Who will look after the children while you will be at work?

GOOD: Who will look after the children while you are at work?

Common Errors - Whole

whole

noun

BAD: As a whole, I am very happy here.

GOOD: On the whole, I am very happy here.

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as a whole = considered as a single body or unit: 'The country as a whole is not ready for another election.' 

on the whole = generally speaking: 'On the whole, I can see no reason why you shouldn't apply.'

Common Error - Whom

whom

pronoun

1

DUBIOUS: Most of the people whom I met were very kind.

GOOD: Most of the people (that) I met were very kind.

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Whom is used only in formal styles: 'Those applicants whom the selection committee recommends for interview should be contacted without delay.' 'The police officer to whom the crime was first reported has been transferred to another unit.' 

In non-formal styles, use that/who or nothing: 'The man (that) she intends to marry comes from Stockport.' 'The girl (that) you were speaking to is a friend of mine.' In non-identifying clauses, however, only who is possible: 'Both girls - who you may remember from Helen's party - have got places at Oxford.'

2

BAD: She is one of the few people whom I think might be good at the job.

GOOD: She is one of the few people who/that I think might be good at the job.

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When you need a subject relative pronoun, use who/that (NOT whom ): 'He was the one who/that came to meet me at the station.'

Common Error - Wide

wide

adjective

BAD: My education has given me a wide view of life.

GOOD: My education has given me a broad view of life.

BAD: The magazine gives wide descriptions of market trends.

GOOD: The magazine gives broad descriptions of market trends.

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broad view/picture/description/outline (of sth) , NOT wide : 'Can you give me a broad outline of what the speech was about?'

Common Error - Will

will

modal verb

1

BAD: When capital punishment was abolished, people thought that murders will become more numerous.

GOOD: When capital punishment was abolished, people thought that murders would become more numerous.

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A reporting verb in the past tense (e.g. 'thought') is usually followed by would/could  (NOT will/can ). Compare: 'I think she will accept any job that comes along.' 'I thought she would accept any job that came along.'

2

BAD: If a developing country will become a developed country, it has to attract foreign investors.

GOOD: If a developing country is to become a developed country, it has to attract foreign investors.

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When you are talking about what must happen in order to make something possible, use if ... am/is/are to do sth (NOT will ): 'If we are to get there by six o'clock, we'll have to get a taxi.'

Common Error - Win

win

verb

BAD: We have never won the American team.

GOOD: We have never beaten the American team.

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win  a game, match, race, competition, election, etc: 'United have won four of their last five matches.' 'Who won the FA Cup last year?'

beat a person, team or group (in a game, match, race, competition, election etc): 'They're a good side but I'm sure we can beat them.' '

Common Errors - Wish

wish

verb

1

BAD: I wish you have a wonderful holiday.

GOOD: I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

BAD: I wish you will enjoy your stay here.

GOOD: I hope you will enjoy your stay here.

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Use wish that  (+ past/past perfect tense) for things that cannot happen or will probably not happen: 'I wish I hadn't told them my address.' 'I wish you could stay here longer.' (= this will probably not happen)

Use hope that  (+ present/present perfect tense) for things that may easily happen or may easily have happened: 'I hope you've had a successful trip.' 'We hope you all have a very merry Christmas.'

When wish is used for this meaning, the object is a noun phrase (NOT a that clause): 'I wish you a safe journey.' 'We'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas.' 

2

DUBIOUS: I wish to send you a wedding present.

GOOD: I'd like to send you a wedding present.

DUBIOUS: I wish to stay until the end of July but I can't.

GOOD: I'd like to stay until the end of July but I can't. 

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When you tell someone what you want (to do), or ask someone what they want (to do), use would like  or (especially in informal styles) want : 'I'd like to buy a few postcards.' 'What would you like to do tonight?'

Wish is used with this meaning only in formal styles: 'We wish to apologize for the late arrival of this train.' 

3

BAD: I wish that they will stop killing each other.

GOOD: I wish that they would stop killing each other.

BAD: He wishes he can drive a car; taxis are so expensive.

GOOD: He wishes he could drive a car; taxis are so expensive.

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When you are thinking about the present or the future, use wish (that) + would /could/had  etc. (NOT will/can/have etc.) 'I wish I knew his telephone number.' 'I wish I didn't have to go to school tomorrow.'